2,000,000 KILOMETERS AND STILL GOING STRONG!

WHEN the return on business vehicle investment is measured in cost per kilometre, what price do you put on something that has covered more than two million kms without fault? For Victorian electrical contractor Terry Cleland, the first XL service body he bought in 1996 was his best investment ever. It’s outlasted four of his work trucks, each of which was used for more than 500,000 kms. After 11 years it was converted to a trailer, toting almost a tonne of welder’s gear, and has now clocked up an estimated total of more than two million kms. Simultaneously, Terry added new truck-mounted XL services bodies to his fleet of Holden Rodeos, making him one of the most loyal – and satisfied - customers in the 20-year history of XL Industries. Based at Wallington, near Gippsland, Terry runs electrical, LPG and container storage businesses currently employing around 10 staff including family members.

While the unique, self-made XL trailer continues to provide reliable service, he runs a further five vehicles with XL bodies, the choice sometimes depending on employees’ personal preference. Each of these has had several Rodeos under it, Terry turning over the vehicles at around 600,000 kms but not the service bodies. Not surprisingly, he’s full of praise for the XLs, even if there are minor changes he’d like and has to strengthen some shelves to support above-specification weights. If they weren’t good quality, we wouldn’t keep them,” Terry says. “It takes a lot to damage them. They don’t owe me anything. “The one on the trailer is a bit worse for wear, but it’s so easy to work from and still does the job. We haven’t even had to replace the door seals; the only place it leaks is where my guys have drilled holes. “The quality is just there.”