Mercedes-Benz Vans has moved production of the Marco Polo camper van to its own plant in Ludwigsfelde, Germany. For the first time in more than 40 years of the model, every main stage of building it, from the base vehicle to the living area, takes place at Mercedes-Benz sites. Westfalia in Rheda-Wiedenbrück used to do the conversion; that partnership ended at the start of the year. Production began on 12 October 2026.
The Marco Polo is still based on the V-Class, which is built in Vitoria, Spain. The vehicles go from there to Ludwigsfelde, where a separate hall cuts the opening in the roof and fits the equipment and furniture. Mercedes set up a new flexible conveyor system, planned the processes digitally and dropped paper documentation. Workers received special training. Mercedes promises higher build quality, shorter delivery times and closer links between vehicle and camper development.
Ludwigsfelde is to convert a mid five-figure number of V-Class vehicles. The camper has gained updates for travelling comfort: improved lighting and darkening of the interior, acoustics and connectivity. The electrohydraulic pop-up roof is controlled through the Marco Polo app and holds a double bed upstairs; the new aluminium double shell adds 10 centimetres of foot room, up to 37 centimetres. The vehicle is 5.14 metres long, 1.928 metres wide and 1.99 metres high, so it fits in a car park. Inside there is a kitchen with a sink, hob and fridge, sleeping space for four, eight speakers with a subwoofer and a magnetic blackout system. From the end of 2026 a sliding roof and a panoramic opening in the pop-up roof fabric are to be added. The new Marco Polo can be ordered in Germany and other European markets, including Poland, since 6 August 2026. German prices start at €78,133.02; the Marco Polo Horizon without a kitchen starts at €69,640.20. Launch in Japan has not been announced.
The Ludwigsfelde plant has built vehicles for more than 35 years and currently turns out the Sprinter and the electric eSprinter. The site is also being prepared for models on the new Mercedes-Benz Van Architecture.