Capital Equipment News August 2015

HEAVY DUTY TRANSPORT

VOLVO TRUCKS AND RENAULT TRUCKS DEALER opens in Bloemfontein

V olvo Group SA has opened a new key Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks deal- ership in Bloemfontein at an investment of R45 million. The facility is strategically situated next to the N8 route, which connects Upington, Kim- berley, Bloemfontein and Maseru in Lesotho, and close to other major transport corri- dors including the N1 between Cape Town and Gauteng and Limpopo. The company’s Bloemfontein dealership will also act as a regional hub of support for the Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks branches in Kimberley and Beaufort West. “This is the first dealership that has been built according to the Volvo Group’s new multi- brand image in South Africa,” says Christian Coolsaet, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks in South Africa. “We have taken a long-term view in terms of the ex- pansion of our business and investment in the Bloemfontein dealership, and in the process we are strengthening our commitment to the region and our customers.” The dealership facility was designed to be as energy efficient as possible in accordance with the Volvo Group’s core values of quality, safety and environmental care.

fontein dealership has a staff complement of 36 trained industry experts and technicians. Services offered include a complete spec- trum of truck sales, service, maintenance, finance and parts support. In addition, the dealership offers brake roller testing, 24- hour roadside assistance and parts availabil- ity, lifting equipment, auto-electrical repairs as well as convenient drivers’ restrooms. “Some of our key fleet owners operate in the region and we are proud to able to of- fer them round-the-clock support in order to keep their fleets going and well-maintained,” Coolsaet says. The past 20 months have been eventful for Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks, as the company has successfully launched new product line-ups for both brands during this period. Both brands experienced their best sales performances ever during 2014, and the company is excited about the fu- ture of Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks in the region. Coolsaet says that the company’s focus is on supporting their customers every step of the way, and providing them with quality ser- vice, advice and products that add profit and value to their businesses over the long term.

hicle manufacturers, we focus a lot of atten- tion on aspects such as advanced training, the innovative use of technology, communication, financial and business guidance, as well the implementation of international best practic- es, in order to enhance our dealers’ service to our customers,” explains Coolsaet. With the Volvo Group being on the cutting edge of innovation in the commercial vehicle industry, it leads the way in supporting fleet owners in a modern, practical way. These innovations include telematics gateways, in- teractive driver mobile applications and ad- vanced fleet management systems. Going into the future, it will become im- perative for truck manufacturers to explore and understand a region’s local operating environment, and subsequently adapt their business approaches to meet African fleet owners’ precise transport requirements. “Having operated in the region for over 13 years, we believe that we are able to meet these requirements and offer local custom- ers the best transport solutions available – ones that make a tangible difference to their businesses in real time,” concludes Coolsaet.

“As one of the world’s leading commercial ve-

The Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks Bloem-

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS AUGUST 2015