Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC (MBV Charleston) stands as the sole Mercedes-Benz Vans production facility in the United States, a cornerstone of the brand’s North American operations. Located in Ladson, South Carolina, this key Mercedes-Benz plant has been a driving force since 2006, assembling over 400,000 Metris, Sprinter, and eSprinter vans. These vehicles are crucial for meeting demand across the U.S. and Canada, making this region the second-largest market for Sprinter vans globally, only surpassed by Germany.
Recognizing the growing importance of the US market, Mercedes-Benz significantly invested in the Charleston plant. In 2018, a substantial investment of over $500 million USD was injected to expand the Mercedes-Benz Vans production facility. This expansion was transformative, introducing a new Body Shop, a state-of-the-art Paint Shop, and an extension to the existing Assembly Shop. This allowed MBV Charleston to transition to full part-by-part assembly for both Metris and Sprinter vans, enhancing production efficiency and capacity within this vital Mercedes-Benz plant.
The Mercedes-Benz plant in Charleston has marked several significant milestones. In 2021, the facility proudly celebrated 15 years of SKD (semi-knockdown) production in South Carolina, showcasing its long-term commitment to US manufacturing. 2022 witnessed the production of the 100,000th part-by-part Sprinter, a testament to the plant’s enhanced capabilities post-expansion. Building on this momentum, 2023 saw a record-breaking year with over 50,000 vans assembled, further solidifying the Mercedes-Benz plant’s critical role in the company’s global production network.
Charleston was strategically chosen as the pioneering Mercedes-Benz plant worldwide to produce the all-new eSprinter van. This prestigious designation involved an additional investment of nearly $60 million USD, dedicated to integrating electric vehicle production into the facility. eSprinter production commenced in January 2024, and within just four months, the team at the Mercedes-Benz plant celebrated the production of their 1,000th eSprinter van, demonstrating rapid adaptation and expertise in electric vehicle manufacturing.
Today, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Charleston is a major employer in the region, with over 1,600 team members directly employed. Furthermore, it generates at least 500 additional on-site jobs through its network of suppliers. The broader economic impact is estimated to be around 15,000* jobs throughout the region, encompassing suppliers and service providers. Beyond economic contributions, the Mercedes-Benz plant is deeply invested in the local community, having donated over $2,100,000 to local non-profits and schools through STEM programs since 2006, alongside over 1,100 volunteer hours contributed by its employees.
*Based on estimates from the Economic Policy Institute that every direct job in vehicle manufacturing supports 9.4 additional American jobs.
