Doubling up on used Renaults
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• Newly formed dealership Renault Trucks Southwest plans to boost sales of second-hand Renaults throughout its territory, says Paul Prewett, who was recently appointed used vehicle sales manager.
"We'll be setting up a used trucks outlet at Plymstock Commercials, an existing Renault service and parts outlet near Plymouth, and Forest of Dean independent dealer John Cecil Truck Sales will be selling secondhand vehicles on our behalf," he explains. "We'll also be increasing used activities at our own branches in Bristol and Exeter.
"We'll have about 25-30 trucks on display at Bristol and a smaller number at Exeter. All the vehicles will be prepared to the same standard, no matter where they're located, and customers will be offered the same deal wherever they go." Renault Trucks Southwest was formed by the amalgamation of Renault Trucks Bristol and Renault Trucks Exeter; it covers the West Country and South Wales.
Allan Bennett has been appointed director and general manager.
The foot-and-mouth epidemic is hitting truck sales in Devon hard, says Prewett.
"There's a lot of gloom and despondency," he reports. "People are putting a brave face on things and battling on, but there are hauliers who will not survive. "There are those who are making money out of the situation—you can do well if you've got a tipper—but they are the minority. It's affecting workshops too. Operators aren't using their trucks so they're not having them serviced, and that's having a knock-on effect on parts sales."