A Week of 3’s for Daimler - Plus a bit

News

29 Sept

Nolan’s Interstate Transport takes on first three Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks…with more to follow.

Nolan’s Interstate Transport has taken delivery of three top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz trucks.

The Lockyer Valley-based family business recently acquired the 2663 Mercedes-Benz Actros models following a positive experience with an Actros demo that was provided by Daimler Trucks Brisbane. Four additional 2663 units will join the fleet in the next few months.

“I’ve had a long relationship with (Sales Manager) Steve McDonald and he suggested we have a go with an Actros demo,” said Nolan’s Interstate Transport Director, Adrian ‘Flea’ Nolan. “We put it on and we were really impressed. The fuel consumption was the biggest thing, but the drivers really liked it too, which is of equal importance.”

The 2663 features a Euro 6, 16-litre six-cylinder engine with 625hp and 3000Nm of torque driving through a 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission with a refined crawler function for easy low speed manoeuvring.

The Nolan’s trucks also feature Predictive Powertrain Control system, which uses topographic map data to help the truck anticipate terrain and select the optimum shift pattern and engine response for maximum fuel economy.

Like all Actros models, the 2663 features the Multimedia Cockpit system, which consists of two large customisable tablet screens that present driver information in super crisp detail. We’d venture to say that this cockpit is the best in the business.

Nolan’s Interstate Transport places a high importance on safety, which has always been a priority for Mercedes-Benz. The Actros features the fifth generation Active Brake Assist radar/camera Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), which can now automatically perform full emergency braking for vehicles and pedestrians. (Mercedes has included AEBS as standard equipment for 10 years). There’s also a bunch of other stuff with so many acronyms that it would take half an hour to read through them all. Suffice to say that taken together, the Actros is as safe as a truck can possibly be.

Mercedes would like you to know that all new Actros models are supported with a complimentary Best Basic service plan that applies for 500,000km or five years, whichever comes first – another factor in Nolan’s decision to buy into the brands latest iteration.

Fuso Shogun trio line up for Raytheon Australia

The ‘three’ theme continues for Daimler with Raytheon Australia taking delivery of three Fuso Shogun trucks.

A capability partner for the Australian Defence Force, Raytheon recently purchased two rigid Shoguns and one prime mover unit. The trucks, which were prepared by RGM Maintenance in Darwin, are now in service.

All three Shoguns feature a powerful 11-litre six-cylinder engine that produces 455hp and 2200Nm of torque linked to a 12-speed Automated Manual Transmission. The efficient powerplant was developed with sustainability in mind and meets Euro 6 emission standards.

As with Daimler’s M-B Actros models (and for that matter, their Freightliner Cascadia), the Fuso Shogun comes standard with a wide range of active safety features including the radar-based Advanced Emergency Braking System, which can even detect and brake for pedestrians, a Lane Departure Warning System and the Active Attention Assist system.

The Shogun range also comes with the company’s comprehensive manufacturer warranty that lasts for five-years or 500,000km (whichever comes first). The Raytheon Australia Shogun rigid models feature custom trays fabricated by Darwin-based Roll Press NT and custom under body tool-boxes fabricated by Darwin Sheet Metal.

Custom paintwork was completed by Darwin based Boscato Panel Works, while electrical and lighting installation work was carried out by Darwin-based Prestige Automotive.

Raytheon Australia has been delivering world-class solutions to the ADF for more than two decades. It has successfully delivered a range of diverse programs, surpassing more than 10 million hours of complex combat system design and integration on some of the nation’s largest defence programs.

Raytheon Australia’s team of 1500 employees includes more than 700 engineers and technicians, program managers, integrated logistics support, sustainment and training experts, technical governance specialists and corporate professionals.

The Half – Build your Own Electric Bus?

Full charge ahead as Mercedes-Benz Bus announces electric bus chassis for Australia

The pioneering Mercedes-Benz electric city bus chassis, which produces zero local emissions, was revealed in Brazil recently. And will be introduced in Australia next year. Prototype buses, using the new electric chassis, are also currently being tested in Germany.

The Australian-specification electric city bus chassis will have a range of more than 300km and can be fully-charged in little more than three hours.

“Daimler is proud to offer customers advanced electric solutions for trucks and buses that have been properly developed, tried and tested in order to deliver the class-leading quality and performance expected from our trusted brands,” said Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead.

As part of its electric bus chassis package, Mercedes-Benz will also offer a consultancy service to help customers with everything required to integrate the new vehicles into their existing fleet including energy supply, battery recharge infrastructure and fleet operation planning.

The Mercedes-Benz electric city bus chassis is a low-floor model suitable for locally-made bodies up to 13.2 metres in length. With the electric motor integrated into the rear axle, the electric chassis is equipped with an EBS electronic braking and energy recovery system.