Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa (MBVSA) has taken the conversion of the Sprinter panel van into the Sprinter minibus taxi in-house at its Eastern Cape facility.
“To deepen our commitment to the local taxi industry and in support of the South African economy, our 23-seater Sprinter Inkanyezi vehicles are now being converted locally at our East London conversion facility,” says MBVSA product and marketing head Marinus Venter.
“This means that taxi owners will be able to immediately operate and earn income from the purchased vehicle instead of waiting for a conversion [at a third party].”
The Inkanyezi – isiZulu for The Star – is available at dealers as a long-wheelbase 516 CDI.
The list of added advantages in the new conversion process includes conversion parts that are covered by the manufacturer’s two-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a more durable conversion, says Venter.
The van’s optional extras, such as parcel shelves, USB ports and tow bar, are plug-and-play and can be fitted at dealers nationwide.
Pricing for the Inkanyezi starts at a recommended R945 000, including VAT.
The Inkanyezi’s service intervals are every 20 000 km, and the warranty is a two-year/unlimited kilometre offering.