“Vanapalooza” is a brief animation produced by Mercedes-Benz that explores the history of the van. The video goes all the way back to its roots in the late 19th century.
The van is probably the greatest unsung hero in the automotive world. As you can see from this amazing animated history of the van created by Cub Studio and Pluto, if it weren’t for two competitive Germans and a lot of beer, the van wouldn’t even exist. The van has been America’s boxy hero for generations. Building cities, hauling stuff and even helping us relax after a hard day of doing those other two things.
In 1896, an automotive pioneer named Gottlieb Daimler put a gasoline engine on a cart, and thus he had invented the first truck. Seeing this opportunity, Karl Benz stuck a box on the back of the truck and voila, the van was born.
Since those inauspicious roots over 100 years ago, the van has taken us a lot of places. Now its successor, the new Sprinter, is ready to take you — and your business — wherever you want to go. Horses everywhere will thank you.
