Mercedes-Benz Actros offers RT Keedwell fuel for thought 11 May 2012

Mercedes-Benz dealer City West Commercials has landed what it sees as a breakthrough order for Actros tractor units from RT Keedwell.

The Somerset-based haulier has taken delivery of its first eight Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks. A ninth, from the New Actros range, which made its UK debut at last month's CV Show, is also due to enter service this summer.

The new trucks are the subject of a two-year contract hire agreement with Mercedes-Benz CharterWay, a brand of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.

RT Keedwell runs a fleet of 400 tractor units and 1,000 trailers. Although it tried a couple of Mercedes-Benz Axor trucks a decade ago, this is its first major order for Mercedes-Benz tractor units.

Those now on the road are all Actros 2546 models with flat-floored MegaSpace cabs and fuel-efficient 460bhp engines, driving through 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift automated transmissions.

RT Keedwell will also contract hire its New Actros, a 2545 BigSpace unit with the Euro 5 engine, for two years.

"The rental package was certainly attractive and I've no doubt that, in terms of reliability, performance and driver acceptability, these trucks will do a first-class job for us," says managing director Stuart Keedwell.

"But of course, the most important factor in this day and age is the cost of fuel, and we've decided to give Mercedes-Benz a try now, because we've been hearing good things about Actros returns," he adds.

"We want to find out for ourselves whether they can live up to their promise, week in, week out," he adds.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd

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