The wholesaler went for a combination of Short 310 CDIs and Medium and Long 313 CDIs, but is also trialling refrigerated versions of the Sprinter.
EU legislation requires that pharmaceutical products must be carried in temperature-controlled vehicles, so Phoenix plans to trial a Sprinter chassis cab with a fridge body by Paneltex, as well as a panel van converted by the same specialist.
Phoenix group fleet manager Jason Gadsby says the promise of maximum vehicle uptime was key to the company’s decision to move to Mercedes-Benz vans.
“We want our vans to be out on the road and earning, not laid up because we couldn’t get them into the workshop the night before, or because parts are on back order,” he explains.
“The aftersales package we were offered by Mercedes-Benz was eye-catching,” he continues, explaining that routine services and minor repairs will be undertaken at Phoenix’s our own depots and at convenient times.
“And should the worst happen, we also have the reassurance of knowing the MobiloVan support includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance.”
All Phoenix’s new Sprinters will be put on multi-drop delivery work and have been fitted with tracking systems.
They were also specified with rear parking sensors and have been factory limited to 70 mph.
The new Sprinters were supplied by dealer Intercounty Truck & Van and are the subject of a contract hire agreement with long-term partner LeasePlan.