MBV says the new Sprinter has been retooled to meet the demands of key emerging megatrends looming in the transportation industry: urbanization, connectivity and dramatic shifts in consumerism stemming from online shopping. For freight transporters, the Sprinter intends to take on the challenging final-mile segment amid rapid growth in parcel deliveries stemming from e-commerce and the fast-growing e-grocery segment.
“The new Sprinter gives answers that are relevant to the entire industry,” says Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “The Sprinter continues to embody the traditional attributes that have made it so successful worldwide since its market launch – flexibility, robustness and economy.”
MBV did not specify a date by which the third-gen Sprinter will be available in the U.S., but it’s targeting the end of 2018. Also, details about the van’s powertrains also have not been released. The Sprinter will also eventually be offered with an all-electric drivetrain in the U.S. market, though that date has also yet to be determined. The eSprinter will be available in the European market as early as this year, which MBV says is part of its “strategy for electrification of the [global] van fleet.”
The highly versatile vehicle will be available in more than 1,700 configurations, allowing it to be a player in a wide range of applications, says Mornhinweg. For freight applications, the vehicle is available in four different body lengths and a variety of cargo space heights and tonnage capabilities.
The van will also be factory-equipped with the Mercedes Pro telematics system, which offers real-time routing and fleet management capabilities. The platform, which comes in eight variants, connects drivers, fleet managers, dispatchers, service technicians and others via a smartphone app and online portal, allowing for both real-time fleet management capabilities and management of maintenance and servicing schedules.
