Australian logistics leader Border Express is investing $13 million in a Pick Up and Delivery (PUD) fleet upgrade that includes the addition of 78 new Fuso trucks.
The initiative consists of 60 Shogun heavy duty trucks, 15 small Canters and three medium duty Fighters.
Border Express is also investing in a fleet of electric forklifts at its newly constructed Wetherill Park facility in New South Wales as part of a multi-year plan to transition away from LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) handling equipment.
Border Express says the primary selection criteria for the trucks was the best available driver safety, reliability and low emissions, reflecting its commitment to employees and the environment.
“The safety of our drivers and the public is at the centre of everything we do at Border Express, so the advanced active safety technology of the Fuso trucks was vitally important in our selection process,” says Mark Luff, Border Express Executive Director Transformation.
“Environmental advocacy is also important to us, so the Euro 6 emission ratings of most of the selected units, as well as the low fuel consumption across all models was something that gave Fuso another advantage. We also considered Fuso’s reputation for producing high-quality, reliable vehicles,” he says.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO Daniel Whitehead attended a handover of three Fuso trucks with Mark Luff and Border Express Executive Chairman, Tom Vukovic, at its Tullamarine depot recently.
Mr Whitehead says it is a great honour that Border Express has selected Fuso trucks for its fleet improvement project.
“We are excited to partner with Border Express as it invests significantly to serve its customers by introducing the safest and most reliable trucks with high levels of driver comfort and low emissions,” he says.
“It is great to see companies such as Border Express leading the way by choosing the most advanced trucks and equipment,” Mr Whitehead adds.
More than half of the Fuso fleet upgrade has been carried out, with the rest of the new trucks expected to be operational before the end of the year.
Of the Shogun units, 24 will be 13-litre 510 prime mover models capable of hauling single or double trailers. The 510 Shogun features the most powerful engine available in a Japanese truck, giving it unmatched versatility. Border Express is also introducing 36 Shogun 360 14-pallet rigid trucks. Just like its big brother, the 360 features a high-tech engine that meets the strict Euro 6 emission controls and works with an efficient Automated Manual Transmission (AMT).
Border Express is also rolling out 15 six-pallet Canter small trucks, two 10-pallet Fighter rigids and one Fighter crane truck.