Heavy Duty Review: The New Mercedes Actros, Sales Statistics, and More

The Mercedes Actros L tractor unit has been presented with a new look: the front panel is now “molded,” with no distinct radiator grille, and the bumper features “mustaches” with LED matrix headlights. Mercedes has been testing the electric tractor eActros 600 for several months now, and there were rumors that its front design was a fake mask concealing a different layout. It turns out the design is genuine, and it will be applied not only to electric Actros models but also to diesel versions. It seems that recent global events have pushed Mercedes to temper its ambitions, even if they haven’t completely abandoned the dream of eco-friendly transport.

Engines, axles and the new ProCabin

The diesel models use Mercedes’ inline six-cylinder Euro 6 engines, producing up to 620 hp, including the particularly fuel-efficient third-generation OM471 of up to 520 hp. The transmission is the well-known automated Mercedes PowerShift. Wheel configurations include 4×2 and 6×2 in three variants — with a non-driven steerable middle axle, with a fixed non-driven “lazy axle” at the rear, and with a “lazy axle” on dual tires — as well as 6×4.

The redesigned ProCabin has been extended by 80 mm for improved aerodynamics and will be offered exclusively with a flat floor and three height options: Stream (internal height of 197 cm), Big (199 cm) and Giga (213 cm). New features include two refrigerators under the bed. The “premium” mattress, 15 cm thick, along with the solid front panel and the logo projected onto the road when the door opens in the dark, is reminiscent of the Chinese Dongfeng GX tractor, which we will talk about soon.

Safety systems, and two Actros ranges

Safety systems meet the EU standards that come into force in July: six radars and a front camera cover an angle of 270 degrees. Active Brake Assist 6 reacts more effectively to pedestrians and cyclists and monitors multiple lanes up to 250 meters away. Active Sideguard Assist 2 warns of dangers from the side of the truck and can brake automatically at speeds of up to 30 km/h, while Front Guard Assist ensures the driver doesn’t run into obstacles during maneuvers.

The interior, with its video mirrors and tablet, remains the same, but by spring 2025 the truck will receive a “multimedia cockpit” with voice control. Production begins this December, and traditional Actros trucks will still be built alongside it — which makes Mercedes the second European company after Volvo to offer two series of trucks in its lineup, one with traditional cabs and one with innovative cabs.

Sochi replaces its bus fleet

Sochi’s bus fleet has been updated: old buses, including Ukrainian Bogdan minibuses on Isuzu chassis, are being replaced by MAZ buses. Minsk-made buses are nothing new for the city — before the 2014 Olympics, 200 semi-low-floor MAZ-103 buses were delivered.

In Autoreview No. 10, 2021, we reported on the testing of the progressive MAZ-303 model in Sochi, which is equipped with a Mercedes diesel engine and a ZF automatic transmission; I was very impressed with it, both as a passenger and as a driver. By the way, two such MAZ-303 buses, still pre-sanction, have been operating on routes in Saint Petersburg for several years, including unit #001.

In Sochi, however, they decided to purchase more traditional buses from the 200 series, but gas-powered. They look “like Moscow’s”: painted blue and fitted with similar front masks with small round headlights. A total of 140 buses will be delivered — 119 large MAZ-203 buses and 21 shorter MAZ-206 buses. While the “shorties” are equipped with Chinese components, a Weichai gas engine and a Fast Gear transmission, the larger MAZ buses are fitted with Mercedes engines and Allison automatic transmissions, likely thanks to parallel imports. Sanctions didn’t stop them! Gazprom has also opened two new CNG refueling stations.

First-quarter sales

Sales data for commercial vehicles in the first three months of this year have been revealed: according to ASM Holding, markets continue to grow.

Light trucks

The biggest increase, 41.8% (22,668 units), is in the light truck market. The undisputed leader here is GAZ, which sold nearly 60% of the total, or 13,277 vehicles, including 7,819 Gazelle Next, 1,803 Gazelle Business, 531 Sobol NN and 238 Gazelle NN units. Competitor Sollers sold only 1,873 units (1,449 Atlants and 424 Argo), and UAZ sold 1,190 Profi models. Electric vehicles are not doing well in this segment — only five units were registered in three months, including one Gazelle and one EVM based on the UAZ Profi.

Buses, and electric buses

Electric bus deliveries, however, have surged: while no electric buses were registered last year in the first quarter, 299 units were registered in the same period this year — 189 KAMAZ buses, 77 LiAZ buses, 22 Volgabuses and 11 Belarusian BKM buses. As for buses in general, this market grew by 24.1% (5,323 units), with PAZ retaining its traditional top spot with models like the 3205, Vector Next and 4234.

Heavy trucks

The truck market also grew (29,784 vehicles, +11%), with 55% of the market now belonging to “Chinese” manufacturers. The leading position is held by Sitrak (5,991 units, +47.5%, including 4,312 popular C7H tractors), followed by KAMAZ (5,038 units, down 25.6%). According to KAMAZ itself, however, the company sold significantly more trucks on the Russian market in the first quarter, 8,488 (up 1.5%) — though it’s possible that these include vehicles for special structures. Production of the KAMAZ K5 new-generation vehicles is also on the rise: in the first three months of 2023, 427 units were made, while in the same period this year, 1,618 units were produced.

The next spots in the top five are also occupied by “Chinese” brands: Shacman (3,673 vehicles, +0.4%), FAW (2,888 vehicles, +21.9%) and Dongfeng (1,745 vehicles, an increase of 603.6%). Among the others, note the Valday 45 tractors — Foton Auman produced in Nizhny Novgorod — of which only 21 vehicles have been sold so far, while the Chinese Auman has sold 633 units. Sales of Mercedes Actros tractors have also increased significantly (817 units), clearly due to models from China. KAMAZ is gradually increasing sales of medium- and light-duty trucks based on JAC models: 342 Compass 9, 326 Compass 12 and 232 light Compass 5 units have been sold.

Photo: manufacturing companies | Fedor Lapshin

This is a translation. You can read the original article here: Грузовой сектор обзора: новый Mercedes Actros, статистика продаж и другое