Supplied by dealer Midlands Truck & Van, the new additions join the Tamworth-based rental firm’s mixed-marque fleet of 400 trucks and 100 vans, and are fitted with curtainside bodywork by Transport Enterprises, of Leicester.
The Actros both have StreamSpace cabs and lifting tag axles. One is a drawbar unit (pictured) and is a 2540 model with 10.7-litre engine producing 389bhp, and is plated for operation at up to 40 tonnes gtw.
The other is an Actros 2532, which carries a Moffett Mounty forklift, is powered by a 7.7-litre engine delivering 316bhp, while all three Sprinters are 314 CDI variants with 141bhp, 2.1-litre turbodiesels.
JCT’s director of operations Rob Pallett says that while cost was an important consideration, other factors were also key to the decision. “We were keen to source the trucks and the vans from a single supplier, which ruled out several other manufacturers from the outset,” he says.
“The product itself had to be right, of course. For example, SAS wanted big sleeper cabs on the trucks, a requirement we were able to fulfil by specifying long-distance Actros models. We also know from our previous experience of owning Mercedes-Benz vehicles that they offer the reliability, fuel economy and driver appeal SAS was looking for.”
Aftersales support was crucial, too. Routine inspections and servicing of the SAS vehicles will be undertaken by JCT, which has a five-bay workshop and a bodyshop. The dealer will carry out any warranty or more complex maintenance work, and will supply all parts.