Mercedes-Benz to build Sprinter van plant in S.C.

Mercedes-Benz said today it plans to spend $500 million to build a new plant in Charleston, S.C., so it can assemble its next-generation Sprinter commercial van there, providing more evidence that the commercial van segment in the U.S. is continuing to get more competitive. The investment will create 1,300 new jobs. "This plant is key to our future growth in the very dynamic North American van market," Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz vans, said in a statement. (Photo: Wieck) Fullscreen Ford's new full-size Transit van attempts to appeal to all by offering three roof heights, two wheelbase lengths, and regular and extended-length bodystyles. Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas, helped Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, demonstrates in April, 2014 Ford is making a new play for the police paddy wagon A current-generation, 2013 Ford E-Series van. It's being phased out as the big Transit vans rolls into the market to replace it.  Chevrolet Express Cargo Van is an older design, but beloved by some buyers who have a package of modifications suited to their businesses and don't want to redesign the cargo space in a new van to do the same.  Mercedes-Benz pioneered the modern full-size van with Chrysler Group