Mercedes-Benz will build the next generation eSprinter van in North Charleston, South Carolina; Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde in Germany. The new platform for the eSprinter is targeted at new customer segments in the U.S. and Canada.
Mercedes-Benz is investing around €350 million, or approximately $411.4 million, to make the necessary conversions in the production plants, as well as retraining some employees.
“The future of mobility is electric in the transport sector, especially in the last mile delivery segment. Our share of battery-electric vehicles is constantly growing,” said Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “With our newly developed Electric Versatility Platform, we are significantly expanding our offering in the commercial series. With production of the next generation of the eSprinter in the USA and in Germany, we ensure market-oriented production.”
To adjust the production, the company plans to invest approximately €50 million, or approximately $58.7 million, at each plant, with production expected to start in the second half of 2023.
“Our South Carolina plant will be the first to bring the next generation of the eSprinter to the United States,” said Arnhelm Mittelbach, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Vans LLC. “We are proud that we have earned the trust of the company to produce this vehicle as an important pillar of the Mercedes-Benz Vans production network. The next generation eSprinter will support a sustainable future for the company and the environment, and we look forward to this investment in our Charleston team and facility.”
The current generation of the eSprinter is already being built in Düsseldorf on the same line as the conventionally driven Sprinter models. Charleston and Ludwigsfelde will adapt to manufacture both drive train variants on the same line. The next generation eSprinter will also be produced as a chassis model, thus serving as a basic vehicle for other things like ambulances, motorhomes and refrigerated transporters.
The Mercedes-Benz plant in Ladson/North Charleston, South Carolina, was founded 15 years ago as an assembly plant for Sprinter and Metris vans and was expanded to part-by-part production for Sprinter vans in 2018. It currently employs approximately 1,600 people.
