Ottawa, Canada/ Leinfelden-Echterdingen – Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will produce more than 1.500 Zetros logistics trucks for a major order from the Canadian Department of National Defence. The Canadian Armed Forces plans to use the vehicles for the off-road transportation of goods and personnel. Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, Marshall Canada, Soframe, Manac, and General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-Canada) make up the commissioned “The Power Team” consortium. The five enterprises are working together to implement the order for the modernization of the Canadian logistics fleet as part of the “Logistics Vehicle Modernization” (LVM) project.

Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, said: “We are delighted to be working with our four strong partners to equip the Canadian logistics fleet. This contract reflects the level of confidence one of the largest NATO countries has in our partner network – in our experience, reliability and technical competence. Together, we will supply the right products and provide the best possible in-service support for many years to come.”

The highly off-road-capable trucks of the Zetros model series will serve as the common vehicle chassis and will be produced in Wörth am Rhein. Marshall Canada will produce a range of interchangeable 10ft and 20ft mission modules capable of being mounted onto Mercedes-Benz Zetros trucks. Manac will provide different trailers, while Soframe is in charge of the armor for the vehicles. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-Canada) will serve as prime integrator in this procurement project of the Canadian Department of National Defence. In total, Canada will receive over 1.000 light Zetros (two-axle vehicles with all-wheel drive, 4x4) and approximately 500 heavy Zetros (four-axle vehicles with all-wheel drive, 8x8).

One of the vehicles for the Canadian Department of National Defence, the new four-axle, all-wheel drive Zetros 8x8, can now be seen at the Eurosatory trade fair in Paris until June 21st.