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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
FEBRUARY 2015
18
FLEET MANAGEMENT
CharterWay – a Mercedes-Benz
VALUE-ADDED PRODUCT
M
ercedes-Benz as a leader in the
commercial vehicle market has
always remained in the forefront
when it comes to value-added products and
will continue to play a leading role in pro-
viding innovative mobility solutions for their
customers in order that they may achieve
maximum profitability. They also have a re-
sponsibility to exploit current and new op-
portunities in their quest to offer transport
solutions wherever necessary.
They achieve this, not only through the de-
velopment of industry leading hardware but
also through cutting edge products along the
Value-chain. One of the fleet management of-
ferings that are becoming a product of choice
amongst operators is the CharterWay concept.
CharterWay is basically an all inclusive main-
tenance package which covers all repairs and
servicing requirements of the vehicle for the
stipulated kilometre reading and/or period of
the contract. The contract covers any repairs
that are required during the routine operation
of the vehicle, but does not cater for any com-
ponents damaged due to negligence or acts
of nature.
CharterWay allows the customer to optimise
the vehicle utilisation and operate with fixed
monthly costs for the duration of the lease
contract. Another area that appeals to the op-
erator is that he no longer has the expense of
having his own in-house service facility as the
vehicle is maintained exclusively by the near-
est dealer. The success of this product is gain-
ing momentum. Having started in 2008 with
an average of one in twenty customers going
for the product, the ratio today has improved
to at least one in four, which proves the value
of the product.
Currently there are well over 2 000 vehicles
on the system which are being serviced by
dealers throughout the country. The system
will check the vehicles record when it comes
in for service and any necessary repairs will
be channelled to the correct account desig-
nation and determine whether it is warranty
or not. In this manner all the information ob-
tained can be correlated by the Company to
analyse any trends which may lead to compo-
nent part failures.
CharterWay customers, should they opt for
the Enhancement Project, will see a 20%
drop in maintenance costs or a saving of up
to R120 000 over the life of an Actros truck
tractor unit. Service intervals of 40 000 km
for Actros truck tractors, engaged in long haul
operations can be expected with this concept.
There is also the added advantage of prefer-
ential parts pricing together with preferential
labour and lubrication rates.
Customers contracted to the CharterWay sys-
tem will be guaranteed that if any mechanical
failure is not repaired in two days, a daily com-
pensation rate will be paid by the manufactur-
er for each day that the vehicle is off the road.
Payment however is limited to a maximum of
five days. Alternatively a loan vehicle could be
available as an option at a reasonable cost.
CharterWay contracts are tailor made to suit
the application and the requirements of each
individual company.
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