On show at the Excel centre in London were: an Econic 4x2 skip loader; and Econic 8x4 tipper; and an Econic 6x2 cement mixer.
It's a convincing act: while most other manufacturers are working hard to adapt their trucks for safer working in urban environments, the Mercedes-Benz Econic can point to 16 years history – and not just among local councils' RCV (refuse collection vehicle) fleets.
Yesterday's trucks clearly demonstrated the power of a low-entry cab, with air-operated fully-glazed floor-to-ceiling nearside doors, in terms of enabling driver direct vision of cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
For those not familiar with the Econic, it has an aluminium space-framed cab, clad with sheet-moulded composite fibre panels. Beyond reduced height and low driving position, the cab also offers a panoramic windscreen, uniquely enabling pedestrians and cyclists to be seen even at very close quarters, to the front and near side.
Mercedes-Benz PR director Simon Wood says Econics are also built with additional pre-wiring for bodybuilders to add external safety cameras and dash-mounted monitors.
He also says that, while Econics as standard come with the Allison family of fully automatic transmissions, moving over to the PowerShift 3 AMT (automated manual transmission), to meet haulage and freight market demands, would not be a problem, given the commonality of engine and drivetrains throughout the Mercedes trucks range.
And he adds that Econic chassis come in a range of sizes and configurations, all with mounting points to suit a wide variety of body options – as shown by the Mercedes-Benz trucks on show.