Family-owned Alexander Windows is said to be enjoying the benefits of increased efficiency and productivity after turning to the newest member of the Mercedes-Benz Vans retail network for a new fleet of vehicles equipped with PRO connect technology.
Part of the LSH Auto UK group, Mercedes-Benz Vans of Stockport has provided its near neighbour with eight black Sprinters, which came with 4G internet connectivity as standard, as well as a pair of Vito models.
Established by proprietor Steve Wood and his wife Gaenor in 1991, Alexander Windows supplies and installs a broad range of tailor-made windows and doors for homeowners and trade customers.
The company took advantage of a Mercedes-Benz Finance funding package to acquire its first vans bearing the three-pointed star – Mercedes-Benz Vans of Stockport took back its previous fleet in part-exchange.
The Sprinters are 3.5-tonne 314 CDIs powered by fuel-efficient 143hp engines and have roof racks and external glass-carrying frails on one or both sides.
The two mid-sized Vito vans, a 114 CDI Progressive and a 111 CDI Pure, are used by Alexander Windows staff responsible for undertaking surveys and service work.
The company says that Its decision to launch an innovative 360-degree interactive ‘virtual showroom’ during the lockdown has been instrumental in helping it maintain business levels through the pandemic.
Steve Wood commented: “The huge increase in the number of Mercedes-Benz vans you see these days has certainly helped to make the brand more attractive to me. When I started out and there were a lot fewer on the road, I always felt there was an issue in terms of perception – had you rolled up in a new Mercedes-Benz back then, prospective customers were likely to think you’d be too expensive.
“That no longer applies. It’s still a premium product, of course, and I’d like to think our new vans will only enhance our own reputation for quality and service. But no-one’s going to think you’re charging too much these days, simply because you run a fleet of Sprinters. On the contrary, it feels like the ‘go to’ vehicle now, for professional, well managed businesses like our own.
“I test drove one of the dealer’s demonstrators and was really impressed. What’s more, the in-built Mercedes PRO connect technology also allows me to manage my fleet without having to rely on a third-party system, as we’ve done previously.”
Mercedes PRO connect provides operators with a range of fast, efficient and cost-effective vehicle management services. As well as pinpointing its location in real time, the system monitors everything from the van’s maintenance status to the efficiency of the driver’s style at the wheel, and even the amount of fuel in the tank. It also provides high-level navigation, communication and security services, and allows fleet managers to control certain vehicle functions remotely. The Sprinter also comes as standard with the Mercedes MBUX infotainment system, which features a user-friendly voice control function.
