Autoblog

REPORT: Dodge Sprinter sales to cease as Mercedes opts to sell model itself with new diesel

Chris Shunk — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel

2007 Dodge Sprinter - Click above for high-res image gallery

As much as Daimler has been hating on Chrysler lately, one would think that the Pentastar was the cold-hearted deviant who stuck a knife into the heart of the German automaker. The "Merger of Equals" turned out to be a bum deal for Chrysler, but at least it was able to procure some hardware from its German ex. Some parts of the LX platform that underpins the Dodge 300C, Charger and Challenger, and the platform that will underpin the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee and Durango all came from Mercedes-Benz, as does the excellent Sprinter van.

Though the Sprinter has been met with some level of success at select Dodge dealers, Mercedes has decided to pull the plug on Chrysler in 2010. About 350 dealers sell the Sprinter as a Dodge, and the large commercial van has managed sales of about 20,000 per year since it donned the Ram head in 2003. Mercedes is switching to 120 dealers branded Daimler Vans USA.

The updated Sprinter van, which will now be branded as a Mercedes, will receive a new 3.0L diesel engine that will reportedly be eligible for sale in all 50 US states. The Daimler dealers will reportedly be able to sell up to 18,000 vans per year, a sizable portion of the van's production quota of 32,000 vehicles per year. The remaining production will be sold as Freightliners. The commercial vehicle company has 45 specialized Sprinter van dealers across the nation.

Daimler says the reason for the switch has a lot to do with the fact that the vehicle is now established in the market, though one has to wonder if the German automaker is making an effort to further distance itself from its former step-child. The big losers in the deal could be the 350 Dodge dealers who spent $30-50K to upgrade their dealerships to sell and service the vans.

Gallery: 2007 Dodge Sprinter

[Source: Automotive News - subs req'd]

REPORT: Dodge Sprinter sales to cease as Mercedes opts to sell model itself with new diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades

Dan Roth — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:09:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Work, Ford

Just as Ford's F150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for decades, their E-Series (née Econoline) vans have also been sales champs since before the dawn of the 1980s. A strong presence in the trades delivers forty percent of the full-size van market to the E-Series. Ford's adding some new features and an upgraded interior to the E-Series for 2009 to help it continue to earn its keep. The full-sizers got an exterior nip and tuck last year, so the biggest body changes this year are rear doors that open wider.

Ford's Work Solutions system is a natural addition, and it makes just as much sense in the work van as it does in a pickup. The biggest news is a revised instrument panel with -- bar the door -- four auxiliary switches. Actually, not having a mish-mash of toggles and rockers drilled through the dash face for aftermarket gear is a nice touch. The panel itself has an uncluttered, no-nonsense layout, though the vents look like they could chew off errant fingers. Also on the new dash is a navigation system, which should lessen the "I'm lost, so I'm going to lunch" calls from contractors. American cargo vans are unsung utilitarian heroes, and Ford doesn't want its class leadership to slip away. Press release after the jump

Gallery: 2009 Ford E-Series

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades

VanTastic: 2009 Ford E-Series upgrades originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler releases Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van

Alex Nunez — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Dodge

Click image for commercial-grade photo gallery

Chrysler has just released details on its commercial-grade Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van, which has tradesmen, small business owners, and other small fleet customers in its crosshairs (pun fully intended). Since it's a work vehicle, the second and third row seats have been eliminated. This creates 143.8 cubic feet of storage capacity in back, and to keep it from getting instantly trashed, the cargo floor is covered with an industrial-grade material. The interior trim for the second- and third-row seating areas can also be deleted completely, as the working man's Grand Caravan is designed to be a blank slate that upfitters can customize for role-specific duties.

The forward compartment is equipped with YES Essentials fabric seats, a decent stereo, the to-be-expected variety of cupholders, power outlets, and storage areas, and a rubberized floor capable of withstanding daily punishment. Powered by Chrysler's 175-horsepower 3.3L flex-fuel V6, the Grand Caravan Cargo Van sports a 17/24 city/highway EPA rating. 16-inch steelies and a heavy-duty suspension are standard, and both the dual sliders and rear hatch are manually operated. While a panelized version isn't currently offered, the existing rear glass is tinted dark for maximum privacy, so you'll have to moosh your face right up against it to see what goodies your local bakery's hauling back there.

[Source: Chrysler LLC]

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Caravan Cargo Van

Continue reading Chrysler releases Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van

Chrysler releases Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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