Last April, then Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon said they wanted the truck that was announced for other markets and said a decision would be reached towards the end of the year. A few months later, Cannon said the decision had been pushed back to sometime in 2016. Now, Cannon's successor says there isn't a timeframe as to a final decision.
"It's whenever. I don't think we do ourselves a favor to come up with a defined timetable. It's more important that we get it right," said Dietmar Exler, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA to Automotive News.
Exler explained the previous timeframe announcements dealt if they wanted to get the new truck around the same time as other markets.
"If we miss the window, then we come a year later," Exler said.
This might be a good thing as Exler said it would give them time to make sure the truck is a true Mercedes-Benz model inside and out.
To help Mercedes ultimately make a final decision, they are talking with a select group dealers about the truck. Exler mentioned that they could do customer clinics.
Already, the owner Mercedes-Benz's largest dealer in the U.S., AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson said Mercedes should scrap the plans as it will face a huge challenge against the likes of Ford, GM, and Ram.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
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