Compact commercial vans such as the Ford Transit Connect are big sellers in Europe, accounting for 700,000 units annually. But the segment is in its infancy in the United States -- so unproven that Mercedes-Benz has decided not to offer its forthcoming Citan van here.
Instead, Mercedes will target Europe with its Renault-based, front-wheel-drive van that debuts this fall. Mercedes-Benz USA says it has no plans to sell the Citan in the United States.
The Transit Connect, built in Turkey, is the only compact fwd van offered here, but others are on the way. Ford sold about 32,000 Transit Connects in the United States last year -- not a huge number, but the Transit Connect is said to be a profitable niche for the company.
The Transit Connect won't be alone for long. Nissan introduced the NV200 last week at the Chicago Auto Show, and sales begin this year. Dodge will introduce a compact van based on the Fiat Doblo in 2013.
But Mercedes execs apparently decided there was no room for a fourth entry -- at least for now.
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