According to the Carlisle-based haulier’s managing director Mick Slater, this latest Actros arrived just in time to take part in delivering Christmas trees to towns throughout England.
He also says that another Actros 2551 is due to join the fleet early in January 2016.
MJ Slater’s first Actros tractor unit, which entered service in 2012, had the 450bhp engine but each of its successors has been specified at the higher rating.
“We wanted to improve our fuel efficiency and also to reward and retain our drivers by providing them with high-quality vehicles,” explains Slater.
And he adds that the Actros trucks are “extremely well built, economical, and look great in our colours”, with the established Actros units returning 8.1-8.2 mpg.
“That’s good for our work: we’re 85—90% loaded on average and our routes take us over some hilly terrain, so I'm really happy with this figure,” comments Slater.
“It’s a good half a mile per gallon better than the trucks we were using before, which makes a huge difference to our ability to stay competitive.”
The latest Actros 2551 arrived via the local branch of North-West Dealer Ciceley Commercials.