Though Mercedes-Benz is commonly thought of as a car and SUV brand, the Vans division represented 17 percent of its annual sales in 2025,. Vans produced above-guidance return on sales results in Q1 2026, another mark of strength.
The relatively new head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, Thomas Klein, has grand plans for the division he leads. The recently-revealed VLE is key to this.
It is a battery-electric high-riding limousine that seats up to eight. Mercedes has targeted the van at VIP customers who are currently shuttled to and from meetings, airports and houses in less sophisticated offerings from the luxury brand.
“We are really entering a new era with the VLE,” Klein told Newsweek. “[We are] launching the VLE and redefining a whole segment, what you call grand limousines… the vehicle excels in all technological categories, from charging to driving to intelligence.”
The VLE has its roots in the ubiquitous group transport V-Class van. “When we started developing the VLE what we tried to keep anything and everything that people loved about the V-Class today and then revolutionized wherever we got feedback that we could improve,” he said.
Utilizing technology and appointments from Mercedes-Benz’s newest crop of vehicles, choosing a van versus a car or SUV is in no way a compromise, and that’s the point.
“I’m truly convinced people value space of their own, value pristine interiors, value great driving abilities, and, at least in Europe, we see that they are very much ready to go electric when there’s little compromises to make. I really believe the VLE will make a difference,” Klein said.
Klein plans to roll the momentum of VLE into the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS, an ultra-luxury grand limousine that will sit as the Vans flagship in the same way that the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach GLS sit atop the Cars division’s roster.
Both models are targeted at China, even more than Europe and North America. The Middle East will also play a pivotal role in the success of the vans.
“Let’s face it, stars and starlets, starlets, captains of industries, sports stars—they also drive MPVs. And what if not a beautifully crafted high tech grand limousine from Mercedes Benz? It’s almost like it’s the car that they’ve been waiting for,” Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of the Mercedes-Benz Group Ola Källenius told Newsweek.
The company plans to introduce gas-powered versions of its vans to accommodate market desires.
The new vehicles are part of a larger investment in the Vans division. “We’ve put a billion plus into our plant down in Spain to now get ready for the start of the VLE. We are converting one of our previous power plants in Poland for a major expansion to build commercial vehicle versions of that architecture and we’re also upgrading our facilities here in Germany,” Källenius explained.
He continued: “I don’t think we have ever done a bigger play in Europe. And while we’re doing this, we’re putting in a significant investment in China and the United States.”
Mercedes recently launched the V-Class in India, one of the automaker’s key emerging markets. “it’s a small step…What is that going to look like five years from now, or 10 years from now? I think there’s an opportunity in every other region around the world that has a meaningful segment on the upper end of people movers. Why should we not be there? Is there anybody else that has a better vehicle? I don’t know of anyone,” Källenius said.