South Korea's largest airport, Incheon, has expanded its fleet of winter service vehicles with the addition of a further seven Actros models from Mercedes-Benz. Handed over in the middle of February to Jae-Sun Ryu, the airport's Deputy Executive Director, the vehicles bring the total number of Mercedes-Benz Actros models in service at the modern airport to 28. The Mercedes-Benz Actros vehicles are fitted with CJS-type sweeper units from Aebi Schmidt. With a clearing width of up to 3560 mm, they are able to clear snow and ice from areas of the South Korean airport with the aid of snow ploughs, roller brushes and high-pressure blowers.
The 28 vehicles feature all-wheel drive and hydraulically-steered rear axles, making them ideal for driving on snow-covered surfaces. The Actros models are responsible for clearing snow from the apron areas, the four take-off and landing runways, and also the cargo areas. The international airport has again been voted the most modern and customer-friendly airport in the world. The winter service fleet from Mercedes-Benz contributes towards ensuring that each year more than 33 million passengers are able to enjoy reliable and punctual airport services, even in winter.
Incheon Airport is South Korea's largest airport and also one of the largest in Asia. The airport was opened in 2001 and last year was voted for the sixth time in a row as the airport with the world's best quality of service. In addition to 33 million passengers, each year the airport also transports around 2.7 million tons of air freight.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil continues to register a high level of orders for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks. One of Brazil’s largest construction companies, Camargo Corrêa has now ordered 115 Mercedes-Benz trucks in order to upgrade its fleet. The order encompasses a wide range of products, including medium-duty Atego, heavy-duty Axor and Actros trucks. As part of the government’s Growth Acceleration Program (“Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento”/PAC), Camargo Corrêa is currently involved in a number of infrastructure projects for expansion of roads and rail systems. Brazil is preparing for 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.
“Demand continues to be on a historically high level for our commercial vehicles in Latin America,” says Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Europe and Latin America. “We are answering this demand with a state-of-the-art product range of trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles. Our lineup includes modern BlueTec 5 technology and fulfills the PROCONVE P-7 emissions standard, which is comparable to Euro V and will go into effect in Brazil in January 2012.”
Camargo Corrêa is using Mercedes-Benz trucks so that it can make sustainable and rapid headway with its construction and infra-structure projects. In addition to 60 heavy-duty Actros 4844 8x4 and nine heavy-duty Axor 3344 6x4 dump trucks for transport of stone and earth, Camargo Corrêa is purchasing ten medium-duty Atego 1725 4x4 and 36 medium-duty FPN cab-over-engine models for the Latin American market. The Atego and FPN models will be used for construction support, including material transport and maintenance operations.
The Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks acquired by Camargo Corrêa are equipped with Mercedes-Benz’ innovative Fleetboard fleet manage-ment system. Fleetboard can reduce fuel consumption by up to ten percent by analyzing driver behavior and providing information on how to achieve better performance through an economical and preventive driving style.
“Our purchase decision took into consideration the durability of the components, the strength of the engines, the high load capacity, and all the other things that the brand offers in its vehicles,” says Carlos Maximiliano de Souza, Supply Manager at Camargo Corrêa. “A big contractor like Camargo Corrêa doesn’t want to buy only a truck, but a complete set — from the beginning to the end, as it should be in a partnership.”
Jürgen Ziegler, President of Mercedes-Benz do Brasil and CEO for Latin America, explains the good order situation as follows: “Our products stand for high performance, reliability, and durability. We offer outstanding value and can greatly boost the efficiency of our customers’ transport activities and increase their profitability.”
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil
Mercedes-Benz do Brasil is the biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Latin America. Its São Bernardo do Campo plant is Daimler’s biggest outside of Germany, and the only one where trucks, bus chassis, powertrains (including engines, transmissions, and axles) and truck cabs are produced at a single location.
Another facility is located in Juiz de Fora, which is also part of Mercedes-Benz’ global commercial vehicle production network. Starting in early 2012, the plant will also produce Mercedes-Benz Actros heavy-duty and Accelo light-duty trucks for the Latin American market in order to fully exploit future growth potential.
One of Brazil’s biggest construction companies
With its 42,000 employees, Camargo Corrêa is one of Brazil’s largest construction companies. It also operates internationally in other South American countries.
Over the past 71 years, the major construction firm has gained extensive experience in numerous infrastructure projects. The company is currently involved in a variety of PAC projects for construction and maintenance of public works, such as bridges, roads, railroad tracks, subways, and much more. Camargo Corrêa has also participated in major Brazilian public works projects, including the São Paulo subway and the airports of Brasilia and Guarulhos.
Credits: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The new Mercedes Benz Actros has taken the “European Transport Sustainability Prize 2012” award in the “Trucks from 7.5 tonnes” category. This is the first year the prize sponsored by the Huss-Verlag publishing house has been awarded. The jury statement highlighted the vehicle’s low fuel consumption, which was achieved in spite of the technology measures required to meet the Euro VI standard.
New Actros fulfils the Euro VI standard
This makes Mercedes-Benz the first supplier to develop a truck that meets the future Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. This achievement includes an 80-percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.
Mercedes-Benz truck sets fuel economy record
The development objective for the new Actros was to reduce fuel consumption in spite of the Euro VI technology requirements. The current Actros 1844 LS was already the record-holder as the world’s most economical series-produced truck in this context. When the two models went head-to-head in a “record run” in summer 2011, the new Actros 1845 BlueTec 6 with Euro VI technology recorded fuel consumption of 25.9 litres / 100 km, 4.5 percent better than the existing record-holder. The new Actros BlueTec 5 with Euro V technology posted an amazing 25.1 litres / 100 km, 7.6 percent below the existing record. The FleetBoard telematics system fitted as standard equipment makes economic driving even easier.
Additional safety features and enhanced driving comfort
As well as offering better fuel economy and Euro VI compliance, the new model also features a stronger focus on safety. Integrated tyre pressure monitoring for the entire vehicle train reduces the risk of blow-outs, and optimum braking performance is ensured with a new water retarder. A Proximity Control assist with stop-and-go function and mirror with manoeuvring function enhance both safety and driver comfort.
These progressive features and compliance with the future Euro VI exhaust emissions standard have made the new Actros a worthy winner of the European sustainability prize sponsored by the Munich-based Huss-Verlag publishing house. Huss-Verlag has established this prize, awarded in 11 categories, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. The firm is mainly a publisher of trade magazines in the transport and logistics sector.
The prize for the Mercedes-Benz Actros was handed to Daimler Trucks Worldwide Product Engineering Manager Georg Weiberg by Bernhard Kerscher, Managing Director of TÜV Süd Auto Service, at the German Museum in Munich.
In the words of Georg Weiberg: “We in Daimler Trucks are absolutely delighted with our victory, and we are deeply grateful to Huss-Verlag for this award. We see the prize as further confirmation that with the Actros we are already able to offer the customer a truck for the future, equipped with Euro VI technology. Our aim is to establish the new Actros in the marketplace as a worldwide best-seller on the basis of its fuel economy and safety performance.”
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
On the occasion of the international specialist trade fair “Trailer 2011” in Kortrijk, Belgium, an international expert jury awarded the new Mercedes-Benz Actros the title of “Truck Of The Year 2012”. The industry journalists, coming from 24 European countries and specialised in commercial vehicles, voted the flagship from the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle fleet the best truck of the year for the fourth time. This brilliant career began back in 1997 with the first Actros, whose successors were also able to secure victory in the competition again in 2004 and 2009.
Having won a total of eight titles, Mercedes-Benz is now the most successful brand in the competition for this prize that rewards technological advancement, the fundamental criterium in the selection process carried out by the Truck Of The Year Jury. Last year at the IAA International Motor Show in Hannover, the Mercedes-Benz Atego was honoured with the title of “Truck Of The Year 2011”.
Gianenrico Griffini, the president of the jury, commented the victory of the Actros: “With their new flagship, Mercedes-Benz have combined evolutionary elements with revolutionary new developments that raise the bar for efficiency, safety and comfort in a heavy-duty vehicle.”
According to the rules of the jury, the title is awarded yearly to the truck that has made the greatest contribution towards innovations for road transportation in the fields of economy, emissions, safety, driveability and comfort. Polling a total of 161 points, the Mercedes-Benz Actros won the contest, far ahead of the runner-up, with 67 points, while the third-placed contestant followed with 50 points. With this exceptionally high score the experts aknowledged the pioneering technology featured by the Actros.
Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, received the award at the Mercedes-Benz Symposium in Kortijk, Belgium. He said: “We are proud that the Truck Of The Year Jury has confirmed our efforts with this honour. Because over 10 years of dedicated effort and a lot of passion, heart and soul on the part of the entire team went into the making of the new Actros. The Actros is set to be our most important truck for the coming years, and this was a great motivation for us at Mercedes-Benz to create a milestone in this sector.”
Strong points of the Actros: economy, driving dynamics and comfort
The new Actros is uncompromisingly economically efficient, comfortable, safe and environmentally-compatible. Its new design enhances the attractiveness of this new Mercedes-Benz flagship. With over 700,000 units sold since its launch in 1996, the Actros is the most successful heavy-duty truck in the world.
The new Actros was redeveloped from scratch. This made it possible to further improve on the successful truck model. On the one hand the vehicle benefits operators’ bottom line by cutting fuel consumption and reduces the strain on drivers by boosting handling and ride comfort; on the other hand it already today meets the stringent Euro VI emissions limits. Compared to the previous well-proven Actros, the new model consumes 6 to 7 percent less in its Euro V version, and 3 to 4 percent less in the Euro VI variant.
The generously-dimensioned cab of the new Mercedes-Benz Actros sets standards in terms of spaciousness and ergonomics, quality of materials and equipment. The driver’s cab is workplace, lounge area, living room and sleeping area all rolled into one. The ergonomically-designed living-space corner and the entirely new bed concept fascinate drivers, as does the overall cab volume, which has been increased even further over previous models.
The new Actros is the result of over 22 million road test kilometres and investments in development and production technology amounting to more than two billion euros. A product launch of this magnitude takes place only about once every fifteen years in the commercial vehicle sector.
With this result Daimler fulfils its commitment to combine, in the new Actros, compliance with further improved environmental compatibility and enhanced economic performance.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The wind resistance falls by 18 percent, the fuel consumption by virtually five percent: the design study from Mercedes-Benz goes by the working title “aero trailer” and shows how it is possible to reduce yet further the already low consumption and thus also the CO2 emissions of state-of-the-art trucks such as the new Actros. Mercedes-Benz will be presenting its ideas for the first time on the occasion of the “Trailer 2011” show taking place between 25 and 29 November in Kortrijk, Belgium.
Airdams, trim panels and tapers reduce wind resistance
The aero trailer encompasses the tremendous amount of know-how contributed by the developers and aerodynamicists at Mercedes-Benz. In close cooperation with the Commercial Vehicle Design department they have already succeeded in cutting the wind resistance of the new premium truck, the Mercedes-Benz Actros, bringing it down to 12 to 15 percent lower than that of its predecessor, depending on the model in question.
It is on this basis that the designers have now created a trailer with corresponding properties. Numerous individual measures drastically lower the wind resistance of the entire tractor unit. A front airdam on the trailer reduces the distance to the tractor unit and lowers the wind resistance by one percent. Meanwhile side trim panels contribute an eight-percent improvement. They are slightly drawn-in at the front and characterised by an opening at the rear. This steers the air in the direction of the striking rear diffuser. The diffuser has the shape of a parallelogram and links up with the underbody panelling. This improves the wind resistance by one to two percent.
A rear end taper measuring slightly more than 400 mm in length forms a crucial part of the aerodynamic concept. It features folding elements to facilitate access to the load compartment. The rear end taper improves wind resistance by a further seven percent.
Aero trailer saves 2000 l of diesel and more than five tonnes of CO2 per annum
All in all the aero trailer lowers the wind resistance of the entire semitrailer tractor by approximately 18 percent. In the experience of Mercedes-Benz this results in a reduction in fuel consumption amounting to almost five percent in real-life road traffic. In the case of an average mileage of 150,000 km a year this means a saving of some 2000 l of diesel fuel and relieves the burden on the environment to the tune of over five tonnes of CO2 per annum.
The fundamental feature of the revolutionary aero trailer is to be found in the trailer’s load compartment, whose dimensions remain totally unaffected. The familiar box – measuring 13.6 m in length, 2.55 m in width and with an overall height of four metres – remains available for the freight, just as before. The aero trailer’s only restriction is the fact that its length measurement exceeds the currently permissible limit by almost half a metre, due to the tail-end extension. That said, the handling and manoeuvrability are not in any way compromised by the taper. It is here that changes to legislation are necessary, as in the case of tail lifts and transportable fork-lift trucks, for instance, where exceptions of a similar magnitude are already granted.
Flagship of the “Truck and Trailer 7plus” initiative
The aero trailer is the flagship of the new “Truck and Trailer 7plus” initiative being launched by Mercedes-Benz. By taking a holistic approach to the tractor unit and trailer it aims to considerably cut the fuel consumption – and thus also the CO2 emissions of semitrailer tractors at the same time – even further than is currently the case.
The basis of the “Truck and Trailer 7plus” formula is the fuel consumption of the new Mercedes-Benz Actros, which is proven to be more than seven percent lower than its predecessor model, itself recognised as being frugal. This consumption advantage was achieved by the new Mercedes-Benz Actros earlier this year: during the “Record Run” it totalled 7.6 percent less consumption – with 25.1 to 27.1 litres/100 km. The values were determined by Mercedes-Benz under neutral supervision: semitrailer tractors bearing 40-tonne loads were each driven 10,000 km in identical conditions between Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Szczecin in Poland. “Truck and Trailer 7plus” stands for the fact that Mercedes-Benz wants to extend the consumption advantage achieved here by closely cooperating with the trailer manufacturers.
Trailer trim saves of 750 l diesel and 2 tonnes of CO2 a year
Intensive tests in the wind tunnel and on the road prove that considerable further consumption progress is possible for semitrailer tractors. By way of example, measurements taken in the wind tunnel at Mercedes-Benz have shown that a side trim panel on the trailer cuts wind resistance by eight percent.
During test drives on the Record Run route this translated into a real-life consumption benefit of some 2 percent for a semitrailer tractor weighing 40 tonnes. In the case of an average annual mileage of 150,000 km in long-distance transport this results in a saving of around 750 l of fuel and relieves the burden on the environment to the tune of approximately 2000 kg of CO2 emissions.
The proof is in the wind tunnel: “boat tail” saves 1000 l of diesel
In addition to this, at the instigation of Mercedes-Benz a working group of truck and trailer manufacturers under the umbrella of the German Association of the Automotive Industry has carried out further tests on the aerodynamics of semitrailer tractors. In the framework of this study, measurements in the wind tunnel at Mercedes-Benz concluded that modifications to the cab such as a supposedly aerodynamic extension result in merely minimal improvements where wind resistance is concerned.
There is much more potential in aerodynamic measures at the tail end of the trailer; a minor extension of the tail end in the form of a “boat tail” brings significant benefits. Four flaps measuring just 400 mm in length and positioned at an angle reduce the wind resistance of the entire semitrailer tractor by nearly ten percent. In arithmetical terms this corresponds to virtually three percent less fuel consumption or more than 1000 l of diesel a year. At the same time it saves the environment over 2600 kg of CO2 emissions. This is also proven by the simulations which have been carried out for the aero trailer.
Future integration of the trailer in telematics systems
As part of its “Truck and Trailer 7plus” initiative Mercedes-Benz is working on further holistic measures aimed at lowering fuel consumption. One of the projects involves the inclusion of information on the trailer’s tyres in the tyre pressure display in the cab of the new Actros.
The FleetBoard subsidiary – which leads the field when it comes to telematics for commercial vehicles – is also currently developing methods of integrating the trailer in its systems. This forms the basis for concrete opportunities for increasing economy and therefore environmental compatibility to an even greater extent. The nearest available suitable trailer for a particular job, the correct allocation of truck and trailer, the transmission of trailer data to the truck’s cockpit – these and other ideas could soon become reality.
Trailer axles from the truck manufacturer, highest service quality
Another idea has already been implemented: since the launch of the first-generation Mercedes-Benz Actros 15 years ago the company has been one of the leading manufacturers of trailer axles in Europe. The unique DCA Airmaster trailer axle is one of its outstanding products: it stores the compressed air for the trailer in the axle housing. This saves the air vessels for the trailer and reduces the weight, and with it fuel consumption and emissions.
TruckWorks is a further example of integrating the trailer in an overall system. More than 80 Mercedes-Benz locations now deal with the entire service for the tractor unit, trailer and bodies, plus their associated components. TruckWorks ensures the same levels of top quality at each location and saves the operators of semitrailer/tractor combinations expense and unnecessary journeys – which in turn means less fuel consumption and reduces the burden on the environment.
New Actros systematically geared towards utmost efficiency
The inclusion of the trailer supplements the already superb economy displayed by the new Mercedes-Benz Actros. It is driven as economically as it is powerfully with a highly sophisticated drive system – perfectly matched to the particular application in question – from a single source. With a view to achieving the utmost efficiency the new Actros spent 2600 hours in the wind tunnel alone, being meticulously optimised – as intensively and carefully as no truck before it. As a result the new Actros is the most frugal and therefore the cleanest truck in its class.
Know-how from over 25 years of research into aerodynamics
There is a long tradition of adopting a holistic approach to the truck and trailer at Mercedes-Benz. Even back in the mid-1980s the development engineers were carrying out in-depth investigations into the aerodynamics of entire vehicle combinations. These involved research into the effect of air deflector panels, side trim panels, edge radii and rear end tapers.
The fundamental knowledge gained back then is still valid to this day and forms the basis for the current investigations. In those days the focus was merely on saving fuel for economic reasons; priority had not yet been given to protecting the environment by reducing CO2 output. Today, some 25 years later, environment relief, conservation of resources and economy represent seamless additions, in the form of the “Truck and Trailer 7plus” initiative.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
The latest success for Mercedes-Benz Trucks involves another major order for 202 units of Mercedes-Benz Actros 1844 LS trucks placed by the Turkish chocolate manufacturing company Tören Gida, which is converting most of fleet to the tried and tested truck model. Tören Gida, which has its headquarters in Gaziantep in Southeast Anatolia, is one of the most important industrial companies in the region. The truck fleet delivers the company’s products to 25 countries in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
“Turkey is the third-largest market for Mercedes-Benz Trucks and we want to significantly increase sales in the years ahead,“ said Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, about the big orders from Turkey.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the delivery of two Mercedes-Benz Actros 1844 LS vehicles as part of the major order, Tören Gida Chairman Mahmut Tören explained his decision to invest in a fleet of Actros trucks as follows: “Because the trucks are extremely fuel-efficient and have low operating and maintenance costs as well as a high resale value, we’re switching our fleet over to tractor-trailers from Mercedes-Benz.”
Wolf-Dieter Kurz, President and CEO of Daimler’s Turkish subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Türk, reinforces the big order at the ceremony in Istanbul. “All of our activities continually focus on the demands and requirements of our customers. We’re very pleased that our vehicles are contributing to the success of Tören Gida,” he said. “Tören Gida’s extremely dynamic development and readiness for action has enabled it to become a very successful company in Turkey.”
Mercedes-Benz Türk
The Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Türk was established in Istanbul in 1967. It began producing buses for the Turkish market in 1968. The Aksaray plant launched truck production in 1986.The facilities in Aksaray and Hoşdere are key elements of Daimler’s global production network.
Source: Daimler AG
Copyright © 2011, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
