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Mercedes/Renault link-up will affect vans, not HGVs
justin.stanton IU rbi.co.uk MERCEDES-BENZ has confirmed that the link-up with the Renault-Nissan Alliance will have no impact on either parties' truck businesses.
Last week the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler announced a co-operative product-sharing venture that will include light commercial vehicles, as well as various car products.
The deal sees the Alliance take a 3.1% equity share in Daimler, and Daimler taking a 3.1% share in both Renault and Nissan.
Ian Jones, MD at MercedesBenz Commercial Vehicles UK, explains that the technologysharing programme will deliver a Mercedes-badged, but Renault built small, front-wheel drive van sitting below the Vito.
The deal also allows Mercedes to use"Renault engines in a front-wheeldrive alternative to the Vito — providing us with a lower entry price option". Both vans are likely to appear in 2012.
Meanwhile, Mercedes has unveiled a number of efficiency-improving developments for its truck range.
The highlight is ExcelArate, system that limits a truck's rate of acceleration, thus maximising the vehicle's fuel efficiency when it is running empty.
Sam Whittaker, director of truck sales and marketing at Mercedes Benz, says: "We've triallecl it in the light commercial environment and are now transferring it to heavy vehicles. I'm pretty sure it won't be immediately popular with drivers. as it prevents them driving an empty vehicle like a racing car by Limiting the acceleration to the same characteristics that you would expect from a vehicle that is 60% loaded."
The system will undergo live trials with Mercedes' fleet customers in the third quarter.
Also set to undergo trials is an active variant of the static Freddie air deflector (currently specified by Tesco on its Axors, pictured left). The ActivEreddie aerofoil automatically adjusts itself in the face of crosswinds and headwinds while the vehicle is moving, using air-pressure sensors as a guide.The patent for the device is pending.