Supplied by Richard Moorse, Transport Solutions Executive at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia, the new Volvo group are all rigid car transporters fitted with bodywork by Belle Trailers of Great Dunmow. The 4x2 Medium Cab chassis comprise of three FL-250 16-tonners and one FE-280 18-tonner, whilst a pair of 6x2 axle FM-330s with low sleeper cabs, operate at 26-tonnes.
All the trucks were specified with seven year Volvo Gold Contracts, which are backed by a guarantee of 100 per cent uptime.
"Volvo's ordering and specification process was truly excellent. I've nothing, but praise for the attention to detail and communication levels. We intend to operate the Volvos for a minimum of eight years and they will contribute considerably towards our weekly workloads," reports Laurance Wateridge, Fleet Manager at Charles Trent Ltd.
"Early performance indications on the Volvos look good," reports Laurance adding, "The 26-tonne FM rigids and the FE are all equipped with Volvo's I-Shift automated transmission system. We also specified Volvo's additional passenger door glazing on the FLs and the FE for extra safety levels."
To improve operating costs, the Volvo FMs are fitted with Belle Trailers stop / start technology. When loading, this system can save up to five per cent on fuel consumption.
Each of the Volvo fleet additions is expected to average around 80,000 kilometres per year on both collections and inter depot runs between Charles Trent Ltd.'s Rugby facility and its head office in Poole, Dorset.
"We've selected Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia's Coventry site for repairs and maintenance as it's open 24 hours," Laurance declares, adding, "Overnight servicing means no interruption to our business and maximises each trucks' productivity level,"
All the Volvos come adorned with a stunning cab wrap livery design by local supplier Blowfish Media of Coventry.
