Mercedes-Benz ute coming to Australia

[Dauphin]

First ever Mercedes-Benz ute lands in Australia, as cashed-up tradies pay record prices for pick-ups

CASHED-UP tradies have begun placing orders for the first ever Mercedes ute — one year before it goes on sale and before anyone knows the price.
Demand in Australia is so strong, Mercedes has taken the unprecedented step of airfreighting a display car Down Under to give buyers an early preview — and also get their feedback on what they want in a workhorse.
While Mercedes is busy researching fleets and blokes, it is also trying to target female buyers.

Full article:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/in...d9c335c518b15e

Pic:

[GasoLane]

Oops, that's going to upset the Benz dealers, having tradies in Blundstones, shorts and Hi-Viz shirts walking around the showrooms

[Pepscobra]

Based on a Nissan Navara... lost interest now.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Oops, that's going to upset the Benz dealers, having tradies in Blundstones, shorts and Hi-Viz shirts walking around the showrooms

I don't think they will really care as long as the brink fistfuls of cash with them when they do...

[Ford17]

Interesting MB have just gone and re-jigged a Navara, rather than create their own model from scratch.

From the article:

"The Mercedes ute will in fact share much of its underpinnings with the Nissan Navara, following a joint venture deal.

However, Mercedes will fit its own V6 diesel engine, technology and safety systems.

Mercedes will also equip the car with a wider body and track than the Navara — and have unique steering and suspension tuning — ensuring it drives better than the vehicle on which it is based."

This might have something to do with their haste in getting the model to market?

[Ford17]

Originally Posted by Stefan

I don't think they will really care as long as the brink fistfuls of cash with them when they do...

I think the conundrum might be some tradies, who may not perhaps present themselves meticulously; might be somewhat at odds with say regular, well-heeled clientele signing up for $200k+ top-line MB models.

Whether that becomes something bemusing or not, MB might have to consider setting up a separate showroom, like BMW do with their Mini division.

[Vesper Martini]

There is a Market, hence why there should be a Ranger Titanium.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Ford17

Interesting MB have just gone and re-jigged a Navara, rather than create their own model from scratch.

From the article:


This might have something to do with their haste in getting the model to market?

merc will most likely have its 600NM V6

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Oops, that's going to upset the Benz dealers, having tradies in Blundstones, shorts and Hi-Viz shirts walking around the showrooms

Well how do they deal with the similar type tradies who go in to buy the Vito?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

merc will most likely have its 600NM V6

I reckon they'll just use the 3L V6 in the Sprinter, its only 140KW/440NM.

[kazawaki]

Big V8 2 door version would be a good addition .

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I reckon they'll just use the 3L V6 in the Sprinter, its only 140KW/440NM.

Probably correct. but Sprinters still go ok for a big van and are pretty frugal I believe

[jmack]

Amg63 version

[Bossxr8]

Already ruled out an AMG version.

I'm pretty sure some dealerships have a separate MB Commercial area for selling vans and trucks. To keep the riff raff out I'm sure.

[Sabantien]

From what I read they brought it down to shoot a couple ads and let dealers have a look, not punters.

I'd be interested to see what they put into it, but suspect it'll be way out of reach for me.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Oops, that's going to upset the Benz dealers, having tradies in Blundstones, shorts and Hi-Viz shirts walking around the showrooms

Bank in the late 80's or early 90's (during the "recession we had to have") the only place you could buy a new Merc in Perth was Diesel Motors, the truck dealership.

[Pedro]

The article was written by that loser Dowling so the whole story might be a figment of his imagination.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Already ruled out an AMG version.

I'm pretty sure some dealerships have a separate MB Commercial area for selling vans and trucks. To keep the riff raff out I'm sure.

I've only been to two Mercedes dealerships, both commercial ones.

They sold trucks and vans, no cars.

[duaned]

I will avoid any fellow tradie that buys one of these! I can rest assured the fact that he will most likely request more than $100 /hr.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Ford17

I think the conundrum might be some tradies, who may not perhaps present themselves meticulously; might be somewhat at odds with say regular, well-heeled clientele signing up for $200k+ top-line MB models.

Whether that becomes something bemusing or not, MB might have to consider setting up a separate showroom, like BMW do with their Mini division.

Thing is people at the mid to top end of the duel cab market probably have more money than the average Mercedes customer.
Mercedes sell a lot of sub $60,000 cars. A B C and GLA all come in well under that and seam to be common on the road.

Thing is a $75,000 top of the line Amark does not have the same prestige image that a $50,000 C200 has.

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Thing is people at the mid to top end of the duel cab market probably have more money than the average Mercedes customer.
Mercedes sell a lot of sub $60,000 cars. A B C and GLA all come in well under that and seam to be common on the road.

Thing is a $75,000 top of the line Amark does not have the same prestige image that a $50,000 C200 has.

How do you measure prestige image ?

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by duaned

I will avoid any fellow tradie that buys one of these! I can rest assured the fact that he will most likely request more than $100 /hr.

Isn't that most?
Due to the cost of getting one, I've learned a lot by DIY, only when it is electrical (significant wiring) will i get a tradie.

[bingoTE50]

We view Merc as Prestige. In Germany they are a Holden or Ford with AMG being HSV FPV. We just get ripped on the price that makes them Prestigious.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by duaned

I will avoid any fellow tradie that buys one of these! I can rest assured the fact that he will most likely request more than $100 /hr.

If they are charging under $100 per hr you get a one man gang operating from home. depends on they type of trade I guess.

I use a very good Plasterer that drives a Mercedes van

From what I read the pricing on the X-Class isn't going to be too far from the top end twin cabs available anyway.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by duaned

I will avoid any fellow tradie that buys one of these! I can rest assured the fact that he will most likely request more than $100 /hr.

Around here most Tradies work on making $1000 a day.

[Ford17]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Around here most Tradies work on making $1000 a day.

MB might also have their needs covered too - Mercedes-Maybach Landaulet revealed

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Ford17

MB might also have their needs covered too - Mercedes-Maybach Landaulet revealed

Mind you the twin turbo V12 sounds enticing

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Around here most Tradies work on making $1000 a day.

On the money, mate.

Anyone remember the Mercedes cabbed TATA's from a few years back ??

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by bingoTE50

We view Merc as Prestige. In Germany they are a Holden or Ford with AMG being HSV FPV. We just get ripped on the price that makes them Prestigious.

There is still a degree of prestige over in Germany, a 7-series for example is a prestige car, but they still offer lower priced entry level models.

Don't forget Ford's are sold there, so the ford of Germany is well...Ford. :-)

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

How do you measure prestige image ?

Whatever people who have no idea about cars think is prestige. That's why base model Euro's are everywhere.