SAL Commercials has taken delivery of 10 Daf XFs with Super Space cabs as part of a fleet renewal programme.
The Grimsby-based operator runs a fleet of 30 vehicles and has begun updating them following the opening of a new cold store in Redditch at sister company HSH Coldstores.
Gary Walmsley, the fleet manager at SAL, said: “We had invested significantly in the new storage facility and it was felt that the fleet now needed to be brought up to a similar standard.”
“Key to the decision-making process was our driver team. We got them to trial each vehicle [the company tested trucks from five other manufacturers in addition to Daf] on offer and feed back to us,” said Walmsley.
Drivers at SAL Commercials typically set out with a full load and can be away from base for three nights at a stretch, collecting as well as delivering.
“The Daf Super Space cabs and the 510hp engines hit the right notes for the drivers, and certainly give us the performance we need.
“This is heavy, multi-drop work across a real mix of roads and environments. One manufacturer hedged its bets and put in both 440hp and 480hp units, in an effort to get the fuel performance right, but the Daf seems to be able to flex its muscle yet still deliver economy,” Walmsley said.
The new arrivals are fitted with Daf telematics and are on R&M packages.
Ten more Dafs will join the SAL Commercials fleet later this year.
