Volvo's credit card for the repairs needed Europe-wide
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A SCHEME to cover heavy vehicle service throughout Europe, based on an international credit card, has been launched by Volvo.
More than 600 Volvo commercial vehicle workshops in Europe will offer the service, which will cover normal maintenance, repairs, breakdown assistance and the purchase of spares. It is not intended to cover any warranty claims — the standard Volvo warranty system is still intended to deal with these.
The Volvo International Credit Card, applying to British vehicles travelling in the UK and Europe as well as to foreign chassis while in the UK, guarantees the operator immediate action on his vehicle without lengthy finance clearance procedures.
It also eliminates the need for drivers to carry large sums of cash or to organise finance in a foreign country.
Countries covered initially by the Volvo credit card are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Britain, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and West Germany. Turkey, Yugoslavia and some countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe will be included shortly.
For operators using the system there is a four per cent service charge with an interest charge of 1.35 per cent per month on accounts not settled.
A credit limit of 35,000 Swedish crowns (approximately £4,000) per vehicle has been set. Using the credit card will give the operator at least 35 days' credit before billing.
The credit card is issued against the chassis number on the basis of one card, one vehicle. It is not issued to the driver.
Produced jointly by Volvo and Inter Conto AB of Stockholm, the scheme can only be used for service or repairs to the vehicle: the driver cannot use it to settle a hotel bill.
To participate in the Conto scheme, the operator can obtain an application form from his local Volvo distributor or dealer and then post it direct to Inter Conto, who will process the application and issue cards.
When the account for a pair is presented to the ope tor, payment is request within 31 days. If billed in foreign country, the exchan rate on the date of completi of the repair work will appl,