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76-569: American LaFrance ( ALF ) was an American vehicle manufacturer which focused primarily on the production of fire engines , ladder trucks , and emergency apparatus such as ambulance and rescue vehicles. Originally located in Elmira, New York , the final iteration of the company was located in Summerville, South Carolina . It also operated a plant in Toronto , Ontario , Canada, where it sold apparatus under

152-697: A Freightliner factory in Gaffney, South Carolina , where they were reassembled. The cargo versions, classified as light trucks , are subject to the 25% chicken tax if imported as a complete unit, which is avoided by the disassembly and importation as a semi knock-down kit, with subsequent reassembly in the U.S. Passenger vans were not subject to the same tax classifications and were imported as an assembled unit through Mercedes-Benz in Jacksonville, Florida. 2002–2003 Sprinters sold in North America were only available with

228-416: A brand-new facility, including manufacturing and corporate headquarters, with nearly 500,000 square feet (46,000 m) of total space. On 28 January 2008, American LaFrance filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, blaming problems with implementation of a new IBM enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. On 25 July 2008, the company emerged from bankruptcy with a revised business plan to transfer

304-476: A bucket of water on the front stoop during fires at night. These buckets were intended for use by the initial bucket brigade that would supply the water at fires. Philadelphia obtained a hand-pumped fire engine in 1719, years after Lynn 's 1654 model appeared there, made by Joseph Jencks , but before New York's two engines arrived from London. By 1730, Richard Newsham , in London, had made successful fire engines;

380-503: A cargo capacity of 10.5 m (370 cu ft). Winter endurance testing under arctic conditions reduced range to 100 km (62 mi). The production vehicles have an estimated range of 115 or 168 km (71 or 104 mi) for the 41 or 55 kW-hr batteries, giving an energy consumption of 32.5 or 37.1 kWh/100 km (64.4 or 56.5 mpg‑e; 0.523 or 0.597 kW⋅h/mi), respectively, under Directive 692/2008/EC test requirements. The gross vehicle weight rating

456-663: A large van , chassis cab , minibus , and pickup truck . In the past, the Sprinter had been sold under the Mercedes-Benz , Dodge , and Freightliner nameplates. In the U.S., it was built from complete knock down (CKD) kits by Freightliner. Re-badged and re-engined Sprinters were also sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as the Volkswagen LT and the Volkswagen Crafter . They are now primarily marketed by Mercedes-Benz. In

532-482: A long-standing tradition of painting their apparatus black over red, a practice that has caught on far beyond Illinois. Neighboring departments will also often use different colors to distinguish their apparatus. For example, the Santa Barbara Fire Department uses the traditional fire engine red while the neighboring Santa Barbara County Fire Department elects to use white with blue stripe. Some, like

608-402: A pattern known as Battenburg markings . In addition to the passive warnings, there are active visual warnings which are usually in the form of flashing colored lights (also known as " beacons " or " lightbars "). These flash to attract the attention of other road users as the fire appliance approaches, or to provide warning to motorists approaching a stopped appliance in a dangerous position on

684-424: A prototype of a new generation home-delivery van, which is currently being used in select stores, aiming to cut emissions, costs and increase time efficiency. Sprinters have been used globally as television production vehicles, most commonly as ENG (Electronic News Gathering) and SNG (Satellite News Gathering) vehicles. These are a popular choice for local affiliates for their maneuverability in metropolitan areas and

760-487: A range of different sounds. Fire service driving training often includes the use of different sounds depending on traffic conditions and maneuver being performed. For instance, on a clear road, approaching a junction, the "wail" setting may be used, which gives a long up and down variation, with an unbroken tone, whereas, in heavy slow traffic, a "yelp" setting may be preferred, which is like a wail, but faster. The speakers for modern sirens can be located in several places on

836-579: A small run of passenger cars from about 1910 to 1920, totaling around 22 (with several additional " speedsters "). An example of their touring model exists, and because the design was based on a Crane-Simplex chassis, several early ALF fire trucks have been retroactively converted into speedsters. In 1927, ALF acquired the Utica-based O.J. Childs company. The company had created Foamite, a liquid chemical designed to extinguish fires in temperatures ranging from −15 °F to 110 °F. In 1947, ALF introduced

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912-524: Is 3,500 kg (7,700 lb); given the maximum payload is 891 or 1,040 kg (1,964 or 2,293 lb) for the 55 or 41 kW-hr battery, respectively, the kerb weight is 2,360–2,609 kg (5,203–5,752 lb), and a single battery module is estimated to weigh 250 kg (550 lb). One year after eSprinter production started, Mercedes-Benz announced its successor in December 2020. The second-generation eSprinter 2.0 will be released in late 2023. It

988-528: Is based on the Mercedes-Benz "Electric Versatility Platform" (EVP), a bespoke chassis designed for large vans; EVP shifts the traction motor to the rear axle and enables Mercedes-Benz to offer variants, including pickup truck, chassis cab, and cutaway versions. Three different battery capacities will be available, as Mercedes is aiming to double the range of the Europe-only first generation eSprinter. Production

1064-736: Is built by the Gorky Automobile Plant at Nizhny Novgorod for service in Russian/Eastern European markets only. With 2.7L I5 OM 612/OM 647 156 hp CDI engine: The second-generation Sprinter was introduced in Europe in 2006. It was voted Van of the Year for 2007 and again in 2008 by Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine. Also known as the NCV3 or New Concept Van 3, the second generation Sprinter appeared in Europe and in other countries as

1140-415: Is built into all RDS radios for use in national emergency broadcast systems, but short range units on emergency vehicles can prove an effective means of alerting traffic to their presence, although is not able to alert pedestrians and non-RDS radio users. Dodge Sprinter The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light commercial vehicle ( van ) built by Mercedes-Benz Group AG of Stuttgart , Germany as

1216-501: Is credited with building the first American steam-powered fire engine. John Braithwaite built the first steam fire-engine in Britain . Until the mid-19th century, most fire engines were maneuvered by men, but the introduction of horse-drawn fire engines considerably improved the response time to incidents. The first self-propelled steam-driven fire engine was built in New York in 1841. It was

1292-518: Is mentioned by Heron of Alexandria . The fire pump was reinvented in Europe during the 16th century, reportedly used in Augsburg in 1518 and Nuremberg in 1657. A book of 1655 inventions mentions a steam engine (called a fire engine ) pump used to "raise a column of water 40 feet [12.2 m]", but there was no mention of whether it was portable. Colonial laws in America required each house to have

1368-572: Is scheduled to start in the second half of 2023 at the three Sprinter factories: Ladson; Düsseldorf; and Ludwigsfelde. In October 2022, a preproduction extra-long, high-roof eSprinter 2.0 was driven for 295 mi (475 km) on a single charge, taking a roundtrip journey from the Mercedes-Benz Museum to the Munich Airport and back. The computed energy consumption was 21.9 kWh/100 km (96 mpg‑e; 0.352 kW⋅h/mi) and

1444-593: Is still limited in both sales and service. Special orders typically take one to three months for delivery, and may take even longer due to the assembly and disassembly in Germany, and exporting parts to South Carolina for re-assembly. The exception is passenger van models which are assembled in Germany and exported as complete vehicles. This is because of the United States Chicken Tax . As an unintended consequence , several importers of light trucks have circumvented

1520-572: The Denver Fire Department use less common colors like all-over white with stripes, gold in Denver's case. Most fire apparatus use retroreflective markings to increase their visibility in poor light; red and white or red and yellow chevrons on the rear are almost universal, and while most choose a more modest and arguably stylish option in simply making existing stripe patters reflective, some, particularly European fire services and especially those in

1596-556: The Waterous Company introduced a fire engine with two gasoline-powered engines, one for propulsion and the other for pumping. For many years firefighters sat on the sides of the fire engines, or even stood on the rear of the vehicles, exposed to the elements. This arrangement was uncomfortable and dangerous (some firefighters were thrown to their deaths when their fire engines made sharp turns), and today nearly all fire engines have fully enclosed seating areas for their crews. Due to

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1672-551: The 128" wheelbase nor the rear super single tires were available in the U.S. market. The U.S. cargo version was reassembled from kits in an assembly plant located in Ladson, South Carolina, while the passenger models were imported directly from Germany. The second-generation 906 was produced in Argentina only for export markets—except Mercosur markets (Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay)—from 2007 until 2010, but in 2011, announced new production of

1748-520: The 2.7L OM612 inline-5 diesel engine, and were only available in 49 states as it was not compliant with CARB emissions standards; 2004–2006 models used the OM647 engine, which replaced the OM612's air-cooled EGR valve with a water-cooled unit, among other changes, which made the 2004–2006 Sprinters CARB-compliant. The only transmission offered in North America was the 5-speed 5G-Tronic transmission. The product

1824-437: The 2006 model year. North America received its own NCV3 for the 2007 model year. The U.S. cargo version of the 906 NCV3 came in two wheelbase options (144", 170"), two roof heights (standard 60.6", high 72.4"), three lengths (Short 233.3", Standard 274.2, Extended 289.8"), and two weight classes (2500, 3500). 3500 models had the option of dual rear wheels or extra-wide "super single" wheels in some, but not all, markets. Neither

1900-445: The 700-series fire apparatus. The 700-series was a " cab forward " design, placing the driver ahead of the engine and providing an expansive forward view. This would become the industry standard. In 1959, ALF introduced the 900-series cab-forward chassis. Although it was similar to the 700 (and closely related 800-series), the 900 was an all new design with a wider cab. In addition to the 700-800-900-Series trucks, ALF produced models under

1976-617: The Boost by Mercedes-Benz custom transportation program. The second generation Sprinter was updated in 2013 with changes including the addition of new assistance systems ( crosswind stabilization , collision avoidance system (optional), blind spot monitor (optional), adaptive highbeam , lane departure warning system ), Euro VI emissions compliance, redesigned radiator grille, more angular headlights, new upholstery and seat coverings, thicker steering wheel, optional fresh air nozzles boast chrome applications, new-generation radio system. The vehicle

2052-554: The Eagle custom chassis . Many of their Liberty products were built on Freightliner M2 or Sterling Acterra chassis. ALF operated additional manufacturing facilities in Ephrata, Pennsylvania ; Sanford, Florida ; and Hamburg, New York . In 2005 it was the fifth largest manufacturer of emergency vehicles in North America . In December 2005, it was announced that Freightliner had transferred

2128-626: The Ladson factory in 2016, and the first Ladson-built Sprinter rolled off the assembly line in September 2018. The Freightliner version was discontinued after the 2021 model year as part of the Daimler Truck divestment in the Freightliner brand in October 2021. The third generation Sprinter was updated for the 2023 model year in the U.S., offering a new, all-time all-wheel-drive option with retirement of

2204-509: The Mercedes-Benz logistics center in Duisburg and was available to purchase from June 2018. It is the first generation to include a front-wheel-drive van in the line-up. A new range of standard and optional technology and comfort features were made available. To prepare for the third-generation van, in 2015, Mercedes-Benz Vans decided to switch North American Sprinter production to complete knock-down kit (CKD) assembly, kicking off an expansion of

2280-492: The Mercedes-Benz van lineup, the Sprinter is the largest model offered, followed by the mid-size Vito (aka Viano, V-Class, and EQV) and small Citan . The first generation Sprinter was launched in Europe in 1995 to replace the famous but outdated T1 Transporter van dating from 1977. Compared to the T1, the Sprinter had reduced the aerodynamic drag and moved the engine 290 mm (11 in) further forward to increase cabin space. It

2356-474: The Sprinter as a Mercedes-Benz, because it felt the utilitarian Sprinter would interfere with the luxury image that the Mercedes-Benz brand had in North America, and instead used the Freightliner and Dodge nameplates, as both of those brands had more experience selling trucks and commercial vehicles. Cargo versions of the Sprinter were manufactured in Düsseldorf, Germany, partially disassembled, and then shipped to

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2432-528: The Sprinter currently make up the majority of the supermarket Home Delivery fleet across the UK, but demand for these vans has begun to decline. ASDA recently announced that its new fleet would be primarily custom IVECO vans, following in the footsteps of Tesco. Ocado & retail partner Morrisons are primarily taking delivery of Ford Transits for their newer fleet. Mercedes are currently working with Waitrose Home Delivery, who currently use chilled LWB HR Sprinters, on

2508-657: The Sprinter van with its cargo space of 13.5 ft (4.1 m) has allowed van expediters to take three 48 in × 48 in (1.2 m × 1.2 m) skids or pallets, where previously they were limited to a capacity of two pallets. A Sprinter is capable of hauling approximately 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) of cargo. The vehicle has been adopted by the police in Hong Kong , United Kingdom and in Poland , and also as an ambulance by countries in Western Europe, Scandinavia,

2584-669: The Sprinter's fuel economy more competitive, North American models received the 2.1L OM651 two-stage turbo diesel engine formerly only available overseas, along with an optional 3.0L engine. The 2.1L engine (and in Europe, also the 3.0L) was mated to a new 7-speed automatic transmission. A 1.8L supercharged I-4 gasoline engine was mated to 6- and 7- speed automatic transmissions. The 2014 Sprinter added several new driver assistance technologies including standard Crosswind Assist, optional Blind Spot Assist and Collision Prevention Assist, as well as Lane Keeping Assist and Highbeam Assist. The 2014 Sprinter began offering LED running lights. Air suspension

2660-985: The U.S., Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The 515 CDI has become the standard ambulance for use by the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, and the Health Service Executive (HSE) & Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulance Service in the Republic of Ireland. Another market in which Sprinters are gaining ground is as van conversions and recreational vehicles . Conversions include RVs, limousines, family and luxury vans, office vans, wheelchair accessible vans and golf vans. Sprinter RV conversions can also be called Sprinter campervans . Sprinter conversions have been produced by several RV and coach manufacturers. Chilled box versions of

2736-826: The United Kingdom and in the Netherlands, choose to have very large and prominent markings. Others still, such as the Munich Fire Department have replaced red with similar but more visible colors, such as fluorescent orange. A study by the American Psychological Association published in February 2014 indicated that lime-yellow is a significantly safer color for emergency vehicles because of its increased visibility. The study showed that lime-yellow fire apparatus were half as likely to be involved in accidents as red vehicles. Passive visual warnings involve

2812-627: The United States mostly for personal and church van uses. Typical Sprinter wagons accommodate 8 to 10 passengers and have glass in all possible factory positions. Vans shipped to the United States on-spec (speculation to sell by dealer/distributor) are mostly sent in Arctic White color, but many colors are available. The Dodge dealer network for Sprinters is limited to certified locations (known as "Business Link" certified dealers, usually only awarded to "Five Star" certified dealers), and dealer knowledge

2888-532: The company announced it would cease operation. Remaining assets of the company, which included parts and partially completed trucks, were auctioned to pay creditors. As of that October it was highly unlikely American LaFrance would be opening its doors ever again. The North Charleston Fire Museum and Educational Center, located in North Charleston, South Carolina , claims to house "the largest collection of professionally restored American LaFrance fire apparatus in

2964-402: The country". The museum has an active collection of 20 ALF vehicles, each in operating condition. Fire apparatus An early device used to squirt water onto a fire is a squirt or fire syringe . Hand squirts and hand pumps are noted before Ctesibius of Alexandria invented the first fire pump circa the 2nd century B.C., and an example of a force-pump possibly used for a fire-engine

3040-407: The eSprinter commenced at Düsseldorf in December 2019 for European markets. It is equipped with one of two batteries, with a usable/gross battery capacity of 35/41 (3 modules) or 47/55 kW-hr (4 modules), and is driven by an electric traction motor with an output of 85 kW (114 hp) and 295 N⋅m (218 lbf⋅ft). Initially, it was available exclusively as a high-roof panel van with

3116-728: The eSprinter indicated there were 20 km (12 mi) of range remaining when the trip was completed, giving an estimated usable battery capacity of 108.5 kW-hr. The Sprinter is designed primarily for business, not private users, although recreational vehicle (RV) conversions are available. In the United States, the first generation Sprinters (2001–2006) were offered solely with the Mercedes-Benz 2.7 litre straight 5 cylinder turbocharged Diesel . Companies are replacing van conversions with wide bus bodies—Sprinters with side-facing benches and tall right-side doors—as campus shuttles. Limited numbers of complete " wagons " (passenger vans) are being produced in Germany and shipped complete to

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3192-487: The electronic version of the latter, commonly called "Hi-Lo"). A development is the use of the RDS system of car radios , whereby the vehicle can be fitted with a short range FM transmitter, set to RDS code 31, which interrupts the radio of all cars within range, in the manner of a traffic broadcast, but in such a way that the user of the receiving radio is unable to opt out of the message (as with traffic broadcasts). This feature

3268-569: The end of May 2014, Mercedes-Benz Vans sold around 134,000 units of the new model of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in Europe and North America. The production version of the Sprinter-based Volkswagen Crafter by Mercedes-Benz Vans was set to end in 2016. A class action lawsuit was filed in California state court against Mercedes-Benz alleging the defendant had sold Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 and 3500 models with water that leaked from

3344-502: The fire truck—the newer electronic signals disperse almost pure electronic sine wave tones, which are hard to locate, especially in city "canyons" of buildings. Furthermore, "air" sirens are generally much, much louder. In Chile, many vehicles are fitted with three types of audible warnings, which are sounded all at once: the classic "air" siren, the electronic "yelp", and the European two-tone air horns (sometimes newer vehicles are fitted with

3420-508: The firetruck body building portion of the business to the remaining Hamburg, New York (formerly RDMurray Inc.), and Ephrata, Pennsylvania (formerly Ladder Towers Inc.), facilities. The Summerville, South Carolina, plant continued to manufacture fire truck cab and chassis, but focused on vocational vehicles and the Condor vehicle line. In 2009, the company closed Hamburg and Ephrata, attempting to consolidate operations to Summerville. On 17 January 2014,

3496-472: The first quarter of 2015 as 2015 model year vehicles. Early models included 144" and 170" wheelbases in low and high roof configurations, 5 body styles (Passenger Van, Crew Van (mixed 2-row passenger and cargo application), and Cargo Van (both 8,550 and 11,030 GVWRs)), 1 engine choice (3.0 L V6 BlueTEC (exclusive 4x4 powertrain)). For the 2014 model year, the Sprinter received an updated grille with Mercedes-Benz's signature three-slat design. In an effort to make

3572-583: The first used in New York City (in 1731) were of his make (six years before formation of the NYC volunteer fire department). The amount of manpower and skill necessary for firefighting prompted the institution of an organized fire company by Benjamin Franklin in 1737. Thomas Lote built the first fire engine made in America in 1743. These earliest engines are called hand tubs because they are manually (hand) powered and

3648-405: The hard, suction hose fixed to the intake and curled up over the apparatus known as a squirrel tail engine. The earliest engines were small and were carried by four men or mounted on skids and dragged to a fire. The earliest four-wheel carriage mounted engines were pulled to the fire by hand. As the engines grew larger they became horse-drawn and later self-propelled by steam engines. John Ericsson

3724-655: The idea of combining gasoline engine motor trucks into fire engines was attracting great attention; according to a Popular Mechanics article in that year, such trucks were rapidly gaining popularity in England. That same year, the Knox Automobile Company of Springfield, Massachusetts began selling what some have described as the world's first modern fire engine. A year later, the City of Springfield had an entire modern fire department supplied with Knox fire engines. In 1906,

3800-723: The idea of creating a monopoly, in 1900 the International Fire Engine Company was announced. It included the American Fire Engine Company, LaFrance Fire Engine Company and Thos. Manning Jr. and Co. Three support equipment manufacturers were included, three fire extinguisher manufacturers also joined the company. In 1903, the company reorganized into the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company and in 1906 company headquarters were relocated from New York City to Elmira. ALF produced

3876-522: The lack of DOT regulations (in the under 10,000 lbs versions). Despite not being marketed as a family vehicle, a custom-modified Dodge-branded Sprinter was used by the ten-member Gosselin family, the subjects of the TLC reality series Jon & Kate Plus 8 . In Colombia, the Sprinter is the most popular van for intercity transport. The purchase of a luxuriously appointed Sprinter by the son of former President Julio Cesar Turbay, Julio Cesar Turbay, Jr. prompted

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3952-588: The name LaFrance-Foamite, until 1971. On 17 January 2014, American LaFrance announced the cessation of operations. Ward LaFrance , an unrelated competitor fire-apparatus manufacturer also based in Elmira Heights, New York, was founded by a LaFrance family member. It went bankrupt in July 1979 and was later reopened by a different party, under the name of Ward '79. There is no association. The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company traced its roots to 1832, making it one of

4028-552: The names Century, Pioneer, and Eagle. The company suspended operations and closed the Elmira operations in 1985. A much-reduced company re-opened for operations in Bluefield, Virginia , in 1986, operating through 1994. In 1995, Freightliner , a subsidiary of Daimler AG , purchased the remnants of the company, yet again resurrecting LaFrance. Freightliner continued to utilize American LaFrance's original nameplates and designations including

4104-492: The need for firefighting apparatus to be highly visible, they are, similar to other emergency vehicles, painted in conspicuous colors, such as white, yellow, orange, or, most frequently and famously, fire engine red . While red remains the most common color for firefighting apparatus, it is not required and depends highly on individual needs, traditions, and safety research. For example, the Chicago Fire Department has

4180-615: The oldest fire apparatus manufacturers in the United States. It was founded in 1873 by Truxton Slocum LaFrance (and partners, including Alexander S. Diven ) as the LaFrance Manufacturing Company, selling hand powered equipment. A successor company, the International Fire Engine Company, built some steam power fire engines between 1903 and 1907. Apparatus built by International included horse drawn steamers, hose wagons, and hook & ladders to chemical engines, water towers and combinations. The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company

4256-529: The original staff were retained, though the base of operations shifted from North Carolina to Auburn Hills, Michigan. The Sprinter van was sold as the Mercedes-Benz Transporter T1N due to Toyota using the name Toyota Sprinter , a version of the Corolla. The model 314 of the first generation is still assembled by Iran Khodro Diesel . It is used as an ambulance. The first generation Sprinter

4332-613: The ownership of American LaFrance to the New York–based investment firm Patriarch Partners, LLC. The headquarters and main plant in Ladson, South Carolina, were not included in the transaction. However, Patriarch Partners was allowed to use the plant until early 2007, when DaimlerChrysler began using the plant for assembly of the Dodge Sprinter . Under new ownership ALF relocated within the Charleston, South Carolina , area in summer 2007 to

4408-470: The pieces to South Carolina, where American workers put them back together in a small kit assembly building." The resulting vehicles emerge as locally manufactured, free from the tariff. In North America, most Sprinters are sold as cargo vans to expediters in the United States. Such expediters are similar to truck drivers, except they take smaller loads and will wait after unloading until dispatchers find another customer nearby to transport goods. The advent of

4484-410: The road. Additionally the lights are accompanied by loud sirens . Most appliances are also fitted with audible warnings, sometimes known as sirens , which can alert people to the presence of an emergency vehicle before they can be seen. The first audible warnings were mechanical bells, mounted on the front or roof of the truck. Most vehicles are now fitted with electronic sirens, which can produce

4560-451: The roof air conditioning unit into the passenger area. The leaking air conditioning unit was also discovered on Dodge Sprinters made by Mercedes-Benz from 2003 through 2009. The lawsuit affected California residents with the rooftop AC units and Sprinters equipped with the rear AC. From 2014, Algeria started manufacturing the latest model of Sprinter 319/519 4×2 and 4×4 for civilian and military use. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans were used in

4636-655: The second generation in the Centro Industrial J. Manuel Fangio, in Buenos Aires with the brand-new OM 651 engine (also locally made) and exported to the rest of South America (including Mercosur markets). Since 2012, it has been manufactured for the Mercosur and 40 other countries. 70% of its production is exported. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was built in Daimler's Mercedes-Benz Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde production plants. For

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4712-530: The second-generation Sprinter marketed in the United States, to avoid "chicken tax" import duties, the cargo version was disassembled partially, shipped to the United States, and reassembled at a plant in Ladson, South Carolina (near North Charleston ), in a process known as semi knock-down assembly (SKD), starting in June 2006; the passenger version continued to be imported as a complete unit. The Ladson factory previously

4788-405: The selectable "4×4" option; additionally, a 2.0L 4-cylinder OM654 engine replaced the previous diesel engines with standard and high-output tunings offered. Power steering was updated to electromechanical from hydraulic. The first eSprinter was announced in February 2018. It is a large battery-electric van based on the third-generation Sprinter with a unique front-wheel drive chassis; production of

4864-567: The target of sabotage by firefighters and its use was discontinued, and motorized fire engines did not become commonplace until the early 1900s. The dawn of the 20th Century brought about the age of the motorized fire apparatus. One of the first self-propelled fire engines of that era was introduced in 1903 for the Niagara Engine Company of New London, Connecticut,. It was driven by a steam-powered engine, as opposed to an internal combustion engine which proved to be more popular. By 1905,

4940-455: The tariff via loopholes , known as tariff engineering . Ford (ostensibly a company that the tax was designed to protect), imported its first-generation Transit Connect light trucks as "passenger vehicles" to the U.S. from Turkey, and immediately stripped and shredded portions of their interiors (e.g., installed rear seats, seatbelts) in a warehouse outside Baltimore. To import vans built in Germany, Mercedes-Benz "disassembled them and shipped

5016-412: The use of high contrast patterns to increase the visibility of the vehicle. These types of warnings are often seen on older vehicles and those in developing countries . More modern designs make use of retroreflectors to reflect light from other vehicles. Vehicles will also often have these reflectors arranged in a chevron pattern along with the words fire or rescue . European countries commonly use

5092-422: The vehicle, including being integral to the lightbar, or hidden in the grille. Some vehicles may also be fitted with airhorn audible warnings. The "acoustic" or "air" traditional sirens are still in wide use, most notably on North American-type fire apparatus but other countries such as Japan have fitted their apparatus with these types of warning systems as well, as its overtones help the public "locate" and avoid

5168-467: The water was supplied by bucket brigade dumped into a tub (cistern) where the pump had a permanent intake pipe. An important advancement around 1822 was the invention of an engine which could draft water from a water source doing away with the bucket brigade. Philadelphia fire engine manufacturers Sellers and Pennock model the Hydraulion is said to be the first suction engine produced in 1822. Some models had

5244-466: Was an available option on the 3500-series model. The 2014 Sprinter also gained navigation, iPod integration, and an air suspension for heavier-duty models. For the UK market in 2015, to celebrate 20 years since the first Sprinters were manufactured, a run of 1,200 special edition vans were sold to the public. These vans included the following additional interior comforts and exterior trim level: The third-generation Sprinter debuted on 6 February 2018, at

5320-685: Was assembled by Mercedes Benz Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City from CKD kits to avoid high local import duties. Since 2013, the 2000–2006 Sprinter model has been revived in Russian markets only as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Classic. The Phase II 2002–2006 grille was chosen for use on the Sprinter Classic and the 2000–2006 dashboard design. The Sprinter Classic used the steering wheel from the 2006–2014 Sprinter models. The Sprinter Classic

5396-409: Was formed in 1903. ALF delivered its first motorized fire engine in 1907. According to the Elmira, New York, newspaper the Star-Gazette : The company began to manufacture other firefighting equipment and in 1880 became the LaFrance Fire Engine Company. The 1890s was an era of business consolidation with the growth of trusts. A rival firm was created named the American Fire Engine Company. With

5472-630: Was launched and supported by DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC, a small division based in Huntersville, North Carolina . Key individuals from DaimlerChrysler Commercial Vehicle Division and Freightliner Trucks were selected to spearhead the effort and made up the bulk of the division. DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC retained sole responsibility for the North American Sprinter market until the sales, service and parts support responsibilities were absorbed by Chrysler Commercial Vehicle Division in 2004. Nearly all of

5548-424: Was launched for the 2002 model year in the U.S. and was originally branded as a Freightliner . In 2003, it received Dodge branding, as DaimlerChrysler chose to replace the aging Dodge Ram van with the Sprinter rather than redesign it. After 2003, they were sold concurrently under the Freightliner and Dodge nameplates, and were identical except for minor styling details and badging. DaimlerChrysler chose not to badge

5624-561: Was the first Mercedes-Benz product to carry a name rather than an alphanumeric designation. It was released with four-wheel disc brakes equipped with an antilock braking system and was driven by the most powerful diesel engine in its class, with a power output of 90 kW (120 hp). The Sprinter was voted International Van of the Year for 1995. The styling was updated in 2000 and 2002, accompanied by technical changes that included standard electronic stability control (2002). The first generation (VA chassis) North American Sprinter

5700-1135: Was unveiled in 2014 International Commercial Vehicles show. Ordering began in June 2013, followed by deliveries in September 2013. Early models include ECO-Gear six-speed manual transmission or the 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission with lock-up clutch. US models went on sale in the fall of 2013 as 2014 model year vehicles. Early models included a choice of 2 engines (2.1-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel (163PS) with 7-speed automatic, 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel (190PS) with 5-speed automatic), 144" & 170" wheelbase (both engines), 3 body lengths, high-roof option, 5 configurations (Cargo, Crew, Passenger, MiniBus, Cab Chassis). In September 2018, e-commerce platform Amazon announced that they had contracted to acquire 20,000 Amazon-badged Sprinters to be available for small business partners of their proprietary logistics service. Early models include Sprinter 313/513 BlueTec 4x4, Sprinter 316/516 BlueTec 4x4, Sprinter 319/519 BlueTec 4x4; Eco Gear six-speed manual or five-speed automatic (transmission with converter Sprinter 319/519 BlueTec 4x4). US models were set to go on sale in

5776-499: Was used as an American LaFrance factory for firefighting trucks. The previous SKD reassembly facility in Gaffney resumed operations under Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation. The Ladson plant was known as DaimlerChrysler Manufacturing International until the parent corporation was dissolved; importation and SKD reassembly of the Sprinter cargo van continued at Ladson under the auspices of Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC. Between July 2013 and

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