
Third-generation family business, De Bortoli Wines, has added two Allison-equipped fully automatic UD trucks to its Melbourne-based fleet.
The UD MK Auto is equipped with the Allison 2500 automatic, while the PK Auto uses an Allison 3000 Series.
According to John Briers, De Bortoli's Melbourne warehouse manager, adding the UD auto models to the fleet has helped improve delivery times, lower costs and increase efficiency.
“The Allison automatic transmissions are perfect for city driving and delivering wine in the Melbourne central business district, where drivers have to battle stop-start traffic, narrow lanes and congestion," said Briers.
"Automatics allow them to select 'Drive' and concentrate on negotiating traffic. Maneuvering is also a lot easier with Allison's precise pushbutton gear selector."
Established by Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli in 1928, De Bortoli operates a fleet of six UD trucks from its Melbourne warehouse, delivering around 400,000 bottles of wine to wholesalers, restaurants and shops across Victoria and Tasmania each month.
"We always had manual trucks, but now that we have added automatics it is obvious the Allisons are better in every way," said Briers.
"Allison automatics are great on the road and the running costs over the lifetime of the truck are better, which made it an easy business decision for us."