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Conversions profile: RENAULT TRUCKS
‘Tailor-made CVs are what we do best’ Did you know that 92 per cent of all Renault Trucks Masters in the UK and Ireland are now supplied with some form of conversion? And that 72 per cent are on the platform or chassis cab base vehicle? We take a closer look at why sales of Renault Trucks Masters with tailored solutions are gathering momentum. Whatever you’re moving – from people to dry goods, waste or service related – a vehicle that’s tailormade for your business makes all the difference. “It’s what we do best,” says Grahame Neagus, Head of LCV & Municipal at Renault Trucks UK (below). “We listen, we understand the customer’s requirements and operational demands, we use our heavy truck experience and technical expertise, and we work in partnership to create a bespoke solution tailored to their application.” Exacting quality and technical standards are assured from the Renault Trucks roster of approved converters, notes Grahame. “They ensure that all work is undertaken in line with our engineering requirements, is legally compliant and will give longevity and excellent service.” For Renault Trucks, sales performance has been strong across van, chassis cab and platform cab variants, and in both diesel and fully electric E-Tech powertrains. “The versatile Renault Trucks Master Red Edition range offers a wide range of body variants, wheelbases, heights and drivelines, always delivering excellent payload and productivity,” says Grahame. Sales of the Renault Trucks E-Tech Master range more than doubled year on year, highlighting the growing importance of cleaner, quieter vehicles in highly sensitive urban environments and last mile delivery applications. The addition of the 3.5 tonne E-Tech Master in platform and chassis cab base models in 2021 has opened up low carbon electric vehicles to more applications, further strengthening Renault Trucks’ appeal to a wider customer base. Demonstrating its versatility, Renault Trucks has launched a new multimodal last mile e-mobility concept, which combines three types of electric transportation in one vehicle. The E-Tech Master OptiModale consists of an electric van; an electric cargo bike; and a parcel-carrying drone on a specially commissioned Low Loader Luton body. According to Grahame, on a more corebased need, low height Luton bodies and www.companycarandvan.co.uk
traditional Curtainsiders still account for a high percentage of conversions, with many truck clients looking to Renault Trucks to offer something created with the same level and depth of understanding as their truck bodies. He cites Glasgow-based logistics specialists Keedwell, Scotland as a classic example of this; the company has recently added six Renault Trucks Master Red Edition with Truckcraft curtainside bodies to its 50-strong fleet. “We’ve been running Renault Trucks Ts and T Highs for some time, so it was the natural step to turn to Renault Trucks when we needed the latest additions,” says Keedwell Scotland’s Director, John McLellan. The Master Red Edition Chassis Cabs L3 145 bhp were bought in for general haulage pallet collections and deliveries across Scotland and the vehicle’s exceptional carrying capacity was fundamental to the purchasing decision. “The main reason for purchasing the Master
The E-Tech Master OptiModale
Red Edition is its high load capacity in combination with the tail lift,” John said. “Fitting tail lifts usually reduces the vehicle’s carrying capacity, but the Red Edition can take 800kg whilst competitor vehicles only achieve 500kg. This reduces the overall number of runs, and helps considerably in creating a more efficient and economical business,” he adds. The exclusive Master Red Edition features chrome radiator grille and high power headlights with LED light signature while the interior boasts a new dashboard with chrome accents and carbon fabric upholstery with white stitching. Projecting a professional image was high on the list of Keedwell Scotland’s requirements. Equipped with air conditioning, 6-speed gearbox and reversing sensor and camera, it was the Red Edition that caught their attention. “In my opinion it’s one of the best looking vehicles on the road. It is perfect for our business application and the new design allows our drivers to work more efficiently and in greater safety,” says John McLellan. Running a busy 24/7 general haulage business requires a first class back up service and Keedwell Scotland is full of praise for its local dealer. “Renault Trucks Scotland bends over backwards to facilitate our service requirements. ”Our operation is demanding and it’s imperative that we keep downtime to a minimum and our vehicles out on the road. “As well as providing the vehicles, Renault Trucks Scotland really does offer the full package; they never let us down when it comes to aftersales either,” concludes John. Company Car & Van | June 2022 | 11
