MERC’S BRAWNIEST BAKKIE

The age-old idiom about “bringing a knife to a gun fight” is applicable to so many aspects of life. In a country torn apart by crime like SA, it may not be the most appropriate phrase to use, but basically it means facing a challenging situation suitably equipped — and this can apply to anything from sport, to the work scenario, or simply writing an exam.

The narrative is also quite applicable to the motor industry where competition is cutthroat and only the best survive and thrive.

Take for example the bakkie segment.

Though Toyota, Ford, Nissan and Isuzu rule this division with an iron fist, brands such as Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and Fiat manage to provide left-field alternatives.

But to seriously challenge the established players requires something special.

When Mercedes-Benz launched its X-Class bakkie back in May, there was much anticipation surrounding this particular vehicle.

For many though, the hype didn’t materialise in the final product.

The “elephant in the room” was always the comparison and similarities to the Nissan Navara (same platform, engine, gearbox and basic styling) and unfortunately the entrylevel models, with their abundance of plastic, simply didn’t live up to the title of being voted the “world’s most valuable premium vehicle brand for 2018”.

It is the policy of Mercedes-Benz not to disclose sales figures per model range but as a collective, and when it comes to the X-Class, it might be quite convenient because judging by the number of this particular vehicle one sees on the road, sales could be better.