Press Release Mercedes Benz to build midsize pickup by end of Decade
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Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
Your are welcome, Sayyaaf. Here's some more info from Carlos Ghosn.
Ghosn says Nissan is not Mercedes' only pickup option
NEW YORK -- Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says global partner Daimler AG has plenty of options for sourcing the Mercedes-Benz pickup it is planning to introduce by 2020.
And they may or may not include a Nissan factory.
“I don’t want anybody to think that because they announced a pickup truck, they have to make it with us. Not at all,” Ghosn said Thursday, speaking with reporters during the New York auto show. “They are completely free to do it by themselves, to do it with somebody else, etc., and also, or to do it with us.”
Mercedes plans to target pickup sales in European, Latin American, Australian and South African markets.
Ghosn declined to say whether Nissan and Daimler are discussing the possibility of building the Mercedes pickup at a Nissan assembly plant.
Ghosn and Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche have a growing list of projects the companies are jointly working on, ranging from vehicle development, small-car sourcing, joint-venture factories in Tennessee and Mexico, and many projects the two have not yet disclosed.
Ghosn said that all future projects are “on the table” between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance to consider executing in partnership.
“Dieter announced that Daimler is going to go into the pickup truck. Good. That’s it. There’s no more information,” Ghosn added, dismissing press speculation about a possible Nissan role.
“Is this something that can eventually be on the table? I told you, everything is on the table between us.
A sketch of the pickup truck that Mercedes plans to launch by 2020.
“Now, not everything is decided positively. From time to time, for whatever reason, one says no, and everything stops. And nobody feels obligated to collaborate with the other partner.”
Nissan may build the Daimler-designed pickup based on the Nissan Navara platform, with Daimler providing technology including four- and six-cylinder powertrains, The Wall Street Journal reported this week, quoting sources familiar with the matter.
Nissan builds the full-size Titan pickup in Canton, Miss., and is preparing to launch a redesigned version of the truck with a diesel engine later this year. But the truck is sold in North America only, and Mercedes is planning non-U.S. markets with its pickup, to be developed by the company’s commercial truck unit.
It has proved extremely difficult for Nissan and Toyota Motor Corp. to make significant headway in the U.S. with large pickups, a segment long dominated by the Detroit 3.
Import brands have been more successful in the U.S. midsize truck segment. And Nissan’s midsize Frontier, also built in Mississippi, is sold in multiple markets around the world and manufactured in multiple plants.
It is not yet clear whether Daimler even intends to offer its proposed pickup in the U.S. Other automakers, including Volkswagen and Mitsubishi, offer pickups in markets outside Detroit 3-dominated North America.
“For the moment,” Ghosn said, “there is no decision. A decision will be done by them eventually. So you’re going to have to wait.” Source: Automotive News
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
Sprinter-Based Pickup Could Be Solution for Mercedes
A lot has been written about the possibility of a Mercedes-Benz midsize pickup coming to the global marketplace by 2020. First Mercedes officials announced the possibility from Germany; then The Wall Street Journal reported M-B would partner with Nissan to build its new global entry. Now Automotive News is reporting that Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says there is no binding agreement that makes the partnership official, adding no decisions have been made.
Clearly, this is good theater and makes for plenty of splashy news stories. The fact remains that we're not any closer to a midsize competitor for the U.S. market. All of this discussion centers on a global commercial entry into a solid global marketplace from a maker of many commercial vehicles. Whether a Mercedes-Benz small pickup comes to market in the U.S. is just as likely as discussing whether the globally popular Mitsubishi L200, Volkswagen Amarok or Ford Ranger will eventually come to the states. House money, at least in the near term, is clearly on that not happening.
It makes perfect sense that a global commercial player like M-B would want to offer a global midsize pickup for better access to the significant midsize markets in South America, Europe and Africa. Conversely, it probably doesn't make much sense to invest vehicle production time, engineering and design work (even if it's on a shared platform) into a midsize pickup that would likely not sell well in the U.S. at the price Mercedes would need to make the project profitable. That's especially true in light of the fact that the U.S. midsize segment is not likely to go through a major expansion any time soon. A moderate expansion, maybe — but not a significant one.
With all that said, there still might be a way for Mercedes to come to the U.S. with a strong and unique commercial pickup that could offer impressive technology, capability and "rough luxury" to a new and practical buyer. M-B could use its Sprinter commercial van (preferably the 4x4 version) as a platform for a full-size pickup body.
The result would be economical and powerful diesel engines; a solid, low-slung chassis ready to haul plenty of cargo; and a mountain of safety technology already housed in the current Sprinter computer software. Add to that a potentially low load floor, reasonable towing and an all-wheel-drive setup (with an available low-range option) that would make any delivery company, oil producer or construction fleet buyer quite happy. Once Mercedes starts making Sprinter vans in this country (now they're built in Germany and reassembled in the U.S.), we imagine costs will come down considerably. The timing for all of this could happen well before 2020, the supposed target date for a global Mercedes midsize pickup.
We're not saying it would be easy, but we are saying there may be more money in it for M-B in the long run if it jumped into the much larger U.S. full-size pickup market with a real commercial entry (we know Nissan and Toyota made half-hearted attempts to service the commercial side of the workforce when their full-size trucks debuted). Making the full-size pickup buyer happy first would be a wise decision. Then, if things went well, Mercedes could add an extra trim package or two for those who want a little more comfort and luxury. All the full-size pickup makers have figured out how much money there is to make with premium trim packages and added capability. And it seems like M-B might know something about the luxury end of the spectrum.
Theo Chin/Chris Doane Automotive illustration
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/04/sprinter-based-pickup-could-be-solution-for-mercedes.html
A lot has been written about the possibility of a Mercedes-Benz midsize pickup coming to the global marketplace by 2020. First Mercedes officials announced the possibility from Germany; then The Wall Street Journal reported M-B would partner with Nissan to build its new global entry. Now Automotive News is reporting that Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says there is no binding agreement that makes the partnership official, adding no decisions have been made.
Clearly, this is good theater and makes for plenty of splashy news stories. The fact remains that we're not any closer to a midsize competitor for the U.S. market. All of this discussion centers on a global commercial entry into a solid global marketplace from a maker of many commercial vehicles. Whether a Mercedes-Benz small pickup comes to market in the U.S. is just as likely as discussing whether the globally popular Mitsubishi L200, Volkswagen Amarok or Ford Ranger will eventually come to the states. House money, at least in the near term, is clearly on that not happening.
It makes perfect sense that a global commercial player like M-B would want to offer a global midsize pickup for better access to the significant midsize markets in South America, Europe and Africa. Conversely, it probably doesn't make much sense to invest vehicle production time, engineering and design work (even if it's on a shared platform) into a midsize pickup that would likely not sell well in the U.S. at the price Mercedes would need to make the project profitable. That's especially true in light of the fact that the U.S. midsize segment is not likely to go through a major expansion any time soon. A moderate expansion, maybe — but not a significant one.
With all that said, there still might be a way for Mercedes to come to the U.S. with a strong and unique commercial pickup that could offer impressive technology, capability and "rough luxury" to a new and practical buyer. M-B could use its Sprinter commercial van (preferably the 4x4 version) as a platform for a full-size pickup body.
The result would be economical and powerful diesel engines; a solid, low-slung chassis ready to haul plenty of cargo; and a mountain of safety technology already housed in the current Sprinter computer software. Add to that a potentially low load floor, reasonable towing and an all-wheel-drive setup (with an available low-range option) that would make any delivery company, oil producer or construction fleet buyer quite happy. Once Mercedes starts making Sprinter vans in this country (now they're built in Germany and reassembled in the U.S.), we imagine costs will come down considerably. The timing for all of this could happen well before 2020, the supposed target date for a global Mercedes midsize pickup.
We're not saying it would be easy, but we are saying there may be more money in it for M-B in the long run if it jumped into the much larger U.S. full-size pickup market with a real commercial entry (we know Nissan and Toyota made half-hearted attempts to service the commercial side of the workforce when their full-size trucks debuted). Making the full-size pickup buyer happy first would be a wise decision. Then, if things went well, Mercedes could add an extra trim package or two for those who want a little more comfort and luxury. All the full-size pickup makers have figured out how much money there is to make with premium trim packages and added capability. And it seems like M-B might know something about the luxury end of the spectrum.
Theo Chin/Chris Doane Automotive illustration
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/04/sprinter-based-pickup-could-be-solution-for-mercedes.html
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
U.S. pickup for Mercedes? Decision by Dec. 31, CEO Cannon says
NEW YORK -- Mercedes-Benz USA will decide by year end whether to sell a pickup being developed for other markets.
"We said to Stuttgart, 'We are open, and let us assess the market,'" Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, said in an interview at the auto show here. "If that leads to us saying 'green light,' then we will bring it."
The Mercedes midsize pickup would be positioned here as a luxury passenger vehicle, rather than as a commercial vehicle as it will be elsewhere. It would be sold by the brand's entire 372-dealership U.S. network. Mercedes has a 257-dealership U.S. commercial vehicle network that handles the Sprinter van.
"Not every pickup in the U.S. is going to job sites. Just drive around Greenwich, Conn., and see how many pickups there are," Cannon said, referring to the wealthy community known for its ritzy homes and hedge-fund companies. "You realize this is not a demographic that is showing up with their work boots on job sites. Those sales are taken care of by the domestics."
The pickup was announced by parent company Daimler AG in late March. Few details are known except that it will be built by 2020 and will be aimed at four markets: Europe, Latin America, Australia and South Africa.
Cannon said he has seen a picture of the design and acknowledges that "officially it was approved without U.S. volume."
If Mercedes-Benz USA decides by year end to sell the pickup, there will be enough time to homologate it and build it to U.S. crash standards, he said.
"For a Mercedes-Benz household that has a lot of stuff or a lot of kids or they want to tow the boat -- we could offer something to customers who are already luxury-predisposed," Cannon said.
Cannon said the pickup would be a niche vehicle, suggesting sales of about 10,000 a year to give dealers sufficient stock. "This is the largest pickup market in the world," he said. "We would not go through this exercise for 1,000 [pickups]. To give two or five to each dealer does not make sense."
Cannon said: "We have had pickup discussions for 15 years in this company. One sacred cow was bringing in the Sprinter, a big old boxy thing that's aimed at plumbers and electricians and carries the three-pointed star."
"We have obviously overcome that, and it is a terrific product that is adding profitability to our dealers. And it delivers. It is a Mercedes-Benz."
Source: Automotive News
NEW YORK -- Mercedes-Benz USA will decide by year end whether to sell a pickup being developed for other markets.
"We said to Stuttgart, 'We are open, and let us assess the market,'" Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, said in an interview at the auto show here. "If that leads to us saying 'green light,' then we will bring it."
The Mercedes midsize pickup would be positioned here as a luxury passenger vehicle, rather than as a commercial vehicle as it will be elsewhere. It would be sold by the brand's entire 372-dealership U.S. network. Mercedes has a 257-dealership U.S. commercial vehicle network that handles the Sprinter van.
"Not every pickup in the U.S. is going to job sites. Just drive around Greenwich, Conn., and see how many pickups there are," Cannon said, referring to the wealthy community known for its ritzy homes and hedge-fund companies. "You realize this is not a demographic that is showing up with their work boots on job sites. Those sales are taken care of by the domestics."
The pickup was announced by parent company Daimler AG in late March. Few details are known except that it will be built by 2020 and will be aimed at four markets: Europe, Latin America, Australia and South Africa.
Cannon said he has seen a picture of the design and acknowledges that "officially it was approved without U.S. volume."
If Mercedes-Benz USA decides by year end to sell the pickup, there will be enough time to homologate it and build it to U.S. crash standards, he said.
"For a Mercedes-Benz household that has a lot of stuff or a lot of kids or they want to tow the boat -- we could offer something to customers who are already luxury-predisposed," Cannon said.
Cannon said the pickup would be a niche vehicle, suggesting sales of about 10,000 a year to give dealers sufficient stock. "This is the largest pickup market in the world," he said. "We would not go through this exercise for 1,000 [pickups]. To give two or five to each dealer does not make sense."
Cannon said: "We have had pickup discussions for 15 years in this company. One sacred cow was bringing in the Sprinter, a big old boxy thing that's aimed at plumbers and electricians and carries the three-pointed star."
"We have obviously overcome that, and it is a terrific product that is adding profitability to our dealers. And it delivers. It is a Mercedes-Benz."
Source: Automotive News
KiwiRob
Autotechnik Ace
Why do you think it's a weird move? This is being built by Mercedes commercial vehicle division, it's a commercial vehicle with a huge market.
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
Daimler & Renault-Nissan Alliance expand cooperation to 1-ton pickup trucks
Source: Daimler
- Nissan and Daimler to jointly develop midsize pickup truck
- Mercedes-Benz pickup to share some of the architecture with the all-new Nissan NP300
- Mercedes-Benz vehicle to be engineered and designed by Daimler to meet specific needs of its customers
- Mercedes-Benz pickup will target Europe, Australia, South Africa and Latin America
- Pickup trucks to be built in Barcelona, Spain, and Cordoba, Argentina
- Latest milestone in the five-year strategic cooperation between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance
Source: Daimler
D
Deleted member 25
So this is done by the car division ?
Wolfgang
Kraftwagen König
^ Looks like MB Vans will handle the new pickup.
Mercedes-Benz Vans: Center of competence for commercially and privately used vehicles
The Mercedes-Benz Vans division is responsible for the new vehicle. With its many years of experience in developing, manufacturing, and marketing vehicles that are used commercially as well as privately, Mercedes-Benz Vans is ideally suited to enter the midsize pickup segment and launch a Mercedes-Benz pickup on the market for the first time in the company’s history. Current models such as the V-Class and the Vito demonstrate that Mercedes-Benz Vans has the high level of expertise to successfully serve customers from a wide variety of private and commercial sectors.
“We can perfectly serve customers looking for a vehicle that offers a high level of utility and at the same time has the comfort, safety, and design of a Mercedes-Benz passenger car,” says Mornhinweg. “We will design our brand’s first pickup according to this recipe for success.”
Source: Daimler via GCF
Mercedes-Benz Vans: Center of competence for commercially and privately used vehicles
The Mercedes-Benz Vans division is responsible for the new vehicle. With its many years of experience in developing, manufacturing, and marketing vehicles that are used commercially as well as privately, Mercedes-Benz Vans is ideally suited to enter the midsize pickup segment and launch a Mercedes-Benz pickup on the market for the first time in the company’s history. Current models such as the V-Class and the Vito demonstrate that Mercedes-Benz Vans has the high level of expertise to successfully serve customers from a wide variety of private and commercial sectors.
“We can perfectly serve customers looking for a vehicle that offers a high level of utility and at the same time has the comfort, safety, and design of a Mercedes-Benz passenger car,” says Mornhinweg. “We will design our brand’s first pickup according to this recipe for success.”
Source: Daimler via GCF
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
Mercedes pickup gets ready for production in new rendering
http://www.worldcarfans.com/115041091969/mercedes-pickup-gets-ready-for-production-in-new-rendering
http://www.worldcarfans.com/115041091969/mercedes-pickup-gets-ready-for-production-in-new-rendering
Beemer B773ER
Tire Trailblazer
BMW may also enter the market with their Sports Lightweight Utility Truck (S.L.U.T).
Leaked marketing documents have shown potential advertising slogans such as:
- Sheer Pleasure
- It gets around...easy!
Leaked marketing documents have shown potential advertising slogans such as:
- Sheer Pleasure
- It gets around...easy!
Mr Robert
Kraftwagen König
Would I buy a badge-tuned Mercedes? No. Would my mum buy a Mercedes? No. These are for very different reasons and only my view is relevant here.
Should I be inclined to buy a truck, and while at it feel the urge to pay a premium, I'd be damned if the product I pay for weren't a genuine product.
*cue Unimog signature tune...*
Should I be inclined to buy a truck, and while at it feel the urge to pay a premium, I'd be damned if the product I pay for weren't a genuine product.
*cue Unimog signature tune...*
Rainer271
Kraftwagen König
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pickup Truck you never knew about
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to add a pickup truck to its range by 2020, but if you don't feel like waiting, here's something to get by until that happens.
It's a custom creation based on the Bruno Sacco-designed W126 420 SEL sedan from 1988 built by German Motorcars in Florida, which removed the entire rear passenger section including the roof and doors, replacing it with a truck bed.
Inside, it retains the stock model's dashboard, seats and upholstery, though it's evident from the pictures that time has taken its toll on certain components like the four-arm steering wheel.
Power comes from Merc's 4.2-liter V8 that should deliver close to 230 horses paired to an automatic tranny turning the rear wheels. The sellers at Atlanta's Streeside Classics say the engine has around 35,000 miles since it was rebuilt, but there's no word on the true mileage of the car that is priced at $18,995.
blog spot
Mercedes-Benz is preparing to add a pickup truck to its range by 2020, but if you don't feel like waiting, here's something to get by until that happens.
It's a custom creation based on the Bruno Sacco-designed W126 420 SEL sedan from 1988 built by German Motorcars in Florida, which removed the entire rear passenger section including the roof and doors, replacing it with a truck bed.
Inside, it retains the stock model's dashboard, seats and upholstery, though it's evident from the pictures that time has taken its toll on certain components like the four-arm steering wheel.
Power comes from Merc's 4.2-liter V8 that should deliver close to 230 horses paired to an automatic tranny turning the rear wheels. The sellers at Atlanta's Streeside Classics say the engine has around 35,000 miles since it was rebuilt, but there's no word on the true mileage of the car that is priced at $18,995.
blog spot
Mr. Mercedes
Premium
D
Deleted member 25
Is that steering wheel in the sketche directly taken fron the new 7er ?
hannaz
Aerodynamic Artisan
Mercedes-Benz Pickup To Be Badged A “GLT”
Mercedes-Benz is officially working on a pickup truck, though whether or not the vehicle will make it to the U.S. is still up in the air. A few things we do know about the pickup is that it will be a mid-size model and feature a dual-cab design, the latter indicated in the official teaser sketch above. Mercedes has also confirmed that the pickup will be based on a body-on-frame platform shared with the next-generation Nissan NP300 (a Navara in certain markets), and that production will take place at plants in Argentina and Spain.
Now, we have a few more details by way of an interview by CAR with the head of Mercedes’ commercial vehicles unit, Volker Mornhinweg. In the interview, Mornhinweg explained that Mercedes didn’t want to develop a “fat cowboy truck” for the North American market, which is dominated by the Detroit 3 brands. That’s why Mercedes has chosen to focus on the Australian, European, Latin American and South African markets, where mid-size pickups also double as premium lifestyle vehicles.
Mornhinweg didn’t say what volumes Mercedes is expecting for the vehicle but did point out that globally, the mid-size pickup segment sees about 2.3 million sales annually and that most of these are for Toyota products.
CAR goes on to report that the pickup will be badged a “GLT” and that it will offer four- and six-cylinder engines, presumably in gasoline and diesel flavors. There will also allegedly be three different trim levels to choose from, aimed at utility, dual-purpose use and leisure respectively. The report also claims that beyond a standard live rear axle, buyers will be able to opt for independent rear suspension as well as all-wheel drive.
The Mercedes pickup is due to arrive near the end of the decade. A decision on a U.S. launch will be made by the end of this year.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1097844_mercedes-benz-pickup-to-be-badged-a-glt?fbfanpage
Mercedes-Benz is officially working on a pickup truck, though whether or not the vehicle will make it to the U.S. is still up in the air. A few things we do know about the pickup is that it will be a mid-size model and feature a dual-cab design, the latter indicated in the official teaser sketch above. Mercedes has also confirmed that the pickup will be based on a body-on-frame platform shared with the next-generation Nissan NP300 (a Navara in certain markets), and that production will take place at plants in Argentina and Spain.
Now, we have a few more details by way of an interview by CAR with the head of Mercedes’ commercial vehicles unit, Volker Mornhinweg. In the interview, Mornhinweg explained that Mercedes didn’t want to develop a “fat cowboy truck” for the North American market, which is dominated by the Detroit 3 brands. That’s why Mercedes has chosen to focus on the Australian, European, Latin American and South African markets, where mid-size pickups also double as premium lifestyle vehicles.
Mornhinweg didn’t say what volumes Mercedes is expecting for the vehicle but did point out that globally, the mid-size pickup segment sees about 2.3 million sales annually and that most of these are for Toyota products.
CAR goes on to report that the pickup will be badged a “GLT” and that it will offer four- and six-cylinder engines, presumably in gasoline and diesel flavors. There will also allegedly be three different trim levels to choose from, aimed at utility, dual-purpose use and leisure respectively. The report also claims that beyond a standard live rear axle, buyers will be able to opt for independent rear suspension as well as all-wheel drive.
The Mercedes pickup is due to arrive near the end of the decade. A decision on a U.S. launch will be made by the end of this year.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1097844_mercedes-benz-pickup-to-be-badged-a-glt?fbfanpage
Carmaker1
Quattro Commander
Sindelfingen won the design competition? Not really too shocked, as I am sure Daimler AG usually favours them anyway. Surely it makes certain aspects of development to have everything in one place. Then again that is just my "uneducated", outsider opinion. I am very disappointed that they decided to not do this independently, but can imagine the high cost of doing this on their own being prohibitive and at least a 7 year investment ordeal.
In late March I had typed up an April Fool's joke of a fake BMW press release, announcing a Rugged Utility Vehicle (RUV) or the Ultimate Driving Pickup, as they just couldn't leave that niche "unanswered". Needed some more work though and I was so busy that day (April 1). As much of joke that was, do not entirely rule it out in the marketplace. I suspect that this class is a possibility in the future, even at JLR. In our case it isn't too shocking and is also obvious which brand and model range will receive such treatment.
The problem with the Lincoln and Cadillac variants was that of execution in some areas, especially with the former brand (Blackwood/Mark LT) and also how the related Chevrolet Avalanche was discontinued. There are already some niches which many thought that the premium and luxury segments wouldn't dare touch, but things do change. My mother balked at the idea of a higher riding BMW in the '90s (and dad hated the E53), but has made use of X5s alongside Land Cruisers and Lexus LXs when visiting parts of West Africa and South Africa over the past 14 years. The X7 is now a huge interest, if executed well (as we speak).
Something tells me that Lexus might out of the blue consider such a vehicle, if another competitor makes it a viable proposition (of course). It has never been typical of them to act without studying BMW or MB efforts, even if having the resources to do it all on their own.
Nothing has been finalised for production yet, so they don't want to give out a concrete release date. What shocks me is them providing internal design work, such as a sketch, so early. They're being unusually transparent. A design freeze is likely planned by the end of 2015 and likely another 28-36 months until SOP from there.
I'm not sure why everyone must look at everything in the industry that is similar, to be a case of copying. Timelines may not exactly support Mercedes-Benz (G11 leaked in late 2014), but it is barely April at the same time. I do not believe the G11 steering wheel was truly accessible for developmental influence, but as Wolfgang said above, it is a variation and evolution of recently introduced MB production steering wheel designs.
In late March I had typed up an April Fool's joke of a fake BMW press release, announcing a Rugged Utility Vehicle (RUV) or the Ultimate Driving Pickup, as they just couldn't leave that niche "unanswered". Needed some more work though and I was so busy that day (April 1). As much of joke that was, do not entirely rule it out in the marketplace. I suspect that this class is a possibility in the future, even at JLR. In our case it isn't too shocking and is also obvious which brand and model range will receive such treatment.
The problem with the Lincoln and Cadillac variants was that of execution in some areas, especially with the former brand (Blackwood/Mark LT) and also how the related Chevrolet Avalanche was discontinued. There are already some niches which many thought that the premium and luxury segments wouldn't dare touch, but things do change. My mother balked at the idea of a higher riding BMW in the '90s (and dad hated the E53), but has made use of X5s alongside Land Cruisers and Lexus LXs when visiting parts of West Africa and South Africa over the past 14 years. The X7 is now a huge interest, if executed well (as we speak).
Something tells me that Lexus might out of the blue consider such a vehicle, if another competitor makes it a viable proposition (of course). It has never been typical of them to act without studying BMW or MB efforts, even if having the resources to do it all on their own.
This is not just on the drawing board. It has been planned for years, especially that this was already news in 2013, even regarding a version of the Titan. With them already having a full-size clay model and being Mercedes-Benz, I knew this was due less than 3-4 years out.
Nothing has been finalised for production yet, so they don't want to give out a concrete release date. What shocks me is them providing internal design work, such as a sketch, so early. They're being unusually transparent. A design freeze is likely planned by the end of 2015 and likely another 28-36 months until SOP from there.
I'm not sure why everyone must look at everything in the industry that is similar, to be a case of copying. Timelines may not exactly support Mercedes-Benz (G11 leaked in late 2014), but it is barely April at the same time. I do not believe the G11 steering wheel was truly accessible for developmental influence, but as Wolfgang said above, it is a variation and evolution of recently introduced MB production steering wheel designs.
D
Deleted member 25
The illustrations are done by mags and websites, not Merc official ones, at least that's what i understood. I was not accusing MB of copying stuff, i was merely pointing out the lazy effort of the guy who did the sketches.
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Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Group AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
Established in 1926, Mercedes-Benz Group produces consumer luxury
vehicles and light commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG,
and Mercedes-Maybach.
Its origin lies in Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft's 1901 Mercedes
and Carl Benz's 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded
as the first internal combustion engine in a self-propelled automobile.
The slogan for the brand is "the best or nothing".
Official website: Mercedes-Benz (Global), Mercedes-Benz (USA)
Official website: Mercedes-Benz (Global), Mercedes-Benz (USA)
