Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

* Economic stimulus programs bolster European construction industry

* Successful model with enhanced efficiency, durability, and functionality for construction sector applications

Stuttgart/Wörth am Rhein, Germany, Apr 03, 2009 – Following last year’s successful presentation and market introduction of the Mercedes-Benz Actros for long-haul applications, the construction-site version is now ready for launch on the European market. Known as the Mercedes-Benz Actros Bau, the model from the “Truck of the Year 2009” family is especially designed for construction-site use.


“With the new Actros Bau we intend to continue the success story of the previous Actros generations, even in this difficult period for the economy,” says Hubertus Troska, Head of Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “To do this we will also need the help of politicians, who can play an active role in stimulating the commercial vehicles industry in general and the construction business in particular. Appropriate measures in this effort would be, for example, a program of investment in transport infrastructure or early replacement of municipal vehicles.”

Since mid-2008 the governments of Germany and several other European countries have been responding to the worsening economic conditions by implementing numerous national and EU-wide economic stimulus programs. Some of these funds are earmarked for the construction industry. As a result, more than €30 billion will be invested in the European construction industry in the coming years in order to modernize or expand transport infrastructure and public facilities. Some of the stimulus funds will probably be used for new investments in the construction industry, and thus in construction vehicles. The Actros Bau from Mercedes-Benz Trucks is optimally designed for this segment. The family of Mercedes-Benz construction vehicles is rounded out by the Axor, Atego, and Unimog variants as well as by various variants of the Sprinter and Vario from the Mercedes-Benz vans segment.

Like the other models of the third-generation Actros, the construction-site version boasts many new features and improvements, impressing customers with its enhanced economy, durability, and functionality for construction industry applications. All of the vehicles are equipped with efficient, environmentally-friendly BlueTec diesel technology, which meets the Euro 5 emissions limits that will take effect in October 2009. Greater economy and efficiency is also provided by the new Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission, which is optional for the construction vehicle’s off-road variant. The successful model sets the standards on construction sites more than ever before, thanks to its numerous practical features, including a robust guard plate, a compressed air nozzle for cleaning the cab, which is standard equipment, and a variable muffler for optimal integration of the body.

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