DT Dobie has today introduced the locally assembled Mercedes Benz Actros 3340 truck into the Kenyan market. That offers more safety features for the driver as the Mercedes gives an improved Actros Truck that is to raise standards for long-distance drives, with better fuel consumption and comfort.
Built in by the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) in Thika in three months, the trucks are specifically customized for Kenyan roads and are tropicalized to consume the diesel sold in East Africa for optimal performance. The truck took up to 3 months to develop and has a bull feature that ensures it is environmentally friendly and so far up to 48 trucks have been assembled.
This comes after Mercedes company in Germany issued Kenya with a license of producing the vehicles in local assemblies with the assistance of German engineers who train the employees. A move that has made Kenya the second and first country in East Africa to attain the production go-ahead after South Africa.
The Kenyan government has made it easier for local assembling by issuing policies that are friendly for the sector by introducing a policy regulating the importation of second-hand trucks into the market.
The Finance Act 2022, which became operational in July this year, exempts locally assembled vehicles from major taxes that are applicable on fully-built units imported from overseas markets and provides concessions to assemblers who qualify for the tax incentives by freeing them from a requirement compelling them to source at least 30 percent of spare parts locally.
“Our local assembly program has brought new asset ownership within reach of more Kenyan businesses because it provides a cost-effective alternative to fully assembled imports. Sourcing vehicles locally also shortens the lead time for delivery of the products compared to importing which is prone to global geo-political and logistical challenges. Buyers also have the satisfaction of knowing
that the units provide a longer period of operation before they reach the mileage of imported second-hand trucks, hence a higher return on investment’, said DT Dobie Managing Director Chris Ndala during the launch.
Mr. Ndala hailed that the fundamental Mercedes-Benz Actros attributes remain constant, such as best-in-class performance, resale value, reliability, durability, and unmatched aftersales support with Dt Dobie service centers in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, and ongoing service camps countrywide like driver training and mobility.
For Mercedes-Benz, reliability is not just a word but a tradition stretching back 120 years. The 3340 trucks are designed to withstand the harsh and tough conditions of our Kenyan/African environment.
The Actros Truck has two diesel tanks of 430 liters each, sleeper beds that are luxurious for the driver’s rest, a driver seat with up to 20 adjustments ie massage, and heating, the truck also has the safest braking systems two disc-shaped circuits, auxiliary breaks that can work singularly in case one fails.
With the fleet management system, the driver is protected as the truck has cameras within that ensure the driver is in good condition, alerting in case of dizziness, and a breathalyzer that in case the driver is drunk doesn’t let the truck start.
The truck has a high ground clearance that makes it safer for the driver to access views from either side of the truck easily and effectively. Coming with a Euro 3 engine, with a consumption of about a liter or less per kilometer, the truck has an in-line 6 engine that is more stronger and reliable since a pump is instilled in every cylinder.
Additionally, DT Dobie now offers Mobility solutions for Mercedes-Benz Trucks with a full-service contract. Mobility solutions save the client from the cost of paying for a new truck and instead provide the operation of the vehicle for a fixed monthly cost over a given period and agreed
distance.
The Actros 3340 is the ideal partner for the logistics, construction, mining, manufacturing, horticulture, and humanitarian services among other sectors, adding that it has an unrivaled global reputation for high efficiency, reliability, and fuel economy. Its maintenance system allows service intervals of up to 60,000 km.
This is because it is based on the actual wear and tear, enabling the optimal utilization of all the operating fluids. The truck comes with a 16-speed automatic transmission for improved fuel consumption, telematics for monitoring the usage of the truck, L-cab for driver experience and comfort.
Furthermore, the 3340 model is equipped with both air and steel suspension depending on the
customer’s needs and preferences. Going for 16.6 million, the truck has a Euro 3 engine that is a result of the regulatory policies and diesel used within the country and neighboring countries.
The Actros joins the growing range of locally assembled vehicles under the ambit of DT Dobie such as Hyundai trucks, and VW passenger vehicles. This is an affirmation of the company’s strategic commitment to promoting industrialization and job creation in Kenya. DT Dobie is the leading dealer of new German vehicles in Kenya.
