Prime Mover Magazine

Vale: Ian Bruce Freightliner pioneer

A leading force at Freightliner, Ian Bruce, has passed away.

An announcement was made today from the Daimler Truck & Bus group honouring the career of Bruce, who worked as a sales and marketing executive at Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles in Mulgrave, Victoria.

Instrumental in bringing the Freightliner brand to Australia, Bruce pushed for the company to invest in a right-hand drive truck program resulting in a pair of FLC prototypes being built and sent to Australia for testing.

In 1989 Freightliner launched the second generation FLC 112 in right-hand drive, proving popular with customers and cementing the brand in Australia.

His career began in 1938 with H.W. Taylor Motor car accessories.

After serving an apprenticeship at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Bruce worked for, among others, GM Holden, Ansett, Cummins, Caltex, Kenworth and International Harvester.

He retired not long after the Freightliner FLC 112 was introduced to the market, having seen his vision come to fruition.

Daimler Truck and Bus CEO and President, Daniel Whitehead, paid tribute to Ian this week.

“Ian identified the massive potential of the Freightliner brand in Australia and dedicated eight years of his working life to bring it here,” he said.

“We are very grateful to Ian for his role in introducing Freightliner to Australian customers and are determined to continue his legacy.”  

Bruce is survived by his wife Betty.