2012.11.14 Der Fathertruck
I've had over a year to review digital representations of the new Mercedes heavy truck, code named SFTP¹. Today was my first chance to see a real example of our parent company's Prime Product². Some interesting different perceptions were derived.
Our own development of a next-generation vehicle and a push for corporate commonality means we've been reviewing the possibility of incorporating many aspects of the SFTP. Based purely on the CAD data, the main impression of the SFTP is how thoroughly-engineered it is - and how expensive. Many of the features on the SFTP simply would not be commercially viable in the NAFTA market, yet³. Nevertheless, the high quality of the engineering seems evident, and this is borne out by reviews of the truck by consumers in its native markets.
In-person scrutiny of the SFTP showed that it is indeed a really great vehicle, and thoughtfully-engineered. But it also revealed many nudge-wink compromises and corrections⁴. Frankly, it's a bit of a relief. Because the product is a bit intimidating engineering-wise, and because many of the German engineers I know have an arrogance problem⁵.
¹ Don't ask. German acronyms are tricky and surprisingly forgettable.
² Sorry: pun. In many markets, heavy highway tractors are called "prime movers".
³ Possibly never, if cost-oriented fleets continue to be the primary market influence here.
⁴ My favourite: expensively machining clearance on a complicated casting. Hee-hee, oops.
⁵ Coming from me, that's saying something.