Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles at the 2008 IAA

HANOVER – September 23, 2008: The dates and facts alone are impressive enough: 11,500 m2 floorspace in exhibition halls 14 and 15, in total 53 trucks, special vehicles, vans and buses. Above and beyond this, interested visitors to the International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover will also find in store technology exhibits and a service boulevard with "service spots". The world’s biggest commercial vehicle brand - inventor of truck, van and bus - is presenting its products and services in an attractive manner.

Mercedes-Benz truck and special vehicle world premieres
The Mercedes-Benz Actros construction vehicles celebrate their world premiere at the Hanover Show. They are perfectly designed for deployment in construction transport and take their visual lead from the new Actros. This latter makes its International Commercial Vehicle Show debut and is the first truck to be delivered ex factory with an automatic transmission. The new Actros SLT impresses with its maximum pulling capacity of 250 t and sets new standards in heavy-duty transport vehicles. Hybrid drives are a focal point for Mercedes-Benz at the 2008 International Commercial Vehicle Show. The new Axor BlueTec Hybrid is the first long-distance truck with hybrid drive. Fitted with parallel hybrid, the test vehicle could achieve fuel savings of between four and ten percent. The Mercedes-Benz Econic is celebrating its tenth anniversary and is represented by two hybrid vehicles. Already nearing production is the new Econic BlueTec Hybrid, designed as a parallel hybrid vehicle. The globally unique Econic NGT Hybrid concept study combines an EEV-compliant natural-gas engine with an electric motor. This type of drive is projected to achieve a reduction in fuel costs of up to 60 percent in comparison with a diesel engine. Mercedes-Benz Zetros is the name for a new family of all-wheel-drive trucks with extreme off-road capability. The cab-behind-engine vehicles are suited to many specialised uses and are available as two- and three-axle vehicles with single tyres. The Zetros makes its show debut in Hanover.

Mercedes-Benz van premieres
Chief highlight amongst the vans with the star is the Vito BlueEFFICIENCY show vehicle. This attractively designed vehicle demonstrates through numerous features the development potential of the diesel engine for vans. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter NGT with natural-gas engine is displayed at the International Motor Show for the first time as a monovalent EEV version. The second show premiere for the Sprinter range is the second-generation Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid. The drive is designed as a parallel hybrid with an electric motor between combustion engine and automatic transmission. The lithium-ion batteries, which are located behind the rear axle, can also be charged using an external source.

Mercedes-Benz Travego now with Active Brake Assist
Active Brake Assist is being given its world premiere in the new generation of Mercedes-Benz Travego coaches. This safety system triggers full braking, after a stepped series of warnings, in the event of acute danger of collision with a slower-moving vehicle ahead. In addition, the new Travego has been equipped with the patented passive safety system Front Collision Guard (FCG) and is also available with the new specially designed Mercedes PowerShift automated bus drive if desired.