Capital Equipment News’ Juanita Pienaar joined the Daimler Truck Experience Day at the Gerotek Testing Facility, where the company showcased its latest products, technologies, and services.
On the sidelines of the event, Maretha Gerber, Group President and CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), and Olaf Petersen, Vice President for Sales and Marketing, shared their insights on the company’s vision, customer-first approach, and the future of sustainable transport.
A gathering with purpose
Under the theme “For all who keep Africa moving”, the Daimler Truck Experience Day brought together customers, media, and partners to experience the company’s vehicles first-hand. “Today marks the beginning of what we call the biggest event of the year for our customers, our media, and our partners,” Gerber explained. “It is important to connect and stay connected during these times.”
The programme included a wide range of interactive activities such as electric truck experiences, ride and handling sessions, gradient climbs, and straight track runs.
Another compelling feature of the Daimler Truck Experience is the live demonstration of Mercedes-Benz’s latest safety technologies on the Actros 2652LS/33 RE. Guests watched as Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6) avoided a collision with an inflatable crash-test vehicle, Active Side Guard Assist 2 detected a cyclist in the blind spot during a turning manoeuvre, and Frontguard Assist reacted to obstacles in front of the truck at low speeds.
“These advanced systems reflect Daimler Truck’s ongoing commitment to intelligent safety and innovation on the road,” Petersen said. “They don’t just reduce the severity of collisions, they aim to prevent them altogether.”
Building for Africa
For Gerber, Daimler’s role in Africa goes beyond supplying vehicles. “Our purpose is clear: for all who keep Africa moving. It is our job to make sure that our products keep moving, because then our customers can deliver a service to the industry,” she said.
DTSA oversees operations across right-hand drive markets in Southern Africa and employs over 1 500 people directly and indirectly through its dealer network. Importantly, more than 95% of its trucks are assembled in East London, while the Daimler Truck-owned Atlantis Foundries in Cape Town produces around 80% of Daimler Truck’s global heavy-duty ICE engine blocks. “You can open any bonnet and check the engine - it will say made in South Africa,” Gerber noted with pride.
Customer at the core
Much of the day’s discussion circled back to customer relationships. Gerber was candid about Daimler’s renewed emphasis on this area: “It is not just about the volume and being number one in the market, it’s about the customer in the end. We’ve always had the customer top-of-mind. We’re just making that conscious statement now because people don’t only need a cheaper truck, they need a solid business behind it.”
She highlighted the company’s ability to tailor solutions. “We look at the customer from a complete business solution,” she said. “If it doesn’t work, we acknowledge where it went wrong, give clear communication, and fix it. And if it doesn’t get fixed, we make another plan. That’s always been our story.”
Product highlights and new launches
Petersen walked guests through an impressive product showcase. Mercedes-Benz continues to focus on heavy-duty trucks across long-distance, construction, and special-purpose applications, while FUSO covers the light, medium, and distribution segments.
Among the highlights was the launch of the Fuso FJ automatic variant, equipped with an Allison six-speed automatic transmission. “This opens up new applications where manual transmission struggles, such as firefighting, water tankers, and waste compactors,” Petersen explained.
The abnormal load truck tractor range has also been extended with 120-tonne and 250-tonne variants, featuring unique turbo retarder clutch technology that allows for smooth starts and push-pull operations. “This is where Mercedes-Benz is unique. Fluid coupling makes it possible to synchronise two trucks in tandem without damaging gearboxes,” Petersen said.
Safety and sustainability
Safety and sustainability remain at the heart of Daimler Truck’s strategy. Petersen emphasised the life-saving impact of safety systems: “After 19 years of development, Active Brake Assist is a feature that saves lives. We are very happy that customers are increasingly opting for it.”
On sustainability, Petersen explained the dual approach. “We are developing electric trucks and hydrogen technology. Hydrogen may well be the energy of the future. Even so, we invest in a variety of solutions, including ICE, to remain ready for all market realities.”
He added that Daimler Truck itself has long integrated sustainability into operations: “We were one of the first manufacturers to move to water-based paint. Now we’re targeting zero-consumption factories, with solar installations and close monitoring of energy, water, and waste.”
Beyond metal: services and solutions
Both executives stressed that Daimler Truck Southern Africa is not just about selling trucks. “Product is not everything. Product needs to be supported by service, otherwise it’s nothing,” Petersen remarked. With more than 30 service points across South Africa and neighbouring countries, DTSA ensures uptime and reliability.
Recent service innovations include Mercedes-Benz Uptime, which predicts service needs; online parts ordering, dubbed the “Amazon for parts”; used truck warranties valid internationally; and the launch of Daimler Truck Rental. “We are now able to offer rentals from one to 11.9 months, giving smaller businesses flexibility to start operations or manage peak demand,” Gerber explained.
Telematics is another growth area. Petersen pointed out that Daimler Truck’s proprietary FleetBoard goes far beyond aftermarket devices: “FleetBoard taps into 200 sensors in the truck, providing comprehensive reports. If customers use it correctly, they can cut fuel costs by up to 10% - and fuel is often 60 to 75% of operating costs.”
Navigating challenges, embracing change
Gerber acknowledged the complexity of today’s business environment, from geopolitical uncertainty to local infrastructure challenges. “It’s like a perfect storm,” she reflected. “But our approach is to become simpler, faster, and stronger. Complex businesses are not appreciated anymore. We need to support our customers faster, and we need to remain resilient.”
She also addressed South Africa’s emissions standards. “We have been engaging with government to move forward. We cannot prolong Euro 2 standards any longer - it limits us from bringing in advanced products. If the industry doesn’t transform, South Africa will be left behind,” she cautioned.
Despite these headwinds, Daimler Truck remains committed. “South Africa is a critical part of Daimler’s global strategy,” Gerber stressed. “We have invested in Atlantis Foundries, East London, and our head office in Pretoria. We are here to stay.”
A partner for progress
The Daimler Truck Experience Day was more than a showcase of horsepower and technology. It was a statement of intent. “We are not here just to sell a truck,” Gerber concluded. “We’re here to build relationships. Selling a truck is coincidental. Without our customers, we are nothing.”
For Petersen, the focus is clear: “It is not only about product, it’s about creating a whole ecosystem to support the customer. We see huge opportunity to help operators optimise costs and performance. If we get this right, everybody wins.”
From cutting-edge safety systems to new rental solutions and a sharper customer focus, Daimler Truck Southern Africa is positioning itself not just as a manufacturer, but as a partner for progress.
