Mercedes-Benz Vans achieved a new record for unit sales in 2017 and for the first time passed the mark of 400,000 vehicles sold. The division has thus grown continuously for five consecutive years. On the basis of initial December results, the division increased its overall wholesale unit sales by around 12 percent to a total of around 401,000 vehicles.
All model series contributed to this growth with best-ever figures. Mercedes-Benz Vans also sold more of the van icon, the Sprinter, than ever before in its last full year before the launch of the new model. The strongest growth driver – in addition to the very successful fleet business – was once again the strong demand for the Vito van and the V-Class multipurpose vehicle.
In 2017, both of those models were for the first time fully available in the world’s biggest vehicle market, China. The new Mercedes-Benz X-Class, the first pickup with the three-pointed star, was launched in November 2017. The division’s final figures will be announced at the annual press conference of Daimler AG on February 1, 2018.
Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans: “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. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of them.
“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 now 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.”
“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 further markets this year, and that will additionally boost our sales,” continued Mornhinweg.
