Mercedes-Benz Vans will introduce a new combustion engine platform, dubbed Van Combustion Architecture (VAN.CA), alongside its previously announced Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA), the company said in a statement on Friday. The move marks a strategic shift from its earlier plan to transition entirely to electric vans in the medium- and large-sized segments by 2026.
The two platforms will share approximately 70% of their components and will be produced on the same assembly line, allowing greater flexibility and cost efficiencies, according to the German automaker. “This new Van Architecture allows for maximum synergies and generates economies of scale. With a maximally flexible product portfolio, Mercedes-Benz Vans is securing a competitive market position for the future,” the company stated.
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Both VAN.EA and VAN.CA will accommodate distinct model variations, differentiating between luxury private vans and commercial transport vehicles. The electric VAN.EA platform was designed with modular front, middle, and rear sections, with the front module housing the electric motor, the middle module accommodating the battery, and the rear module optionally integrating an additional motor for all-wheel drive configurations. The new VAN.CA platform will likely require modifications to integrate combustion engines, exhaust systems, and drivetrain components into the existing modular design.
Mercedes-Benz Vans has not specified whether the introduction of VAN.CA will alter its electrification targets. The company previously aimed for 50% of its van sales to be all-electric by 2030, supported by the rollout of the VAN.EA platform. However, in 2024, electric vans accounted for only 4.8% of total sales, reflecting weaker-than-expected demand.
See also: Mercedes-Benz Introduces VAN.EA: The Next Generation Electric Architecture for Vans
The announcement, notably brief for a major strategic shift, signals that Mercedes-Benz Vans is adjusting its approach to electrification, balancing customer demand for combustion engines with the push toward an electric future.