With its two new Actros 3358s with 80-tonne (88-U.S.-ton) gross combination weights (GCWs), Coast2Coast Marine Transport is able to haul large boats and yachts to ports throughout Europe. The new 6x4 Mercedes-Benz trucks are both powered by 15.6-litre, 425-kilowatt (580-horsepower) straight-six engines and are outfitted with the range-topping GigaSpace cab.
“We’re an international operation and run regularly to France, Portugal, and Spain, so our drivers are often away from home for more than three weeks at a time,” says owner Russell Mitchell. “The roomy and comfortable GigaSpace cab is therefore a massive plus—we’ve kitted ours out with TVs, microwaves, and fridges, and the lads love them.”
A Technological Advantage
In business since 2004, Coast2Coast Marine Transport’s location in Portchester provides the haulier with easy access to ferry terminals and south coast marinas. Mitchell initially purchased trucks from another manufacturer, but was no longer happy with the service from the local dealer.
“It didn’t take us long to settle on Mercedes-Benz,” Mitchell says. “The Actros looks great, and thanks to its advanced technology, Mercedes-Benz leads the field in terms of safety, reliability, and cost-efficiency.”
The fifth-generation Actros includes a raft of safety features as standard, including Active Brake Assist 5 emergency braking, Predictive Powertrain Control to optimise fuel economy, and the Mercedes-Benz MirrorCam system. Coast2Coast driver Adrian Dennis says the camera-based system drastically improves visibility.
“First and foremost, I no longer have to contend with the forward-facing blind spot caused by the mirror housing, which was enormous in my last truck,” Dennis says. “That’s particularly helpful in France, where we’re not allowed on the motorway network so have to stick to smaller roads with roundabouts, where it can be difficult to see vehicles hidden by the mirror.”
Top-Shelf Aftersales Support
Coast2Coast signed a five-year Mercedes-Benz Complete Service Contract with supplier Marshall Truck & Van. “Aftersales support was also crucial,” says Mitchell. “Mercedes-Benz provides unrivalled coverage on the continent while we’ve already seen enough of the dealer’s backup to be reassured that we’re in safe hands.”
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Source: Mercedes-Benz