Hey TXBill...got yer ears on??

This may not be the right forum for this, but being it concerns Diesels and Mercedes, I thought you may let me slide...

I've noticed lately that theres an increased number of Volvo tractors on the road, so where are the Mercedes? I can't help but to check out every eighteen wheeler for a Mercedes tractor. I may have caught a glimpse of one recently but wasn't sure. Once in a Blue Moon I'll see a Mercedes two axle cab-over van about the size of a big U-Hual. But that's it!! So what's the deal??
Ernie

Nope...haven't seen a Serta bus, but now I'll keep an eye out. I clicked on that hypertext in your reply but it wouldn't let me in. Said I wasn't authorized, any clue?
Thanks for the reply.
Ernie

[longston]

DC does indeed now own Freightliner, the custom-made truck line designed by the guy who created Consolidated Freightways. But they also own Western Star, another prestige marque that used to be part of White Motor Trucks. Add to that Sterling, a division of Freightliner that makes middle weight commercial trucks.

All of the current Mercedes models, Actros, Atego, & Econic are COE, or Cab Over Engine configurations that are mostly popular in foreign countries due to restricted space to operate in. Most long distance truck drivers in North America prefer the ride of the conventional tractor, so I'm not surprised that Mercedes isn't marketing class 8 vehicles directly to this market, and choose instead to continue the legacy of Freightliner.

Although the Volvos are awesome, and are a good indicator of what owner operators want that may not be available from Peterbilt & Kenworth anymore. But don't misunderstand my comments, the KW T-2000 is an awesome beast in it's own right, and I am partial to KW, but the Volvos are getting to be tougher to contend with for creature comforts...

I think we may see a Mercedes-Freightliner that morphs into a new brand, or even a Mercedes tractor made to compete with the prestige of the Volvo. But again, we may just see the Freightliner marque continue to develop additional amenities while continuing to serve the niche market that Mercedes bought them in order to get in the first place.

As far as Setra buses, they all have American drivelines in them in North America, and most are powered by Detroit Diesel engines. Right, owned by DC...

The argument for/against Setra Buses is very subjective. Many people swear by them, and others say that they are too high maintenance, and prefer the MCI, Prevost, and even Van Hool.

[longston]

Originally posted by TXBill
American driveline in a Setra?

Yep, Detroit Diesel V92's with an Allison automatic and a Rockwell rear end...

Remember one thing about commercial vehicles. The name on the vehicle has little to do with what it's made of. Been that way for years, since Mack, Ford, and GM all stopped being proprietary nameplates, and joined the rest of the world in allowing Cummins, Detroit, Cat, Spicer, Allison, Rockwell, and Eaton to be optional components...

Oh, and now Freightliner may have Mercedes Diesels as well, if you judge by the Freightliner vans that FedEx has ordered 2000 units of with a Mercedes CDI engine as the power plant.

And Der Link ist verkin' fine fer me as well...

Thanks to both of you, and the link working for me now. Think those Freightliners will at least have Star embossed mud flaps?
Ernie

[longston]

Dig this, it may be my next minivan...

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=17307

Looks good, my last van was a 460ci gas hog with a whopping 135sae hp. Couldn't get out of its own way and stopped at every gas station. I'm ready.

[Aaron]

What I heard from the only MB truck dealer/shop in Cleveland was that all the companies who used to run MB trucks have now switched over to Freightliner medium duty rigs because they are cheaper to maintain and the parts are more readily available. I would love to find out about one of those cab-over converted MB flatbed trucks! I am planning on having one for my MB shop!