Mercedes-Benz Vans broke ground on July 27, 2016, on a new Sprinter van plant in North Charleston, South Carolina. The project lets the company build the van from scratch in the USA instead of reassembling vans shipped from Germany.
Why the plant mattered
For years, Sprinters sold in the USA were built in Germany and then taken apart before shipping, because of high U.S. import tariffs, Truck News reported. Once they reached U.S. ports such as Charleston, the vans were put back together and sold. Mercedes-Benz called the process time-consuming.
“Today we are here to break the ground for a new plant so that we finally have the opportunity to build the Sprinter from scratch here in the US in this new production facility,” said Michael Balke, incoming CEO and director of production for Mercedes-Benz Vans USA.
The investment
- about $500 million invested in the new production facility
- about 1,300 new jobs expected, including about 400 at suppliers in the Charleston area
- about 1.1 million square feet once the expansion is complete, plus a 2.8 million square foot yard for finished vehicles
- first USA-built Sprinter expected by the end of the decade
“We are proud to say that Mercedes-Benz vans will now be made in South Carolina,” Gov. Nikki Haley said at the ceremony. Sen. Lindsey Graham said it never made sense to ship the vans in and then reassemble them after they arrived.
The USA was the second-largest and fastest-growing Sprinter market, behind only Germany, with about 28,600 vans delivered in 2015.
For later developments, see the 2019 dispute over “Built in the USA” Sprinter ads and the end of knock-down assembly in 2021.
FAQ
Where is the plant?
North Charleston, South Carolina, as an extension of the existing Mercedes-Benz Vans facility.
How were Sprinters handled before?
They were built in Germany, disassembled for shipping and reassembled in the USA.
How many jobs were expected?
About 1,300, including about 400 at local suppliers.
Source & credit
Source: Truck News: “Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to be ‘Made in the USA’”, July 28, 2016.