Mercedes-Benz has officially confirmed production of the X-Class bakkie will come to an end in May 2020.
After months of swirling rumours, the Stuttgart-based firm has finally confirmed the end of the road for the X-Class, which is based on Nissan’s Navara.
“With the X-Class launch in 2017, Mercedes-Benz entered into a new segment and presented a mid-size pick-up. We drew in a lot of attention with this vehicle,” the Germany company said in a statement.
“Now it has been decided that from the end of May 2020, we will no longer produce this relatively young model,” it confirmed. “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.”
Sales of the bakkie have been slow, with “approximately 15 300” units sold worldwide in 2019. It’s worth pointing out some 16 700 units of the X-Class were registered across the world in 2018.
Speaking to motoring.com.au in Australia, Benz said the X-Class had “definitely heightened the attention on our van business”.
“It gave us the opportunity to talk to a different type of customer, expanding our reach beyond a commercial and private van audience,” a spokesperson told the publication.
“Our focus is on continuing to service the current demand for the X-Class with the remaining stock we have. What’s more, service and warranty coverage will continue to be assured by Mercedes-Benz Vans.
“People can still walk into a dealership and order a new X-Class. Production ends at the end of May but we won’t be ordering any more from the factory.”
In July 2019, a report suggested the Stuttgart-based firm had plans to axe the bakkie as part of its efforts to “reduce costs amid profit warnings”.
