News from the Daimler Stable

News

18 Mar

Don’t wait for active safety mandate, says Daimler Truck

Daimler Truck and Bus Australia has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement that Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) for 3.5-tonne plus trucks and buses will be mandated locally, but encouraged customers to act now.

AEBS and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems must be installed from 1 November 2023 for all new models of heavy vehicles. They must be installed in new buses already in circulation by 1 November 2024, and in new goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from 1 February 2025.

“Daimler Truck has long identified the major benefits of active safety features for our customers and the wider community and led the industry with its introduction across all classes with our Mercedes-Benz, Fuso and Freightliner models,” says Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead.

“We commend the move to mandate this critical technology, but also would encourage customers not to wait until then and instead demand AEBS on any truck or bus they buy from now on.”

AEBS helps to avoid or mitigate collisions with other vehicles by using sensors to monitor the road ahead and perform emergency braking in the event the driver does not. Daimler Truck systems can even initiate a warning and brake when it detects moving pedestrians.

Mercedes-Benz first introduced AEBS on the Actros heavy truck in 2010, while the Freightliner Cascadia was the first conventional truck to feature AEBS from 2019.

Fuso become the first manufacturer to feature AEBS across light, medium and heavy-duty truck classes last year. The Fuso Canter light truck was the first to introduce these safety features as standard in the light-duty truck class with the updated Canter in 2019 and the new Fuso Rosa is the only light bus to feature AEBS.

The Fuso’s eCanter is the only electric truck currently available in Australia with active safety features, with the technology missing from other light duty electric models.

“It makes no sense to buy an electric truck with no active safety features when they are available on another model, even if you overlook all the other benefits of the eCanter,” said Daniel Whitehead.

The all-electric eCanter is currently in operation with Australia Post and Centurion fleets.

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NEW RECORD FOR MERCEDESS-BENZ TRUCKSALES IN 2021

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has recorded its best ever sales in Australia in 2021.

Led by the Actros and Arocs heavy duty haulers, Mercedes-Benz Trucks set a new high mark of 1290, breaking the previous record of 1189. Sales were so strong that Mercedes-Benz Trucks passed the milestone with one month to spare. The result came despite supply disruptions that took some heat out of sales in the last few months of the year.

The Mercedes-Benz Actros has fast become one of the top selling cab-over prime movers in the Australian market.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific Director, Andrew Assimo, says the sales result is a reflection of the total value and performance of its heavy duty trucks.

“Mercedes-Benz trucks are in higher demand than ever as more operators experience the comfort and refinement, long service intervals, legendary fuel economy and exceptional performance of the Actros and Arocs models,” he says.

“Ever since we introduced the Euro 6 Actros in 2016, owners have discovered for themselves the total cost savings delivered by our trucks and the benefits of the class-leading support packages that back them,” said Andrew. “We’re appreciative to all our customers and we look forward to continuing to provide them with our outstanding products and services to support their transport needs.”

The Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ record year is part of a larger success story at Daimler Truck and Bus Australia, with sibling brands Freightliner and Fuso also recording positive results.

“To have all three of our brands grow market share in 2021 demonstrates Daimler Truck’s commitment to lead the Australian market with advanced safety, reduced emissions and lower running costs across our Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso brands is hitting the mark with our customers,” says Daimler Truck and Bus President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead.

The Actros has long led the market and was first to make the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) Active Brake Assist system standard back in 2010 and the first to introduce Euro 6 on all models and ratings in its range in 2016.

The recently introduced latest generation model brought new technologies such as premium tablet-style Multimedia Cockpit information screens, Predictive Powertrain Control, which uses GPS and topographic information to optimise gearshifts and coast when safe, optional Mirror Cam and the further advanced Active Brake Assist 5 safety package.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks continues work towards introducing new technology and innovation to benefit its customers and is currently testing Active Drive Assist system, which enables SAE Level 2 partially automated driving in order to make like easier for the driver, across Australia.

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ALL-ELECTRIC FUSO eCANTER DELIVERS ALL-ELECTRIC CARS IN NZ

Electric cars are being delivered with an electric Fuso eCanter in New Zealand.

Carr & Haslam’s vehicle transport division began delivering electric vehicles across Auckland this week. Carr & Haslam Director, Chris Carr, explained that it made sense to use the zero-emission eCanter to deliver fully electric cars.

“This zero-emission option will help our clients reduce their carbon footprint for distribution within Auckland City,” he said.

Carr and Haslam has a strong focus on emission reduction, with a number of Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz and Fuso trucks, in addition to the fully-electric eCanter.

“Contracts are already being won and lost based on carbon emissions,” Mr Carr explained. “We have a number of Daimler Euro 6 heavy trucks in our fleet, which exceed current NZ regulations, but this Fuso eCanter is the first in what will be an increasing line of EVs from our suppliers and following this path will be a necessity in the future.”

The 7.5-tonne eCanter, equipped with a hydraulic loading platform, is a neat fit for Carr & Haslam’s vehicle transport division.

The switch to electric propulsion is not the first major technology shift that has occurred at Carr & Haslam, with the iconic New Zealand company having switched from horse-drawn carts to combustion-engine trucks near the start of last century.

“The move to today’s new technology is every bit as important, and as challenging, as it was back in 1922, when my grandfather stood proudly in Auckland’s Grey Lynn (suburb) with his first internal combustion engine truck lined up ahead of the technology it would eventually replace,” says Chris. “Just like stepping into that first diesel Brockway, driving an EV in a heavy commercial application requires new skills. To get the best from it, our team will need to learn how to maximise eCanter’s strengths.”

Chris agreed that this is the direction businesses need to be taking and is grateful for the support and assistance of the New Zealand Energy and Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) and its ‘Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund’ in enabling that first step.

“The main benefit of moving to EV is, of course, reduced emissions. All of us know that reducing CO2 is a focus for the world and it is driving consumer choice and the decisions of the powers that be,” said Chris. “The eCanter, and our Euro 6 Daimler fleet, will also deliver vehicles for our government contracts, giving those customers greatly reduced emissions in line with their objectives.

“We’re also closely following a select group of others who have deployed EV trucks into the Auckland Inner City Zero Emission Area Trial and we see ours as a welcome addition to this initiative.”

Fuso eCanter customers in New Zealand are realising up to 150km range on a full single charge. The eCanter can be fully charged in less than 90 minutes using a 50kW fast charger.

All eCanter’s are equipped with active safety features such as the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) and the Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), which are increasingly important for leading companies and government bodies with a firm focus on health and safety.

The eCanter became the first Original Manufacturer Equipment (OEM) to be introduced in Australia last year and units are currently in operation with Australia Post and Centurion.