Autocar iconAutocarAug 21, 2026 ~1 min source read

Mercedes aims to stimulate luxury MPV market with plush new VLE

Mercedes' new electric VAN.EA platform and will be positioned as a much more premium proposition than the current Vito-based EQV and combustion-engine V-Class. It's going to give us a much wider customer base," Iain Forsyth, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, told Autocar.

Mercedes aims to stimulate luxury MPV market with plush new VLE

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Mercedes' new electric VAN.EA platform and will be positioned as a much more premium proposition than the current Vito-based EQV and combustion-engine V-Class.

It's going to give us a much wider customer base," Iain Forsyth, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, told Autocar.

However, the VLE significantly raises the luxury factor with an optional MBUX Superscreen, panoramic roof, ambient lighting and 31.3in retractable rear display.

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Mercedes' new electric VAN.EA platform and will be positioned as a much more premium proposition than the current Vito-based EQV and combustion-engine V-Class. It's going to give us a much wider customer base," Iain Forsyth, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, told Autocar. However, the VLE significantly raises the luxury factor with an optional MBUX Superscreen, panoramic roof, ambient lighting and 31.3in retractable rear display.

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"VLE will actually expand the market here in the UK. The EQV has struggled to find a market here in the UK. The V-Class performed better, with sales of 842.

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