Renault vans postpone UK launch of Alaskan pick-up van

The Renault Alaskan was set to be launched in the UK later on this year, now Renault vans have confirmed that they have delayed the UK launch of the new pick-up van.

The new Renault Alaskan pick-up van

With no official date announced, it appears that we will have to wait until 2018 for the latest addition to the Renault vans range to join the UK market. The Alaskan will join the Renault Kangoo, Renault Trafic and Renault Master in the popular Renault vans range and hence have a representative in every segment of the new van market.

The new van was expected to join the UK market next month, following its unveiling to UK customers in April this year at the annual CV show. The new pick-up van from Renault vans is based on the Nissan Navara and it appears that another new pick-up van based on the Nissan van will join the UK market before the Alaskan, in the form of the X-Class from Mercedes vans.

Mercedes X-Class pick-up van

The Mercedes X-Class pick-up van appears to be more of a complete overhaul of the Nissan Navara, than the new addition from Renault vans. The Alaskan appears to rely on more cosmetic changes, including a remodelled front-end to differentiate the new van from the Nissan. The new X-Class from Mercedes vans is aimed at more 'trend conscious' van drivers and features numerous adjustments to the Nissan Navara shell to increase comfort and achieve a more car-like drive.

The Mercedes X-Class is expected to join the UK market in November 2017 and will also ensure Mercedes vans have a representative in every segment of the new van market, joining the Mercedes Citan, Mercedes Vito and Mercedes Sprinter in the Mercedes vans range.

Both new vans from Renault vans and Mercedes vans represent their first jaunts into the new pick-up van market, time will only tell which new van based on the Nissan Navara is most popular, with us awaiting further news on the revised UK launch date of the Renault Alaskan pick-up van!

Pick-up van finance

So we'll have to wait a bit longer for the Renault Alaskan pick-up van to go on sale, the same also applies for its sister van the Mercedes X-Class. Why not check out our existing pick-up range hereIncluding the Nissan Navara! At Vansdirect we have flexible van finance options available with all of our new vans, including: van leasing, contract hire and hire purchase. Interested in a new van? Call us today on 0845 021 0444 or submit your details online!