DHL unveils new Mercedes-Benz Vito fleet to drive unparalleled logistics services

From left: Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles General Manager Sales Rajeev Pandithage, LOLC Finance Deputy General Manager Mehra Mendis, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles, South East Asia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Customer Services Olaf Petersen, Diesel & Motor Engineering Chairman/Managing Director Ranjith Pandithage, DHL Keells Country Manager Dimithri Perera, Diesel & Motor Engineering Chief Executive Officer Gahanath Pandithage and Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Business Unit Manager Shamal Fernando

DHL, the world’s leading international express services provider, has reinforced its commitment to deliver unparalleled logistics services to customers, with the unveiling of its newly commissioned fleet of 42 Mercedes-Benz Vito vans. 

This new fleet, the largest by an express operator in the country and the second largest for DHL in Asia Pacific, will increase the company’s vehicle capacity by 20 percent to meet growing business needs. 

The new vehicles, which replace the previous fleet of 35 vans, will reinforce DHL’s position as the only Transport Asset Protection Association certified logistics service provider in Sri Lanka.

“We remain committed to maintain the highest levels of security and compliance within the supply chain for our customers. DHL’s successful partnership with Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC for the new fleet enables us to uphold the same standards of excellence not just within the supply chain, but also in the way we conduct our operations. With the 20% increase in capacity, our new Mercedes-Benz Vito fleet enables us to meet the growing demand of international express services in the country,” said DHL Express Sri Lanka Country Manager Dimithri Perera.

“To further accommodate our growing business and to enhance local operations, plans for additional vehicles to be rolled out at a later date are also underway.”

The Vito vans set a new benchmark locally, as a mid-size utilitarian robust workhorse incorporating a broad range of outstanding features. Purpose-designed to cope with the tough demands placed on a commercial vehicle, the vans are equipped with advanced technology such as tire pressure monitoring, driver assistance functions, adaptive brake lights, drowsiness detection and security cameras. With new engines that comply with the Euro 5 emissions standard, the new Vito vans will deliver greater fuel efficiency by 27%, as compared to the previous fleet used by DHL Express Sri Lanka. 

“At DIMO, we continually strive to exceed our customer’s expectations, providing a product specifically tailored to their needs. The Vito van is supported by over 120 years of Mercedes Benz experience in the commercial vehicle sector renowned for its technological edge, reliability, improved safety features and low fuel consumption,” said Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC Chairman Ranjith Pandithage. “This new fleet delivers lifetime value and environmental responsibility that can only be received from a genuine commercial vehicle specialist. We believe the new vehicles will help DHL support and grow their business operations in Sri Lanka.” 

“Our customers are increasingly looking for responsible business partners and greener logistics solutions. Our new fleet reinforces our commitment to adhere to the strictest safety and environmental standards in transporting and handling customers’ shipments. This in turn, also brings us closer to the Deutsche Post DHL Group’s goal of increasing its carbon efficiency by 30% by 2020,” added Perera.

Furthermore, to ensure that DHL Express’ drivers are aware of the vans’ new functionality, a special training program to familiarise all drivers has been conducted. This is in line with the regular driver road safety programs which DHL runs, to ensure that its drivers follow safe driving procedures. This not only decreases the frequency of road accidents, but also helps drivers be more efficient.