Mercedes-Benz Begins Mass Production of First All-Electric MPV VLE at Vitoria Plant in Spain

Mercedes-Benz has commenced series production of its first all-electric MPV, the VLE, at its Vitoria plant in Spain. Built on the brand’s newly developed modular electric van-specific architecture, the VLE is positioned as a luxury chauffeur-driven MPV, offering seating for up to eight passengers. It delivers a WLTP-certified range exceeding 700 kilometers and supports 800V high-voltage fast charging. The vehicle made its global debut in March 2025, combining sedan-like ride comfort with the spatial flexibility of an MPV, and features the MB.OS intelligent vehicle operating system that integrates driving assistance, infotainment, and powertrain functions. The Vitoria plant has been carbon-neutral since 2022, powered by renewable energy and geothermal sources. Waste heat from the body shop and paint shop is recovered and reused, and newly constructed facilities meet zero-emission building standards, equipped with photovoltaic power generation systems. To prepare for VLE production, the plant undertook extensive upgrades to its body, paint, and final assembly lines, modernized logistics and digital IT infrastructure, and established a flexible production line capable of manufacturing vehicles with multiple powertrain types on the same line. Approximately 5,000 employees completed over 160 specialized training programs covering new processes and technologies, ensuring product quality and production stability through rigorous domestic and international supplier qualification systems. The Vitoria facility serves as the first production base for Mercedes-Benz’s new modular van architecture, which will underpin all future passenger and commercial vehicles from the brand. By the end of 2025, the Fuzhou plant in China will also begin producing models based on this architecture, specifically tailored for the Chinese market. The Vitoria plant plans to commission a fossil-fuel-free, fully electric paint shop in autumn 2026, further reducing direct CO₂ emissions and continuing to advance battery innovations to lower the VLE’s lifecycle carbon footprint.