Mercedes-Benz Prepares for a New Era in Vitoria: Electric VLE Set for 2026
In the industrial heart of Spain’s Basque Country, Mercedes-Benz is putting the finishing touches on a transformation decades in the making. At its Vitoria plant, more than 90 percent of modernization work is complete, and pre-series production of the new all-electric VLE has begun — the first model to ride on the brand’s modular, scalable VAN.EA platform. Full-scale production will kick off in the first half of 2026.
Pre-series output is essentially a dress rehearsal, a way to stress-test the new lines and processes before going live. Mercedes promises its trademark quality standards, but the bigger question looms: can the VLE truly deliver on its promise of combining luxury-sedan comfort with the practicality of a family van? Early trials, including wind-tunnel sessions and cold-weather testing above the Arctic Circle, have reportedly gone smoothly.
The stakes for Vitoria are immense. With around 5,000 employees and accounting for roughly 4.2 percent of the Basque Country’s GDP in 2024, the factory will assume an even more strategic role once the VLE enters series production. Alongside the newcomer, the site will continue building the V-Class, Vito and eVito, with flexible lines designed to switch between electric and combustion variants as demand dictates.
The modernization effort has been extensive. A new body shop and paint facility have been added, while final assembly has been overhauled. Sustainability is at the forefront: the plant has long operated on renewable energy, generates its own electricity via solar panels, and uses both geothermal sources and recycled heat from the paint shop for building climate control.
In marketing terms, the VLE is positioned as a model spanning every niche from eight-seat family transport to exclusive electric limousine. In practice, the competition Mercedes is gearing up for is more pragmatic — a fast-growing segment where the race will be decided not by stitched leather or modular branding, but by battery technology and charging speed.
