Pickup Truck Not Seen as Viable Addition to BMW’s Lineup, Says Design Boss

BMW’s stance on entering the pickup truck market remains steadfastly against the current trend, as clarified by design chief Adrian van Hooydonk in an interview with BMWBlog.

He emphasized that while pickups are evolving into more sophisticated and refined vehicles, they don’t align naturally with BMW’s brand identity.

“We don’t have to go after every trend that is happening,” van Hooydonk asserted, highlighting the brand’s strategic approach to market segments.

Despite BMW’s overall reluctance towards mass-producing pickups, they have ventured into the realm with bespoke creations. Vocational trainees collaborated with BMW’s Concept Vehicle Construction and Model Technology divisions to craft a unique pickup based on the BMW X7.

This special edition, revealed at BMW Motorrad Days in 2019, featured a cargo bed with polished wood and even housed a BMW F 850 GS motorcycle.

BMW’s M division has also dabbled in pickups, repurposing vehicles like the E92 and E30 generations of the M3 for internal use as shop vehicles. This demonstrates BMW’s occasional experimentation with pickup designs while maintaining a focus on their core automotive offerings.

Rivals like Mercedes-Benz briefly entered the pickup market with the X-Class, which shared platforms with the Nissan Navara and was produced until 2020. The X-Class, known for its premium positioning, commanded a higher price tag compared to competitors like the Navara and Renault Alaskan.

Looking ahead, while BMW remains committed to its luxury and performance-oriented vehicles, recent concepts from competitors like Audi’s Activesphere hint at innovative approaches to blending luxury car features with practical utility, showcasing a sleek design with unique cargo solutions tailored for modern lifestyles, including dedicated spaces for e-bikes.