Mercedes-Benz announced in early May 2025 that it will cease production of the compact Citan and T-Class vans by mid-2026. The decision marks the Stuttgart-based manufacturer’s definitive exit from this market segment, as it shifts its strategic focus to medium and large-sized vehicles such as the Vito, V-Class and Sprinter. The move is based on a profitability analysis: larger models offer higher margins and a better return on investment, particularly in the context of the transition to electric vehicles.
The story of Mercedes-Benz’s compact vans began in 2010, when Daimler and the Renault-Nissan alliance, then led by Dieter Zetsche and Carlos Ghosn respectively, signed an industrial cooperation agreement. Two years later, in 2012, the first Citan was launched, a commercial vehicle derived from the Renault Kangoo but featuring significant stylistic and technical customisations. The industrial partnership between the two groups extended into passenger transport as well. In 2014, the second generation of the Smart ForFour was introduced, built on the same platform as the Renault Twingo, and in 2021 the Mercedes-Benz T-Class was unveiled, a passenger version of the Citan.
The Citan and T-Class vans, manufactured at Renault’s Maubeuge plant, are the final outcomes of this collaboration in the field of light commercial vehicles. The planned withdrawal in 2026 thus signals the end of a partnership that has lasted nearly fifteen years, with the sole exception of an ongoing project in Mexico with Nissan for the production of pick-ups and vans aimed at selected markets.
Sales data tells much of the story. In 2024, the Citan recorded a modest decline of 3 percent (23,351 units), while the T-Class experienced a sharp drop of 31 percent (5,117 units). The difficulties also stem from high pricing compared to direct competitors, which has hampered the models’ commercial performance, particularly in a segment where price sensitivity is crucial.
Mercedes-Benz is now concentrating on its new VAN.EA (Van Electric Architecture) platform, which will underpin the next generation of the company’s electric vans. The first model is set to roll off the production line in 2026, followed in 2027 by the VAN.CA variant for internal combustion vehicles, built on the same assembly line. The official unveiling of Mercedes’ new vision for commercial mobility is expected at the Shanghai Motor Show on 22 April 2025, with the presentation of the Vision V concept, a luxury electric van that promises a blend of efficiency, comfort and connectivity, targeting both business clients and high-end private customers.
Massimiliano Barberis
