Mercedes Vans Brought Steady Sales in 2008

Despite extremely difficult market conditions, especially during the third and the fourth quarter of the year, Mercedes' vans brought pretty high sales all over the world in 2008, with the Sprinter sales posting a new global sales record. Even though most people consider buying vans during recession times a waste of money, Mercedes delivered 287,205 vehicles in 2008, compared to 289,073 units in the previous year.

And even more than that, 2008 was the best year on the German market for the van division of Mercedes as the company sold 71,763 units versus 71,258 in 2007. In addition, a new record was also achieved in Netherlands where Mercedes sold 12,883 vans while UK deliveries grew up by 2,900 vans to 31,105. Belgium also brought a 2,100 unit increase, with vans sold in the country totaling 9,289.

As mentioned, the Sprinter Van series had the largest contribution to the aforementioned optimistic figures, with 166,473 units sold in 2008 compared to 165,916 vans delivered in the previous year. The Sprinter is currently manufactured in Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde, Germany and in Argentina. Vito/Viano sales drop 1 percent compared to 2008, with 166,473 models delivered between January and December.

“The year was a sprinter year around the world for the van with the star. Particularly in the first half of the year, global demand for the Sprinter, Vito and Viano was higher than ever before. Since the second half of 2008 and in the current year we too have come to feel the impact of the global financial and economic crisis. Nevertheless, we are confident that as soon as things start looking up again we will be able to continue the success story of Sprinter Co. with our convincing products,” Wilfried Porth, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said.