Final 'Pre-Buy' Demand Surge Boosts Mercedes Engine Sales

ruck buyers late in 2003 bought up every available production slot of the Mercedes-Benz 4000 heavy-duty diesel engine, in what amounted to a “pre-buy” of the last major Class 8 engine that did not have to comply with the Oct. 1, 2002, tougher federal emissions rules.

That engine maker did not have to comply until this Jan. 1 under the original timetable for the new standards, as it was exempt from a consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency that moved up the schedule for competitors.

So from what had been a little-used engine in the North American market before the 2002 rules kicked in, sales of the MBE 4000 here soared to 18,000 units during 2003 from 1,644 in 2002.