Freightliner Unveils Plans to Expand With the Sprinter Van

    LOUISVILLE, Ky., and STUTTGART, Germany, March 22 Freightliner LLC
plans to assemble and market the Sprinter commercial van
in North America in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz.  With this van,
Freightliner makes its first major expansion into the lighter duty segment of
the North American commercial vehicles market, a segment with volume of about
360,000 units annually in the U.S. and Canada.
    
    The Freightliner Sprinter, a Class 2 - 3 product that will be offered
initially in cargo and passenger van configurations, is a versatile and proven
van for a wide range of uses, including:

    * Parcel, package and general delivery
    * Passenger transportation for municipalities, airports, and shuttle
      services
    * Light construction and a full range of services from utilities to
      landscaping

    "The Sprinter is a totally new van concept in North America with clear
advantages in efficiency and functionality for customers," said Freightliner
President Jim Hebe during the unveiling of the product at the Mid-America
Truck Show in Louisville, KY, today.

    "It's a timely response to a burgeoning need for more versatile and
efficient light-duty delivery vehicles," Hebe added, "a need precipitated in
large part by the revolution being wrought in this country by E-commerce and
on-line retail."

    The Sprinter van complements Freightliner's existing line of Class 3 - 6
walk-in van chassis products, which captured 65% of this diesel van market in
2000.

    Freightliner will begin assembly in May of the Mercedes-Benz-designed
Sprinter in its manufacturing plant in Gaffney, S.C.

    "We are very pleased that the Sprinter which has become the top selling
commercial van in the highly competitive European markets will now be
available for customers in the U.S. and Canada," said Dr. Rolf Bartke, head of
Mercedes-Benz Vans Business Unit.  "And we are confident that it will quickly
establish itself as the new benchmark for this segment in the North American
market," he added.

    Sprinter to Compete with Broad Range of Class 2 - 3 Products

    The Freightliner Sprinter will be available in three basic configurations
-- cargo van, passenger van, and cab chassis -- with three wheelbase lengths,
two GVWs and two roof heights.

    The Sprinter cargo van configuration will be available starting in June,
with the passenger version being available in September.  A cab chassis will
be available in 2002.  The passenger van can carry 10 people and has a GVWR of
8,550 pounds.  The passenger and cargo configurations will be available in
three wheelbase lengths: 118, 140 and 158 inches.  Both are also available in
two roof heights: the 64-inch and 73-inch.

    Power and Performance

    The heart of the Sprinter van powertrain is its Mercedes-Benz 5-cylinder
in-line turbocharged diesel engine, which delivers better fuel economy, longer
maintenance intervals and better durability.

    "The Mercedes engine technology allows the Sprinter to perform like a V-8
gasoline engine, yet provides customers with a smooth running van with greater
fuel economy," Hebe said.  The Mercedes-Benz 5-cylinder Common-rail Direct
Injection (CDI) engine has a 156 horsepower rating with 244 ft. lbs. of
torque.  It is matched with a standard 5-speed automatic transmission.

    Superior Space

    The Sprinter is available in two roof heights: a 64-inch standard interior
height and a 73-inch high roof model.  "With exceptional height direct from
the factory," Hebe said, "the Sprinter is the only commercial van that allows
standing room and increased cargo space without converting the roof height
after the vehicle is completed."

    Ergonomics and Safety

    The interior of the Sprinter is engineered to maximize the driver's
comfort.  "There's a direct correlation between comfort and safety, just as
there's a direct connection between comfort and driver productivity," Hebe
said.

    The Sprinter features four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, driver and
passenger air bags and impact absorbing interior panels and sheet metal for
increased driver and passenger safety.

    Freightliner will distribute the Sprinter throughout the United States and
Canada through a dedicated Freightliner light commercial vehicle dealer
network now being established in large metropolitan markets.  These dealers
will have dedicated facilities and resources to support the light commercial
customer.