Volvo Trucks and independent dealer group Crossroads have successfully completed a rigorous, four month long assessment by ASDA.
As a result of the programme, together with the long-standing successful partnership with Crossroads and Volvo at operating centres in Yorkshire and, more recently, North Manchester, Britain’s best value retailer has placed orders for 250 Volvo trucks.
The orders are for 244 tractor units and 6 rigids, with all vehicles scheduled to be handed over and integrated into the ASDA fleet by Christmas 2011.
The ASDA programme included a comprehensive evaluation of fuel consumption. In addition to being compared to competitors’ trucks, the programme also evaluated the fuel economy of the Volvo 11-litre engine against the 13-litre.
As well as a full evaluation of the Volvo product, the ASDA programme assessed Volvo’s support infrastructure, including Dealer Network resources and locations.
All the new trucks are being supplied on Volvo Contract Hire provided by Volvo Financial Services.
ASDA’s National Transport Manager Gary Bannister reports that the roll out of the new trucks is under way: “We have had a good relationship with Volvo and Crossroads for a number of years at Wakefield and elsewhere.
They were awarded an order for 250 trucks following a successful and comprehensive evaluation programme, and now Volvo and Crossroads are working to integrate the new vehicles into the ASDA fleet.
This process is of crucial importance as, for the first time, Volvo trucks will be operating out of our distribution centres in the south and south east of England as well as the north which forms part of our continuing and award-winning strategy towards greener food miles and sustainability.”
Says Crossroads Group Development Director Keith Bradley: “We’re very proud to have won this business from ASDA following the very thorough assessment process the company undertook with its partner vehicle suppliers.
We are now working with ASDA to roll out a custom made hand over and driver familiarisation programme that involves Volvo delivering JAUPT approved training courses to ASDA Driver Trainers at Warwick, together with a full vehicle induction and follow up at all the locations that will be operating the new Volvos.”
