130 years of Mercedes-Benz trucks
Only a handful of vehicle manufacturers can boast three-figure anniversaries. Yet Mercedes-Benz, what with it being the maker of the first motorised car, is able to shout about its subdivisions being over 100 years old. This year marks the 130th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz Trucks
Unsurprisingly, after 130 years, Mercedes’ trucks – and the engines that power them – have evolved dramatically n In 1896, Gottlieb Daimler invented the world’ s first truck( coincidentally, in the same year, Carl Benz sold his first delivery van). Gottlieb Daimler’ s vehicle, adapted from a horse-drawn goods wagon, featured a 4hp two-cylinder engine called the Phoenix. Quite a difference to Mercedes’ most recent truck motor, the third-generation OM 471. The most powerful version of this 12.8-litre straight-six diesel engine, which comes equipped with a turbocharger developed and manufactured in-house by Mercedes Trucks, comes with 530hp.
The pathway from Gottlieb Daimler’ s first truck to a modern Mercedes-Benz Actros hasn’ t been direct. Within the 13 decades since its first truck, Mercedes has acquired other companies to expand its range of heavy-duty commercial vehicles. These include Freightliner, Western Star Trucks and FUSO. The acquisition that has given the company its biggest diversification from conventional trucks, and helped Mercedes maintain a reputation as the producer of the most versatile off-road trucks, was Unimog. It was in 1949 that the first Unimog( Universal Motor Gerät) was launched, complete with the flexible frame, portal axles, coil springs and torque tube drivetrain to minimise suspension arms – concepts that are still used in today’ s Unimogs.
To celebrate the 130th anniversary of its trucks, Mercedes is creating 400 Mercedes- Benz Actros that will feature 30 historic colours, materials and design elements. It will also host the opening of the 2026 Deutschlandfahrt historic commercial vehicle tour. Plus, the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart will have a special display covering the development of its trucks; the exhibition will be open until April 4th 2027.
Autumn 2026 The Engine Rebuilder
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