Next Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Will Be Built in the U.S.
Mercedes-Benz announces next-generation Sprinter van with new driver-assistance programs and sleek design.
At the recent North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz released this image along with details on the next-generation Sprinter van. The styling of the work van will now follow the current design language of Mercedes-Benz cars. The flowing lines, sporty, purposeful look, and large three-pointed star give it a more sophisticated and upscale appearance. This Sprinter is currently a concept. But it’s likely the next production model will look very similar to it.
The big news is that Mercedes will be building the next generation Sprinter in the United States. A brand new assembly facility in Charleston, South Carolina is already under construction. Currently, all Sprinter vans are fully built in Germany, then partially disassembled and shipped to the US. Once here they’re reassembled and shipped out to dealers. This series of hoops (due to the chicken tax) has pushed Mercedes-Benz to build the new facility stateside.
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The US-assembled Sprinters will be full of new technology. “We want to do more than just build the best vehicles. We want to offer the most suitable mobility solution for every sector and for every transport assignment. And that is precisely our focus with the upcoming Sprinter generation as an overall system solution,” said Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.
The company is offering more options for in-van technology, including a new driver assistance system. Mercedes aims to increase sales in the US market with the next-generation Sprinter. Although there has been a rise in US van sales, Germany is still the number one consumer of the model.
The new Sprinter will be on sale in European markets early 2018 and in other markets later in the year.
