30 Years of Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter: Milestones in Commercial Mobility

Mercedes-Benz celebrates 30 years of Vito and Sprinter vans, highlighting electric mobility, production milestones, and their impact on global commercial transport.

Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 30 years since the debut of the Vito. First introduced in 1995, this van has evolved from a compact urban workhorse to an electric all-rounder, while maintaining its ability to adapt to a wide range of professional needs.

The story of the Vito unfolds across three generations. The first version (W638) featured front-wheel drive and compact dimensions, making it ideal for navigating tight city streets. It earned the prestigious “Van of the Year” award in 1996, and by 2003, around 473,000 units had been sold.

The second generation (W639), launched in 2003, brought more power and versatility. Rear-wheel drive, a broader choice of engines, and multiple body configurations expanded its use cases. This era also marked the beginning of electrification with the small-series Vito E-CELL introduced in 2010, offering around 130 kilometers of zero-emission driving. Nearly 750,000 units of the second generation were sold globally.

The third generation (W447), unveiled in 2014, offered more space, improved safety, and advanced digital technology. In 2018, Mercedes-Benz launched the fully electric eVito, later enhanced with the MBUX multimedia system, adaptive assistance systems, and mild-hybrid petrol engines. Today, the eVito delivers a range of up to 480 kilometers (WLTP), giving businesses a practical, eco-friendly solution.

All versions of the Vito have been built at the Vitoria-Gasteiz plant in Spain, employing 4,800 people. This facility remains one of Mercedes-Benz Vans’ largest production sites, and starting in 2026, it will produce fully electric vans based on the new VAN.EA architecture.

Interestingly, this anniversary coincides with another milestone for Mercedes-Benz: the Sprinter, a larger sibling in the brand’s van lineup, also turns 30 this year. Recently, Mercedes-Benz celebrated producing its five-millionth Sprinter, delivered to FedEx, highlighting the global scale and importance of the company’s commercial vehicle segment.

Over three decades, the Vito has become a symbol of reliability and flexibility. It has served delivery services, repair companies, ambulances, and police forces, with its compact size making it perfect for urban environments. Electric versions have been helping customers reduce emissions for nearly eight years. Today, the Vito and eVito account for about a quarter of Mercedes-Benz Vans' sales, as the Vitoria plant prepares to usher in a new era of fully electric commercial vehicles.