Mercedes-Benz Vans has confirmed it will exit the small van segment in 2026, with the Citan model to be dropped as the brand refocuses its commercial vehicle range.
The move means Mercedes will no longer offer a compact van once the current-generation Citan – a rebadged version of the Renault Kangoo – ends production. Renault has built the model at its Maubeuge plant in France, alongside the Kangoo and Nissan Townstar, and offered petrol, diesel and electric power options.
“In line with our Mercedes-Benz Vans strategy ‘Growth in profitable segments’, we are targeting our investments and further optimising our product portfolio,” the company said in a statement provided to Reuters
. “Therefore, we will focus on the Midsize and Large size Van segments in the future and end our engagement in the Small Van segment next year.”
The Citan was first introduced in 2012 and relaunched in 2021 with a second-generation model based on Renault’s upgraded Kangoo. Developed as a compact solution for urban deliveries, diesel, petrol, and fully electric variants were available in the UK and Europe.
The decision to end Citan sales also brings to a close a long-standing cooperation with Renault in the compact van space.
Renault has recently launched its large van, the Master, and is imminently revealing its range of medium-sized vans developed with Flexis, a joint venture between Renault Group, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM. Mercedes is moving away from badge-engineered partnerships in favour of proprietary platforms.
From 2026, Mercedes’ van line-up will be based around two new architectures: VAN.EA, a fully electric platform designed for medium and large vans; and VAN.CA, which will underpin future combustion-engined models. Both will support future generations of the Vito and Sprinter, with the electric Vito expected to launch first.
The Citan becomes the second commercial vehicle in recent years to be dropped from the Mercedes line-up, following the demise of the X-Class pickup in 2020. While the X-Class struggled to carve out a niche in a competitive segment, the Citan maintained a modest following, particularly in markets where compact vans are more popular.
For UK van buyers, the departure of the Citan will leave a gap at the smaller end of the Mercedes range, with no direct replacement planned. However, Mercedes is expected to continue offering its existing models until the end of the current product lifecycle.
Mercedes has yet to confirm exact timing for when Citan production will cease, but industry sources suggest it will wrap up during the middle of 2026 when the Kangoo is due a mid-life refresh.
