DaimlerChrysler’s Mercedes-Benz van business unit sold 230,900 vehicles in 2003, down 2% from 236,600 in the previous year, the company said on Tuesday.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The slight reduction in unit sales was said to be due mainly to a continuing slight downturn in the western European van market, as well as the model changeover to the new Viano/Vito van family.
A significant increase in unit sales was recorded in the Nafta region, however. Accordingly, the van unit continued to make a positive contribution to the overall results of the commercial vehicle sector in 2003.
Rolf Bartke, head of the van unit, said: “These sales figures confirm the continued strength and success of Mercedes-Benz vans. With the Sprinter, which is particularly well accepted in the North American market, we managed to triple our sales compared with the previous year, to a total of 12,000 units in 2003.
“DaimlerChrysler is continuing to expand its leading position in the international van market. The volume of incoming orders is also stable for the current year, confirming the product strategy of the business unit.”
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe van unit has also passed a major milestone on the road to developing its Asian market: in December DaimlerChrysler received project approval for the formation of a joint venture with the Taiwanese China Motor Corporation and Fujian Motor Industry Group.
From the end of 2005 around 40,000 units of the Sprinter and new Viano/Vito line will be produced each year by a new production plant in Fuzhou City in the province of Fujian.
