Making waves
There's a lot happening at McCarthy Truck Centre that will not only have customers but also the opposition sitting up and taking notice writes Dave Scott.
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Dedicated to selling the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter range at McCarthy Truck Centre are from left: Tumelo Geene, Jennifer de Jager, Marcelle van Wyk (sales manager) and Morris Maile. |
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Mark Croxon, McCarthy Truck Centre national sales director, used commercials. "Our new website places us at the forefront of used truck trading in South Africa." |
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For one, a new concept team that has been formed within McCarthy Truck Centre brings a fresh approach and focus to selling medium commercial vehicles. This team will concentrate its efforts on the 3 500 kg to 7 500 kg GVM truck market - a concept which makes business sense in the changing profile of truck retailing.
This team - under the leadership of Marcelle van Wyk - is sure to see Mercedes-Benz reaching even greater heights of success in this market segment. And here's an early warning
FleetWatch tip: The team will also soon be getting more ammunition with the pending arrival of the Mercedes Sprinter model 616 which will push the Sprinter into territory traditionally held by the Japanese medium class trucks such as the Dyna, the Cabstar and the Isuzu N-Series.
Another innovation - particularly in used truck retailing - has also been launched by McCarthy Truck Centre. It takes the form of a website with a virtual reality showroom of the company's used truck stock. This means a buyer can view any of the used truck stock that has been graded in three categories: The '200 Plus Premium' units; the 'Star' units that are typical used trucks supplied with CoR; and the 'As Is' - the 'voetstoets' units.
Once the customer has selected his category, the database will then list all the trucks in the desired category, together with additional information. Users can also communicate special vehicle requests via the site.
Mark Croxon, McCarthy Truck Centre's national sales director, used commercials, says the website, which will be continuously updated, brings any buyer into instant contact with the full technical specifications of any used truck - plus gives him a picture of the vehicle. "It's a first in South Africa and places us at the forefront of used truck trading," he says.
And it's not only used trucks that are featured. The full site is geared towards interactivity and all questions on new and used commercial vehicles as well as financial issues, parts and service operations, the body repair centre and fleet services can be answered online. Prospective clients can even apply for credit via the website.
It's great to see a dealer innovating for its customers instead of waiting for the truck manufacturers to lead the way. Let other dealers take note.
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