Mercedes moves into the family van market

Mercedes-Benz wants to appeal to families with the T-Class compact passenger van that will add a  modern twist to the people movers of the 1990s.

The van is being developed with the Renault-Nissan Alliance and will be launched in the first half of 2022, with a battery-electric version included. 

The T-Class will be based on the Citan light-commercial van, which Renault builds in Maubeuge, France.

"With the new Mercedes-Benz T-Class, we will offer a vehicle which makes it possible for families and those with active pastimes to step into the Mercedes-Benz world. These customers seek attractive and practical compact vehicles – and it is precisely these demands which the new T-Class fulfils", said Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. 

"With the T-class’s new layout and design we achieve a fusion of functionality and desirability", said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group.

"With our unique design philosophy of Sensual Purity we create an attractive family companion being the T-Class inspiring with its design, proportions and its perceived value." 

Mercedes said the T-Class "will be clearly discernible at first glance as a member of the Mercedes-Benz family and will feature unmistakably typical characteristics of the brand”.

The automaker did not release other details except to note that it will have sliding doors on both the left and right passenger sides. A profile image showed similar lines to that of the Kangoo concept from 2019.

In Europe, there is the Mercedes-Benz Citan, which is primarily a panel van.