PRESS INFORMATION FROM AIXAM MEGA Mega at IOG SALTEX - 6 - 8 September 2005, Windsor racecourse For the lawn care professional, all roads lead to the Institute of Groundsmanship's sports, amenities, landscaping and turf exhibition - or SALTEX for short - held at Windsor racecourse. This year, light utility vehicle manufacturer Aixam-Mega brought their Mega Multitruck concept to the show, with a conventional caged tipper, van and the innovative Rossi tipper conversion, all displayed on stand P 08. The Rossi tipper takes the versatility of these ultra-lightweight trucks a step further, since loading of spoil or refuse can be now be done directly at worksites inaccessible to normal-sized vehicles. The Rossi tipper mechanism can then lift its skip to a height where the contents can be dropped straight into a conventional skip or truck body, without any additional manual handling being required. The Mega is available with a variety of body styles, from a plain chassis cab that can have a lightweight custom-built body attached; through van bodies with roller shutter or twin rear doors (side entry by roller shutter is also available), to drop side pick-up, tipper beds, all ideal for use on caravan sites, hospitals and other locations where space is at a premium. No surprise to find then, that an increasing number of local authorities are now adding Megas to their fleets, either to supplement existing operations, or to replace heavy and unwieldy conventional vehicles. The standard Mega comes with an easily serviced 479cc Kubota diesel engine that most workshops will be familiar with. Drive is via a constantly variable transmission, eliminating gear changes and making the Mega simplicity itself to drive allowing the operator to concentrate on his surroundings when working amongst pedestrian traffic. As an alternative the Mega is supplied with an electric motor. The electric Mega has all the benefits of the diesel plus the benefit of a quiet, emission free operation. With an eight hour duty cycle the electric Mega is capable of working a full shift without recharging. The Mega may be compact, but it is the ideal vehicle for those operations requiring one man and his tools for the job. The Mega ground pressure is probably little more than a human footprint. Using a Mega on grass or footpaths leaves little more sign of passing that would be left by a pedestrian. The Mega gets tools to the place they are needed with minimal damage to the surroundings. Moreover, at the end of its service life the polycarbonate body, the aluminium chassis, glass and other components of the Mega are virtually 100 per cent recyclable. At SALTEX, Aixam Mega will be displaying the versatility of the Mega on Stand P 08. Visit the Aixam Mega stand and discover why so many local authorities are lining up to add the Mega to their fleets. Ends Images available for download at www.aardvarkpr.co.uk/downloads.htm Editors' contact: Ewan Scott Aardvark Associates tel. 01484 864 520 (mob. 07951 963 433) or 01308 897 911 Company contact: Aixam Mega tel. 01788 553 330 Please note that this document is for information only and is non-contractural; both Aardvark Associates and Aixam Mega decline all liability in the case of omissions or errors. PRESS INFORMATION FROM AIXAM MEGA Mega Facts Mega is a low environmental-impact utility vehicle designed for short-haul urban and estate transport. Constructed on an aluminium chassis with extensive use of polycarbonates for body components, the Mega comes with diesel or zero-emission electric power units. Compact and lightweight, the Mega is supplied in 2.98m long chassis form, and is 1.45m wide excluding mirrors. Payloads range from 425kg for the electric to 460kg on diesel versions. Transmissions are constantly-variable belt on internal combustion models, with all versions having front disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and all-round independent suspension. Prices for the diesel Mega range start from £4,690 for the entry-level pick-up body style, with the van version costing £5,300. Electric versions are based upon proven battery vehicle technology, and start at £8,593 for a vehicle with a range of up to 62 miles or 100 Km. Prices quoted are excluding VAT. Aixam Mega is a wholly-owned UK subsidiary of the Aixam Mega Group, which manufactures these vehicles at its purpose-built plant at Chanas, south of Lyon, France. Ends Images available for download at www.aardvarkpr.co.uk/downloads.htm Editors contact: Ewan Scott Aardvark Associates tel. 01484 864 520 (mob. 07951 963 433) or 01308 897 911 Company contact: Aixam Mega tel. 01788 553 330 Please note that this document is for information only and is non-contractural; both Aardvark Associates and Aixam Mega decline all liability in the case of omissions or errors.