Autoblog

Still want a Sprinter? 100 Mercedes dealers sign on to sell big van

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:20:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Minivan/Van, Work, Mercedes-Benz

Last year, there were 350 dealers selling Sprinters, but the signs in front of those dealerships had the word "Dodge" on them. Now that Sprinters have been pulled from Chrysler's pipeline, Automotive News reports that Mercedes-Benz has established its own U.S. van subsidiary and is canvassing dealers to sell the hardy haulers.

Of the 165 Mercedes and Freightliner dealers invited to add Sprinters to their lineups, 143 have accepted the call. Even though 14,600 Sprinters were moved through Dodge outlets and another 3,682 by Freightliner, Mercedes set the minimum for its dealers at 30 vans annually to begin with.

If you're looking for a Sprinter, you'll probably be able to find it with a three-pointed star early next year. In the meantime, dealers are creating the necessary showroom space and adding repair bay features to deal with the big boxes.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd.]

Still want a Sprinter? 100 Mercedes dealers sign on to sell big van originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Chicago '08 Preview: Ford Transit Connect rumored to arrive

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Work, Ford

click above for more high-res images of the Ford Transit Connect

We reported last January that the European Ford Transit Connect would be coming to the U.S., and now we've learned that the Euro van is expected to join the assemblage of debuts at this year's Chicago Auto Show. Speculation is that the front-wheel-drive mini-ish vans will hit showrooms as a 2009 model and come with a 4-cylinder engine. It is also said to have seating for five, but meant to compete with another, larger European transplant, the Dodge Sprinter. Since Ford hasn't even acknowledged that the vehicle will be at Chicago, it hasn't issued a price, but MSRP for the Sprinter Van is $32,150 and the Sprinter Wagon goes for $34,350. If nothing else, we're happy to see Ford's European migration this way continuing, and there's even a Transit Connect SportVan! Now if we could work on some of those passenger car offerings...

[Source: The Car Connection]

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect

Gallery: Ford Transit Connect Sport Concept

Chicago '08 Preview: Ford Transit Connect rumored to arrive originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Live from Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds: The 2008 model lineup

Chris Shunk — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:35:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Work, Crossover, Hatchback, Chrysler, Dodge

Click above to view more high-resolution images from the Chrysler proving grounds

It isn't just any day when you get to drive dozens of different vehicles that aren't even on sale yet. Chrysler made today just such a day at its Chelsea, MI proving grounds, as the Pentastar rolled out its entire 2008 lineup for automotive journalists to inspect and drive. We were able to drive everything except the 600-hp Viper for 2008 and the new Dodge and Chrysler minivans, which was a bit of a downer, but not nearly enough to spoil an otherwise fun day.

The driving route lined up for us included artificial road hazards, hairpin turns, and a few straightaways that demonstrated just how impressive the 6.1L Hemi SRT engine really is. Other than the aforementioned Viper and minivans, Chrysler left the keys in literally everything else, from the SRT 300C to the Sprinter van and Ram 3500 flat-bed. AutoblogGreen was also on hand to drive Chrysler's new two-mode hybrid system equipped with a Hemi engine in the Aspen SUV, and we'll tell you just how that went as soon as the embargoes are lifted (or as soon as someone else opens the floodgates.)

One of the most popular events of the day was an off-road course where we could see just how capable the Jeep lineup really is. Even the JT concept was on-hand for the rough housing, and the end result was some very dirty metal and a few dinged-up quarter-panels.

We'll be bringing you more posts from this event throughout the day today and tomorrow, but for now you can check out some high-res pics in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Chrysler Group vehicle line

Live from Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds: The 2008 model lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge unveils new 2007 Sprinter

John Neff — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Work, Dodge

click on above image to view addition high-res images of the 2007 Dodge Sprinter

So the embargo on material for the new 2007 Dodge Sprinter lifted at midnight last night. Yeah, we forgot about it, too. Nevertheless, the Sprinter's in a class by itself when it comes to commercial vans offered by the Big 3 (2.5, whatever). The 2007 model is all new and gets crazy with the dimensions adding a Super Size model for those who always want fries with that. Compared to last year's largest model, the new Sprinter has increases in width (two inches), interior height (11 inches), exterior height (13 inches), cargo area length (19 inches), vehicle length (30 inches), cargo volume (127 cu. ft.), and towing capacity (2,500 lbs.). For the discriminating business owner, there are no less than three vehicles lengths, two wheelbases, three interior roof heights, and two engines. The two new motors are a 3.0L V6 diesel that produces 154 horsepower and 280 ft-lbs. of torque at 1,200 to 2,400 rpm, and a 3.5L gas V6 making 254 horsepower and 250 ft-lbs. of torque at 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. Both engines are routed through a five-speed automatic. In its largest form, the new Sprinter can swallow 600 cubic feet of stuff in one bite. No doubt the courier industry is excited to see the new 2007 Sprinter, even if we aren't.

Check out the full press release from Dodge after the jump, as well as our gallery that shows both commercial and passenger versions of the new 2007 Dodge Sprinter.

[Source: Dodge]

Gallery: 2007 Dodge Sprinter

Continue reading Dodge unveils new 2007 Sprinter

Dodge unveils new 2007 Sprinter originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Upgrade from a Dodge to a Mercedes for three bills

Noah Joseph — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Work, Daimler, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz

Some of the world's automotive conglomerates are more guilty of badge engineering than others. With very few exceptions, the acquisition of Chrysler by Daimler-Benz (call it a merger if you like, but we're not fooled) is not among the worst offenders. The Chrysler 300C may look to some like a Benz, and the Crossfire may be built on an old SLK platform, but Mercedes isn't selling rebadged Vipers overseas and Jeep hasn't slapped its own label on a G-wagon. (Yet.) The most notable exception comes from the commercial side of operations, where DCX brings the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van over to the North American market as a Dodge or Freightliner. There was no hiding it, either, as the American "version" kept all the same components, body panels, even the name. Just the badge was changed. But Montana-based OEM Sprinter Parts can switch it back for you if you'd like.

Because DaimlerChrysler didn't change anything beside the badging, the "conversion kits" are relatively straightforward. You can get the Mercedes grille (complete with three-pointed star and optional 316CDI grille badge), wheel hubs, interior fittings...the works, right down to the signature sticker for the windshield. The whole kit costs less than $300 for most models. Now that's the cheapest upgrade from a Dodge to a Mercedes you'll find anywhere.

[Source: OEM Sprinter Parts via Winding Road]

Upgrade from a Dodge to a Mercedes for three bills originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brabus goes mad, tunes Mercedes-Benz Sprinter!

Alex Nunez — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Work, Mercedes-Benz

Click to enlarge

Well, we've finally seen everything (or at least everything up to this week). Brabus, the German tuner whose specialty is finding ways to make Mercedes-Benz products move more rapidly than the factory engineers ever intended, has tuned the Sprinter.

You know the Sprinter. It's DaimlerChrysler's tall commercial van that can be found sporting Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, or Freightliner badging as it performs its everyday duties. Those usually involve delivering packages to businesses, people to airports, and the like. In the press release included after the jump, you'll read of tuning kits for both diesel and gasoline versions of the ungainly-looking machine. We'll focus on the power package for the gasoline V6, whose displacement is increased from 3.5 to 4.0 liters, and which belts out a post-Brabus 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. A stainless exhaust with sporty chrome tips rounds out the under-the-skin upgrades.

Naturally, the tuner doesn't stop there, and they offer a full range of visual enhancements such as new wheels,a foglight-encristed front bumper, and fully customized interiors. Heck, it sounds like the ride to the airport in a Brabus-modified Sprinter could be a lot more interesting than the plane flight home. You can read more details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Brabus goes mad, tunes Mercedes-Benz Sprinter!

Brabus goes mad, tunes Mercedes-Benz Sprinter! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Dec 2006 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Dodge Sprinter

Randall Halcomb — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Minivan/Van, Work, Daimler, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz

Allpar.com has posted some great spy shots of the revised Dodge Sprinter. The Mercedes-built van has been a quiet success for DaimlerChrysler in the U.S., and DCX may be looking to expand its place in the market. The passenger version shown in these photos may indicate a new focus for the Sprinter van product, as well. With a little investment, the Sprinter could become an even better people moving tool for organizations like churches, schools, and maybe even some families, supplanting the age-old Ford E-Series Econoline and similar offerings from General Motors.

The current generation van can be configured as a people mover, but the revisions to the rear window glass and some packaging changes could indicate that Dodge is ready to go after some of the full-size van market. The Sprinter offers better fuel economy, more space, and an overall better packaging proposition than most full-size vans. It has been an expensive vehicle in the past, and previously the inventory mix heavily favored commercial customers, so it will be interesting to see if Dodge goes in this direction and reaches for the non-commercial consumer.

Thanks to David for the tip!

[Source: Allpar.com]

Spy Shots: Dodge Sprinter originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy shot: Ford Econoline mule spotted sporting rhinoplasty

Chris Paukert — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 11:36:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Truck, Work, Ford

One could be forgiven for thinking that the temperature in Hell is taking a precipitous dive after looking at the photo above. After all, when was the last time you saw a Ford Econoline test mule, with its tacit promise of a coming update? After all, the current E-Series has been trudging on for decades with changes few and far between. This, despite consistently selling in big numbers.

Well, the fine folks at BlueOvalNews.com have snagged this tester rolling around Dearborn, with the camouflage clearly covering a revamped front end. Expect the soon-to-be-everywhere tri-bar grille to take up residence in the van's snout, along with revamped headlights and fascia.

We can only hope beneath the refreshed bodywork, there are some substantive mechanical and interior changes to the 200,000/year seller as well. BON reports that the Econoline revamp will likely hit dealers in 2007, with the promise of a new 6.4-liter Powerstroke diesel available underhood.

[Source: BlueOvalNews.com]

Spy shot: Ford Econoline mule spotted sporting rhinoplasty originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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