Major Australian transport and logistics specialist, Border Express, has announced it is investing $13 million in the upgrade of its ‘Pick Up and Delivery’ (PUD) fleet that with the purchase of 78 additional new Fuso trucks.
Border Express’ new Fuso purchase includes 60 new Shogun heavy duty models, 15 light duty Canters and three medium duty Fighters.
Border Express added that it 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 handling equipment.
The company said the primary selection criteria for the trucks was that they have the best available driver safety, reliability and low emissions, saying that it reflects 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,” said 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 said.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific president and CEO, Daniel Whitehead was at the handover of three of Border’s new Fusos with Mark Luff and Border Express executive chairman, Tom Vukovic, at its Tullamarine depot Melbourne recently.
Whitehead said it is an 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,” said Whitehead.
“It is great to see companies such as Border Express leading the way by choosing the most advanced trucks and equipment,” Whitehead added.
More than half of the Fuso fleet upgrade has already been carried out, with the rest of the new trucks expected to be operational before the end of the year.
Of the 60 Shoguns, 24 will be the flagship 13-litre 510 prime movers, capable of hauling single or double trailers. Border Express is also introducing 36 Shogun 360 14-pallet rigid trucks.
Border Express is also rolling out 15 six-pallet Canter light duty trucks, two 10-pallet Fighter rigids and one Fighter crane truck.
