Dodge Sprinter to be dropped

Mercedes-Benz USA announced today that it will assume responsibility for the sales, marketing, distribution and service of Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter vans in the U.S. The German automaker will create Daimler Vans USA, LLC as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG. Sales of Mercedes-branded Sprinters will begin in 20010.

The Dodge Sprinter will be discontinued.

Loss of Chrysler’s only commercial van may be short-lived. Fiat SpA has its own van, the Ducato, which could serve as the basis for a new Dodge truck.