The diesel-powered Mercedes Sprinter van, already popular in European and South American markets, will be produced and distributed as a Freightliner model in the U.S. and Canada beginning in the second quarter of 2001.

Sprinter will be marketed by Freightliner, a business unit of DaimlerChrysler, in passenger and cargo versions, and in GVWR Classes 2 and 3. Sprinters will be powered by the Mercedes OM612 diesel engine.

The vans will be assembled at Freightliner’s Gaffney, SC plant. The plant is being expanded by 58,000 square feet for the addition to the Freightliner line, and, according to Jim Hebe, president of Freightliner, “We expect to add more than 100 employees at our Gaffney site for Sprinter assembly.”

Currently, the Gaff- ney plant assem- bles diesel chassis for walk-in vans, motor- homes, school buses and shuttle buses.

Addition of Sprinter Van Fills in Gap

In July, DaimlerChrysler announced it would be ending production of the full-sized B-Vans — Ram Van and Ram Wagon — in April of 2002. The addition of the Sprinter to the DaimlerChrysler range in the U.S. fills in the gap that would be left in the product lineup with the ending of B-Van production.

Freightliner feels that the needs of e-commerce businesses will be met by the Sprinter. “Due to new distribution logistics driven by e-commerce, we expect the Class 2 and 3 van market to grow tremendously as goods ordered over the Internet are delivered directly to homes,” said Hebe.

Hebe explained, “The Sprinter features excellent visibility for operating in busy urban and suburban environments. It is also easy to maneuver, with a turning radius that is unmatched in the market.”

Sprinter was launched in Europe in 1995. In 1999, it held more than 21 percent of the European market share.