Mercedes-Benz Killing Metris In America And Dealers Are Thrilled

With anew business strategy in play, Mercedes-Benz is looking tomake big changes to its lineup. But it seems the killing spree isn't over yet, with theMetrisvan being the latest victim of the company's culling.

This is according toAutomotive News, which uncovered the information through a leaked dealer memo. "The Mercedes-Benz Metris and gasoline Sprinter models will no longer be offered in the US market after Q3 2023," reads the communique.

Unfortunately for Mercedes, the Metris isn't the sales success the company had hoped for. As per the report, the automaker managed to shift a mere 60,000 examples since it was introduced in 2015. Interestingly, the majority of Metris vans were supplied to the US government.

A source told the publication that once the government contract was complete, the Metris is no more. "We are going to honor our contract with the US Postal Service...once we do that, we're bailing out." Known as the Vito in other markets, the commercial offering enjoys relative success elsewhere. But, as AutoPacific's Ed Kim notes, the Mercedes is perhaps too niche for American tastes.

"The Metris occupies this unique space in the middle...[it] is in a segment of one." Here, Kim is referring to the size and positioning of the Mercedes. It's not quite as practical as larger alternatives and nor is it as affordable as smaller options. But for dealers, the death of the van comes as great news.

An unnamed salesperson revealed that the Metris wasn't worthy of wearing the Mercedes-Benz badge. "There's nothing luxury about it. It drives louder than a Toyota." What's more, the Metris doesn't provide dealerships with the juicy profit margins they crave. "We would give all the dealer performance bonuses, all the profit to the customer, to get the vans off the lot."