Dana to supply propshafts for Sprinter Vans

Dana Incorporated been selected by Daimler AG to supply front and rear propshafts to the latest generation Sprinter van. Dana was awarded the propshaft business for Sprinter’s all-wheel-drive vehicles in North America and Europe, as well as rear-wheel-drive offerings in North America and Argentina. The company also was selected to supply front and rear propshafts for the new Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup truck, according to an announcement.

To accommodate the three different wheelbase configurations of the Sprinter, Dana engineered both two- and three-piece rear propshaft assemblies. In the three-piece assembly for the longer wheelbase model, Dana designed a new direct pinion mount, which makes assembly and service easier and reduces weight.

Dana customized its lightweight, cost-effective Spicer propshaft to address these vehicles’ unique packaging constraints, while ensuring it met the high durability; reliability; and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) requirements of the luxury vehicle segment, the company says.

“Dana delivers innovative driveline solutions that meet the individual needs of our customers — helping them launch new vehicles and improve upon global best-sellers,” says Bob Pyle, president of Dana light vehicle driveline technologies. “We are honored to work with Mercedes-Benz on the new X-Class pickup truck and Sprinter van, which have been recognized in the industry for connectivity, safety and design.”