Making their debut in the home delivery operation of Hi Way Express are the first Isuzu trucks to join the company's 68-strong UK fleet. Three new Isuzu N75.190 7.5tonne rigids have recently entered service for Hi Way Express, distributing a range of home delivery products on behalf of various electrical manufacturers and e-commerce businesses.
Revealing the decision to switch to the Isuzu marque for the first time, Craig Kavanagh, Home Delivery Director at Hi Way Express explains, "Quite frankly, Isuzu came out as the best and most practical option when we were looking to add new vehicles to our home delivery fleet. Our operation involves intensive, daily delivery schedules to residential properties that often have restricted vehicular access. In terms of the overall dimensions of the vehicle, especially with Isuzu's cab size, the Isuzu product is the ideal choice for this application."
Supplied on a 5-year contract hire agreement from HillHire, including full maintenance provision, the three new Isuzu 7.5tonne rigids have been specified with the popular Easyshift automatic transmission and fitted with aerodynamic radius-roofed bodies manufactured by Aire Truck Bodies Ltd.
As Craig Kavanagh says, "We operate an intensive customer distribution programme, with each vehicle involved in a high number of stop/start, door-to-door deliveries. So far the new Isuzu's have been excellent, performing well and with no operational issues. The drivers are pleased with their comfort and performance too. The combination of the Isuzu chassis/cab with the radius-roof Aire body is aesthetically pleasing and enhances our striking well known livery."
All three Isuzu's are based at the Hi Way Express main distribution centre near Wakefield. According to the company each vehicle covers in excess of 1200 miles every week and averages between 18 and 20 drops per journey.
"The Isuzu 7.5t range is proven as a strong reliable workhorse and is ideally suited to intensive urban distribution operations such as home delivery. The compact footprint, attractive payload and stylish good looks of these vehicles are already proving to be a valuable asset to Hi Way Express and should continue to provide real-time, operational and financial benefits over their full working life," said Keith Child, Marketing Director, Isuzu Truck UK.