multifunctional powerhouse - Mercedes Benz

Unimog on show at the ski stadium
Against an impressive backdrop, local dealer Autohaus Hornung together with
Unimog distributor Henne-Unimog GmbH hosted a demonstration of public works
and fire-fighting vehicles.
A ski stadium is more normally associated
with the Winter time and the cold, yet on this
Summer’s day it is not just tourists who have
come flocking to the Olympic Ski Stadium in
Garmisch-Partenkirchen. In conjunction with
the world’s largest Unimog distributor, Henne-
Unimog GmbH, local Mercedes-Benz dealer
Autohaus Hornung GmbH is hosting a major
show, with large numbers of public works
vehicles demonstrating their capabilities at
the traditional wintersports venue. As the first
spectators begin to arrive at the historic stadium,
which was completely rebuilt in 2007,
ski-jumpers are conducting their Summer
training in the background.
The Mercedes-Benz dealer regularly offers
its customers an overview of the product
portfolio and first sight of the latest releases
by hosting special presentations. This time
the focus was on public works and fire-fighting
vehicles. Gerhard Lutz, Managing Director of
Autohaus Hornung GmbH, sets out his corporate
strategy: “In our catchment area there are
very few freight forwarders. In fact, only one of
our major customers operates a long-distance
transport fleet. Consequently, we need to
concentrate our commercial vehicle sales
efforts on other market segments”. In pursuing
its strategy, the dealership has put on a show
about everything that Mercedes-Benz has to
offer in the public works vehicles segment. A
major feature of the show is a range of Unimog
models from Henne-Unimog GmbH, based in
Kirchheim-Heimstetten. The various equipment
manufacturers have made their matching builton
units available.
The show features a U 500 tipper tractor unit
as is widely used in farming, as well as maintenance
vehicles, Winter gritters and snow-clearers
and a cherry-picker. Two lovingly restored
vintage models – one from the 1950s and a
snow plough with a 54 hp engine and separate
180 hp plough drive on its load space – arouse
a strong sense of nostalgia among the older visitors
especially. A new model among the fire
service vehicles featured is based on the U 20,
and is a product for which the Mercedes-Benz
dealership in Garmisch sees bright prospects.
One of the reasons for that optimism is that the
Unimog fire-fighting vehicle carries equipment
which normally requires a much larger base
unit. “The manoeuvrability and off-road capability
of the U 20 are key attractions in view of the
applications for which our fire services need to
use it,” Lutz asserts. In terms of visitors, the
dealership manager has focused on a closely targeted
group: “You can’t expect to have thousands
of people attending such an event. For us it is
much more important to have professionals and
decision-makers here, and to provide them with
the expert information and assistance they
expect.” r
UNIMOG 2 • 2010 • NEWS 5
Browse the Mercedes-Benz calendar
The Mercedes-Benz Unimog is turning 60.
That achievement calls for a very special gift
for customers – something which is just as
multi-functional as the “universal motor
machine” itself: a ring-bound calendar that can
be read like a book or used as a traditional wall
calendar. Titled “Lebensräume” (living spaces),
it portrays the many fields of application of
the Unimog, including
photos of historic models
and the latest examples.
The calendar will
soon be available from
www.shop.mercedesbenz.com/unimog
(size: 31 x 43 cm, price:
24.90 Euro).
Get in gear fast
Special offer weeks at your Unimog service
partner. Come along and have a look, and
save yourself money. From September 15th to
December 31, 2010 you can get clutches for
various Unimog models at a special offer
price. And all in accustomed Mercedes-Benz
original parts quality. Talk to your Unimog
service partner. They will be glad to help you.
A real globetrotter!
With the new Bocklet body, the U 4000 is
capable of completing any expedition. Special
features such as the heavy-duty running gear,
the Tirecontrol tyre pressure control system
and the vehicle’s high diesel capacity (290
litres + two 20-litre reserve canisters) make it
possible. In the cut-away shape live-in cab
(standing height: 1.95, length: 4.35, interior
width: 2.20 metres) sanitary facilities and a
corner galley provide the necessary comforts.