The Actros was presented in 1996 at the IAA for commercial vehicles. The designation Actros stands for a truck series of the Mercedes-Benz brand of Daimler AG. In many areas, the Actros represents a total new development. Above all, the introduction of all-embracing electronic systems in commercial vehicle construction was advanced by the Actros. The Actros became a yardstick for reliability in the commercial vehicle sector. This was achieved mainly through numerous quality offensives and detail improvements. The Actros also achieved very good sales figures.

Innovations at model launch included the networking of the control units in the vehicle, the electronically controlled compressed air braking system, as well as the further development of the electro-pneumatic shifting (EPS) for “Telligent” shifting with new transmissions. Other innovations included the new engines of the 500 series (V6 and V8) with “Telligent” engine control and the flexible “Telligent” maintenance system.

Initially, all Actros engines were suitable for compliance with the Euro 2 emissions standards, later for Euro 3 as well. The new OM 500 model series was used in the Actros for the first time and was given the following designations: OM 501 LA for the V6 engine (from 230 kW (313 hp) with max. 1530 Nm torque to 350 kW (476 hp) with max. 2300 Nm torque) and OM 502 LA for the V8 (from 375 kW (500 hp) with max. 2400 Nm torque to 440 kW (598 hp) with max. 2800 Nm torque). Part equivalency exists for almost all engines. This was intentional and given additional consideration when designing the series.

The fuel injection system with the “unit pump system” principle (UPS) is also new to this series. Each cylinder has its own injection pump, which is driven by its own cam on the camshaft. This is an improvement of the principle of the cartridge type pumps, which have been used for decades.

A lot of value was placed on safety in the Actros. It is therefore comes as no surprise to learn that the launch of the Actros saw the introduction of new safety systems. The Actros was given ABS, ASR and a driver airbag – these systems are available in most long-distance trucks nowadays. Other systems, such as distance control, stability control, lane assist and emergency brake assist, were also installed as options.
The Actros is built at the plant in Wörth am Rhein and was voted “Truck Of The Year” in 1997, 2004, 2009 and 2012 by an international jury of specialist journalists.

The “Actros Black Edition” represented a special series of the Actros series. This special series was limited to 250 units and appeared in 2005. This model was noted for its special options and more powerful engines.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks (Daimler Trucks) belongs to the truck division of Daimler AG. This division covers the Mercedes-Benz, Fuso, Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses brands.

Daimler advanced to become one of the biggest truck manufacturers in the world. Since 1965, the most important production location of Mercedes-Benz Trucks has been the plant at Wörth am Rhein. The main truck models, including the Actros, Atego and Axor, are built in Wörth; specifically this involves cab production and vehicle assembly.

In 1896, designers and company-founders Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler presented the first Mercedes-Benz truck as a Daimler truck from Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG – Daimler Engine Company), as it was called at the time. Daimler-Benz produced various platform trucks and trucks up until the outbreak of the Second World War. Models such as the Mercedes-Benz Lo 2000 and the L 1500 with wood gasification plant, both of which date to the 1930s, can still be marveled at today in museums.

In 2004, Mercedes-Benz was the first manufacturer to present Mercedes-Benz engines that complied with the Euro 4 and Euro 5 emissions standards. Mercedes-Benz Trucks used SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology to achieve this. This technology was later also used by most other truck manufacturers. The SCR catalytic converter works by converting the toxic nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and water vapor in a chemical reaction through the addition of AdBlue. This means that the emissions are no longer reduced only within the engine, as was normal for engines up to that point.

A lot of value was placed on safety in the Actros. It therefore comes as no surprise to learn that the launch of the Actros saw the introduction of new safety systems. The Actros was given ABS, ASR and a driver airbag – these systems are available in most long-distance trucks nowadays. Other systems, such as distance control, stability control, lane assist and emergency brake assist, were also installed as options.