RISING STAR

Heavy-duty trucks wearing the three-pointed star are once again a common sight on Australian roads.

The latest generation of big Mercedes-Benz trucks has been a sales hit since it arrived in late 2016, reminding many of just how popular the brand has been.

FIRST SIGHTINGS

Australians have had a long relationship with Mercedes-Benz trucks dating back to the early 1950s when trucks were assembled in Melbourne from CKD kits sent from Germany.

Local assembly of Mercedes-Benz trucks was carried out in four different locations over the years, including a line on the grounds of the current Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific head office in Mulgrave, Victoria.

The truck that would really put Mercedes-Benz on the map in Australia was the 1418, which was introduced in 1965. There are several prominent Australian transport