Mercedes-Benz Vans' presence in Hanover revolves around three main ideas: the electric future of its vans, digitalization applied to professional business, and a range of services designed to improve the productivity of companies, self-employed individuals, and fleets. All of this falls under the Mercedes-Benz Pro concept , an ecosystem that brings together vehicles, services, financing, charging solutions, and digital tools.

New Mercedes-Benz VLE Electric: over 700 km of range and 800V technology

One of the major new offerings from Mercedes-Benz Vans at the IAA is the new VLE Electric , a shuttle and passenger transport vehicle that heralds the brand's next phase. The VLE is the first model based on the new Van Architecture , a modular platform developed to offer exceptional flexibility in powertrain types and configurations. Mercedes-Benz positions it as a solution for transfer services, hotels, airports, private transport, and high-end travel. It can be configured with between five and eight seats , with individual seats or benches, and even in a facing configuration, a common solution in professional transport vehicles.

In Hanover, the brand is showcasing its potential as a professional transport vehicle. In its eight-seater version, with manually adjustable bench seats, the VLE offers two standard electric sliding doors, optional rear-wheel steering, and a turning radius of 11,6 meters between walls —an impressive figure for navigating urban environments. It will also be available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

The new VLE Electric aims to combine car-like comfort, minivan spaciousness, and long-range electric performance. Mercedes-Benz announces a range of over 700 km , 800-volt technology , and ultra-fast charging—three key selling points for operators who need to cover many kilometers daily with minimal downtime. The brand also released preliminary energy consumption figures for two versions: the VLE 400 4MATIC Electric , with a projected combined consumption of between 21,7 and 20 kWh/100 km , and the VLE 300 Electric , with figures between 20,7 and 18,4 kWh/100 km . Both models boast local CO₂ emissions of 0 g/km.

Digitalization will be another key pillar of this new generation. The VLE incorporates MB.OS , Mercedes-Benz's operating system, along with the new MBUX and the MBUX virtual assistant with multi-agent generative artificial intelligence.

For a commercial vehicle, this means more than just a modern interface. It also allows for improved driver assistance, customizable functions, and easier integration of digital services. With the optional MB.DRIVE packages , Mercedes-Benz aims to reduce driver workload by optimizing steering, braking, acceleration, and parking functions.

“The Boulder”: a glimpse into the future of Sprinter

In addition to the VLE, ​​Mercedes-Benz Vans is bringing one of the show's most striking pieces to Hanover: the sculpture "The Boulder ." This 6,50-meter-long, 2,75-meter-high, and 2,50-meter-wide structure, with its stone texture, previews the general lines and some styling features of the future Sprinter. The sculpture also hints at the design of a future mid-size van based on the same new van architecture. In this way, Mercedes-Benz is not only anticipating the Sprinter's successor, but also a complete family of medium and large commercial vehicles developed on a common technical foundation . These future vans will be available with both fully electric drive and new-generation combustion engines. The brand states that they are being developed in close collaboration with professional customers from various sectors to better meet their real-world usage needs.

Vans that can be upgraded like a smartphone

With the new architecture and MB.OS, Mercedes-Benz aims to ensure its vans remain up-to-date for years. The system will enable over-the-air updates of all vehicle software, including driver assistance systems. Connectivity will also allow for the integration of content from third-party providers. This can be particularly important for businesses, as fleet management applications, navigation systems, and other proprietary business tools will be directly accessible through the MBUX multimedia system.

In practice, Mercedes-Benz wants its future commercial vehicles to be more than just a transport tool: a connected platform capable of integrating into the digital processes of each company.

Mercedes-Benz Pro: services for the entire vehicle lifecycle

The other major new offering from Mercedes-Benz Vans in Hanover is the Mercedes-Benz Pro ecosystem , a comprehensive solution for business customers that combines vehicles, services, digital solutions, financing, insurance, leasing, and electrification tools. The brand summarizes this offering under the concept of “business success, every day .” Its aim is to help companies improve the efficiency, availability, and productivity of their vehicles throughout their entire lifecycle.

Mercedes-Benz Pro is structured in five areas: Personalize it , Stay connected , Prepare for electrification , Finance with confidence and Keep driving.

Factory transformations and solutions

In terms of customization, Mercedes-Benz Vans points out that its range spans from the Vito to the Sprinter , with both electric and combustion engine options. The brand offers factory-direct configurations and, for more specific needs, relies on its certified partners Mercedes-Benz VanSolution and Mercedes-Benz VanPartners . The data is significant: adapted vehicles represent 75% of the commercial Sprinters on the road. This underscores the importance of conversions within Mercedes-Benz's commercial vehicle business.

In Hanover, the brand is showcasing a wide selection of professional solutions, with a special focus on the eSprinter . It is being exhibited as a van with digital extras, a passenger version with eight seats, a refrigerated variant, a dry van on an eSprinter chassis, and other conversions based on the Sprinter and eVito.

eSprinter, eVito, Sprinter 4×4 and Vito Tourer 4×4

The Mercedes-Benz Vans exhibition in Hanover goes beyond prototypes and previews. It also showcases current vehicles prepared for specific professional uses. These include an eSprinter converted for passengers by AMF-Bruns, a refrigerated eSprinter by Kerstner, an eSprinter chassis with a dry cargo box by Spier, a three-way tipper truck by JPM based on the Sprinter 4x4, a Vito Tourer 4x4 as an emergency medical vehicle, and an eVito with a Sortimo shelving system.

Connectivity and fleet management

The digital aspect is also gaining importance with digital extras and connectivity solutions for fleets. One of the most important tools is the Mercedes-Benz Van Uptime Monitor , available free of charge for medium and large Mercedes-Benz commercial vans in certain markets. This system allows users to monitor the vehicle's technical status, schedule workshop visits, and reduce unexpected downtime. For a business, this translates into greater predictability and less downtime.

In addition, there's Mercedes-Benz Fleet Pilot , a web portal that acts as a fleet control center. It offers real-time vehicle data, maintenance management, location tracking, geofencing, and trip logs. The Fleet API also allows companies to integrate this data into their existing systems.

Solutions to electrify fleets and reduce downtime

Mercedes-Benz Vans is also focusing on the electrification of businesses. In addition to expanding its range of electric vehicles, the brand offers consulting, planning, and charging infrastructure.

The new eCharging Planner allows you to analyze the energy needs of a future electric fleet, check the existing supply, recommend the appropriate infrastructure, estimate installation requirements, and calculate the costs of vehicles, chargers, and infrastructure. Furthermore, it is brand-independent, so it can also be useful for companies with mixed fleets.

For on-the-go charging, Mercedes-Benz offers MB.CHARGE Public , integrated into MBUX and the Mercedes-Benz app. In certain markets, it also facilitates centralized management of electric vehicle fleets and solutions for reimbursing home charging costs through TRONITY.

Vehicle availability is a top priority for any professional customer. That's why Mercedes-Benz Vans also emphasizes its comprehensive range of maintenance, repairs, genuine parts, service contracts, mobility solutions, and roadside assistance. In the event of a breakdown, the brand offers 24/7 roadside assistance across Europe. According to Mercedes-Benz, approximately 70% of breakdowns are resolved directly on-site, eliminating the need for a workshop visit.

Also noteworthy is the Mobile Repair Service , which allows the workshop to come to the customer. The brand claims that up to 80% of scheduled maintenance and repair work can be carried out on-site, reducing downtime.

130 years of history in commercial vehicles

Mercedes-Benz Vans is also using Hanover to celebrate its history in professional transport. The brand is highlighting 130 years of service to businesses and recalling that Carl Benz presented what it considers the world's first light commercial vehicle in 1896. A Benz delivery van from 1899 is on display at the fair, presented as the oldest roadworthy commercial vehicle in the world.

This historical nod serves to connect the brand's past with its future: from the first delivery van to a new generation of electric, connected, upgradeable vehicles ready to integrate into companies' digital operations.