Mercedes-Benz has presented its High Visibility Safety Truck - the latest cyclist and pedestrian-friendly Econic construction vehicle - at this year's historic Cart Marking event in the City of London.

The ceremony is held by the Worshipful Company of Carmen and dates back to 1665. Carmen bring their wagons and carriages, steamers, buses and trucks to be inspected by the Master then branded with a red-hot iron applied to a wooden plate showing the year letter and the car number.

The Mercedes-Benz Econic was purpose-designed for municipal duties but is now being marketed to other sectors, such as construction.

Key to its appeal for urban operations are its low-entry cab with deep, panoramic windscreen and fully-glazed, bus-style folding passenger door. Together they provide unparalleled visibility to the front and sides.

The Econic's relatively low seating position means drivers are at the same level as pedestrians and cyclists and have unimpeded cross-cab vision, so that direct eye-to-eye contact can easily be made.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks' UK Special Products Manager Basil Vinnicombe said: 'Mercedes-Benz built the world's first truck in 1896, so was naturally delighted to be invited to take part in the historic Cart Marking ritual.'