Gloucestershire operator CM Downton has bought its first MAN - a TGX 26.440 6x2 tractor unit with an XLX cab. The firm operates a fleet of about 160 trucks, mainly Daf, which, along with a number of Volvos and Renaults it also runs, use SCR technology to meet Euro 4 emissions standards. Managing director Andrew Downton says the MAN was bought so the firm could make an accurate comparison between EGR and SCR.
He says the truck has given "excellent performance" in its first two months on
the road, but stresses it is too early to fully quantify. He adds: "We want to run both marques for at least six months before we form an opinion." The truck was bought from local Daf dealer Richard Read in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, in part to celebrate the retirement of its long-standing director Richard Read.
Downton says that if the company is impressed with the TGX, it may consider more. However, he stresses that the long lead teams quoted by most of the major manufacturers, including Daf and MAN, may mean it is forced to look elsewhere for new vehicles.
He says: "The issue of extended lead times will make us consider any marque - it has opened our eyes a little bit.
"Decision-making is being affected by lead times because it is difficult to plan our business growth when we are limited by the speed at which we can react."
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