Alan Davie Chooses Mercedes-Benz Actros, Cites Safety Technology & Driver Comfort

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Haulage firm Alan Davie recently purchase two new fifth-generation Actros tractor units, adding to the eight Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks already in the company’s fleet. (Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.)

Alan Davie runs a mixed-marque haulage fleet of 53 trucks that operate from depots in Dundee and Forfar. When purchasing two new tractor units from Mercedes-Benz dealer BLS Truck & Van, the groundbreaking safety features of the 5th Generation Actros series were decidedly a factor. “We’re very conscious at Alan Davie of our Duty of Care to colleagues and, indeed, the general public,” says MD Alan Davie. “Mercedes-Benz is very good when it comes to safety technology, and is clearly ahead of the competition in this respect.”

New Additions To The Fleet

The transport company’s two new Actros 2551 tractors feature GigaSpace cabs and 12.8-litre in-line six-cylinder engines that produce 375 kilowatts (510 horsepower). Similar to other new-generation Actros, Alan Davie’s 2551s feature Predictive Powertrain Control technology that scans the road ahead while managing the vehicle’s driveline to restrict diesel consumption and cut emissions. Active Brake Assist 5 is also onboard, combining radar and cameras to form an emergency braking system that can automatically employ full braking if necessary. Driver aids like Proximity Control Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and Attention Assist (all part of the Mercedes-Benz Safety Package) also make life at the wheel easier and less stressful for Alan Davie drivers.

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The safety features Mercedes-Benz builds into the Actros (pictured above with Director Ian Davie) figured heavily into Alan Davies’ decision to add more to their fleet. (Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz.)

The Actros Range Up Close

The Actros is available as a rigid truck or tractor unit with axle configurations ranging from 4x2 to 6x4. There are 17 cab variants, including GigaSpace, BigSpace, StreamSpace, ClassicSpace, and CompactSpace L-cabs. Engine outputs range from 175 to 460 kW (235 to 617 hp) and from 1,000 to 3,000 newton-metres (738 to 2,213 pounds-foot) of max torque. Mercedes-Benz designed the Actros with long-distance haulage in mind; its Multimedia Cockpit combines ergonomic and connectivity refinements to allow operators to drive and live in comfort.

Safety features included with the Actros as standard include the MirrorCam that replaces traditional mirrors to improve visibility while also improving aerodynamics on the exterior. “We’ve been out in a truck with MirrorCam and were very impressed,” says Ian Davie, director at Alan Davie. Actros models also come standard with a driver side airbag and the Mercedes-Benz Safety Package. As Ian Davie notes, “A relaxed driver is also a safer driver, so we’re very much looking forward to getting our new Actros on the road and seeing whether the system lives up to its promise.”

You will find hundreds of new and used Mercedes-Benz vehicles for sale every day on TruckLocator, including a large selection of Actros trucks.