Mercedes considers Vito van for USA

[haven]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/23/mercedes-benz-studying-vito-van-for-u-s/

Autoblog reports that Mercedes-Benz is considering adding the Vito van to its USA lineup. The Vito is available in two sizes, ranging from USA minivan size, up to a size close to the short wheelbase Ford E-Series van. In Europe, an AWD Vito is available.

The Vito is often converted into a pop-up or high-roof camper. For example, Westfalia makes a Vito model.

Reaction has been mixed among Mercedes USA dealers toward the Sprinter. Some Mercedes dealers are not interested in adding commercial vehicles, fearing it will interfere with the perception that Mercedes is a luxury brand. In countries outside USA, Mercedes offers all sorts of commercial vehicles, from the Unimog through the Actros

 

[Pskhaat]

...Some Mercedes dealers are not interested in adding commercial vehicles, fearing it will interfere with the perception that Mercedes is a luxury brand.

Right......are Mercedes dealerships flush with luxury buyers in 2011?

 

[4x4x4doors]

Right......are Mercedes dealerships flush with luxury buyers in 2011?

No, but they've 50-60 years convincing US buyers that the MB was a luxury car and to jeopardize that in one shot seems a bit risky.

Curious how the Sprinter sells as Freightliner vs. Dodge vs. MB?

Could they add the Vito as Freightliner and sell without compromising their luxo image?

 

[Pskhaat]

I hear you, I just don't buy it. I know LOTS of hard-core Mercedes lovers and regular 2-year leasers, I just can't imagine they'd shy away. They certainly didn't shy away in 2005-2006 with the Sprinters sitting front & center on the lots.

 

[haven]

Let's hope Mercedes makes the Vito available, and continues to give dealers the option to decline to sell commercial vehicles if they choose.

 

[Herbie]

Seeing how the automotive "fashion" pendulum is swinging in SoCal, I'd say a Mercedes-badged AWD or 4x4 minivan (aka crossover) could actually sell pretty well here.

When the Sprinter first became available, of course the vast majority sold were long wheelbase hi-roof models, but there were more than a few of the shortest-length, shortest-roof models sold basically as Mercedes minivans to well-heeled suburbanites who like to be able to carpool the whole girls's soccer team to tournaments two counties over. Painted in just about anything other than Industrial (Expo) white and kitted out with leather interiors, etc., I can see the appeal.

 

[mogwildRW1]

In my area (Alberta, Canada), the Sprinter is very popular, so popular they built a Sprinter specific dealership, right beside the luxury dealership (the one that sells the SLR, black editions, ect) and nobody seemed to mind, they were actually excited to get the sprinter name back from Dodge and be selling them via Merc again.