Kev-Mo Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Can't help but think the 800 lb Gorilla; Amazon wants to push the 'cool' factor, therefore the choice of MB over Ford. https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/amazon-orders-20000-mercedes-vans-for-deliveries Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Theyll learn once the brakes start failing and the bodies are all rusted after about 2 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 What?!?! Not Chevy Express?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Well thats disappointing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev-Mo Posted September 6, 2018 Author Share Posted September 6, 2018 Theyll learn once the brakes start failing and the bodies are all rusted after about 2 years I thought that was Dodge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I thought that was Dodge... No company has been able to address either issue for whatever reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assimilator Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I'm sure Mercedes cut them a nice deal to help promote the new vans. I know Mercedes is trying to convince the US to buy Mercedes vans since they are often ignored because of perceived cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Around here Amazon (or whomever they outsourced to) has been running the hideous Nissan vans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Around here Amazon (or whomever they outsourced to) has been running the hideous Nissan vans. Amazon seems to use the Fiat/Ram ProMaster vans exclusively in North Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Rosadini Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I would bet MB gave them an unbelieveable warranty/service package. Think of it. Amazon owns these things and turns them over to someone who will drive it-for a while until he/she decides this is too much work. Then they go to the next "entrepreneur".Think these people will be respectful of Amazon's investment? Perhaps 30% will IMO. No clue how the new ones are but agree with prior comments-any older ones are covered with rust streaks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itguy09 Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Good thing I stopped shopping Amazon a while ago. Plenty of other, better places to buy stuff from online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcartwright99 Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Good thing I stopped shopping Amazon a while ago. Plenty of other, better places to buy stuff from online. Amazon doesn't always have the best prices. What they do have is a lot of services that make it convenient to be a Prime member. Free/fast shipping. In Chicago, I can get my stuff same or 1 day a lot of times. I do buy a lot of car care products there, as they are pretty cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted September 7, 2018 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Amazon isn't actually the owner of these vehicles, MB will be leasing them to the individuals that then contract with Amazon for the delivery business. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/06/amazon-delivery-service-partner-program-gets-thousands-of-applications.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted September 7, 2018 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Amazon isn't actually the owner of these vehicles, MB will be leasing them to the individuals that then contract with Amazon for the delivery business. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/06/amazon-delivery-service-partner-program-gets-thousands-of-applications.html CORRECT ! "Fleet-management companies will eventually buy the Mercedes vans, " Some one else is going to get screwed ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT90SC Posted September 7, 2018 Share Posted September 7, 2018 It may also fall to serviceability. Transit is *not* easily serviced beyond normal maintainace. In many ways the Econoline had the edge there as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rperez817 Posted September 7, 2018 Share Posted September 7, 2018 I would bet MB gave them an unbelieveable warranty/service package. Sprinter vans are very competitive for total lifecycle cost. They have high resale value and low maintenance requirements. 2018 Sprinter Worker Diesel Standard Roof 144" WB has the lowest operating costs among 3/4 ton cargo vans for example. https://www.vincentric.com/Home/Best-Value-Awards/2018-Best-Value-in-America/2018-Best-Fleet-Value-in-America-Winners-List/2018-Fleet-Winner-3-4-Ton-Cargo-Van Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itguy09 Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 Amazon doesn't always have the best prices. What they do have is a lot of services that make it convenient to be a Prime member. Free/fast shipping. In Chicago, I can get my stuff same or 1 day a lot of times. I do buy a lot of car care products there, as they are pretty cheap. I've been finding Walmart has just as quick shipping without the need for a $99/year membership. I have 0 use for the video stuff (we have Netflix) or the audio, etc. I also prefer not to support Amazon who is helping to destroy my neighbor's jobs (by destroying retail) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 It's not clear if Amazon is buying the gasoline or diesel version. But the gas version has 2.0 I4 engine providing... adequate (?) 188hp to move a van rated for 9,000 lbs GVWR. The other engine options are carried over 2.1 I4 diesel and a new 3.0 I6 diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 I think this will be a bit of a scam where Amazon shifts all the liability onto start up delivery agents, the reason it's not doing this directly is because it sees the problem with being a fleet owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sevensecondsuv Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 But the gas version has 2.0 I4 engine providing... adequate (?) 188hp to move a van rated for 9,000 lbs GVWR. Why not? When they were still available, fleets kept gobbling up the 145 hp 4.9L straight six E-250s and then the equally pitiful 200 hp 4.2L V6 vans replaced them. Load them up full of tools then hitch up a trailer. What's not to like about 55mph with the wind at your back. Funny thing is everyone I know who used to drive those things for a living pines for that old 300 engine. On another note, anything I order from Amazon (which is not much, btw) is delivered UPS, FedEx, or USPS. I had no idea Amazon had their own delivery system. Must be because I'm not in a major metropolitan area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Why not? When they were still available, fleets kept gobbling up the 145 hp 4.9L straight six E-250s and then the equally pitiful 200 hp 4.2L V6 vans replaced them. Load them up full of tools then hitch up a trailer. What's not to like about 55mph with the wind at your back. Funny thing is everyone I know who used to drive those things for a living pines for that old 300 engine. On another note, anything I order from Amazon (which is not much, btw) is delivered UPS, FedEx, or USPS. I had no idea Amazon had their own delivery system. Must be because I'm not in a major metropolitan area. I'm in Fort Lauderdale and everything comes via those too, though I don't know if Miami has Amazon branded vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Why not? When they were still available, fleets kept gobbling up the 145 hp 4.9L straight six E-250s and then the equally pitiful 200 hp 4.2L V6 vans replaced them. Load them up full of tools then hitch up a trailer. What's not to like about 55mph with the wind at your back. Funny thing is everyone I know who used to drive those things for a living pines for that old 300 engine. On another note, anything I order from Amazon (which is not much, btw) is delivered UPS, FedEx, or USPS. I had no idea Amazon had their own delivery system. Must be because I'm not in a major metropolitan area. 2.0 I4 It's plenty for Amazon because it is doing package delivery... the van will cube out before it weights out. In fact, that is probably why Amazon chose it over Transit... Ford doesn't offer a fuel efficient I4 in Transit in the US market. But I was saying that in general, the power rating seems slightly optimistic given the 9,000 lbs GVWR. If you load it close to the GVWR on a regular basis, the diesel engines are probably better choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assimilator Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Many delivery companies rent vans, or they even sub contract with individuals who use their own vehicles. Delivery is very multi-faceted at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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