Local testing for 'Benz ute - Motoring
Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific will play a role in the development of the Mercedes-Benz's new Nissan Navara-based utility, with local engineers to begin work with prototypes in the not-too-distant future. Speaking at the recent launch of the new Mercedes-Benz Vito van and Valente people-mover in Sydney , Mercedes-Benz PR chief David McCarthy said Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific would play a part in the prototype's evolution. Mercedes-Benz first went public with its plans for the model in March, also releasing a teaser sketch (pictured), but the company has been working on the Nissan Navara-based offering for a number of years. "A lot of the work has already been done but we [Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific] will have input and we'll do some testing that will feed back into the finished product. Mercedes-Benz approached the Renault-Nissan Alliance to source a starting point for the new model which – according to an earlier CAR Magazine report and following standard 'Benz nomenclature – will be called the GLT. While the vehicle will be based on a frame taken from Nissan's new NP300 Navara, McCarthy stressed that the finished product would be a true Mercedes-Benz in every other respect. It is going to be a Mercedes-Benz ute, and it is being built and designed with those unique Mercedes-Benz qualities. Source: www.motoring.com.au
