Mercedes-Benz X-Class Pickup Won’t Make It To the US After All

North America, and the US in particular, is a big pickup truck consumer, which makes Daimler’s decision not to launch the X-Class on this market somewhat odd.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 2016 LA Auto Show, the brand’s USA CEO, Dietmar Exler, told Autonews that the car company has no plans of launching it in the States. At least not its first generation, anyway.

“Once the next version of the truck comes out – when we see the next iteration – there might be an opportunity to bring it in the medium and long-term“, Exler commented. “We want to bring it when we believe it makes sense as Mercedes to bring out the pickup truck.“

In the meantime, the X-Class is getting ready to make transition from concept to production, using Nissan’s expertise in the field. The premium workhorse shares the same nuts and bolts with the Navara, but benefits from retuned suspension on both ends and adds an unique cabin layout, inspired by other models in the company’s lineup.

The first units of the Mercedes-Benz X-Class should be seen on Europe’s roads late next year, followed by South America in 2018.