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The new Mercedes-Benz Actros received its world launch at the CV Show this year, and visitors were being encouraged to view the interior where the bulk of the changes have been made. "In terms of appearance, it doesn't look a whole lot different," admits Mercedes truck sales and marketing director John Baker. "We have simply improved an already excellent truck.  It is more a case of evolution than revolution.

"I compare it to the 2008 F1 McLaren, which doesn't look very different from last year's car." Although the new truck will be offered in both Euro-4 and Euro-5 guise, Baker says sales of the former are negligible. "We still sell a handful of Euro-4 rigids, but I can't remember the last Euro-4 tractor we sold," he says.

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While the new Actros' options list is packed with the latest safety equipment, Mercedes-Benz truck sales and marketing director, John Baker, questions how many will actually be specified by UK fleet buyers.

"There is certainly more awareness for safety features such as Lane Assist and Proximity Control, but unfortunately, the bulk of buyers still won't pay," says Baker. He wonders if the time is right for valuable safety features like this to be made mandatory.