Oxalis orders 10 new Mercedes-Benz Actros tractor units

Mercedes-Benz dealer Midlands Truck & Van, has taken an order for 10 Actros 2446 tractor units from tanker operator Oxalis. Paired with 10.7-litre engines, the trucks were also specified with small-wheeled mid-lift axles which save around 300kg compared with larger 22.5in wheels. Oxalis opted for alloy wheels and the ClassicSpace cab which features a narrower 2.3m wide build. 

Fleet Engineer, Paul Harrison, said: “This shows our faith not only in the vehicles, but in the investment in people, training and facilities made by Midlands Truck & Van at its Birmingham site. I know from previous experience that the Actros is a superbly reliable truck, very cost-efficient in operation, and loaded with the very latest safety and driver assistance technology. Meanwhile our drivers are delighted with the well-appointed, comfortable cabs.

“Equally importantly though, managing director, Steve Hunt, and service manager, Dean Bennett, have given us all the evidence we could ask for that the demanding level of back-up required for vehicles in our industry will be there whenever we need it.”

Harrison continued: “For us, decisions on which trucks to buy are largely driven by the availability of service cover. Our trucks typically work out of fuel terminals, where we don’t have a workshop of our own on site, so we need a reliable partner.

“That provider needs to be able to look after our trucks and tank trailers, and to have the staff training and equipment to meet the demanding ADR standards that govern our industry. So, realistically, we can only buy trucks from suppliers who can give us that level of cover.

“Midlands Truck & Van have invested a huge amount in creating a workshop at their Birmingham site that can deliver everything we need. Steve Hunt and Dean Bennett spent a lot of time and effort convincing us that they could step up to this challenge and when I went to visit their facility I could see, immediately, that they were serious.

“Fleet truck sales manager, Richard Mason, was also integral, putting together a package that meant our decision to invest in these 10 Actros tractor units was an easy one to take.

“Although I’ve worked with Actros trucks in the past, these vehicles are of a newest generation, and feature many technological innovations – so, to a certain extent, they have a job to do to prove their worth in our fleet. If they, and the back-up from Midlands Truck & Van, are as good as I expect then there’s every opportunity for this partnership to grow.”

Nicola Dainter-Kemsley, key account manager Daimler Truck UK said: “It’s been a pleasure working with the Oxalis team to deliver their first Mercedes-Benz trucks. It’s fantastic that Oxalis recognise the value that Daimler Truck and our dealer network offer, as well as our collective growing commitment to the ADR sector in the UK. I look forward to continuing a successful partnership into the future.”