Hi Seek Ok I'm crossing with the two synergies of management, quote I said it was offered to DCX, Link still stands from Mercedes-Benz
AWD 2007 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Canada is about to split from DCX and go with Benz Vito are being considered the next line of sales along with an imported 4x4 to be sold via the Mercedes-Benz dealerships, depending on the configuration of the 4x4 Sprinters and Vito's the sprinter base price would start at CA $70.000 to eighty thousand , Vito's would be five thousand cheaper, as the R Class Mercedes has been a poor seller in the US and Canada the vito takes the lead as to extra interior space and safety aspects etc, ideal for a winter environment, and rust is no extra charge. Canada appears to drooped the Dodge Caravan in both classes, [Vito fills the gap]
The next twelve months will be an interesting year to see what changes?
I do agree the 4x4 is too expensive for the US market, but as the jeep is under intense fire with safety issues with Chrysler, Ford with the e series about to exhaust on it's life frame form 2009-2010 There is no replacement as the Ford 2008 has only had a h/duty chassis included as standard very little else has changed, on a 23 year old design. GM with it's issues! and Euro models being considered as the replacements as to the unfordable cost of locally redesigning, for both safety and emission controls , it will be a make or break situation for the US automotive industry.'IF the Euro models'. do become a standard fixture in the US, along with the Toyota commercial vehicles, then the prices will reflect in the long term and the possiable on again off again sprinter 4x4 may still be a option of entry into the US sector.
Crazy we have them in Australia and not that many are sold but they are available, big in N/Africa and the Middle East, plenty of them in Europe right down to Spain up into the Austrian Alps.
Alberto has a demand for these vehicles as the tradies want them , they can afford them when the base contract wage rate starts, at CA $200.00 an hour.
There is a market for the 4x4 Sprinters in the States but it is the way Sprinters are configured in the US with Local content, Sportmobile have their own warranty programs, and that's a conflict to Mercedes-Benz agreements with licensing the products,via DCX, then you have a question of redesign for US safety mandates, having it serviced etc.
Time will tell
Richard
