JEDDAH, 14 June 2005 — Mercedes-Benz is the latest automobile manufacturer to enter Saudi Arabia’s lucrative market for vans.
Juffali Industrial Products Company (JIPCO), the sole agent of Mercedes-Benz trucks and commercial vehicles in Saudi Arabia, held a colorful ceremony at Jeddah Hilton on Sunday night to launch the German maker’s new generation of Sprinter van and the minivan models Viano and Vito.
“Mercedes-Benz makes a strong entrance into the van and minivan segment, at a time when demand for vans is on the rise, especially from businessmen and families,” JIPCO Chairman Khalid Juffali said. The ceremony was marked by an exhibition of van models accompanied by an audiovisual and laser show.
JIPCO General Manager Konrad Keim, emphasized the importance of the Kingdom being the biggest market in the area. He also assured the participants of JIPCO’s keen interest to present its special services to Mercedes-Benz users Kingdomwide.
He pointed out that the introduction of Mercedes-Benz’s Sprinter, Viano and Vito van models in the local market was a significant addition toward providing more options to Mercedes-Benz users who want to be different.
“Mercedes vans offer a wide range of features and high performance, comfort and space,” Mohammed Shuimi Al-Ahmed, national sales manager commercial vehicles at JIPCO said in his technical presentation.
Tahir Ahmed Khan, marketing & sales director of JIPCO, emphasized on the safety, high capabilities, excellent performance and the ultimate specialty of the new vans. “These new vans offer several practical usages for both private and public operations due to their wide range of models. The new vans ensure the highest level of satisfaction as customers can choose the van most suitable to their daily transportation needs,” he added. The vans also can be converted into ambulances and for transporting physically challenged people.
The Sprinter comes in two models; the 413 and 308. The 308 can be tailored as well to fit individuals’ needs such as vans for transportation of people with special needs, or refrigeration units, or mobile workshops.
The Sprinter van, which has a wide loading space (available from 7m-13m) equipped with 4 cylinder diesel engine which produces 82 hp and 129 hp respectively at 300nm, thus providing enough power to work under tough working conditions.
The Sprinter provides high levels of visibility and comfort to the driver with better control and more safety resulting from the highly improved brake performance.
The Viano cabin and shape are of a totally new design. The new design of the van reflects the unique features introduced by Mercedes-Benz. The side view is more dynamic. The front lights, the shell and the streamlining go in harmony from front to rear. The windshield streamlined toward both sides provides great visibility.
The vertical rear lights clearly expose the enhanced design of this new model. Extreme attention was given during the designing stages of this van to ensure the highest levels of safety for all type of loads. The horizontal placement of the engine enhances maximum idle safety at the front part of the van.
The passenger van model Vito offers ample space for seven passengers. The charming cabin and the comfortable seats with three fixing points and other additional features, add extra comfort and give a joyful feeling, which makes the van the ideal transport, whether for hotel passengers or as a means of transporting your office personnel.
In addition to the ultimate safety design, Viano and Vito are the only two minivans which are equipped with electronic stability program including brake assist system acceleration skid control and electronic brake force distribution.
