Major Victorian based national transport operator, Wettenhalls has announced it has added ten Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks to its fleet in what it sees as an appropriate way to celebrate its 100th year of operation.
The company, which began carting cream from Colac to Melbourne before refrigerated trailers existed, has announced it has invested in ten new Actros models for operations in Queensland and Victoria.
In the early days around 1925 when the company was started by Reginald Amezdroz, Wettenhalls had to use ice in in its trucks to keep its fresh cargo cool like it did back in 1925
Now, the Wettenhalls Actros models feature a raft of technology to reduce emissions, save fuel and operate as safely as possible, not mention keeping that a produce cool for consumption around the country
Two of Wettenhalls new 2653 Actros models towing single trailers have been working delivering bread out of Brisbane since April, while eight of the same trucks have now been added to its Melbourne operations for use with A-Doubles.
The company says that the first two trucks immediately recorded best-in-fleet fuel efficiency for that particular application, saying that it demonstrates the strong fuel economy of the Mercedes-Benz Actros.
The head of fleet at Wettenhalls, Marcus Prato, said he is pleased to welcome the Mercedes Benz Trucks into the fleet.
“It’s early days, but we are seeing positive gains in fuel consumption and drivers are enjoying the comfort levels,” Prato said.
“The advanced safety features the Actros offers and support locations were key drivers in Wettenhalls’ purchasing decision,” he added.
Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific president and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, said he was excited to see the Mercedes-Benz Actros join the Wettenhalls fleet.
“To see Mercedes-Benz trucks in Wettenhalls colours is very exciting wherever you’re from, but it is particularly special for those of us from western Victoria who understand how iconic this company is in the region,” Whitehead said.
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific vice president of sales and marketing, Andrew Assimo, said he was thrilled to see the Actros making its mark in the Wettenhalls fleet.
“We are delighted the Wettenhalls team has given us the opportunity to demonstrate how the Mercedes-Benz Actros can significantly reduce fuel consumption using long-proven Euro 6 technology, while providing the highest levels of safety,” Assimo said.
The Actros 2653 trucks that have joined the Wettenhalls fleet are powered by a 13-litre six-cylinder OM471 engine that produces 530hp and is mated to a 12-speed automated manual ttransmission (AMT). One of the technological innovations the trucks feature is when cruise control is activated, they use GPS data and road map information to coast in neutral whenever possible to save fuel and to also change gears at the optimum moment.
Wettenhalls celebration of 100 years of operation since Reginald Amezdroz, who was working at western Victorian dairy as a cream tester and boiler attendant, saw an opportunity to buy a truck and deliver the company’s product to Melbourne, starting in 1925.
A lot has changed through the years as Wettenhalls continued to serve new customers in more and more regions of Australia, but the company still delivers products for the same dairy to this day.
