Fifty-five years ago, in September 1969, the first Hanomag-Henschel light commercial vehicle rolled off the line in Bremen, following the shift from the Hamburg-Harburg plant.
Daimler-Benz soon acquired a 51% stake in the company, rebranding the vehicles as the Mercedes-Benz L 306, and by 1971 had full ownership, continuing production until 1977.
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By July 1984, 40 years ago, the last T1/TN van was produced in Bremen, with van production moving entirely to the Düsseldorf plant. Nearly 660,000 more T1/TN vans were built there by 1995.
In 1989, the T1/TN was revamped for better power, speed, and efficiency, including new engines and improved aerodynamics that reduced fuel consumption by up to 23%.
In 1995, the Sprinter was introduced, succeeding the T1/TN. It brought major advancements, including a self-supporting body, rear-wheel drive, independent suspension, and enhanced safety features. It quickly became a favorite across industries and remains a popular choice today.
Looking to 2024, Mercedes-Benz plans to enhance the Sprinter’s safety, comfort, and digital connectivity, while advancing their electrification strategy with the updated eSprinter. The 30th anniversaries of both the Sprinter and its smaller sibling, the Vito, will be celebrated next year.
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