A MirrorCam convert and his personalised cab

Mercedes-Benz Trucks convert.

Driven by Me Ltd was established in 2015 by owner Aaron Vincent, and provides nationwide transportation of everything from foods and soft drinks, to insulation products, packaging materials, and timber.

Driver Steve Garnier has been a trucker for 12 years and previously was a fan of a different vehicle manufacturer. However, since driving the new Actros he’s become a convert after being blown away by the truck’s advanced technology, comfort and smart design.

“I absolutely love this Mercedes-Benz. It’s beautiful to drive and I get a great night’s sleep. I’ve also found the amazing technology on my Actros very intuitive and easy to use,” he explained.

Safety on and off the road.

The new Actros 2548 BigSpace model ticks all the boxes, with MirrorCam being a stand-out feature, “A lot of drivers are averse to change but I have no hesitation in describing MirrorCam as brilliant. The cameras make blind side reversing a lot easier, and you don’t have to contend with the huge blind spots behind your mirrors,” explains Steve.

Safety and security are at the top of the priority list for every trucker, both when on the road and spending the night in rest stops. Steve appreciates the ease and reassurance MirrorCam offers during his downtime on the job, “If I’m on my bunk at night I can flick a switch by my head which turns the cameras on, so I can see whether anyone’s poking around the trailer.”

Steve is also thrilled with the Multimedia Cockpit, interactive, “The twin screens look fantastic, very clean and modern, while it’s nice to have so much useful information – for example relating to the aircon system or tyre pressures – in one place, and all easily accessed from the steering wheel.”

The radical system boasts a large 12in instrument panel and offers extra functionality, such as navigation with Traffic Sign Assist.

- Steve Garnier, Driver, Driven By Me

Cutting-edge technology and style.

In addition to cutting-edge technology and sophisticated systems, this particular new Actros wows in the style stakes too!  Finished in ‘Summer Night Blue’ metallic paint with colour-coded bumper, the vehicle also sports roof-mounted air horns and Alcoa alloy wheels for an overall supremely smart and sleek effect.

The cab bears the names of Steve’s wife Nicola and children Hayden and Jazmin, a lovely personal touch for the trucker who calls this vehicle home all week-long. The inside is just as special, offering optional ExtraLine lighting, a pull-out refrigerator beneath the bunk, and additional stowage.

- Aaron Vincent, Owner, Driven By Me

Fantastic fuel economy.

Company owner Aaron Vincent could not be happier with the latest edition to his fleet and has been considerably impressed by the model’s fuel economy.

The truck’s 350 kW (476 hp) 12.8-litre ‘straight six’ is enhanced by an optional Economy Package that incorporates air deflectors and tyre pressure monitoring, along with an improved version of the Predictive Powertrain Control system, which uses GPS and mapping data to manage gear changes.

He confirmed: “Steve’s Actros is already returning in excess of 10 mpg on a consistent basis. That’s an excellent figure given that he’s running heavy most of the time. It means the new truck is a good half a mile per gallon ahead of his previous Actros, and of the other unit that we also run.”

Keeping everyone happy.

Ultimately, Aaron wants his customers and drivers to be safe and happy, “Economy is crucial, of course, but what’s even more important for me is that Steve likes his truck. That’s because a happy driver is also a safe and efficient driver, and really good ones like Steve are hard to come by. “

It seems this new Actros is definitely a keeper!

Do you drive a new Actros?

Does it have a beautiful livery like this one? Have you been amazed by its features? Tell us and your fellow RoadStars about it below.