Having won a major new distribution contract with Toyota (GB) PLC at the end of 2011, Quantum Automotive Services is celebrating the start of 2012 with another new contract – a three year vehicle enhancement and distribution contract with SsangYong Motor UK.

SsangYong had been absent from the UK market for a couple of years, but following a recent 70% acquisition by Indian engineering conglomerate Mahindra and Mahindra, the brand returned to the UK in 2011 with new cars such as the 4 x 4 Korando and Rexton and Rodius MPV.

The new contract requires Quantum to receive up to 4,000 vehicles a year, direct from the manufacturer in Korea into its Import Centre at Portbury Docks in Bristol.
Quantum’s team of specialist technicians spend several hours on each vehicle to customise and enhance them to meet the high levels of UK market specification. The range of enhancements carried out by the highly trained technicians include the fitting of high quality alarms, in-car entertainment features, chrome accessories, side steps and tow bars.

Quantum’s team then provide full Pre Delivery Inspections (PDIs) of the cars before loading onto its fleet of transporters for distribution to SsangYong’s dealership network around the UK.

The SsangYong contract comes hot on the heels of the Toyota distribution contract which Quantum won in November 2011. The contract requires Quantum to deliver approximately 50,000 vehicles a year to Toyota’s extensive dealership network across the South of the UK. This includes the delivery of Yaris and Avensis cars direct from Toyota’s manufacturing plant at Burnaston. Quantum will also deliver the Toyota and Lexus range of vehicles which are manufactured in Japan, South Africa and Thailand, and are imported into the UK via Royal Portbury Dock.

Speaking about the new SsangYong contract, Quantum’s managing director Steve Berry said, “We are delighted to have secured this contract with SsangYong which has made a strong return to the UK market this year. We have worked extensively with SsangYong’s specialist consultant, Tom Jacobson, of AJU Ltd and Bristol Port to develop a comprehensive vehicle handling and distribution facility. This is an end-to-end contract which utilises Quantum’s resources and expertise fully - from the technical skills of our teams in the Portbury Import centre, through to the expertise of our drivers for the final delivery of the vehicles to SsangYong’s dealers. We are looking forward to developing this relationship with SsangYong in the years ahead.”

He concluded, “Winning these two major new contracts in the last two months is a huge boost. We have recruited over 30 additional staff following the contract wins and this is a great start to the New Year for Quantum which we aim to build on.”

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