The Mercedes-Benz T2 was a transporter manufactured by Daimler-Benz. The T2 is also known as the "Düsseldorf transporter", since it was built in Düsseldorf from 1967 on. The third series, built from 1996 at Ludwigsfelde, was branded the Mercedes-Benz Vario. Some T2s were assembled by Mercedes-Benz España in their Alcobendasassembly 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. The production ceased in 1966. The Venezuelan version of the T2 was manufactured in Barcelona by the Grupo Consorcio 1390 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.
In 1967, the T2 was introduced as a successor to the L 319 / L 406 series. The vehicle filled the gap between the smaller Mercedes-Benz T1 and the heavier trucks, manufactured in Wörth. The T2 was available as a box van, a flat-bed light truck, 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 and for very many other uses. In the early 1970s, T2 was also offered branded as a Hanomag-Henschel. In Brazil and some other South American countries it was built with a turbo system. 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.
The second generation of the T2 was introduced in 1986, and was manufactured until 1996. It was significantly upgraded, the bonnet having become longer and the design altogether more sharp-edged. The chassis sold in large numbers in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the minibus revolution. Variations included the 609D, 614D, 709D, 711D, 811D, 814D and 510. The LO812 was sold in Australia from the early 1990s, Westbus purchasing 26 in 1992 and National Bus Company purchased 45 in 1994/95. Various other operators would purchase smaller fleets. The T2 was manufactured in Argentina until 1997, as the L 710 and the LO 915 chassis for minibus applications.
Replacement
In 1996, the T2 for people transport was replaced by the Mercedes-Benz Vario, whereas the T2 for freight and goods transport was replaced by the all-new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Visual differences between the Vario and its predecessors were quite small, but included new headlights and radiator grille: at the same time the interior was revised.
