Sprinter

The first generation (VA Chassis) North American Sprinter was launched in 2001 in the U.S. and was originally branded as a Freightliner. Units sold to the rest of North America were badged as Mercedes-Benz until 2003 when they received Dodge branding. Rather than redesign the aging Dodge Ram Van which had used the same basic body and layout since the 1970s, DaimlerChrysler chose to discontinue the Ram Van in 2003 and offer the Sprinter instead for the North American market. It was available exclusively with the inline-5 diesel engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Dodge and Freightliner Sprinters were identical except for minor styling details and badging. Units in the United States and Canada, but not in Mexico, could be purchased as a Dodge or Freightliner from 2003.