Mercedes-Benz launches mass production of electric VLE van in Vitoria, Spain

Mercedes‑Benz has begun series production of its fully electric VLE van at the Vitoria plant in Spain. The launch follows an investment of more than €1 billion to modernise the facility, which officials described as a "cornerstone" of the company's global network. The inauguration ceremony was attended by CEO Ola Källenius, Mercedes‑Benz Vans director Thomas Klein, regional leaders and other executives.

The VLE is the first model built on the new Van Architecture platform, designed for modularity and flexible power‑train options. Mercedes‑Benz plans to add a second production line in Fuzhou, China, later in the year to serve the Chinese market. In parallel, the company started manufacturing the electric V‑Class van at its Breslau plant in Poland, offering a WLTP‑tested range of up to 700 km with 90 kWh batteries.

Both vehicles target commercial fleets seeking zero‑emission solutions, positioning Mercedes‑Benz against rivals such as Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz and Ford’s E‑Transit.