btw, Americans, you have to remember that Fiat owns whole separate company for commercial vehicles called IVECO, pro-grade vans and trucks, they could easily sell those as Dodges in US, if they wont sell their own Fiat vans. Go check iveco.com
Edited by that ain't the way to have fun, son at 09/02/09 1:41 PM
that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred
that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
I never liked this rather obvious move by the marketing team to protect the image of Mercedes. I guess they didn't want it to be seem as selling extremely high-quality vans, as well... for some reason.
@PlayerX: They really need to get their perspectives right here in the US. The rest of the world gets everything from Merc delivery trucks to super high end AMGs to Merc big rigs. But I guess both the salesmen and your avg. target demographics in Orange country can't grasp that..
I have seen a bunch of the older Sprinters around with Mercedes grilles/center caps/badges on them. I know you can buy kits to convert from the Dodge to the Benz front end, but it requires a grille and hood swap.
I can't believe every one I had seen with the Benz logo had that much effort put into them since most are cargo vans. Did Dodge/FL ever sell them in the US with Benz logos?
Gee, what a break, I just finished a write up with the Freightliner Sprinter, in which I actually did a road test of the van. A Sprinter Van with a Freightliner Badge!
Mercedes also has the Viano, which is more frequently used for limo services. Very passenger friendly and far less gangly and awkward than the Sprinter. But since the Sprinter is already here, the decision makes sense.
@BrAff: I meant aesthetically. The Sprinter is incredibly maneuverable, but I think it's lack of passenger duties in the US are due heavily to the way it looks. The car equivalent of a guy who's 6'5" and 150#.
@Ash78: It seems to get heavy use as an airport shuttle out here in CA... The first night I had one in for review, i had to drive my wife to LAX - and there was no question I was dropping her off in the Sprinter.
I had the nicest one in all of the land at that time... haha.
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The only thing I can say is that I hope they dont have ridiculous repair costs like normal Mercedes.
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Making Mercedes trucks be anything other than Mercedes is just stupid.
Our big-ass motorhome is on a Freightliner chassis, and to piss people off, I've considered Mercedes-fying it.
09/02/09
On the bright side, American Mercedes-Benz dealers will be able to attract whole new customer demographic.
09/02/09
I'm glad it's stopping.
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09/03/09
Personally, I'd LOVE an E46 330d Touring, with a 6-speed gearbox.
09/02/09
I can't believe every one I had seen with the Benz logo had that much effort put into them since most are cargo vans. Did Dodge/FL ever sell them in the US with Benz logos?
09/02/09
Gee, what a break, I just finished a write up with the Freightliner Sprinter, in which I actually did a road test of the van. A Sprinter Van with a Freightliner Badge!
09/02/09
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Mercedes also has the Viano, which is more frequently used for limo services. Very passenger friendly and far less gangly and awkward than the Sprinter. But since the Sprinter is already here, the decision makes sense.
09/02/09
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I had the nicest one in all of the land at that time... haha.
09/02/09
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