Midlands tyre fitters Lodge Tyre are adding a further 12 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters to their fleet.

Lodge Tyre runs its vans for five years, in which time they will clock up 250,000 miles. The company provides a tyre maintenance and replacement service for customers across the Midlands and beyond, including many of the region’s biggest haulage fleets.

The fleet of 90 vans is dominated by Sprinters and operates from a network of 13 depots. The latest arrivals from Mertrux are six Medium-length 313 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY vans: the Derby dealer is also processing an order for a further six.

Sprinter BlueEFFICIENCY models come fitted as standard with a range of features designed to maximise their fuel performance – including low rolling resistance tyres and the ECO-Start system, which reduces consumption by automatically cutting the engine when the vehicle is stationary and re-starting it as the driver prepares to move off.

“We know from experience that the Sprinter is a very well-built van,” says Martyn Lodge, financial director of the firm that has been in his family since 1935.

“Our work requires vehicles that can stand up to tough operating conditions – as well as clocking up big mileages they frequently have to access rough sites.

“When we stand down our vans after a five-year life they’ve often covered 250,000 miles or more but invariably they’re still running well, and because of that they still command a strong resale value. Operating costs over that sort of lifespan are extremely competitive, largely because they just don’t break down.”

He adds: “The Sprinters are also very well-liked by our drivers, not only for their comfortable cabs but also because they’re the safest vans on the road.

“The service from Mertrux is excellent too. We maintain our vehicles in-house but the dealer keeps a constant stock of parts in our workshop, so anything we need is always to hand.”