Taxi firm Cresta Cars has taken delivery of five Mercedes Vito Traveliners, citing comfort, image and fuel efficiency as the main factors in its decision.
Supplied by dealer Northside Truck & Van, the Vito 113 CDI Traveliners have extra-long bodies, seating eight passengers, and are powered by Mercedes 136bhp engines.
These are the first new minibuses to join the Manchester-based firm's 350-strong taxi fleet.
"We've had some eight-seaters before, but they've been used vehicles. This is the first time we've invested in brand new minibuses," says Julian Barnes, Cresta's managing director.
"We chose Mercedes-Benz partly because the brand has such a strong image," he adds.
"Fuel efficiency is important, too ... and our new Mercedes-Benz taxis are already performing well overall. Their economy is certainly impressive for such a big vehicle."
The vehicles are supplied on a CharterWay contract hire, including R&M, through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.
