Changing times…
How times have changed. West U is buying a new Facility Tech Vehicle from Mercedes Benz. Why? Because it was $3k cheaper than the next bid, a Dodge. And the Mercedes is assembled in Gaffney, South Carolina. I never thought I would see the day a Mercedes Benz cost less than a Dodge.
Could the facility tech vehicle be a Sprinter Van? Mercedes-Benz manufacutres these in Dusseldorf, Germany. The vehicles are then partially disassembled then reassembled in South Carolina to avoid the “chicken tax.” The same vehicle has been marketed under the Dodge and Freightliner (a subsidiary of Diamler AG) labeles since its introduction to the United States.
I think West University Place’s decision to purchase was a wise one. The turbocharged diesel engine is supposed to be durable and economical. The design of the cabin, which allows an adult to walk upright through the cargo area, will be much appreciated by those who use this vehicle.
I guess it is a sign of the times that prestigious Mercedes-Benz competes with middle-of-the-road Dodge when it comes to pricing for commercial vehicles.