Vauxhall is launching a network of business centre dealers later this year, similar to those offered by sister brands Peugeot and Citroën, as it readies itself for a renewed van range in 2019.
James Taylor, fleet sales director, told Fleet World the standards involved are still being finalised, but the network will comprise around 50-75 business centres with a focus on light commercial vehicles, and on serving the needs of passenger car fleets.
Peugeot and Citroën have well-established business centre programmes, with services including extended opening hours, alternative transport while vehicles are off the road, and access to a wider choice of demonstrator vehicles.
All are likely to be similar in the Vauxhall programme, but Taylor said the three brands will all have variations in the way these operate. “Clearly we’d be foolish if we didn’t reference what [Peugeot and Citroën] are doing, but we’re not hamstrung that it’ll be an exact carbon copy,” he explained.
“We’ll come up with what we think is the best solution for our network and customers, but dealers have to be engaged with wanting to be a part of it, and delivering the standards they’re signing up for.”
The move comes as the brand renegotiates contracts with its entire UK dealer network, announced in April, with a view to recognising the trend towards getting information digitally, as well as longer service intervals and more reliable vehicles.
It also launches as Vauxhall brings the new Combo van to market late this year, and ahead of the new Vivaro which will be built in Luton from 2019 – both on PSA platforms for the first time. The company is recruiting additional CV specialists for its central fleet team, focused on conversions and regional rental companies, Taylor said.
