Since then, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has experienced five consecutive years of record growth as part of the company’s lineup. In 2015, Mercedes-Benz USA Vans sold 28,500 units in the United States, an 11 percent increase from 2014. According to Bernie Glaser, vice president and managing director of Mercedes-Benz USA Vans, 2016 year-to-date Sprinter sales through June are up another 16.5 percent. “We are on track to set another record in our sixth year,” said Glaser.
Bolstered by strong sales and wider market acceptance in the North American market, Mercedes-Benz Vans says now is the right time to build a full-fledged Sprinter production facility using the company’s global footprint strategy. Currently, the Sprinter van and its Metris sibling are produced in Düsseldorf, Germany, disassembled and shipped to the North Charleston plant for reassembly, an inefficient but necessary process to avoid the 25 percent “chicken tax” tariff.
“Establishing local Sprinter production in the United States is only logical. With this new plant we take a big leap into the future production of Mercedes-Ben Vans. This factory will be one of the most advanced automotive plants in North America and will allow us to continue to meet our customers’ changing needs.”
The entry level Metris van which I believe is priced considerably lower than the Chevy/GMC van will be available this year. It's got the same motor/tranny...
Mercedes-Benz USA Vans also announced the availability of the Metris Worker cargo and passenger vans. The Worker is the company’s entry-level designation, with starting price points of $25,995 for the cargo van and $29,995 for the passenger van. The Metris will retain the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 208 hp and 258 lb-ft torque and 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission.
