DC original Sprinter plant is at Düsseldorf. This is the source of all US Sprinters, both the cargo kits sent to Gaffney (and for 2007 forward the new plant north of Charleston, SC) and passenger models. From the DC Media web site:
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0-5-8792-1-36810-1-0-0-0-0-0-91-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html
Düsseldorf Plant
Location
DaimlerChrysler
Düsseldorf Plant
Ratherstraße 51
70476 Düsseldorf
Germany
Phone
+49 211 953-0
Email
Public Relations
Floor Space
380,000 square meters
Total Side Area
702,400 square meters
Products
Sprinter (Mercedes-Benz, Dodge)
Employment
6,171 Employees (Status 2005)
History
1889
Founding of the "Rheinischen Metallwaren- und Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft“
1950
Take-over of the northern work premises of “Rheinmetall AG” by the Auto-Union GmbH, Annual production up to 60.000 passenger cars
1958/1959
Successive take-over of share capital by Daimler-Benz AG
1961/1962
Integration of the plant by Daimler Benz AG production of transporters L319, busses O319, steering gears, cam control mechanism, engines OM636 as well as front and rear axles
1967
Production start of the transporter line T2 (L309 and O309)
1968/1969
Beginning to manufacture servo steering gears for passenger car and commercial vehicles
1971-1973
Front and rear axle production, manufacturing of the engine rows OM636 and cam control mechanism are relocated to other plants
1980
Production start of Van series T1 (208D – 410) after relocation from Bremen plant
1982
Development of the northern plant area, construction of the assembly hall as well as of material allocation warehouse
1984
Conversion of the T1 production and assembly start in building 150
1986
Start of the Van series T2 (508D - 814D)
1989
Founding of the Mercedes-Benz AG within the company group of Daimler-Benz AG
1991/1992
Production relocation of the T2 (LN1) to the DaimlerChrysler plant in Ludwigsfelde, Germany
1994
Start-up of the new body shop and assembly systems for the Sprinter
Manufacturing, launch of the new pre-treatment lines and transport bridge in paint shop
1995
Market introduction of the Sprinters, production of the last T1
Out-sourcing of the steering gear manufacture as Mercedes-Benz Lenkungen GmbH (MB steering units GmbH)
1999
Inauguration of the new education centre for approximately 300 apprentices
2000
Market introduction of the facelifted Sprinter
May 2004 + November 2005
Purchase of additional area
January 2006
Start to manufacture the Sprinter successor NCV3