The solution was to turn to parent company DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz commercial division for its Sprinter van. Extremely large compared to conventional domestic offerings, it is perfect for the majority of commercial uses. Most delivery companies, repair shops and airport shuttles, require something larger than what the domestics have offered over the years, hence the development of the cube van.
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| The Dodge Sprinter is extremely large compared to conventional domestic offerings, and is perfect for the majority of commercial uses. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
I've owned a variety of these in my past business life, starting with a Dodge cab and chassis funnily enough and working my way up to a full aluminum-bodied Grumman. While they were effective, for the most part, driving dynamics were hopeless and creature comforts nonexistent; and face it, someone has to sit in the driver's seat all day.
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| The Dodge Sprinter is beautifully made, in Mercedes-Benz tradition, offering a level of quality Ford and GM can't hope to achieve with their E-Series and Savanna entries respectively. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
The Sprinter, that incidentally is available in the U.S. with an alternative grille under DaimlerChrysler's Freightliner nameplate as well as in Europe and the rest of the world with the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star at grille central, takes a serious shot at domestic convention. It's beautifully made, in Mercedes-Benz tradition, offering a level of quality Ford and GM can't hope to achieve with their E-Series and Savanna entries respectively. After all, the Sprinter is built in DaimlerChrysler's dedicated state-of-the-art plant in Dusseldorf, Germany, right beside its Mercedes-Benz counterparts.
The quality is immediately evident when stepping inside. Massive front doors open easily to a convenient step, allowing ample area to slide in behind the flat, bus-like 4-spoke steering wheel. The seats are ergonomically designed to support all the important parts, and feature multi-degree heaters that might cook your rump roast if you're not careful. The driver's seat backrest, rake, height and length and can be adjusted, while armrests, luxury surfaces and a height adjustable headrest can be ordered. Each passenger gets a separate headrest, as well as three-point seatbelts - the two seats up front even feature pretensioners. Cupholders are even incorporated underneath the 1st and 2nd-row benches.