Ben I hope I'm understanding your question right?
Today there is a very strong synergies of management between Damlier-Benz and VW group of companies where the two corporations share and develop technologies between them to save on development and tooling costs Hence in 1989 Talks were in place between Damlier -Benz and VW to share a common platform for the New Generations of T5s and Sprinters released in 1995 although the sprinters were to vary slightly in its make up of mechanical combinations both VW and Mercedes had market niches,along with a group of Brand name buyers it made perfect sense to unite and share development costings , which meant a higher profit margin for both manufactures.
Also remember both the Mercedes Vito and the VW multi vans share a similar platform along with the same mechanical make up you'd be very surprised to see what is an identical retro fit, but you need the outsourced manufactures interchange PDf manuals to work out what is what with similar parts right down to the same nuts and bolts, as the same gear box in the autos 5 speed, back to 4 speed for 1995 to 2000 no difference except with bell housings and back housings , bearing shafts different but thats it.
same style seats and interior fittings , even the luxury Touareg compare this to the R class Mercedes.
There is a huge comparison in many respects. This started way back in the late sixty's when there was a mini credit squeeze, Manufactures were felling the pinch and monies were tight to spend on developing newer platforms for the next generation of vehicles,a new car today in the Showroom is already five years old when you buy it! and has to last with minor upgrades for a model run, to go ten years before another brand new design hits the show room floors.
European manufactures also saw the warning signs, "with the first oil spike" in 1972, that vehicles would have to be more fuel efficient for tomorrows future, as the European Commission was developing the first of what is now called Euro Standards that have an ISO rating world Standard it was not put in place for just emissions for vehicles, but for all industry and the secondary part of the Commissions mandates was safety factors to be built into vehicles as well, fuel watch which is a Manufactures voluntary agreement has not been effectively managed because of other countries energy requirements, this is why manufactures joined forces to cut costs a perfect example of sharing each others technology for a common goal PROFIT.
If you look at Australia as an example Chrysler Vehicles are distributed via the GMH Franchise agreements this has been a synergy of agreement between manufactures, to trade between countries and share with import export vehicles, it's been in place for ten years and has worked well.no financial losses reported
In the USA Daimler Chrysler has offered to buy into the GMH network in part to recoup 38 billion dollars in loses they would recoup eight billion on the deal, its to do the same as Mercedes and VW to share each others technology and to be able to effectively use US Plants that are already in place D.C is interested in the engine department of GM for exporting to China as a ready made unit but to share the same Engines in principle with GMH and the Chrysler divisions in the US as the market is huge and can be profitable, with the right management in place.
With the Crafter and the Mercedes Sprinter there is a difference that can be seen, VW Made the decision to retain the old engine but to update it to todays standards along with retention of the trusted Sprint shift Quick shift six speed auto manual, that was a smart move by VW as not everyone wants a the four cylinder engine or the V6. VW Crafter have a different market, and the RVs play a part of VW sales, How they are going to get around the DOT in Australia for chassis compliance has me at a loss, but Mercedes Sprinter has also failed in the same areas of chassis weakness
and I am talking at the top end from 4.5 GMV ton range.
VW In Australia have the market lead as you well know almost a complete line up of vehicles they are stronger than Mercedes in many respects
They also are using the Blue-moon concept similar to bluetec but using Honda's principle of it being a lifetime cat, but I have not ever looked at it, to comment further.
I hope I have in part explained your query in brief.
Richard.