Mercedes-Benz has announced it will launch a mid-size pick-up truck before 2020.

Thanks to their versatility, all-round utility, and payload of around one metric ton, pickups are popular across the world and thus have good sales potential.

“The Mercedes-Benz pick-up will contribute nicely to our global growth targets,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management, Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz cars division.

“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.”

Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, added: “As part of our ‘Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global’ strategy, the pickup is the ideal vehicle for the international expansion of our product range with a newly developed model.”

More and more pickups are being used for private purposes, and commercial as well as private users are increasingly asking for vehicles that have car-like specifications. 

The new Mercedes-Benz pickup will initially be targeted at markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and Europe.

“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,” said Mornhinweg.

“We will design our brand’s first pickup according to this recipe for success.”