Mercedes-Benz Vans hits new record

As you read this, FOCUS editor Gavin Myers will be in Stuttgart, Germany, to find out more about the all-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which will have its official world premiere in February.

Mercedes-Benz Vans is carrying huge momentum in the lead up to that event, having achieved a new record for unit sales in 2017 and for the first time having sold more than 400 000 vehicles.

While all model series contributed to this growth with best-ever figures, it was interesting to note that the outgoing Sprinter sold more units than ever before (200 500 worldwide) in its last full year before the launch of the new model.

The strongest growth driver was once again the strong demand for the Vito van and the V-Class multipurpose vehicle (171 100 units). In 2017, both of those models were for the first time fully available in China, the world’s biggest vehicle market.

Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, says: “Our ‘Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global’ growth strategy was very successful once again in 2017. Four consecutive record years represent an outstanding performance by our global team.

“We have great plans also for 2018: with the new Sprinter, the most important market launch in the van segment from our perspective is coming up soon. We will open up the digital era in this segment with this new model.

“With the new Sprinter, we will provide exactly those solutions in the vehicle that will help our customers make their business more efficient in a connected world – in the form of hardware in the vehicle and with new, connected services,” he continues.

“We are very satisfied with the start of our new Mercedes-Benz pickup in Europe. Customer response is extremely positive. We will launch the X-Class in more markets this year which will also boost our sales,” continued Mornhinweg.

The arrival of the X-Class in South Africa is imminent.

In November 2017, Mercedes-Benz Vans announced that it will also offer all van models in the commercial segment with electric drive.

This will start with the eVito, for which orders have been taken since late November 2017, with deliveries to start in the second half of 2018. Further electric models of the Sprinter and of the Citan small van will follow in 2019.