UPS Sets New Standards

United Parcel Service Inc – abbreviated UPS – is the world’s largest parcel and logistics service. The headquarter is based in Atlanta, USA. Since the first UPS delivery in Germany in 1976 the company relies on Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This is still the case today and vehicles like the Vario and other preceding models have proved their worth over many years.

The delivery vans are particularly striking and differ from their competitors due to their colour named “pullman brown”. In European countries these vans are custom-made and are based upon diverse utility vehicles. But UPS also purchases off-the-shelf with specific requirements like a raised seating position and an entrance to the loading space. Besides container trucks the company also uses compact cars, motor scooters, bicycles and even boats, for example in Venice.

One year ago the company decided to create a new model based on the Sprinter. After this decision things went on very fast. In September 2011 a team consisting of experts from UPS, Mercedes-Benz and Spier defined the essential characteristics for the new vehicle. Hence a new concept was created and authorized by UPS in January 2012. The first prototype was already finished in August. On the 19th of September Spier presented the model at the IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover.

The system specialist adjusted the integral construction of the Sprinter due to the specific requirements of UPS. It is possible to load the vehicle with 2.3 tons due to the Sprinter’s carriage. The engineers could reduce the total costs of ownership and also the exhaust emissions. The new UPS Sprinter are easy to handle and reach optimum values concerning noise reduction. In comparison to the old Vario model the unloaded weight could be lowered up to one ton. Moreover, the air resistance values are also reduced because of the aerodynamic bonnet.

The focus was also set on safety during the development. The new entry area is more comfortable and the deliverer is able to stand upright in the loading space as well as in the driver’s cabin. Additional windows in the side doors improve the all-round view. A sliding door is installed at the passenger’s side that is very important especially in cities with increasing traffic density.

Very soon these trendsetting delivery vans will be part of the daily street setting in Germany. Of course, the new model will be as striking as its forerunner. In the end the customer will receive its long-awaited Christmas parcel without noticing the engineers’ masterpiece of innovation.

http://www2.spier.de/