Online electricals retailer AO has acquired 130 new home delivery vans from commercial vehicle provider Fraikin, as part of an ongoing contract hire agreement.
This is the second time this year that AO has invested in its delivery fleet. In March, the retailer also acquired 10 CNG-powered tractor units in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint and improve sustainability.
AO said it turned to drivers for recommendations on how to upgrade its current fleet, in recognition of the integral part the crews play in its leading delivery proposition.
David Ashwell, MD of AO Logistics, said: “We currently have over 300,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot which really is testament to the amazing drivers and engineers who go above and beyond delivering brilliantly for our customers every day.
“These new vehicles are our way of thanking them for their outstanding service over the last two years and will hopefully make life on the road even more comfortable as well as easier for them.”
Expected to be in full operation in November, the new 3.5 tonne Mercedes vans are being built by Bevan Group and have been custom made on a sprinter suspension and chassis.
The cabs for each van have also been carefully designed with drivers’ feedback, to a specification that will make the vehicles the most premium and comfortable the fleet has ever seen.
As well as having the luxury of wider seats and the latest apple and android CarPlay features, including sat nav, the upgraded vehicles will also include extra safety features such as auto collision avoidance, high wind compensation and lane assist.
The new vans will be supplied in AO’s green vinyl livery and used by the retailer’s two-person crews to deliver appliances to customers across the country. AO currently operates from 18 local depots, delivering to 98% of UK postcodes every day of the week.
