Mercedes-Benz Vans press release, IAA Transportation Hanover, 14 September 2026 — republished for Carboratory readers.

Mercedes-Benz Vans at IAA 2026: electric VLE, THE BOuLDER and “Business Performance. Every Day.”

  • Mercedes-Benz Vans at IAA Transportation 2026: heritage, present and future in the foreground
  • The new Van Architecture: exhibition premiere of the electric VLE and the sculpture “THE BOuLDER” offer a look at the future of Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles
  • The Mercedes-Benz PRO business ecosystem brings together vehicles, Digital Extras and services under the promise “Business Performance. Every Day.”

Hanover. Customers and their needs have always been at the centre of what Mercedes-Benz does, the company says. As inventor of the light commercial vehicle and an innovator in the van segment, the three-pointed star has, for 130 years, put its expertise at the service of commercial customers. At this year’s IAA Transportation in Hanover, from 14 to 20 September, the company presents its news in hall 13, stand C51.

The new Van Architecture: exhibition premiere of the electric VLE

With the new electric VLE, Mercedes-Benz opened a new era this year, according to the manufacturer. Grand Limousine is the first model based on the new Van Architecture — a modular architecture developed from scratch and flexible in powertrain. It combines the agility and ride comfort of a Mercedes-Benz saloon with the space and versatility of an MPV. With a range of more than 700 km (WLTP), 800-volt technology and ultra-fast charging, Mercedes-Benz positions the VLE as a solution for a wide range of journeys.

Grand Limousine offers space for five to eight occupants and is available in several seat layouts, with individual seats or manually or electrically adjustable rear benches, including a vis-à-vis configuration used for shuttle services. Announced uses cover hotel, airport and shuttle services through to premium variants for exclusive passenger transport.

At IAA Transportation, Mercedes-Benz presents the VLE’s potential as a professional shuttle. In the eight-seat version with manually adjustable comfort benches, the two electric sliding doors are standard. With THERMOTRONIC, an additional two-zone automatic climate system is available for the rear compartment. The EASY-PACK tailgate, with separate opening, eases loading and unloading of luggage. Thanks to optional rear-axle steering and a 10.9-metre turning circle, the VLE is particularly agile in urban use. 4MATIC all-wheel drive is available to order from 15 October 2026.

Consumption data communicated by Mercedes-Benz:

  • Mercedes-Benz VLE 400 4MATIC electric | Provisional data: combined consumption 21.7–20 kWh/100 km | combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A
  • Mercedes-Benz VLE 300 electric | Combined consumption 20.7–18.4 kWh/100 km | combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A

MB.OS, an AI-based system, enables the MBUX multimedia experience and MBUX Virtual Assistant with multi-agent generative artificial intelligence. The VLE comes as standard with extensive safety and assistance systems. Through optional MB.DRIVE packages, coordinated steering, braking, acceleration and parking functions can reduce driver effort in everyday shuttle operations.

“THE BOuLDER”: a look at the future of Mercedes-Benz vans

With the sculpture “THE BOuLDER”, Mercedes-Benz Vans offers visitors a view of the next generation of commercial vehicles. At 6.50 metres long, 2.75 metres high and 2.50 metres wide, the stone-textured sculpture, milled from a single solid block, reveals the contours and first design details of the future Sprinter. On the passenger side, the outlines of a mid-size van, also developed on the new Van Architecture, are visible.

Based on the new Van Architecture and MB.OS, Mercedes-Benz vans will be available with fully electric drive as well as high-tech combustion engines. The new mid-size and large vans are being developed with commercial customers from different industries. In future, Sprinter will continue to be available in numerous length, wheelbase and mass variants, adapted to conversion and body solutions.

MB.OS will also enable over-the-air updates of the vehicle’s entire software, including driving assistance systems, in the commercial sector. Customers will be able to access their own apps and tools — for example for fleet management or navigation — directly in the vehicle, through MBUX.

The Mercedes-Benz PRO business ecosystem

Through the Mercedes-Benz PRO business ecosystem, vehicles, services and digital solutions are brought together for day-to-day operations. Under the promise “Business Performance. Every Day.”, Mercedes-Benz Vans commits to supporting companies with solutions for efficiency, availability and productivity over the vehicles’ full life.

Mercedes-Benz PRO covers consulting and needs analysis, vehicle choice, conversions and bodies, financing, leasing, insurance and Digital Extras, completed by e-mobility and charging solutions. Together with MB.OS, the new Van Architecture is intended to open opportunities for smoother connection of vehicles, digital services and data-based solutions.

“Mercedes-Benz Vans has always presented solutions that help companies run their operations reliably, efficiently and successfully. Ten years ago we introduced Mercedes PRO. With Mercedes-Benz PRO, our ambition goes far beyond the vehicle itself. We create a connected ecosystem of vehicles, digital solutions and services, which support our customers over the vehicles’ full life, through Mercedes-Benz PRO. What motivates us is creating the conditions that allow our customers to perform at the highest level, every day.”

— Thomas Klein, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans

“We want to adopt an even more customer-centred approach for Mercedes-Benz Vans: what do our customers need for their activity to be simpler, more efficient and more successful? Our ambition is to focus carefully on the specific requirements customers face in daily operations. Through Mercedes-Benz PRO, we combine vehicles, Digital Extras and services into personalised solutions that simplify processes and help strengthen competitiveness. The new Van Architecture and MB.OS provide the basis to adapt these solutions even more precisely to our customers’ requirements in future.”

— Mathias Vaitl, Head of Marketing & Sales, Mercedes-Benz Vans

At IAA Transportation, Mercedes-Benz Vans presents the Mercedes-Benz PRO business ecosystem in five categories: “Customise it”, “Stay connected”, “Be electric ready”, “Finance with confidence” and “Keep driving”.

Customise it: choose the van and adapt it

The range stretches from Vito to Sprinter, with electric or conventional drive. For requirements beyond factory configurations, Mercedes-Benz VanPartners develops personalised conversion and body solutions. According to Mercedes-Benz, converted vehicles represent 75% of commercial Sprinters on the road.

In Hanover, eSprinter is shown in four variants: van with Digital Extras; van converted for eight-seat passenger transport by AMF-Bruns GmbH & Co. KG; van with refrigeration conversion by Kerstner GmbH; and a cargo body by Spier GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugwerk KG, based on the eSprinter chassis. Completing the exhibition portfolio are a platform chassis by JPM SAS on the Sprinter 4x4 specification, a Vito Tourer 4x4 for emergency situations (conversion by Ambulanz Mobile GmbH & Co. KG) and an eVito van with a Sortimo International GmbH racking system.

Stay connected: Digital Extras and fleet management

The Digital Extra Van Uptime Monitor is available free of charge for all Mercedes-Benz mid-size and large commercial vans. Through a digital dashboard, it offers transparency on the vehicles’ technical condition and helps plan workshop visits. For fleet managers, Mercedes-Benz Fleet Pilot works as a central hub (real-time data, maintenance, location, geofencing, trip logs). Alternatively, the Mercedes-Benz Fleet API allows data to be integrated into existing fleet-management systems.

Be electric ready: e-mobility

The new Mercedes-Benz eCharging Planner includes planning and analysis tools, including a brand-independent charging-infrastructure planner, suited to mixed fleets. For implementation, partner ChargePoint offers support. For charging on the move, MB.CHARGE Public provides access to the charging network, integrated into MBUX and the Mercedes-Benz app. MB.CHARGE Public for business allows, in selected markets, centralised administration of fleet electric vehicles. Together with TRONITY GmbH, Mercedes-Benz also offers a solution for reimbursing home-charging costs.

Finance with confidence

Mercedes-Benz Vans offers leasing, financing (including for conversions and bodies), service packages and insurance, which can be combined in a single contract with a single monthly payment.

Keep driving: maximum availability

From maintenance and repairs, genuine parts and digital services to breakdown assistance, the aim is for vehicles to stay on the road with minimal downtime. Van Uptime Monitor watches technical condition and provides early warnings. In case of failure, customers in Europe can call 24/7 roadside assistance; about 70% of failures are resolved on the spot, according to Mercedes-Benz. If on-site repair is not possible, transport to the service partner is organised and, if needed, replacement mobility. Through MobiloVan, the Europe-wide mobility guarantee, these services are available to customers free of charge.

130 years dedicated to companies’ needs

In 1896, Carl Benz presented the world’s first light commercial vehicle. The Benz delivery van combined the chassis of the Benz Victoria with a closed body. He also developed a van with a detachable load compartment, based on the Velociped — the Benz combinations delivery van, which could be converted into a two-seat automobile. At IAA Transportation, Mercedes-Benz Vans presents a Benz combinations delivery van from 1899, described as the world’s oldest working commercial vehicle.

About Mercedes-Benz Vans

For 130 years, Mercedes-Benz has offered customers solutions for transport needs. From the first Benz delivery van, through Sprinter and Vito, to vehicles on the new Van Architecture such as the electric VLE, the portfolio covers electric and conventional models, configurable from the factory or through certified bodybuilders. The offer includes consulting, a service network, Digital Extras, financial services, Mercedes-Benz Rent and charging solutions.

Mercedes-Benz AG in brief

Mercedes-Benz AG is part of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, with about 175,000 employees worldwide, and is responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans global activities. Ola Källenius is Chairman of the Board of Management. In 2024, the company sold about 2.4 million passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The production network numbers more than 30 plants on four continents.

Sources: Mercedes-Benz Media – Mercedes-Benz Vans at IAA Transportation 2026