Manufacturing milestone at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth

Wörth am Rhein – In true testimony to the success story of the Mercedes-Benz Actros and to “Quality Made in Wörth”, the one millionth Actros has left the production line and been handed over to long-standing customers Imperial.

The landmark vehicle, an Arctic white three-axle tractor unit with the designation 2646 LS 6X4, is destined for operation in South Africa. In the customer centre at the Wörth production site, Till Oberwörder, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz Trucks, and Gerald Jank, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Wörth plant, were present to watch Stefan Buchner, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, symbolically present the key of the milestone vehicle to Mark Lamberti, the CEO of Imperial Holdings Ltd., the South African based parent company of Imperial.

“We are extremely proud to have produced one million Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks at Wörth now. The Actros stands for the best economy, safety and comfort standards. Its strengths include excellent fuel consumption figures across the board. That's what makes it a global best-seller,” said Stefan Buchner.

The world's most successful heavy-duty truck.

Economy, driving dynamics, versatility and comfort are all key factors in the success of the Mercedes-Benz Actros. Since its arrival on the market in 1996, the Actros has gone on to become the most successful heavy-duty truck in the world. The latest generation, introduced in 2011, saw a number of significant enhancements. For example, haulage firms can now benefit from further reduced fuel consumption figures, while improved driving dynamics and ride comfort make things even easier for the driver. In 2011, the new Actros was the first heavy-duty truck to already comply with the Euro VI emissions standard.

The response has been resoundingly positive, both from the Record Run test drive and in feedback from customers across Europe: since 2011, average fuel consumption has dropped 13 percent compared with the successful predecessor Actros through the introduction of the new Actros which meets the Euro VI emissions standard, the Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) cruise control and the new engine generation. This is quite an achievement, given that the existing Euro V Actros was already one of the most frugal trucks in Europe. The PPC system identifies the topography ahead as the vehicle approaches and intervenes with gear shifts in order to optimise fuel consumption. PPC alone is responsible for a reduction in fuel consumption of up to five percent.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks: market leader in western Europe and Germany.

The Actros has consistently held top place in the competitive heavy-duty tractor unit subsegment. The Actros has been a major contributing factor to the success of Mercedes-Benz as market leader in the mid-size and heavy-duty truck segment in western Europe and Germany in the first half of 2015, with market shares of 20.4 percent and 31.9 percent respectively. The Mercedes-Benz factory at Wörth is the biggest Mercedes-Benz Trucks plant, and is therefore the hub of the Truck brand's global production network. Production capacity at Wörth is being well utilised, thanks to high demand for the popular product range of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Apart from Wörth, the Actros is also assembled in Sao Bernardo do Campo in Brazil and in Aksaray in Turkey.

“It's thanks to our highly motivated team at Wörth, who have been constructing the Actros to the highest quality standards and with great passion since 1996, that we are able to celebrate this magnificent manufacturing milestone today,” said Gerald Jank. “As an innovative production site we are looking forward to the next million Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks to be built in Wörth.”

Close business ties between Imperial Holdings Ltd. and Daimler AG.

Till Oberwörder: “This year, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has already secured a major order from Imperial Logistics International B.V. & Co. KG for 300 Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks. The loyalty of our long-standing customer is testament to the quality, economy and reliability of our products. That's why I am especially pleased that Imperial is receiving this landmark Actros.”

Logistics specialist Imperial is impressed with the characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz Actros: “First-class logistics services require first-class trucks. That's why we have relied for many years on the collaboration between Imperial and Mercedes-Benz Trucks,” said Imperial's CEO, Mark Lamberti.

The 300 trucks ordered in the spring will be supplied by the end of 2016. They will be assembled at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth. They are going to be used for distribution and contract logistics at Imperial's Lehnkering and Panopa subsidiaries.

Imperial and Daimler are linked by a large number of business activities. Imperial offers a closely knit and expansive logistics network in Africa and Europe and is one of the biggest logistics service providers in South Africa and Europe. Its customers include Daimler AG. In Germany alone, Imperial operates a fleet of 400 trucks, the vast majority of which are Mercedes-Benz trucks. Imperial also distributes Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in South Africa and Great Britain.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks' biggest plant was founded in Wörth am Rhein in 1963 and produces the Mercedes-Benz Actros, Antos, Arocs, Axor and Atego. The Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks Econic, Unimog and Zetros are also manufactured here. Each day up to 470 trucks leave Wörth, all built to customer specifications. Customers in over 150 countries know they can rely on the quality of the “Made in Wörth” seal. Daimler has plans to invest €1bn in modernising and expanding the plant by the year 2020. The Mercedes-Benz Wörth plant employs a workforce of around 11,400 people.

Imperial Logistics International B.V. & Co. KG is a 100 percent subsidiary of the South African company Imperial Holdings Ltd. and is responsible for coordinating and managing all of Imperial's logistics business outside Africa. Five leading logistics companies belong to the Imperial Logistics International group: Imperial Shipping Group, Lehnkering, Panopa, neska and Brouwer and their subsidiaries and holdings. Together they provide a full and wide-ranging spectrum of global logistics services. Imperial Logistics International has over 8000 employees and in the last financial year recorded sales of €1.6bn at 170 locations, primarily in Europe.

www.imperial-international.com