Steve Bridge, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, is to leave the business at the end of January 2021 to take on a role with the brand’s newest dealer group.
Bridge, who has been with Mercedes-Benz Vans UK for 20 years, joins eStar Truck & Van, the new name for the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles dealers in the North West and North Wales after industry entrepreneur Sid Sadique acquired most of the assets of Roanza Truck & Van from administration.
eStar Truck & Van has five branches, covering Warrington, Deeside, Liverpool, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent, backed by its development of online sales channels, and plans to establish an eEducation centre, which will showcase the fully electric range of Mercedes-Benz vans and Fuso eCanter trucks. These will be featured alongside zero-emission products built by Electra Commercial Vehicles; another of Sid Sadique’s businesses.
Bridge will become managing director of the group, drawing on his near 40 years’ industry experience. He started his commercial vehicle career in 1983 at a heavy truck dealership, moving into heavy truck rental prior to joining Mercedes-Benz as a regional fleet manager 20 years ago. In 2014, following the formal separation of Mercedes’ heavy and light commercial vehicle operations, Bridge became the first managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK.
“I’m passionate about the Mercedes-Benz brand and delighted that although I’m leaving the company with which I’ve spent the last two very happy decades, in my new position I’ll still be representing the world’s number one truck and van business,” Bridge said. “The opportunity to oversee eStar Truck & Van during a period of exciting evolution is one I’m relishing, and which I simply couldn’t resist.”
“I’ve known Steve for many years and am delighted to welcome him to my executive team as managing director of eStar Truck & Van,” said Sid Sadique. “Between us we have spent almost two-thirds of a century serving commercial vehicle operators. Not only do we understand the market, but we’re also perfectly placed to meet the changing demands of our customers.”
Bridge’s successor at Mercedes-Benz Vans UK will be announced in due course.
