Mercedes ponders a move into the pickup truck biz
#1
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Mercedes ponders a move into the pickup truck biz
Automotive DNA - Benz Test Bed: Mercedes ponders a move into the truck biz
GREG KABLE
Published Date: 5/9/05
Mercedes-Benz has become somewhat of a master in the art of identifying emerging markets and adjusting its lineup accordingly—look no further than the addition of such models as the A-, B- and M-Class to the traditional C-, E- and S-Class portfolio.
Add the emergence of the CLK, SLK, CLS and SLR in recent years and you begin to appreciate how far the folks in Stuttgart have gone in diversifying a range that a mere decade or so ago included just six model lines. The rate of growth has been staggering, with worldwide sales rocketing to more than 1 million annually as a result.
Mercedes isn’t done yet—signs are its new model expansion is just beginning. The biggest leap? That would be the automaker’s plans to produce a full-blown pickup truck.
Reports out of Germany suggest Mercedes is considering spinning a large, double-cab pickup off the upcoming G-Class (AW, April 11). We know this may sound ludicrous, but Cadillac has proven with the Escalade EXT that the demand for such a vehicle exists, even if it is limited to the North American market and is fairly small by comparison to other emerging segments.
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class goes on sale in the fall.
The idea, according to our traditionally well-informed sources, is to combine the cargo and hauling capabilities of a full-size, short-bed pickup truck with the luxurious inte-rior appointments and general sophistication of a high-end Mercedes-Benz sport/utility vehicle. Is there a higher-end SUV than the coming next-generation G-Wagen?
Among the engines under consideration for the Mercedes’ pickup are a range of new four-valve V8s, including a 330-hp 4.6-liter and a 388-hp 5.5-liter, both channeling drive permanently to four wheels via Stuttgart’s seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.
Also a possibility is the new 6.3-liter V8 that is under development at AMG as a replacement for today’s supercharged 5.4-liter V8. The new powerplant is rumored to produce 504 hp in production trim, trumping the Escalade’s 6.0-liter V8 by a country mile.
What else does Mercedes have up its sleeve? At the recent New York auto show the company showed the production R-Class that goes on sale this fall. Based on the same four-wheel-drive underpinnings as the second-generation M-Class and the next G-Class (they will be built side-by-side-by-side with the pickup at the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama), this six-seat luxury sportwagon is a clear reaction to a trend in which buyers are abandoning traditional high-end sedans for roomier luxury SUV offerings and, if our sources are right, luxury Mercedes pickups.
source : autoweek
GREG KABLE
Published Date: 5/9/05
Mercedes-Benz has become somewhat of a master in the art of identifying emerging markets and adjusting its lineup accordingly—look no further than the addition of such models as the A-, B- and M-Class to the traditional C-, E- and S-Class portfolio.
Add the emergence of the CLK, SLK, CLS and SLR in recent years and you begin to appreciate how far the folks in Stuttgart have gone in diversifying a range that a mere decade or so ago included just six model lines. The rate of growth has been staggering, with worldwide sales rocketing to more than 1 million annually as a result.
Mercedes isn’t done yet—signs are its new model expansion is just beginning. The biggest leap? That would be the automaker’s plans to produce a full-blown pickup truck.
Reports out of Germany suggest Mercedes is considering spinning a large, double-cab pickup off the upcoming G-Class (AW, April 11). We know this may sound ludicrous, but Cadillac has proven with the Escalade EXT that the demand for such a vehicle exists, even if it is limited to the North American market and is fairly small by comparison to other emerging segments.
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class goes on sale in the fall.
The idea, according to our traditionally well-informed sources, is to combine the cargo and hauling capabilities of a full-size, short-bed pickup truck with the luxurious inte-rior appointments and general sophistication of a high-end Mercedes-Benz sport/utility vehicle. Is there a higher-end SUV than the coming next-generation G-Wagen?
Among the engines under consideration for the Mercedes’ pickup are a range of new four-valve V8s, including a 330-hp 4.6-liter and a 388-hp 5.5-liter, both channeling drive permanently to four wheels via Stuttgart’s seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.
Also a possibility is the new 6.3-liter V8 that is under development at AMG as a replacement for today’s supercharged 5.4-liter V8. The new powerplant is rumored to produce 504 hp in production trim, trumping the Escalade’s 6.0-liter V8 by a country mile.
What else does Mercedes have up its sleeve? At the recent New York auto show the company showed the production R-Class that goes on sale this fall. Based on the same four-wheel-drive underpinnings as the second-generation M-Class and the next G-Class (they will be built side-by-side-by-side with the pickup at the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama), this six-seat luxury sportwagon is a clear reaction to a trend in which buyers are abandoning traditional high-end sedans for roomier luxury SUV offerings and, if our sources are right, luxury Mercedes pickups.
source : autoweek
#3
wtf?! Oh hell no they are not thinking about doing that. Last time i checked MB is supposed to be a Luxury company. I guess they have too much money and feel the need to lose some of it on a bad desicion.
#4
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Originally Posted by AmethySC
Automotive DNA - Benz Test Bed: Mercedes ponders a move into the truck biz
GREG KABLE
Published Date: 5/9/05
Mercedes-Benz has become somewhat of a master in the art of identifying emerging markets and adjusting its lineup accordingly—look no further than the addition of such models as the A-, B- and M-Class to the traditional C-, E- and S-Class portfolio.
GREG KABLE
Published Date: 5/9/05
Mercedes-Benz has become somewhat of a master in the art of identifying emerging markets and adjusting its lineup accordingly—look no further than the addition of such models as the A-, B- and M-Class to the traditional C-, E- and S-Class portfolio.
Since much of this truck's platform and mechanicals are going to come from the G-Wagen (one of the toughest SUV's on the planet) it should be able to do some pretty heavy-duty stuff, unlike the Honda Ridgeline. Also, let's hope THIS time M-B gets the electronics right......a pickup driver going off-road cannot afford a breakdown far from civilization.
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The Esclade does well b/c it represents what Caddy is to most people still, BIG and IN your face. The QX56 is a bigger SUV and sales pale in comparison. A Benz truck would be silly for the company, they don't need it.
Quite frankly if those idiots would just get the damn quality right, Benz would sell #1 year after year worldwide even with the cars costing more than the competiton. I am sure it would convince many Japanese luxury car owners to buy Benz if they got the quality together.
Instead, they continue to ignore it and build more cars/SUVs.....
Quite frankly if those idiots would just get the damn quality right, Benz would sell #1 year after year worldwide even with the cars costing more than the competiton. I am sure it would convince many Japanese luxury car owners to buy Benz if they got the quality together.
Instead, they continue to ignore it and build more cars/SUVs.....
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Originally Posted by Richie
Sounds like a bad idea to me.
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Fear not guys, it'll have 500+hp!
Honestly, I think it will be the non car saavy buyers blinded by their strange devotion to a given car line that will buy this. My mom (complete lover of "the star") tried to get my dad to sell our 454 2500 Suburban and get the R class as our utility vehicle to haul stuff including our jet ski. Needless to say, I came in and shut that down. I could totally see her an my mom, Benz lovers with a high disposable income, wanting to add another commodified vehicle to the line up in order to fill any gaps, no matter how unnecessary or just plain ridiculous.
James
Honestly, I think it will be the non car saavy buyers blinded by their strange devotion to a given car line that will buy this. My mom (complete lover of "the star") tried to get my dad to sell our 454 2500 Suburban and get the R class as our utility vehicle to haul stuff including our jet ski. Needless to say, I came in and shut that down. I could totally see her an my mom, Benz lovers with a high disposable income, wanting to add another commodified vehicle to the line up in order to fill any gaps, no matter how unnecessary or just plain ridiculous.
James
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Originally Posted by jet864
Fear not guys, it'll have 500+hp!
Honestly, I think it will be the non car saavy buyers blinded by their strange devotion to a given car line that will buy this. My mom (complete lover of "the star") tried to get my dad to sell our 454 2500 Suburban and get the R class as our utility vehicle to haul stuff including our jet ski. Needless to say, I came in and shut that down. I could totally see her an my mom, Benz lovers with a high disposable income, wanting to add another commodified vehicle to the line up in order to fill any gaps, no matter how unnecessary or just plain ridiculous.
James
Honestly, I think it will be the non car saavy buyers blinded by their strange devotion to a given car line that will buy this. My mom (complete lover of "the star") tried to get my dad to sell our 454 2500 Suburban and get the R class as our utility vehicle to haul stuff including our jet ski. Needless to say, I came in and shut that down. I could totally see her an my mom, Benz lovers with a high disposable income, wanting to add another commodified vehicle to the line up in order to fill any gaps, no matter how unnecessary or just plain ridiculous.
James
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Originally Posted by Incendiary
The R-class is worthwhile. I've been saying for a little bit now that the last frontier, other than more and more crossovers of different kinds, for the luxury car companies is a luxury pickup. Even if this is a joke, it'll happen eventually.
James
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Originally Posted by jet864
But if it does happen do you think it's the right move? Some companies can make anything and it'll sell, but do you think that a MB/BMW/Lexus pickup is the right thing for a car company to do? Unless money money money is everything.
James
James
Death to SUVs.