10,000th Mercedes-Benz Econic Hits the Road

It would appear there would be no stopping German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz this year. The auto maker, having already posted a 23 percent increase in sales for January, is marching ahead with plans to make 2011 the best year in its history in terms of sales.

However, it's not only the Mercedes or smart the brands who try and chip in to the glory of the company. The other businesses Mercedes is conducting are doing their part too. This week, for instance, the auto maker delivered the Mercedes-Benz Econic. The model, a 2629 L with low-entry cab, BlueTec EEV and Faun Rotopress waste collection body, was shipped to Abfallwirtschaftsbetriebe Koln (AWB or, in words we can all understand, Waste Management Enterprise of Cologne),to enter a huge fleet of about 400 vehicles.

The anniversary model is only the first of an order of 76 similar trucks to be delivered by Daimler by 2013. The new order is only a confirmation of the success the model has, previewed in 2009 by the relocation of production to the Special Vehicles product division in Worth am Rhein, following the increase in demand for the models.

"The tremendous trust which the Waste Management Enterprise of Cologne has in our Mercedes-Benz Econic is now impressive confirmation that in close collaboration with relevant customers and associations we have opted for the right design,” said Michael Dietz, head of Sales for Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks.

“Thanks to such pioneering flagship customers as AWB, today we have a great number of satisfied Econic operators all over the world."