Fuso Canter’s a prize that’s definitely worth getting out of bed for

Leading bed manufacturer Sleepmasters has been waking up to the benefits of the Fuso Canter light truck since winning the use of a vehicle for a year.

Sleepmasters landed the prize after its Director of Service & Operations Mark Harrison visited Blackburn dealership Cicely Commercials to test drive the new, Euro 5 Fuso Canter.

Ciceley is the reigning Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer of the Year, and Motor Transport Dealer of the Year, and like other members of the German manufacturer’s UK franchised network is also responsible for sales and support of the popular Fuso Canter range.

The prize draw was open to all those who took the opportunity to put the environmentally-friendly new model through its paces at launch events staged by dealers nationwide last summer.

The new 7.5-tonner has been working from Sleepmasters’ headquarters in Accrington since it entered service last month (December). As well as delivering beds to customers’ homes across northern England and into Wales, it will also be undertaking one or two ‘special assignments’ during the year.

Like all Canters, the truck is powered by a state-of-the-art, 3.0-litre diesel engine which meets not only Euro 5 emissions limits but also the more stringent – and voluntary – EEV (Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle) standard.

“We operate a number of Mercedes-Benz vehicles supplied by Ciceley but this is our first experience of the Canter,” said a delighted Mr Harrison. “It looks the part and has excellent ‘green’ credentials, which is important as we take our responsibility to the environment very seriously.”

As a range-topping 7C18 model, Sleepmasters’ new truck produces 175hp and a healthy 430Nm of torque across a wide rev band. It is fitted with a high volume GRP box body by PPS Commercials of Radcliffe, Manchester.

Drivers Stuart Lonsdale and Andrew Holden have certainly taken to their new truck.  “The cab is really well designed and comfortable,” said Stuart, while Andrew added: “It’s a lovely drive.”