One of QMS’ new Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, ‘Kate’.

The most famous ‘named’ vehicles on UK roads are probably those operated by haulier Eddie Stobart, but it’s a surprisingly popular practice.

Take road marking and specialist surfacing business Quality Marking Services, for example.

The firm’s seven-truck fleet is all named, and when it took delivery of two brand-new Sprinters recently, QMS invited its customers and staff members to suggest a pair of sisters’ names for the new vans.

The most popular choices — “by a landslide”, according to Greg Clark, QMS operations director, were Kate and Pippa, a.k.a. the Duchess of Cambridge and her sister.

Based in Newton Abbot, the new Sprinters are 313 CDi models that carry a variety of equipment and materials for use in applying internal markings, such as those found on the floors of warehouses, factories and supermarket aisles.