The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG have announced overnight that Nissan will build the Mercedes-Benz pickup (ute), based off the all-new Navara.
NISSAN WILL BUILD the Mercedes-Benz Pickup (ute) with the all-new Nissan Navara serving as the base of the vehicle. “The Mercedes-Benz pickup will share some of the architecture with the all-new Nissan NP300 but it will be engineered and designed by Daimler to meet the specific needs of its customers. The vehicle will have all of Mercedes Benz’ distinctive characteristics and features,” Renault-Nissan and Daimler AG said in a joint statement.
While many of the details are still being kept quiet, we do know the Mercedes-Benz ute (pickup) will follow in the same vein as the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, etc in that it will be a double-cab and designed to suit both work and play applications. The primary target markets for the ute are Europe, Australia, South Africa and Latin America. Mercedes-Benz is currently mulling over whether to release the vehicle in the US.
“Mercedes-Benz is the fastest growing premium brand in the world,” said Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
“Entering the rapidly growing segment of midsize pickups is an important step in continuing our global growth path. Thanks to our well-established partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, we are able to drastically reduce the time and cost to enter this key segment.”
According to Mercedes-Benz, the ute will be built by Nissan in the Renault plant in Cordoba, Argentina, along with the Nissan NP300 (Navara) and the Renault ute (which is also being based off the Navara) , for Latin America. The three trucks will also be built in the Nissan plant in Barcelona, Spain, for other markets, excluding North America. Production of the trucks at the two plants will start by the end of the decade.
The announcement of the joint-development and build of the Mercedes-Benz ute which will go into production from 2020, marks the fifth anniversary of the Renault-Nissan and Daimler AG alliance.
“After five years of cooperation between Daimler and Renault-Nissan, my conclusion is by all means positive,” Zetsche said. “We have identified and launched many joint projects that create benefits for all partners involved.”
