"The EC11 appeals to a very wide range of
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customers." Tony Mudd
Tony Mudd is business manager at ERE Medway at %rood, Kent "We see plenty of EC10 and EC14s but ECUs are not so readily available," he says. "Operators tend to buy them and keep them for a longer time. But we do have access to ex-contract vehicles, mostly over three years old, through ERF's Encore used truck finance scheme. The EC11 appeals to a very wide range of customers, from owner-drivers to quite large fleets. Fleet owners like the standard single sleeper cab and ownerdrivers usually go for the twin-bunk, highroof Olympic model. There isn't much difference in the price If you allow for the air kit on the standard cab.
"The EC11 380 6x2, generally with a mid-lift axle, is the most common model," Mudd reports. "We can add a third axle to the chassis as it's already predrilled for the mounting plates. The ECU 380 has a reputation for good fuel economy and low downtime, which gives it a robust resale value-380hp still seems to satisfy most customers. but Cummins can uprate the engine to 405hp without any trouble. Durability doesn't come into the equation. I have never heard of one wearing out.
"Prices are very comparable with other top makes.'' he concludes. "A 97 Preg 6x2 380 with single-bunk sleeper cab will sell at £27,000. With a top-of-therange Olympic cab the price increases to about £30,000. In contract terms that only adds £2-£3 a week."