German express operator Trans-o-flex has decided to obtain its new vehicles from Mercedes-Benzin future. A framework agreement to this effect was signed with the Stuttgart vehicle manufacturer
at the end of January. By the end of 2007 the entire delivery fleet in the transport network,consisting of more than 2,000 vehicles, is to be replaced by new Mercedes-Benz vans and trucks fromthe Vito, Sprinter, Vario and Atego model ranges.“Concentrating our vehicle sourcing on such a renowned manufacturer as Mercedes-Benz means wecan kill several birds with one stone,” enthuses Wolfgang Weber, Trans-o-flex COO. “We achieve auniformly high quality standard in our fleet, with particularly safe, economical and reliablevehicles and gain purchasing advantages which we hand on directly to our transport partners.”
The vehicles are delivered to the Trans-o-flex transport partners equipped exactly to meet theirneeds. “That includes putting the vehicles in the Trans-o-flex livery, installing an alarm andcargo restraint systems as well as the ventilation and air extraction necessary in vehiclescarrying hazardous goods,” says Weber. This means that the vehicles do not need to be withdrawnfrom service temporarily, after delivery, to be liveried or equipped.
Moreover, the vans and trucks have the highest standards of active and passive safety. All fourmodel ranges offer driver airbags as standard and Vito, Sprinter and Vario additionally offer thestability programme ESP® in its latest version, incorporating the safety features Anti-Lock Brakes(ABS), Traction Control (ASR), Brake Assist (BAS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBV).This equipment is intended to ensure stability on the road and extremely safe accelerationcharacteristics in critical driving situations. At Mercedes-Benz even the cargo itself enjoysspecial safety measures – for example, the completely flat cargo space floor of the Vitoincorporates integrated anchoring points.
To protect the environment all vans are equipped with particulate filters. Apart from dieselengines, Trans-o-flex also supports green versions powered by natural gas – more than 50 of thesevehicles are already in use today.
