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Atlet has launched a series of counterbalance trucks, allowing it to offer a complete range for the first time in its 50 year history.
The Balance series ranges from 1.3 tonne electric three-wheelers to seven tonne four-wheel diesels.
Atlet was bought by Nissan last year, but the company says both product lines will maintain separate distribution systems and keep their brand identity.
Atlet says one of the advantages of being bought out by Nissan has been the lower cost of purchasing components and material, which in the mid term it hopes will result in higher volumes and greater access to resources for product and market development.
The ET series comprises seven three-wheeled electric trucks from 1.3 – 2.0 tonnes and the EF series consists of three four-wheeled electric trucks from 1.5 – 2.5 tonnes.
All models within both ranges are designed to drive silently and offer adjustable steering wheel, seat and arm rests with controls for comfort. Both have PIN codes with the option of adapting the truck to suit five driver profiles for different levels of experience and skills.
For heavier lifting, the electric EH series (pictured) is available in five models and is designed to carry loads up to 3.0 tonnes. All models provide good all-round vision and have flexible acceleration, adjustable seats and steering wheel, along with an integrated diagnostic system for rapid troubleshooting and reduced downtime.
There are three series available with combustion motors, the GL/DL for 1.5 – 3.5 tonnes, which is available in seven models, the GH/DH for 3.5 to 5.0 tonnes across four models and the GG/DG for up to 7.0 tonnes in three models.
All are designed to be silent and almost vibration free with a number of customised components and safety features.
The LPG motors on the GL and GH models when on ECO mode are said to lower fuel consumption by up to 18 per cent.
All trucks are of a modular design based on seven common chassis and the whole range uses fewer than 3,500 components, of which about 600 occur with high frequency. Of all the trucks it builds, Atlet says 30 per cent made to a special design in order to meet specific customer demands.
The trucks will initially be available in Sweden, the UK, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy and Germany.
Over the past two years Atlet has seen an annual growth of 22 per cent, however it expects the number of sales of warehouse trucks in 2008 to be on the same level as in 2007 as demand has slowed following the global economic crisis.
Atlet has launched around 75 per cent of its models in the past five years in a bid to keep up with customer requirements.
