Mercedes Mulls U.S. Potential for Upcoming Pickup

Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz unit may offer its 2018 X-Class midsize pickup truck in the U.S., Volker Mornhinweg, who heads the company’s vans operations, told reporters today in Stuttgart.

Mercedes is investing nearly €1 billion in the X-Class, which will share a platform with the Nissan NP300/Navara and Renault Alaskan trucks. The vehicle initially will be sold in Latin America, Australia, South Africa and Europe.

Noting a recent sales uptick for midsize trucks in the U.S., Mornhinweg says the company is monitoring the market “very closely” and will make a decision “at the appropriate time.” If the program is approved, Mercedes also would consider opening a new plant in the U.S. to build the pickup, Mornhinweg says.

Nissan will build the X-Class for Mercedes in Spain starting later this year. Renault will add production in Argentina in 2018. But Mornhinweg notes that the Argentina facility probably doesn’t have the capacity to meet U.S. demand.

Last October Mercedes showed a pair of concept pickup trucks that hinted at styling cues for the X-Class.