Mercedes-Benz launches series production of the VLE
Around three months ago, Mercedes-Benz Vans unveiled the VLE as the successor to the EQV. Since April, blind orders—orders placed without a prior test drive—have also been available for this premium model. The VLE currently starts at €82,260, though more affordable versions, priced around €70,000, are expected to follow.Mercedes-Benz has officially started series production of the VLE at its plant in Vitoria, marking a major milestone for the facility. The company celebrated the start of production at the Spanish site. Opened in 1954 as part of Auto-Union, the plant became part of Mercedes-Benz, then Daimler-Benz AG, in 1981 and currently employs around 5,000 people.To prepare for the VLE’s production and meet the requirements of the new electric van platform, VAN.EA, the factory in Spain’s Basque Country underwent extensive modernisation. Mercedes-Benz has invested in new body-shop, paint and assembly facilities, as well as upgraded logistics and IT infrastructure, although the company has not disclosed the amount invested. According to the manufacturer, these measures have enabled the plant to establish a ‘highly flexible, multi-powertrain production on one line – digital, efficient and future-oriented.’ Pre-series production of the VLE began in September 2025 to optimise logistics and manufacturing processes and build operational expertise.Series production of the VLE is now fully underway. Plant Manager Bernd Krottmayer stated: “The start of series production of the VLE fills me with great pride, especially when I look at our team. The successful transformation of our plant and the series ramp-up are the result of the daily commitment of our employees, who handle demanding tasks with a high level of expertise, flexibility and passion. They have carried this transformation and are making Vitoria a strong site for the future of Mercedes-Benz Vans.”
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-Benz
Image: Mercedes-BenzThe start of series production on 12 June was attended by a number of senior representatives, including Thomas Klein, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister for Industry and Tourism, and Imanol Pradales, Acting President of the Basque Country, also attended the event.According to Mercedes-Benz, the decision to build the VLE in Vitoria highlights the plant’s industrial, strategic and regional importance. The company describes the site’s transformation as one of the largest future-oriented industrial projects undertaken by Mercedes-Benz Vans in Europe.With the VLE, Mercedes-Benz aims to combine the comfort of a luxury vehicle with dynamic driving characteristics in a large van. The model is based on the new VAN.EA platform, which uses an 800-volt architecture and supports charging capacities of up to 300 kW. According to Mercedes-Benz, this allows the battery to recover enough energy for up to 355 kilometres of WLTP range in 15 minutes. Combined with a total range of around 700 kilometres, the company says the VLE can theoretically cover 1,000 kilometres with a single 15-minute charging stop.mercedes-benz.com
