Mercedes-Benz ute could return, but unlikely
German car-maker says ‘never say never’ with reborn Mercedes-Benz X-Class, but not in current planMercedes-Benz continues to leave the door open for the return of a ute to the Germany luxury car brand’s stable, despite taking a gamble with the now-defunct Nissan Navara-based Mercedes-Benz X-Class that didn’t pay off.
Mercedes-Benz vice-president for vehicle development, Joerg Bartels, told carsales that a return to the ute segment – whether it’s a smaller one-tonne mid-size utility as per X-Class or a larger full-size pick-up like the Ford F-150 – was not in its current product strategy.
However, Bartels said the company would continue to study market conditions.
This could become particularly relevant as a flotilla of premium electric utes enter the fray from the likes of Tesla, Rivian, Ford, Chevrolet and RAM.
Even Audi is considering its first ute, while Mercedes-Benz’s move towards becoming an EV-only brand by 2030 (“where market conditions allow”) will see a dedicated Van.EA architecture rolled out for light commercial vehicles within the next three years that could form the basis for a pick-up.
“You won’t find an F-150 in China, a big market, or in Europe,” said Bartels.
“It only works in those countries, right – Australia and America and so on?
“We do top-end vehicles and a ute or a pick-up truck doesn’t really match that strategy right now.
“Personally, I think the pick-up form – a ute in Australia – and its customer base in terms of volume is not big enough, I would say right now. That could change, but right now I don’t see it.
“But never say never,” he added, with a grin.
Given that Rivian and Mercedes-Benz are already primed to co-develop and manufacture an electric van by 2025, the two car-makers could potentially extend their partnership to include a pick-up.
A Mercedes-badged EV ute with Rivian underpinnings would certainly have showroom appeal.
However, the unsuccessful X-Class program with Nissan will no doubt be weighing on the minds of executives in Stuttgart.
Asked if the foray with the X-Class, which lasted just three years, left a bad taste in his mouth and should have been done by the company in-house, Bartels was candid.
“It’s okay. It’s okay to stop a project when it’s not successful,” he said.
“In Europe it wasn’t a good story, wasn’t a good success.”
Related: Rivian and Mercedes-Benz to co-develop electric vans
Related: Every Mercedes-Benz model to get EV version by 2025
Related: Mercedes-Benz X-Class ute dropped
Join the conversation at
Or email us at
Or email us at
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
