Biscuits company united on Mercedes-Benz truck deal 25 May 2011

So impressed was United Biscuits with its first Mercedes-Benz Axor tractor units that, when the time came to replace them, it replace them with more of the same.

The company only confirmed its decision, however, after Mercedes-Benz combined success in a fuel economy 'shoot-out' with a competitive lease deal.

As its initial 10 Axors neared the end of their five-year Mercedes-Benz Financial Services operating lease, United Biscuits embarked on a programme of week-long vehicle trials.

"We tested 6x2 tractors from five manufacturers," confirms national transport controller Bill Hooton. "The Axor was one of two vehicles to deliver the best fuel return of 9.5mpg, so we were delighted when Mercedes-Benz also came back with a very attractive finance package."

United Biscuits now runs 27 Axors from its main depot in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. The latest order is for 15 tractor units, while the firm also took a dozen in 2008.

Like their predecessors, the new tractive units are 430hp Axor 2543LS models, with high-roof sleeper cabs, and arrived via East Midlands dealer Mertrux. United Biscuits has also signed up, once again, to a five-year operating lease.

In a departure, though, the latest arrivals are equipped with the 12-speed Mercedes PowerShift automated transmission, which is now standard on all Axor tractor units. The previous nine-speed manual gearbox has become an option.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd

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