Rocker and racing driver: Alois’ own personal Actros Black Edition

Alois Zach turns up the volume on his Actros’ music system. “Living easy, living free ... season ticket on a one-way ride ... asking nothing, leave me be ... taking everything in my stride”, now blasts out of the speakers during the journey.

Highway To Hell – AC/DC on the direct route to hell. Guitarist Angus Young came up with the idea for this rock classic through a combination of tiredness and pressure to succeed – and landed a hit. Alois Zach smiles. The energy of this song also affects his mood during his trips.

On the road with an Actros 2163 Black Edition.

The Styrian truck driver is really bursting with energy. His enthusiasm for his new Mercedes-Benz Actros is written all over his face.

Now you might think: no wonder, because the large cab, the extensive equipment and the range-topping 460 kW engine would make most drivers smile. And that’s right. But Alois Zach is not only enthusiastic about his Actros, he is also convinced by it: “There is absolutely nothing to criticise.” But it’s much more than that: he enjoys working for his employer, Weixler Trans GmbH in Feldbach, and likes the contact with customers.

Fertiliser deliveries throughout Austria.

On this sunny Friday autumn morning this is particularly obvious. We meet Alois Zach and his boss Christopher Weixler in front of the warehouse of Papst GmbH & Co KG in Riegersdorf in southeastern Styria – engrossed in conversation with Papst managing director Heribert Schwab and his son Rene. They smile and drink coffee, the mood is collegial, almost like friends. “We have been working together very closely and very well for a number of years,” says Heribert Schwab a few minutes later, “and the pure business relationship has long since been supplemented by great esteem and respect.”

Although the agricultural and fertiliser trader covers its basic needs with three trucks of its own, the company uses Weixler trucks to handle a large proportion of its consignments and to supply traders, warehouses and farmers throughout Austria: “External companies have to be very flexible for us to consider them as partners. They have to be able to support us with orders placed at short notice, even at peak times,” says Heribert Schwab.

Christopher Weixler is the perfect partner here. The company’s motto “fast, safe, reliable” can be supplemented by the attribute “flexible” without hesitation. Weixler is sure that “At the end of the day, it’s quality that counts”.

Music is essential.

Meanwhile, Rene Schwab loads the 3-axle sluice tipper with fertiliser. The vehicle weighbridge ultimately displays almost 40 tons – perfect! Alois Zach takes a last sip of his coffee, says a cheery goodbye and sets off on the approximately 30-minute journey past the famous Riegersburg castle and the Zotter chocolate paradise towards Fladnitz in the Raab Valley. Accompanying him: AC/DC.

“I don’t go anywhere without AC/DC,” says Alois Zach, tapping his foot to the beat of the chorus: “I’m on the highway to hell ... on the highway to hell ...!” Singing along is expressly encouraged. “There’s nowhere better for this than on the road and especially with this great sound! I’ve spent many years behind the wheel of a truck, but no other truck has ever had such a good sound backdrop as the Actros.” And should anyone still have any doubts about the Styrian driver’s musical taste, they will be dispersed at the latest after a look at the mirror decorated with the logo of the Australian band on the back wall of the Actros cab.

A vehicle with recognition value.

So the matter of AC/DC is settled. But what about Lewis Hamilton? Alois Zach grins. “Yes, there’s a story behind that, too,” he says. Shortly before his new Actros was handed over to him, he talked to his boss about the visual design of the new truck. Formula 1 fan Alois suggested applying a portrait of Lewis Hamilton to the vehicle. My boss loved the idea and then directly arranged it.” The larger-than-life Lewis on the side of the cab not only looks good, it also has an unexpected side effect: the decal increases the recognition value of the Weixler vehicle, which is otherwise entirely in black. “The advertising is priceless,” says Christopher Weixler, whose other vehicles are also all in black. The company name is not found on the truck. “My vehicles are easy to recognise without it and they are remembered,” says Christopher Weixler.

- Alois Zach, driver at Weixler Trans GmbH

Photos: Florian Engel