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www.mercedes-benz.com | July 2011

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Mercedes-Benz

Omnibus The magazine for people on the move.

2 l 2011

One name. One standard. The future of the city bus is here – in the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro. Chromed beauties: Historic bus rally | New OMNIplus ServiceCards | Omnibus meets Morocco

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© Michael Bäter

2 Editorial Omnibus 2·2011

Dear Reader, We have done it again. We have re-invented the most successful city bus of all time. And we did it for you – our customers. More than 100 experts spent three years working on the new generation of the “Bus of the Decade”. The goal they kept constantly in view was a challenging one – the over 30,000 unit sales of the predecessor model. A challenge of that kind can be a burden, but for us it provided both an incentive and a firm foundation. The many strengths and benefits of the existing model have been incorporated into the development of the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro. The genetic heritage of the new Citaro is unmistakeable at the very first glance. It is very much part of the Mercedes-Benz family. We have succeeded in improving what was already a highly advanced product. The new features will be of benefit to everyone – operators, passengers and drivers alike. They include more space, an even more ergonomically styled driver’s cockpit, larger windows and doors, new holding rail systems, optional LED lights, and a modified interior lighting system. From the front bumper to the rear lights – the new Citaro is uncompromisingly economical, safe and comfortable. It represents a new milestone in bus development. Trusting in a new product is important …, but checking it out for yourself is often better. So this issue of your Mercedes-Benz “Omnibus” magazine presents a comprehensive profile of the new Citaro. I am quite sure we will convince you of its outstanding qualities!

Best regards,

Cover Story 06 The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro. Michael Göpfarth Executive Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Buses, EvoBus GmbH

Updated technology for clear-view headlights. The 20-page special, “The New Citaro”, offers a compact yet comprehensive profile. Photo: Daimler AG

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Omnibus 2·2011 Contents 3

News 04 05

Live on the Net. Virtual redesign: Two new websites “Best Bus”. Mercedes-Benz wins reader poll for fourth time Summer, sun, automobiles. Mercedes-Benz is marking the “Automobile Summer” with a 125-day celebration With God’s blessing. New tour bus for the Regensburger Domspatzen Time travelling in Stuttgart. The Mercedes-Benz Museum documents automotive history

Cover Story: The New Citaro 06

08 10 12 13 14 16 18 20 22

Interview. Like no other. Richard Averbeck, Head of Product Engineering Daimler Buses, about the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro At a glance. The new Citaro. Compact: The new city bus Design. On the road to the future. Harmonious, dynamic, innovative – the look of the new Citaro Interview. Sense and sensibility. Design chief Mathias Lenz looks back at three years’ development work Cockpit. Pure driving pleasure. Ergonomically optimised and safe: The new cockpit Engineering. Technical expertise. Engineering that sets new standards Safety. After all, safety comes first. Mercedes-Benz is a pioneer Quality assurance. Right to the limit. Tough tests for the people and the product Ideas management. Achieving great things together. Start of production is a time for creative minds to make their mark Launch. The curtain has fallen. World premiere and a lightning storm of camera flashes in Mannheim

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The Company and its People 26 28

An international character. Konstantinos Tsiknas is the new Head of Domestic Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Buses. Oldies but Goldies. On the road to the third European historic bus rally

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Service 32

Service backup on the road. The new OMNIplus ServiceCards

Destination 34

Among kaftans and ringtones. A de luxe tour of Morocco

Travel tip 38

Mannheim squared. The birthplace of the automobile 34

Drive In 39

Specially for drivers. New website of the Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches Drivers’ Club Editorial Details.

Photos (from top): © Daimler AG (2x); © Michael Bäter; © Martin Heying

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4 News Omnibus 2·2011

Live on the Net

Well laid-out and user-friendly: the new BRT and OMNIplus website.

Live now: OMNIplus, the service brand for Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches, and the main Internet presence for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) have been provided with a new look. Text_Saskia Meier | Photos: © Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz is not only a strong presence on the road, but in the virtual world too. That fact is amply demonstrated by the redesigned website of the Mercedes-Benz service brand and the centralized online focus for all BRT-related matters. “When we undertake a relaunch, it is of course always our primary goal to present the content in an even more user-friendly way than before,” explains Martin Friedrich Haubner from EvoBus GmbH Corporate Marketing. “We have done that on the new OMNIplus website in particular by introducing national subsites, providing visitors with country-specific

information.” From the www.omniplus.com home page, our customers can simply select their specific country in order to access all the content of local relevance to them. Ease of navigation and detailed information are also key aspects when it comes to presenting the highly topical and wide-ranging subject of BRT, embodying the user-friendliness and advanced technical expertise which underlies the system itself. The website sets out a long list of advantages which BRT offers over other local public transport systems. It also details the assistance and support which Mercedes-Benz offers in the

“Best Bus”

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro EEV is the best city bus around.

master-planning and implementation of a BRT system. See for yourself, by visiting: www.mercedes-benz.com/brt t

That was the clear verdict revealed yet again – for the fourth time in a row in fact – by the readers of “BUSFahrer” magazine in their latest poll. Text_Saskia Meier | Photo: © Daimler AG

Editor of “BUSFahrer” magazine Anne Katrin Wieser presents the award to Michael Göpfarth, Executive Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Buses, EvoBus GmbH.

For the fourth time in succession, the Daimler Buses Mercedes-Benz brand has come out on top in the “Best Bus” reader poll run by German bus drivers’ magazine “BUSFahrer”. As Michael Göpfarth, Executive Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Buses, EvoBus GmbH, knows all too well, sustained achievement of this kind is not down to chance. Receiving the award in front of the winning vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz Citaro EEV, from “BUSFahrer” editor Anne Katrin Wieser at the UITP Congress, he stressed that the accolade was founded on the company’s hard work and commitment. “In view of our long-standing history especially, it is both an affirmation of our daily work and at the same time an incentive to maintain our standards in future. After all, our customers are accustomed to receiving – and rightly expect to find – the very highest quality in our products”. Some 1,000 readers voted in the poll, covering categories including visual appeal, safety, cockpit ergonomics, handling, all-round visibility and innovation. Buses and coaches from 21 European manufacturers competed for the award – among them nine scheduled service buses. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro EEV scored particularly highly in terms of visual appeal, innovation, cockpit ergonomics, handling and safety. Third place in the vote was taken by the the Mercedes-Benz CapaCity bus. t

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Omnibus 2·2011 News 5

Summer, sun, automobiles

Time travelling in Stuttgart

Mercedes-Benz is marking the 125th anniversary of the automobile with a 125-day celebration. Text_Saskia Meier | Photo: © m:con GmbH

Making cars sing: The musician rehearses with his “instrument”.

The state of Baden-Württemberg is marking the “Automobile Summer 2011”. It is a celebration which is set to last 125 days, and one which the region richly merits. For it was here that Carl Benz invented the first motor car; here that its maiden voyage was undertaken; and here that the largest number of manufacturing plants is still to be found to this day. Events marking the 125th anniversary of the automobile are scheduled all through the Summer, having begun on May 7th and extending until September. The cultural highlight and grand finale of the “Automobile Summer 2011” will be the “autosymphonic” event in Mannheim. At the

world premiere on September 10th, 2011 on the city’s Friedrichsplatz – one of the most beautiful Jugendstil squares in Europe – an interactive blend of music, images, video and laser show will be created. The multimedia symphony for 80 automobiles has been composed specially to mark the anniversary. The star of the show – and of the world’s first auto-orchestra – will doubtless be the very first of its kind: the Benz Motorwagen Number One. Moreover, the historic vehicles will also have the opportunity during the day to demonstrate that they can still perform, in the Bertha Benz Challenge. t www.automobilsommer.de

It was on January 29th, 1886 that Carl Benz registered his “Motorwagen” (motor car) under patent number 37435, marking the birth date of the very first automobile. The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart presents a comprehensive history of the intervening 125 years. Covering an area of 16,500 square metres and extending over nine levels, it documents every step in the automobile’s spectacular advance. Located at Mercedesstrasse 100, the Museum is marking this year’s anniversary by an exhibition, running through to September 5th, which enables visitors to undertake a personal journey through time. From a bulky old wooden horseless carriage through to the Silver Arrow racing car and the hydrogen-powered vehicle of tomorrow, the exhibits on show bring together the past, present and future. In fact, the Mercedes-Benz Museum is not only a place where history is put on show, it is already a piece of history itself, being located right at the gates of the Untertürkheim plant – the very site where the automobile was invented. For that reason among many others, the Museum’s proud claim, as asserted by head of Mercedes-Benz Classic Michael Bock, is “to provide visitors with a unique journey through time as they experience the history of the automobile”. Text_Saskia Meier | Photo: © Daimler AG

With God’s blessing Official handover of the new tour bus for the Regensburg Cathedral Choir. Text_Saskia Meier | Photo: © Michael Bäter

ON APRIL 20th the Bishop of Regensburg Dr. Gerhard Ludwig Müller pronounced his blessing over a new coach, a Mercedes-Benz Travego M – in three-star configuration, featuring princely blue metallic paintwork. The new vehicle is now in operation carrying the world-famous Regensburg Cathedral boys’ and men’s choir, known as the

“Regensburger Domspatzen”, to all their concert engagements.The idea stemmed from Fritz Dechant, proprietor of the Dechant-Reisen bus company and a passionate fan of the choir. It is down to his efforts that the choir now has its very own bus. He ordered the luxuriously outfitted Travego M to mark the 60th anniversary of his company. t

Konstantinos Tsiknas (l.), Head of Domestic Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Buses, hands over the symbolic key to Fritz Dechant, proprietor of Dechant-Reisen – with God’s blessing pronounced by Bishop Dr. Gerhard Ludwig Müller (centre).

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6 The New Citaro Omnibus 2·2011

Like no other The best-selling Citaro is entering its second generation. Why the newcomer will continue to keep customers well ahead of the competition is explained by Richard Averbeck, Head of Product Engineering Daimler Buses. Text_Tanja Strauß | Photo: © Daimler AG

More than 30,000 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses are currently operating in local public transport systems throughout Europe and in major cities across the world. It is an incredible success story. Were you expecting it? Richard Averbeck: We knew at a very early stage that the Citaro had “good genes” – like a modular kit system that we could adapt to meet different customer wishes. It also features state-of-the-art design and advanced engineering. Nevertheless, we could never have dreamt that it would sell so phenomenally well. Everyone in the company is terrifically proud of that achievement. What exactly was it that made the Citaro a bestseller? Averbeck: The main reason why the Citaro became the bestseller in its sector is because, alongside its “good genes”, it also offers outstanding reliability. In developing the new Citaro, we therefore had to repeatedly ask ourselves: How can we ensure right from the start that the newcomer offers the same level of reliability so that our customers recognise it as a true successor to the existing model in that respect too? So there was enormous pressure on you to succeed … Averbeck: The demands placed on the team as a whole were of course very high. After all, we were conscious that we were building not

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Omnibus 2·2011 The New Citaro 7

“It is our aim to offer customers the most economical city bus of all time.” Richard Averbeck, Head of Product Engineering Daimler Buses

just a new city bus, but a city bus designed to operate for the next 10 to 15 years, and so meet all the rising demands in terms of sustainability, comfort and safety – and all at an economical cost. Such ideas have to be incorporated into the design concept, even if not everything is built into the vehicle straight away. So will the new Citaro match the success of its predecessor? Averbeck: Yes, certainly! The vehicle sets the benchmark on the market in terms of economy and attractiveness. There are few ways in which a city bus could be bettered on current standards. Why is a new generation of the Citaro being launched in fact? Averbeck: Let me give you two examples: the Citaro was launched back in 1998, conforming to the Euro II emissions class. We will soon have Euro VI established as the latest emissions standard to meet. We would have had to make some significant compromises to meet the latest requirements with regard to outfitting, weight balancing, service and maintenance based on the existing design concept. Another example: the VDV standardized driver’s cockpit – an enormous advance at the time. After some 13 years on the market, however, it is now no longer state-of-the-art. Modern-day display and control concepts, oriented closely to the driver’s needs, are simply different.

What makes the new Citaro so special? Averbeck: The most immediately striking aspect is of course its fresh new exterior design. But our designers have also incorporated some impressive new features into the interior, including a surprising holding rail design. The new, raised driver’s cockpit provides more room, more adjustment options and more comprehensive information displays. By contrast, in terms of weight and required maintenance our goal was definitely “less”. So the new Citaro is pulling ahead of the competition … Averbeck: The new Citaro is most certainly keeping well ahead. After all, our claim is that we offer our fleet customers the most economical, and our drivers and passengers the most comfortable and attractive, city bus available. And in terms of safety too – a core

Mercedes-Benz brand value – we are extending our lead over our competitors. That is reflected, among other features, by the electronic stability programme ESP®, on offer for the first time in a low-floor vehicle. What can customers look forward to? Averbeck: They can look forward to enjoying a highly advanced, sophisticated vehicle; a city bus built for the future. The new Citaro features impressive visual design, comfort and safety features – and its tried and proven Euro V standard engines and EEV drive trains also help it score highly in terms of economy. We will of course be following up with still more state-of-the-art features and advanced engineering over the coming years – because we intend the new Citaro to be still dominating the bus market like no other in 10 years’ time. Thank you for talking to us. t

¢ BUS OF THE DECADE The recipe underlying the success of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro is simple and effective: it meets the needs of its customers. And it is not only the bus companies who are happy with the vehicle. Trade journalists, independent experts and – most especially – drivers admire its outstanding attributes. No other city bus has been awarded as many prizes as the Citaro: It has won the ETM Verlag readers’ award as “Commercial Vehicle of the Year” 10 times; the readers of German bus drivers’ magazine “BUSFahrer” voted it “Best Bus” for the fourth year in succession; the DEKRA technical inspectorate awarded it the organisation’s Environmental Prize; the Baden-Württemberg Environmental Agency presented it with the “F-Cell Award”; and an international jury elected it “Bus of the Year 2007”. The Citaro has been dominating the bus market for over 13 years – and as such it is without doubt “the Bus of the Decade”.

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designed 8 The New Citaro Omnibus 2·2011

The New Citaro Enjoy the seductive look of the completely redesigned new Mercedes-Benz Citaro. Text_Tanja Strauß, Saskia Meier | Photos: © Daimler AG

Thermostatically controlled side panel heaters and a high-performance air-conditioning system ensure just the right temperatures all year round

THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ CITARO is here. Clean lines. Striking forms. An entirely new look. A complete redesign, from the headlights to the bumpers – that is what the new Citaro delivers. Its front face, with large, long-life LED headlights and a curved windscreen, exudes character. Enlarged, lower-reaching windows enhance visibility for passengers and drivers. The redesigned driver’s cockpit also provides improved comfort and user-friendliness: with plenty of knee-room, steering wheel-mounted controls and a raised cockpit position. Not just appealing to look at, but practical too: Longer service intervals, the electronic stability programme ESP® and lots of other features make this new generation of the popular city bus an undisputed winner in terms of both economy and safety. The new Citaro is founded firmly on the long and successful tradition of its predecessor. It will doubtless match that success, and is ideally equipped even to surpass it. Its targeted sales: 30,000 plus. t

The improved frame adds even more strength and stability

Easy maintenance: Key components are accessible quickly, without using tools

Long-life LEDs provide brighter, clearer exterior and interior lighting

A new engine compartment and widened rear axle prepare the way for Euro VI

The side panels are additionally reinforced according to the ECE R 29 regulation with longitudinal strapping, providing highly effective side impact protection

Low steps and low-floor design throughout ensure comfortable entry and exit, including for people with restricted mobility

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New-style headlight technology and ergonomic cockpit design with multi-function steering wheel: The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro sets new standards.

The new holding rail design provides more space

The joy of driving: A new driver’s cockpit delivers enhanced safety and comfort

Green, blue or red – the new destination indicator varies the colour style

The curved windscreen creates more volume

A futuristic eye-catcher: The driver’s window looks like an insect’s eye The ESP® system sets new standards in terms of safety

The independent front suspension guarantees a smooth, comfortable ride

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On the road to the future The new Citaro makes a modern, dynamic, elegant impression. It’s a real eye-catcher. But its look is also fully in keeping with functional needs. Sometimes it takes a lot of sketches before something really begins to take shape.

Text_Tanja Strauß | Photos: © Daimler AG

Because the demands are high: timeless, harmonious, dynamic – in the style of Mercedes-Benz.

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“Evolution, not revolution – that was our guiding principle.” Mathias Lenz, Head of Design Daimler Buses, EvoBus GmbH

THE PEN GLIDES SMOOTHLY over the paper. The designer allows his creativity to flow freely as he intuitively sketches out some initial ideas. Gradually, a series of drafts are produced which take on ever more complex forms. A year later, the design for the new Citaro is complete. But let’s take a look back: The EvoBus GmbH design team worked up every tiniest detail, leaving nothing to chance. EvoBus GmbH design chief Mathias Lenz explains: “We start with the big picture, and work through to the details which embody the key quality of the product. Everything, however small a detail, has to be 100 % right”. Harmonious, friendly, dynamic The design expert goes on: “The eye has to feel at ease. The visual look must not be disturbed by anything at all”. And indeed, there are no disturbances – quite the contrary: The look of the new Citaro is modern, friendly and dynamic. A distinct visual language combines with unbroken harmony to create a design which exudes true zeitgeist. “It is important that the technical innovation should be

reflected in the look.” Despite the completely revised look, one thing is immediately clear: the newcomer is obviously a Citaro. “Evolution, not revolution – that was our guiding principle. Our task was to optimise a product which was already mature and advanced,” Lenz continues. Characteristic features of the predecessor model, such as the A-zero-pillar and the integrated signage unit, are also incorporated into the new Citaro. “These are unique styling elements which distinguish us from the competition; they are essential to what we do,” the design chief adds. A particularly striking feature is the new front face. The large lenticular headlights and the radiator grille appear clearly separate, in the Mercedes-Benz style. Pieter Ketele, EvoBus GmbH deputy head of design, explains the concept: “The upsweeping lines imbue the Citaro with a friendly look. That is important for a city bus especially”. The curved windscreen underlines the impression, and also enlarges the volume. The front-end design flows harmoniously into the sides. “The side window of the driver’s cockpit seems almost like an

insect’s eye, which gives the bus a highly futuristic look,” Ketele adds. The other window frontages are also larger, improving visibility for the passengers as well as enhancing the visual appeal of the vehicle. Curved holding rails provide more room The interior is likewise ground-breaking in its design. The new holding rail system is curved, to provide more interior space. At the same time, the new uniform layout of the rails along just two runs gives the interior a less cluttered feel. And passengers are able to grasp the oval-shaped rails more comfortably too. Whatever the details of the design, the experts never lost sight of the fact that it also has to be practical. That is illustrated by the new lighting concept. LEDs provide clear, bright lighting both inside the vehicle and for its exterior lights. The LEDs are also economical for operators, being longer-lived, virtually maintenance-free, and so lower in cost. Lenz sums up: “The design of the new Citaro is of course intended to arouse emotion, but it also enhances comfort and safety and helps minimise cost.” t

Left: The designers employed a distinctive visual language in the vehicle’s interior too. Unbroken harmony – the new driver’s cockpit. Right: The new front face, with its large, lenticular headlights, a curved windscreen and low-slung side windows, was a key design feature right from the drawing board stage.

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Sense and sensibility City buses embody an image. Their look is key in determining whether passengers and drivers feel at ease when on-board. Mathias Lenz, Head of Design Daimler Buses, EvoBus GmbH, talks about the work on the new Citaro. Text_Tanja Strauß | Photo: © Daimler AG

“We wanted to create a city bus which had a modern, friendly, dynamic appeal.” Mathias Lenz, Head of Design Daimler Buses, EvoBus GmbH

What are the best moments when designing a bus like the new Citaro? Mathias Lenz: Definitely when you eventually see it running on the road. That is a great feeling. You always feel a great affinity with “your” bus. The design process took about 12 months, and during that time you are thinking about the vehicle pretty much round the clock. And when you are actually at work? Lenz: The exciting thing about designing a bus is finding gaps that you can fill with creative ideas. Although we get fairly tight constraints from the developers in terms of the vehicle’s length, height, wheelbase and the like, we still manage to find those gaps. They allow us to put our distinctive visual mark on the design, making it unmistakeable and unique. What goals had you set yourselves for the new Citaro? Lenz: We wanted to create a city bus which had a modern, friendly, dynamic appeal; a bus which at the same time fits perfectly in the

Mercedes-Benz family, with an instantly recognisable genetic make-up, yet also with cues linking it to its coach and overland bus stablemates. And you did that by … Lenz: … creating a design that is functional while at the same time appealing to the senses. We want passengers to feel at ease in the new Citaro, and we want it to be a pleasure for the driver to drive. Such a feel is precisely evoked by recurring design elements, dynamic, sweeping lines, harmonious proportions and friendly colours. And of course we incorporated visual styling characteristics of the Mercedes-Benz brand into our work too. Just how important is the design of a city bus? Lenz: Very important. Ultimately, we sell our city buses on the basis of their looks and based on the values embodied by the Mercedes-Benz brand. A stylish looking, modern vehicle says a lot about the company operating it. A company’s fleet is key in determining whether the business is regarded as innovative or not. t

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Pure driving pleasure The cockpit in the new Citaro promises enhanced driving pleasure, improved safety and optimum visibility. Text_Tanja Strauß | Photo: © Daimler AG

THE DRIVER ENJOYS a particularly prominent position in the new Citaro. The cockpit has been completely restyled. One of the most striking changes is the raised driving position, which provides better all-round vision and a greater sense of safety. The driver is seated on the same level as the passengers. “The design of the cockpit was focused clearly on the needs of the driver. All changes and innovations are aimed at ensuring drivers can operate their vehicles in as stress-free and comfortable a way as possible,” explains Mathias Lenz, Head of Design Daimler Buses, EvoBus GmbH. That is why all the cockpit controls are aligned towards the driver. New driver’s door concept A real innovation in the new model is the driver’s cab door. It is hinged at the rear and opens at the front. This enables drivers to access their workplace in comfort, and also of course in particular provides a rapid exit route. The door design is rounded off by a larger bag shelf and a new bottle-holder. The instrument panel, conforming to the standards of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), is designed to maximise

the available cockpit space. As a result, bus drivers have more freedom of movement and enjoy an even more ergonomically styled workplace. The integrated air vents provide cool air even on hot days, and further potential refreshment is offered by beverages stored in the small fridge at the side of the cockpit. A visor moulding around the instrument panel minimises reflections, so improving the driver’s view of the road. The bug-eye The cockpit has also been enhanced visually. Bright colours and fluid transitions create a friendly, indeed relaxed, ambience. Voluminous components additionally provide the driver with a greater sense of protection. “Safety and design work together in an ideal way. The styling we chose enabled us to greatly enhance the sense of well-being inside the cockpit,” Lenz adds. All these measures are targeted at one goal: that the driver should feel safe. And it’s not just a feeling. The driver is in fact kept very safe. And as an optional extra, the new Citaro can also for the first time be fitted with a driver’s safety door. t

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Technical expertise Mostly unseen, but highly advanced: Inside the body of the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro the engineering is truly impressive. Text_Tanja Strauß | Photos: © Daimler AG

IT WAS 125 YEARS AGO that Carl Benz first invented the automobile, so also laying the foundation for the bus. He was awarded his first patent, for a three-wheeled motor vehicle, in 1886. The world’s first omnibus appeared in 1895. The so-called Landauer was hand-built by Carl Benz’s family business – a miracle of engineering for the time. It had eight seats, and developed five horsepower. Over recent decades the bus has gradually developed from a simple passenger-carrier into a highly advanced vehicle. People with inventive spirit, organisational talent and the will to continually advance technological know-how have made the bus what it is today: a safe, comfortable and technically sophisticated means of transport. There was no question of the EvoBus team ever resting on its laurels, however, when it began work on the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro.

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Three years, 100 experts: the new Citaro Seven teams, comprising more than 100 experts in total, worked on the new generation of the popular city bus over a period of three years. Key factors were the technical advances brought about by the developers, beginning with the body shell. Like its predecessor, it is based on the tried and proven space-frame technique, though it has now been made even more rigid. As EvoBus project manager Melanie Armbruster explains: “It has also enabled us to conform even at this early stage to the new EU regulation ECE R66/01, which does not in fact become law until 2017. The frame creates a survival space in the event of a roll-over. The strength level, allied to the weight saving on the body shell, is a benchmark standard on the market. It means we are ideally placed in preparation for the introduction of Euro VI conforming engines.” Compensating for the weight added in conforming to Euro VI posed particular challenges to the project team. “Euro VI will be available in the new Citaro from the end of 2012. As a preparatory measure, the battery on the solo models has been relocated beneath the driver’s cockpit,” explains the project manager. That delivers two advantages: The load on the rear axle is lightened and weight reserves are created for the exhaust systems and radiator units. LEDs for perfect (night) vision The new Citaro also sets new standards in terms of its electronic equipment. It is the first model to employ LED technology in its headlights. As an option, customers can also fit out their buses with bi-xenon headlights and fog lights with integrated turning lights.

Project Melanie Armbruster continues: “In developing the new Citaro, we focused on cutting life-cycle costs for the operators.” As a result, the new generation comes with a wide range of reliable solutions including long-life LEDs through to the new circuit board style electrics. “The circuit board layout makes the electrics very easy to manage and means they are easy to access for maintenance. It also means ancillary equipment can be easily retrofitted,” Melanie Armbruster asserts. Always in focus: economy The routing of the wiring from the underbody into the inner ceiling improves reliability and durability, with most connectors and cables located in the weather-proofed area. This, too, makes carrying out maintenance work easier. The new features are also of great benefit to the passengers of course. The modified doors enable them to enter and exit the bus even more rapidly than before. The doors represent the latest generation of inward-swinging and swivel/slide doors. “An entirely new feature is the two-leaf swivel/slide door at the front. It greatly improves passenger flows, is of a more robust design, and is ideally suited to the higher speeds of overland traffic,” the project manager goes on. To ensure that the technical systems remain in perfect working order over a number of years, their quality and reliability were improved by diligent detailing and innumerable endurance tests. The expert team also conducted extensive trials and calculations on various prototypes. “Only when we are 100 % happy does a vehicle go out to the customer,” Melanie Armbruster asserts. And she is happy. Her eyes positively light up when she talks about “her” project: the new Citaro. t

Every detail of the new Citaro is designed to technical perfection – like the driver’s cockpit with its monitor covering the passenger compartment.

The future is Euro VI: All preparations for the new generation of engines have already been made in the new Citaro.

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Safety first Mercedes-Benz is pursuing the vision of accident-free driving. With the new Citaro the developers of EvoBus GmbH have moved a step closer to realising that vision. Text_Tanja Strauß | Photos: © Daimler AG

STATISTICS STRONGLY BACK THE CLAIM: The bus is one of the safest ways to travel. No other means of transport can match the bus in safety terms. That claim is also backed by the accident figures released by Germany’s Statistical Office. Such an impressive safety record is in part down to the experts at Mercedes-Benz, who have been doing pioneering work in advancing bus safety for decades. Their findings have of course also been incorporated into the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro. And so the demands placed on the developer team are correspondingly high: “Even high-tech systems can be bettered,” declares Richard Averbeck, Head of Product Engineering Daimler Buses. Every single member of staff gives 100 % to help the team deliver high-end solutions for the business segment. “We have also expanded our development efforts to cover more hazardous situations, aimed at moving ever closer to realising the vision of accident-free driving.” The work of the experts is certainly not carried out in isolated test laboratories, far away from reality. Quite the contrary: their focus is on

day-to-day practical operations and real accident scenarios. The team analyses such scenarios in order to find solutions which, ideally, will prevent accidents altogether, or at least minimise the consequences of them for the vehicle’s occupants. They are constantly seeking new ways to protect the lives of drivers and passengers. In doing so, the developers adopt an all-embracing approach. “We consider safety not in terms of individual technical features, but as a comprehensive package of measures: ensuring a relaxed, ergonomically optimised workplace for the driver, with adequate warnings and assistance in case of danger and protection in the event of accident,” Averbeck goes on. ESP® in the new Citaro What has emerged from all these efforts is a city bus which is even more safer than its predecessor – and one which marks a historic breakthrough: the first ever implementation of the electronic stability programme ESP® in a low-floor city bus. Richard Averbeck elaborates:

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All aimed at keeping safe: Raised cockpit position (top left), additional front-end crash element (left) and reinforced A-zero pillar (top).

“It was clear to us from the very beginning: ESP® is an essential feature for low-floor buses, just as it is in other design variants, because nowadays operators are increasingly deploying low-floor buses on overland bus routes where they are travelling at higher speeds.” What might at first seem an easy step in technical terms – after all, EvoBus has been installing ESP® in its coaches since 2002 – posed a real challenge to the developers. The reason: city buses simply do not offer the same fitting space. “That boosted the incentive for our engineers to come up with something special. Overcoming tricky challenges is what they like doing best,” Averbeck continues. The essential factors in such situations are the ability to come up with new ideas and find new methods, but above all teamwork. Staff from a wide variety of different functions, as well as engineers and drivers, contributed their know-how and experience in order to produce the optimum solution. Crash element as additional protection Future drivers of the new Citaro will also benefit from that spirit of invention: The extended front-end of the city bus features a new-style crash element, providing added protection for the driver in the event of a collision. “Compared to a truck, one of the difficulties with regard to a bus – especially a low-floor vehicle – is that the driver sits quite low down,” Richard Averbeck explains. It is a challenge to which the developer team rose enthusiastically. As a result, the position of the driver’s seat has been raised 60 mm. Averbeck goes on: “Together with the reinforced A-zero pillar and a space-frame construction which

routes impact forces into the substructure in the event of a crash, the new Citaro even passes the pendulum impact test for coaches which will be mandatory in future under the terms of regulation ECE R 29. This means we are for the first time offering drivers of low-floor buses an objectively higher level of safety”. Bus operators will doubtless also benefit from the new front impact protection and the raised cockpit position: “Customers regularly tell us that safe cockpits, offering an attractive workplace, make it easier for them to recruit and keep good drivers.” t

¢ SAFEGUARDING THE ENVIRONMENT TOO The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro, like its predecessor, is highly eco-friendly by design. It is powered by economical and environmentally friendly engines featuring BlueTec® diesel technology. All engines conform to the Euro V emissions standard. As an option, engines can also be configured to meet the most stringent current voluntary emissions standard, EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle). The new Citaro conforms to EEV purely based on engine design, without need of particulate filters. Attaining EEV without filters cuts acquisition and maintenance costs for operators. Other benefits include lighter kerb weight and less space take-up.

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“Our work is now done: The Citaro has been honed to perfection, and is more than ready to be put into operation.” Richard Averbeck, Head of Product Engineering Daimler Buses

Right to the limit Disguised to hide its new look, the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro underwent extensive tests designed to challenge its capabilities under extreme conditions: in the icy cold and the burning heat, and on unsurfaced tracks. It was a chance to show what it can do. Text_Tanja Strauß | Photos: © Daimler AG

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Extreme temperatures and long working days: The tests posed a tough challenge not only to the new Citaro, but to the staff and their equipment too.

JUST A FEW KILOMETRES to the south is the Arctic Circle. Winter has the town of Rovaniemi in the extreme north of Finland firmly in its grip. Unsullied nature reigns supreme in such an environment. The thermometer shows temperatures down to minus 37 degrees Celsius. It is a challenge to the people and their equipment. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro, disguising its new technical advances in the clothing of the old model, makes its way unerringly, mile after mile, across the ice mass. The scene changes: the same bus, a different location. The wind from the West is so weak that it barely cools at all. Hot, humid air shimmers above the red earth. We are in the stifling Summer heat of Eastern Anatolia, in Turkey. The new Citaro waits patiently at the roadside. It has been standing for hours in the mid-day sun, with its doors and windows closed. Its outer skin has reached a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius. The EvoBus GmbH team all agree: now is exactly the right time to test out the air-conditioning system. Scandinavian cold, Turkish heat The new Citaro is familiar with even the most extreme conditions. Richard Averbeck, Head of Product Engineering Daimler Buses, comments: “Only by passing the toughest of tests under extreme conditions is a bus truly considered ready to be delivered to our customers.” For months now, the new Citaro has been proving that it can deliver optimum performance even under extreme conditions. As Michael Reis from the EvoBus test team says: “We expect that the new Citaro will be operated in locations as diverse as Dubai and Finland – and that is what we are preparing it for. The bus will have to keep running whatever the tough environment it faces, including in the desert, with sand getting into every nook and cranny.” In addition to the vehicle trials, components and systems are also put through their paces on the test rig. “of course, not everything goes exactly to plan right from the beginning. That is why we expose the vehicles to such extremes,” Averbeck explains. It is another reason why a city bus like the new Citaro cannot be developed in

just 12 months. Summer and Winter trials, corrosion and fire proofing, test rig testing of the doors and hatches and lots of other test procedures indicate where the engineers need to make modifications. This detailed testing enables even the most minor of weakspots to be eliminated. There are good reasons why the new Citaro needs to be tested against the most stringent criteria. One is that its predecessor set the benchmark which the new model is seeking to top. Sales of over 30,000 units in Europe, Japan, Mexico and the Middle East are evidence that it will be no easy task. “The new Citaro can achieve that, and it can do a lot even better,” Averbeck asserts. A total of 27 prototypes and pre-production vehicles, as well as 10 customer trial vehicles, have been subjected to the testers’ critical appraisal. The test procedures also incorporated 10 full-size body shells and innumerable test rig sequences. Further prototypes and test vehicles are planned as part of testing with a view to Euro VI conformity. All in all, more than 100 test vehicles will be run. It fits, it doesn’t wobble, and it has enough room The Citaro also had to pass some completely new procedures. As Averbeck reports: “We focused particularly on achieving a low-noise interior for example.” This involved subjecting fully fitted-out frontend assemblies, including the cockpit and interior ceilings, to tough shake tests on hydro-pulse test rigs. “We want the Citaro to keep running quietly for years and years,” Reis comments. To ensure that is possible, the new doors also had to undergo endurance testing on the rig, withstanding a million load cycles to represent the entire life of a bus. After subjecting the bus to corrosion tests, snow-covered roads, burning midday heat and potholes the size of manhole covers, Richard Averbeck is in no doubt: “Our work is now done: The Citaro has been honed to perfection, and is more than ready to be put into operation.” t

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“It would be a waste not to utilise the inventiveness of so many creative minds.” Michael Regelein from the Ideas Management department

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Achieving great things together Start of production is a time for creative minds to make their mark: Staff from different departments of EvoBus GmbH all contribute their skills and know-how to vehicles such as the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro. They optimise production flows and minimise cost. Text_Tanja Strauß | Photos: © [M]rubysoho | fotolia.com; © Daimler AG (Bus)

AN IDEA is an entirely new thought. It is creative, often innovative, interesting and exciting. But when is an idea really a good idea? That is a question regularly considered at EvoBus by the Ideas Management team, including Michael Regelein. Around 3,000 ideas a year land on his desk – mainly submitted by staff from the various company departments. The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro is also profiting from the creativity of the company’s employees. Whereas in the early stages it is primarily the developers and designers who make their mark on the new city bus, when it goes into production it benefits from the commitment and creativity of thousands of staff. “Suggestions for improvements will come in mostly as the Citaro is passing along the production lines,” Regelein explains. That is when large numbers of staff begin having everyday close-up contact with the new bus. It certainly does not mean, however, that they are all finding fault with the Citaro. Rather, they are making suggestions as to how processes can be optimised, workplace ergonomics enhanced, components improved or production costs minimised. Regelein cites an example: “Back in 2002, an employee suggested issuing on-board service booklets in CD form. After all, every Mercedes-Benz bus is fitted with a CD player. Ideas like that save the company a lot of money.” And that in turn helps the customers, who benefit from the cost savings. An impressive record: 3,000 ideas a year Numerous ideas from the workforce were also incorporated into the predecessor model of the new Citaro, and some of them are to be found in the new bus too. “It would be a waste not to utilise the inventiveness of so many creative minds,” says Regelein. It was for that reason, many years ago in fact, that EvoBus instigated its Ideas Management function. It has proved a great success in driving improvement and innovation. “There are some employees who submit suggestions almost every day. Many work on ideas together with colleagues during breaks,” Regelein recounts. Quite often, ideas born purely by chance result in innovations which are useful to the company and are incorporated into products like the new Citaro – and so deliver lasting benefit to bus operators, drivers

and passengers. There are no limits to the creativity brought to bear: from highly complex potential solutions, often of a technical nature, to simple ideas which have a major impact. Every day Michael Regelein encounters colleagues seeking to change, influence or improve things. “Mostly they are not even concerned primarily about the reward. They just want to contribute. Our employees are highly motivated.” Master of ideas Ideas manager Michael Regelein has in the past discovered for himself the benefits highly motivated colleagues can bring. About six years ago he was blinded in a motorcycle accident, and had to give up his job in the logistics function. Staff from the Human Resources department set about finding a “paperless” job for him to do. Today Michael Regelein carries out all his ideas management work on the computer, using a special program which reads out the content of documents and e-mails. It is, however, also thanks to his own powerful motivation that he is the only blind employee of EvoBus GmbH. “I have more than 500 key combinations for controlling the PC in my head. I have to, seen as I am unable to use a mouse”. He adds: “But it’s certainly worth it. I am doing my dream job.t

¢ MANAGING IDEAS The EvoBus Ideas Management function is quick, easy and unbureaucratic. Since early 2003 staff have been able to submit their suggestions on the Intranet. Before then suggestions could only be submitted on paper. Managers check and assess the ideas in terms of quality and feasibility. Rewards are linked to the commercial benefit delivered. Staff submitting ideas are paid 30 % of the annual saving, up to an amount of 125,000 Euro, according to the savings potential of the specific measure. If a suggestion is rewarded with 5,000 Euro or more, the employee concerned also receives a certificate from the plant management.

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The curtain has fallen The star of the show is waiting on stage, hidden behind a curtain. Bus company executives and representatives of the trade press are agog. In the next few moments, high expectations will be confronted by reality. It is the world premiere of the new Citaro in Mannheim. Text_Rüdiger Schreiber | Photos: © Michael Bäter (l.), Rüdiger Schreiber

THERE IS A STIR AMONG THE CROWD in the Mannheim collection centre. Bus company executives from Germany and all across Europe jostle with journalists to get to the front by the stage. There they stand, packed tightly together. Everyone wants a front-row view of this historic event. But no one ventures up the stairs of the white painted stage. Even when the lights go out, nobody moves a step. Respect where respect is due: After 13 years in production, the Citaro has lost none of its appeal. The tension in the hall mounts further. Everyone is well aware of the long-standing success story that was the predecessor model, with over 30,000 units sold. So what will the new one be like? A lightning storm of camera flashes in Mannheim The show begins. Facts, figures and film clips from the history of the bus are projected onto the white curtain draped over the next-generation city bus. The black-and-white recordings show historic, ground-breaking moments. Everyone present is aware that history is about to be written once again today. The jostling in front of the stage intensifies; a buzz of expectation surges around the crowd. The faces behind the camera lenses are burning with curiosity. The countdown is on, accompanied by music and light effects. 3-2-1 … The curtain falls. The lights go on. There it is – the new Citaro! And how it shines!

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“The Citaro has been adapted in line with customers’ wishes. Drivers, especially, will be delighted with their new workplace. Passenger comfort has also been further enhanced. All of those attributes make the Citaro a real benchmark on the market.” Christophe Babé, Chief Executive of Sibra, France

A lightning storm of camera flashes has long since replaced the orchestrated light effects. The crowd presses around the new bus on the stage. Everyone wants the best vantage point, and the best pictures. Even after the curtain has been swept aside and the new Citaro is standing proudly in the spotlight, the applause does not stop. The thrill clearly felt among the industry specialists in the hall might well be because they recognise something of the passion which has been invested in developing the new Citaro. It has taken lots of hard work, over many years. The project team headed by Melanie Armbruster, the “mother” of the new Citaro, has planned, designed and implemented every detail. Chief Executive of Daimler Buses Hartmut Schick expresses what many are feeling on this day: “The new Citaro

incorporates not only state-of-the-art technology, but also a great deal of heart-felt passion and commitment. I am convinced that the new Citaro will surpass the achievements of its predecessor, and will again set new standards.” After the unveiling, the bus company executives from all the various countries are most keen to find out about all the innovative solutions featured in the new bus, including the body panel design aimed at minimising the damage caused by minor impacts. “The new Citaro represents a major advance into the future of public transport,” asserts Michael Göpfarth, Executive Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Buses, EvoBus GmbH. “But that advance would not have been possible without our customers, who are such fans of the Citaro.”

“For me the Citaro has always been like a mirror into which the rest of the industry peers in order to identify the market trends of the coming years. When Mercedes-Benz launches something new, it is as if all the other manufacturers are following the leader.” Miguel Sáez, editor-in-chief of “autobuses & autocares”, Spain

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“Mercedes-Benz already builds the most successful city bus of all time. When it comes to new technologies, Mercedes-Benz sets the standard worldwide. The new Citaro raises the bar for the competition even higher.” M. Sevket Erturan, editor-in-chief of “Kentici Toplutasima”, Turkey

Premiere: Live on the road As the initial euphoria dissipates, the industry experts begin moving around the exhibition hall, checking out the object of their desire up-close and discovering all its technical refinements in one of the four specially built pods. Engineers are on hand to answer questions and explain all the details on the four keynote areas: “Body shell + exterior”; “Running gear + electrics”; “Cockpit”; and “Doors”. It is not only the bus company executives whose eyes are now sparkling; the trade journalists are also visibly impressed. But everyone is now waiting for the live show: the first ride on the new Citaro in its intended environment – on the road. After all, that’s where it is going to be seen very often from now on. t

“We very much like the improved fuel economy, eco-friendliness and high safety standards of the new Citaro. We have a close relationship with Mercedes-Benz, and that is unlikely to change in future.” Michael Sakellariou, President of Larisa KTEL and Chairman of the CityBus Organisation, Greece

“Among the most outstanding new developments for me are the many safety features, including ESP®, front impact protection, and conformance ahead of schedule to the ECE R66/01 regulation. All of them never before seen in a scheduled service bus.” Sascha Böhnke, testing and engineering editor, “OMNIBUSREVUE” and “BUSFahrer”, Germany

“I thought the interior, especially, was very stylish and impressive, with lots of space, and excellent LED highlighting. It is good that the driver’s cockpit has also been improved. Drivers spend a lot of time in the bus. Ergonomics and comfort are key.” Saara Remes, editor-in-chief of “BUS professional”, Finland

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26 The Company and its People Omnibus 2·2011

An international character

Mr. Tsiknas, your exotic name does not immediately link you to the Baden region. Can you tell us more about your origins? Konstantinos Tsiknas: My mother comes from Karlsruhe; my father is Greek. He studied engineering at the University in Karlsruhe, and from 1971 worked at Mercedes-Benz in the commercial vehicles development department in Gaggenau. I was born in Baden – in Kehl on the Rhine to be precise – and grew up in Gaggenau.

Konstantinos Tsiknas, new Head of Domestic Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Buses, talks about the challenges of the bus sector and his goals for the future. The 45-year-old most recently worked in South Africa – one of the Group’s most

Greece, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa: From Gaggenau out into the world and back again. Do you still have goals you want to achieve? Tsiknas: But of course! Conquering the home market of the market leader is a very special challenge – the Champions League, so to speak. The task of safeguarding and building on the market position of Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches will place extreme demands on the entire team. I am of course keen to play my part in ensuring that we sustain our success in future.

important selling markets. Text_Michael Bäter, Saskia Meier | Photo: © Michael Bäter

How did you get into the bus sector? Tsiknas: The EvoBus business model has always fascinated me, quite simply because it combines structures which are virtually those of an SME with the attributes of a top global concern and one of the most valuable brands in the world. Moreover, I have also had some direct contact working with Daimler Buses over the last six years in Malaysia and South Africa, which enabled me to get to know the structures. What experience gained in your previous career will help you in your new role? Tsiknas: It would take more time and space than we have for this

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Omnibus 2·2011 The Company and its People 27

“I am keen to play my part in ensuring that we sustain our success in future.” Konstantinos Tsiknas, Head of Domestic Sales & Marketing Mercedes-Benz Buses

article to answer that question in full. All of my previous jobs have enriched my experience in their own particular ways. Perhaps you can cite an example … Tsiknas: Let me give you two examples. At Mercedes-Benz Unimog the structures, and the challenges, were similar to those in the bus sector: extremely high product complexity, an independent selling and distribution organisation and close geographical proximity to all key links in the supply chain. That promotes initiative and entrepreneurial thinking and encourages all employees to identify with, and be enthused by, the product and the brand. During my years in Japan I was probably most influenced by the deep respect shown to customers and business partners, but also by the integrated decision-making processes commonly applied there. The close collaboration of all involved parties based on the principle of consensus often seems protracted and inefficient to those familiar with western cultures, but in the implementation phase it has significant advantages in terms of quality, coordination and speed of action. What makes your new job so appealing to you? Tsiknas: The industry is facing some exciting changes, resulting from a shift in the economic and ecological awareness of buyers, which demand an appropriate response on the part of the manufacturers. Answering the questions of how Mercedes-Benz will respond, and with what effort and commitment we present and embellish our brand image, will provide plenty of excitement I am sure. If you nevertheless get some free time, how do you like to spend it? Tsiknas: Well, I have three children who know all too well how to fill

up their dad’s schedule ... Family plays a vital role for me. We are all very happy, after spending so many years away, to have found a home in Mannheim, the place where the automobile was born. Another passion of mine is classical music. I play the cello. It is a hobby that you can practice anywhere, and I find it wonderfully relaxing. It has also brought me into contact with many fascinating people. Thank you for talking to us. t

¢ CAREER TO DATE After studying industrial engineering in Karlsruhe, Konstantinos Tsiknas began his working life in 1989 at the plant in Gaggenau. Initially working in Unimog production, he was then head of European export sales before moving to Stuttgart and then on to Mercedes-Benz Hellas, where he was sales and marketing manager. The now 45-year-old also demonstrated his business skills with Mitsubishi Motors in Japan, among other posts. In his role at Mitsubishi he not only had to learn Japanese, but also handle the delicate balance between the different cultures. Konstantinos Tsiknas first came into contact with buses when he joined Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. There, and subsequently with Mercedes-Benz South Africa, as sales and marketing manager he was responsible for the complete product portfolio including bus chassis units.

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Oldies but Goldies The third European historic bus rally in Sinsheim saw many oldies from all over Europe return to their country of birth. Among them was a Mercedes-Benz O 321 H, which travelled ‘home’ from Austria. Text_Michael Bäter | Photos: © Michael Bäter

THE WEATHER in Lech am Arlberg in Austria is glorious as Josef Bauer manoeuvres the O 321 H out of the Arlbergexpress depot. Ahead of him, his four friends and the classic 1959 coach lies a journey of some 1,600 kilometres in six days. Their chosen route initially takes them over a snaking mountain pass to Bregenz on Lake Constance. From there, the journey continues to Ravensburg, through Bad Saulgau and finally to Sinsheim near Mannheim, where the historic bus rally is to be held. The trippers prefer to stick to country lanes and side-roads. After all, the 126 horsepower diesel engine already has more than a million kilometres on the clock. The sixcylinder unit has a little trouble negotiating the pass, but thanks to the well-ratioed five-speed gearbox it is a much less stressful drive than hammering at full speed down the motorway. The O 321 H: Child of the Economic Miracle The O 321 H is “mass production” model from the era of Germany’s Economic Miracle. It went into production in 1954. Over a period of 16 years, some 30,000 units of the model were built – more than any other bus before. The O 321 H, with its rounded body shape, is for many a warmly remembered symbol of the economic boom of its time. So it is no wonder that on its journey it is regularly hailed by enthusiastic cheers and greetings from passers-by, and that numerous emotional encounters take

ü

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30 The Company and its People Omnibus 2·2011

place with oldtimer fans. Anyone who, like Josef Bauer, has the pleasure of occasionally getting behind the wheel of an O 321 H will discover that, in spite of its age, the bus is remarkably easy to drive. Vehicle testers at the time described it as “easy to handle and very willing in every respect.” That is one of the reasons why Josef Bauer enjoys every kilometre on-board the O 321 H. In keeping with the traditional bus traveller’s motto: “the journey is the destination”, a holiday mood very soon develops on-board the specially fitted-out vehicle. Maybe it’s to do with the on-board beer tap, or the piano which Josef Bauer and his four cohorts have brought along for the ride. But most of all, it is the anticipation of a few days spent among fellow devotees of what is without doubt the rustiest hobby in the world. Among fellow devotees Arriving in Sinsheim, the O 321 H takes its place among the elite. The oldest bus dates from 1923. The range of participants extends from a minibus to a double-decker. The longest journey to reach the event under the bus’s own steam has been undertaken by an operator from Sweden, driving a total of 1,856 kilometres. For many of the participants – and of course

Josef Bauer, owner of the O 321 H, on the way to Sinsheim for the vintage and classic bus rally. The bus devotee has been pursuing the rustiest hobby in the world for a number of years, and has been present at the Sinsheim event from its very beginnings.

The chromed beauties attract plenty of attention. Most of the participants are traditionalists, and are visiting for the third time. They are already getting together to plan for next year.

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for all Mercedes-Benz fans – the reception at the Mannheim bus plant, followed by a guided tour, is the highlight of the event. This was the very location where the O 321 H was built; where history was made. It is a history which enthusiasts such as Josef Bauer and his four colleagues from Arlbergexpress keep very much alive to this day. t

A spectacular array of different colours and shapes: The collectors’ items, originating from various production eras, create a sea of colour.

The bus convoy travels from Sinsheim to Mannheim and back. A stop is made at the production plant –

¢ THE IDEA BEHIND THE RALLY The state of Baden-Württemberg has played a major role in the history of the bus, with the Mercedes-Benz plants in Mannheim, Auwärter in Stuttgart, Kässbohrer in Ulm and Vetter in Fellbach. At the European historic bus rally in Sinsheim, held every four years, classic and vintage buses from all over Europe gather together to help keep that history alive. The idea stemmed from Reiner Mörch and Dr. Konrad Auwärter – both passionate classic and vintage vehicle collectors – in collaboration with the Automobile and Technology Museum in Sinsheim. Their aim was to bring to life the glorious past of the bus.

the birthplace of the oldies.

For the O 321 H the journey to Sinsheim began in Lech am Arlberg, Austria. The 1,600 km route first took the still fit oldtimer over snaking mountain pass roads. Photo: © Josef Bauer

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32 Service Omnibus 2·2011

Service backup on the road For bus drivers taking their coaches on tour visiting sights all across Europe, the new ServiceCards from OMNIplus provide some key additional benefits. Those benefits have already persuaded many customers to sign up. Text_Saskia Meier | Photos: © Daimler AG

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Omnibus 2·2011 Service 33

TUESDAY MORNING, SIX O’CLOCK, near Maastricht. The sun is slowly rising. The coach driven by Gerhard Walther has just crossed the Dutch border, headed for Brussels. The 45 passengers on-board are almost all still asleep, dreaming of their holiday ahead, in the city of sweet temptations. Gerhard Walther has been a bus driver for over 15 years, all spent with the same company. He is particularly proud of that fact – as he is of his Mercedes-Benz Travego. The coach has proved utterly reliable on all Gerhard Walther’s tours to date. And yet: after 15 years on the road, he knows that there is no such thing as 100 % certainty. Even if his Mercedes-Benz Travego comes mighty close to that ideal.

Always covered to handle any emergency, at home or abroad: with the OMNIplus ServiceCard Premium.

OMNIplus ServiceCards: Assistance day and night But 100 % mobility does exist – it is guaranteed for Gerhard Walther by his OMNIplus ServiceCard Premium. The successor to the OMNIplus ServiceCard has already been around for a year – and it has been a big hit, as Martina Schmitt, responsible for OMNIplus ServiceCards in the Service Products department of OMNIplus, reports: “The new OMNIplus ServiceCard Premium provides all the benefits of the predecessor card, meaning that in addition to the standard OMNIplus services cardholders can refuel without needing cash at over 41,000 UTA acceptance locations in 38 countries and can also utilise the toll, tunnel and ferry service.” By the end of 2012 the OMNIplus ServiceCard will have been systematically exchanged for the new OMNIplus ServiceCard Premium. A new product is the OMNIplus ServiceCard Basic, for customers who do not need the refuelling and toll paying function for example. “The difference is that the OMNIplus ServiceCard Basic is purely a workshop payment card, for use at service centres,” Martina Schmitt explains. It incorporates the complete mobility package, including repairs, parts and tyres service (TireService), BusPool, as well as transparent international billing procedures. A possibly vital help in case of emergency is the OMNIplus 24h SERVICE, including guaranteed cost coverage. This enables drivers to call a German-speaking contact at the control centre, round the clock, on 00 800/40 20 40 20. The control centre will then contact the nearest service centre – including in Belgium. An Internet-based tool immediately issues the local service centre with a guarantee of payment for the services rendered. “The cover provided by this system can also be easily upgraded,” Martina Schmitt adds. That can save a lot of time and worry if the worst happens with a coach full of passengers – as Gerhard Walther, too, is well aware. The OMNIplus ServiceCard Premium also incorporates the complete mobility package, plus the refuelling and toll paying services. Particularly for drivers taking their coaches on tour visiting sights all across Europe, these additional benefits provide a valuable backup. They have already persuaded many customers to sign up – including drivers such as Gerhard Walther. t www.servicecard.omniplus.de

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Among kaftans and ringtones Sunrise in the Jewel of the Maghreb, al-Mamlaka al-Maghribīya, the Kingdom of the West. Pinkish morning light makes the hamri, the typical red earth found in north-eastern Morocco, sparkle. There is a smell of German coffee. Text_Martin Heying | Photos: © Martin Heying

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Evening sun over Morocco and the Kasbah, a fortress complex in the Dades Gorge. Photo: © mauritius images | Michael Runkel An obligatory part of any visit to Morocco: a tour of the traditional tannery and dyeworks in Fez (r.). Photo: © mauritius images | Rene Mattes

ON A CAR PARK alongside the recently developed motorway from Casablanca to Rabat stands a Mercedes-Benz Travego. The rear right luggage compartment door is open. Two heavy-duty coffee machines are emitting the typical morning aromas. Helmut and Ingrid Rahe, the proprietors of the Klute Reisen bus company, are catering to their tour group, while their son Oliver makes a brief check of his bus. A short distance away from the group, an elderly man gazes at the morning’s natural spectacle before him and reflects: “The trip has surpassed my expectations.” It is not Rainer Klose’s first visit to Morocco. The Osnabrück-based businessman says: “This country is just beautiful!”

Snake-charmers, story-tellers A few days earlier: Djemaa-el-Fna, the “square of the beheaded,” in the heart of Marrakesh, a city of some 1.2 million people. It is late afternoon, and acrobats, dancers, snake-charmers, story-tellers and musicians are demonstrating the flair which is so typical of the country. International visitors mingle with Berbers and Arabs; kaftans and djelabas are as common a sight as jeans and western suits. The story-teller is an integral part of city life – as ubiquitous as the mobile phone. This is Morocco, the cultural gateway to the Orient, in all its magnificence and modernity.

ü

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36 Destinations Omnibus 2·2011

Even hand-carts would be too wide for the narrow streets in the old town of Fez.

Living history: The ruined Roman town of Volubilis near Meknès provided the tour party

So all goods are transported by donkey.

with a glimpse into the past.

Mild climate, mild food The climate is mild in Mediterranean Morocco on this side of the Atlas mountains. Temperatures drop not much lower than 14 degrees Celsius in the Winter and in the Summer rarely rise above 28. While the five-star coach cruises smoothly along the road, leaving the city behind it, tour guide Ahmed Ouled-Eddarzi provides the commentary: “Morocco is as diverse as its landscapes. It lives by its traditions, and at the same time is a modern state.” It is a diversity which is also reflected in the food. The country’s dishes are an exciting symphony of colours, aromas and tastes. The national dish is without doubt the tajine, named after the clay pot in which it is cooked. It smells of lemon, light olives, meat and the essential ras el hanout – a wonderful concoction of roasted and ground spices. Its exact composition is the secret of the spice-trader, hence the name ras el hanout – “head of the shop”.

The market streets in front of Djemaa-el-Fna square in Marrakesh: Tourists mingle with locals. Photo: © mauritius images | Peter Phipp

Ancient ruins, medieval Medina Another day, different impressions, yet still the same country. Oliver Rahe steers the Mercedes-Benz Travego deep into Morocco’s past, to Volubilis, a ruined Roman town famous for its floor mosaics. The contrast with yesterday’s destination, Casablanca, could not be greater. For one thing, the city with a population of some 3.5 million people has nothing in common with the foggy and mysterious Casablanca which was the backdrop to the Hollywood classic of the same name. It is a pulsating western metropolis, and its landmark building is truly spectacular: the Masjid al-Hasan ath-thānī, the Hassan II mosque, one of the largest in the world. Complementing its imposing exterior, the interior of the mosque reveals the superb craft skills of the Moroccans, and their exuberant love of the ornamental. This craftsmanship is to be found in its most authentic form in Fez. Fez is actually made up of three parts: the “ville nouvelle”, or new town;

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Omnibus 2·2011 Destinations 37

“Morocco is a tree with its roots in Africa and its branches stretching out to Europe.” His Majesty King Hassan II

Only a few columns and arches recall the former gigantic “heri es souani” grain stores of Meknès.

the medieval “new” town; and the old town. The latter area is home to the numerous craftsmen, though without a knowledgeable guide it would be quite impossible to find your way around the endless warren of narrow streets. So German-speaking local guide Naji Ben Machlouf issues a warning: “Anyone who gets separated from the group will be lost,” he says with a wry smile. He then takes the astonished tour party into the heart of Morocco, the Medina of the old town of Fez: Weavers, tinkers, carpet-makers, potters and ceramicists, and also of course the largest tannery in Morocco, with its famous open-air dyeing vats. The goods produced by the numerous trades working in the area are carried by donkey alone, as not even hand-carts can get down the narrow streets. Anyone able to stop for a moment amidst the endlessly flowing mass of humanity and take a peek inside, beyond the humble clay walls, will discover palatial rooms, featuring colourful mosaics or beautifully hand-crafted wood carvings. It is not without reason that Fez has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The scene changes. Back to the rest stop on the motorway. The coffee cups are now empty, the luggage compartment is closed and most of the tour party are back on-board, in their comfy leather seats. Anneliese and Wolfgang Fortmann have joined Rainer Klose in staring at the hamri, which looks even more reddish in the morning sun. “It truly has been a journey into the 1,001 nights”, comments a thrilled Anneliese Fortmann, “though I was also fascinated by the modernity of Casablanca,” she admits. Her husband Wolfgang nods, adding his own words of praise: “It was lovely also to travel on such a comfortable bus, with such good drivers. We barely noticed the long distances.” They all then gaze once more at the ever brighter and clearer landscape, before the bus sets off. Destination: home. t www.klute-reisen.de

¢ DE LUXE TOUR OF MOROCCO Arrival – by plane or bus Day 1: Rabat Day 2: Marrakesh – visit to the “pearl of the south” Day 3: Rest at the hotel and by the sea Day 4: Meknès and Volubilis Day 5: Casablanca Departure – by plane or bus

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38 Travel Tip Omnibus 2·2011

Mannheim squared Culinary experts and connoisseurs of good taste and quality have always made their mark on Mannheim and its famous grid layout – and that is true today just as it was 125 years ago. Text_Saskia Meier | Photos: © Juan Amador (top left) | © City of Mannheim

Mannheim

How has automotive history influenced Mannheim? At what locations was history written? The tourist information office in Mannheim is offering guided tours on the theme of “125 years of the automobile”, providing participants with a fascinating glimpse into the past. www.tourist-mannheim.de

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Sometimes it has to be something special. For such an occasion the Restaurant Amesa is exactly the right choice. In this temple of gastronomic delights, Michelin-starred chef Caroline Baum restyles classic dishes in her own unique way. As the main course, red mullet “a la bouillabaisse” with saffron and fennel; for dessert, “blanc manger” on a bed of figs and cassis – could there be anything finer? www.a-mesa.de

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The Mannheim Residence, the largest Baroque building in Germany, transports visitors back to the age of hooped skirts and elaborately styled wigs. Completed in 1760, under the reign of Elector Karl Theodor, the palace, which took a total of 40 years to build, is still a magnificent edifice today. www.schloss-mannheim.de

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It was in Mannheim that Carl Benz made his ground-breaking invention in 1886. And it was from one of Mannheim’s squares – the city has been been laid out in a grid format

E2, 8 temptation awaits in the form of w Incream cakes, chocolate gateaux and filled pastries. The antique interior of the Cafe Herrdegen is a genuine throwback to 125 years ago. Tip: The Herrdegen family owns the original recipe for “Mannemer Dreck” – the local Lebkuchen (gingerbread) speciality. www.cafe-herrdegen.de

since 1606 – that his wife Bertha Benz began her legendary motor trip to Pforzheim. 125 years later, on September 10th, the city is marking those historic events with the Bertha Benz Challenge and the “autosymphonic” cultural event. Just one of many reasons to visit the city at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers.

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Omnibus 2·2011 Drive In 39

The new website of the Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches Drivers’ Club is produced by insiders for insiders, enabling them to customise profile pages, post travel recommendations and upload photos. It provides a dedicated platform for the Club’s members to exchange news and views.

Specially for drivers

Editorial Details Mercedes-Benz Omnibus – The magazine for people on the move

The new website of the Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches Drivers’ Club features a host of

Published by: EvoBus GmbH

interactive tools. It will in future enable all drivers to network online.

Mercedes-Benz Omnibusse L 22 D-68301 Mannheim Phone: +49/(0)6 21/7 40-43 19

Text_Saskia Meier | Photo: © FX Berlin | fotolia.com

Fax:

+49/(0)6 21/7 40-53 54

www.mercedes-benz.com Responsible for publishing: Reiner Hörter (responsible for content under the terms of German Press Law) Project management: Christian Bonfert

Production: Verlag Heinrich Vogel

www.o mnibus -fahrer club.m ercede s-benz.c om

Springer Fachmedien München GmbH Corporate Publishing Aschauer Straße 30 D-81549 Munich Phone: +49/(0)89/20 30 43-25 70 Fax:

+49/(0)89/20 30 43-3 25 70

Springer Fachmedien München GmbH is part of the Springer Science+Business

“I’M IN BOCHUM. Anybody nearby?” Or: “I just filled up really cheaply. You’ve got to check it out.” From the Autumn on, the new website will enable all members of the Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches Drivers’ Club to post messages or tips, upload pictures, and make new friends. To access the extensive range of features, members will need to log in. Membership of the Mercedes-Benz Buses and Coaches Drivers’ Club is open to anyone who collects a bus or coach from the Mannheim or Ulm plant. After logging in, all the features can be used without restriction: Upload profile pictures or pictures of buses, post snaps of bus tours, upload fleet photos, view route profiles or read “Omnibus” magazine online. Drivers are able to administer their own profile pages, tailoring them to their specific needs. Another key feature of the new website will be its variety of tools. By selecting the Google Maps application custom travel routes can be highlighted and personal recommendations from other members can be viewed. Members can also add

Media specialist publishing group. Editorial: Saskia Meier Project coordination: Saskia Meier, Matthias Pioro

their own recommendations, pictures or video clips. After all, why keep top tips to yourself? Maybe other drivers will know more, or have had similar experiences. All articles posted can be rated by a one-to-five star system, indicating which tips are really worthwhile – in two senses.

Art direction/graphics: Dierk Naumann Cover photo/rear: Daimler AG Printed by: AZ Druck und Datentechnik GmbH Heisinger Straße 16, D-87437 Kempten

“Member of the Month” Every four weeks, Mercedes-Benz will nominate a “Member of the Month”. What do you have to do to get nominated? Quite simple. Get active. The more posts and pictures a member uploads, and the more positive star ratings the member is awarded, the greater will be his or her chance of becoming “Member of the Month”. And the best part is: Starting in the Autumn, all members will able to influence the outcome themselves by visiting: t www.omnibus-fahrerclub.mercedes-benz.com

Translation: beo Gesellschaft für Sprachen & Technologie mbH Freischützstraße 9, D-81927 Munich

Mercedes-Benz “Omnibus” magazine appears three times a year. All rights reserved. Reproduction and electronic processing are only permitted with written authorisation from the publishers. No liability can be accepted for any unsolicited articles and images sent to us.

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