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A growing transport solutions firm is achieving significant savings on its fuel costs after downsizing to a highly productive pair of Mercedes vans.
Avonmouth-based HNT’s new-generation 5.0-tonne Sprinter 515CDI chassis cabs are up to 30 per cent more fuel-efficient than the 7.5-tonne delivery vehicles they have replaced.
Supplied by Bristol dealer Commercial Motors, the new Mercedes have curtainside bodies by TGS, of Bristol. HNT, which specialises in overnight transport, chose the top-weight Sprinter model for its 2.2-tonne payload.
“Although smaller than the 7.5-tonners we were using previously for this work, our 5.0-tonne Sprinters are still very productive in terms of their weight-carrying capabilities,” explains Managing Director Chris Potter.
“The idea is to achieve better fuel economy and so increase margins, and with their easily accessed curtainside bodies our latest Sprinters are perfectly specified for the job.”
Mr Potter continues: “I’ve liked Mercedes vans ever since I started using them four years ago and have always found them to be very reliable. You get what you pay for with the marque – its vans are built to last.”
He adds: “The manufacturer ironed out one or two minor issues that I had with the old model, when it launched the new-generation Sprinter last year. I tried a 3.5-tonne demonstrator supplied by Commercial Motors and was hugely impressed.”
Mr Potter’s ‘company car’ is a 2.77-tonne Vito 120CDI Dualiner van, with a second row of seats. Other vehicles in HNT’s 25-strong fleet include seven 3.5-tonne 311CDIs from the previous Sprinter generation.
HNT’s vehicles cover all of southern England and Wales and deliver a huge range of products, many for well known, ‘blue chip’ customers. A former transport manager, Mr Potter founded his company with a single van in 2002. He enjoyed rapid growth and HNT is currently developing its courier business. |
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