The first Sprinter Classic has rolled off the Mercedes-Benz Vans assembly line in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, the first product of a new collaboration between Daimler and local automaker GAZ.
Mercedes-Benz Vans makes the model locally in a GAZ plant. The division sells the van in collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz sales organisation.
Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, said: “The start of local production of the Sprinter Classic represents a significant step for us in Russia, which is an attractive growth market, as we are now manufacturing our vans there. We have gained a foothold in this important market of the future. We plan to participate with GAZ in the promising Russian market.”

Russia’s market for medium-size and large vans expanded in the last three years, accounting for around 150,000 units in 2012. The market is expected to grow by 3%-5% annually.

As part of its partnership with GAZ, Daimler is spending about EUR100m on vehicle modifications, production facilities and the sales network. GAZ Groupis spending about EUR90m.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

“We are convinced that GAZ is the ideal partner for the local production of the Sprinter,” said Mornhinweg. “As Russia’s largest van manufacturer, GAZ has extensive technological expertise, a good network of local suppliers, and, of course, many experienced employees. All of these factors will play a major role in ensuring our joint success in Russia.”

The GAZ factory in Yaroslavl makes Mercedes-Benz OM646 I4 diesels for the Sprinter. The group set up a new assembly plant in Yaroslavl in late 2011 and the factory meets the latest international standards – it was previously designed to produce Euro 4-compliant YaMZ-530 engines.

“Already at the start of production, the Sprinter Classic boasts a localisation rate of over 20%,” added  Mornhinweg. “We will steadily increase this figure for all of the parts and components. In doing so, we will greatly contribute to the development of the automotive industry in Russia and the Nizhny region.”

Mercedes described the Sprinter Classic [ie previous generation] as focusing “on the essentials” and a “robust product that is tailored to the needs of the Russian market and sold at an affordable entry-level price”. It’s on a proven platform with over 1.5m units made globally to date.

Standard safety systems include stability control.

Sales start in September and the model will be positioned in Russia’s growing and “promising” mid-priced segment for large vans.

A high-quality “line advanced” equipment variant enables customers to adapt the model to their needs, Mercedes said.