Mercedes new flagship pickup has been getting fairly mixed responses across the industry. VW and BMW in particular have said some pretty scathing things about, feeling that it doesn't quite deliver on its premise. VW boss Michael Bartasch said that VW would have done a much better job in differentiating it from it's Navara underpinnings, and time will tell if they makeover they have done is enough. One of the heads from BMW called it 'appalling' saying that if BMW was ever to do a pickup that it would be based on a proper architecture like the X5.
VW and BMW criticize the X-Class
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I see the X-Class as a proof of concept and that being the case it makes sense to partner up and delegate most, if not, all to Nissan.
If sales progress well enough, who's to say Mercedes won't eventually use its own platform?
If sales progress well enough, who's to say Mercedes won't eventually use its own platform?
It's easy for BMW to criticize as they have yet to produce a proper pickup themselves. The VW Amarok has been well received however, and I know its one of the top sellers in AUS. And if Mercedes ever decides to expand outside of Europe I'm sure we will see some significant changes to the platform.
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Overseas, Mercedes has a massive presence with work and commercial vehicles.
However BMW might be smart by pushing the beast (Mercedes) to offer an even more durable pick up to take the financial risk and hopefully show what potential is out there.
BMW can't risk nearly as much.
If anything I think BMW will learn from the struggles that the X-Class is facing, that it might not be worthwhile for them to release a pickup, at least until electrification is well underway. Even as a premium brand I think they'd have a hard time competing with the luxury options that's already available from Ford and Ram.
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Well the new X7 is sort of a step in that direction as it gives them infrastructure that's already lucrative to experiment on. Even the X5 platform might be adequate.
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That brings the E-Class All Terrain to mind. Good to see BMW is coming to market with their own version because sometimes MB products can be too relaxed for those wanting a more driver focused ride.Well it looks like BMW may be developing a 3 Series X-Cross. They are one of the only German brands that has yet to jump onto the lifted wagon train. Successful sales on that kind of model could force them to reconsider the off road market.![]()
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