Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC (MBV Charleston) stands as the sole Mercedes-Benz Vans production facility within the United States. Located in Ladson, South Carolina, this pivotal plant has been a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s North American operations since 2006. To date, MBV Charleston has successfully assembled over 400,000 vans, encompassing the Metris, Sprinter, and the cutting-edge eSprinter models. These vehicles are destined for markets across the U.S. and Canada, solidifying the region as the second-largest market for Sprinter vans globally, only surpassed by Germany.
Demonstrating a strong commitment to its US operations, Mercedes-Benz Vans invested over $500 million in 2018 to significantly expand the Charleston production facility. This major expansion project incorporated a new Body Shop, a state-of-the-art Paint Shop, and an extension to the existing Assembly Shop. This development enabled full, part-by-part assembly of both the Metris and Sprinter vans directly at the Mercedes Benz Plant, enhancing production efficiency and capabilities within the US.
The mercedes benz plant has marked numerous milestones, celebrating 15 years of SKD (semi-knockdown) production in South Carolina in 2021. In 2022, the facility achieved another significant landmark with the production of its 100,000th part-by-part Sprinter van. The momentum continued into 2023, as the plant reached a record-setting assembly volume of over 50,000 vans, underscoring its growing output and importance within the Mercedes-Benz global network.
Further solidifying its position as a key production hub, MBV Charleston was chosen as the pioneering plant within the global Mercedes-Benz Vans production network to manufacture the all-new eSprinter van. This strategic decision involved an additional investment of nearly $60 million, dedicated to integrating electric vehicle production into the facility. eSprinter production commenced in January 2024, and within four months, the MBV Charleston team celebrated the production of the 1,000th eSprinter van, highlighting the rapid adoption and success of electric vehicle manufacturing at this mercedes benz plant.
Today, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Charleston is a major employer, supporting over 1,600 team members directly. Furthermore, it indirectly generates at least 500 additional on-site jobs through its network of suppliers. The broader economic impact is even more substantial, with estimates suggesting an additional 15,000* jobs supported within the region through suppliers and service providers. Beyond its economic contributions, Mercedes-Benz Vans Charleston actively engages with and invests in the local community, having donated over $2,100,000 to local non-profits and schools through STEM programs since 2006, alongside more than 1,100 volunteer hours contributed by its employees. This mercedes benz plant is not only a vital manufacturing center but also a committed community partner.
*Based on estimates from the Economic Policy Institute that every direct job in vehicle manufacturing supports 9.4 additional American jobs.
