eavy-duty trucks wearing the three-
pointed star are once again a common
sight on Australian roads. The latest
generation of big Mercedes-Benz trucks
has been a sales hit since they arrived in late
2016, reminding many of just how popular
the brand has been.FIRST SIGHTINGS
Australians have had a long relationship
with Mercedes-Benz trucks dating back to
the early 1950s when trucks were assembled
in Melbourne from CKD kits sent from
Germany.
Local assembly of Mercedes-Benz trucks
was carried out in four different locations
over the years, including a line on the
grounds of the current Daimler Truck
and Bus Australia Pacific head office in
Mulgrave, Victoria.
The truck that would really put Mercedes-
Benz on the map in Australia was the 1418
(see separate story on page 140) that was
introduced in 1965. There are several
prominent Australian transport operators
who built their businesses with the help of
the tough and efficient LS 1418.
Even though production ceased in 1978,
you can still find 1418s working hard to this
day at some operations, often as a yard tug.
Mercedes-Benz moved to the ‘forward-control’ LPS 1418 in 1968. This is the first of
the cab-over models that would come to
dominate European roads and become
the go-to truck for many operators in
Australia. A newspaper ad from the time
boasted of 205hp (153kW) from the OM346
direct-injection diesel and had a price of
just $13,608 including tax. Sounds like a
great deal!
Cab-over NG models would follow from
1975, joining the rugged bonneted 911; while
the SK was introduced in 1989.
The SK became the first truck sold in
Australia fitted with anti-skid brakes as
standard. You can still see many of the
NG and SK Mercedes-Benz trucks working
away today.
Indeed, veteran truck driver Howard
Dicker still gets behind the wheel of his
2233 SK Mercedes-Benz to haul material for
his family’s company in Kingston, South
Australia. It has done some 3.5 million
kilometres and Howard reckons it sits on the
road beautifully.NEW STARS RISING
The new Actros was introduced in Europe in
1995 and arrived in Australia in 1998. It was
an advanced truck with a range of clever
innovations, including a light-weight frame,
electronic brakes as standard, ventilatedH
Melbourne-based
operator ABS
Transport is a long-
time Benz fan, with
its fleet including
everything from an
old 1418 through to
the new-generation
of trucks launched
locally in 2016i A li
on the map
the 1418 really put
Mercedes-Benz
134