“We work our vehicles exceptionally hard, especially those on parcel delivery duties,” explains Shaun McLean.
“They make 70 drops or more in a day… That means doors opening and closing 140 times, and a lot of stops and starts,” he continues.
“We need vans that will stand up to the punishment. We’ve tried others, but the Sprinter is definitely the pick of the bunch.”
Most of McLean’s fleet are Mercedes-Benz panel vans, but the latest arrivals are both chassis cab models with curtainside bodies by JC Payne, of Walsall, specified for loading and unloading of palletised consignments.
As for safety systems, such as Collision Prevention Assist and Lane Keeping Assist, McLean says the investment in optional extra kit is “very worthwhile”.
One of the two Sprinters was also purchased to work in central Edinburgh, so was specified with the le 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission.
“We’ve never had an auto before, but when I heard the new seven-speed gearbox was available … I was keen to give it a try,” says Mr McLean.
“We believe it will be much more relaxing to drive in city traffic... We’ll be monitoring the van’s fuel and maintenance costs too, in the hope that the automatic will help reduce both.”