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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is gradually switching its network to standalone
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van centres rather than dealerships intertwined with VW car outlets, reveals managing director Simon Elliott.
He says that standalone sites provide the right focus and create the right atmosphere.
"It's important for van customers to feel they can talk to people who understand their needs and who are not constantly looking over their shoulder to see if a car buyer is about to walk into the showroom."
Just over ()% of VW's 64 van centres fit this 'standalone profile', including new locations launched by Greenhouse in Shrewsbury and Inchcape in Chelmsford.
With a showroom that will accommodate four light commercials and a workshop with seven ramps, the Chelmsford site is the most recent.
Representing a £1.4nn investment, it has resulted in 12 new jobs, with another eight likely to be added by the end of next year.
Inc hcape already operates VW van centres in Cheltenham and Manchester.
Elliott aims to expand the van centre network to 66 locations, as well as increase the number of authorised repairers from 20 to 32. While the state of the commercial vehicle market might deter many from making financial commitments, his view is that now is the time to invest.
'There are some great-value property leases around at present," he explains. "Leasing property will become more expensive for dealers once the upturn comes."