The new Freightliner Cascadia will soon be arriving in New Zealand following a special unveiling in Australia.
Daimler Trucks and Buses chief executive Martin Daum and Daimler Truck AG board member Roger Nielsen presented the truck for the first time in Sydney on November 22.
The Cascadia is a market leader in the USA, making up 38% of the long-distance heavy haulage truck segment. It is hoped the truck will deliver the same results when it hits the market Down Under.
Daimler Trucks North America says it made “significant financial investments” for trials and adaptation of the new truck “in the demanding markets of Australia and New Zealand”.
The company has a “longstanding commitment to these markets”, it says.
“Modifications required by adapting the vehicle to right-hand drive, include the optimisation of the drive system for the transport tasks in Australia which typically exceed 100 tonnes permissible GVW, special bumpers with underride guard, as well as a cab developed specially for Australia.”
The Cascadia, which features partially automated driving functions, launched in North America in 2019.
Around 20,000 trucks of the Freightliner brand are in operation in Australia and New Zealand.
Daimler Trucks North America exports its heavy-duty long-distance trucks to more than 30 countries worldwide. In 2018, the company contributed almost 40% of the total sales figure of the Daimler Trucks and Buses business operation, having sold around 190,000 units.
