Update: It seems that the Mercedes-Benz pick-up will be a joint venture between Nissan and Daimler and will, essentially, be a re-engineered version of the forthcoming new Nissan NP300 (a replacement for the current Navara). This vehicle will also be used by Renault for its forthcoming entry to the 1-ton pick-up market, so it’will be a case of 3 brands, one underlying model.

This is the second new Mercedes commercial vehicle built along these lines — the firm’s Citan small van is based on the Renault Kangoo.

Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch a midsize pick-up truck “by the end of the decade”. The German firm says that it will target markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australia and Europe, capitalising on the widespread appeal of so-called midsize pick-ups with a one-tonne payload and high specification.

Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch a new pick-up model by 2020.

Billed as the first pick-up from a premium manufacturer, Mercedes is hoping to replicate the global success of the M-Class, which was the first premium SUV from a European manufacturer when it was introduced, 20 years ago.

The Mercedes-Benz Vans division will design and build the new firm, bringing its combined experience of high specification (for example, the V-Class and Vito) and goods vehicle toughness and utility to create a model that it is expected to appeal to private and commercial buyers.

Details are sketchy at the moment, with only a single mocked-up image available, but it’s fair to assume that the yet-to-be-named pick-up will offer power and specification levels that will match and exceed those of class leaders such as the VW Amarok and Ford Ranger.