MAN Truck and Bus UK is looking forward to a strong year ahead based on results for the first quarter of 2016.

Managing director Simon Elliott says the company is moving in the right direction and systems are in place for it to maximize all opportunities in 2016.

Elliott outlined his vision for in the UK in April last year and now is confident that his plans are reaping reward.

Reviewing the first quarter he said: “The figures for the first quarter are first class. Generally, the market has seen growth of 17% but MAN can report 74% growth in the same period.

“Our market share is also up 48% at 10.4% compared to just over 7% this time last year. This is evidence of a good start within our aims for the next five years.”

UK sales director Ian Mitchell added: “You only need to look at the figures in our order book for the first quarter to see the progress that has been made over the last 12 months.

 “In the first three months of 2016 we tookorders for 1,800 units, which is 34% up on the same period last year and our handover rate is currently 55% up.

“This buoyancy extends across all products, with our Top Used sales up by 45%, which is evidence of the range of younger stock available through the programme.

“It has been a great start to the year, but it is not an accident. It is through focus and determination to drive the business forward that we are achieving these great results.”

Parts performance is also ahead of schedule.

Over the past 12 months, MAN Truck & Bus UK has positioned itself as a serious player in customer service – investing a seven figure sum in a new initiative that puts customers first.

The initiative has been designed to change company focus and improve the customer experience across the whole business.

Elliott added: “We are more than 100% committed to improving the customer experience. We have worked extremely hard with customers, dealers and staff to identify where improvements can be made and have made them to ensure our customer service will be recognised as an industry benchmark.

“We have prepared the ground and talked long and hard on how to move forward and take the right action that will make a positive difference in our customers’ eyes.

“Praise must also be given to our dealerships. They are our ‘usp’ in a competitive market and they have demonstrated that they are able to respond with quick and positive actions, which is exactly what is required.

“The whole of MAN Truck and Bus UK is embracing our ‘customer first’ policy and the results are beginning to show.”

More articles on: