Bicester, UK: Fresh Direct has added 39 new Isuzu Forward 7.5 tonne refrigerated rigids to its fleet following the success of its first batch. Twenty-five of the Isuzu rigids have replaced existing Isuzu vehicles. The remaining 14 are an extension to the current fleet, reflecting Fresh Direct’s growth and its policy to specify the Isuzu marque at 7.5 tonnes.
Fresh Direct's new Isuzu Forward 7.5-tonne refrigerated rigids
Nick Allen, head of business improvement at Fresh Direct (UK), says: “Since the original Isuzu order in 2009, we have now built up three years of meaningful operating data on the performance of the Isuzu Forward vehicles. We have found them to be robust and reliable vehicles in operation, with excellent fuel consumption. However, it is the impressive payload capacity of approximately 3 tonnes that we get from the Isuzus that is critical to the success of the intensive multi-drop operation in which they operate.”
All 39 vehicles are Isuzu N75.190 4×2 rigids, featuring the Easyshift transmission, and specified with a single compartment RVL refrigerated body that features the Carrier Transicold Xarios refrigeration system. The vehicles are capable of carrying up to an eight-pallet load.
The vehicles have been taken on a three-year contract covering around 45,000km per vehicle per year, with each vehicle handling between 15 and 18 drops on their daily delivery cycle. The vehicles are based at Fresh Direct depots in Bicester, London, Cambridge, Wigan and Scotland.
