Highways England has awarded a new supply contract to SsangYong, as it takes control of its fleet procurement.

SsangYong will initially supply 32 Musso pick-ups to Highways England, under the new contract.

The vehicles will be deployed initially in Highways England areas in the North West, the South East and the Midlands.

Nick Harris, the executive director of operations at Highways England, said: “This contract will help us maintain our network and provide a good service to road users, contributing to our key imperatives of safety, customer service, and delivery. It is important that vehicles we use are cost-effective, reliable and versatile - the SsangYong Musso will be a valuable addition to our fleet.”

Highways England has recently brought responsibility for asset inventory and operational decision making in-house, allowing it to directly managing routine maintenance and the delivery of capital renewal and improvement schemes, rather than contracting the responsibility to a third party.

The 32 Highways England SsangYong Mussos have been specifically modified by Babcock International, based in Walsall. The pick-ups are fitted with hi-vis orange and yellow livery, 360-degree lighting including a roof mounted lightbar, and are compliant with R65 Lighting & Chapter 8 legislation.

Nick Laird, managing director of SsangYong Motors UK, said: “We are delighted to supply 32 vehicles to Highways England – it is a huge achievement for SsangYong to be recognised for its cost-effective, versatile and reliable products, especially from such a high profile and credible organisation.

“Our business introduced a fleet strategy 12-months ago with a focus on public sector, utilities and operational fleets – it’s an area which, with our product line-up and company structure, we can compete successfully, offer flexibility, and really add value.

“This is the start of a great working relationship with Highways England.”

The Highways England partnership is the result of SsangYong’s success as a supplier on the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) vehicle purchase framework, which offers numerous government agencies including UK fire services, ambulance trusts and police forces SsangYong vehicles.

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