At the beginning of the 1930s, Daimler-Benz could only offer its customers the L 5000 model of the L 35 series, which was a further development of the old L 5000 of the L 5 series. A truly new development in this payload range was still lacking. But in 1935, the time had finally come, and there was a completely newly developed two-axle vehicle in the heavy-duty class at last in the form of the L 6500 of the L 54 series.
The chassis of the L 6500 had a more than stable ladder-type frame. In order to avoid offsetting the frame but still ensure a low frame height, the underside of the frame was tapered above the axles, while the top of the frame was completely smooth. The power source under the massive bonnet was either an OM 79 in-line six-cylinder diesel engine with 120 hp (88 kW) or the 150 hp (110 kW) OM 54, which was mounted elastically in the frame. A four-speed transmission with two-disc dry plate clutch and engageable overdrive was directly flange-mounted to the engine. An engageable transmission for operations in the mountains could also be installed on request. The power was then transmitted from the transmission via a cardan shaft to the rear axle differential at a 2:1 ratio. While the rear axle housing was made of electric steel casting and was designed as a supporting body, the front axle with shock-free helical spindle steering was a drop-forged stub axle. Both axles were suspended from the chassis with strong semi-elliptical springs. Finally, the brake system consisted of a Knorr compressed-air brake with Ate oil pressure transmission acting on all four wheels, a foot brake and a hand brake acting on the transmission.
In addition to the standard L 6500, Daimler-Benz also offered the L 54 series as the LK 6500 for tipper bodies and as the LD 6500 fire service turntable ladder chassis. In addition, the M 78 petrol engine or the GM 79 gas engine optionally could also be installed as a power source instead of the standard diesel engines. In 1938, the series underwent a technical and visual revision. The engine was now the new OM 57 diesel engine with 150 hp (110 kW). The trucks were also fitted with a modern all-steel cab. The L 6500 remained in the range in this form until production was discontinued in 1940.