Daimler-Benz gets closer to the US
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by Danny Coughlan
As Daimler-Benz forges ahead with the creation of DaimlerChrysler, details are emerging of what this means for its existing truck business. Chief among the effects will be greater integration of European and US components and systems, in particular cabs and engines, says Jim Hebe, head of Daimler's North American subsidiary, Freightliner. According to Hebe, Freightliner will use the Mercedes-Benz Atego cab on the replacement to its Business Class range of medium and heavy trucks from 2001. Mercedes' 900 Series engine could also be imported from next year "if we can get the price right", Hebe says. High German prices are a sticking point, however. "My colleagues in Mannheim can't understand how Cummins and Caterpillar can supply engines so cheaply." Mercedes' new 12-litre
engine, the 0M457LA, will also be offered in the US following its launch at the Hanover show.
The Atego cab will gain a nose for the US market. However, a "low cabover" version may be retained, depending on how well the now relaunched Cargo sells with its Freightliner and Sterling (previously Ford) badges.
"We are having some discussions now on what else we might do with Atego," Hebe added. Other assemblies, such as drive axles and braking systems, are also under scrutiny, and the entire Vito/Sprinter/Vario van range W05 shown to Freightliner dealers last March. The reason Hebe is expanding the range of products and services offered by Freightliner Corporation is the changing nature of freight transport "Logistics is the name of the game, North America is leading the way and our product range needs to get wider," he says.
One development is the "maintenance-free" truck. Hebe says US operators want trucks they can run from new for three years with mini
mum downtime. Freightliner's warranty is already three years/350,000 miles. By integrating retarders, advanced bearings and lubricants it may be possible to remove almost all maintenance from a
vehicle's first life.