Is a Freightliner Sprinter a Dodge?
A Freightliner Sprinter is not a Dodge in current branding. Today, Sprinter vans sold in the U.S. are branded as Freightliner or Mercedes-Benz, while the Dodge badge has been retired from this model line.
Historically, the Sprinter family originated with Mercedes-Benz. In North America, Dodge briefly carried a Sprinter van as a rebadged Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, but that Dodge-branded variant ended years ago. Since then, the Sprinter continues under the Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz brands, with the Ram ProMaster serving as a separate, Fiat-based alternative in the market.
Understanding the Sprinter family
To grasp whether a Freightliner Sprinter is a Dodge, it helps to know how the badge lineup has evolved. The core design is Mercedes-Benz, and the branding in North America has shifted among three names over time. The Dodge era is part of history, while Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz continue to offer Sprinter vans today.
Before listing the branding history, note the current landscape and how it affects buyers and users of these vans.
- Dodge Sprinter (approx. 2003–2009) — a North American badge-engineered version of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter sold under the Dodge nameplate.
- Freightliner Sprinter (early 2000s–present) — the NA-market variant of the Sprinter sold under the Freightliner brand, sharing the same Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform.
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (global) — the original design and primary branding for many markets, including Europe and other regions; in North America it appears alongside Freightliner in the U.S. and Canada.
The Dodge Sprinter era is now historical. Today, the Sprinter lineup in the U.S. is typically marketed as Freightliner Sprinter or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, with the Dodge badge unused on this model since the late 2000s/early 2010s.
Current branding in North America
In the United States and Canada, the Sprinter van remains a Daimler product offered under two brands: Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz. Both versions share the same underlying Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform, choice of engines, and cargo/passenger configurations, but they differ in branding, dealer networks, and trim options. The Dodge brand no longer offers a Sprinter, and the Ram ProMaster remains a separate, Fiat-based alternative to the Sprinter lineup.
What this means for buyers
For customers choosing a van today, the key decision is branding and dealership experience rather than fundamental mechanical differences. If you want the classic Mercedes-Benz Sprinter styling and options, look for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter; if you prefer the Freightliner dealer network and branding, choose the Freightliner Sprinter. Be aware that the historical Dodge Sprinter is no longer in production and is only relevant if you’re shopping used inventory from the early 2000s to late 2000s.
Summary
In brief, a Freightliner Sprinter is not a Dodge today. The Dodge Sprinter exists only in historical terms as a former NA badge for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. Presently, the Sprinter van family in North America is marketed under Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz, with the Ram ProMaster serving as a distinct, Fiat-based alternative. For buyers and users, the choice typically comes down to brand preference, dealer support, and available configurations rather than a fundamental difference in the vehicle’s core engineering.
