The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit was confirmation that the global pick-up market is still growing, with both Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai revealing future production plans.
Drive.Com.Au journalists Andrew Maclean and David McCowen report that Mercedes-Benz marketing chief Ola Kallenius told motoring media gathered at a press conference in Detroit that authenticity would remain core to the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Kallenius says that expansion of the Mercedes-Benz brand isn’t a problem, as long as every car is worthy of the three-pointed star:
“One thing that’s critical is that you have an original offering in every class. If you stick true to that principle, you don’t run the risk of watering the brand down,” says Kallenius.
He says the pick-up truck, which the Vans division of Mercedes-Benz is engineering, will cater for both working and leisure.
Kallenius says Mercedes-Benz will build just one version of the ute, using the same underpinnings as the Nissan Navara, rather than having various body style combinations. It is likely that the vehicle will feature moderate driver aids.
Mercedes-Benz says the new ute will initially be targeted at markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australasia, and Europe.
Hyundai North America boss: When, not if
Hyundai also told motoring media at the 2016 Detroit motor show that the Tucson-based Santa Cruz, which was revealed in concept form 12 months ago, is all but confirmed.
Hyundai North America president and chief executive Dave Zuchowski says he is waiting for an official production announcement from Korea rather than approval.
“It hasn’t been officially announced yet. Our timing is not crossing our fingers and waiting for approval; it’s trying to figure out when we’re going to announce it,” says Zuchowski.
The Santa Cruz concept took media by surprise when it was launched at the Detroit show this time last year because it was a smaller, more urban-focused vehicle than the traditional one-tonne pickups popular in South America, Australia and New Zealand.
Based on the ix35 SUV (a production version would pick up the platform of the latest Tucson), the Santa Cruz feature a small tray and was designed with style, rather than substance in mind.
Hyundai media material characterised the Santa Cruz as a compact truck for ‘urban adventurers.’
