Mercedes-Benz Actros refined in push for Australian B-double market growth
By Steve Skinner | May 31, 2013
Mercedes-Benz has declared a focus on the 6×4 prime mover segment within the Australian truck market.
More than half the heavy-duty sales market is 6×4 prime movers, which equates to more than 6,000 vehicles.
“If we want to grow we have to be very strong in that area,” Andrew Assimo, National Product Manager for Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Australia, says.
Assimo was speaking before a short drive for truck journalists hosted by Mercedes at the Anglesea proving grounds near Geelong in Victoria.
The focus was the B-double specced V8 Actros, newly installed with a fuel-saving hypoid axle and 12-speed automated manual gearbox, the Powershift 2, replacing the hub reduction axles and 16-speed AMT, though not for road train applications.
“The B-double has a certain image to it,” Assimo says, pointing out that prime movers specced up for that application, as well as road trains, make up about half the 6×4 market.
“If you are strong in the B-double segment that leads on to acceptance throughout the market, so we really want to get strong in that segment and we think we have the best packaged vehicle we’ve had in recent times.”
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