It’s a matter of all things Mercedes-Benz at German family business Maier, where this customised, V8-powered 2555 livestock transporter takes pride of place on the fleet.
Daniela Winkler laughs, looks over towards the Mercedes-Benz Actros belonging to her partner, Erwin Maier, and remarks: “Had someone told me nine years ago that I would be sitting behind the wheel of an animal transporter, I would have thought they were crazy!”
She had, then, only just met Erwin and she believed livestock transportation constituted a form of cruelty to animals, having gained such an impression from media reports about mishandling and cruelty in the animal transport business.
However, after she had accompanied him on his trips through Germany, carrying livestock and cattle for slaughter, she changed her opinion. Whenever her job in the retail trade allows her, she now likes to sit behind the wheel. She completed her C+E licence three years ago.
Change of heart
Daniela still sees herself as an animal rights campaigner and has some convincing arguments. “As long as meat is eaten, animals must be fattened and taken to abattoirs. We do this in accordance with animal welfare regulations for transporting live animals and with a real sense of responsibility. We have nothing to hide – just because there are still a few black sheep in the industry!”
Daniela adds emphatically: “When I see animals being badly treated, I will speak out about it!”
This self-confidence is also reflected in the presentation of Mercedes itself, which stands in the company yard of Erwin’s father, Karl Anton Maier in Krauchenwies, southern Germany.
Diehard V8 fan
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