The commercial vehicle division have a long-standing tradition whereby they invite members of the media to a festive year-end luncheon to thank the media for their commitment and contribution to the industry, to interact and have fun.

This year was no exception and the theme was ‘The obligations rising from tradition’.

With the three strong brands of Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles, Freightliner, Mitsubishi FUSO and Western Star in its stable, tradition is taken extremely seriously.

The venue chosen – The Blue Train - a South African icon, well suited to the commercial vehicle theme.

The press conference took place in the observation car whilst gliding through the countryside at a maximum service speed of 90 km/h, ensuring that the noise level of 55 decibels, somewhere between the sound of soft rainfall and normal conversation, is never exceeded. The route took the entourage from Pretoria train station, through Irene, Sentrarand, Olifantsfontein, Cullinan, Pretoria East and back to Pretoria Station.

The MBSA commercial vehicle team brought together a number of cultures, including an exclusive media group who thoroughly enjoyed the epitome of luxury, but for a fleeting time. They took a glimpse of the grand history of the Daimler group and felt the passion of a united team with one common goal: Keeping the automotive passion alive.

Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles
Right from the start, the brand has been the benchmark for innovation, reliability, quality and longevity – and continues to be just that, perfectly in keeping with Gottlieb Daimler’s claim to “nothing but the best.”
“This claim and Gottlieb Daimler’s wish to facilitate individual mobility on land, on water and in the air are fueled by a driving force which has always been a lively tradition at Mercedes-Benz and made us one of the world’s most successful motor manufacturers: our automotive passion,” says Kobus van Zyl, Vice President, Commercial Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz South Africa.

For more than 100 years Daimler has built trucks, buses, coaches and vans. Gottlieb Daimler built the world's first truck in 1896, a vehicle reminiscent of a motorised cart in the early days of the automobile.

Van Zyl took the media on a trip down memory lane pointing out that many firsts in the automotive industry came from the Daimler brand including the first diesel-engined vehicle.

Mitsubishi FUSO
The Mitsubishi FUSO brand has a proud heritage of more than 75 years. Always advancing and always innovating the Mitsubishi FUSO brand has a pioneering spirit. Always on the cutting edge of technology with a number of world firsts, in particular is the world’s cleanest light-duty truck in full time service in Japan and Great Britain.

Freightliner
More than 25 years of Freightliner with more than 2-million units sold since 1930. “Today Freightliner is the pillar of our North American commercial vehicle operation and is the Group sales leader for the entire truck business. Sales get better and better and we congratulate Ian and the Freightliner team on their stellar performance, year-to-date, of more than 1 500 units,” adds Van Zyl.

Western Star
With more than 40 years of serious trucks, Western Star traces its roots back to 1967 and a rich history producing rugged logging and mining vehicles that work in tough environments. Western Star has built trucks with a level of craftsmanship and customisation that is unique in the industry.

Van Zyl ask Duncan Prince, Product Manager for the division to share his sentiments on Western Star - “You can’t love a Western Star too much,” echoed Prince.

Shaping the future of transportation
When it comes to supply processes – commercial vehicles are indispensable. “Preserving the environment is a responsibility we all share. Shaping the future of transport on a sustainable basis is more than just an economic or technical challenge for Daimler and its well-known brands as the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer – it is a social responsibility,” added Van Zyl.

The history of the Blue Train
For over half a century, The Blue Train in South Africa has enjoyed an international reputation as one of the world’s finest travelling experiences. Officially named The Blue Train in 1946, the train’s predecessors trace their history to the 1980s and the discovery of diamonds and gold.

The Blue Train defines luxury travel, making the switch from steam to electric and diesel, linking veld to sea, and tradition to progress, with a sense of style, grace and mesmerising power that have never come close to being matched.

From the age of steam to the age of the internet, the Blue Train has kept on track with ever-changing technology. In the process, it has lost none of the charm that anchors it to a bygone era.

In a world of ever-shrinking boundaries, ever-intensifying demands, rail travel in the grand old tradition has become a luxury in itself. The luxury of time: time to indulge, time to reflect, time to savour sights, sounds, senses and sensations.

Van Zyl concluded the festivities by wishing the media well for the festive season, to take time with their families and friends and to take extra care on the roads, wherever they may lead them. He admitted 2009 would be challenging but in true South African spirit, he believed we would all rise to the challenges ahead.