Rossetts and Coolertech join forces for CV Show
Latest result of the successful partnership between temperature-controlled vehicle body specialist Coolertech and Mercedes-Benz Dealer Rossetts Commercials is a fridge-bodied version of the low-emission FUSO Canter Eco Hybrid.
The two companies will be presenting the new vehicle on a shared stand at the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC (29 April – 1 May).
The factory-built 7.5-tonne Canter is the world’s first hybrid truck to make economic as well as environmental sense. It employs a 110 kW (150 hp) diesel engine which works in parallel with a state-of-the-art, slimline, 40 kW (54 hp) electric motor, and offers impressive fuel savings and correspondingly low CO2 emissions. Despite the extra weight of the hybrid equipment, it also retains a highly competitive body and payload allowance which puts other 7.5-tonners in the shade.
The vehicle’s carrying capacity is enhanced by Coolertech’s chiller body, which combines the strength and durability that allow it to withstand the rigours of multi-drop operation, with exceptionally light weight.
The Mercedes-Benz agent for Surrey and Sussex, Rossetts Commercials operates from headquarters in Worthing and other dealerships in Aldershot, Crawley and Eastbourne. Coolertech is based in Hailsham, East Sussex.
In addition to the Canter Eco Hybrid – the German manufacturer’s UK Dealers are also responsible for sales and support of the FUSO light truck range – Rossetts’ demonstration fleet includes examples of three more vehicles built by Coolertech, all based on Mercedes-Benz Vans.
The recently launched AiroSprint box body is mounted on a 3.5-tonne Sprinter chassis cab and aimed at home shopping operations. As well as enhancing the vehicle’s appearance and contributing to fuel efficiency, its relatively narrow streamlined design, which follows the lines and width of the vehicle’s cab, minimises the risk of accident damage when working in tight areas.
Also available for trial are a Medium-length Sprinter van with dual-temperature (chilled and frozen) conversion and a lightweight chiller based on the Extra-long variant of the Citan small van. The Sprinter features a side door allowing access for palletised product as well as personnel, while the Citan combines insulated side and rear doors with an easy to clean, removable lining. It is ideally suited to sandwich companies and fresh produce suppliers, for example.
Coolertech has sold hundreds of converted Mercedes-Benz Sprinters over the last year, many of them to high-profile home delivery fleets, and has won a string of orders for the Citan. Meanwhile, the company recently invested in new Sprinter and Vito service vehicles for use by its mobile body repair engineers, who provide rapid-response after sales support to customers nationwide.
Coolertech Managing Director Paul Burridge says: “We enjoy an excellent relationship with Rossetts Commercials and are looking forward to teaming up with them once again at the CV Show. I have known Dealer Principal Perry Reeves for years and we work in a true spirit of partnership which benefits both of our companies, as well as customers of course.”
Perry Reeves adds: “Coolertech is a market leader in terms of the design and quality of its bodies and conversions, and we’re both excited about the prospects for the new, temperature-controlled Canter Eco Hybrid – it’s sure to appeal strongly to operators seeking to enhance their environmental credentials by minimising their carbon footprints.”
For more information, visit coolertechltd.com.
