Arriving on the market last week with sticker prices from 418,000 to 458,000 yuan, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the third model following the Viano and Vito produced at Daimler AG's joint venture with Fujian Motor Industry Group Co and and China Motor Corp.

Powered by a 2.2-liter CDI turbo diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission, the van produces maximum output of 80 kW and top torque of 270 Nm.

The joint venture offers three options in seat layout: 14, 17 or 20 seats. The 17-seat extended-wheelbase version is 7,345 mm long, 1,993 mm wide and 2,870 mm high with a wheelbase of 4,325 mm.

According to Rene Reif, president and CEO of the joint venture based in the eastern city of Fuzhou, the Sprinter targets top management customers and the tourism segment.

Reif said the joint venture will more than double the number of its dealerships in China to 53 by the end of this year from last year and will look more to second and third-tier cities.

The tie-up now has an annual production capacity of 40,000 units, which the CEO said will be fully used in coming years to meet growing demand.