TRUCKMAKERS' NEWS * USA - Mercedes-Benz Lowers Price for Sprinter Vans

Montvale,NJ,USA -Transport Topics -11 Jan 2009: -- Mercedes-Benz USA, parent of Mercedes-Benz Vans, announced that the Sprinter cargo, chassis cab and passenger vans will cost about 6% less than last year... Manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Sprinter cargo van starts at $35,995, while the cab chassis begins at $34,270, and pricing for the passenger van begins at $39,820. All prices exclude destination charges set at $980... The prices include the Freightliner Sprinter models, too, a company spokesman said... MB began selling the Sprinter at in January at 119 dealerships, including 70 Mercedes-Benz car dealerships and 49 Freightliner Truck dealerships... (Photo from hooniverse: A Freightliner Sprinter)


* Unusual "Truck of the Year" Is Easy on Gas

Mountain View,CAL,USA -tonic, by Katherine Gustafson -January 12, 2010: -- Is that a delivery truck, a tall minivan or a super recreation mobile? Yes! ... It's a Transit Connect... It looks more like a tall hearse or a flower delivery van than the heavy-duty pick-up you would expect to take an award like "North American Truck of the Year" (like last year's winner, the Ford F-150)... It should come as no surprise then to learn that the winner of the prize — the odd, front-wheel-drive Ford Transit Connect — has been sold in 55 countries before it recently made it to our shores. Those who have traveled in Europe might recognize this as a typical delivery and police van...