Sprinter Adds More Utility for 2013 with Fixed‐Payment Leasing and Service Product

Using a brand new Sprinter Van will become easier and more cost‐effective in 2013 for business owners who need peace of mind when it comes to managing their fleet of vans. Sprinter Care Lease, a fixed‐payment, comprehensive leasing and maintenance package, is now available from authorized Mercedes‐Benz and Freightliner dealers in the United States selling Sprinter Vans. Sprinter Care Lease offers one consistent payment for a leased Sprinter and includes coverage for preventive maintenance and replacement of common wear items, plus an extended limited warranty.

Sprinter Care Lease is being offered by Daimler Truck Financial and Mercedes‐Benz Financial Services, the captive finance units supporting Daimler Trucks North America and Mercedes‐ Benz USA franchised dealers and customers, respectively.

"This is a game‐changer for the small and medium‐sized business owner with a fleet of vans, because it helps minimize the biggest threat to small businesses, which is unknown and unforeseen liabilities," said Scott Ames, National Fleet Accounts Representative for RBM of Atlanta North, a Mercedes‐Benz dealership.

Ames added that with Sprinter Care Lease, small or medium‐sized businesses can give their companies a facelift every 3‐5 years with new vehicles and still have predictable costs. Sprinter Care Lease provides the business owner with choices on how to structure their lease depending on specific business needs. Plus, the length of term and the total mileage options range from 36 months and 60,000 miles all the way up to 60 months and 150,000 miles.

One choice of lease structure is the Fair Market Value (FMV) lease which enables the customer to turn in and walk away from the vehicle at the end of the term with no residual value obligation. It offers lower payments than retail financing and avoidance of risks and responsibilities associated with vehicle ownership.

The other lease structure is a TRAC or Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause lease which is the most common structure used for commercial vehicles and fleets. TRAC offers lower monthly payments than retail, no excess wear and tear charges and multiple options for disposition of the vehicle at the end of the lease, plus other attractive features.

The preventive maintenance package includes coverage for the most common maintenance tasks and, at specified mileage intervals, specifically includes:

• Oil and filter changes
• Periodic inspections
• DEF reservoir fill
• Brake & tire checks
• Automatic transmission: Oil & filter

Additionally, covered wear items include:

• Windshield wipers
• Brake pads & sensors
• Brake rotors

Sprinter Care also includes an extended limited warranty in the unlikely event that a covered component fails after the original factory warranty expires. This coverage includes components and parts of the engine, transmission, rear axle, audio systems, cooling system and climate control.

"This is the type of one‐price monthly payment package that our customers have requested to manage their businesses with greater efficiency and cost‐control," said Ron Storz, General Manager, Business Development, Daimler Truck Financial.

In addition to the Sprinter Care Lease product, Daimler Truck Financial and Mercedes‐Benz Financial Services offer retail financing and FMV, TRAC and Zero TRAC lease options.

Sprinter enjoyed a record‐setting sales year in 2012, selling nearly 21,000 units through Mercedes‐Benz and Freightliner dealers.

The Sprinter Success Story
The success story of the Sprinter commercial van has been attributed to its highly practical design and outstanding quality, which translate to impressive cargo capacity and low operating costs. With its efficient BlueTEC diesel engine, the Sprinter gets higher fuel mileage than its competitors, while its high roof and large door openings give the van class‐leading cargo carrying ability.

The Sprinter cargo van features a best‐in‐class payload capacity of 5,415 pounds and cargo capacity of up to 547 cubic feet. The van also boasts the largest side‐ and rear‐door openings as well as the lowest load floor and step‐in height of any full‐size van.

The Sprinter has been sold in the U.S since 2001 by Freightliner, the leading manufacturer of medium and heavy‐duty trucks in North America, and through select Mercedes‐Benz dealers since 2010. Both MBUSA and Freightliner are divisions of Daimler AG, the world's largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles.

All Sprinters come with a number of Mercedes‐Benz safety features ‐‐ ESP stability and rollover control, ABS anti‐lock brakes, Brake Assist and traction control. The driver and front passenger seats are equipped with standard multi‐stage front air bags, and side curtain and torso air bags are optionally available. Standard equipment includes a five‐speed automatic transmission and four‐wheel disc brakes.

BlueTEC Diesel with DEF Injection
All Sprinters are powered by an innovative 3.0‐liter BlueTEC diesel engine that attains an impressive 24.9 miles per gallon on the highway. Marking the first‐ever use of super‐clean BlueTEC technology in the commercial van market, the BlueTEC diesel engine is as clean as a modern gasoline engine. A Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injection system reduces nitrogen oxides to harmless nitrogen and water in a downstream catalytic converter.