Daimler AG achieved global sales of 287,205 vehicles in the Van segment in 2008 (previous year: 289,073). Sales in Germany were at 71,763 units (previous year: 71,258), thus marking a new sales record.
A new high was also achieved in the Netherlands with 12,883 units. The number of vehicles sold in the UK increased by 2,900 to 31,105 and in sales in Belgium rose by 2,100 units to 9,289 vehicles.
The Sprinter Van series, which is produced in the German plants at Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde as well as in Argentina, made the largest contribution to total sales with 166,473 units sold (previous year: 165,916), thus continuing its success story. So many Sprinters have never before been delivered to customers.
Models of the Vito/Viano series were delivered to 98,466 customers worldwide (previous year: 99,270), which represents a slight drop of just under 1% from the previous year.
On announcing the figures, Wilfried Porth, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, commented as follows: “The year was a sprinter year around the world for the van with the star. Particularly in the first half of the year, global demand for the Sprinter, Vito and Viano was higher than ever before.
Since the second half of 2008 and in the current year we too have come to feel the impact of the global financial and economic crisis. Nevertheless, we are confident that as soon as things start looking up again we will be able to continue the success story of Sprinter Co. with our convincing products.”
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