The Neil Mansell Group (NMG), one of Australia’s most enduring family-owned transport businesses, has reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 700th truck—a specially customised Mack Titan.
Founded by Neil Mansell more than 60 years ago with just one truck, NMG has grown into a nationwide provider of transport and specialised services. To mark the significant occasion of adding its 700th truck, NMG partnered with Mack Trucks and Western Truck Group (WTG) to design a truly unique vehicle that pays tribute to the company’s legacy and its founder’s lifelong passion for trucks.
In late 2023, long-time employees from NMG, Mack, and WTG realised the company was about to take delivery of its 700th truck. “They saw there was an opportunity to do something for Dad, a surprise to mark the triumph if you like,” said Neil’s son, Robert Mansell. “Mack along with WTG suggested that a Mack Titan with a 76-inch bunk and as much bling as we could put on it might be a fitting present. I mean, Dad still paid for it,” he added with a laugh, “but it’s the thought that counts.”
This Titan is no ordinary truck. It is the first Mack to feature the newly developed “Big Bonnet”—a large, square front with a bold grille and prominent headlights that harken back to classic Mack styling. “It looks more old school and it looks tough,” said Robert, highlighting the nostalgic yet imposing design.
Getting Neil Mansell to the unveiling wasn’t easy. Known for being constantly on the move, the team lured him to the Mack plant at Wacol under the guise of inspecting a regular delivery. “I just suggested we go and see the latest truck in person,” said Robert. “If he twigged to what was going on, he didn’t let on. He was very surprised and pleased when they took the silks off it—it’s a great looking truck.”
The new Titan will join NMG’s long-distance fleet on the Brisbane to Darwin run, hauling groceries and general freight in a triple road train configuration. “We’ll keep it on the bitumen,” explained Robert, “but even so, those distances mount up pretty quickly, so fuel economy is paramount, and this is an area where the Macks excel.”
Reliability is another critical factor for NMG, especially given the harsh conditions their trucks often operate in. “It’s pretty standard for our trucks to do a million kilometres in their first five years. After that, we move them to shorter distance jobs, often in harsher conditions like the desert,” said Robert.
To support its operations, NMG has service agreements in place with Mack for all new vehicles. “It really takes the pressure off our workshop,” Robert said. “It also means the people who know the trucks best are the ones working on them. Knowing your costs upfront is a bonus, but we’re very happy with the contract maintenance Mack provide.”
Driver satisfaction is another box the Mack Titan ticks, particularly thanks to the mDRIVE automated manual transmission. “You don’t have a problem finding someone to drive a new Mack,” Robert noted, addressing the broader challenge of driver shortages in Australia.
Mack has been a cornerstone of the Mansell fleet since the beginning. “When I was about eight years old, Dad had five trucks and four of them were Macks,” Robert recalled. “When he bought his first brand-new truck in the mid-1960s, it was a Mack.”
The commemorative Titan carries the slogans “Outback Titan” on the bonnet and “New Dog, Old Tricks” on the sleeper cab. “One of my sons came up with the sleeper cab slogan,” said Robert. “I reckon it sums things up nicely. Mack have helped this business become what it is, and they’ve really got behind us to help us celebrate Dad’s success. This Mack embodies the kind of determination that made this company what it is.”
Mack Trucks Australia’s Vice President Tony O’Connell echoed the sentiment: “Neil’s story reflects the spirit of hard work, loyalty, and innovation that Mack stands for. To see a Titan with our new Big Bonnet mark the 700th truck in their fleet—it’s a testament to a legacy built over decades and a partnership we’re proud to be part of.”
