Acumen car transporterUK-based Acumen Automotive Logistics is investing almost £800,000 ($1.03m) in four enclosed semi-trailers to meet rising demand for covered vehicle transport.

Three new Belle Trailers units and one Rolfo trailer are joining Acumen’s enclosed fleet, which has more than doubled in size within five years from 13 to 30 vehicles.

The trailers can each accommodate up to six small cars or four large SUVs and will work on the enclosed fleet alongside two DAF LF curtainsided rigids the company took on last year.

Peter Raybould, development director at Acumen, said: “The volume of enclosed deliveries is growing faster than any other area of our business.

“If you’ve got a premium vehicle requiring a door-to-door service, it needs to arrive looking pristine. Our covered fleet means we can carry any size of car over any distance, in any weather.”

As vehicle ranges continue to expand, Acumen’s enclosed fleet is also used to move prototypes and clay models for manufacturers across Europe. This has led to increasing demand for confidential and secure movements using covered GPS-tracked vehicles, a company spokesperson told Automotive Logistics.

The logistics group also runs an open car transporter fleet, which was expanded in 2017 with the acquisition of south-west based J&A Transporters. It operates alongside sister company Acumen Distribution, which has a dry freight fleet carrying inbound European parts and components for tier one and tier two suppliers.