Dodge dealers to sell Sprinter vans

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Jan. 6, 2003) — Dodge dealers in the United States will distribute the Sprinter, a light-duty commercial van built by DaimlerChrysler AG, starting with the 2004 model year.

The Sprinter, a class 2 and 3 van designed for a parcel and general delivery, passenger shuttle, and a variety of service applications, was launched in Europe in 1995 by Mercedes-Benz and in less than five years became the market leader in Western Europe’s van segment. In 2000, it was brought to North America for distribution by Freightliner LLC.

Dodge, Freightliner, and Mercedes-Benz are divisions of DaimlerChrysler.

The Sprinter is seen as a replacement for the venerable Dodge “B Van,” which will not be produced after the 2003 model year.

“As a Dodge, this move will ensure that the Sprinter continues on its natural path to success here in the United States while supporting a host of new consumer segments through Dodge’s historic and strong position in the light-duty vehicle market,” said Dr. Rolf Bartke, senior vice-president of DaimlerChrysler AG and head of the Mercedes-Benz Vans Business Unit.

The announcement was made yesterday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Sprinter is produced at a DaimlerChrysler plant in Dusseldorf, Germany. Cargo vans are delivered in a semi-assembled state to a Freightliner plant in Gaffney, S.C.; Sprinter passenger vans are delivered fully assembled.


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