Daimler Truck France is navigating a shifting commercial vehicle landscape with a focused strategy on electrification and a reassessment of its brand portfolio. A noticeably scaled-back presence at the Solutrans 2025 trade show – featuring only the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 – signals a period of transition following the merger of Hino and Fuso into Archion. Despite broader economic headwinds, the company reports a rebound in orders and is actively pursuing alternative fuel solutions alongside its electric vehicle rollout, as detailed in remarks from company President Ulrich Loebich.
Daimler Truck France adopted a minimalist approach at the Solutrans 2025 trade show, showcasing only a single Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 tractor unit. The absence of vehicles from its Fuso brand reflects a strategic review following the recent merger of Hino and Fuso into a new entity called Archion, prompting a reassessment of the brand’s future industrial and commercial plans.
Orders Increase for Daimler Truck France
Despite a challenging economic climate, Daimler Truck France has seen a significant rebound in orders for its tractor units since May 2025, according to comments made by company President Ulrich Loebich at a press conference. This uptick in orders translated into increased vehicle registrations starting in July 2025, bolstered by an all-inclusive leasing offer on the Mercedes-Benz Actros L ProCabin 4×2 LS (diesel) – available for 36 months and 300,000km for €1,990 per month.
Daimler Truck Financial Services France has also partnered with Zetra to launch a comprehensive package for the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. This offering, priced at €4,970 per month for 60 months and 450,000km, includes the vehicle lease, a service contract, a charging station, and energy costs, aiming to alleviate concerns and uncertainties for customers transitioning to battery-electric vehicles.
Looking ahead, Loebich highlighted upcoming additions to the Mercedes-Benz range, including the eActros 400 – available in France from the second quarter of 2026 with two cab options (ClassicSpace or StreamSpace at 2.3m wide, or ProCabin flat floor at 2.5m wide) and two to three battery pack configurations. The eActros 400 will share battery technology with the eActros 600 and the Mercedes-Benz eIntouro bus, and will utilize the eAxle powertrain from the e600. The Arocs e400 8×4, unveiled at the Bauma trade show, is being manufactured by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge with rear-mounted batteries to maintain chassis torsional rigidity and accommodate bodywork.
A Gradual Approach to Energy Transition
Daimler Truck France is also planning a limited production run of eActros fuel cell tractors, utilizing technology from CellCentric, slated for late 2026. Notably, these vehicles will employ cryogenic hydrogen storage, a non-standard approach that raises questions about infrastructure compatibility. The company also appears to be taking a solo stance – or nearly so – on the use of B100 biodiesel, aligning with the French Directorate-General for Energy’s position and criticizing it as a limited, nationally-focused transitional option. Loebich stated, “The preferential treatment of exclusive B100 is unfair competition compared to HVO.” The continued restrictions imposed by the DGEC on exclusive HVO use remain unexplained.
The limited presence at Solutrans – featuring only the single eActros 600 – has prompted some industry observers to question the company’s strategy. The absence of the Fuso Canter, both on Daimler Truck France’s stand and at other exhibitors, is attributed to the recent Hino-Fuso merger into Archion, which is driving a comprehensive review of the new Japanese group’s industrial and commercial strategy.
Loebich declined to comment on the controversy surrounding a €5 billion contract for 7,000 trucks between the French Directorate-General of Armaments (DGA) and the Arquus-Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks consortium. Despite this silence, sources indicate that the trade show generated approximately one hundred orders or letters of intent, a promising sign for 2026. The year will also be a milestone for Mercedes-Benz, marking the 30th anniversary of the Actros and the 130th anniversary of Daimler’s first truck in August.
[1] Only Ford Trucks, Iveco and Mercedes-Benz do not have an engine compatible with B100 in France (B100 flexible or B100 exclusive).
[2] DGEC Direction Générale Énergie Climat, one of the departments of the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
[3] DGA Direction Générale à l’Armement
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