Mercedes-Benz T2

Mercedes-Benz T2 (Europe) Mercedes-Benz L3 (South America)
A second generation Mercedes-Benz T2 in the United Kingdom built as a minibus. Operated by GHA Coaches.
Manufacturer	Grupo Consorcio 1390 S.A. Daimler-Benz AG Daimler-Benz Espana S.A.
Built at	Alcobendas, Spain since 19?? (SKD) González Catán, Argentina 1969-1996 Barcelona, Venezuela 1969–1978 Düsseldorf, Germany 1967–1996 Ludwigsfelde, Germany since 1993
Specifications
Floor type	Step entrance
Engine(s)	Mercedes-Benz
Options	Various customer options

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 Venezuelan 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.

First generation (1967–1986)

1982 after facelift L407D-KA motorhome

1967 saw the introduction of the T2 as a successor of the series L 319 / L 406. 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.

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)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz Vario

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)