THE DEFINITIVE TRUCKING SITE

Nov/Dec 2008

The 62nd IAA international truck exhibition held in Hannover, Germany in September this year was larger and more impressive than at any other time in its long history. More than 2 000 exhibitors from 50 different countries attracted more than 300 000 visitors from across the globe. FleetWatch correspondent Max Braun was at the show to report his observations.

Notwithstanding the high price of fuel and materials, the subprime mortgage and financial crises, the demand for and sale of commercial vehicles continued to grow throughout 2008. Germany, Eastern Europe, and the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries all showed ongoing growth in demand.  From a different perspective, the road transport industry and vehicle manufacturers are facing what can arguably be defined as the most difficult and daunting challenges in their respective histories – finding workable and sustainable solutions to the emissions and energy problems confronting the planet. 

With these tough challenges in sharp focus, the world’s best and biggest commercial vehicle and allied equipment manufacturers demonstrated their enormous collective efforts and determination to find practical solutions that will ultimately live up to the expectations of an anxious world. 

The time I spent at the world’s largest truck show was as an invited guest of Daimler. Therefore, due to space limitations and the fact that other features of the IAA show will be carried in the February edition of FleetWatch, the focus of this report is about Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Mitsubishi and Fuso vehicles and developments. As the world’s largest truckmaker, analysing developments in the Daimler camps gives us a good handle on what’s happening overseas. 

Daimler reported a successful year with growth in Latin America, Greece, South East Asia and other markets. Currently, unlike many OEMs, Daimler holds 20 000 orders, more than 3% compared with 2007. Andreas Renschler, head of trucks for all Daimler commercial vehicles, says 2009 will be a tough challenge that Daimler will meet through its ongoing global excellence and efficiency programmes and the determination to take commercial vehicles to new levels through innovation. 

Renschler underlines his company’s determination to succeed when he points to the estimated world population of some 8 billion people by 2020, most of whom will be dependent on trucks to gain access to food, water, clothes and most other creature comforts. The growth in truck sales worldwide is estimated at an average of 2,5% a year up to 2030. 

With this as our background, a short overview of some of the highlights that are of particular interest to South Africa - either now or in the near future - seems to be a sensible option to take when endeavouring to digest the humungous amount of information, development and achievement on display at the huge Daimler stands that included 80 different vehicles and numerous hitech systems and customer services. The launch of the third generation Actros seems to be a logical place to begin.

The range of new engines spans nine variations of the OM501LA and OM502LA 11,9 and 15,9 litre models respectively. In Europe,  these are Euro 4 and 5 Blue-Tech versions. Imports to South Africa will be Euro 3 compliant. 

During a controlled test, the new Actros achieved a remarkable fuel consumption of 19.44 litres/100 km. However, please keep in mind that this is with a 4x2 truck-tractor grossing at 50 tons under test track conditions. It does, however, suggest the 6x4 versions operating at 56 tons will also do better than before.

Another outstanding feature is  the fully automated, electronically controlled service interval monitoring system. Service intervals can be extended to a maximum of 150 000 kilometres depending on a host of different operating criteria. These include the number of cold starts, kilometres travelled, fuel used, integrity of the lubricating oil, driving style, etc. The indicated service interval is determined by the cumulative impact of all the factors.

5Top: (left to right) The new Zetros is available in a twoaxle 4x4 and three-axle 6x6 version with a six-cylinder 7.2 litre, 240kW motor. The Zetros can potentially play a dominant role as an all-terrain vehicle.

Construction model

The new robust Actros model for construction premiered at the show. Engineered to undertake typical transport tasks found on construction sites, the new model offers several important new features including engine and radiator protection plates, shock-proof and scratch resistant external mirrors, protective grills for the headlights and tail lights – quick releasing to facilitate cleaning - and fuel tank protection. These are just a few of the protection items. PowerShift with all its benefits is available on the construction model. 

The construction models are available in 4x2, 4x4 and 6x4 versions for rigid and articulated configurations. Factory fitted Meiller tipper bins for end and side tipping are available as options. 

On the subject of PowerShift, Axor owners will be pleased to learn that the new transmission is now available for this popular model as well as the powerful Turbobrake (engine brake) that improves braking power by up to 50% equal to 440 kW of braking power. 

4Daimler is a world leader in hybrid technology for trucks and vans. More than 7000 models have been placed with customers.

6The Econic Blue Tec hybrid drive system requires compressed liquefied natural gas cooled to a temperature of minus 161°C adding about 500 kg to the unladen mass. It is ideally suited for collection and delivery tasks.

Alternative Drivelines – Shaping future transport 

Daimler is the world leader in developing hybrid technology for trucks and vans. More than 7 000 models have been placed with customers in several countries as part of the company’s extensive programme to develop and perfect viable alternate drive line solutions. Notable among these is the Atego 12-ton gross Blue Tec short haul vehicle suitable for secondary distribution and delivery tasks. 

Equipped with a 160kW diesel engine (Euro5) working in parallel with a 44kW electric motor and the MB G85 automated gearbox, the vehicle offers up to a 20% reduction in fuel usage. The electrical power is energised by high performance lithium-iron batteries. The engine switches off when the vehicle is stationary for more  than three seconds, the transmission is in neutral and the clutch pedal is not depressed. The engine starts when the clutch pedal is depressed. Proto types are in service with a number of international fleetowners. 

Daimler is actively pursuing several other hybrid concepts including the use of natural gas, second generation fuel cells and electric hub motors. By 2010, at the next IAA truck show, we may see some hybrid technology making it into production. While major advances have been achieved there is still a way to go. Daimler engineers say one of the major obstacles still lies in the development of efficient battery power and life. Given the significant initial cost premiums, vehicle manufacturers are indicating substantial government subsidies will be needed before even the most promising hybrid alternatives become viable options. 

Econic NGT – Hybrid 

The “Econic” celebrated its world premier at the 2008 Hanover Show. Based on a 205kW engine powered with natural gas and the same electric motor that is fitted to the Blue Tec Hybrid, the fuel cost saving is close to 60% when compared to a conventional diesel drive. The concept can operate on biogas which would make it virtually a CO2 neutral vehicle. The system requires compressed liquefied natural gas cooled to a temperature of minus 161 degrees Celsius adding about 500 kg to the unladen mass. The Econic range is ideally suited for collect and delivery tasks. 

Zetros – big brother to Unimog The introduction of the Zetros, a big brother version of the Unimog, will be welcomed by a number of operators engaged in off-road transport activities. Available in a two-axle 4x4 and threeaxle 6x6 version with a six-cylinder 7.2 litre, 240kW motor, the Zetros can potentially play a dominant role as an all-terrain vehicle. 

The MB G-131 gearbox provides 8-speeds and a crawler gear. A fully automated transmission will be available from 2009. The normal cab configuration allows seating for three plus some baggage space and a level floor. The Zetros shares a significant parts and component commonality with the all-wheel drive Actros and Axor variants. 

Safe Driving Technology

Shaping future transport is as much about road safety as it is about reducing emissions. Daimler’s comprehensive Safe Drive technology requires a virtual magazine if it is to be fully explored and explained. Here is a broad brush stroke to place on record some of the amazing technology that has already been installed in vehicles of all types: 

According to the German Federal Bureau of Statistics, veering from the lane accounts for 39% of accidents involving commercial vehicles. Some 33% are rear-end events and another 18% occur at intersections. Daimler’s vision is to pursue accident free driving with its SafeDrive technologies. Its road map to accident free driving includes: Vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Intersection Assist. Crash Analysis. Traffic Sign Analysis. Lane Keeping Assist. Drowsiness Recognition. Active Brake Assist. Guided by its more than 40 years experience in developing approaches to both active and passive safety, Daimler is using electronic technology to develop innovative systems to take driver safety to new levels. Successes to date include:  Active Brake Assist – proven over 350 million kilometres in fleet operations.  Telligent Distance Control – automatically maintains distance from the vehicle in front.  Telligent Lane Assistant – warns driver if vehicle veers from lane. Telligent Stability Control and Adaptive ESP – reduces the risk of skidding on curves and when swerving to  avoid obstacles.  Telligent Automatic Gearshift - PowerShift makes a sizeable contribution to economy, safety and comfort.  Telligent ABS and ASR braking – well established as an indispensable safe driving feature.  Passive safety has also been given serious consideration and ongoing development over years. This includes appealing cab designs with a high degree of occupant protection and comfort, a three-point safety belt, on-board tyre pressure information, driver air bags and front end collision protection.

Service Products 

Daimler Financial Services are well known to the transport industry across the world and indeed in South Africa. Mercedes-Benz CharterWay, a one-stop shop for all procurement needs, is a successful financial product that is slated for introduction in South Africa in the near future. First introduced in the UK in the early 1990s and subsequently in Europe, CharterWay currently manages some 170 000 vehicles in 20 countries.

CharterWay offers a full range of leasing and extended rental agreements with better residual values and extended warranties. Warranties can cover drivelines, just maintenance or full cover. Once established in a country, CharterWay offers a wide range of rental vehicles. Details of the package for South Africa will be announced at a later date. 

The system offers a wide range of management information including automatic mass storage data downloaded from digital tachographs and other electronic data capturing. Routing and scheduling, driving styles, fuel usage by driver, by truck, by route are all available options. Details of the system’s local launch are spelt out elsewhere in this edition. 

The announcement that Daimler will invest Euro 14 billion in research and development between now and 2010  underpins Andreas Renschler’s commitment to ensuring that commercial vehicles remain a driving force for the free flow of goods, for economic growth and for a balance between mobility and climate protection. 

Let’s all agree with the world’s largest truck builder: Trucks are indispensable to our prosperity – no matter where we live.