Production begins at Mercedes-Benz’s Kassel plant of first intelligent truck axle

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• New fuel-efficient axle available for Mercedes-Benz Actros from July 2017
• Active oil management in the final drive reduces fuel consumption by 0.5 percent and is without parallel worldwide
• New ultra-modern assembly line inaugurated in Kassel
• Dr Frank Reintjes: "The second generation of the Integrated Powertrainfrom Daimler Trucks – consisting of engine, transmission and axle – has already reduced fuel consumption of the Mercedes-Benz Actros by up to 6 percent and guarantees the lowest possible Total Cost of Ownership. The world's first intelligent truck axle enables us to reduce fuel consumption by a further 0.5 percent. This demonstrates once again our technology leadership and directly pays off for our customers."

Kassel – Production of the new fuel-efficient truck axle started yesterday at the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Kassel. The rear axle reduces fuel consumption of the Mercedes-Benz Actros by up to 0.5 percent. In addition to the weight savings, the New Final Drive (NFD) particularly benefits from the actively controlled oil regulation in the final drive, the heart of the axle. This technology and type of construction is without parallel worldwide: the lubricating oil is supplied as needed depending on the speed, torque and temperature. Intelligent oil management minimises the swirl of liquid in the final drive and thus reduces the friction loss from the gears turning in the oil bath. The New Final Drive axle completes the second generation of the Integrated Powertrain from Daimler Trucks and results in fuel savings of up to 6.5 percent for the Mercedes‑Benz Actros compared with its predecessor. As part of the Daimler Trucks platform strategy, the new truck axle will be produced at the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Kassel and also at the US site in Detroit.

"The second generation of the Integrated Powertrain from Daimler Trucks – consisting of engine, transmission and axle – has already resulted in fuel savings of up to 6 percent for the Mercedes‑Benz Actros and ensures the lowest possible Total Cost of Ownership. The world's first intelligent truck axles even enable us to reduce fuel consumption by a further 0.5 percent. This once again demonstrates our technology leadership and directly pays off for our customers", says Dr Frank Reintjes, Head of Global Powertrain and Manufacturing Engineering Trucks.

About the new rear axle assembly line in Kassel

On 13 June 2017 the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Kassel had two reasons to celebrate: the start of series production of the fuel-efficient truck axle and the inauguration of the ultra-modern assembly line that was constructed at the site in recent months. The plant boasts cutting-edge production technologies and a high level of automation. For example, components inside the axle can now be directly welded together with new laser technology instead of being bolted. The resulting smooth mating surfaces reduce unnecessary oil swirl in the final drive and have a positive effect on fuel consumption. A total sum of around 30 million euros has been invested in the new NFD assembly line in Kassel.

"The new truck axle with active oil regulation is the first axle of this type and offers our customers a clear competitive edge thanks to reduced fuel consumption. We also benefit from this at the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Kassel. Cutting-edge product technologies and extensive investments in production facilities ensure that the site will remain profitable and competitive in future", says Ludwig Pauss, site manager of the Mercedes‑Benz plant in Kassel.

About the fuel-efficient Integrated Powertrain

The Integrated powertrain from Daimler Trucks is perfectly coordinated and in addition to cost and efficiency advantages it also offers the lowest Total Cost of Ownership for transport companies. Fuel savings of up to six percent can be achieved for the Mercedes‑Benz Actros models. The enhanced OM 470 and OM 471 engines in conjunction with the optimised twelve-speed transmission and the improved Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) shift strategy contribute to the low fuel consumption.

About the Global Powertrain integrated production network

Daimler Trucks Global Powertrain stands not only for the integrated drive system itself, but also for the integration of all global sites and relevant functions along the whole value chain. The powertrain plants in Germany (Mannheim, Gaggenau and Kassel), the USA (Detroit), Brazil (São Bernardo), India (Oragadam) and Japan (Kawasaki) produce innovative and reliable drive components with uniform global quality standards. The components are used in all Daimler commercial vehicle divisions and brands and by external customers.

About the Mercedes-Benz plant in Kassel

The Mercedes‑Benz plant in Kassel is Daimler's global centre of excellence for commercial vehicle axles. With around 3000 employees it is Europe's largest commercial vehicle axle plant and the largest industrial employer in Kassel. Cutting-edge production processes are used to produce axles for trucks, vans and cars and also propeller shafts and gear sets.

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