IN-B aims for CDV market by Charles Young • Mercedes-Benz
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is working on a new car-derived van—probably based on the A-class passenger car it launched last October.
The "city van" will weigh less than two tonnes. Mercedes expects to sell up to 50,000 units a year, but says this could increase to 500,000 units a year after 2000. About 410,000 CDVs were sold in Europe last year.
The "city van" is not expected to resemble the Aclass, as Mercedes is keen to keep its CVs distinct from its up-market passenger cars. But the A-class platform could be used with a distinct body shell.
The new van is likely to be built at Ludwigsfelde, a former East German CV plant taken over by Mercedes after reunification.
Ludwigsfelde currently builds the Vario, although there is speculation that demand for this could be squeezed by a heavier derivative of the Sprinter van and a lighter variant of the Atego truck range. The Sprinter range is due for a facelift and new power units towards 2000.
The "city van" will give Mercedes a complete CV product line-up from CDVs to top-weight tractors.
Alongside the 2.6-tonne Vito, it will give the company a strong presence in the light-van sector, competing against the Berlingo/ Partner from the Citroen/Peugeot partnership; the newly introduced Renault Kangoo; and the new Nissan Vanette Ea smaller derivative of the Vanette Cargo (see page 18).
To be competitive it will need a payload of around 800kg and a price tag of around £10,000.
LDV's Cub van—essentially a rebadged Nissan Vanette Cargo— goes on sale next month.
It has a three-year/ 60,000-mile warranty and a one-tonne payload on a GVW of 2,505kg.