Leading Melbourne transport provider, Victorian Freight Specialists (VFS), has recently taken delivery of two new Isuzu FXL 1500 trucks and an Isuzu FXD 1000 truck to meet its expanded workload in regional Victoria.

"The FXs' Euro V environmental rating goes a long way in showing our customers that we have the cleanest trucks on the market."

Fitted with standard Isri 6860 air-suspended driver's seat, driver's SRS Airbag, ABS brakes, electric mirrors, climate control, air conditioning and an easy to use touch-screen audio visual unit (TAV), the Isuzu FX provides comfort, convenience and safety for VFS drivers, according to Mr Collins.

"The drivers have all commented very positively on the cabin space and extra leg room in the new FX trucks," Mr Collins said.

"Our drivers spend a lot of time in the trucks and we want them to be as comfortable and safe as possible.

"Having Meritor ABS brakes, rear Hendrickson airbag suspension and Front Underun Protection Device as standard, the new FX models ensure that VFS complies with the most stringent chain of responsibility regulations," Mr Collins said.

To ensure it has the most up-to-date fleet, VFS renews its Isuzu trucks every four years and services its trucks internally with the assistance of specialist Isuzu mechanics.

To see more great trucks from Isuzu Australia, go to www.isuzu.com.au/

When Batsford Timber decided to replace its aging DAF 7.5tonne delivery vehicle, the company chose to switch brand for the first time by specifying a new Isuzu N75.190 chassis cab with a tipper body.

Based at the company's Gloucestershire site in Moreton-in-Marsh, the new Isuzu will be delivering the company's timber products, including agricultural, industrial and domestic fencing, gates, poles, garden furniture and decking to local contractors and retail/domestic customers.

The Isuzu 7.5 tonner chosen has the popular Easyshift transmission system as standard as well as air conditioning in the cab. The vehicle is fitted with a 15ft aluminium Tipmaster body and, according to Batsford Timber, will be running on a 5 days-a-week distribution cycle, over a five- year working life, covering in excess of 200,000 miles.

Explaining why they chose Isuzu for the first time, Batsford Timber's Managing Director Bob Clark says, "We originally looked at Isuzu some 2 years ago at the APF (Association of Professional Foresters) Show and were impressed by the versatility and driveability of the truck, combined with the frugal fuel consumption and obvious payload potential. Over the next two years we then talked to other owners of Isuzu trucks who, without exception, were unanimous in singing the praises of their Isuzus in service."

The debutant Isuzu was supplied to Batsford Timber by local Isuzu dealer Greenmeadow Commercial Services in Swindon, whose close proximity and all-round service facilities also impressed Batsford Timber.

"Greenmeadow provides us with a local 24 hour service facility, allowing us to take advantage of night servicing, thereby reducing any unnecessary downtime for the vehicle over its working life," commented Bob Clark.

Batsford Timber operates from sites in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire and Longleat in Wiltshire, running a 5-strong vehicle fleet. This year, the company is celebrating 21 years of trading and this new Isuzu vehicle is sporting a specially designed commemorative 21st anniversary livery.

Full details of the 2010 Isuzu Truck product range can be viewed and downloaded from the company's website www.isuzutruck.co.uk

Hino is poised to launch an automatic transmission version of its proven Hino Hybrid 300 Series diesel-electric truck.

Hino was the first manufacturer to offer a hybrid truck in Australia.

The new 300 Series model will be Australia's first automatic hybrid truck.

The company is already conducting trials of medium-duty hybrid trucks - putting them to the test against Australia's often demanding climate and road conditions. 

It is particularly suited to stop-start urban applications, such as city delivery operations. Blue chip companies, smaller family businesses and government bodies including local councils are equally now moving towards more environmentally sustainable transport solutions and are turning to hybrids to reduce their carbon footprint.

The new Hino Hybrid 714 Auto's intelligent six-speed transmission has specially tailored control software to optimise electric assist during initial acceleration and maximise energy recovery through regenerative braking.

Key to the hybrid truck's efficiency compared with a conventional diesel truck is its unique ability to use regenerative braking to capture the vehicle's kinetic energy when decelerating and store that energy as electricity for later use powering the vehicle.

A conventional truck wastes that kinetic energy as heat through the service brakes. The hybrid truck therefore saves on brake life as well as fuel and emissions.

In addition, Hino Hybrid has an engine-stop feature, so the diesel engine stops when the vehicle is stationary.

The new automatic transmission truck offers significant fuel savings compared with an equivalent diesel automatic truck.

It uses the power from a 100kW diesel engine and 36kW electric motor, according to driving conditions, to optimise fuel use and minimise emissions.

The transmission is Hino's proven A860E unit, for optimum reliability.

However, new "fuzzy logic" control software means the transmission mimics a manual transmission during both acceleration and deceleration.

During initial acceleration, revised up-shift points make better use of the electric motor's torque.

During deceleration, torque converter lock-up is maintained and the transmission initiates down-shifts sooner - to boost the regenerative braking effect and hence capture more kinetic energy.