The Actros for construction haulage sets the benchmark as far as toughness is concerned – it is impressive both in terms of its uncompromisingly robust and durable construction and thanks to the degree of component protection. A wide range of additional protective parts serves to prevent annoying and expensive repairs and at the same time reduce downtime for your truck. A prime example is the 3 mm thick high-strength protective stainless steel plate for the radiator and engine. It reduces damage and underscores the powerful design of the Actros. The fuel tank is similarly equipped with a protective plate underneath. Equally typical of the construction haulage truck, and super sturdy, is the corrosion-resistant pivoting entry step, which swings out of the way forwards, backwards or sideways if there is any contact with soil or rock. Damage caused by transverse loads is now a thing of the past, and it can also be fitted to older Actros models. The sturdy exterior mirrors are also practical, with covers made of impact- and scratch-resistant plastic, and they also have their own distinctive, robust construction-truck design. Protective steel headlamp grilles offer an effective defence against stones and branches. And the tail lights are also safe from stone chips and damage from bulk materials – thanks to protective plates and grilles. In short: whether as a platform vehicle, concrete mixer or tipper, with two, three or four axles – the Actros gives you the right tool for all heavy-duty applications.

Successful results in crash tests and the Sweden test testify to the safety of the Actros – and there are plenty of other features that serve the sole purpose of keeping you safe. It starts inside the cab. We have been careful to use only materials that are shatterproof and flame-resistant. In addition, all surfaces have rounded corners and edges. And so nothing can happen to your Actros when you're not around, an electronic anti-theft alarm system is optionally available.

The clear-lens headlamps, fitted as standard, not only look good but provide excellent visibility in the dark. For a good view to the rear there is a large-surface mirror system with manually switchable heated rear-view mirrors. The mirror lens has a special curve to reduce the blind spot. A smoothly adjustable roller sunblind on the driver's side window offers protection against penetrating sunlight on that side. If it should suddenly start to rain, the rain and light sensor will automatically switch on the windscreen wipers, which can be adjusted in five individual settings. And when dusk begins to fall, the driving lights come on automatically.

The Telligent^® brake system, standard equipment for the Actros, demonstrates specific advantages on all surfaces. On the construction site the demands on the brakes and the optimum distribution of the brake force vary greatly according to the load condition. The Telligent^® brake system uses it to calculate the appropriate brake pressure for each wheel and can also prevent overbraking and therefore stop the wheels from locking up. The brake force is distributed in a way that ensures even brake pad wear on each axle so that they can be changed at the same time. To ensure this level of safety we spare no effort.

For even greater ride comfort and economy, the Mercedes PowerShift offroad 12-speed automated gearshift system is available. With its optimised gearshift strategy, smooth gear changes and short power interruption it benefits the powertrain and provides noticeably greater dynamics even on rough terrain. Specific switchable modes and supplementary functions are available to ensure optimum handling. And four reverse gears, of which two have fast ratios, are advantageous for covering longer stretches in reverse and on access roads where there is no room to turn round. In addition to the aspects mentioned so far, the impressive allocation of space inside the cab is also a major factor in contributing to the pleasant working environment. Plenty of room to move around and a large number of practical stowage compartments and trays come as standard in every cab. Individual requirements can be accommodated without difficulty, such as a comfortable bed, a centre seat or air-conditioning system.

And the feel-good factor that lights up the inside of the cab also extends to the outside – with the backlit Mercedes star integrated in the front-end flap.

Construction haulage is tough work. And our testing programme is also tough. Only a truck that's properly prepared from top to bottom for the rigours of everyday work will be able to meet our expectations and match the demands you place on it in practice. That's why our trucks undergo a stringent test programme each year, because every improvement and enhancement has to prove that it is completely ready to go into production and sure to yield the intended outcome in everyday practice. Only in this way can we at Mercedes-Benz ensure that our trucks meet the international standards for reliability and economic efficiency. Now and in the future.

We're there for you. Europe-wide. With all the services you could ever wish for. And always the exact service you need. More than 1750 outlets are there for you, for example, many of which are open until 10 p.m. or midnight, and some even around the clock. In an emergency, our Mercedes-Benz Service24h is available around the clock. And for cashless transactions we are pleased to offer you our MercedesServiceCard. For any questions relating to leasing, financing and insurance, Daimler Financial Services and Mercedes-Benz CharterWay are available. And in Fleetboard^® we offer another way aid to greater cost transparency and flexibility. Not to forget the thousands of Mercedes-Benz employees who are at your service.

Low fuel consumption and pollutant emissions –these aren't solely the product of innovative advanced technology. They also come from an attitude that progressively puts into practice a commitment to the greater environmental sustainability of products and production methods.

Thanks to BlueTec^®, the Actros numbers not only among the most economical trucks produced today, it is also one of the most environmentally friendly: it has impressively low figures for fuel consumption and lower CO₂ emissions. To ensure this remains the case in the future we are already working on solutions for greater efficiency in aspects surrounding the powertrain and in reducing rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. Our BlueTecEco package of measures is also targeted at protecting your resources and the environment: here we have pooled together products and services that reduce fuel consumption and can therefore help to protect the environment – with vehicle technology that makes our trucks particularly efficient, and seminars, training courses and consultancy designed to benefit the environment.

However, for us, environmental protection also means selecting raw materials appropriately and placing an emphasis on recycling-compatible design and environmentally-friendly production processes, for example by reducing CO₂ emissions through the use of heat recovery systems. Also, all Mercedes-Benz Trucks plants have ISO 14001 environmental management certification. In addition, the ongoing further development of our driver assistance systems and the use of Fleetboard^® contribute to increased environmental compatibility.