The order from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) comprises 33 Trafic Panel Vans, 44 Master Panel Vans and eight officially converted Master Tippers after follows a tender through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS).
The company will use the mix of Renaults in the maintenance of the 89,000 dwellings that it is responsible for across Northern Ireland.
NIHE opted for the Trafic panel van in short wheelbase, low-roof format with the efficient dCi 115 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine, while its Master panel vans were ordered in medium wheelbase, medium-roof specification and powered by the dCi 110 2.3-litre turbo diesel engine.
The Master Tippers – available to order ‘off-the-shelf’ through Renault’s dealer network and with 45-degree rear-tipping ‘Scattolini’ bodies fitted by accredited Renault supplier VFS – were ordered in front-wheel drive, medium wheelbase specification with the dCi 125 2.3-litre turbo diesel engine.
David Roe, Fleet Manager, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, said: “We considered a number of vehicles through the tender, but none could rival the value or the emissions offered by Renault.
“Despite the large size of the order and our urgent request for the vehicles, all have arrived on schedule and now that we have the first few out in the field, we’ve had excellent feedback from our operatives.”
He continued: “Fuel economy is proving to be very impressive and the teams are especially pleased with the quality feel of the vehicles, the level of equipment and the fact that they drive like a car.”
