VINCI PLC chooses first Mercedes-Benz Vitos for Dixons contract
A winning combination of compact external dimensions and productive carrying capacity, coupled with a highly attractive maintenance package, persuaded VINCI PLC to invest in its first fleet of Mercedes-Benz Vitos.
The 75 new vans were purchased by VINCI Fleet Services and are now in service with VINCI Facilities, which provides high quality property and facilities management services to clients in both the private and public sectors.
The Vito was initially chosen to work on a high-profile contract with Dixons Retail plc, under which VINCI Facilities is responsible for maintaining Dixons, Currys and PC World stores nationwide.
However, the first units proved so successful, and were so well received by the engineers who use them, that VINCI Fleet Services extended its order. As a result, Vitos have now been assigned to other contracts as well.
Supplied by Liverpool dealer Road Range Commercials, with support from Mercedes-Benz UK’s Fleet Van Sales team, the new vans are all Long-bodied Vito 111CDI models with optional Bluetooth telephone connections and air-conditioning. Their cargo areas are fitted with Tevo racking and storage systems, while roof bars are used to carry ladders and lengths of piping.
Widnes-based VINCI Fleet Services manages some 3,000 vehicles, including 1,100 vans. The company has been buying 3.5- and 5.0-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans for around 10 years, but this is its first experience of the 2.77-tonne Vito.
VINCI Fleet Services Managing Director Mark Blanchard explained: “In this case the Mercedes-Benz Vito suited the work profile and the requirements of our internal ‘customer’ VINCI Facilities. It wanted a smaller, more efficient and economical van, but one which nevertheless offered a reasonable payload capacity – as well as gas bottles and metal cutting gear, the vehicles used on our contract with Dixons Retail plc have to carry air-conditioning compressors and they’re not the lightest pieces of kit.”
He continued: “Road Range provided some demonstration units and the response from the drivers was unequivocally positive. This is always good news, because it helps us to retain and attract staff if they like their vans.”
And Mr Blanchard added: “Like all operators we demand value for money and assurance that we are investing wisely. We focus on ‘whole life’ operating costs and it was the factoring in of the Vito’s long service intervals and maintenance package costs that swung the deal conclusively in favour of Mercedes-Benz.”
The new Vitos are being maintained under a fixed price Service Package Plus arrangement, which represents outstanding value for money and offers operators complete peace of mind.
Service Package Plus covers all routine maintenance costs including potentially expensive friction items such as brake pads and discs, clutch linings and plates, as well as labour, lubricants and other materials.
VINCI PLC is the parent company of both VINCI Facilties and VINCI Fleet Services, while other businesses include VINCI Construction UK and Taylor Woodrow International. VINCI PLC forms part of VINCI, the world’s leading concession and construction group.
