Transit Support Services Ltd. (TSS Motors), one of Nigeria's reputable commercial vehicle assemblers and marketers, has rolled out Forland T5 – a new mini truck range designed to bring tremendous relief to the last-mile delivery segment of the country's distribution industry. Although it is usually the shortest stage of the delivery chain, the last mile remains the most expensive and complex aspect of logistics, accounting for a significant percentage of transportation and shipping costs. However, TSS has come to the rescue with the introduction of the T5 truck series, assembled at its factory in Enugu. The company is passing on to operators in the last-mile delivery business the cost-saving advantage of local vehicle production. Commenting on the expected impact of Forland T5, TSS Senior Sales Executive, Miss Blessing Aluh, acknowledged that businesses have long been seeking practical solutions to the high cost of final stretch deliveries. "But, with our Forland T5, the much-awaited solution has come to Nigeria. TSS has come to the rescue with the T5 truck specially adapted for last-mile delivery because of its low maintenance cost. It is guaranteed to reduce those high operating costs and make deliveries more efficient," Aluh stated. According to her, the T5 series is manufactured to very high-quality standards by Forland, Foton's specialised light truck division. The vehicle is powered by an 82-kilowatt DAM 15R petrol engine, renowned for its fuel efficiency and low emissions. It is available with either a box body or a cabin-and-chassis configuration to suit different business needs. For instance, a cabin-and-chassis Forland truck allows buyers to construct and mount various custom bodies on the vehicle, like flatbed, boxed body, drop-side, refrigerated body, mobile clinic, and mobile vending booth (for selling food, snacks, and beverages on the go), etc The truck comes standard with an air-conditioned cabin that comfortably accommodates two occupants—the driver and a salesperson. It features a manual transmission and hydraulic brakes. To accommodate varied needs, TSS is offering T5 in 1.5-tonne and 2-tonne variants, while a 2.5-tonne CNG/petrol engine option is also available. As with its other Forland products, TSS Motors has assured that the vehicle is backed with comprehensive nationwide after-sales support, including a one-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty. With the local assembly and introduction of the mini truck, TSS has made last-mile delivery vehicles more affordable, with the flat bed version (without a box body) selling for less than ₦16 million. Aluh explained that customers can either purchase the flat bed type and build a body that suits their business requirements or buy a model already fitted with a box body. "What this means is that you can build your box body elsewhere or customise it the way you need it. But, we also supply box bodies," she said. Depending on a customer's requirements, TSS can also arrange bank financing options, allowing payment for Forland vehicles to be spread over an agreed period.
