Mercedes-Benz Vans has opened a pop-up store in the Intu Trafford Centre in Manchester.
The store, which opened on 5 February and is located next to the Apple shop, will trade for six weeks.
It is designed to showcase the new X-Class pick-up truck, alongside the Marco Polo camper van and Vito Sport crew van, which Mercedes said can all be test-driven on location from the Intu Trafford Centre alongside other vehicles from the Van range.
Claiming the initiative breaks new ground for an LCV manufacturer and was inspired by Ferrari’s retail outlets, Mercedes-Benz Vans’ UK boss Steve Bridge told What Van?: “No other van manufacturer has been as bold and bullish” in promoting its brand.
Visitors to the store can research the Mercedes-Benz Vans range through a ‘Find Your Mercedes-Benz’ touchscreen visualiser to help decide which model is right for their needs, use an Approved Used Van touchscreen station, explore accessories ideas for the vehicles displayed and find information on connectivity.
The store also sells a range of Mercedes-Benz souvenir collection items, includes a children’s play area and houses a nine-screen video wall that the manufacturer said presents it as a lifestyle brand.
“This is the first time our brand has ever been located in such a retail environment, so this really sets our stall out to those consumers who may never have experienced what we’re all about,” said Bridge.
“By showcasing our lifestyle products to the public, rather than expecting them to come to us, we prove our credentials as an approachable manufacturer.”