Daimler tests self-driving truck in 2025 target for sales

Daimler AG is working to introduce trucks that steer, brake and accelerate independently as early as 2025 as the world’s commercial-vehicle industry leader seeks to keep an innovative edge over competitors.

The self-driving technology, adapted from features already available on Daimler’s new Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury sedan, enabled a prototype based on the company’s Actros truck to travel by itself down a stretch of superhighway today while the driver kept his arms crossed, waved or used a tablet computer.

“We aim to be the No. 1 manufacturer in this market of the future, which we believe will offer solid revenue and earnings potential,” Wolfgang Bernhard, head of the Daimler Trucks division, said at the driving demonstration near the eastern German city of Magdeburg. “We don’t only talk about innovation, we implement it to underline our leadership position.”

Daimler Trucks faces increasing competition as Volvo AB, which ranks second worldwide in deliveries, has vowed to become the most profitable commercial-vehicle maker, while Volkswagen AG joins forces with its MAN and Scania brands. The Daimler unit, which contributed 27 percent of revenue and 15 percent of operating profit at the Stuttgart, Germany-based automaker last year, is eager to adapt technology from the sister Mercedes-Benz premium car division in a push for complete accident prevention.

Mercedes, which ranks third in worldwide luxury-car sales to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Volkswagen AG’s Audi unit, demonstrated an automated S-Class in September, when Daimler Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche rode onto a Frankfurt car-show event stage in a driverless model. BMW’s 5-Series sedan is available with a system for parking itself, while software maker Google and electric-car producer Tesla Motors have been considering prospects for collaborating on autopilot technology.

The heavy-duty Actros, using a system branded as the Highway Pilot, drove back and forth along a stretch of the A14 Autobahn that is under construction close to Magdeburg. During the 45-minute trip, the truck reduced speed and swerved to the side of the road as a police-car model raced past. (Bloomberg)