Mercedes-Benz to launch
pickup truck in 2017
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[October 26, 2016]
FRANKFURT
(Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz said it will launch a pickup truck in
late 2017, becoming the first German premium auto maker to enter one of
the most lucrative segments in the car industry.
Mercedes said the new "X-Class" will hit showrooms in Australia, Brazil,
Argentina, South Africa and Europe late next year.
Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche, said: "With the Mercedes-Benz
pickup, we will close one of the last gaps in our portfolio."
Currently no launch date for the United States, the biggest market for
pickups, has been announced.
Pickup trucks have gained popularity mainly in the United States, with
sales of such models accounting for 90 percent of global pretax margins
at General Motors <GM.N> and Ford <F.N>, according to analysts.
On Tuesday, General Motors and FiatChrysler <FCHA.MI> both reported
better than expected earnings mainly thanks to demand for pickup trucks
and sports utility vehicles in North America. The segment has been
moving upmarket with Ford's F-150 model fetching prices of up to
$50,000.
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Daimler said the new pickup truck would be built by its Vans division.
Germany's top car companies have been vying for the global title of
best-selling premium automaker, expanding into new vehicle categories as
a way to boost sales.
Deliveries of BMW's core brand reached a record 1.81 million last
year. By comparison, Audi sold 1.74 million cars and Mercedes-Benz
sold 1.65 million of its own-branded passenger cars.
Production of the Mercedes pickup will take place at Renault and Nissan
plants, Daimler said.
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![](../images/102616pics/busine63.jpg)
Mercedes-Benz unveil the new Mercedes-Benz Pickup at a press event
held at the art gallery Artipelag in Stockholm, Sweden on October
25, 2016. Vilhelm Stokstad /TT News Agency/Handout via REUTERS
ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR
EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING
CAMPAIGNS. SWEDEN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SWEDEN.
NO COMMERCIAL SALES.
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Mercedes, Nissan and Renault have shared engines, plants and vehicle
underpinnings since they forged a cooperation alliance in 2010.
For the European, Australian and South African markets, Mercedes will start
manufacturing the truck at the Nissan plant in Barcelona, Spain, in 2017.
The X-Class for the Latin American market will roll off the assembly lines at
the Renault plant in Cordoba, Argentina, starting in 2018, Daimler said.
(Reporting by Edward Taylor, editing by David Evans)
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