Truck Topics

Next Generation Expediting Van

For the cargo van Owner/Operators in expediting, the choice of truck makes has been limited.

It was usually a toss up between Ford or GM, with the Dodge van a distant third. Now that Daimler Chrysler has announced the phase out of the Dodge van, the choices seemed to be even more restricted.

Until now.

Freightliner, LLC, announced last summer that it will build and distribute the Sprinter Class 2 and 3 light commercial vans under the Freightliner name in the US and Canada beginning in the second quarter of 2001.

This truck, currently sold by Daimler Chrysler in Europe and South America, is designed for a wide range of applications such as parcel and general delivery, passenger transport and shuttle, and a variety of service applications, from utility to light construction.

The Sprinter was launched in Europe in 1995 and in ess than five years has become the market leader in Western Europe's van segment. In 1999, the Mercedes Sprinter held more than 21 percent of the European market share.

Freightliner recently announced an $11.4 million, 58,000-square-foot expansion at its plant in Gaffney, S.C., for Sprinter assembly.

The addition will be complete by the first quarter of 2001, with assembly start up following shortly after completion. Freightliner expects to add more than 100 employees at the Gaffney manufacturing site for Sprinter assembly.

With the addition of the Sprinter, Freightliner becomes North America's only full-line commercial vehicle supplier. Look for an in-depth feature about the Sprinter on Expediters Online. com in the near future.

Web Information
Freightliner, LLC
Freightliner of Knoxville