Mercedes Spending $59 Million to Build ESprinter in U.S.

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky
mercedes spending 59 million to build esprinter in u s

On Tuesday, Mercedes announced it would be pouring roughly $59 million (€50 million) to build the all-electric Sprinter van at three facilities. One of them will is the American MBV factory in Ladson, South Carolina, with the remaining two sites naturally situated in Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde, Germany.

Over 200,000 Sprinter and Metris model vans have been assembled in the United States since 2006, though the automaker had actually been using the state to avoid the chicken tax for much longer. Considering the region is the second-largest market for Sprinter vans, Mercedes is not interested in dissolving its American commitments either. The investment will be spread across the three facilities for the necessary tooling to build the EV variant the automaker already started selling in Europe.

While that model doesn’t boast the kind of range necessary to take on the wide-open spaces of North America, Mercedes feels confident the second generation will and has plotted a 2023 launch for the region. The automaker intends on offering the next eSprinter will 60 kWh, 80 kWh, or 120 kWh battery packs — with the biggest offering an estimated range of 224 miles. While we’re not certain as to which configurations will be offered in the U.S., most should default to rear-wheel drive.

Now equipped to do more than simply reassemble vans that came pre-constructed and then deconstructed) from Germany, South Carolina will reportedly be responsible for the complete assembly of 2nd generation eSprinter. The facility is supposed to be prepped for the job by the fall of 2023, with production following close behind.

[Images: Daimler AG]

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  • Alan I don't know how well Mustangs are selling in the US, but here in Australia since its release a while back Mustang sales have taken a nose dive. Maybe those who wanted a Mustang have bought, or Ford needs a new Mustang model, maybe both.
  • Alan GM is still dying. The US auto manufacturing sector overall needs to restructure. It is heavily reliant on large protected vehicles with far more protection than the EU has on its vehicles (25% import tariff).Globally GM has lost out in the EU, UK, Australia, etc. GM has shut down in Australia because it is uncompetitive in a global market. Ford still exists in Australia but is reliant on a Thai manufactured pickup, the Ranger which is Australia's second largest selling vehicle.The US needs to look at producing global products, not 'murica only products. Asians and Europeans can do it. America is not unique.
  • Duane Baldinger Ya my cupcake Mailman will love it!
  • Duane Baldinger Where can I send the cash? It's a surprise BDAY present for my cupcake Mailman. D Duane
  • Art Vandelay Pour one out for the Motors Liquidation Corporation
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