Hampshire not-for-profit housing association Abri has placed an order for 250 converted Volkswagen Transporter panel vans to help it maintain its stock of more than 40,000 properties across the South of England.
The new fleet specification includes a flexible yet highly-standardised shelving system from TGS Automotive designed to carry materials, tools and equipment for a variety of trades.
Abri required a new fleet of vehicles combining class-leading payload, with comfort and practicality, to support with customer visits and in-house maintenance.
With a payload of 2,612 lbs, the Transporter Startline long wheelbase vehicle has ample space, as well as a range of driver assistance systems, including Brake Assist and Front Assist with City Emergency Braking.
The conversion was a joint development process between Abri, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and TGS Automotive, with first orders received in July 2023.
Andy Pearce, Group Fleet Manager at Abri, said: “We had that rare opportunity of replacing a large proportion of our existing fleet in one tranche. Working with vehicle users, we were determined to best support the service we offer our customers, through much improved on-board stock management, whilst offering a desirable, fit-for-purpose working environment to our vehicle users.
“Fixing issues first time is what our customers want and a correctly specified vehicle, supporting skilled tradespeople, enables us to do this.”
Craig Cavanagh, national fleet manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, added: “We’re confident that the vehicle’s impressive payload, alongside a custom racking solution by TGS Automotive, will enable this vital work to continue.”
