Daimler Seeks to Extend VW Van Venture

Daimler AG tells Reuters it will approach Volkswagen AG late this month to discuss the possibility of extending their light commercial vehicle partnership.

VW declared it March it may end the van tie-up when its contract with Daimler expires in 2016. The partners currently produce the VW Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, which ride on the same platform, at Daimler's factory in Dusseldorf, Germany.

VW has said it expects to decide this year whether its MAN truck unit will take Daimler's place in the van venture. VW acquired a majority stake in MAN last November.

Volker Mornhingweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans unit, says Daimler will renew its offer to make VW part of its light-duty truck agreement with Renault-Nissan, Reuters reports. Daimler's Mitsubishi Fuso unit will supply its Fuso Canter truck to Nissan. In return, Nissan will make the Atlas F24 truck for Fuso.