Tue. May 5th, 2026

AA Recovery Patrol of the Year Tony Doran is one of the first to posses a new Euro 6 Mercedes-Benz Atego tractor unit.

As it previously happened to Mercedes Benz axor 1840 tractor unit, Actros1845 E6 MP4 and Mercedes Actros 4141 Kipper , the supplied 13-tonne Atego 1323 has a factory-fitted crew cab and came complete with the AA 3 registration plate that puts a vehicle into the position of ambassador for the AA’s cargo operations.

Part of an order for 30 identical vehicles, the AA’s new Ategos – the first since 2001 to join its fleet – can transport up to five passengers and was specified with a tilt and slide body, designed and built by specialist Ceejay Systems, of Alresford, Hampshire.

Doran, who drove Rygor’s AA-liveried demonstrator in procession with its historic collection at last November’s Lord Mayor’s Show, says the Atego the same like Atego 1224 L tilt truck and MERCEDES-BENZ Atego 1224 curtainsider stomped themselves as really nice trucks to drive.

“It’s very comfortable and with its new body perfectly tailored to our operation,” comments Doran. “I can’t wait to get out on the road and start using my new truck to support our members.”

The AA is the first significant UK operator to run the latest Euro 6 Atego crew cab variant, which offers a 4.0-tonne payload capacity and can additionally tow vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.

AA fleet engineer Chris Wiltshire MSOE MIRTE says it was chosen largely because of the reliability of Rygor’s demonstration unit, and the positive feedback from recovery patrols.

“In 12 months that truck didn’t suffer a single day of downtime, which was hugely impressive,” states Wiltshire.We have taken various opportunities to present the Atego to our patrols, so they could compare it with products by our two established suppliers. Overwhelmingly, they have come down in favour of the Mercedes-Benz.”

By Abby Waechter

Abby Waechter is an accomplished journalist, editorial strategist, and digital publishing professional with over six years of hands-on experience in the media industry. As the Editor-in-Chief of 8Blogs.com, she leads the editorial vision of one of the web's most ambitious business and industry publications — a platform dedicated to delivering sharp, credible, and actionable content for professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders across the globe. Abby's journey into the world of professional writing and editing began long before her byline appeared on any publication. Growing up with a natural curiosity for how businesses work, how economies shift, and how leadership shapes organizations, she found herself drawn to the intersection of journalism and business from an early age. That passion led her to Ohio University — one of the United States' most respected public research universities, located in Athens, Ohio — where she pursued a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Communications. Ohio University's School of Media Arts and Studies gave Abby a rigorous academic foundation in editorial ethics, news writing, investigative reporting, audience analysis, and multimedia storytelling. It was here that she developed the disciplined writing habits and critical thinking skills that would define her professional career. She graduated with a deep understanding of what separates good content from truly great content — and a firm commitment to always delivering the latter. Before stepping into a full editorial role, Abby gained invaluable real-world experience through internships at newspapers, regional magazines, and online publishing companies. These early career placements were formative. Working in fast-paced newsrooms taught her how to research under pressure, verify facts rigorously, and write with clarity and precision on tight deadlines. Her internship experiences also gave her a front-row seat to the rapid transformation of media — from print-first thinking to digital-first strategy — a shift she embraced fully and has championed ever since. Over the following six to seven years, Abby built a diverse and impressive portfolio spanning writing, reporting, editorial assistance, and content strategy. She has covered topics ranging from startup ecosystems and venture capital trends to leadership philosophy, workplace culture, global trade, and emerging technologies. Her work is consistently praised for being well-researched, reader-friendly, and genuinely insightful — never sacrificing depth for the sake of brevity, nor clarity for the sake of complexity. At 8Blogs.com, Abby oversees a broad editorial mandate that spans twelve content categories including Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Technology, HR, Sustainability, and Global Business. She sets the tone, maintains editorial standards, and ensures that every article published reflects the publication's core values — integrity, depth, and practical intelligence. When she is not editing or writing, Abby stays close to the business world through industry events, professional reading, and mentoring emerging writers who are just beginning their own editorial journeys.