MERCEDES-Benz is restructuring its commercial vehicle operation in order to improve customer service. The company has split its operation into separate truck and van divisions, and has introduced a new dealer network plan, aimed at streamlining service by reducing the number of owners within the 52-strong commercial dealer network.

The moves are designed to help the manufacturer build on the success of vehicles such as the Sprinter. It saw sales for the first six weeks of 1998 up 22% on the same period last year, with total orders of Mercedes commercial vehicles leaping 42.6%. Last year Mercedes' LCV sales stood at 15,871, rising from a 1996 total of 10,818.

Mercedes vans can be bought from both car and commercial dealerships - with small businesses mainly buying from car dealerships and larger volume orders catered for by the 52 commercial outlets.