The first Daimler truck was completed in 1896. This groundbreaking vehicle was fitted with a 4-speed belt transmission and a 2-cylinder “Phoenix” engine. Although the Phoenix still used the hot tube ignition system, it was already equipped with a spray jet carburetor and developed a creditable 4 hp. The Daimler truck had a payload of 1,500 kg, which would qualify it as a van by today’s standards. The first vehicle completed was delivered to England.

The Daimler pick-up van, built in 1900, was powered by a 12-hp, 2-cylinder engine with a hot tube ignition system. It could transport payloads of up to 800 kg.

On 26 September 1902 the Mercedes name — submitted as a trademark by DMG (Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft) — was protected by law. This official christening was inspired by Emil Jellinek, an instrumental figure in the development of Daimler cars from 1898. Jellinek demanded even faster and more powerful cars, which he could enter in races under the pseudonym Mercédès, the first name of his daughter born in 1889. The first genuine “Mercedes” was a 35-hp racing car that celebrated spectacular success in the Nice Week race meeting in March 1901.

The Daimler light delivery van built in Marienfelde was available in two different sizes. Payload capacity was 750 kg or 1,000 kg, depending on the variant. Fitted with rubber tires, it was powered by a 9-hp, 2-cylinder engine, with braked output of 8 hp, and featured a rear-wheel chain drive system. Top speed was 16 or 18 km / h on smooth roads.

On 24 June 1909, DMG applied for a patent for the three-pointed star, which was soon to become one of the world’s most familiar trademarks. Four days later a patent application was also submitted for the four-pointed star, although it wasn’t until 1989 that this logo was first used — at the Dasa aerospace company. Both designs were entered in the list of registered trademarks on 9 February 1911.

The 1 C was powered by a Benz-Gaggenau S100 4-cylinder engine with displacement of 4,760 cc and output of 30–35 hp at 1,200 rpm. It was capable of transporting loads of 1–1.5 t. Two tire variants were available: solid rubber or pneumatic. The rear axle had two sets of tires. The 1 C reached a top speed of 35–42 km / h, according to the tires used. The wheelbase was 3,600 mm.

The amalgamation to form Daimler-Benz AG was completed on 28/29 June 1926. The two companies had already enjoyed extremely cordial relations as part of a community of interests for two years prior to the merger. Berlin was chosen as the new company’s base, with its central administration located in Untertürkheim. The brands were rolled together to form a single “Mercedes-Benz” brand.

The L 3/4, built between 1927 and 1928, were based on the Mercedes-Benz 8/38-hp passenger car designed by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche and produced from 1926 to 1928. The V6 inline engine with displacement of 1,988 cc developed 38 hp at 3,400 rpm. The van weighed in at 1,430 kg, with an additional payload of 770 kg, bumping the gross vehicle weight up to 2,200 kg. The engine’s output proved to be somewhat insufficient and, as a result, the L 3/4 was delivered with a 2.6-L powerpack from autumn 1928.

The L 300 was fitted with a V6 in-line engine generating 32 hp at 3200 rpm. The 3-speed transmission of the rear-wheel drive vehicle was designed with a special overdrive feature. The L 300 was 3,700 mm in length and offered a load area measuring 1,260 x 1,260 x 980 mm. Payload capacity was 300 kg and fuel consumption stood at 11.0 L per 100 km. The L 300 was derived from the Mercedes-Benz 170.

In the extremely difficult conditions of the immediate post-war period, Daimler-Benz defied the lack of specialist personnel and raw materials to resume vehicle production. The first vehicle to be produced at Daimler-Benz in the aftermath of the war was a van constructed according to the design of the 170 V built between 1936 and 1942. This was followed, in May 1946, by the final assembly of the first vehicle, also in Untertürkheim. A total of 1,650 panel vans, ambulances, pick-ups, and police patrol cars were built in the period up to 1949.

It was immediately apparent that the Mercedes-Benz L 319 van presented in 1955 was derived from neither a passenger car nor a truck. Every aspect of the L 319 was designed with the needs of short-radius distribution in mind and with competitors such as Hanomag and Borgward in the company’s sights. Production of the L 319 panel van, pick-up, and tipper variants began as early as September 1956 at the Sindelfingen plant. Meanwhile, at the Mannheim plant, the O 319 minibus also went into series production. It was powered by a 32-kW (43-hp], 4-cylinder diesel engine, manufactured likewise from 1956.

In 1949 the Tempo factory (in Hamburg-Harburg) brought a 4-wheel drive delivery van with a VW engine onto the market — the Tempo-Matador. This proved to be the predecessor to the Hanomag Matador E, which went into production in 1965. Up to 1970 the Hanomag-Henschel light vans could be ordered with either an English-made Austin carburetor engine or a 2.0 L, 50-hp diesel engine from Daimler-Benz. January 1972 saw the arrival of a considerably more powerful 2.2 L, 60-hp diesel engine, and in January 1973, the light van was given a chassis with a simplified, less complex construction.

The new TN van model series, which included the 207 D, 208, 307 D and 308 (601 series], made its debut between 25 and 29 April 1977. Although the exterior design of this powerful van took some getting used to at first, it was soon accepted as original and, indeed, practical. The short bonnet allowed convenient access to the engine compartment and the driver’s cabin was also easier to climb into. September 1981 saw the addition of the 407 D and 409 D with gross vehicle weight of 4.6 t to the range. From autumn of that year, the 88 hp, 5-cylinder diesel engine fitted in the 409 D was also available for the smaller models.

A new Mercedes-Benz large-capacity van was presented in Rome between 17 and 22 March 1986. The newly developed T 2 series included the 507 D–811 D models with permitted gross vehicle weights from 3.5 to 7.5 t. Payload capacity ranged from 2,505 to 4,635 kg. The wide variety of variants available for even the standard models was another new feature of this large-capacity van range. The basic versions were the pickup, panel van, tipper, and bus. Five engines were available — joined by a sixth option in autumn 1987 — with output ranging from 53 kW (72 hp) to 100 kW (136 hp).

The T1 van first presented in 1977 was technically reworked and improved for its relaunch in March 1989. The engineers identified three main targets in the reworking of the T1: improved output, higher speed, and lower emissions. The two new engines were awarded the title of “Diesel 1989.” The 2.3 L, 4-cylinder unit delivered 79 hp and the 2.9 L, 5-cylinder developed 70 kW (95 hp).

On 13 April 1994, Daimler-Benz unveiled a fuel cell-powered vehicle in the research centre in Ulm, Germany, based on the MB 100 and christened the “NECAR” (New Electric Car). The vehicle only produced emissions of non-combusted air and steam. The NECAR was developed in close cooperation with the Canadian firm Ballard Power Systems, based in Vancouver.

With the Natural Gas Technology (NGT) Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz was preparing another, particularly environment-friendly alternative drive system for series production in the van segment. Natural Gas Technology allows natural gas to be injected as required into the engine’s combustion chamber thanks to the Motronic control unit. This ensures even greater environmental compatibility than is possible with conventional continuous gas injection. The engine has displacement of 2,295 cc and develops 92 kW (125 hp) at 5,200 rpm.

The Vito was introduced as a crewbus, minibus, or panel van with a choice of five engine variants. In addition to the high-torque, yet economical CDI units, which deliver 60 kW (82 hp) to 90 kW (122 hp], the range also includes high-performance petrol engines with 95 kW (129 hp) or 105 kW (143 hp). The panel van variant of the Vito has a load capacity of 4.8 m³ and a load area of 3.6 m². This model will be built upon, and introduced to the Canadian market as the Metris in late 2015.

The 6-t Sprinter is built around a robust integral frame, which follows straight lines and is compacted in front of the rear axle. The shock absorber struts on the front axle and the shock absorbers on the rear axle all have additional strengthening. The front axle can bear up to 2,100 kg, the rear axle up to a maximum 4,360 kg. The 5-cylinder turbocharged CDI engine with intercooler develops 115 kW (156 hp) and ensures both increased output and lower fuel consumption. The 6-t Sprinter is available as a pick-up or tipper, with a standard driver’s cab or crew cab.

Production of the Vito light van was started in 1996 in the Spanish automobile plant of Vitoria. Since then, the Vito has been continuously developed, setting new standards from its first model upgrade in 1999 right up to the production of 2003’s updated model. The new Vito is packed full of clever design innovations, offering a variety of solutions for a company’s individual transportation needs. It is available in three models, each with three different body lengths. In addition to this, the choice of two roof heights and five different engines creates an unparalleled level of variety and individuality.

The Sprinter continues to rack up awards from Canada’s top third-party cost of ownership experts Vincentric™. Using its Dynamic Cost to Own™ — a comprehensive, proprietary cost-of-ownership database – the company measures and analyzes the overall cost of owning and operating vehicles and its impact on the value provided to buyers.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been awarded the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada™ award out of all full-size commercial vans for three years in a row. With its advanced fuel efficiency, the longest routine maintenance interval, and unrivalled retained value, the Sprinter is the hardest-working van on the road.

The All-New 2014 Sprinter receives Canadian Black Book’s highly sought after Best-Retained Value award in the full-sized van category. This award, which tracks vehicle values over a four-year period, is awarded to those that hold the highest percentage value of their original MSRP.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is recognized for its superior fuel efficiency, holding the longest routine maintenance interval, and delivering unmatched retained value out of all full-size vans in the Canadian market. We are proud to announce, once again, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has brought home the coveted Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada™ award. The experts at Vincentric™ compile automotive data from over 1,800 vehicle configurations, and recognize those who offer true value.

In 2000, we introduced the Vito to the European market. After more than 15 years of innovation and refinement, this revolutionary van has been reborn and introduced to the Canadian market as the Metris. Canada’s only mid-size commercial van, the Metris is smaller than a full-size van, yet bigger than a compact van. This right-size van is available in two models — cargo and passenger. The cargo model boasts an ample cargo payload of up to 1,135 kg (2,502 lbs) and volume of up to 5.27 m³ (186 cu ft) in a van that navigates congested streets and underground parking garages with ease. The passenger model, which seats eight adults, gives transportation businesses a safe, comfortable alternative to a full-size shuttle van. Powering the Metris is an incredibly fuel-efficient 2.0 L, 4-cylinder turbocharged gas engine with Mercedes-Benz engineering at its core.

For its seventh year, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has won the Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Award in the Full-size Van category. This coveted award acknowledges vehicles that retain the highest percentage of their original MSRP after four years. Unrivalled in retained value, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the hardest-working van on the road.

This is the seventh consecutive year that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been honoured with the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada™ award. And we’re proud to announce that for the third consecutive year, the Metris has also been honoured with the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada™ award. The experts at Vincentric™ compile automotive data from over 1,800 vehicle configurations, and recognize those who offer true value.

A new feature added to the Mercedes-Benz Vans lineup is the availability of select Sprinter models with both gas and diesel engine options. The Sprinter Cargo, Crew, and Passenger models now offer the 9G-TRONIC 9-speed transmission gas engine and the 7G-TRONIC Plus 7-speed automatic transmission diesel engine. New engine, same Mercedes-Benz innovation.

For eight years consecutively, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has received the coveted Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada™ award. And we’re proud to announce that for the fourth consecutive year, the Metris has also received this highly sought-after recognition. The experts at Vincentric™ compile automotive data from over 1,800 vehicle configurations, and recognize those who offer true value. ^[5]

We proudly marked a decade serving businesses across the country by launching a campaign commemorating the Sprinter’s arrival in Canada. From receiving multiple awards, to unveiling many groundbreaking products, we can’t wait to see what the next few years will deliver.

We’re proud to accept the 2021 Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Award for the Sprinter 2500 in the Full-Size Van category. This award acknowledges vehicles that hold their value over four years based on their original MSRP – with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offering longer-lasting equity, and a higher resale price. All to deliver a more enduring performance for your business. ^[8]

In a year of awards for Mercedes‑Benz Vans, we’re excited to be named the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada^TM for the Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500. We’re proud to accept this award for the seventh time for the Sprinter 2500 Passenger Van^[9] and the fifth time for the Sprinter 3500 Cargo Van^[10].

This year, we’re excited to once again be named the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada^TM for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500. We’re proud to accept this award for the eighth time for the Sprinter 2500 Passenger Van^[11], ninth time for the Sprinter 2500 Cargo Van^[12], and sixth time for the Sprinter 3500 Cargo Van^[13].

This year, we’re excited to once again be named the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada^TM for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 XD. We’re proud to accept this award for the ninth time for the Sprinter 2500 Passenger Van^[15], tenth time for the Sprinter 2500 Cargo Van^[16], and seventh time for the Sprinter 3500 XD Cargo Van.^[17]