Mercedes-Benz to take Sprinter away from Dodge by Jan. 1

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Continuing their rough breakup from about two years ago, Chrysler and Daimler are still going back and forth at each other. Chrysler Financial and Chrysler Group LLC, both recently filed a lawsuit against the German automaker group. Daimler is now making its own move by taking away the Dodge Sprinter vans away from the Auburn Hills automaker.

Mercedes-Benz USA said it is getting back into the commercial van business and will yank the Sprinter from the 350 Dodge dealers who sell them right now. As of January 1, Mercedes-Benz will sell the Sprinter through a select group of 120 dealers, according to Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

The van will be sold under the newly created Daimler Vans USA, which will share its headquarters with the car division.

Dodge has been selling the Sprinter since 2003. Starting January, the Sprinter will be offered with a new 3.0L V6 common-rail diesel option from the M-Class and GL-Class and will be sold in all 50 states.

– By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoWeek