Well, this is a novelty – Mercedes-Benz Vans is launching a pop-up store in a shopping centre, in a move it believes is a first for the van industry. No kidding.
The new Mercedes-Benz Vans Pop-Up Store opens at the intu Trafford Centre in Manchester on 5 February 2018, and will be there for six weeks.
Inside, shoppers will be able to get up-close and personal with the new Mercedes X-Class pickup, as well as the Marco Polo campervan (based on the Vito van platform) and the Vito Sport crew van.
In other words, it’s maximum lifestyle all the way.
Twin-test: Mercedes X-Class vs VW Amarok – battle of the lifestyle pickups
Will there be any proper vans in the Mercedes pop-up store?
Haha. Not actually in it, no. But we’re promised you will be able to test drive one outside, along with examples of the fancy-pants variants Mercedes is displaying to the ordinary public within the Trafford Centre.
There is also what’s described as a ‘Find your Mercedes-Benz touchscreen visualliser’ on hand, which will guide potential buyers on the best van to suit their needs, and a touchscreen Approved Used Van station for seeking out second-hand deals.
Will my family enjoy the Mercedes Vans pop-up store?
Families are welcome, apparently – and Mercedes is even putting on a children’s area to keep the kids entertained while you get down to the serious business of negotiating for a new van with the sales people.
There’s also a nine-screen video wall running content that’s intended to show how a Mercedes van can fit into lifestyle activities.
On top of that, there’s also a virtual reality surf simulator, ‘so visitors can experience the thrill of the waves if they aren’t keen on trying the real thing’. Presumably this is a blatant bid to tempt wannabe surfers out of the staple VW Transporter fraternity.
Where can I find the Mercedes vans pop-up store, and what are the opening times?
The store is located in Unit 26 on the first floor of the intu Trafford Centre – a position we’re told is right next to the Apple Store.
The opening times are:
- Monday-Friday: 10am-8pm
- Saturday: 10am-9pm
- Sunday: 12pm-6pm
Mercedes-Benz Vans UK managing director Steve Bridge said: ‘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.’
Explaining the lifestyle bias, he added: ‘By showcasing our lifestyle products to the public, rather than expecting them to come to us, we prove our credentials as an approachable manufacturer.
‘We are always proud to innovate and do things different for the good of our customers, and this pop-up store is a perfect example of that; what a great start to the year!’
Also read:
The full Parkers Vans Mercedes X-Class review
Mercedes X-Class vs VW Amarok twin test review
The full Parkers Mercedes Marco Polo review
The full Parkers Vans Mercedes Vito review
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