This order follows significant investment in HGVs in 2008 bringing the average age of the Ryder fleet to 28months, making the range one of the most modern and efficient in the marketplace.

The 613 new vehicles will include Mercedes Benz Sprinter 313, panel vans, Luton tail lifts and fridges in addition to a number of DAF 7.5 tonne box tail lifts, 7.5 tonne fridges, 12 tonne box tail lifts, 18 tonne box tail lifts and curtainside tail lifts and 44 tonne tractor units.  All vehicles will be Euro 5 specification to reduce environmental impact.

For the first time Ryder is introducing to its fleet thirty 12 tonne box tail lifts based on customer demand for improved pay-loads particularly where urban deliveries take place.

The vehicles specification includes air deflectors as standard together with lightweight panels on the Luton and 7.5 tonne box bodied vehicles to improve efficiency and pay-load.  The majority of vehicles also included LED lighting, reducing bulb changing and thereby minimizing the time the vehicle is off the road. In addition Ryder has introduced tractor units with space cabs, air conditioning and automatic gearboxes for improved driver comfort again as a direct result of customer feedback.  All new vehicles will be 10 registrations and the majority will be white non-liveried.

“This move represents a major commitment to our rental fleet and reflects our aim to be one of the dominant rental businesses to come out of the recession,” commented David Hunt, Vice President and Managing Director, Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), Ryder Europe. “I believe we will be the only rental company to place such a significant order for HGVs so early on in the year.  We have listened to our customers and the range of the new vehicles reflects that.  We believe that the rental market will come back first since finance for purchase is not so easily available and rental, particularly long term rental, enables customers to be flexible given the overall economic outlook still remains challenging.”