Digging Deeper: Economics of Vans vs. Pickups
Mercedes-Benz Unveils Next-Gen Sprinter Van
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its third-generation Sprinter today in Duisburg, Germany, at the junction of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers, as a versatile full-size van with a factory telematics service that will arrive in the U.S. later this year.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Photo: Paul Clinton

Photo: Paul Clinton
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its third-generation Sprinter today in Duisburg, Germany, at the junction of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers, as a versatile full-size van with a factory telematics service that will arrive in the U.S. later this year.
The new Sprinter will bring an array of updates, including a gasoline engine, more than 1,700 configurations worldwide, telematics offering Mercedes Pro, and available driver assistance systems such as a self-cleaning rear-view camera in the rear-view mirror. 360-degree-view parking camera system, and sensor with Wet Wiper system that improves visibility in the rain.
Mercedes-Benz will begin selling the new Sprinter in Europe this June, with a starting price of 20,000 euros ($24,754).
Mercedes-Benz showed the van to a group of journalists at its new logistics center on Mercator Island, which was named after a 16th century cartographer who lived in the city.l
"The inland port of Duisburg stands for globalism and modern logistics at the highest level," said Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. "It is therefore the perfect environment in which to present the new Sprinter."
In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz will begin selling the vehicle at its commercial vehicle centers and Van ProCenters by the end of 2018. Mercedes-Benz is still determining whether to offer Worker model versions of the new Sprinter.
Mercedes-Benz will provide additional details about powertrains, pricing, trim levels, packages, and specifications closer to launch. Most models will be built in Charleston, South Carolina at a new plant, except for the cab and chassis model, which will come from the Ludwigsfelde factory near Berlin.
The non-U.S. model of the next-gen Sprinter will offer several additional features, including front-wheel drive and an electrified version called eSprinter. Mercedes Pro won't be available on the Canadian Sprinter at launch.
The Sprinter first appeared in the U.S. in 2001 as a Freghtliner. In 2003, DaimlerChrysler offered a Dodge Sprinter that carried a lower price. Daimer AG phased out the Dodge nameplate in late 2009 and offered the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as a replacement.
There are now 289 Sprinter dealers in the U.S. Of those, 247 are Mercedes-Benz Vans dealers and 42 are Freightliner dealers. Mercedes-Benz has 381 passenger car dealers.
Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
More Operations

Your Fleet Experience Deserves a Vote
You know what happens after the vehicle leaves the dealership. Work Truck’s fleet awards give that experience a place in the industry conversation, and a reason to make your voice heard.
Read More →
Work Truck Seeks Fleet and Industry Insights on 2026 Trends and 2027 Forecasts
Work Truck is seeking insights from fleet leaders and industry partners on the trends that shaped 2026 and what commercial fleets should prepare for in 2027. Participate today!
Read More →
30 Years in Fleet and Still Learning: Lessons Beyond Trucks
After more than three decades in fleet, Bob Adamsky has learned that knowing trucks is only part of the job. The bigger lessons come down to communication, understanding, and never assuming you know it all.
Read More →From Our Partners
Basic Tracking vs Next Generation Fleet Technology
Sponsored by AT&T Business

5 Facts Every Fleet Manager Should Know About Embedded Telematics
Sponsored by Stellantis/Mobilisights

How AI Video Telematics Boosts Driver Safety and Helps to Avoid Unnecessary Costs
Sponsored by Verizon Connect

Charting the 8 Bottom-Line Benefits of Workforce Optimization
Sponsored by Verizon Connect

What Every New Fleet Manager Should Know
Carolyn Edwards shares lessons on finding mentors, showing fleet’s value, and leading teams in this episode of Legends of Fleet.
Read More →
Les Schwab Tires Launches Foundation With $100,000 for Community Recovery
Les Schwab Tires launches a foundation with $100,000 to support recovery for Silver Rail Elementary and the Bend community following a school shooting.
Read More →
Bring Some Fleet to Your Halloween with Our Pumpkin Carving Templates
Download Work Truck’s truck-themed pumpkin patterns, explore more automotive designs, and give your shop or front porch a seasonal upgrade.
Read More →
How Cardless Fuel Payments Benefit Commercial Fleets
Is it time for fleets to move beyond plastic fuel cards? David Abraham of WEX explains how cardless fuel payments can help reduce fraud, simplify driver transactions, and improve efficiency by allowing drivers to pay for fuel using their smartphones.
Read More →
Good Fleet Leadership Starts With the People You Already Have
From developing future leaders to listening to employees, discover how better leadership can help work truck fleets retain talent and build stronger teams.
Read More →
ATRI Names Next President and CEO
Page Siplon, a longtime transportation and logistics industry executive, has been chosen as the next president and CEO of the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).
Read More →
Coltrain Onsite Fleet Care Sponsors 2026 Cure Bowl to Support Cancer Research
The mobile fleet maintenance provider is supporting the annual college football bowl game, which has helped raise $6.83 million for cancer research since 2015.
Read More →
