Photo: BMW
Mercedes-Benz’s entry in the pickup truck segment was initially not impressive for BMW representatives.
Shortly after Mercedes-Benz announced its intentions of entering a new niche, BMW officials were also asked if they plan any products in the category. At first, BMW officials said it was not suitable for the brand to build a pick-up truck, as they do not have any vehicles of this type in the range, and it does not fit the brand philosophy.
Explanations provided by BMW officials were sufficient for some time now, until the Australians at Motoring talked to BMW Australia’s Managing Director, Marc Werner.
Mr. Werner had a more practical view of the topic, as he stated that one should “never say never,” when it comes to BMW launching a pick-up model or a Ute. The latter had to be mentioned since it is a body style that is popular in the country.
When asked about Mercedes-Benz’s first entry in the pickup truck segment, the BMW official stated that he and his colleagues are “watching the space closely,” which probably means monitoring reviews, sales, and customer opinions.
Even if BMW clients got interested in a pick-up truck, the company would not have much to do for at least two years, since that would mean the minimum development time for a new model.
However, BMW’s Australian branch Managing Director says it will be hard for the Bavarian carmaker to launch a pick-up truck, since the brand does not have a commercial vehicle division in the entire group.
Mercedes-Benz does have a dedicated department for this kind of automobile, and even Audi has access to an equivalent, in the form of Volkswagen’s Commercial Vehicle division.
BMW Australia’s Managing Director says he does not exclude the possibility of Audi turning a Volkswagen Amarok into one of its models. While possible from a rebadging point of view, Audi has not announced such plans. At the same time, the Amarok is moving upmarket, and has recently seen the introduction of a V6 diesel engine.
It is worth noting that BMW has an ongoing partnership with Toyota, an automaker that has a rich history with pick-up trucks and off-road vehicles. Their Japanese partners could lend them the platform of the Hilux for a proprietary BMW version.
If BMW does pull this off, we expect the ultimate driving/hauling machine and nothing less. Feel free to add as many turbochargers as necessary (three or four should do, mind you).
Explanations provided by BMW officials were sufficient for some time now, until the Australians at Motoring talked to BMW Australia’s Managing Director, Marc Werner.
Mr. Werner had a more practical view of the topic, as he stated that one should “never say never,” when it comes to BMW launching a pick-up model or a Ute. The latter had to be mentioned since it is a body style that is popular in the country.
When asked about Mercedes-Benz’s first entry in the pickup truck segment, the BMW official stated that he and his colleagues are “watching the space closely,” which probably means monitoring reviews, sales, and customer opinions.
Even if BMW clients got interested in a pick-up truck, the company would not have much to do for at least two years, since that would mean the minimum development time for a new model.
However, BMW’s Australian branch Managing Director says it will be hard for the Bavarian carmaker to launch a pick-up truck, since the brand does not have a commercial vehicle division in the entire group.
Mercedes-Benz does have a dedicated department for this kind of automobile, and even Audi has access to an equivalent, in the form of Volkswagen’s Commercial Vehicle division.
BMW Australia’s Managing Director says he does not exclude the possibility of Audi turning a Volkswagen Amarok into one of its models. While possible from a rebadging point of view, Audi has not announced such plans. At the same time, the Amarok is moving upmarket, and has recently seen the introduction of a V6 diesel engine.
It is worth noting that BMW has an ongoing partnership with Toyota, an automaker that has a rich history with pick-up trucks and off-road vehicles. Their Japanese partners could lend them the platform of the Hilux for a proprietary BMW version.
If BMW does pull this off, we expect the ultimate driving/hauling machine and nothing less. Feel free to add as many turbochargers as necessary (three or four should do, mind you).
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