Commercial vehicle fleets: specialise to economise

With a tough economic outlook predicted for 2009, it has become more important than ever for companies operating commercial vehicles to achieve value for money from their fleet.

Specialist vehicle provider Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services is advising operators to ensure commercial vehicles on their fleet are specified for the particular job they are required to do. Vehicles built for specific operations will help to reduce downtime, regulate fuel expenditure and keep costs to a minimum.

Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services has had many requests over the years to source and fund a variety of bespoke commercial vehicles to address a wide range of unusual and specific business needs.

Examples include:

1. An art gallery in London protects its valuable paintings in transit using an air-conditioned / climate-controlled Hitachi Capital bespoke vehicle.
2. Hitachi Capital worked with apetito to create the Chefmobil vehicle for apetito’s meals on wheels service. Vehicles are equipped with three oven chambers, which allows drivers to stagger cooking times to ensure meals are delivered hot and fresh to each customer!
3. A town council minimises employee downtime by deploying vehicles equipped by Hitachi Capital with watering facilities for parks and gardens.
4. National Grid is carrying out a national gas pipe replacement programme using specialist suction excavator vehicles supplied and funded by Hitachi Capital.

“We’ve certainly had some extraordinary requests, but we’re proud to say we have the expertise in our team to ensure we fulfil the customer’s requirement, however specific.” says Jon Lawes, Divisional Managing Director, Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services. “Thanks to this experience, we’re also in the best position to offer customers the optimum funding plan to ensure they’re on the right deal and continuing to save money.”

Vehicles in the Hitachi Capital commercial fleet range from small vans and trucks, to HGVs fitted with specialist ancillary equipment, meeting the needs of a variety of industry sectors.

For more information contact: Daniel Hobson Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC t: 0113 380 1030 m: 07917 264079 e: daniel.hobson@hitachicapital.co.uk