The new Mercedes-Benz truck dealer for Scotland's North-East and Highlands has signalled its determination to win a bigger slice of the region's heavy vehicle market for the three-pointed star, by recruiting seasoned sales professional Andrew Rennie.
Andrew is the new Truck Sales Manager at Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen, which also sells and supports the manufacturer's award-winning van products in the North-East.
Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen was awarded its franchise following the recent sale of former dealer John R Weir Truck & Van.
Born and bred in Aberdeen, Andrew is a familiar figure to local operators. He spent the last 25 years working for a rival truck builder, starting out in the workshop then moving into a full time sales role in 2000.
Supported by truck sales executive Alistair McCallum, Andrew is looking forward to converting new customers to the benefits of running fuel-efficient, cost-effective vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz and Fuso ranges.
Alex Barron, Dealer Principal at Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen, confirmed: "We're delighted that Andrew has joined our exciting new venture. He enjoys a high profile within the truck industry in this part of the world, and his arrival should leave no-one in any doubt about our intention to achieve an increased share of our market."
Underlining its commitment, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen has already added two more New Actros demonstrators to the single unit it inherited from the previous franchisee. These three vehicles - a 510hp 2551 with GigaSpace cab, a 2545 StreamSpace and a 2545 BigSpace - are now available for trial by local transport concerns, with further additions to the demonstration fleet planned.
On the after sales side, the new dealer has introduced a tachograph installation, calibration and repair service at its nine-bay workshop on the Altens Industrial Estate, which offers out-of-hours vehicle maintenance and repairs.
It has also announced its intention to invest a further £50,000 early next year on the creation of an Authorised Test Facility, in which operators of all makes of truck will be able to get their vehicles MoT tested.
And it has begun the search for premises at which to open a second dealership in Inverness as soon as possible - until then, vehicles operated by customers based in the Highlands will be serviced by a combination of mobile technicians and the Aberdeen workshop.
Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen is a new-start business but has the financial backing of Scotland's leading independently-owned vehicle rental specialist, T.O.M. Airdrie, which also acquired Ayr-based Mercedes-Benz dealer Caledonian Truck & Van a year ago. T.O.M. has made such a success of that business - now renamed Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Ayr - that Mercedes-Benz UK had no hesitation in entrusting it to also represent the brand in the North-East and Highlands.
All 35 full-time staff of the former franchisee were taken on by the new dealer, which is also intending to create more jobs so it can deliver the very highest levels of customer service. "Mercedes-Benz vehicles have always been renowned for their quality and it's up to us to ensure that we deliver the after sales back-up they deserve," affirmed Alex.
Andrew, who lives with his wife and two daughters in Inverkeilor, is responsible for sales of the acclaimed Mercedes-Benz New Actros, Actros, Axor, Atego, Econic and Zetros models, as well as Fuso Canter light trucks. Recently-launched Mercedes-Benz Antos heavy-duty distribution trucks arrive next year.
"This was an opportunity I just couldn't refuse," he declared. "The Mercedes-Benz truck range has never been in better shape. New Actros, in particular, is a fantastic truck, with customers reporting some stunning fuel returns."
Your friends in the North… Dealer Principal Alex Barron, left, with Truck Sales Manager Andrew Rennie, leads the team at new dealer, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen.