Fuel efficiency and drive comfort see Culina Group return to Volvo for major new truck order

10/12/2020

Culina Group has taken delivery of 134 new Volvo FH 460 6x2 tractor units after a trial highlighted their excellent fuel-saving performance, coupled with the impressive driver comfort from the spacious Globetrotter cabs.

Culina Group has put 134 new Volvo FH 6x2 tractor units into service

The new trucks join the 3PL’s extensive fleet of 2,400 commercial vehicles, delivering food and drink products across the UK for a wide range of Culina Group’s blue-chip customers.

Mark Matkin, Fleet Director of Culina Group, says: “We opted for Volvo after comparing the FH closely against equivalent vehicles from most of the other major manufacturers. As well as being the most competitive on fuel, the Globetrotter cab scored highly for driver comfort; plus with Volvo we get the peace of mind of a dealer network which goes above and beyond to look after us.”

Supplied by Hartshorne Motor Services, the new FHs are powered by Volvo’s D13K engine, offering excellent driveability and producing up to 460 hp and 2,300 Nm of torque. The trucks come equipped with Volvo’s Dynafleet telematics system and all benefit from Volvo’s long-haul fuel package.

“We have changed from 500 hp to 460 hp for this order,” explains Matkin, who worked with the team at Hartshorne to carefully specify the trucks to maximise fuel efficiency. “We have also gone for a medium height chassis and removed the external sun visor to further improve the aerodynamics.

“All these points add up to the new FHs being incredibly fuel efficient – helping us get the most out of every single drop of diesel, which will reduce our fuel costs and environmental footprint.”

The interior of the Globetrotter cabs feature Drive Plus and Single Bed Living packages, plus full leather seats, fridge and media package with satellite navigation.

“The drivers love them,” says Matkin. “The Volvo cabs are always very popular, but these have been enhanced further with the premium upgrades that Hartshorne added for us.”

The new trucks were supplied on a Volvo Financial Services operating lease and are covered by a Volvo Gold Contract repair & maintenance agreement, which guarantees the best possible uptime and includes full access to the manufacturer’s UK-wide dealer network.

In operation seven days a week, working a variety of shift patterns, the trucks will clock up anywhere from 150,000 – 260,000 km per annum and are expected to stay in service for three years.

Culina Group is a major ambient and chilled food and drink 3PL specialist, providing warehousing, distribution, contract packing and a bonded division with extensive expertise in relation to dutiable goods across the UK and Ireland.