RoadEfficiency a magnet for visitors

IAA in retrospect

Into the future with efficiency.

Networked trucks, intelligent services and outstanding safety technology – at the 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair in Hanover Mercedes-Benz showed how RoadEfficiency is making the competition eat dust.


More visitors per day, from even more different countries. As expected, the 66th IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair turned out to be the venue where the mobile transport sector launched its move into the networking of vehicles, and it did so in spectacular style. At the centre of it all – this was evident over the nine days in Hanover – will in future be integrated concepts covering all aspects of operation and maintenance, and the digital transformation.



A total of around 250,000 visitors streamed into the fairground during the nine-day event. There were about just as many as in 2014, despite the fact that the IAA 2016 ran for one day less than it did two years earlier. Some 2,013 exhibitors from 52 countries let the visitors gain an impression of the future trends awaiting the industry: 332 world premieres and more than 100 European premieres underscored the fact that the IAA Commercial Vehicles is the world's leading trade fair in its industry segment.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks in particular made a mighty effort to impress its visitors. Over 1,000 staff bearing the emblem of the star looked after the guests flocking into Hall 14/15 and out on to the Mercedes-Benz outside premises to learn all about the ground-breaking innovations presented here. And there was a great deal to discover indeed: the new benchmarks Mercedes-Benz Trucks is setting with its RoadEfficiency concept had the audience in awe. The spellbinding RoadEfficiency stage show, for example, provided thousands of people every day with the perfect introduction to the RoadEfficiency triad of low total costs, greater safety and maximised utilisation. The visitors also made the most of the opportunity to engage the Mercedes-Benz experts attending the exhibits in detailed discussions and learn about how RoadEfficiency can boost economy even further.


Greater safety: Active Brake Assist 4 and Sideguard Assist.

The Active Brake Assist 4, as well as offering all the functionalities found in the proven Active Brake Assist 3, can also detect moving pedestrians in virtually any kind of traffic situations.
The Active Brake Assist 4, as well as offering all the functionalities found in the proven Active Brake Assist 3, can also detect moving pedestrians in virtually any kind of traffic situations.
With two short-range radar sensors mounted on the chassis on the passenger side, Sideguard Assist provides a vital safety boost.
With two short-range radar sensors mounted on the chassis on the passenger side, Sideguard Assist provides a vital safety boost.
It is able to assist the driver when turning or when changing lanes by being able to detect moving and stationary objects in the warning zone on the right-hand side or in the trailer's curve, and can visually and audibly warn the driver …
It is able to assist the driver when turning or when changing lanes by being able to detect moving and stationary objects in the warning zone on the right-hand side or in the trailer's curve, and can visually and audibly warn the driver …
…with an LED warning light in the A-pillar, for example.
…with an LED warning light in the A-pillar, for example.
Improved radar technology. Active Brake Assist 4 is an enhancement on the predecessor system and can warn the driver if pedestrians are moving in the radar detection area in front of the cab.
Improved radar technology. Active Brake Assist 4 is an enhancement on the predecessor system and can warn the driver if pedestrians are moving in the radar detection area in front of the cab.

With Active Brake Assist 4 and Sideguard Assist, Mercedes-Benz Trucks offers two ground-breaking new safety features. Active Brake Assist 4, available from December 2016, is the natural progression based on the proven Active Brake Assist 3. In addition to the functionalities already available in Active Brake Assist 3, such as emergency braking and coming to a stop in front of moving and stationary objects within the system limits, the Active Brake Assist 4 is also capable of detecting pedestrians crossing the road and sounding a warning, and even initiate a partial braking manoeuvre.

Mercedes-Benz is the first truck manufacturer worldwide to also offer Sideguard Assist capable of detecting pedestrians. If a pedestrian or cyclist is located within the surveillance zone on either side, the driver is initially alerted by means of a visual signal from an LED. If there is a danger of a collision, additional visual and acoustic warning signals are triggered. If Sideguard Assist detects a stationary object within the truck’s towing curve, it also warns the driver using visual and acoustic alerts.


Low total costs: fuel consumption reduced yet again.

The second mainstay of RoadEfficiency, low total costs, helps businesses minimise their spending further and position themselves even better for the future.
The second mainstay of RoadEfficiency, low total costs, helps businesses minimise their spending further and position themselves even better for the future.
With the modifications previously made to the engine and the most recent set of measures, the fuel consumption of the Actros with the OM 471 engine is reduced by up to six per cent.
With the modifications previously made to the engine and the most recent set of measures, the fuel consumption of the Actros with the OM 471 engine is reduced by up to six per cent.
In the Actros equipped with the OM 470 engine, fuel consumption is down by up to five per cent thanks to measures implemented on the engine and the powertrain.
In the Actros equipped with the OM 470 engine, fuel consumption is down by up to five per cent thanks to measures implemented on the engine and the powertrain.

The second mainstay of RoadEfficiency, low total costs, helps businesses minimise their spending further and position themselves even better for the future. With the introduction of the second generation of both the OM 470 and OM 471 engines, consumption has been reduced further through measures implemented inside the engines. Together with the aerodynamic refinements, optimised auxiliary equipment and an improved Predictive Powertrain Control, an Actros with a second-generation OM 471 engine can achieve fuel savings of up to three per cent, and up to five per cent with a second-generation OM 470.


Maximised vehicle utilisation: Mercedes-Benz Uptime solves problems before they occur.

Mercedes-Benz Uptime offers three separate performance aspects: avoidance of breakdowns, real time support for repair work on the customer’s premises, and efficient repairs and maintenance management.


Not only workshop managers dream of trucks that will be logged in automatically whenever non-scheduled repairs or maintenance work become necessary. For the drivers, too, stress will be much reduced in this way, and Mercedes-Benz Uptime is now making this dream come true. Working in conjunction with the FleetBoard Truck Data Center, this service constantly checks a vehicle’s systems. A Mercedes-Benz server continually analyses the data and generates a detailed interpretation in real time whenever required, and it then provides this information along with specific recommendations for action to fleet manager responsible for the vehicle and to his service partner. If a breakdown appears imminent, the Customer Assistance Center is alerted immediately. They in turn call their contact person at the company without delay in order to coordinate the steps to be taken.


Events, services and a milestone birthday.

The Truck Trophy crew of professionals celebrating their reunion at the RoadStars Showtruck.
The Truck Trophy crew of professionals celebrating their reunion at the RoadStars Showtruck.
Alec “Boss Burns” Völkel and Sascha “Hoss Power” Vollmer from The BossHoss with the RoadStars Meet & Greet winners, who were allowed to bring along their back-up teams.
Alec “Boss Burns” Völkel and Sascha “Hoss Power” Vollmer from The BossHoss with the RoadStars Meet & Greet winners, who were allowed to bring along their back-up teams.
The special “20 Years Actros” model: the flagship of Mercedes-Benz Trucks celebrated an anniversary at the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair.
The special “20 Years Actros” model: the flagship of Mercedes-Benz Trucks celebrated an anniversary at the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair.

The Mercedes-Benz Trucks Community RoadStars in their jet-black Showtruck also stopped by in Hanover, carrying all kinds of pleasant surprises for members and visitors keen to become members. For example, drivers, business people, journalists and truck enthusiasts had a chance to win freshly prepared RoadStars waffles and small gifts at the wheel of fortune. Reserved exclusively for registered members was the opportunity to meet Alec “Boss Burns” Völkel and Sascha “Hoss Power” Vollmer from The BossHoss. Before their autograph session at the Mercedes-Benz Driver’s Inn, the power duo made time to meet the five winners.

Also meeting up in Hanover for a reunion and to keep up with the latest innovations presented at the trade fair were the finalists in the driver challenge competition Truck Trophy 2008 and 2015. Along with the futuristic eActros, it was the special “20 Years Actros” model marking the flagship’s milestone anniversary that drew the interest of this group of professionals. This limited-edition model – only 200 will ever be made – features, in addition to Active Brake Assist 3 – or Active Brake Assist 4, available from December 2016 – fully automatic air-conditioning, refrigerator and sound system, and last but not least, the new fuel-efficient powertrain that was presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair for the first time.

“Waffles & sausages: Snack facts”.

  • 14,000 pretzels
  • 800 servings of bockwurst and potatoe salad
  • 3,200 waffles at the RoadStars Showtruck
  • The wheel of fortune was turned about 7,500 times during the last eight days of the IAA 2016

Photos: Tom Roelecke
Video: Martin Schneider-Lau

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