Saw it in the SW Arizona desert area over Spring break. It's a shame these can't be purchased here in the U.S. I even asked MB if I could import one from Europe. Their answer is below. If you're interested in a 4X4 Sprinter, contact MB (you could try
mailmaster@mbusa.com) and tell them you want to be able to purchase a 4X4 Sprinter in the USA!
From:
mailmaster@mbusa.com
Date: January 27, 2010 6:53:19 PM PST
Subject: Sprinter Inquiry
Thank you for your recent inquiry.
At this time, Sprinter Vans are not available in 4-wheel drive for the U.
S. market.
We have provided information below regarding importation of vehicles to the
U. S. for your information.
**Importing a European (non-conforming) model is not recommended for some
**of the following reasons:
**1. *The dealer network is not trained nor obligated to service vehicle.
**2. *Parts are not stocked at local dealers, and would need to be ordered
**from Germany.
**A "non-conforming" vehicle is a Mercedes-Benz passenger car that was not
**originally manufactured for sale in the United States. Since government
**safety and emission regulations vary from country to country, a vehicle
**that was manufactured for original retail in a country other than the
**Unites States is not compliant with applicable U.S. Federal Motor
**Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and/or Emission (EPA) Regulations.
**Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission
**regulations, before a non-compliant vehicle is brought into the U.S.,
**the owner of the vehicle must contract an "Independent Commercial
**Importer" (ICI) to file the proper paper work with U.S. Customs as well
**as perform any necessary modifications to bring the vehicle into
**compliance with U.S. EPA regulations upon import.
**Similarly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
**requires the vehicle owner to contract a "Registered Importer" (RI) to
**file proper paper work as well as perform any necessary modifications to
**bring the vehicle into conformity with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle
**Safety Standards.
**The ICI must be on the current EPA approved list of Independent
**Commercial Importers and the RI must be on the current NHTSA approved
**list of Registered Importers. These lists are available from the EPA and
**NHTSA websites referenced below.
**Neither EPA nor NHTSA recognize "modification" work performed outside
**their jurisdiction; the vehicle must be modified in the U.S. It is
**suggested that a cost estimate to modify the vehicle be obtained from an
**approved ICI/RI.
**Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is not an “ICI” or "RI", and therefore under the
**regulation is not permitted to act as an "ICI" or "RI". The
**importer/owner must deal directly with EPA, NHTSA, the ICI, and the RI.
**Therefore, we cannot offer assistance in the importation of vehicles not
**originally manufactured for original retail sale in the United States.
**The contact information for both federal agencies follows:
**U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
**Office of Transportation & Air Quality (OTAQ)
**2000 Traverwood
**Ann Arbor, MI 48105
**Telephone: (734) 214-4100
**Telefax: (734) 214-4676
**
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/ (to obtain list of ICI)
**e-mail: imports@epa .gov
**National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
**Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance
**400 Seventh Street, S. W
**Room 6111
**Washington, D.C. 2059
**Telephone: (202) 366-5291
**Telefax: (202) 366-1024
**importandcertification@nhtsa.dot.gov (To Obtain List of RI)
**We trust you will find this information helpful and thank you for this
**opportunity to be of assistance.
Sincerely,
SusanC.
Mercedes-Benz USA
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