Mercedes Pickup on the way – and no, it’s not an early April fool!

Mercedes-Benz has revealed it’s planning to enter the midsize pickup market with the first pickup from a Premium brand. Will launch by 2020.

The news that Mercedes-Benz are planning to launch a pickup is the stuff of April Fools, but not this time – Mercedes are completely serious.

Just as they did with a ‘Sporty SUV’ when the ML arrived a couple of decades ago, Mercedes are happy to take the risk that a pickup may devalue the brand, and are planning the first ‘Premium’ pickup for launch by the end of the decade.

Mercedes will be aiming their new Tonka Toy at the growing market for pickups that can function as family cars, with a double cab and plenty of toys, in Europe, Australia, South Africa and Latin America.

In its firing line will be stuff like the Toyota Hilux, VW Amorak and even the Mitsubishi L200

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Mercedes Chairman, said:

The Mercedes-Benz pickup will contribute nicely to our global growth targets.

We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains, and value.

The new Merc Pickup will apparently be made by Mercedes Vans, and Mercedes are sure they’re on to a winner with a premium pickup, although how ‘Premium’ it will really be if – as rumour has it – it ends up being a Nissan Navara with MB bits on show, we’re not sure.

Still, they’re probably right and people will buy an MB-badged pickup for the badge and because you’ll be able to drive a double-cab Mercedes pickup for a fraction of the BIK bill you’d get for a Mercedes SUV, Estate, Saloon or Hatch.