China signed an agreement with Daimler-Benz (now DailmerChrysler) to co-produce Mercedes-Benz heavy-duty trucks locally, under license in September 1988 at the NORINCO’s FIRMACO facility, as North-Benz heavy-Duty Truck Co Ltd. Following the end of the co-production agreement with DailmerChrysler in 2003, North-Benz continued to build the truck with 100% Chinese-made parts.

The Chinese ND2629A Truck is said to be performing extremely well in the harsh weather and road conditions in the Tibet Highland (5,000m above sea level). The latest order was reported in 2005, when the PLA ordered an additional 1,500 trucks from North-Benz.

The Chinese ND2629A Truck Spec’s

The North-Benz 2629A truck has a two-door forward control cab with four seats. The truck is available in 4X4, 6X6 and 8X8 configurations.
The truck is powered by a German Deutz 1013/1015 liquid-cooled turbocharged diesel engine rated at 220~480hp, but some are powered by a Deutz 513F air-cooled diesel for the use in northern desert and snow regions. The unique transmission and fuel designs guarantee the vehicle to function normally in temperature between -40°C and 50°C.
The vehicle’s German-designed gearbox has nine forward and one reverse gears. The three axles and six wheels all operate with speed differential locking devices. The chassis can be used for other systems such as MLRS.