Toyota Hilux Aids Communication for Telecoms Team
The fuel-efficient Toyota Hilux is the vehicle of choice for MLL Telecoms’ new field engineering team, which is responsible for 24/7 maintenance of the company’s nationwide network of 5000 links.
Eleven black Hilux HL3 Double Cabs fitted with Truckman Tops were delivered by Currie Motors of Isleworth at the end of March.
MLL Telecom, which is based in Marlow, Bucks, is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of fully managed telecommunications networks, using both fixed and wireless technologies.
The company, which until now has outsourced its maintenance fleet, says it needed robust vehicles capable of reaching the country’s most remote locations when necessary – and chose Toyota Hilux primarily because it has the lowest carbon emissions in its class.
CO2 emissions for the 3.0-litre diesel Double Cab with manual transmission are 219g/km, and its combined fuel economy is 34mpg. At the same time, the drivers have reported that the Hilux is “faster and quieter” than previous operational vehicles they have used.
“It’s important to MLL that we run the most environmentally friendly vehicles as practically possible,” said Chief Operations Officer Gary Marven. The company is currently working towards ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard certification.
The new Hilux-equipped team had “more flexibility to adapt to the changing requirements of our customers, to ensure that they always receive the best service to meet their needs”, said Mr Marven.
The Toyotas are supplied on contract hire over three years through Leaseplan, and are expected to average 30,000 miles a year. The engineers are based around the UK to guarantee rapid response to any call-out.
MLL says that benefits of its new arrangement include improved cost control and tightly integrated communications between its operations centre and field engineers.
“It’s a ‘win win’ investment for both MLL and our customers,” said CEO Eddie Minshull. Customers and partners include BT, Vodafone, Affiniti, NTL, Telewest, Azzurri, Dorset Police, East Sussex and North Yorkshire County Councils and North Dorset District Council.
The highly specified Toyota Hilux HL3 features electric windows, CD/MP3 audio system, air conditioning, Auto Disconnect differential, airbags, ABS, 15in alloy wheels, front fog lamps, chrome steps and door handles, headlamp cleaners, multi-information display, rear privacy glass and a Thatcham category 1 alarm system.
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