Mercedes-Benz Zetros

Variants

The Zetros is available with an engine power of 360 hp (265 kW) up to 510 hp (375 kW) in all-wheel drive and non all-wheel drive versions:

• Chassis, tipper or tractor
• 4×4, 6×6, 8×8

Although normally used as a truck, the Zetros has also been put to work as an off-road tractor unit in the middle east. German company Harald Bruhn also introduced a Zetros-based agricultural trailer truck as the Secutor.

File:Mercedes-Benz Zetros as a relief vehicle for the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.jpg|Mercedes-Benz Zetros 1833 as a relief vehicle for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami File:Mercedes-Benz Zetros 1833 at IAA 2014.JPG|Zetros 1833 RV at IAA 2014 File:60 Jahre Unimog - Wörth 2011 301 Entwicklungswerkstatt (5797108035).jpg|Rolling chassis of a Zetros 2733 File:Mercedes-Benz Zetros 2733 6x6 Rüstwagen.jpg|alt=Mercedes-Benz Zetros 2733 6x6 Heavy fire rescue truck|Mercedes-Benz Zetros 2733 6x6 technical rescue truck File:Mercedes-Benz Zetros GTF 6x6.JPG|Zetros 2733 of the German Army File:Mercedes-Benz ZETROS with Mercedes-Benz EMPL.jpg|Mercedes-Benz ZETROS with Mercedes-Benz EMPL platform of Lithuanian army

Technical characteristics

The facelifted Zetros has now one type of engine in all variants.

• Engine: 12.816 cc inline 6 cylinder diesel

• Transmission: 16 speed manual transmission with shift lever, controlled via control cable, pneumatic power-assisted
• mechanical differential locks on front and rear axles and in the transfer case
• Top speed: 55 mph
• fording depths up to 0.8m

Operators

Military operators

Current operators

;Algeria :Around 2,000 trucks are planned to be produced by the Algeria's National Company of Industrial Vehicles (SNVI) destined for the Algerian defence ministry. Locally further developed into self-propelled artillery systems using the D-30 and T-12 gun systems. ;Bulgaria :The Bulgarian army ordered the Zetros in 2009 to transport personnel and supplies. As of 2012, it operates 335 trucks with 30 more on order. ;Chile :In August 2016 Mercedes Benz has been awarded a contract to provide 330 trucks for the Chilean Army. The contract includes a batch of Zetros 2733 6×6 and Unimog U4000 4×4 vehicles. :In May 2025, 33 Zetros 2036A were ordered by the Chilean Army, am artillery tow-truck. ;Finland :The Finnish Defence Forces have acquired Zetros trucks to replace outdated Sisu Auto vehicles for transportation of both personnel and explosives. ;France :The French Air Force ordered several MICA VL fire units. The launchers of the fire units are using the Zetros as platform. :A large order was made in January 2026 for up to 7,000 trucks. John Cockerill will supply and militarise the trucks. ;Germany :The German army has ordered a total of 110 armoured Zetros vehicles, 72 of which are supposed to serve in logistics units. ;Jordan :Germany donated 20 Zetros 2733 A 6×6 trucks and 50 Zetros 1833 A 4×4 trucks to Jordan in order to be used for the logistics of the Jordanian security agencies when caring for refugees. ;Lithuania :Eight Zetros 3643 6×6 tow trucks acquired in 2019 with Mercedes-Benz EMPL platform for PzH 2000 or Bergepanzer 2 transportation. :141 Zetros 2733 6×6 transport trucks equipped with cranes acquired in 2023; they will delivered by 2030. ;Mexico :The Mexican Army and Mexican Air Force have planned the purchase of 137 6×6 trucks, in three stages, beginning the first purchase of 46 in 2017. The Mexican Navy also operates an undisclosed number of Zetros trucks. ;Poland :31 Mercedes Benz Zetros 3348 AS 6×6 with Dobrowolski DOB70W low bed semi-trailer with an option for 78 more sets ordered in October 2021 for tank transport duty. First 8 sets delivered by the end of 2023. ;Saudi Arabia :Operated by the Saudi Arabian National Guard. ;Turkey :The Turkish Armed Forces use Zetros as HISAR carrier. ;Ukraine :As of January 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have received: :* 262 logistics trucks :* 78 tankers based on the Zetros :On order: :* 20 refrigerator Zetros. :* 1,000 ordered by Germany for Ukraine (October 2025) :* 200 Bohdana howitzers based on the Zetros truck financed in December 2025 (€750 million)

Future operators

;Canada (1,500) :The Canadian army selected General Dynamics Land Systems Canada in a joint venture with Marshall Canada as bid winner for the LVM (Logistics Vehicle Modernisation) programme. The contract signed in June 2024 provides for: :* 1,000 light trucks (Zetros 4×4) :* 500 heavy trucks (Zetros 8×8)

Evaluation only

;Argentina :In 2016, Mercedes-Benz presents and exhibit the Zetros in the Directorate of Arsenals, the plant of the former TAMSE in Boulogne. As reported by the Defensa site, the Argentine Army is a former customer of Mercedes-Benz. The idea is that the Zetros can replace, in a gradual way, the current fleet of Unimog and MB 1114.{{Cite web |date=19 July 2016 |last=Cristófalo |first=Carlos

Civilian clients

Current operators

;Australia :Agriculture vehicles: :* The Zetros is used as a fertiliser spreader and manure spreader in the South East of South Australia. It is a 4×4 version operated by Crossling Contractors based in Naracoorte. ;Costa Rica :Emergency vehicles: :* The first non military application of the Zetros 2733 was announced in June 2018 by the Costa Rican Firefighters as the organization acquired one. It will serve as transport for rescue crew and equipment in emergency situations as floods, hurricanes, storms, wild fires, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. ;Finland :Mining industry: :* Zetros 6×6 tank truck used on on open-cast mine at Kevista. ;France :Vehicle body maker: :* KLUBB Group uses it as a base vehicle for specialised vehicles. ;Germany :Mining industry: :* Zetros 4×4 tow truck used in an anhydrite mine by Knauf Gips KG in Hüttenheim.

References

References

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32. Schmalz, Alexander. (2025-12-17). "Ukraine und Deutschland vereinbaren Rüstungsdeal über mehr als 1,2 Milliarden Euro".
33. (17 June 2024). "Logistics Vehicle Modernization Project (LVM)". Government of Canada Department of National Defence.
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35. (29 May 2024). "Minister Blair announces major investments in equipment and training for the Canadian Armed Forces in partnership with Canada's defence industry". Government of Canada.
36. Bisht, Inder Singh. (2024-06-24). "Canadian Military to Receive Over 1,500 Mercedes-Benz Zetros Trucks".
37. "Zetros as a manure spreader at Crossling Contractors in Down Under.".
38. "First Zetros in Costa Rica.".
39. "The Zetros 6x6 as a mining tanker".
40. "FRENCH BODYBUILDER KLUBB GROUP PUTS THEIR TRUST IN THE ZETROS.".
41. "Zetros in mining industry: In operation underground Zetros shows what it can do.".