At the sprawling Gerotek Testing Facility outside Pretoria, Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) used the Daimler Truck Experience 2025 to send a clear message to the continent: innovation paired with uptime is the new currency of transport — and Zimbabwe sits squarely in the company’s growth sights. Under the theme “For All Who Keep Africa Moving,” the five-day showcase blended track thrills with tech substance, offering DRIVEtorque a front-row seat to the future of trucking for our market.
Electric momentum met diesel durability on Gerotek’s high-speed oval, where the whisper-quiet Mercedes-Benz eActros and FUSO eCanter demonstrated zero-emissions capability alongside heavy-haulers tackling gradient climbs and braking drills. It was more than spectacle; it was a blueprint for how DTSA intends to align product, safety, and services across Southern Africa.

For Zimbabwe, the headline takeaway is strategic intent. “Zimbabwe is not just part of the conversation — it is central to it,” said Maretha Gerber, President and Group CEO of DTSA, in a briefing with regional media. “Our plans are tailored to ensure operators in Zimbabwe access the same innovation, safety and value-added services as their South African counterparts.” It’s a commitment that lands at the right time for a sector that underpins mining, agriculture, and cross-border logistics.

Technology that pays its way
Reliability and total cost of ownership dominate Zimbabwean fleet decisions, and DTSA’s move to fit Allison Automatic Transmissions to the FUSO FJ range is a practical win. Models such as the FJ16-230R and FJ18-280R now ditch clutch wear and tear in favour of smoother torque delivery, improved gradeability, and reduced driver fatigue. On the kind of routes, we know well — soft rural terrains, the demanding Chirundu climb, or undulating Mutorashanga stretches — that translates into consistent performance and fewer unplanned stops. As one Harare fleet operator told us trackside, “Uptime is where the money is.”

Uptime, by design
DTSA’s after-sales ecosystem aims to turn uptime into an operating standard. The Daimler Truck Parts Portal supports rapid parts availability; Mercedes-Benz Uptime telematics offers condition-based monitoring; and 24-hour roadside assistance keeps assets rolling when the unexpected strikes. For Zimbabwean operators battling delays at borders and tight delivery windows, those tools reduce risk, protect SLAs, and create room to scale with confidence.

Safety as competitive advantage
If there was a show-stopper, it was safety. Live demonstrations of Active Brake Assist 6, Active Side Guard Assist 2, and Front Guard Assist reframed heavy trucks as intelligent guardians. Watching an Actros 2652LS/33 RE autonomously clamp down from speed to avoid an inflatable crash target was compelling; seeing it detect a cyclist in a simulated blind spot sealed the argument. These are not tick-box features — they are real-world interventions in busy depots, urban corridors, and border queues. “Safety is not optional,” Gerber stressed. For Zimbabwe, where mixed-traffic environments are the norm, these systems can save lives and protect assets.

Flexible paths to growth
Volatile fuel costs, currency pressures, and cross-border complexities mean Zimbabwean operators need financial agility as much as mechanical toughness. DTSA’s answers include Daimler Truck Financial Services for tailored funding, the new Daimler Truck Rental for scale without long-term lock-in, and TruckStore for quality assured used trucks with extended warranties and guaranteed future values. In uncertain climates, those levers help fleets manage cash flow while upgrading technology.
A strategic market, not an afterthought
Crucially, DTSA’s posture on Zimbabwe is partnership, not opportunism. From driver training and safety familiarization to aligning parts supply and service intervals with local operating realities, the company is signaling a long game. With logistics, mining, and agriculture set for renewed activity, the timing is apt: smarter trucks, stronger support, and flexible finance create a platform for competitiveness.

Road ahead
Daimler Truck Experience 2025 wasn’t only about horsepower; it was about purpose. For Zimbabwean businesses, the proposition is clear: global-grade safety, meaningful uptime tools, and financing models that fit local realities. If DTSA delivers on this playbook, Zimbabwe’s transport sector won’t just keep moving — it will move smarter, safer, and more profitably.
For all who keep Zimbabwe moving, the message from Pretoria is encouraging: the future of trucking is closer than we think, and it’s being built with our roads in mind. For more information on DTSA brands contact ZIMOCO Commercial the local distributor on enquries@zimoco.co.zw