Mercedes-Benz to drop X-Class ute in May 2020

Mercedes-Benz has officially axed down the production of the slow-selling dual-cab ute X-Class, effective from May this year. The automaker has confirmed the dropping of its commercial arrangement with Nissan when the production of the X-Class ceases.

Three years after its global debut and two years after introduction to the Australian market, the axing of production is being blamed on lack of demand for the X-Class. 

Mercedes-Benz's first luxury pickup truck makes the use of an existing platform shared with the Nissan Navara. Mercedes produced the pickup-truck as an aim to give its light commercial vehicles division a more diversified sales footprint.

Recently, in an official statement, Mercedes-Benz said, "It has been decided that from the end of May 2020, we will no longer produce this relatively young model," the automaker also added. "In our global product portfolio, the X-Class is a niche product which plays a great role in a few markets, including Australia and South Africa."

The X-Class ute lineup comes in three trim levels: Pure, Progressive and Power, consisting of X200, X220d, X250d, and the X350d. The vehicle is offered in three engine options out of which are two diesel engines. The first is a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine producing a maximum output of 160 hp/188 hp and generating a peak torque of up to 403/450 Nm. The second diesel option comes in a 3.0-litre V6 generating maximum output of 255 hp and 550 Nm. Lastly, a 2.0-litre petrol engine was also on offer. 

All the engine options come mated to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission system with an optional four-wheel drive handling.

Describing the X-Class as a "niche product", the automaker revealed that only16,700 units of the X class were sold last year in Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Excluding the U.S. where demand is mainly for full-size pickups.

Lastly, the brand's parent company, Daimler, seeks to reduce costs amid profit warnings by its recent decision, as per the sources of the automaker.

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