The van division of Mercedes-Benz today presented its strategy update from Stuttgart with three key objectives: To further strengthen the brand’s position in the upper segments of the market To increase the level of cost control for greater industrial competitiveness And lead the industry in electric drive technology and digital experience. The German manufacturer of three axles plans to reduce its operating cost by 20% in 2025 as compared to 2019. A measure that will also make up for the shortfall in its product portfolio.
This objective is set in parallel with the start-up in 2026 – initially it was expected to start operations from 2025 – the so-called VAN.EA platform for electric vehicles, in which the Vitoria plant is integrated, a position that leaves the Alva factory This is intended to reduce operating costs by any possible reductions outside the .
Platform VAN.EA
The multinational confirmed late last year that the Gastiz plant – which last year signed an agreement valid until 2026 – is one of the group’s factories where a new electric model of the brand’s mid-size van will be manufactured. -The modular platform is called VAN.EA (Van Electric Architecture). Mercedes-Benz Vans explained on 12 December that with the new VAN.EA architecture the firm “accelerates the transformation as a provider with a range of fully electric vehicles”, so that “it is all Mercedes-Benz eVan”. be the basis. Benz in the medium and large segment”. The confirmation of the inclusion of the Vittoria plant in the VAN.EA platform by Stuttgart was, moreover, another step to the large investment of 1,200 million euros raised by the German multinational last June and Was fundamentally oriented towards the optimization and expansion of features.The creation of new electric models.
In short the VAN.EA platform – which, in addition to the Vittoria plant, will initially include the German plant in Düsseldorf and the Jawor plant in Poland – has an element of efficiency in the cost of production, Mercedes explains, as it will transform global production. Its network makes it “more efficient, flexible and oriented towards an electric future of mobility”.
More efficiency
With this objective of reducing operating costs, in addition to “reducing the complexity of the product portfolio”, Mercedes-Benz also plans to focus on efficiency in production processes to reduce man-hours per vehicle by 25% by 2025. has been created. 2019, “Using digital technology to optimize energy consumption and increase efficiency”.
Bet on the high-end and US and Chinese markets
In addition to this cost reduction as well as environmental footprint reduction, the new strategy for Mercedes-Benz Vans focuses on three other pillars. In the first place, the multinational wants to fundamentally focus on the premium segment – for this it will further expand the high end of its product portfolio, for example with a new V-Class – and on profitable growth; Second, it is committed to lasting relationship with the customer and third, it seeks to strengthen itself as a leader in electric driving and digital experience.
Mercedes-Benz Vans expects strong growth in its segment, with growth in electric models aimed at reaching 20% by 2026 and more than 50% by 2030.
The multinational conglomerate expects potential growth for premium large commercial vans in the US and personal luxury vans in China, two markets it will focus exclusively on in the coming years.
