Mercedes-Benz to build a bakkie

Maljan

Active member
The Best (Volume) Or Nothing
By Derek Kreindler on March 27, 2015


mbtruck.jpg


A few days shy of April 1st, Mercedes-Benz has announced that they will build a luxury pickup truck for world markets.

While M-B clearly has their eye on the VW Amarok, not to mention the countless markets where a pickup truck is a logical next step up from one of their vans, the whole thing has the undeniable stench of “fuck it, we’re all out of ideas”.

The German luxury brands have been on an insatiable quest for volume over the past few years, and it’s led them down a strange path; front drive minivans, coupe-like SUVs, compact cars.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2015/03/best-volume-nothing/

Say it isn't so! We know that when Stuttgart sneezes, Munchen gets a cold. How much longer before a BMW bakkie hits the road?

MB last built pickups back in the day of the Ponton of the late '50s/early 60s but BMW is still a vestal virgin when it comes to working vehicles.

1958-Mercedes-Benz-190D-Binz-Truck-Conversion-For-Sale-Pickup.jpg


There is also a G-class bakkie for special customers who customise them with some nifty hardware:

netherlands.jpg


With all the niche market cars that come out of Bavaria nowadays, a truck would be hard to resist. I have always wondered if an X5 can be cut up to make a bakkie. I bet that we will find out in the near future.

5899610379_3fda22e86d_o.jpg
 

Maljan

Active member
The X5 above does not actually exist. It is just digital art.

Here is one that is based on an E53. It was built by an Aussie BMW dealer.

bmw-x5-ute-image-1-655x436.jpg


It doesn't really work - just too short to look like a proper pickup.
 
Top