The all new Mercedes Vito
Mercedes-Benz’s new Euro 5 Vito will make its British debut during the last quarter of this year, but only in modest numbers. “Initially we’ll have fewer than 400,” says the manufacturer’s UK van sales and marketing director, Steve Bridge.
The big push will come in the first quarter of 2011 and the latest addition looks set to be one of the star attractions on the Mercedes-Benz’s stand at next April’s United Kingdom’s Commercial Vehicle Show at the National Exhibition Centre.
Not that the new Vito will look radically different from the existing model. The key changes will be under the metal, says Bridge, and will influence the engine, the gearbox and the suspension.
Low-CO2 BlueEfficiency versions of the new addition will be readily available. “We’ll be ensuring as many economically-viable fuel-saving measures on them as we possibly can,” he says.
Also on sale will be an electric Vito, set to come into view on this side of the Channel either end this year or in early 2011. “We’ve requested the factory for an initial 10 and we’ll be introducing them with major fleets that can make full use of them,” says Bridge. What about the price? “If you said £50,000 including the batteries then you wouldn’t be far wrong,” he replies.
Last month, Mercedes-Benz witness the top month of June in the history of the company, new figures were announced . The company surpassed forcasted as sales rose by 13 per cent worldwide .
Indeed , in the first half of the year, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were up 15 per cent compared to the fiquers in the same period in 2009 . More specifically, the figures show that sales in the United Kingdom rose by nine per cent, while sales in western Europe – excluding Germany – were up 7 per cent in the first half of 2010.
Van Reviews and Motor Trade Jobs