In a relationship that spans nearly 15 years, AL-KO Kober Limited – the leading manufacturer of vehicle chassis systems for the automotive, commercial and leisure industries – has been working in partnership with AKFS to develop chassis for a range of vehicles, from recovery vehicles and car transporters, to commercial vehicle solutions for grounds maintenance, tool hire and traffic management vehicles.
Commenting for AKFS, managing director Ian Knight says: “The collaboration started in 2003 when we approached AL-KO Kober to buy a chassis conversion for our Ultra Car Transporter, and things have evolved since.
“That vehicle is still very much part of our portfolio, but the chassis has evolved and is now tailored to our requirements. Our vehicles are also approved exclusively in the UK by AL-KO Kober and PSA for the conversion of low-floor traffic management, car transporter and lawn mower carrying vehicles.”
Design to optimise carry capacity and offer the ultimate payload, the Ultra Car Transporter is a 3.5-ton gross weight vehicle that, thanks to its ultra-lightweight but integrally strong Type-approved chassis conversion, offers 1,660kg of payload.
Commenting for AL-KO Kober, a company spokesperson says: “Typical company/fleet cars such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 or Ford Mondeo all fit on the AKFS Ultra Car Transporter, so it’s a popular choice as a dealer-transfer, bodyshop or light-recovery vehicle, where operators can be assured that they are transporting vehicles legally on a chassis conversion, rather than a chassis cab from the manufacturer.”
AL-KO Kober’s low-profile chassis solution also means AKFS has been able to reduce the overall deck height, enabling vehicles with lower front and rear spoilers to be easily loaded. Additionally, an extended wheelbase provides better weight distribution over the front and rear axles; and rear torsion bar suspension improves driving characteristics when loaded.
Depending on a customer’s specification, Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot or Volkswagen cab units are delivered to AL-KO Kober’s facility in Warwickshire where the lightweight, ultra-low chassis conversion is installed. These Type-approved vehicles are then delivered to AKFS where the specified bodywork is fitted, tailored to customer’s requirements and built without compromise.
“The partnership with AL-KO Kober has meant that we can concentrate our design resources on producing solutions that are built without compromise and fit our customers’ requirements. We simply couldn’t manufacture a chassis solution that is as well-engineered, cost-effective or lightweight a solution ourselves.”
For further information on its vehicle chassis solution visit www.alko-tech.com/en, email info@alko-tech.com or call 01926 818500.
