Holt JCB chooses Mercedes Sprinter for aftersales fleet

Construction dealer Holt JCB has given its aftersales team a new fleet of more than 30 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans.

The prospect of efficient, round-the-clock back-up was instrumental in the company’s decision.

The front-wheel drive Sprinters also offer an additional 100Kg of payload allowance compared to the vehicles they have replaced, and came equipped as standard with Mercedes PRO connect fleet management technology.

As H1 L1 variants, the Sprinter 314 CDIs have standard-height roofs and short bodies which offer 1,387Kg carrying capacities. Their 2.1-litre turbodiesel engines produce 143PS and return 35.8mpg.

Painted, ply-lined and fitted with non-slip flooring at the Mercedes-Benz factory, the new vans are kitted out as mobile workshops, complete with secure storage for tooling and spare parts, workbenches and washing facilities.

The new vans are now working from all of Holt JCB’s branches, and are being maintained at the most coveniently located Mercedes-Benz workshops.

They were supplied by Mercedes-Benz Vans Centre Exeter and funded by Days Fleet on a contract hire agreement.

“We’re very happy with the service we receive from Days Fleet, which is why it has retained our business,” said Mark Sydenham, general manager – aftermarket at Holt JCB. “I particularly like the fact that I know who I’m dealing with, and that if an issue arises there’s always someone on the end of the phone who will deal with it.

“However, the aftersales back-up on our previous vans fell frustratingly short of what we expect. If our vehicles aren’t available for work we can’t do our jobs, so this caused us some major headaches. I’m very optimistic that by moving to Mercedes-Benz we’ve now put all of that behind us.”