Mercedes-Benz T2
Encyclopedia
The Mercedes-Benz T2 is a transporter built by Daimler-Benz
. The T2 is also known as the "Düsseldorf transporter", since it was built until 1996 in Düsseldorf
. The third series, built from 1996 at Ludwigsfelde
, is branded the Vario. Some units of the T2 are assembled by Daimler-Benz Espana S.A. in their Alcobendas
assembly plant. For Argentina, the first T2 product are the L 608 D in 1969 until 1990. In 1989, the new products are the L 710, L 914 and 814 with the LO variant (chassis bus). The production ceased in 1966. The Venezuela
n version of the T2 was manufactured in Barcelona
by the Grupo Consorcio 1390 S.A. (currently MMC Automoritz S.A.) as the Mercedes-Benz Class L3. The L3 was built from 1969 up to 1978, when the company was bought by the Ford Motor Company
.
. The vehicle filled the gap between Bremen Transporters and the heavier trucks, manufactured in Wörth
.
The T2 was available as a box van, a flat-bed light truck (with single or double cab), or a minibus. From 1977 the chassis was offered, for the mounting of larger box van and bus bodies, in two different widths. In 1981 the T2 received a facelift, the most visible differences were the new radiator grille, which now was a moulding of black plastic
. The various T2 versions were popular for a wide range of applications: they were used as delivery vans, light builders' vans or trucks, fire-brigade and rescue support vehicles, post office parcel delivery vans (featuring sliding doors) and for very many other uses. In the early 1970s, T2 was also offered branded as a Hanomag-Henschel.
Production of flat-bed trucks of the first generation ended after 19 year construction period, after approximately 450,000 vehicles had been produced, in 1986.
Daimler-Benz
Daimler-Benz AG was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and internal combustion engines; founded in 1926. An Agreement of Mutual Interest - which was valid until year 2000 - was signed on 1 May 1924 between Karl Benz's Benz & Cie., and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, which had...
. The T2 is also known as the "Düsseldorf transporter", since it was built until 1996 in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
. The third series, built from 1996 at Ludwigsfelde
Ludwigsfelde
-Location:The town is located south of Berlin in the district Teltow-Fläming on the plateau of Teltow. In earlier times, it was part of the district Zossen.-Parts of the town:Since 1997/2003 the following villages are part of the city:*Ahrensdorf...
, is branded the Vario. Some units of the T2 are assembled by Daimler-Benz Espana S.A. in their Alcobendas
Alcobendas
Alcobendas is a city located in the Community of Madrid, central Spain. It is located roughly 13 km north of Madrid and 7 km from the Barajas International Airport. It includes a central urban zone, a recently built district known as Valdelasfuentes, La Moraleja and El Soto de la...
assembly plant. For Argentina, the first T2 product are the L 608 D in 1969 until 1990. In 1989, the new products are the L 710, L 914 and 814 with the LO variant (chassis bus). The production ceased in 1966. The Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
n version of the T2 was manufactured in Barcelona
Barcelona, Anzoátegui
Barcelona is the capital of Anzoátegui State, Venezuela and was founded in 1671. Together with Puerto La Cruz, Lecheria and Guanta, Barcelona forms one of the most important urban areas of Venezuela with a population of approximately 950,000.-History:...
by the Grupo Consorcio 1390 S.A. (currently MMC Automoritz S.A.) as the Mercedes-Benz Class L3. The L3 was built from 1969 up to 1978, when the company was bought by the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
.
First generation (1967–1986)
1967 saw the introduction of the T2 as a successor of the series L 319 / L 406Mercedes-Benz L 319
The Mercedes-Benz L 319 is a light commercial vehicle built by Mercedes-Benz between 1955 and 1967. Larger than a standard delivery van, but smaller than a conventional light truck of the period, it was the manufacturer's first model in this class...
. The vehicle filled the gap between Bremen Transporters and the heavier trucks, manufactured in Wörth
Wörth
Wörth may refer to:*places in Germany:**Wörth am Main, Miltenberg district, Bavaria**Wörth am Rhein, Germersheim district, Rhineland-Palatinate**Wörth an der Donau, Regensburg district, Bavaria**Wörth an der Isar, Landshut district, Bavaria...
.
The T2 was available as a box van, a flat-bed light truck (with single or double cab), or a minibus. From 1977 the chassis was offered, for the mounting of larger box van and bus bodies, in two different widths. In 1981 the T2 received a facelift, the most visible differences were the new radiator grille, which now was a moulding of black plastic
Plastic
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce production costs...
. The various T2 versions were popular for a wide range of applications: they were used as delivery vans, light builders' vans or trucks, fire-brigade and rescue support vehicles, post office parcel delivery vans (featuring sliding doors) and for very many other uses. In the early 1970s, T2 was also offered branded as a Hanomag-Henschel.
Production of flat-bed trucks of the first generation ended after 19 year construction period, after approximately 450,000 vehicles had been produced, in 1986.
Second generation (1986–1996)
The second generation of the T2 was introduced in 1986, and was built until 1996. It was significantly upgraded, the bonnet having become longer and the design altogether more sharp-edged. The chassis has been used in minibuses in the United Kingdom and Ireland with many variations. They are 609D, 614D, 709D, 711D, 811D, 814D.Third generation ("Vario") (since 1996)
Since 1996, a new generation has been assembled at the Ludwigsfelde factory and branded as the "Vario". Visual differences between the Vario and its predecessors are quite small, but include new headlights and radiator grille: at the same time the interior was revised.See also
- Mercedes T 1 (or Bremen transporter, the small brother)