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NEWS
Technology reduces rental truck damage
Rental fleet claims Fuso’s new technology is saving its trucksOne of the largest truck rental operators in Australia has reported a drop in damage rates since taking on Fuso Canter trucks with automated manual transmissions and selecting the optional cameras.
Australian Truck and 4WD Rentals operates Hertz Trucks fleets in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales and currently runs 180 Fuso Canter and Fighter trucks that are available for long and short term leases.
Paul Jukes (pictured), the company’s Victorian operations manager, says the Canter trucks it has available are very easy to drive and can be driven on a regular car licence.
"With the automated transmission and the reversing camera, it really is like driving a big car," Mr Jukes said. He went on to say that the damage bill to the trucks has dropped substantially in recent years thanks to the features available.
"We’ve found the amount of accidents has dramatically reduced in the last three years and that is because of the introduction of automatic. We had a lot of people riding the clutch with the manuals and doing damage, but having an automatic means there is one less thing for customers to think about," Jukes says.
As for the Fuso cameras, they have proven to be particularly effective.
"The reverse cameras are a Godsend, because most of the damage previously came from people reversing into trees and things," Mr Jukes says.
Like rental cars, rental trucks are worked hard, but Mr Jukes says the Fuso trucks are up to the task.
"The reliability of these trucks is fantastic,” he says. “That’s one of the reasons we have such a long relationship with Fuso."
ATR also pays a lot of attention to the maintenance and preparation of its truck fleet because customers are expecting a quality product.
"There aren’t many trucks on the road that are cleaned every day and have tyres, oil and water and brakes checked thoroughly each day like our trucks," Mr Jukes says.
"We find a lot of people seek out ex-rental trucks to buy because of this."
ATR rents out trucks for short periods of time, but also manages several long term leases of trucks that can run for a number of years.
This gives customers the flexibility to take on additional work without having to take the plunge and finance a new truck, as well as the ability to hand it back at the end of the term. Then there is the added security that ATR will provide a replacement vehicle any time the rented truck is not available if it has been in an accident or being serviced.
ATR says it can also customise trucks for long term lease customers, adding items such as grab handles, steps, tailgate lifts and even fridges.
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Written byTrucksales Staff
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