The new contract, worth around £11 million, will be for the supply of 127 vehicles on a two-year roll-out programme, with the first 25 being delivered to Boughey by the end of May. A further 48 vehicles will be supplied by the end of the year.
Boughey will be one of the first companies in the UK to take delivery of the new model of the Volvo FH 13-litre 460bhp Euro 6 model. Driver comfort and safety were high on the agenda for the design of the upgraded model
As part of its programme to evaluate current trucks on the market, Boughey’s group fleet engineer Paul Brimelow led year-long fuel trials, running the current Volvo FH model alongside two other manufactures’ vehicles. As he explains: “We conducted extensive trials with the three vehicles over a 12-month period to scrutinise fuel economy, and the Volvo vehicle performed the best. Using telematics data and ensuring the trucks were consistently driven by nominated drivers, we were able to build up a comprehensive performance record. Fuel usage for all three vehicles was collected and analysed over the 12-month period to enable us to compare actual fuel usage from the tank to the figure provided by the telemetry. We also compiled feedback from the drivers too on the general performance of the vehicles.
Two other key factors also contributed to Boughey selecting the Volvo model. “We were offered a fixed five-year repair and maintenance contract by Thomas Hardie, a first for us, and one we viewed very favourably,” said Brimelow. “Dealer aftermarket support is very important to us.”
Boughey last ran Volvo vehicles in 2010 and its current fleet of 120 vehicles is Mercedes. It also operates 250 curtain-sided trailers.