“It‘s still a bloody good truck,” says Chris Carr of Carr & Haslam Transport referring to his Mercedes-Benz Actros, the first Actros to be purchased in New Zealand in 1997.

The truck and trailer unit hit the road 20 years ago, and now with over a million kilometers on the clock, the truck and trailer combo are still going strong. “She‘s still on the road six days a week and in perfect working order,” he says, “it‘s a great truck to drive, designed well and still pleasant to operate even with age.” The Actros is a second home to female driver Marissa who, loves the truck and, spends her week transporting vehicles from the port to dealerships all over the North Island.

Carr & Haslam specialises in the transport of vehicles, and dangerous goods throughout the North Island. They have a fleet of 70 trucks at present, the majority of which are Mercedes-Benz Actros and Axor‘s. Carr will add another four 2017 New Dimension Mercedes-Benz Arocs to his fleet in September. He is a fan of Mercedes-Benz trucks, his preference being the European design and engine. “They are well designed and good value for money with greater fuel economy and low servicing requirements,” says Chris. “They come with great service plans, parts support, and the warranty on them is excellent“, he says. “Plus my drivers love them, they are comfortable and safe, and that‘s imperative to me.”

Trucking is in the Carr DNA, with the business now 155 years old. Founded by Chris‘s great, great, grandfather in 1862 he is the fifth generation Carr to run the business. “I‘ve always been around trucks,” says Chris, who could write a book on the changes he has seen in the industry over the years. Carr & Haslam started out transporting food products for the Nathan Family, now Lion Breweries; Choysa and Roma Tea; and Nestle Coffee Beans. “One of the biggest changes I‘ve seen is from shipping before containers to shipping in containers,” he says.

Carr & Haslam has a long-standing relationship with the team at Trucks & Trailers and Mercedes-Benz Trucks. “The team work hard to get me what I want. I require special specifications in my trucks which can be a mission to source and this takes time and patience”, he says. “I value the support I get from Trucks & Trailers, they know Mercedes-Benz Trucks inside and out.”

Author: Kelly Fry, Trucks & Trailers 0800 327 777 www.trucksandtrailers.co.nz