The American brother: Daimler Trucks brings the Freightliner Econic SD to North America

Daimler Trucks is introducing the Freightliner Econic SD, a special truck for municipal requirements, to the North American market.The vehicle is better known to European customers as the Mercedes-Benz Econic, which is frequently used by waste-disposal companies, among others. Both vehicles are primarily characterised by their unique low-entry concept with a low, extra large driver’s cabin and an all-round panorama field of vision. On the one hand, this facilitates frequently getting into and out of the vehicle, and on the other hand it especially increases the driver’s all-round visibility in busy inner-city traffic - a clear safety advantage for other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

Daimler Trucks makes us of global platform strategy and opens up new segment

With the introduction to North America, the world’s biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer once again uses the strengths of its global platform strategy. Just like the Mercedes-Benz Econic, its American brother runs off the production line in the world’s biggest truck plant in Wörth (Rhineland-Palatinate). From the Palatinate, the trucks make their way to Gaffney, South Carolina, where the Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation carries out the final assembly with adjustments for the North American market. The Freightliner Econic SD with the DD8 (350 hp) six-cylinder in-line engine is equipped with a major assembly produced locally in Detroit, Michigan, which stems from the MDEP engine family (Medium Duty Engine Platform) deployed worldwide by Daimler Trucks.

With its truck brands Freightliner and Western Star, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is the undisputed market leader with a market share of around 40 percent in the medium-duty and heavy-duty segments (Class 6-8). For Daimler Trucks North America, the latest member of the family - a vehicle that is very popular with customers - makes it possible to open up a completely new segment for the Freightliner brand. In Europe, the Mercedes-Benz Econic has been part of the streetscape of cities and municipalities for around 20 years and has proven its reliability in numerous applications.More than 12,000 units have been sold in Europe and Australia since 2006, particularly in leading markets like Germany and Great Britain.