Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Wins Vincentric 2013 "Best Fleet Value In America" Award

MONTVALE, N.J., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter won the "2013 Best Fleet Value in America" award from Vincentric for the second year in a row for three of its most successful models.  To determine the 2013 Vincentric Best Fleet Value in America awards, Vincentric analyzed over 3,400 vehicle configurations in 20 different lifecycle cost scenarios, using 8 cost factors including depreciation, fees, and taxes, financing, fuel, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost, and repairs.  The lifecycle costs were measured in all 50 states plus DC, with over 25,000,000 lifecycle cost measurements being used to determine the winning vehicles.

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"Winning the Vincentric Best Fleet Value in America award for the second time in a row for our 3/4 Ton Passenger Van, 3/4 Ton Full Size Cargo Van, and 1 Ton Full Size Cargo Van is confirmation that owning a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will provide the most compelling real-world cost of ownership to our valued customers," said Claus Tritt, General Manager of Commercial Vans for Mercedes-Benz USA.  "Our growing dealer network, known for providing world-class levels of customer service, also play a significant role in treating our commercial customers fairly and respecting their busy professional schedules during all hours of the day or night."

"Our awards look to provide guidance to all types of fleet buyers, and the fact that we have winners from a variety of manufacturers illustrates the growing competition in the fleet market," stated David Wurster, President of Vincentric.  "By segmenting the awards and analyzing different mileage/lifecycle timeframe scenarios, vehicle buyers have guidance for determining the fleet vehicle that best meets the needs of their organization."

The Sprinter Success Story

The success story of the Sprinter commercial vehicle has been attributed to its highly practical design and outstanding quality, which translate to best-in-class cargo capacity and low operating costs.  With its efficient BlueTEC diesel engine, the Sprinter gets higher fuel mileage than its competitors, while its high roof and large door openings give the van class-leading cargo carrying ability.  Large delivery companies have moved to Sprinter vans, and it's also become a favorite of small businesses such as catering firms and building trades.

Mercedes-Benz USA began offering the Sprinter line through select Mercedes-Benz dealers in 2010.  The Sprinter has been sold in the U.S. since 2001 by Freightliner, the industry's leading manufacturer of medium and heavy-duty trucks in North America.  In the U.S., the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is targeted toward small businesses and large delivery corporations, while the Freightliner version continues to be available to its established customer base of commercial vehicle operators and local government fleets.  Both MBUSA and Freightliner are divisions of Daimler AG, the world's largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles. 

The Sprinter van line includes five models:

Cargo Van – Available in three different body lengths and two roof heights, the popular Sprinter cargo van is already a familiar sight across the U.S.  Used by diverse businesses from freight delivery services and dry cleaners to florists and gourmet caterers, the cargo van features a best-in-class payload capacity of up to 5,415 pounds and cargo capacity of up to 547 cubic feet.  The van also boasts the largest side- and rear-door openings as well as the lowest load floor and step-in height of any full-size van.

Chassis Cab – A highly flexible platform or "stake-body" van, the Sprinter chassis cab can be finished as a tradesman's tool and parts vehicle or an agri-farming flatbed.  Available in two wheelbase lengths, the chassis cab platform can also accommodate the installation of special cargo boxes ranging from motor homes and medical emergency units to full kitchens and refrigerated compartments.

Passenger Van – With four rows of seats for up to 12 occupants (each fitted with an individual three-point seat belt and head restraint), the Sprinter passenger van is intended for airport, residential care and community service shuttles as well as limousine services.  Sprinter passenger vans can be ordered in two different wheelbases and two roof heights.

Crew Van - Featuring a three-seat second row and an optional third-row seat, the Sprinter crew van seats five, with all the remaining room set up for cargo.  The crew van can carry an entire work crew to the job site and back, plus all their tools and materials.  

MiniBus – Larger than the passenger van but similar in design, the MiniBus features four different seating configurations.  Airport and Hotel versions provide ample luggage areas and seating for 15 passengers.  A commuter shuttle offers seating for 16 with optional video equipment, while a paratransit version comes with multiple wheelchair positions, seating for up to eight passengers and a choice of side or rear wheelchair lifts.

Both the cargo and passenger vans feature a side-door opening that's 4' 3" wide and 59 inches high, with a 72-inch height on high-roof versions.  At the same time, their step-in height is only 19.9 inches.  The Shuttle Bus has a power-operated split-entry door and step that's 38 inches wide.

Fuel-Efficient BlueTEC Diesel Power

All Mercedes-Benz Sprinters are equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 diesel (188 hp, 325 lb-ft) powertrain that gets 30 percent better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine.  Recent independent tests showed up to 24.9 miles per gallon on the highway for the full-size commercial van.

Standard equipment also includes a five-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension in front as well as a solid axle with leaf springs at the rear.  Several choices of springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars provide just the right suspension for each version of the Sprinter van. 

Finally, all Sprinter models are equipped with an industry-exclusive adaptive ESP system, which not only provides proactive stability during all types of driving situations as one would expect, but also adjusts the stability algorithms according to the current vehicle load and position, as well as the center of gravity.

Daimler Preferred Upfitter Program

Meeting the diverse needs of Sprinter customers is important, since 75 percent of all Sprinters are sold with some type of upfitter modification.  The Daimler Preferred Upfitter Program  is designed to ensure the quality and safety of all modifications. To become a Preferred Upfitter, several Sprinter specialists review each upfitter's plans, visit their facility while work is in progress and inspect finished vans.  Approved upfitters get advance product information, exclusive access to certain options, shipthrough service if applicable, and also receive special programming of the electronics system that is tailored to the customer's need and vehicle functionality.  Currently, there are over 75 Daimler Preferred Sprinter Upfitters in the United States and Canada.

Mercedes-Benz Safety

Every Sprinter comes with the safety features people have come to expect from Mercedes-Benz –ADAPTIVE ESP stability and rollover control, ABS anti-lock brakes, Brake Assist and traction control.  The driver and front passenger seats are equipped with standard multi-stage front air bags, and side curtain and torso air bags are optionally available.   Other options include Bi-Xenon headlights, a tire pressure monitoring system and a Parktronic parking aid.

About Daimler Vans USA

Located in Montvale, NJ, Daimler Vans USA, LLC is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC responsible for sales and marketing of Sprinter commercial vehicles in the U.S.  Marking the return of the three-pointed star to the U.S. light-duty commercial vehicle market, Daimler Vans USA markets the Sprinter van line through a network of Freightliner and select Mercedes-Benz dealerships.  More information on Sprinter vans can be found at www.sprintervansusa.com.

About Vincentric

Vincentric provides data, knowledge, and insight to the automotive industry by identifying and applying the many aspects of automotive value.  Vincentric data is used by organizations such as Yahoo! Autos, AOL, cars.com, Chevrolet, Toyota, Kiplinger.com, Mercedes-Benz, Business Fleet Magazine, Volvo, NADA Guides, BMW and Fleet-Central.com as a means of providing automotive insight to their clientele.  Vincentric, LLC is a privately held automotive data compilation and analysis firm headquartered in Bingham Farms, Michigan.  Further information regarding all of the winners of the Vincentric Bet Fleet Value in America awards for the 2013 model year and the Vincentric methodology is available at www.vincentric.com.

SOURCE Mercedes-Benz