Fiat Commercial Vehicles boosts aftersales support

Fiat Commercial Vehicles is implementing a major restructuring of its dealer network, designed to strengthen aftersales support available to customers.

Last year Fiat Auto UK posted a record for its commercial vehicle sales, with 12,417 units. This strong performance resulted in an increase of Fiat Auto’s share of the UK market from 3.85% in 2004 to 3.92% in 2005 – a rising trend for the fourth consecutive year. This trend continues, as year-to-date, Fiat Commercial Vehicles is number two in terms of percentage growth against last year, compared to all other van manufacturers. Fiat Auto’s 2006 UK market share grew to 4.15% at the end of June.

This growth is being spearheaded by Doblò Cargo, voted International Van of the Year 2006. Fiat’s Ducato and Scudo models are also performing well against the competition, with sales of both up on 2005 figures.

This success is primarily attributable to Fiat Commercial Vehicles offering both retail buyers and fleet customers a class-leading range of products which are ultra-reliable, and available at competitive value-for-money prices.

To cope with this increased demand, Fiat Commercial Vehicles has embarked on a programme of strengthening its network aftersales support, ensuring that it meets the requirements of major fleets and retail buyers.

Fiat Commercial Vehicles network now has 11% of its dealers open 24 hours-a-day for service and repair work, and a further 10% of the network has flexible and extended opening hours. There are also currently 63 specialist CV dealers, a number which is set to grow to 75 by the end of this year.

In addition, Fiat Commercial Vehicles has also been working closely with its sister company, Iveco, to take advantage of the obvious synergies the Iveco dealer network provides. This activity has resulted in the appointment of 15 dual Iveco/Fiat sales and aftersales facilities, with a further five Iveco/Fiat aftersales-only points now operational.

The plan is that by the end of 2006, a total of 20 dealers will be dual Iveco/Fiat Commercial Vehicles sales and aftersales, and an additional five will be aftersales-only.

All of these actions put Fiat Commercial Vehicles in an enviable position compared to its nearest competition, and provide a great foundation for the company to increase its share of the fleet market.

Fiat Commercial Vehicles has also launched a marketing campaign to support these measures, with the strapline ‘Get Jobs Done Quicker’. The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness of the Fiat Commercial Vehicles brand and its class-leading range of products. In addition, it highlights the increased levels of aftersales service now available through the Fiat dealer network, nationwide.

The campaign is being featured in national press and trade titles, outdoor locations such as petrol stations and motorway services, and in dealerships as well.

Kevin Henderson, Fiat Commercial Vehicles director, says: "Fiat vans are currently market leaders in the retail sector of the commercial vehicle market in the UK. With the actions we have taken to improve our aftersales offer to the marketplace, we are well positioned to increase our sales penetration in both fleet and business sectors.

"By extending our franchise to Iveco dealers, the network has benefited greatly as their focus has always been on commercial vehicles. As a result, the dealers are geared up to deliver the service levels expected by fleets.

"The strengthening of our network aftersales support is the first step towards leading the way in aftersales service. By 2007 we want Fiat Commercial Vehicles to be the vans brand that prides itself in aftersales service, and clearly positions itself away from the competition."