Daimler-Benz AG bought Freightliner from the American company Consolidated Freightways back in 1981, and under Daimler control it became the largest heavy duty truck producer in North America by 1992. Parts sharing across mutually owned companies is a common practice, but it’s not always as drastic of a cross-market collaboration as the stark juxtaposition of Freightliner trucks and Mercedes-Benz automobiles. I’ve noticed some suspiciously Mercedes-like lights on Freightliner trucks for years, and I finally decided to investigate.
The parts sharing that is most immediately apparent to me are the turn signals on older Freightliner FLD120 semi trucks. Those iconic corrugated turn indicators look like the same ones that adorned most Mercedes-Benz models in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and upon researching I found out they’re interchangeable parts between the W124 E-Class and Freightliner FLD120 semi trucks. Turn indicators from 1986-1993 Mercedes E-Class are part number MB2520104, which is usable with some Freightliner FLD120 semi trucks, according to eBay.
Another shared part among Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and Freightliner trucks that I didn’t previously realize are the headlights from the original Mercedes ML. The headlights from the first-generation W163 ML are also used on some 2003-2006 Freightliner Columbia semi trucks. They’re one of the most common trucks that I remember seeing growing up, and now that I’ve learned about the connection I’m excited to see one on the road. Part number 3401103LAS is interchangeable between the early ML-Class SUVs and Freightliner Columbia semi trucks.
These headlights aren’t as distinctive of a design as Mercedes’ corrugated turn signals, so it’s not surprising that I never made the correlation despite being the type of person who can see head or taillights on a motorhome and know what passenger car originally used the lights. Next time you see a Freightliner on the roads, scrutinize its lights and see if you can find any Mercedes DNA in them — just don’t focus too hard on it if you’re behind the wheel.
