US Postal Service Metris van

[y_p_w]

Just saw one today. Did a little double take because it had a circular version of the USPS eagle symbol over where the three pointed star would normally be on the grill. Also a cargo version obviously. It still had the three pointed star on all four wheels although it was a black on black center and I think steel wheels. And other than that any other brand/model name or logo was missing.

And to top it all off it was right-hand drive. I think it was only being used to deliver to businesses.

 

[bullwinkle]

There’s been a few of them around here. I’m surprised there hasn’t been any attempt to electrify the drivetrain on the Grumman ones, they seem like an ideal electric vehicle candidate (low speed, short trips, local LD delivery, aluminum body). There seems to be a lot of tired Iron Duke powered ones running around that can’t have much value as used/junk tiny vans.

 

[y_p_w]

There’s been a few of them around here. I’m surprised there hasn’t been any attempt to electrify the drivetrain on the Grumman ones, they seem like an ideal electric vehicle candidate (low speed, short trips, local LD delivery, aluminum body). There seems to be a lot of tired Iron Duke powered ones running around that can’t have much value as used/junk tiny vans.

I rather miss the old Jeeps.

So I guess removing the star was supposed to make the public feel more comfortable about it (i.e. thinking that an M-B van must be expensive), because how many people (other than automotive geeks) would really recognize the vehicle itself? It reminds me of when the Sprinter came out and many businesses opted to get the Dodge or Freightliner versions because they M-B star hardly gave the impression of it being a worker's vehicle.

https://jalopnik.com/whats-the-real-reason-behind-the-post-office-removing-m-1845303888

Don't know if I buy the argument that they ordered them without the logo so as to not endorse the manufacturer. I know it was over 30 years ago, but the Jeeps definitely had the big Jeep name pressed right into the sheet metal. And the three pointed star is clearly on the wheels although it's not super flashy about it. And other vehicles they have included brand logos like this Ram ProMaster:

 

[Nick1994]

Sure seems odd that the post office would buy Mercedes vans when they’re usually focused on cost. They probably will cost a fortune to repair.

They should have just gotten Sienna Hybrid vans.

 

[MParr]

Sure seems odd that the post office would buy Mercedes vans when they’re usually focused on cost. They probably will cost a fortune to repair.

They should have just gotten Sienna Hybrid vans.

The Ram ProMaster is a Fiat Ducato.
https://www.allpar.com/threads/dodge-ram-promaster-heavily-modified-fiat-ducato.229497/

 

[Creekside]

There’s been a few of them around here. I’m surprised there hasn’t been any attempt to electrify the drivetrain on the Grumman ones, they seem like an ideal electric vehicle candidate (low speed, short trips, local LD delivery, aluminum body). There seems to be a lot of tired Iron Duke powered ones running around that can’t have much value as used/junk tiny vans.

I’m waiting for the old ones to hit the market. I have a feeling they will become something like a Crown Vic, cheap and plentiful to mod. I want one for a small service truck and a couple more to try a 4x4 swap and maybe even a LS swap.

 

[Kira]

3 or 4 years ago I was chatting with a mailman about the upcoming replacement vans / trucks and the auctioning of the old ones.
He mentioned that the old Grumman he was driving had a new engine and transmission. Of it he said, 'Who'd want this one?"
What a dufuss thing to think or say.

 

[SubLGT]

This is the new USPS van, arriving in 2023:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/23/business/new-postal-service-delivery-vehicle/index.html

 

[ryster]

Just saw one today. Did a little double take because it had a circular version of the USPS eagle symbol over where the three pointed star would normally be on the grill. Also a cargo version obviously. It still had the three pointed star on all four wheels although it was a black on black center and I think steel wheels. And other than that any other brand/model name or logo was missing.

And to top it all off it was right-hand drive. I think it was only being used to deliver to businesses.

Our residential semi-rural mail carrier has been driving one of these for several months now. The whole lack of manufacturer badging is very strange to see. It is almost like the USPS doesn't want to make it obvious that they purchased Mercedes vehicles, especially considering their current budget and service "issues".

 

[y_p_w]

Our residential semi-rural mail carrier has been driving one of these for several months now. The whole lack of manufacturer badging is very strange to see. It is almost like the USPS doesn't want to make it obvious that they purchased Mercedes vehicles, especially considering their current budget and service "issues".

I don't really see the problem. I've been overseas where Mercedes-Benz does have a reputation for luxury cars, but also for work vehicles, transit buses, etc.

The cost of these vans is pretty similar to that of comparable vans like a Ram ProMaster. I had a plumber to do some work and he arrived in a Metris. I didn't think it was terribly unusual. I thought it was kind of small though. I've seen a lot more Sprinters, Ford Transits, and larger ProMasters since they can store more equipment. I know they're still around, but I don't see as many Econolines and GMC/Chevy vans in the traditional rounded box shape.

 

[2EHA]

the sprinter successfully started a revolution that killed the american van in a little over a decade. when the express finally comes out of production it will be a moment to celebrate

ford needs to bring in the transit custom one of these days

 

[duck__dodgers]

Sure seems odd that the post office would buy Mercedes vans when they’re usually focused on cost. They probably will cost a fortune to repair.

They should have just gotten Sienna Hybrid vans.

Having not followed the bidding process.....surely just having Toyota license production (to someone like Oshkosh or Paccar) of stripper version of the Sienna hybrid would be more cost-effective, get green points, and offer max utility to mail carriers? versus a bespoke model.

shrug. not my problem, except for the idea of using money wisely, which is on the endangered species list

 

[bullwinkle]

the sprinter successfully started a revolution that killed the american van in a little over a decade. when the express finally comes out of production it will be a moment to celebrate

ford needs to bring in the transit custom one of these days

The MB/Freightliner/Dodge Sprinter only killed their own business, they were (& are) some of the rustiest, expensive, worthless hunks of junk on the road! We couldn't wait to get rid of them. The lack of USA (nameplate) made vans is due to Daimler owning Chrysler & killing the B vans (then FCA imported their junk) & Ford's endless pursuit of profit, using their mature Euro Transit design. Still new GM ones & Ford Econoline cutaway vans around.

 

[bullwinkle]

3 or 4 years ago I was chatting with a mailman about the upcoming replacement vans / trucks and the auctioning of the old ones.
He mentioned that the old Grumman he was driving had a new engine and transmission. Of it he said, 'Who'd want this one?"
What a dufuss thing to think or say.

I actually think they take off the body & transfer it to a new chassis, which is a smart way to keep them going cheaply. I rattled an Iron Duke 2.5 to 200K miles in an '86 S-10 work pickup back in the day, they were fairly tough, although noisy & slower than molasses.

 

[Nick1994]

Having not followed the bidding process.....surely just having Toyota license production (to someone like Oshkosh or Paccar) of stripper version of the Sienna hybrid would be more cost-effective, get green points, and offer max utility to mail carriers? versus a bespoke model.

shrug. not my problem, except for the idea of using money wisely, which is on the endangered species list

Maybe it's an image thing, not using American cars.

Seems police departments do that too with buying Explorers and Tahoes.

 

[2EHA]

The MB/Freightliner/Dodge Sprinter only killed their own business, they were (& are) some of the rustiest, expensive, worthless hunks of junk on the road! We couldn't wait to get rid of them. The lack of USA (nameplate) made vans is due to Daimler owning Chrysler & killing the B vans (then FCA imported their junk) & Ford's endless pursuit of profit, using their mature Euro Transit design. Still new GM ones & Ford Econoline cutaway vans around.

you’re right in that ford deserves a lot of credit for pulling the plug on the miserable driving vehicle that is the e series van and moving over to a good design about 30 years late. my back still hurts thinking about it

 

[Creekside]

The MB/Freightliner/Dodge Sprinter only killed their own business, they were (& are) some of the rustiest, expensive, worthless hunks of junk on the road! We couldn't wait to get rid of them. The lack of USA (nameplate) made vans is due to Daimler owning Chrysler & killing the B vans (then FCA imported their junk) & Ford's endless pursuit of profit, using their mature Euro Transit design. Still new GM ones & Ford Econoline cutaway vans around.

I actually got to drive a new Ford F series cutaway box truck and was impressed. It handled about like what you'd expect from a half ton with a little more body roll. That was empty of course.

 

[nthach]

I don't really see the problem. I've been overseas where Mercedes-Benz does have a reputation for luxury cars, but also for work vehicles, transit buses, etc.

Daimler tried to break into the US transit/tour bus market. AC Transit in Oakland, CA did demo a Mercedes Citaro fuel cell bus a while ago. They did own Orion Bus Industries, but they flopped after a order rejection and New Flyer bought out the assets of Orion. Daimler does own Thomas school buses and they are trying to market Setra tour buses but MCI(also owned by New Flyer) is the 800lb gorilla in that market. However, two major US bus customers - New York City Transit and Greyhound are in Volvo’s court now with recent NovaBus and Prevost orders.

They are doing well for trucks - Freightliner and Detroit Diesel, but the Sprinter isn’t really breaking the GM/Ford duopoly on work vans in the US and Canada. Daimler will split into two - the Mercedes car division and the truck/bus/engine division.

IMO, the USPS is a perfect Toyota New JPN Taxi candidate. It’s basically the love child if a Prius and a Nissan NV200 met. Bring it over but build it at the Mississippi Corolla plant.

 

[Jake_J]

Sure seems odd that the post office would buy Mercedes vans when they’re usually focused on cost. They probably will cost a fortune to repair.

They should have just gotten Sienna Hybrid vans.

It's a Mercedes commercial vehicle which are very different from their luxury car business. Mercedes commercial vehicles are very much regular euro style commercial vehicles with not a lot of creature comforts and super durable diesel engines that are focused on low operating costs which is what businesses are most concerned with.

 

[y_p_w]

Daimler tried to break into the US transit/tour bus market. AC Transit in Oakland, CA did demo a Mercedes Citaro fuel cell bus a while ago. They did own Orion Bus Industries, but they flopped after a order rejection and New Flyer bought out the assets of Orion. Daimler does own Thomas school buses and they are trying to market Setra tour buses but MCI(also owned by New Flyer) is the 800lb gorilla in that market. However, two major US bus customers - New York City Transit and Greyhound are in Volvo’s court now with recent NovaBus and Prevost orders.

They are doing well for trucks - Freightliner and Detroit Diesel, but the Sprinter isn’t really breaking the GM/Ford duopoly on work vans in the US and Canada. Daimler will split into two - the Mercedes car division and the truck/bus/engine division.

IMO, the USPS is a perfect Toyota New JPN Taxi candidate. It’s basically the love child if a Prius and a Nissan NV200 met. Bring it over but build it at the Mississippi Corolla plant.

I remember the Van Hool debacle with AC Transit. Especially with Gillig being right in the AC Transit service area at the time (before they moved to Livermore). The drivers hate those things and a lot of passengers complained about how they tossed them around.

https://eastbayexpress.com/the-buses-from-hell-1/

And there was talk about how the General Manager managed to arrange for expensive employee travel to Europe as part of the deal.

https://eastbayexpress.com/belgium-or-bust-1/

I don't know about you but I see a ton of Sprinters as work vans. The primary plumber I hire had a Ram ProMaster but then traded it in for a M-B badged Sprinter. And as delivery vans, FedEx and Amazon have a ton of them with the M-B badging. I think they're often preferred for their height where they can stack packages on shelves.

The first time I'd ever seen a Sprinter was at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming with one of their delivery vehicles. But that was in a ritzy area where I suppose having the three pointed star on a work vehicle didn't seem all that strange.