Mercedes X-Class Pickup Truck Unlikely to Be Sold in US

'In the US aligning the premium to the midsize is kind of a contradiction because a premium truck is a fullsize truck. We do not see the US market as relevant or suitable for that truck'

Autoblog.com
The Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup truck, seen here in concept at last October's reveal, is expected to go on sale in Europe, Australia, Latin America, and South Africa beginning later in 2017.
The Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup truck, seen here in concept at last October's reveal, is expected to go on sale in Europe, Australia, Latin America, and South Africa beginning later in 2017.

Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche says the midsize Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup truck is unlikely to be sold in the United States.

"In the U.S. aligning the premium to the midsize is kind of a contradiction because a premium truck is a fullsize truck," he said in response to an Autoblog question. "Therefore ... we do not see the U.S. market as a relevant market or a suitable market for that truck."

The US luxury truck segment is dominated by Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, and Ram, with loaded-up models commanding high prices and offering strong towing and hauling capability.

Still, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon reinvigorated the midsize truck market, and new versions of the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma have made it more competitive and offered consumers broader choices, though none are truly considered luxury vehicles.

(more on the Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup . . . )

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