Fujian Benz
Corporate brand
UnclaimedChinese automotive joint venture producing Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles and vans.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Fujian Benz is a light commercial vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Fuzhou, Fujian, China. The company was established in June 2007 as Fujian Daimler Automotive Co., a joint venture created to manufacture and develop Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles for the Chinese market. Its original shareholders were Fujian Motor Industry Group, Daimler, and China Motor Corporation of Taiwan. The venture was subsequently reorganized, with Daimler Vans Hong Kong Limited representing the Mercedes-Benz side of the partnership, BAIC Motor Corporation Limited holding a 35% stake, and Fujian Motor Industry Group holding 15%. Daimler Vans Hong Kong Limited itself represented a partnership involving the Mercedes-Benz Group and China Motor Corporation. The company built its principal manufacturing base in the Qingkou Investment Zone in Fuzhou. Construction began in October 2007, following the formation of the joint venture. The site was developed as an integrated commercial-vehicle operation, combining assembly, engineering, testing, and supporting technical facilities. The plant covers approximately 660,000 square meters and was designed with annual production capacity of about 40,000 vehicles in its first phase. The site also includes a product development center, a proving ground, an electromagnetic-compatibility laboratory, an exhaust-gas testing laboratory, and chassis dynamometer facilities. Fujian Benz began series production in April 2010 with the Mercedes-Benz Viano transporter. The Sprinter was added to the range in November 2011, extending the company’s portfolio from passenger-oriented large vans into a broader light-commercial-vehicle segment. In March 2012, the company changed its name from Fujian Daimler Automotive to Fujian Benz. The change was intended to improve recognition among Chinese consumers by using the better-known Benz name rather than Daimler, which had lower consumer visibility in China at the time. A major expansion of the company’s local engineering role followed in March 2013, when Fujian Benz opened a product development center in Fuzhou. The center supported vehicle development and validation work for the Chinese market and complemented the company’s production operations. In March 2016, Fujian Benz launched three V-Class models: the V260, V260 Exclusive, and V260L Exclusive. These models positioned the Mercedes-Benz van business more strongly in China’s premium multipurpose-vehicle and executive-transport markets. Fujian Benz’s business is focused on Mercedes-Benz-branded vans and related light commercial vehicles rather than passenger cars across the full Mercedes-Benz range. Its principal market is China, where large vans serve business transport, executive mobility, tourism, shuttle, fleet, and specialized commercial applications. The company’s role combines localized manufacturing with product adaptation and development for Chinese operating conditions. Its manufacturing and engineering footprint makes it an important part of Mercedes-Benz’s commercial-vehicle presence in China, while its joint-venture structure connects Mercedes-Benz industrial and brand resources with Chinese automotive and manufacturing partners.
History
Fujian Benz was established in June 2007 under the name Fujian Daimler Automotive Co. The venture brought together Fujian Motor Industry Group, Daimler, and China Motor Corporation of Taiwan to manufacture Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in China. Its original ownership structure gave Fujian Motor Industry Group 50%, Daimler 34%, and China Motor Corporation 16%. The partnership later became associated with Daimler Vans Hong Kong Limited on the Mercedes-Benz side, while BAIC Motor Corporation Limited held 35% and Fujian Motor Industry Group held 15%. Construction of the company’s main factory began in October 2007 in the Qingkou Investment Zone of Fuzhou, Fujian. The site was planned as a dedicated light-commercial-vehicle manufacturing complex rather than a conventional passenger-car plant. According to the referenced Wikipedia account, the facility covers about 660,000 square meters and its first phase was designed for annual production of approximately 40,000 vehicles. The same account describes an initial workforce of about 2,800 employees and reports that the factory construction represented an investment of more than €200 million at the time. These figures describe the facility-development period and should not be treated as current operating or financial data. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujian_Benz. Series production began in April 2010 with the Mercedes-Benz Viano transporter. The Viano gave the joint venture an entry point into China’s market for large passenger and business vans. In November 2011, the company added the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, broadening its product mix toward commercial transport and fleet applications. In March 2012, Fujian Daimler Automotive changed its corporate name to Fujian Benz. The stated rationale was brand recognition: Mercedes-Benz was more familiar to Chinese consumers through the Benz name than through the Daimler corporate name. Fujian Benz expanded beyond assembly into local product development. A product development center in Fuzhou opened in March 2013 after an investment reported in the reference material as approximately RMB 500 million. The center covers roughly 11,000 square meters of built-up area and operates alongside a proving ground of about 53,000 square meters, including a 1,400-meter test circuit. The wider technical complex also includes electromagnetic-compatibility, exhaust-gas, and chassis-dynamometer facilities. These installations enabled the company to conduct more engineering, validation, and market-adaptation work in China. The reported investment figure is historical and tied to the center’s construction; it is not a current valuation or annual expenditure. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujian_Benz. In March 2016, Fujian Benz launched three V-Class variants: the V260, V260 Exclusive, and V260L Exclusive. The launch strengthened the company’s position in premium passenger and executive transport, complementing its established commercial-van activity. Across its history, Fujian Benz has remained focused on Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles, including passenger vans, business transporters, and fleet-oriented models. Its Fuzhou operations combine manufacturing with engineering and testing functions, while its primary commercial focus remains the Chinese market.
- 2016
V-Class range expands
[1]The V260, V260 Exclusive, and V260L Exclusive were launched in March.
- 2013
Product development center opens
[1]A Fuzhou product development center and associated testing capabilities entered operation in March.
- 2012
Corporate name changes to Fujian Benz
[1]Fujian Daimler Automotive adopted the Fujian Benz name in March to improve consumer recognition in China.
- 2011
Sprinter added to production
[1]The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was launched by the company in November.
- 2010
Viano production starts
[1]Series production of the Mercedes-Benz Viano transporter began in April.
- 2007
Joint venture established
[1]Fujian Daimler Automotive Co. was established in June as a joint venture involving Fujian Motor Industry Group, Daimler, and China Motor Corporation.
- 2007
Fuzhou plant construction begins
[1]Construction started in October at the Qingkou Investment Zone in Fuzhou, Fujian.
Products and positioning
Premium business, executive, passenger-transport, and light-commercial van market in China.
Passenger and business van · 2010
Mercedes-Benz Viano
The Viano was Fujian Benz’s first series-produced vehicle. It is a large Mercedes-Benz transporter suited to passenger movement, business use, shuttle operations, and executive mobility. Its production from April 2010 established the joint venture in China’s large-van segment.
Light commercial van · 2011
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
The Sprinter expanded Fujian Benz’s portfolio toward commercial transport, fleet operations, and specialized van applications. It was launched by the company in November 2011 and complemented the more passenger-oriented Viano.
Premium passenger and multipurpose van · 2016
Mercedes-Benz V-Class
The V-Class is Fujian Benz’s premium van family for passenger, business, executive, and multipurpose transport. In March 2016, the company launched the V260, V260 Exclusive, and V260L Exclusive variants, giving the range distinct equipment and body-length offerings for the Chinese market.
Premium passenger van · 2016
Mercedes-Benz V260
The V260 is a V-Class variant introduced by Fujian Benz in 2016. It targets premium passenger and business-transport users and forms part of the company’s locally produced V-Class range.
Premium passenger van · 2016
Mercedes-Benz V260 Exclusive
The V260 Exclusive is an equipment-focused member of the V-Class line introduced in China in 2016. It was positioned toward buyers seeking a more premium business and executive transport specification.
Long-wheelbase premium passenger van · 2016
Mercedes-Benz V260L Exclusive
The V260L Exclusive is the long-body premium variant introduced with the 2016 V-Class expansion. Its longer format is suited to executive, hospitality, shuttle, and business-passenger applications requiring additional cabin space.
Controversies
2020
Fujian Benz Recalls 7,312 V-Class and Vito Vehicles
The recall involves an assembly issue at the driveshaft connection; the safety circlip may not be fully locked, and continued use may damage the universal joint. Fujian Benz arranged for authorized dealers to inspect and replace the driveshaft for vehicles within the affected production date range. Progress: official recall announcement. Entity involved: Fujian Benz Automotive Co., Ltd.
2020
Fujian Benz announces recall of V-Class and Vito vehicles
Fujian Benz announced a recall of 7,312 locally produced V-Class and Vito vehicles because a driveshaft connection may not be secured, creating risks including airbag misactivation and loss of power. The company said authorized service centers would inspect affected vehicles and replace the driveshaft where necessary.
Brand decisions
2016
Expand the V-Class rangeProduct launchBackground
Fujian Benz aimed to strengthen its presence in China’s premium passenger and business-van market.
Action taken
The company launched the V260, V260 Exclusive, and V260L Exclusive in March.
Aftermath
The V-Class became a central part of Fujian Benz’s premium van offering.
2013
Develop local engineering capabilityStrategyBackground
Fujian Benz sought to support vehicle development and testing closer to its Chinese manufacturing and market operations.
Action taken
The company opened a product development center in Fuzhou, together with a proving ground and supporting emissions, EMC, and chassis-testing facilities.
Aftermath
The Fuzhou operation gained a broader role covering product development, validation, and localized engineering in addition to vehicle assembly.
Reported investment in product development center. Approximately RMB 500 million (Reported for the center opened in March 2013)
2012
Adopt the Fujian Benz nameStrategyBackground
The company determined that the Benz name had stronger recognition among Chinese consumers than Daimler.
Action taken
Fujian Daimler Automotive changed its corporate name to Fujian Benz in March 2012.
Aftermath
The renamed company continued producing Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles in China under the more recognizable Benz identity.
Recent events
Fujian Benz announces recall of V-Class and Vito vehicles[3]
Fujian Benz announced a recall of 7,312 locally produced V-Class and Vito vehicles because a driveshaft connection may not be secured, creating risks including airbag misactivation and loss of power. The company said authorized service centers would inspect affected vehicles and replace the driveshaft where necessary.
Sources4 sources
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