DaimlerChrysler's commercial van division plans to sell Mercedes-Benz-designed Sprinter delivery trucks in the United States under the Dodge name, according to Bloomberg News. Bloomberg said the Dodge Sprinter would be sold at 2,937 Dodge dealers from the first half of 2003 but also plans to keep selling the vans under the Freightliner name as well in the United States to the end of 2006, and as Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Europe. Bloomberg said that DaimlerChrysler is trying to share parts, brands and resources among its Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and Freightliner units. The Sprinter, used by customers including United Parcel Service, will replace the Dodge Ram van that Chrysler stops building next year, Bloomberg News said. Citing DC spokesman Randy Jones, Bloomberg said all North American versions of the Sprinter would be badged Dodge after 2006. Bloomberg said DaimlerChrysler expects to sell about 5,500 Sprinters in the United States this year and sold 36,537 Dodge Ram cargo vans last year. The Sprinter cargo and passenger versions are made in Dusseldorf, Germany, with passenger versions exported to the United States fully assembled, while cargo vans are shipped for assembly in Gaffney, S.C., where DC is considering a new plant but has not yet selected a site, according to Bloomberg News.
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