Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC (MBV Charleston) stands as the sole production facility for Mercedes-Benz Vans within the United States. Located in Ladson, South Carolina, this pivotal plant has been a cornerstone of North American van production since 2006. To date, Mercedes Vans Charleston has proudly assembled over 400,000 Metris, Sprinter, and eSprinter vans. These vehicles are not just for the US market, reaching destinations across the United States and Canada, making North America the second largest market for Sprinter vans globally, only surpassed by Germany.
The commitment of Mercedes-Benz to its Charleston operations is evident in the significant $500 million investment made in 2018. This substantial expansion project transformed the facility, adding critical infrastructure including a state-of-the-art Body Shop, a modern Paint Shop, and an extension to the existing Assembly Shop. This expansion enabled full, part-by-part assembly of both the Metris and Sprinter van models directly at the Charleston plant, enhancing production efficiency and capabilities.
MBV Charleston has consistently achieved remarkable milestones. In 2021, the plant marked 15 years of operation, celebrating its legacy of SKD (semi-knockdown) production in South Carolina. The following year, 2022, saw another significant achievement with the production of the 100,000th part-by-part Sprinter van. Continuing this trajectory of success, in 2023, the facility reached a new plant record, assembling over 50,000 vans in a single year.
Further solidifying its position as a leading production hub, Mercedes-Benz Vans Charleston was selected as the pioneering plant within the global Mercedes-Benz Vans network to manufacture the all-new eSprinter van. This prestigious designation brought with it an additional investment of nearly $60 million. eSprinter production commenced in January 2024, and within just four months, the Charleston team celebrated the production of their 1,000th eSprinter van, marking a rapid and successful start to electric van manufacturing in the US.
Today, Mercedes vans Charleston is a major employer in the region, providing jobs for over 1,600 team members directly. Beyond its direct workforce, the facility supports at least 500 additional on-site positions through its supplier network, and an estimated 15,000* jobs in the wider region with suppliers and service providers. Mercedes-Benz Vans Charleston is also deeply invested in the local community, having donated over $2,100,000 to local non-profits and schools through STEM programs since 2006, and contributing over 1,100 volunteer hours. This commitment underscores the plant’s role not just as a manufacturing center, but as a vital community partner in Charleston.
*Based on estimates from the Economic Policy Institute that every direct job in vehicle manufacturing supports 9.4 additional American jobs.
