Mercedes-Benz Trucks appoints Ross Paterson as head of expanded Special Trucks division

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has expanded the remit of its Special Trucks division to include fleet sales of the Econic, while appointing Ross Paterson to lead the department.

The re-shuffle was enacted to ensure Econic buyers receive enhanced sales support from the manufacturer.

Fleet sales of the Econic were previously part of the remit of Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK’s Key Account Management department.

The new arrangement mirrors the situation in Germany and better reflects the technical expertise of the team dedicated to providing consultative support to dealers and operators of the low-entry chassis.

Paterson, previously head of product and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Trucks has swapped roles with Katie Purcell, at the brand’s head office.

Special Trucks continues to manage customer and dealer relationships relating to Unimog variants.

It will also be spearheading the introduction to the UK market of fully electric Mercedes-Benz truck models that produce zero tailpipe emissions.

Waste collection typically entails low overall mileages but relatively high diesel consumption due to the stop-start nature of the work and the energy-intensive body. This sector is therefore expected to be one of the first for which electric vehicles become the norm.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ municipal sales & special application managers Philip Chance, Ian Bryan and Phil Oakey are now working alongside dealers to provide consultative support for customers selecting all variants of the Econic.

Paterson said: “The decision to bring Econic under the Special Trucks ‘umbrella’ will help us to give this important vehicle the heightened sales focus it deserves.

“Our municipal sales & special application managers are more technically orientated than the average truck sales specialist. Given the nature of the product, and the fact that the bodywork with which these chassis are fitted typically represents a very substantial capital investment, this is entirely appropriate. It’s imperative we offer the sales support that customers and our Dealers can rely on to ensure vehicles are 100% suited to their requirements.”

Having started his career as a 16-year-old apprentice technician with the former Mercedes-Benz truck and van franchisee in Northampton, Paterson rose to become workshop foreman before leaving in 1997 to join Mercedes-Benz in a technical support role.