Introducing MasterSolutions, a Turn-Key Vocational Upfit Solution for Metris and Sprinter Vans

On job sites and at businesses, distribution centers and warehouses around the world, the van is an essential tool for getting the job done. Daimler Vans USA and Mercedes-Benz USA is pleased to announce the launch of MasterSolutions, a turn-key vocational upfit solution for any van, from the Mercedes-Benz Metris to the Sprinter from Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner. If a shuttle van built to haul 14 paying passengers is needed, the MasterSolutions program offers a ship-thru upfit solution from SmartLiner. If shelves, racks, cab chassis bodies or refrigeration units are needed, Knapheide and Auto Truck Group, two of the foremost leaders in the commercial van segment, have an extensive catalogue to fit nearly any need. Competitively priced, dealer-orderable upfit solutions turn any Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner van into the perfect tool for any vocation and helps to take the guesswork out of the ordering process, all hile creating a seamless buying experience at your authorized Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner dealer.

"You're the expert in your trade, and your van is the tool to get the job done. MasterSolutions allows you to configure your van directly via your Mercedes-Benz Vans or Freightliner Vans dealer and get you exactly the van you need right when you need it–so you can concentrate on finishing the job," said Bernie Glaser, Head of the Mercedes-Benz USA Vans Division. "Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner bring you a portfolio of turn-key solutions for your vocation; anything from shelving to refrigeration or even transportation of people, all at a preferred price. These pre-configured MasterSolutions from industry leading manufacturers are customized to fit your Sprinter or Metris van, and can be quickly configured and ordered via your preferred dealer. The ordering process is streamlined and installation is also simple — all MasterSolutions are fitted directly as ship-thru, thus ensuring seamless integration, delivery time and consistent quality."

Expanding on an already-efficient MasterUpfitter program

MasterUpfitters are the go-to choice for customers and Mercedes-Benz/Freightliner dealers when looking to customize a Sprinter or Metris to be anything from an ambulance to an ultra-luxury camper van.

In 2015, Mercedes-Benz Vans launched its MasterUpfitter program, which granted highly-qualified upfitters access to 3D engineering data, technical updates and detailed technical seminars. Additionally, MasterUpfitters gain access to VIP technical support from Daimler personnel and access to a dedicated database of information located on www.upfitterportal.com.

To become a MasterUpfitter, experts in the industry self-certify that they comply with Daimler engineering guidelines as well as all applicable regulatory requirements that apply to their upfit. In addition to the application process, Daimler has various tracking mechanisms and tools to monitor compliance to guidelines and a high level of upfit quality.

Finally, when a customer purchases a vehicle from the MasterUpfitter program, they know the equipment they receive matches the utmost Daimler quality standards. MasterUpfitters guarantee their work for 3-years / 36,000 miles as part of a basic limited warranty, the same as the Daimler van limited warranty.

Three industry experts on-board for every upfitting need

The new MasterSolutions program builds on select MasterUpfitters and takes the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner dealer integration to a new level. The most common upfit configurations will now be orderable directly from the dealer and will be installed by an upfitter that insists on quality and durability.

By offering upfit products from SmartLiner, Knapheide and Auto Truck Group, three of the most established and largest upfit companies in the industry, Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Vans have demonstrated a commitment to quality and customer service.

About Knapheide:

Headquartered in Quincy, Illinois, The Knapheide Manufacturing Company is a family-owned business established in 1848. For six generations, Knapheide has provided customers with high-quality, work-ready transportation solutions. More work vehicles on the road today carry the Knapheide name than any other upfit manufacturer.

Knapheide partners and customers include truck and van distributors, commercial dealers, commercial fleets, fleet management companies, government entities, utilities, and end users across a wide range of vocational segments.

About Auto Truck:

Auto Truck Group is one of the leading work truck upfitters and manufacturers in North America. Founded in 1918, Auto Truck Group serves the continental United States and Canada with eleven service centers and ship thru facilities. Auto Truck will open its twelfth location & ship-thru service in the fall of 2016 supporting the Sprinter and Metris in Ladson, South Carolina.

Auto Truck Group specializes in the design, manufacturing process and installation of truck and van equipment for a wide variety of customers, trades and industries. From custom orders to entire fleets, Auto Truck Group is ready to help pool/dealer customers, fleets, commercial users, including those working in construction, energy and telecommunications, utilities, municipal and state governments, railroads, and many other businesses and industries.

About SmartLiner:

SmartLiner is the country's leading builder of commercial shuttles, transporters and mobility vans. For nearly two decades, SmartLiner has brought the most innovative, safest and best built vans to the industry. With manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Kansas, SmartLiner is building and shipping transit vehicles throughout North America.

The Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner dealer experience

With the numerous turn-key MasterSolutions for Sprinter and Metris vans easily orderable from a Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner dealership, the customer experience will be improved even further.

When a customer visits www.mbvans.com, www.freightlinersprinterusa.com or visits their local Mercedes-Benz Vans or Freightliner Sprinter Vans dealership this fall, shopping for the right van will be easier than ever. After a customer identifies what vocation they are purchasing a van for, they are presented with a selection of Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vans best suited for their needs. When their preferred model is chosen from the Sprinter or Metris lineup, a selection of MasterSolution upfits are available for purchase. From specialty partitions to ladder racks, the upfit solutions are presented à la carte-- the same way optional equipment is presented during the passenger car buying process.

At the end of the configuration process, the customer is presented with an "out the door" estimate for their entire van solution, including all upfits previously selected.

Once the van is ordered, it is shipped from the Mercedes-Benz Vans plant in Ladson, South Carolina through one of the MasterSolutions upfitters where the upfit is installed prior to delivery to a dealership or fleet location.

The MasterSolutions advantage

Perfectly fitting solutions that are optimized for Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Vans are a tangible advantage to the consumer. With MasterSolutions, the customer can expect hardworking vans pre-configured for their vocation directly from a Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner dealership. By letting the dealer manage the upfit process, customers find what they need faster and the quality of the upfit remains consistent.

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Daimler Truck Financial: Flexible Products and Terms Unique to Commercial Van Customers

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Daimler Truck Financial offer exclusive financial products delivering benefits that are most valuable to businesses. A variety of flexible payment options and the ability to structure tailor-made finance packages are available, including MasterSolutions pre-configured upfits.

Example MasterSolutions:

*Preliminary pricing, subject to change