If you thought the Mercedes-Benz brand was only associated with luxury automobiles, then you, my friend, do not live in Valencia.  That's because the Mediterranean city in Southern Spain recently purchased a total of 94 new Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles, all of which are being used for refuse collection.

Of the vehicles purchased, 35 include the Mercedes-Benz Econic models, with 12 of the 35 equipped with a gas drive system.  These vehicles were chosen in particular for their extremely low emissions, a key environmental factor in inner-city congestion.  As for the remaining 59 vehicles, models purchased include the Mercedes-Benz Actros, Axor, Atego, and Sprinter, all of which were chosen for their "outstanding reliability, excellent overall economy and sophisticated, environmentally-friendly technology."

For more info, keep scrolling to see a photo of Valencia's mayor Rita Barberá visiting the city's new commercial vehicle lineup, immediately followed by the full press release.





OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Valencia opts for Mercedes-Benz vehicles

• 35 Mercedes-Benz Econic vehicles for refuse collection in Valencia
  
  
• Twelve of these trucks equipped with gas drive system (NGT)
  
  
• 59 further vehicles comprising Actros, Axor, Atego and Sprinter models
  
  
• A grand total of 94 Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles
  
  

Valencia, May 30, 2006
A total of 94 new Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles are being used for refuse collection in Valencia, comprising 35 Econic models and 59 Actros, Axor, Atego and Sprinter models. Twelve of the 35 Econic vehicles are equipped with a gas drive system, including eight Mercedes-Benz Econic 1828 LL NGT models. NGT stands for Natural Gas Technology whilst 1828 refers to the permitted gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes and the output of around 280 hp. LL (a German abbreviation) indicates that the vehicle has front and rear air suspension. The decision-makers in the Mediterranean city in southern Spain opted for the gas drive system because of its extremely low emissions – a key environmental factor in inner-city congestion. Plus the price of gas is relatively low. Further evidence of the importance Valencia attaches to environmentally-friendly vehicles is provided by the BlueTec 5 technology specified for the Actros models, which ensures compliance with the Euro 5 emissions standard.

Mercedes-Benz won the order because it is synonymous with outstanding reliability, excellent overall economy and sophisticated, environmentally-friendly technology. In addition, no other basic refuse collection vehicle on the market compares with the Mercedes-Benz Econic with its low-entrance cab. The fact that 13 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans are also used is down to central Valencia's narrow streets, which are not wide enough for larger trucks such as the Econic, Axor or Atego. All of these vehicles were supplied as chassis units and then fitted with country-specific bodies.

Copyright © 2006, DaimlerChrysler AG