Despite tough economic times, Mercedes-Benz Vans has recorded a significant increase in sales in the first half of 2017.

With deliveries of 190 200 vehicles in all, the Vans division of Daimler surpassed the previous record of 176 200 vehicles set last year by 8%. This translates to five years of continuous growth for the business unit.

All model series contributed to the latest sales record. Sales of the large Sprinter van increased to roughly 96 200 units, an increase of 1% of last year’s 95 100 units).

The mid-size Vito van gained 14% to come to 52 500 units (previous year 46 000), while the V-Class multi-purpose vehicle recorded a 24% increase in sales from 23 300 last year to about 29 000 units.

Sales of the small Citan van improved by 5% to 12 500 units from 11 900 the previous year.

Mercedes-Benz Vans also projects a significant increase in sales for 2017 as a whole. As part of the ‘Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global’ business unit strategy, the division last year launched the V-Class and the Vito also in China, the world’s largest automotive market. This provides additional boosts in demand.

In addition, as the world’s first premium manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz Vans will enter the European segment of mid-size pickups with the X-Class at year’s end, with a local launch in the second quarter of 2018.