02/01/19: South East based motor group, The JCB Group, has celebrated joining the Mercedes Benz Vans network with the opening of a brand-new showroom in Rainham, Kent.
Trading as Mercedes-Benz Van Centre Medway, the store showcases the latest range of premium vans including the new X-Class - the first pickup truck from a high-end car retailer - while also providing customers with round-the-clock after sales support.
The opening of the Mercedes-Benz Van Centre Medway is the latest move by the motor group which has been expanding is business organically and through acquisitions throughout Kent and Sussex in a bid to meet a gap in the local market and customer demand.
It marks the culmination of an exhaustive search by the manufacturer for the right partner to represent its premium brand in Kent and follows the announcement of Mercedes-Benz Vans’ year-on-year growth, with a record-breaking 41,404 vans sold last year.
Jonathan Bischoff, Manager Director of the JCB Group said: “Now in our 21st year of operation, we are very excited to be extending our portfolio even further by adding sales of Mercedes-Benz Vans. It’s a great brand with brilliant products, which offer the combination of highly competitive whole life operating costs, all-important driver appeal and fast, efficient support that the discerning commercial vehicle driver requires, as often a van is a business purchase rather than a discretionary one.
“The opportunity to join the Mercedes Benz Vans network in such a high-profile location was too good to refuse and we can now spoil our commercial vehicle customers with an extremely wide- choice of vans from different marques, including Mitsubishi, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Citroen and SsangYong.
“Ideally located on the main A2 London Road, Rainham, our showroom is smart and welcoming and over time, we plan to add other showrooms in prime locations such as this, for us to sell and support light commercial vehicles bearing the legendary three-pointed star.”
Having served previously as a used car sales facility, the showroom has benefited from a £100,000 investment which has brought it up to Mercedes-Benz Vans’ latest corporate standards. The result is a stylish and relaxing environment – complete with comfortable, well-appointed hospitality area – in which visitors can view up to five examples from the award-winning Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Vito and Citan van lines.
The Medway van centre’s offering is further bolstered by a wide-range of Mercedes Benz Approved Used vans, with the forecourt dedicated to 30 vehicles, while inside web-enabled touchscreens allow customers to search JCB Group’s 1,000-strong stock of used cars and vans.
Mercedes-Benz Vans Head of Network Operations Sarah confirmed: “We put a lot of time and effort into securing the best possible representation for our brand in Kent and have every confidence that Jonathan Bischoff and his colleagues will now deliver the industry-leading quality of service that our customers are entitled to expect.
“Important though it is, the opening of the Mercedes-Benz Van Centre Medway represents just the first step in the long-term relationship that we are committed to building with the JCB Group.”
The JCB Group employs some 500 people, several who are now working for the Mercedes-Benz Van Centre Medway. However, the launch has also created further opportunities and the motor group is encouraging applications from candidates for a variety of customer-facing, technical, and other roles.
Vanessa West has been appointed Sales Manager of the dealership. On the opening of the dealership she said: “I’m really excited to be part of the launch of Mercedes-Benz Van Centre in Medway. Whether your small business operating one van or a larger fleet, I look forward to welcoming you into our new showroom. If you’re already an owner, then Shane Lipscombe and his Aftersales team will keep you moving”.
Speaking as the first customers began to arrive at the new showroom, Jonathan Bischoff added: “We’re hoping that our new Mercedes Van Centre really sets the standard for commercial vehicle retailing in the UK, with truly first-class customer and employee environments. I’m delighted to be able to welcome both loyal and new customers to experience these wonderful products in this amazing setting.”
