Detroit Auto Show: Dodge Launches Sprinter Van

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 5, 2003; Dodge today
officially broadened its U.S. commercial van strategy with the introduction of
the new Sprinter van at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in
Detroit.  Powered by Mercedes-Benz, and now available through select Dodge
dealers across America, Sprinter is the newest vehicle to be added to the
Dodge commercial lineup.  With this addition, a host of expanded benefits have
become available to commercial van customers including a strong increase in
sales and service locations, seamless integration into the full line of Dodge
commercial vehicles, and financing through DaimlerChrysler Services.
    As the market leader in its class in Europe, the Sprinter consistently is
one of the most successful products of the entire DaimlerChrysler Commercial
Vehicles Division.  Geared to the comfort, safety, and convenience of drivers
continually on the go, Sprinter easily stands out among the competition as a
unique, premium product.  With its large load capacity, a powerful and
economical engine, and coupled with a host of attractive product benefits such
as its impressive fuel mileage, all this translates into a competitive
advantage for its core customer base of fleet owners, retailers, delivery
companies and other vocational service companies.
    "The Dodge Sprinter is both a logical and natural next step in realizing
an ambitious multi-part commercial vehicle strategy within Dodge to add
incremental sales across all of our brands in the next few years," said Darryl
R. Jackson, Vice President of Dodge Marketing.
    In Sprinter, fuel efficiency meets smart, comfortable interior design . .
. the right combination for business today.  "Utility business owners, their
concerns too long ignored by commercial vehicle manufacturers, now have a
transport option tailored to their specific business needs in the Dodge
Sprinter," added Patrick W. Dougherty, Director of Dodge Commercial Vans --
the new division charged with setting up the U.S. dealer network and
developing all sales, marketing and after-market support for the Sprinter.  He
added, "In continuing the tremendous work already begun by our predecessor
company, DaimlerChrysler Vans, we look forward to successfully meeting our
launch goals, while maintaining a steady and focused strategy in development,
outreach to new audiences, and expanding brand awareness."
    Available on the global market since 1995, the Sprinter is a proven winner
and has benefited from a number of design, quality and technological
enhancements since it first premiered including a new engine, exterior, and
safety features.  More than the simple combination of good ideas and
construction techniques, its resounding success in Europe is the direct result
of careful, consistent implementation of an integrated concept.  Current vans
on the market were originally designed for private use and adapted for
commercial use.  Introduced to the United States in 2001, the Sprinter has
been designed specifically for commercial use and it is continuing to
establish itself as a major player in the North American commercial van
market.
    The Sprinter's history alone puts it in a class by itself.  Mercedes-Benz,
inventor of the commercial vehicle, developed the Sprinter as a high-end
product for the transportation needs of today and tomorrow.  Voted European
"Van of the Year" in 1998 and "Commercial Vehicle of the Year" (Vans Category)
for the past six years, Sprinter remains the market leader in its segment
throughout Western Europe.  And now, the Sprinter is available to address the
specific needs of the United States commercial van market.
    "In introducing the Dodge printer, DaimlerChrysler has taken immediate
steps to move forward an expanded global van strategy, while segueing
naturally into the next phase of our U.S. Sprinter product launch," said Dr.
Rolf Bartke, Senior Vice President of DaimlerChrysler AG and Head of the
Mercedes-Benz Vans Business Unit.  "Inching ever-closer to a million units in
service, the Sprinter remains an enormous success around the world.  And now,
as a Dodge, this move will ensure that the Sprinter continues on its natural
path to success here in the United States while supporting a host of new
consumer segments through Dodge's historic and strong position in the light
duty vehicle market."
    Both cargo and passenger vans are manufactured in DaimlerChrysler's state-
of-the-art Sprinter plant in Dusseldorf, Germany.  Cargo vans are delivered in
a semi-assembled state to a DaimlerChrysler plant in Gaffney, South Carolina
and the passenger vans are delivered fully assembled.

    Unmatched Versatility for Virtually Any Business Need
    Every business owner's needs are different.  That's why Sprinter was
engineered to make customization easier than with other commercial vans.
Uniquely allowing customers to select the configuration that suits their
specific industry needs, Sprinter's design is ideal for virtually all
applications -- from transport of passengers to the day-to-day rigors of
hauling cargo and packages.  Literally, it affords them custom choices
unavailable elsewhere in the market.
    Because of its unique versatility, the Sprinter is able to adapt to custom
business demands through a wide range of available vocational upfit packages.
Intended to be a total business solution, upfit options include a number of
utility business packages with custom storage solutions perfect for
transporting the tools and equipment used in the utility industries.
    The Sprinter is available in three different wheelbases -- short (118
inches), intermediate (140 inches), and long (158) -- some of which can be
delivered with two different roof heights.  Despite its compact dimensions,
the Sprinter impressively offers between 247 and 473 square feet of storage
space depending on the wheelbase and roof height.  And, the flat floor in the
cargo area and the tapered rear wheel housing ensure the van's capacity is put
to optimum use.

    Key Features - Engine Efficiency
    The Sprinter is powered by a high-performance Mercedes-Benz 2.7 liter
diesel engine with 154 hp and 243 pound-feet of torque.  The common rail
direct injection system (CDI) for the easy to maintain diesel engine ensures
an even power distribution while also reducing emissions and external noise.
This state-of-the-art engine guarantees very low fuel consumption without
sacrifice to the operating performance in dealing with the toughest daily
applications.  Moreover, Sprinter's engine efficiency far outpaces any
competitive van or minibus, with customers reporting 22-mpg (city) and a
vehicle range of approximately 550 miles.  Notwithstanding, the automatic
five-speed transmission system from Mercedes-Benz provides optimum power
transmission, increases driver comfort and keeps the engine in a continually
low-consumption range.  Because of these features, Sprinter provides excellent
value for managers looking to improve their businesses' bottom lines by
reducing expenditures for fuel and vehicle maintenance.

    Key Features - Maintenance
    A real workhorse, the Sprinter is designed to spend less time in the shop
and more time on the road -- without sacrificing performance.  Sprinter
customers who choose the conventional maintenance concept benefit from the
vehicle's long standard maintenance intervals.  An oil change is required only
every 10,000 miles, and maintenance service is required only every 20,000
miles.  Unprecedented among commercial vans, these long service intervals are
made possible by the vehicle's state-of-the-art engine design with its large
number of maintenance-free or low-maintenance components.

    Key features - Comfort
    The Sprinter was designed to not only maximize the performance of the
vehicle, but the performance of the driver as well.  This is why the van's
driver area has been designed fully in accordance with the principles of
modern ergonomics.  The cab provides excellent all-around vision for drivers
and passengers.  Standard power steering ensures ease of handling, and a tight
turning radius makes the vehicle easy to maneuver in tight areas, such as busy
city streets or small delivery areas.  Sprinter's spacious interior provides
ample legroom and freedom of movement, and ergonomically designed seats
maximize comfort.  These features make the vehicle drive and feel more like a
passenger car than a commercial vehicle.

    Key Features - Safety
    Safety is a core component of every DaimlerChrysler design, and the
Sprinter is the embodiment of this philosophy.  The vehicle not only
transports people and cargo, but does it safely. Four-wheel disc brakes are
standard, and optional add-ons include the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with
integrated Acceleration Skid Control (ASR).  These options help to ensure
steerability under hard braking and provide improved traction and stability in
slippery conditions.  Full size driver and passenger airbags are standard,
helping lessen the chance of serious injury in front-impact collisions.
Another innovative safety feature is extra length and increased rigidity in
the cab section, which improves performance in crash situations.

    Dougherty added, "The Sprinter is more than the simple combination of good
ideas and construction techniques.  Its resounding success in Europe is the
direct result of careful, consistent implementation of an integrated concept.
Emphasizing quality, all aspects of the Sprinter are held to the highest
premium standards.  Its pioneering body layout, innovative engine,
transmission and drive technology, comprehensive and customized maintenance
package, and the long-term quality of each and every component easily make
Sprinter the best commercial van on the global market."
    Adapted for the most varied areas of application in urban transport
situations, the Dodge Sprinter is equally ideal for transporting passengers
comfortably and safely as a shuttle or hotel bus as it is for transporting
cargo dependably for courier, express, package and other delivery services.
In short, it is the ideal van for long-term success.  Depending on model and
options, the suggested retail price starts at $26,765 for the cargo van and
$28,260 for the passenger van.