Mercedes-Benz AG is set to introduce a new line of high-end electric camper vans, a move that is part of the German automaker's efforts to shift further upmarket and boost profits. The company plans to add new battery-powered mid-size and large camper vans to its lineup, tapping into the market for comfortable outdoorsy living that has grown during the pandemic. The new camper vans will be launched once the automaker's new platform for light commercial EVs begins production in 2026.
Mercedes-Benz AG is also targeting the upper segment of the commercial customer market with this new line of camper vans. This strategy builds upon last year's launch of a special-edition V-Class van with features such as kitchenettes and wooden flooring resembling the deck of a yacht. The company expects this move to deliver an adjusted double-digit return on sales through 2030, building on last year's 11.2% margin.
The automaker's aim is to bolster margins to help fund the costly shift to electric cars. For its passenger car division, Mercedes is focusing its resources on top-end vehicles like the Maybach limousines, AMG performance cars, and G-Wagon offroaders, while shifting away from less profitable entry-level models such as the compact A-Class.
Now, the company is extending this strategy to target the growing market for luxury private vans, particularly in China and the US. Mercedes will also expand its services for commercial customers, such as mobile repair teams. The company is aiming for Level-4 automated driving for commercial vans by 2030, where no human intervention is needed.
The unit aims to have EVs make up 20% of sales by 2026 and more than 50% by 2030. Mercedes' expansion into the electric camper van market is a sign of the company's confidence in the future of electric vehicles and its commitment to providing high-end, luxurious options for its customers.