More room needed for electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz Vans to reorganize production in Europe

Mercedes-Benz Vans is about to reorganize its production network in Europe, with the production site located in Jawor, Poland, to become new member of Van production network. In fact, the large vans (closed model/panel van) are to be produced on VAN.EA basis there. The decision about the location and the concrete implementation of the project still depends upon the final fulfilment of various framework conditions, including the granting of aid for the investment in Jawor. The option to expand the factory even further by establishing a new joint venture manufacturing company together with Rivian for large all-electric Vans is on hold due to Rivian’s ongoing reprioritization of projects.

In September 2022, Mercedes-Benz Vans announced that it would like to adapt the European production
network for all-electric vans based on the platform VAN.EA. The respective employee representatives and
location management have therefore agreed on future visions for the plants in Düsseldorf, Ludwigsfelde,
Germany and Vitoria, Spain. Subject to the agreement of the collective bargaining parties, works agreements were negotiated for all plants, which clearly show the further way of transformation.

Mercedes-Benz Vans, production into details

More into details, the Mercedes-Benz plant already builds the current generation of the Sprinter and eSprinter (closed model/panel van). As of the second half of 2023, the successor generation of the eSprinter will be launched here. The open model of the current Sprinter generation has been built in the Mercedes-Benz Ludwigsfelde plant since 2018. From the spring of 2024, the new eSprinter of this model type will be produced there. In addition, the company will establish the Ludwigsfelde plant as a competence center for eVan customization.

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Finally, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vitoria, Spain, produces the medium-sized vans from Mercedes-Benz. The product portfolio includes the V-Class, the EQV, the (e)Vito and (e)Vito Tourer. From the middle of the
decade, the medium-sized van based on the purely electrical modular platform VAN.EA will also be
manufactured there.

“The decision for Jawor, Poland, is another milestone on the road to electro-mobility”, commented Mathias Geisen, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “We are not only repositioning our products, but also future proofing the entire value chain: From procurement to production, to logistics and sales. We are therefore investing in VAN.EA, our new all-electric van architecture. Thus we will also ensure our leading position in the field of all-electric light commercial vehicles also in the future. At the same time, we are preserving the long-term prospects of the existing plants in Europe.”