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High-profile workshop and storage products specialist Bott is running its first clean, ‘green’ BlueTec® Euro 4 Mercedes trucks.
The Bude-based manufacturer’s racking systems are often used in Mercedes trucks and vans - it also has in-vehicle fitting centres in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Cumbernauld.
Bott took delivery of the two new 18-tonners from dealer Commercial Motors (South-West) before the latest round of EU emissions legislation came into force on October 1st. Both are Axor 1824s with high-roofed sleeper cabs, 24ft Boalloy curtainside bodies and Anteo tuckaway tail-lifts.
This model was previously badged 1823. But output from the BlueTec® Euro 4 engine is increased from 230hp to just short of 240hp, hence its new nomenclature, while torque is also up, from 810 to 850Nm.
Bott’s Operations Director Mike Wosnitzka says: “We could still have ordered the Euro 3 Axor, but decided to pay the premium for Euro 4 models because we are an environmentally-conscious company, and want to be recognised as such. We’re also getting better performance and fuel economy from our new Axor, while their Euro 4 engines should help to bolster residual values.”
German-owned Bott runs an all-Mercedes fleet which also includes four Actros 1844 4x2 tractor units and three Atego rigids, two 18-tonners and a 7.5-tonner. The Actros deliver twice-weekly to Europe, so reliability and back-up on the Continent are both important considerations.
Its latest Axor are making multi-drop deliveries to customers of all sizes, ranging from ‘one-man bands’ to major plcs, throughout the UK. They have replaced a pair of 17-tonne Mercedes 1820s, each of which clocked-up some 900,000km in six years.
Mr Wosnitzka continues: “Our drivers’ response to their new Axor has been very positive – they really appreciate the extra power and comfortable, well laid-out cabs.
“We’ve tried other marques and had some expensive experiences, but Mercedes have always been very reliable, while Nigel Gallagher (Commercial Motors truck sales executive) and I have been working together since the late 1970s and he looks after us very well.” |
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