Mercedes-Benz Vans is celebrating a major milestone: the production of five million Sprinter vans worldwide. The landmark vehicle, an all-electric eSprinter, was assembled at the company’s Charleston, South Carolina facility and delivered to FedEx — a long-time Mercedes-Benz Vans customer.
This achievement not only marks the continued global success of the Sprinter but also underscores the pivotal role of the Charleston plant in the company’s international production network. For nearly two decades, the Charleston facility has been essential to the Sprinter’s presence in the North American market.
Now part of FedEx’s expanding fleet of Mercedes-Benz vans — both traditional and electric — the five millionth Sprinter represents the model’s lasting global appeal. It also reaffirms Mercedes-Benz Vans’ dedication to innovation, quality, and excellence in the light commercial vehicle segment.
“The production of five million Sprinter vans worldwide, alongside the model’s 30th anniversary, is a powerful testament to its lasting success,” said Thomas Klein, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “This milestone represents the commitment of our teams, the loyalty of our customers, and the continuous innovation that has made the Sprinter a benchmark in the large van segment for three decades. We take pride in this legacy and look forward to shaping the future of the van industry.”
FedEx Takes Delivery of the Five-Millionth Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: The five-millionth Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has officially joined FedEx’s expanding electric vehicle fleet in the U.S., marking a key milestone in the van’s global success story. The all-electric eSprinter will be deployed across four states as part of FedEx’s broader sustainability efforts.
As one of Mercedes-Benz Vans’ largest global customers, FedEx has long relied on both Sprinter and eSprinter models for interurban and last-mile deliveries across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America.
“As our network has evolved and grown over the years, vans from Mercedes-Benz – including the Sprinter and now the eSprinter – have consistently met our needs and supported the reliable, high-quality service our customers expect,” said Pat Donlon, Vice President of Global Vehicles at FedEx.
FedEx was among the first major fleet customers of Mercedes-Benz in the U.S., playing a pivotal role in the Sprinter’s success in North America. The rising demand from fleet operators and increasing popularity of the Sprinter in both the U.S. and Canada contributed to the 2018 expansion of the Charleston, South Carolina manufacturing plant.
Voices from Mercedes-Benz Vans on the Five-Millionth Sprinter Milestone:
Key leaders and team members reflect on the significance of the five-millionth Sprinter and the role of the Charleston plant in the global production network:
- Francesco Ciancia, Head of Operations, highlighted the milestone as a testament to global team expertise and Charleston’s role in driving the mobility transformation.
- Heike Scheuble, Managing Director, emphasized the importance of the Sprinter to U.S. success, blending German engineering with American production to meet high customer standards.
- Johannes Kellermann, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC, reaffirmed the brand’s strong commitment to the U.S. market and praised the Charleston team’s dedication to quality and innovation.
- Darius Ryant, a team member at the Charleston plant, shared personal pride in being part of the milestone moment and the supportive, inspiring team culture at the facility.
Expansion of Mercedes-Benz Vans’ Charleston Facility: Mercedes-Benz Vans’ Charleston plant, established in 2006, is the company’s sole van production site in North America. A major expansion in 2018 enabled full part-by-part assembly of the third-generation Sprinter, adding a new body shop, paint shop, and extended assembly area to meet growing demand. Today, the facility is a model of modern, sustainable manufacturing with advanced systems like driverless transport and digital training tools, supporting a workforce of over 1,600. In 2024, a $50 million investment further advanced the plant with the launch of the all-electric eSprinter.
Three Decades of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: A Legacy of Innovation: Since its debut in 1995, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has set the benchmark in the commercial van segment with its versatility, reliability, and low total cost of ownership. Replacing the Mercedes TN (T1) series, the first-generation Sprinter introduced class-leading safety features, fuel efficiency, and performance.
The second generation, launched in 2006, offered expanded cargo capacity, more body styles, and international appeal under various brand badges, including Dodge and Freightliner in North America.
In 2018, the third generation brought the Sprinter into the digital age with features like MBUX infotainment, advanced driver assistance, and over 1,000 configurable variants — from delivery vans to camper conversions.
With the recent introduction of the all-electric eSprinter, now built in Charleston (USA), Düsseldorf, and Ludwigsfelde (Germany), the Sprinter continues to lead the way in shaping the future of light commercial mobility.
