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.
Commercial Vehicle Show, NEC Birmingham, 24-26 April 2018, Stand 5C40
AL-KO Kober Limited - the leading manufacturer of premium components for the automotive, commercial and leisure industries - will be using the CV Show to showcase its range of LCV Chassis solutions and complementary products, with its stand featuring commercial vehicle conversions from companies including Mark Harris and Advanced KFS Special Vehicles.
Commenting for AL-KO Kober, David Kirkley says: "2018 is looking like a bumper year for AL-KO and we go to the CV Show having just signed a high-value contract with Mark Harris for the exclusive supply of chassis conversions for its low-floor, Luton box body vehicles. This will see us partner with the UK's leading manufacturer of this style of box body; and allow us to engineer bespoke LCV Chassis solutions that are designed and tested specifically for their range of vehicles.
The contract will see AL-KO Kober deliver over 200 chassis conversions on back-2-back cabs in 2018, with the expectation for the AL-KO and Mark Harris partnership to build and supply an increased number of units in 2019.
The AL-KO Kober stand will also feature a traffic management vehicle from Advanced KFS Special Vehicles, a company that has a long relationship with AL-KO having partnered on numerous commercial vehicle solutions since the launch of its Ultra Car Transporter in 2003.
Commenting for Advanced KFS, managing director Ian Knight says: "The partnership with AL-KO Kober has enabled us to concentrate our design resources on producing solutions that fit our customers' requirement. We simply couldn't manufacture a lightweight chassis solution that is as well-engineered, tested and as cost-effective a solution ourselves."
AL-KO Kober's experience in lightweight vehicle chassis design and development ensures that by using lighter materials and engineering techniques to strengthen individual chassis components, the company delivers improvements to the overall efficiency of the vehicle, with its Light Commercial Vehicle chassis solutions being designed to replace those shipped as standard by commercial vehicle OEMs.
"Our LCV Chassis conversions are already proven in reducing whole-life operating costs by increasing output and productivity, thus enabling fleet managers to increase profits over the lifetime of their fleet." says David.
From box body low floor luton vans and low-profile car transporters, to larger plant-carrying vehicles, AL-KO Kober's chassis conversions deliver distinct advantages over standard vehicle options by offering increased load space and payload levels, while retaining a high torsional strength. AL-KO's new LCV chassis conversions are available for Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën and Volkswagen units; and can be up to 145kg lighter than some of the OEM-built vehicles.
With innovative low-frame designs, tandem-axle assemblies and wide-gauge chassis, the extensive LCV Chassis range allows customers to adapt fleets to suit almost any application and significantly improve vehicle performance, road handling and driver safety. Hot-dip galvanised frame parts guarantee optimal corrosion protection, while bolted frame parts offer a service-friendly solution and ensure shorter downtimes for repairs and maintenance.
For further information on its range of LCV Chassis conversion, visit AL-KO Kober on stand 5C40, visit www.alko-tech.com/en, email marketing@alko-tech.com or call 01926 818500.
