As the group celebrates 130 years since the introduction of its first truck, Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) is introducing four new models to its product range for the Southern Africa region, in response to customer requests.

First established in South Africa over 60 years ago, DTSA and its subsidiaries Daimler Truck Financial Services South Africa and Sandown Motor provide a comprehensive products and services portfolio, with brands that include Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Buses and FUSO Trucks, as well as parts and services for Freightliner and Western Star Trucks.

Speaking at the ‘Mercedes-Benz Trucks: Built With What Matters Most’ press event at the DTSA's premises, in Centurion, Gauteng, on June 10, DTSA group CEO and president Maretha Gerber explained that DTSA has five strategic pillars, with one of these being evolving into a customer-centric powerhouse.

Aligned to this, in response to customer feedback, it is now introducing the Actros 2645LS/33 Base, the Actros 2645LS/33 Line Haul, the Actros 2652LS/33 Line Haul and the Actros 2652LS/33 Base.

Outlining some of the features of these vehicles, DTSA sales and marketing VP Olaf Peterson explained that the new models included an improved chassis material, which provided lower weight, but enabled higher carrying capacity and strength.

Durability features include LED headlights, which are expected to provide 30 000 to 50 000 running hours run time. Peterson contrasted this with halogen headlights, which had to be replaced sooner, and therefore, the former was expected to contribute to lower maintenance and downtime.

Depending on the model, the trucks used either the OM460 or OM473 engine, with Peterson highlighting a notable component of turbo compound on the latter, which transfered energy directly from exhaust gas onto crankshaft via a hydraulic clutch, enabling a reduction in fuel consumption.

Peterson also mentioned that the trucks were equipped with a siphon-proof device to prevent fuel theft.

Meanwhile, Gerber pointed out that DTSA had also recently been integrated into the Latin America, Middle East and Africa region, owing to the similarities in these markets, customers and products. This combined customer region approachwas expected to create synergies and allow a stronger, unified voice to be put forward on topical matters.  

DTSA operates from three locations in South Africa and is also responsible for managing nine other markets in Southern Africa.