Tomorrow Comes Today by Gorillaz is a song for the present moment, particularly when looking at the paradigm shift in manufacturing and logistics. The recent collaboration between 3D Systems and Daimler Truck | Daimler Buses exemplifies how the future has arrived in real time—what was once an aspirational concept is now an operational reality.

The Business Case: Efficiency vs. Costs

A headline promise of up to 75% reductions in lead times, alongside minimized vehicle downtime, is mightily compelling. Yet that naturally raises questions over the initial costs and long-term financial viability of decentralized 3D printing compared to traditional supply chains, aftermarket parts, or even used components.

3D printing is a very unique advantage for legacy and redundant parts. Many companies have problems finding obsolete or low-demand components, especially for cabin interiors or older models that manufacturers have long since stopped producing. In this context, 3D printing provides an efficient alternative to eliminate the need for stockpiling parts that may never be used.

But compared to cost efficiency with already existing solutions like aftermarket and used parts, 3D printing still has to prove that it will be cheaper and more scalable. The cost of raw materials, licensing fees for proprietary part designs, and certification requirements perhaps make it less appealing than simply sourcing used or third-party-manufactured parts in the first instance. But logistics disruptions, increasing global supply chain constraints, and growing inventory storage costs might tip the balance in favour of decentralized production in the long run.

Daimler Strategic Move: A Small Shift or a Market Disruption?

How will Daimler Buses promote 3D-printed parts? How will it compete with traditionally manufactured parts? It’s a bit market cannibalization. We will see how this would work out. Of course, it is very safe to play-remember Covid times with all the supply chain disruptions.

The Future: Metal 3D Printing as the Game Changer

While polymer 3D printing for cabin interiors and non-structural components is an important step, the real market transformation will come with the large-scale adoption of metal 3D printing. The capability to manufacture on-demand structural, load-bearing, and high-performance metal components may reshape supply chains in industries like automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery.
Whomever learns to produce cost-effective, high-strength metals through additive manufacturing will be in a position to disrupt the entire parts manufacturing ecosystem in much the same way digitalization disrupted film photography, music, and publishing.
Market Reactions: A Vote of Confidence?
The financial markets also reacted well: 3D Systems Corporation (DDD) stock jumped ~22% on news of the announcement. While that reflects investor enthusiasm for the concept, it yet remains to be seen if the real-world financials will support it, and how it will be made in practice.
The Bigger Question: Do You Believe in 3D Printing?
There’s no doubt that 3-D printing has proven its value as a game-changing technology in some niche applications. Whether it can scale beyond prototyping and very limited production into the mainstream is where adoption may face resistance. In automotive, for instance, it is a promising tool for spare parts, though massive usage will demand lower costs and better materials.
For now, 3D printing is filling in the gaps, not replacing traditional production, but has the potential to rewrite manufacturing altogether as material science continues to improve and costs fall. The companies that make this shift sooner rather than later are likely to be leading the future of industrial production.