AXA Assistance sends Mercedes-Benz Vitos to the rescue
A leading roadside rescue and recovery service has once again confidently placed its trust in the reliability of Mercedes-Benz.
AXA Assistance (UK) Limited is now using a further six new Vito 111CDI vans to respond rapidly to emergency calls from stranded motorists.
The 2.7-tonne Vitos are the latest recruits to the company’s integrated motor recovery network, rescue24. They have joined an expanding fleet dominated by vehicles bearing the famous three-pointed star.
Part of the worldwide AXA Group, AXA Assistance (UK) Limited also operates larger Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans and 7.5-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso Canter trucks which are fitted with a combination of slidebed and spectacle lift bodies – the popular Japanese light truck range is sold and supported by the German manufacturer’s dealers in Britain.
Like all of its rescue24 vehicles, AXA Assistance (UK) Limited’s new vans were supplied by Crawley dealer Rossetts Commercials. They have been fitted out as mobile workshops by Ceejay Systems, of Aylesford, Hampshire, and carry rapid deployment trailers used to recover motorbikes or cars.
Four of the new Long-bodied vans are based in Manchester and two in London – their tight turning circles and compact dimensions make them ideally suited to use in busy city centres.
“We’ve been operating similarly specified Mercedes-Benz Vitos in Dublin for two years and have been impressed by the way they have performed,” confirmed Brian Barnard,AXA Assistance (UK) Limited’s Patrol Services Manager.
“Our roadside technicians are delighted with them. The Vitos are as comfortable and easy to drive as a car and handle the weight really well, even when fully loaded. The wide-opening load doors on both sides and top-hinged tailgate also make access to on-board equipment very easy.”
The Mercedes-Benz Vito comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty and long service intervals. Its comprehensive array of active and passive safety features, meanwhile, includes the latest Adaptive version of the ESP Skoda anti-skid system, which dynamically monitors the vehicle’s load status while on the move.
Mr Barnard is delighted with the service provided by Rossetts Commercials and its sales executive Tony Harris. “They have been very professional to deal with and any small issues have been quickly and efficiently sorted out,” he added.
In the UK, AXA Assistance has offered a wide range of assistance services since 1976 for a variety of international and national organisations, including insurance companies and brokers, health and pharmaceutical entities, motor manufacturers and banks. Its 24/7/365 service centres are operated from two offices – one in the UK and one in Ireland – by more than 450 co-ordinators entirely dedicated to delivering high quality services to customers. AXA Assistance aims to develop flexible and tailor-made solutions to better suit customers’ needs in order to retain their loyalty.
