Daimler to display its strength as the world market leader at IAA

Compared to the prior year, the market for Daimler Buses continued to develop positively during the first eight months of 2008: Daimler Buses had an above-average impact on this development, selling nearly 28,000 Mercedes-Benz, Setra, and Orion buses worldwide through August, an increase of 12 percent. Daimler Buses is expected to post yet another sales record for full-year 2008. “We expect our bus operations to set a new record in 2008,” says Andreas Consistent further implementation of the “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative

During the IAA, Daimler will present its cross-brand “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative for environmentally friendly and safe commercial vehicles at the entrance area to Halls 14 and 15 at the Hanover Exhibition Center. The presentation will feature hybrid product highlights in the most diverse stages of development. On display will be a Mercedes-Benz Axor Hybrid long-haulage truck (prototype), a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid van (currently being tested by customers), a Freightliner Business Class M2e Hybrid delivery truck from the U.S. (set to go into series production shortly), and a Japanese Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid delivery truck (in series production since 2006). To ensure the best possible implementation efficiency, all Daimler commercial vehicle brands are working together on the development and utilization of hybrid, natural gas, and fuel cell drives for commercial vehicles.

The biggest gains with respect to ecology and economy are currently being achieved by Mercedes-Benz trucks equipped with BlueTec diesel technology. More than 200,000 BlueTec trucks have already saved their owners 700 million liters of diesel fuel to date, and have thus also prevented emissions of approximately two million tons of CO2. The record marathon drive taken by the new Mercedes-Benz Actros truck in May 2008 set the tone worldwide for fuel economy: the vehicle was driven12,728 km in seven days, consuming just 19.44 liters of fuel per 100 km, and achieving CO2 emissions of only 20.5 g/tkm. This performance earned the vehicle an entry in the Guinness World Records book.

Daimler’s commercial vehicle brands also play a pioneering role when it comes to safety. The new Mercedes-Benz Travego bus, for example, now comes with the Active Brake Assist system, which initiates an emergency braking maneuver if an accident is imminent. The system has already proved its worth through more than 350 million kilometers of customer operation in the Mercedes-Benz Actros since it was introduced in 2006. Along with the Group-brand Setra, Mercedes-Benz is the only commercial vehicle manufacturer in the industry to offer this life-saving system, which also drastically reduces the severity of accidents, and thus damage as well. On an area measuring 11,500 m² in Halls 14/15 and 16, Daimler is presenting 53 trucks, vans, buses, and special vehicles as well as nearly 30 technological exhibits. What’s more, the service offerings of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Vans and Buses are presented in a Service World covering more than 500 m².

The highlight at Mercedes-Benz Trucks is the new Actros, which is celebrating a double premiere at the IAA: as a top-class long-haulage truck and as a vehicle for heavy-duty construction work. The plant in Wörth already has received more than 20,000 orders for the new Mercedes-Benz Actros since the truck went on sale. The first vehicles of this third-generation Actros will be delivered to customers in the coming days. To accentuate Mercedes-Benz’ new brand claim ‘Trucks you can trust,’ the new Actros is also appearing for the first time in the ‘trust edition,’ whose coloring is inspired by that of the brand’s legendary cab-behind-engine trucks.

Among Mercedes-Benz’ special vehicles, the motor show highlight for extreme applications is the new Zetros. This all-wheel-drive truck is conceived for exploration work, large construction sites, disaster relief operations, and peace-keeping missions.

Another highlight is the Mercedes-Benz Econic waste disposal truck, which is appearing in two different hybrid variants: a diesel-electric hybrid and a natural gas-electric hybrid. Known as the Econic Hybrid NGT, the latter version is a unique vehicle that not only meets the EU’s Euro 5 emissions standards but also the more stringent Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle (EEV) standards and the criteria of the German “Blue Angel” environmental certificate. Both hybrid variants can run for a certain amount of time solely on electric power and the vehicles’ lithium-ion batteries are recharged through the recovery of brake energy (recuperation).

The IAA highlight from Mercedes-Benz Vans is the Vito BlueEfficiency, a concept vehicle that demonstrates the development potential of diesel engines in vans. As a result of its very economical six-speed manual transmission, ECO start-stop function, and comprehensive package of aerodynamic improvements, the vehicle consumes a much as 1.5 liters less fuel per 100 km and reduces CO2 emissions by up to 40 g/km.