Freightliner Cascadia to get side airbags

Freightliner Australia is set to introduce a side airbag on the Cascadia heavy-duty truck later this year, further extending its safety features.

Freightliner says the Cascadia is the only bonneted truck in Australia to be fitted with a steering wheel mounted airbag, and it will become the only manufacturer to offer a head-protecting side airbag in a bonneted truck in Australia.

Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, says Daimler is excited to further advance safety in the conventional truck class in Australia.

“There is no good reason why conventional truck drivers in Australia should not be able to drive a truck fitted with the latest safety features,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are driving a truck with or without a bonnet, your safety is just as important,” he added.

Daimler continues to lead on safety with Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso brands, with the latter recently becoming the first manufacturer to fit Advanced Emergency Braking System across its light, medium and heavy duty ranges in Australia.

The Cascadia’s side airbag has been specially developed for the Australian market with partner RollTek to ensure it caters for local preferences. As a result, it can be used with standard Cascadia ISRI seats.

In the United States, the RollTek airbag system is seat-mounted, while the seatbelts are mounted to the truck’s B-pillar.

Australian drivers prefer the belts to be tethered to the seat instead of the B-pillar, allowing the belts to move up and down with the seat and the driver, which is incompatible with the US seat-based airbag deployment system.

Related reading:
Freightliner Cascadia 2020: Review
Trucksales Innovation Award 2021:The Winner
Safety points Cleary Bros to Cascadia

RollTek instead developed an Australian head-protecting airbag that is mounted on the truck’s B-pillar.

Freightliner Trucks Australia Pacific Director, Stephen Downes, says the company is committed to raising the bar in the conventional truck class.

“A conventional truck with fully integrated advanced safety technology like Detroit Assurance 5.0 and not one but two airbags is exactly what many of our customers have been asking for in this class,” Mr Downes says.

“When this life-saving technology is available for Cascadia, but none of its rivals, not even the most recent additions, the Cascadia is the only choice for customers who care about safety. Considering the Cascadia’s fantastic fuel economy and advanced comfort, the new safety addition only makes the business case stronger,” Mr Downes added.

The Cascadia comes standard with the Detroit Assurance 5.0 safety package, which features AEBS and adaptive cruise control as well as Tailgate Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Intelligent High Beam, while Automatic Wipers and Headlamps are also standard.

Customers are able to order the new head-protecting side airbag late this year.

The Cascadia range will be featured at the Brisbane Truck Show to be held from May 13 to 16.