At the sprawling Gerotek Testing Facility just outside Pretoria, Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) staged what can only be described as a bold vision for the future of transport in Africa.
The Daimler Truck Experience 2025 — held under the theme “For All Who Keep Africa Moving” — was less of a corporate showcase and more of a decisive statement: DTSA isn’t just leading the way in South Africa, it is shaping the trucking landscape across the region, with its eyes firmly set on growth markets like Zimbabwe.
Industry leaders, fleet operators, and transport stakeholders from across the continent were immersed in a hands-on exhibition of everything from zero-emission trucking technology to next-generation safety innovations.
Behind the thunder of engines on the high-speed oval track, and the seamless whisper of the all-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros and FUSO eCanter, one message rang clear — innovation and reliability remain the twin pillars of Daimler Truck’s commitment to Africa.
But what resonated most for those of us representing Zimbabwean publications and businesses was the clear emphasis on Zimbabwe as a key node in DTSA’s pan-African growth strategy.
“When we speak about driving mobility solutions across Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is not just part of that conversation — it is central to it,” said Maretha Gerber, President and Group CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa, in an exclusive briefing on the sidelines of the event. “Zimbabwe has one of the most resilient transport sectors in the region. Our future plans are tailored not only to support the trucking industry in Zimbabwe but to ensure operators there access the same level of innovation, safety, and value-added services as their South African counterparts.”
Technology that matters for Zim
Zimbabwe’s transport industry is a lifeline for agriculture, mining, and cross-border logistics. Reliability, fuel efficiency, and uptime are non-negotiables for fleet owners. Against this backdrop, DTSA’s announcement of Allison Automatic Transmission on the FUSO FJ range comes as a major breakthrough.
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The transmission upgrade — now available on models such as the FUSO FJ16-230R and FJ18-280R — reduces maintenance downtime by eliminating the need for clutch servicing, while improving driver comfort and safety. Considering the conditions our operators often face — from soft terrains in rural delivery routes to steep gradients on trunk roads like Chirundu and Mutorashanga — the enhanced gradeability and torque management of this technology could be a game-changer.
One senior fleet operator present at the event, remarked privately: “This is the kind of upgrade that will reduce fleet fatigue on our busiest routes, while keeping vehicles on the road for longer. Uptime is where the money is.”
Zimbabwean businesses also stand to benefit from Daimler Truck’s integrated after-sales ecosystem.
Through seamless parts availability via the Daimler Truck Parts Portal, constant uptime monitoring with Mercedes-Benz Uptime, and 24-hour emergency roadside assistance, fleet operators in Zimbabwe can mitigate the delays and high costs that often come with unplanned downtime. DTSA is locally represented by Zimoco Commercial an icon of heritage and reliability in the local industry.
Safety as Strategy
Safety remains another area where DTSA looks to set benchmarks, and Zimbabwe stands to gain as these technologies make their way into our markets. The live demonstrations of Active Brake Assist 6, Active Side Guard Assist 2, and Front Guard Assist were enough to silence even the most seasoned truckers at Gerotek.
Watching the Actros 2652LS/33 RE autonomously apply full brakes to avoid an inflatable crash vehicle was impressive, but seeing it “sense” a cyclist in a simulated blind-spot test drove the point home: trucks are no longer just machines of power; they are intelligent guardians of the road.
“Safety is not optional,” Gerber emphasized. “Our commitment is that operators across the region, especially in Zimbabwe, will benefit from the same safety systems that meet global benchmarks. Every life saved on the road is a testament to why we innovate.”
Flexible solutions for complex needs
Zimbabwe’s truckers operate in highly variable conditions — fluctuating fuel costs, cross-border complexities, and the need to balance ownership with operational affordability. DTSA’s financial and rental offerings are particularly significant in South Africa. Daimler Truck Financial Services and the newly launched Daimler Truck Rental open possibilities for Zimbabwean operators to scale their fleets without being locked into rigid ownership structures. Hopefully they will trickle down to Zimbabwe one days.
Additionally, the company’s TruckStore division, offering both guaranteed future values on new trucks and expanded warranty coverage for used ones, provides logistics players with pathways to manage long-term value in uncertain economic climates.
Zimbabwe as a growth priority
For DTSA, it isn’t just about selling trucks to Zimbabwe; it’s about embedding solutions that make transport a more resilient and future-focused sector.
Gerber reaffirmed this view during her address, “Zimbabwe continues to demonstrate immense potential in logistics, mining, and agriculture. Trucks are the backbone of these industries, and we are deeply committed to providing the tools, training, and services that Zimbabwean businesses need to thrive. For us, the market is more than just important — it is strategic.”
Looking Ahead
The Daimler Truck Experience 2025 was not just a show of strength in technology but an invitation to African stakeholders to partner in shaping the future of transport.
For Zimbabwe, that future looks promising. From state-of-the-art trucks with intelligent safety systems to flexible financing and unmatched after-sales support, DTSA is making sure that its promise — “For All Who Keep Africa Moving” — includes Zimbabwe every step of the way.
- In an industry where uptime means livelihood, and innovation means competitiveness, Daimler Truck Southern Africa is positioning itself as more than a manufacturer; it is an enabler of progress. For Zimbabwe, the road ahead with DTSA seems geared not just for resilience but for long-term growth.
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