The Brisbane Truck Show stands as one of the most significant events in Australia’s and even the global commercial vehicle industry, boasting a development history spanning over 50 years. Organized by the Queensland Commercial Vehicle Industry Association and held biennially, the show has evolved into the largest exhibition of trucks, trailers, components, equipment, and technologies in the Southern Hemisphere. On May 15, 2025, the annual Brisbane Truck Show made a spectacular debut! As the first move in truckplus Commercial Vehicles’ global communication strategy, we dispatched frontline staff to the show, joining industry peers to appreciate this grand truck spectacle.
The Australian truck market is exceptionally unique. Here, one can find not only European cab-over trucks but also various American long-nose trucks and characteristic trucks from countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, making it a microcosm of the global truck market. Due to the large number of vehicles on display, we have decided to present them in three articles categorized by market origin. In today’s article, let’s explore the European trucks showcased at the Brisbane Truck Show.
As mentioned earlier, the Australian truck market is highly complex. Consequently, at the Brisbane Truck Show, many truck brands exhibit in clusters centered around their parent groups, exemplified by the Volvo Group in the image above. Alongside the core Volvo Trucks brand, Volvo Construction Machinery (VOLVO CE), American Mack Trucks, and Japanese UD Trucks all shared the same booth, creating an intriguing display.
Why start with Volvo? The reason is straightforward: the Volvo FH 16 780 was awarded the 2025 Australian Truck of the Year. Equipped with a powerful D17 series diesel engine delivering 780 horsepower and 3,800 Nm of torque, it currently reigns as the horsepower king among European trucks. With its robust performance, efficient I-Shift transmission, and other features, the Volvo FH 16 780 won over the judging panel. The exhibit vehicle, used for road train transportation, is fitted with Australian-style bull bars and a front windshield stone guard, giving it a rugged and imposing appearance.
Volvo Trucks’ new flagship, the FH Aero series, was also featured. This series incorporates a brand-new low-drag design, with the lower front end extended forward by 24 centimeters to form a more inclined “wedge” structure, allowing air to flow more smoothly and reducing frontal wind resistance. Combined with features like CMS electronic rear-view mirrors, it has become an efficient new flagship that “glides through the wind.”
Adjacent to it is the Volvo FMX Electric all-electric model, equipped with reinforced components such as a steel bumper and headlight protection grille. Using a 6×4 drive configuration and a hook lift body, it can be matched with different cargo boxes to quickly switch between applications, commonly used in construction projects. The vehicle is powered by a 540 kWh battery, a central electric drive system with a three-motor + 12-speed I-Shift transmission, and delivers a maximum of 666 horsepower. The Volvo ECR 25 excavator it transports is also fully electric, forming a zero-emission earthworks combination.
After exploring the Volvo booth, let’s turn our attention to another Swedish truck manufacturer: Scania. The image above shows the Scania 560 G tractor, featuring the Super powertrain, which includes a DC 13 173 inline six-cylinder diesel engine, a new-generation G33CM OptiCruise transmission, and an R756 efficient rear axle, producing 560 horsepower and 2,800 Nm of torque. While it retains the classic NTG exterior styling, its internal components have been significantly upgraded.
Next to it is a Scania 500 P tractor. As its name suggests, the DC 13 inline six-cylinder engine in this model delivers 500 horsepower. In the Scania truck lineup, the P and G series are positioned as more entry-level models. As a result, this truck has a lower cab height and less spacious interior compared to flagship series like the R and S, which is visually distinguishable.
Of course, the highlight of the Scania booth is the V8 model, specifically the 770 S tractor in the image. It is equipped with Scania’s new-generation V8 engine (model DC 16 123), producing 770 horsepower and 3,700 Nm of torque. As the only V8 engine in today’s European trucks and the most powerful one, its uniqueness is evident.
In addition to diesel, this Scania 770 S can also run on HVO hydrotreated vegetable oil, enabling emission reduction without compromising performance.
After discussing the two Swedish manufacturers, let’s turn to the German duo, starting with MAN. At the MAN booth, the TGX Individual Lion S tractor stands out. Factory-modified by MAN’s Individual department, it features custom sun visors, carbon fiber rear-view mirror housings with “roaring lion” motifs, chrome grille bars with red accents, and other exterior kits. The interior is upgraded with materials like carbon fiber and Alcantara leather, enhancing its sporty and luxurious appeal.
The entire vehicle is painted in the red-and-white livery of its transport company, with meticulous attention to details such as the fuel tank, clamps, wheels, and wheel arches, creating a striking visual effect.
Besides the TGX, another MAN flagship is the TGS. Compared to the TGX, the TGS series has a slightly narrower cab and greater ruggedness, making it suitable for construction and engineering applications. The image shows a MAN TGS model with halogen headlights, maintaining a stylish appearance.
A comparison with the TGX clearly highlights their differences. MAN’s new-generation TG series trucks were officially launched in Spain in 2020, but due to certification and regulatory reasons, they did not enter the Australian market until 2022.
Moving on from MAN, we come to another top German truck brand: Mercedes-Benz. As a subsidiary of the Daimler Truck Group, Mercedes-Benz shared the booth with brands like Western Star, Detroit Diesel, Freightliner, and Mitsubishi Fuso. As a global commercial vehicle giant, Daimler Truck’s strength lies in its diverse products and comprehensive solutions.
Front and center at the booth is the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 long-haul electric truck. Built on a new-generation platform, it features a closed front fascia, ProCabin cab, and other low-drag designs, along with a new in-vehicle computing platform that increases data processing speed by 20 times. The eActros 600 also employs a sensor fusion platform with five radars and multiple cameras to enable various active safety functions, positioning it as a digital and intelligent flagship. Its dual-motor electric drive axle, 800V electrical architecture, and 621 kWh LFP lithium iron phosphate battery are all flagship-level configurations.
In addition to the eActros 600, Mercedes-Benz’s first-generation electric truck, the eActros 300, was also on display. Developed from the fourth-generation Actros diesel model, it is a pure electric conversion. However, Daimler Truck recently announced that first-generation electric trucks like the eActros 300/400 will be phased out and replaced by eActros 600 models with different configurations to strengthen the product lineup.
The eEconic 300, although also a first-generation electric truck from Mercedes-Benz, was not discontinued in this product adjustment due to its special low-entry cab structure. In terms of electric powertrain components, the eEconic 300 is identical to models like the eActros 300.
Regarding diesel trucks, the Actros series has always been Mercedes-Benz’s core product. The image shows an Actros 3246 diesel truck equipped with an OM 471 inline six-cylinder diesel engine and a medium-sized flat-roof cab. It also adopts the bumper and headlight design of the Arocs model, adding a unique touch.
DAF, a Dutch truck manufacturer and subsidiary of the PACCAR Group, shared the booth with PACCAR’s American brands like Kenworth at this show. DAF showcased the XG 660 model, featuring a 6×4 drive configuration, a PACCAR PX-15 inline six-cylinder engine delivering 660 horsepower (a PACCAR version of the Cummins X15D, familiar to Chinese truck drivers). The 660-horsepower configuration is exclusive to Australia, and its exceptional power makes it suitable for heavy transportation tasks like road trains.
Alongside the XG is its “big brother,” the XG+. The XG+ 660 also uses a 660-horsepower PX-15 engine paired with a ZF 16-speed TraXon transmission. Compared to the XG, the DAF XG+ shares the same 2.6-meter cab width but has a taller and more spacious interior. It may replace American cab-over trucks like the Kenworth K220 in the future, becoming PACCAR’s modern and efficient flagship model in Australia.
The classic CF series model also appeared at the DAF booth, equipped with a 530-horsepower PACCAR MX-13 engine. While discontinued in European markets, it can still be found in regions like Australia.
This DAF CF is fitted with a 450-horsepower engine.
The XB EV is a pure electric truck developed by DAF for urban distribution, with a maximum GVW of 12 tons and a range of 350 kilometers. It will look familiar to many, as it is the ultimate successor to the previous LF model. After launching the new NGD-generation DAF trucks, the company redesigned the LF’s front end, named it XB, and adopted an American powertrain to fill the gap in its light and medium-duty truck lineup.
Tatra, a “maverick” European truck manufacturer from the Czech Republic, also participated in the Brisbane Truck Show. Tatra trucks have a good reputation in Australia, valued for their strong off-road performance and reliability in agriculture and mining. The vehicle in the image is a new Tatra Phoenix, built on the DAF XFC platform. Its robust stainless steel bumper and high ground clearance make it suitable for rough unpaved roads.
The co-driver observation window, similar to that on DAF models, is also featured on this vehicle.
The new-generation Phoenix’s chassis is still produced by Tatra, incorporating its iconic central tube frame and swing axle design, which provide exceptional off-road capability and reliability. For demonstration purposes, Tatra installed lighting under the chassis. Power comes from a PACCAR MX-13 engine with a maximum output of 530 horsepower, matched with a ZF TraXon transmission, consistent with DAF’s specifications.
This vehicle is equipped with a large-capacity dump body by VS-Mont for mining applications. The front of the cargo box features a protective plate to prevent cargo from damaging the roof during loading, ensuring operator safety.
Except for Renault, all members of the “Seven Sisters of European Trucks” were present. Next, let’s visit the Iveco booth. The Daily series is Iveco’s “flagship product,” a globally renowned and classic light commercial vehicle. This model features a double-cab configuration and a flatbed, suitable for small businesses as work trucks.
Also unveiled at the show was the Iveco eDaily pure electric van, the latest model distinguishable by the IVECO logo on its hood. The eDaily offers up to 20 cubic meters of loading space, a 4.6-ton payload, 3.5-ton towing capacity, and a 15 kW ePTO (electric power take-off), making it adaptable for conversions like pure electric light dump trucks. It can be equipped with a motor delivering up to 190 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, matching diesel models in performance, with a maximum battery capacity of 111 kWh.
The S-Way is Iveco’s road flagship truck. At the booth, Iveco presented a S-Way 6×4 tractor co-branded with METALLICA. Featuring an AS-type high-roof cab with a sleeper, a Cursor 13 engine, and a ZF TraXon transmission, it makes a bold visual statement. However, this S-Way is a previous-generation model, as indicated by its logo; it lacks the new-generation features like the second-generation TraXon transmission and xCursor 13 efficient engines.
In addition to its role as a road flagship, the S-Way offers chassis configurations for conversion into heavy-duty trucks and dump trucks. The model in the image, with a 6×4 drive and large dump body, features a chrome-plated sun visor above the windshield, adding a touch of American styling.
This S-Way uses a narrow cab with a special livery to commemorate Iveco’s 50th anniversary.
The EuroCargo, Iveco’s main medium-duty truck, has evolved from the Cargo series while retaining many classic elements. Despite updated front styling and logos, other details have remained consistent over the years.
A special model on display was the ACCO, a long-standing product in Iveco Australia’s lineup that has been upgraded alongside the S-Way. Designed for municipal use, the ACCO features dual control systems, including two steering wheels, instrument panels, and pedals, allowing drivers to switch freely between left- and right-hand drive for better visibility during roadside garbage collection.
In addition to dual controls, the ACCO is equipped with dual windshield wiper systems to ensure clear visibility from either driving position. For municipal tasks like garbage collection, it uses an Allison automatic transmission instead of the ZF TraXon AMT, providing smoother power delivery and stability at low speeds.
This concludes our tour of European trucks at the Brisbane Truck Show. As these products demonstrate, major European truck manufacturers have developed unique solutions tailored to Australia’s specific transportation needs. From the Volvo FH 16 780 road train to the DAF XG+ 660 high-horsepower tractor and the Iveco ACCO dual-control model, each reflects local characteristics. In future articles, we will continue to explore the American, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean trucks at the show—stay tuned! Thank you for reading, and don’t forget to follow us for more interesting and informative commercial vehicle content!
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