• Mercedes-Benz Citan could be shelved in 2026
• Manufacturer switches focus to larger vans
• Citan shares underpinnings with Renault Kangoo and Nissan Townstar
• Those vans will live on

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will stop selling the Citan in 2026 as the German manufacturer shifts its focus towards larger, more profitable models.

The Citan, the smallest van in the Mercedes range, is built by Renault in France and shares its underpinnings with the Renault Kangoo and Nissan Townstar. It has been available with petrol, diesel, and electric powertrains.

The decision means Mercedes will no longer offer a compact van, and marks the end of a long-running collaboration with Renault in the small van segment.

A spokesperson for the brand told Reuters: “In line with our Mercedes-Benz Vans strategy ‘Growth in profitable segments’, we are targeting our investments and further optimising our product portfolio. 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.”

First launched in 2012 and updated in 2021, the Citan was designed for urban delivery work, with a choice of short and long-wheelbase models and a fully electric version, the eCitan, joining the line-up more recently.

From 2026, all new Mercedes vans will be built on one of two new platforms: VAN.EA, a dedicated electric platform, and VAN.CA, which will support combustion-engined vans. These will underpin the next-generation Vito and Sprinter, with the electric Vito expected to launch first.

The end of the Citan follows the earlier discontinuation of the Mercedes X-Class pick-up, which was axed in 2020. While the Citan always felt like a niche product in the UK, it frequently outsells its Renault-badged counterpart, peaking at just under 4,000 registrations in 2018.

Production is expected to wind down by mid-2026, coinciding with a planned mid-life update to the Renault Kangoo.

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