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Customer story<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Vans<strong>the</strong> J.L.King delivers, in person,to as far north as Deniliquinand across to Bendigo, Ballaratand Shepparton. On average,clocking up hundreds ofkilometres along <strong>the</strong> way. Inturn, reliability is crucial.“Our previous fleet of FordTransits continuously brokedown and, unfortunately,<strong>the</strong> service was pretty bad,particularly when you considerthat we were often left strandedon <strong>the</strong> side of <strong>the</strong> road. We’dhad one <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> modelat <strong>the</strong> time as well, which, on<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, didn’t give usan ounce of trouble and that’swhy we ended up going for<strong>the</strong> Sprinters. We were simplylooking for something morereliable and better after-salesservice and care.“Poyser Motors in Bendigohave been fantastic,” continuedRobertson. “Their service andhelp along <strong>the</strong> way have beensecond to none. The key thingfor our business has been <strong>the</strong>fact that, whenever we get anyone of <strong>the</strong> fleet serviced, <strong>the</strong>dealership supplies us withano<strong>the</strong>r vehicle, which, youcan imagine, is vital for us,given <strong>the</strong> amount of deliverieswe do. And <strong>the</strong>y certainly havea presence on <strong>the</strong> road, andthat’s for sure.According to Poyser MotorsSales Manager, Mark Doyle,customer service has played ahuge part in <strong>the</strong> ongoing, longtermrelationship with J.L.King.“Whenever J.L.King comein for any type of visit to <strong>the</strong>dealership, we provide <strong>the</strong>mwith a loan van while ever <strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r vehicle is off <strong>the</strong> road,”said Doyle. “As you’d expect,from a customer-service pointof view, we do everything wecan to ensure that <strong>the</strong>re is nodisruption to <strong>the</strong>ir business,from our end.”Purveyors of produceReliability is king for leading fruit and veg wholesalerJ.L.King & Co has a richhistory. It’s a lineage thatcan be traced back to Bendigoat <strong>the</strong> turn of <strong>the</strong> 20th Century.Michael and DeanneRobertson purchased <strong>the</strong> longrunningcompany in 1996, bothbeing very hands-on in <strong>the</strong> dayto-dayrunning of <strong>the</strong> business.Now based in Golden Square,Central Victoria, <strong>the</strong> fruit andvegetable wholesaler supplies adiverse clientele – supermarketssuch as IGA, retail outlets,restaurants, hotels, hospitals,health-care groups and caterers– throughout Victoria andsou<strong>the</strong>rn New South Wales.The o<strong>the</strong>r part of <strong>the</strong> businessinvolves supplying salads allaround Australia, includingQueensland and Tasmania. Intotal, J.L.King employs aroundsome 50 locals.“We pretty much have upto five Sprinters on <strong>the</strong> roadat any one time,” said DeanneRobertson. “Being able tocarry pallets is crucial to ourbusiness, which is why <strong>the</strong>Sprinters work so well for us.We have one long-wheel-base,which can carry up to threepallets. The rest are shortwheel-base,which can carryup to two.”The business’ five drivers cancover considerable distanceson any given day, given that5 Love Your Work March|2012 Love Your Work March|2012 6


Customer story<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> VansBlind ambitionMade-to-measure Sprinter mobile showroom proves a hitRevolutionary isn’t a word you oftenassociate with ‘curtains and blinds’.However, that’s precisely what Victory Blindshas done to <strong>the</strong> industry with its innovative,new Sprinter-powered franchise, setting <strong>the</strong>benchmark pretty high in <strong>the</strong> process.The revolution is in <strong>the</strong> Melbourne-basedcompany’s unique take on customer experience,it’s mobile showroom franchise. How, exactly?With a completely kitted-out Sprinter in tow,Victory Blinds offers its customers a <strong>full</strong>ystocked showroom that comes to you.The franchise is unique in that customerscan effectively buy curtains and blinds from <strong>the</strong>comfort of <strong>the</strong>ir driveway, pardon <strong>the</strong> pun. It’sa buying experience where customers can notonly touch and feel <strong>the</strong> company’s 50-odd linesin <strong>the</strong> flesh, so to speak, but even hang <strong>the</strong>m upin <strong>the</strong>ir window to see how <strong>the</strong>y’re going to look.In o<strong>the</strong>r words: you get to try before you buy.Victory Blinds started life in Melbournein 1988, with <strong>the</strong> now franchise branchingout into New South Wales, Queensland,South Australia, Tasmania and, of course,greater Victoria. Boasting a 150-strong teamnowadays, it offers an extensive range ofindoor and outdoor window coverings.The mobile van franchise launched lastSeptember, with one van on <strong>the</strong> road at present.“We’ll be actively seeking to grow <strong>the</strong>franchise based on this new business model,”said Victory Blinds’ managing director TonyCassar. “Essentially, this is our new growthstrategy and, long term, <strong>the</strong> franchise issomething we see as something that willbecome a highly visible brand nationally.The mobile showroom’s appeal speaks foritself. And particularly for regional customers.“Our customers have reacted very positively,”Cassar added. “With <strong>the</strong> van, not only do webring large swatches, but we can show you<strong>the</strong>se blinds in <strong>the</strong>ir working capacity. Youcan touch, operate and see, first-hand, <strong>the</strong>multitude of options we have available.“In terms of business, our sales in this regardare on <strong>the</strong> up. It’s also a boon for our regionalcustomers, many of whom live in remote areasup to a couple of hundred kilometres away.”Countless hours of careful considerationwent into <strong>the</strong> fit-out, which was undertaken byNRG in Campellfield, Melbourne.“We worked closely with NRG regarding<strong>the</strong> design and <strong>the</strong> fit-out as a whole. Alongwith our product range, <strong>the</strong> fit-out includesan audiovisual display, coffee machine,microwave and fridge, for example. Plus wealso needed to install inverters and auxiliarybatteries. There’s also an automatic door andautomatic step, which is quite handy. In all, itwas quite a quick process, really.And space-wise? “Put it this way, threeto four people can fit in quite comfortably,”added Cassar.<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong>’s reputation for reliability,safety and, above all, as a premium brand allplayed a key part in Cassar’s decision whenit came to choosing what manufacturer andmodel to align <strong>the</strong> franchise with.“It was <strong>the</strong> quality of <strong>the</strong> Sprinter, comparedto all <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs, that sold me,” Cassar said.“Plus <strong>the</strong> safety and handling is second tonone. What’s more, we offer a quality productso, in turn, we needed a quality brand toassociate <strong>the</strong> franchise with.”7 Love Your Work March|2012 Love Your Work March|2012 8


Product<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> VansKeeping it in <strong>the</strong> familyNew Valente set to redefine <strong>the</strong> Australian people-mover segmentMeet <strong>the</strong> new model from<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong>, <strong>the</strong> Valente. Foranyone familiar with <strong>the</strong> Viano, you’llunderstand <strong>the</strong> appeal of <strong>the</strong> innatepracticality of a people-mover.Where to start. Firstly, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong>Valante packages toge<strong>the</strong>r all of <strong>the</strong> brand’sfamed attributes and more. In turn, it hasbeen designed to compete with <strong>the</strong> likesof Volkswagen Multivan, Toyota Tarago andChrysler Grand Voyager and offers significantadvantages, in terms of specification, whenyou compare it to <strong>the</strong> competition.Very simply, it offers families and anyone whoneeds <strong>the</strong> extra space – and seats – a stylishand practical vehicle, at a very affordable price,Scheduled to arrive during<strong>the</strong> second quarter of 2012.particularly when you consider what you’regetting for your money. A newcomer to Australia,it also enters <strong>the</strong> people-mover segment herewith <strong>the</strong> range’s award-winning reputation in<strong>the</strong> commercial sector firmly in hand.Above all, it’s <strong>the</strong> new Valente’s practicalityfor, say, families that makes it so appealing.Add to that <strong>the</strong> most space in <strong>the</strong> class andyou start to get <strong>the</strong> idea. You get eight seats –<strong>the</strong> rear front two having <strong>the</strong> ability to swivelaround – and <strong>the</strong>re’s loads of useable space,particularly in <strong>the</strong> ‘boot’, where you couldalmost fit a push bike, standing up. It’s also<strong>full</strong>y carpeted throughout.As you’d expect from <strong>the</strong> range, fueleconomy is exceptional, making it an attractiveproposition to families, in particular. This isn’tat <strong>the</strong> expense of power and torque, however.The 120kW engine, in fact, has more thanenough power and performance on tap – perfectto have on hand, should you ever need it.“The 120kW/360Nm turbo-diesel powerplantprovides effortless performance while ensuringoutstanding fuel consumption at only 8.2 litresper 100km (combined cycle),” said <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Vans General Manager Diane Tarr.Beyond <strong>the</strong> standard features you’ve come toexpect from <strong>the</strong> brand, <strong>the</strong> new model comprisesall <strong>the</strong> bells and whistles, so to speak.Features include handy items such asPARKTRONIC, an automatic-dimming rearviewmirror, THERMOTRONIC air conditioning,a light and rain sensor and both thorax andwindow airbags. Offering a definitive sense ofstyle, <strong>the</strong> Valente also boasts 17-inch alloys, alea<strong>the</strong>r, multifunction steering wheel, blacktinted windows and an ultra-crisp six-CDchanger/media interface that’s iPod, USB,Bluetooth and AUX compatible. It also comesin seven colours – Arctic White, Jasper Blue,Brilliant Silver Metallic, Flint Grey Metallic,Obsidian Black Metallic, Sanidine BeigeMetallic and Velvet Red Metallic.In addition to being well equipped, <strong>the</strong> Valenteis also competitively priced. COMAND APS anda reversing camera are available as an option,as are Bi-xenon headlights with LED daytimedriving lights and Dual Electric Sliding Doors.“Although <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> already offers<strong>the</strong> luxurious and highly successful Viano,<strong>the</strong> company identified a gap in <strong>the</strong> $50,000-$60,000 part of <strong>the</strong> people-mover segment,” Tarrsaid. “The Valente offers an affordable solutionand will no doubt appeal to families looking forquality, comfort and, more importantly, value interms of what you get for your money”9 Love Your Work March|2012 Love Your Work March|2012 10


Dealer<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> VansVisit Daimler TrucksAdelaide for a <strong>full</strong> rangeof <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Vans.Dealer focusDaimler Trucks AdelaidePreviously factory owned, <strong>the</strong> DaimlerTrucks Adelaide franchise is nowowned by <strong>the</strong> Adtrans Group, a subsidiaryof Brisbane-based AP Eagers. Adtrans, itself,has a long lineage of selling and maintainingtrucks that can be traced back more than 30years, with long-established dealerships inAdelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.While <strong>the</strong> franchise name is new, DaimlerTrucks has been servicing South Australia’scommercial transport needs for <strong>the</strong> past30 years.For many years, trucks have been verymuch <strong>the</strong> focus of <strong>the</strong> business. This, however,has now expanded to include <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong>Commercial Vehicles.“<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong>’s product range is withoutdoubt <strong>the</strong> benchmark when it comes to excellenceand technology,” said Daimler Trucks AdelaideGeneral Manager Tim Ede. “What’s more, it’s aproduct that’s backed by one of <strong>the</strong> largest, mostrespected automotive suppliers, globally, and,people/staff who have some of <strong>the</strong> highest levelsof training currently available.”“Keeping with Daimler Trucks’ and Adtransrespective traditions, we’re wholeheartedlycustomer focused. A big part of <strong>the</strong> Adtransphilosophy has always been to err on <strong>the</strong> sideof customers and focusing on building genuinerelationships with <strong>the</strong>m.”According to Ede, who has been with <strong>the</strong>Adtrans Group for 17 years, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong>offers customers something that o<strong>the</strong>rmanufacturers can’t.“In a commercial sense, customers want avan that won’t let <strong>the</strong>m down,” added Ede. “It’sas simple as that. It also has to be economicalto maintain and reasonably priced. In termsof <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> range, our customersknow that <strong>the</strong>y’re getting <strong>the</strong> very bestmanufactured product currently available,combined with an extremely high level ofdealership commitment that aims to both meetand surpass <strong>the</strong>ir expectations.”Numbers wise, you’ll find anywherebetween 15-20 <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> vans on <strong>the</strong>ground at any given time. And, with some 73staff, customers have a wealth of knowledge at<strong>the</strong>ir fingertips, with <strong>the</strong> business combining<strong>the</strong> expertise of long-standing Daimler Trucksstaff along with <strong>the</strong> added experience ofvarious Adtrans employees who’ve joined <strong>the</strong>fold. The business also sells a range of usedtrucks and vans.Visit www.daimlertrucksadelaide.com.aufor more information.11 Love Your Work March|2012Love Your Work March|2012 12


A Daimler BrandLoaded with peace of mindRunning a business is rewarding, yet can be <strong>full</strong> of headaches and surprises. The more you can control<strong>the</strong>se unforeseen circumstances, <strong>the</strong> better. With a complete suite of solutions available, a Vito ismuch more than a box on wheels because you get total peace of mind which only a <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> canprovide. We can assist you financially with our tailored finance products, provide insurance to protectyour investment and offer <strong>the</strong> best possible after-sales care with our service and warranty. A nationaldealership network means you can hit <strong>the</strong> road with total confidence while category leading safetylooks after you and your employees. At <strong>the</strong> end of a long day on <strong>the</strong> road, you can rest assured youhaven’t made any compromises when it comes to <strong>the</strong> future of your business. For more information orto take a test drive, visit your local <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> dealer or morethanaboxonwheels.com.auThat’s why Vito is Van of <strong>the</strong> Year.


Safety<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> VansRoad-safety warriorTAC’s Vito-led campaign tackles safety on <strong>the</strong> roads head-onSafety tips forwinter driving• Check that your car is in good conditionbefore heading to <strong>the</strong> slopes – tyres,in particular.• Slow down and avoid unnecessaryovertaking, particularly when driving inheavy rain and/or fog.• When heading to <strong>the</strong> snow, in particular,drive slowly on ice and snow to ensurethat you retain traction.• Also, your braking in <strong>the</strong>se types ofconditions should be gentle and, in turn,never left until <strong>the</strong> last second.The road-safety juggernaut Vanessacontinued to make serious inroadsinto keeping people safe on Victorian roadsthroughout 2011, with ‘Mini Vanessa’ keepingbusy throughout winter and <strong>the</strong>n over <strong>the</strong>summer festival period.Very simply, Vanessa is a project pioneeredby <strong>the</strong> state’s Transport Accident Commission(TAC) in an effort to educate youth on <strong>the</strong> impactof driving under <strong>the</strong> influence of drugs andalcohol, and offer <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> chance to interactwith <strong>the</strong> body in a much more relaxed way.First off, winter saw <strong>the</strong> community-basedproject’s spin-off, <strong>the</strong> Vito named Mini Vanessa,tackle alpine road trauma head-on, settingup camp in <strong>the</strong> alpine region of Mount Bullerover <strong>the</strong> course of <strong>the</strong> ski season. In turn,snow bunnies equipped with potentially lifesavingtips were on hand to offer motoristsreturning from <strong>the</strong> slopes breath-tests and tipsfor keeping safe.“Since 2008, 28 people have been killed onroads around <strong>the</strong> Alpine National Park,” saidTAC CEO Janet Dore. “Eight of those were agedbetween <strong>the</strong> ages of 18 and 30. This winter, fourfatalities have been recorded for <strong>the</strong> area. Thisski season marked <strong>the</strong> first time that <strong>the</strong> TAChas been to snow to campaign for road safety.”To put things into perspective, some 70 peoplehave been killed on Victorian roads over <strong>the</strong>winter period.Dore went on to add: “Our statistics show thattoo many people have been killed or injured onroads around this particular region over winterand we wanted to do something about it.Mini Vanessa maintained a strong presencethroughout August, parked at <strong>the</strong> based of <strong>the</strong>mountain’s Horse Hill chairlift. As with <strong>the</strong> van’spresence at various music festivals throughout<strong>the</strong> year, public reception continues to be verypositive, with TAC bunnies connecting withhundreds of young ski-goers over <strong>the</strong> course ofMini Vanessa’s extended stay on <strong>the</strong> slopes.“She’s <strong>the</strong> friend every motorist should have,in that she encourages <strong>the</strong>m to enjoy <strong>the</strong> slopesand have a great time, but, at <strong>the</strong> same time,remind <strong>the</strong>m of <strong>the</strong> importance of not drinkingand driving, stopping for a rest when fatiguedand looking after your mates,” Dore continued.Summer also saw <strong>the</strong> youth-based projectcontinue to get its message out to <strong>the</strong> widercommunity, with Mini Vanessa featuring at<strong>the</strong> likes of <strong>the</strong> Harvest and Stereosonic musicfestivals with her famed photo-booth. Visitwww.vanessabus.com.au and her subsequentFacebook page to find out more.15 Love Your Work March|2012 Love Your Work March|2012 16


Lifestyle<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> VansGame fishing, CairnsA fishing-holiday guide just wouldn’t be completewithout including marlin. Considered one of <strong>the</strong>ultimate catches for sports and game fishermanalike, a decent-sized specimen is sure to test even<strong>the</strong> most experienced angler. Like many o<strong>the</strong>rspecies, <strong>the</strong>re are loads of marlin hotspots dottedaround <strong>the</strong> coastline. Cairns, though, in particular,is considered ‘<strong>the</strong>’ place for game fishing.The area also boasts a diverse range of gamefish,VisitincludingDaimler TrucksPacific sailfish,Adelaideyellowfinfor atuna,Spanish <strong>full</strong> range mackerel of <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> and wahoo, Vans. each offeringa unique challenge to ‘land’ in <strong>the</strong>ir ownright. Catching <strong>the</strong>se species is often seasondependant,with winter offering near-perfectconditions to catch black marlin, Pacific sailfishand Spanish mackerel. For more informationvisit www.australiangamefishing.comFresh-water fishing, Central TablelandsIf you fancy a weekend of fly fishing, NewSouth Wales’ Central Tablelands, near <strong>the</strong> townof Orange, is a Mecca, of sorts for still-waterfishing. The region has numerous, well-stockeddams – namely Lake Oberon, Lake Lyell andLake Wallace to name a few – and has been oneof <strong>the</strong> go-to place for fish such as trout for morethan 60 years.Here, you’ll find perfect fishing conditions forpretty much all-year-round. Winter, though, isdefinitely <strong>the</strong> time of <strong>the</strong> year to organise atrip. The area is also stunning, which, outsideof fishing, makes it an idyllic holiday getaway.With a plethora of fishing-geared businesseson hand in <strong>the</strong> region, you’re spoilt for choice,whe<strong>the</strong>r you have your own fishing gear, wantto arrange a tour or simply need advice.The lure of fishingTake some time out to enjoy one Australia’s favourite pastimesEveryone’s a lover of fishing at heart. Maybeit’s <strong>the</strong> excuse of planning a weekend away,or holiday, or taking <strong>the</strong> opportunity to bask inone of Australia’s favourite leisurely pastimesand – for <strong>the</strong> more serious fisherman – sports.Thank<strong>full</strong>y, Australia’s very well versed forfishing. Our diverse landscape means <strong>the</strong>re isa near-endless selection of fishing spots across17 Love Your Work March|2012<strong>the</strong> country, catering for all types of fishing.And with a growing sustainable fishing culturethat encourages <strong>the</strong> concept of ‘catch-andrelease’,<strong>the</strong> sport looks to be assured for manyfuture generations to come.Here, we’ve assembled four destinations tosample <strong>the</strong> very best of what Australia has tooffer in terms of landing <strong>the</strong> big one, so to speak.Barramundi fishing, Top EndIf you’ve ever tasted barramundi, you’llunderstand why <strong>the</strong>y’re one of <strong>the</strong> most soughtafterfish to catch among diehard anglers.While <strong>the</strong>re are many place to snare yourself a‘barra’, <strong>the</strong> Top End is undoubtedly <strong>the</strong> spiritualhome for <strong>the</strong> prized species.A stone’s throw from Darwin, <strong>the</strong> Daly Riverhas a long-standing reputation as being one of<strong>the</strong> better spots for landing yourself a decentsizebarramundi. To organise a chartered touror day trip, visit www.dalyriverbarra.com.aufor more information.In-shore fishing, NSW North CoastStill in NSW, <strong>the</strong> seaside town of Evans Head on<strong>the</strong> state’s North Coast is renowned for beach anddeep-sea fishing. With <strong>the</strong> latter in mind, it’s alsoone of <strong>the</strong> closest points to where <strong>the</strong> ContinentalShelf hugs <strong>the</strong> Eastern Seaboard, which means<strong>the</strong>re’s a diverse range of sea-based fish to snare.Snapper, jewfish (mulloway) and bream are<strong>the</strong> order of <strong>the</strong> day if you’re fishing on<strong>the</strong> beach or close to shore, while <strong>the</strong>re’san abundance of pearl perch and <strong>the</strong> like ifyou’re heading out on a boat or charter. Visitwww.evansheadfishingcharters.com.auLove Your Work March|2012 18


Customer story<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> VansMaxed outThe taxi that can carry 11 passengers and all <strong>the</strong>ir luggageBefore settling on <strong>the</strong> long-wheel-base,high-roof Sprinter 319, Maxicab Services’Tony Kervin spent a year researching <strong>the</strong> largevan segment, meticulously planning whatwould become one of <strong>the</strong> largest taxis – ormaxi-cabs – in <strong>the</strong> country.Given <strong>the</strong> requirements of <strong>the</strong> Premier Cabsaffiliatedowner-operator’s clientele, space andpracticality were top of <strong>the</strong> considerationslist when it came to <strong>the</strong> fit-out. When you’recarrying up to 30 clients a day, many with itemssuch as wheelchairs or walkers, having morethan enough space and being able to comfortablywalk around inside <strong>the</strong> rear of <strong>the</strong> vehiclebecomes particularly important.The clincher, however, was safety.“Safety was paramount when it came toeventually deciding which manufacturer andmodel to go with,” said Kervin. “Plus, it’ssomething that’s really important for myclientele. It was <strong>the</strong> ANCAP test between <strong>the</strong>Sprinter and Ford Transit – which you can watchonline – that really swayed me. Without doubt,<strong>the</strong> Sprinter’s safety levels are far superiorto any o<strong>the</strong>r van on <strong>the</strong> road at <strong>the</strong> moment.Things such as <strong>the</strong> doors locking automaticallyonce <strong>the</strong> vehicle gets over 15km/h give youthat added peace of mind when you’re carryingpassengers all day long.”The maxi-cab was built specifically withKervin’s established clientele in mind. Oneof Maxicab Services’ largest customers isMacarthur Disability Services, which hashundreds of clients travelling to various thingsand activities throughout each day. Kervin alsotransports a lot of passengers for CommunityConnect Respite in Macarthur.“On a typical day, I carry anywhere betweeneight to ten wheelchairs – and passengers,obviously – and up to 20 walkers each day.To give you some idea, <strong>the</strong> Sprinter can takenine walkers and two wheelchairs at once,and <strong>the</strong>re’s still room to move around in <strong>the</strong>back. Having <strong>the</strong> height, being able to walkaround inside and having access in and outof <strong>the</strong> vehicle are really important in my job– and, more importantly, for <strong>the</strong> comfort ofmy passengers.”Kervin purchased <strong>the</strong> vehicle from <strong>the</strong> western-Sydney dealership, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> CommercialsHuntingwood, while <strong>the</strong> fit-out was completed by<strong>the</strong> Byron Group in Milperra, New South Wales,<strong>the</strong> engineering firm behind <strong>the</strong> fit-out of <strong>the</strong>Sprinters used by various ambulance services.“It looks fantastic and Tony is so in lovewith it,” said <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> CommercialsHuntingwood’s Sales Executive Cheryl Healy.“He did so much research before making <strong>the</strong>purchase. Tony’s been a really lovely guyto work with. The Sprinter definitely has apresence on <strong>the</strong> road.”In <strong>the</strong> back, <strong>the</strong> Sprinter comprises five singleseats and four rear-facing seats. It also featureswindows all <strong>the</strong> way around. The fit-out alsoincluded fitting all <strong>the</strong> necessary cab equipment,two separate air-conditioning units, <strong>the</strong> rear onehoused in <strong>the</strong> roof, and a wheelchair lift – <strong>the</strong>air-con units and lift are both powered by twocompressors. Kervin also elected to go for a100-litre fuel tank and a 220-amp alternator.The fact that <strong>the</strong> Macarthur area is farfrom flat meant steered <strong>the</strong> owner-operatortowards <strong>the</strong> V6 diesel engine with a <strong>full</strong>yautomatic transmission.“I go up a lot of hilly, mountainous areas, so,basically, power and a fair amount of torqueare a must,” said Kervin. “The power plant getsaround 13.2 to 13.6L per 100km. Which, for a3.5-tonne vehicle, is very good. Plus, on averageI’m doing anywhere between 2,500-2,800km aweek. The o<strong>the</strong>r thing is how quiet <strong>the</strong> engine is.My customers often ask, ‘is <strong>the</strong> engine running?’.The feedback has been great – my customersabsolutely love <strong>the</strong> Sprinter.”19 Love Your Work March|2012 Love Your Work March|2012 20


News<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> VansBest in classSprinter sales eclipse rivals’ second year in a rowThe Sprinter’s dominance of Australia’slarge-van segment ga<strong>the</strong>red pace, with<strong>the</strong> model outselling its rivals for <strong>the</strong> secondyear running. And this time, by quite a lot.To give you some perspective, <strong>the</strong> segmentwas previously dominated by Ford’s Transitfor close to 15 years. The Sprinter out-muscled<strong>the</strong> Transit, in terms of sales, in 2010, beatingit by some 84 units, according to <strong>the</strong> FederalChamber of Automotive Industries’ officialVFACTS results for that year.For 2011, <strong>the</strong> Sprinter widened <strong>the</strong> gap on itsclosest rival, edging out <strong>the</strong> Transit, once again,by more than 345 units this time around.“Over <strong>the</strong> last 15 years and more recently, <strong>the</strong>Sprinter’s success comes down to both dealerand key account levels,” said <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong>Vans General Manager, Diane Tarr. “Dealers,in particular, have been winning multipledeals within <strong>the</strong>ir respective sales zones,while <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Australia/Pacific haspicked up picked up numerous key accountsover <strong>the</strong> years, including <strong>the</strong> likes of AustraliaPost, Winnebago, Jayco, Apollo and variousambulance services.”“Sprinter sales peaked at just under 2,300 for<strong>the</strong> year,” Tarr continued. “An incredible result.”New and improvedWestpoint Star in Osborne Park are due to begin construction early this year on <strong>the</strong>irbrand new Autohaus Facility for Light Commercial Vehicle Service and Parts. This stateof <strong>the</strong> art facility is conveniently and easily accessible from <strong>the</strong> existing showroom, onlya couple of blocks away and is due to open doors mid 2012. There will be increasedcustomer parking and a beautiful air-conditioned customer lounge. Along with <strong>the</strong> newcustomer facilities, an expanded workshop capacity will cater for customer demand. Formore information on this new facility or for sales and service, please call or visit <strong>the</strong>mto speak to <strong>the</strong>ir knowledgeable and experienced staff.23 Love Your Work March|2012Westpoint Star472-474 Scarborough Beach Road Osborne Park, WA 6017. Tel (08) 9492 8188, mbwestpointstar.com.au DL 17663


Love to drive?<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Vans<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> VansAuthorised <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Vans DealersVictoriaAlbury, Baker Motors T (02) 6041 8400Ballarat, Godbehears T (03) 5331 3717Bendigo, Poyser Motors T (03) 5442 3250Berwick, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> T (03) 8794 0900Fairfield, 3 Point Motors T (03) 9489 7777Geelong, Geelong City Motors T (03) 5244 8200Laverton, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Commercials T (03) 9680 8777Mildura, North Star Mildura Motors T (03) 5021 3866Moorabbin, Barloworld Motor T (03) 8506 9888Mornington, Barloworld Motor T (03) 5973 9688Shepparton, Ken Muston Automotive T (03) 5821 6688Somerton, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Commercials T (03) 9305 4152South Melbourne,<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Melbourne T (03) 9690 8833Traralgon, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Gippsland T (03) 5175 8080TasmaniaHobart, Performance Automobiles T (03) 6210 7000Launceston, Neil Buckby Motors T (03) 6334 8444New South WalesAlexandria, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Sydney T (02) 9697 7777Campbelltown, Macarthur Automotive T (02) 4629 8888Coffs Harbour, Coffs Coast T (02) 6648 3577Gosford, Coast Star Motors T (02) 4323 9000Huntingwood,<strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Commercials T (02) 8822 4800Miranda, Tynan Motors T (02) 8545 8300Mona Vale, G Bro<strong>the</strong>rs T (02) 9999 5111Newcastle, Hunter Star Motors T (02) 4974 4244Orange, West Orange Motors T (02) 6361 1000Port Macquarie,Andrew Miedecke Motors T (02) 6583 8855Tamworth, Peel Valley Motors T (02) 6768 3111Taree, Taree Motorama T (02) 6539 3300Wagga Wagga, Wagga Motors T (02) 6933 0100Hornsby, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> T (02) 9487 4344Warwick Farm,Peter Warren Automotive T (02) 9828 8002Wollongong, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> T (02) 4228 8933Love to drive?Sometimes a brochure just won’t cut it whenyou are searching for a new van or want toupgrade your fleet. A <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Van driveday brings our brochure to life and is certainlyan event that you won’t forget.Our professional instructors will allow you toexperience <strong>the</strong> key safety and dynamic aspectsof our vans, including ESP and braking exercisesas well as handling, acceleration and cornering.The drive days are an excellent way to assess<strong>the</strong> quality of our product, driver ergonomicsand vehicle control in real world applications.Or, if you would prefer to drive a golf ball onsome of Australia’s best courses, you need tobook a tee time at one of our <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong>Vans Customer Golf Days. It’s a fun day withgreat prizes to be won as well as a barbecuebuffet and some cold drinks at <strong>the</strong> end ofyour round.Vacancies are strictly limited so contactyour Authorised <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Vans dealerfor more information.South AustraliaMt Gambier, Carlin and Gazzard T (08) 8723 8881Regency Park, Daimler Trucks Adelaide T (08) 8346 0331Wayville, Australian Motors T (08) 8179 3666QueenslandAspley, Zupps Aspley T (07) 3246 8000Bundaberg, Bundaberg Prestige T (07) 4151 1923Cairns, Trinity Auto Group T (07) 4050 5000Gold Coast, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> T (07) 5569 5700Mackay, Carlisle Motors T (07) 4957 0707Maroochydore, Garry Crick Prestige T (07) 5409 0100Rockhampton, DC Motors T (07) 4999 1200Rocklea, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Commercials T (07) 3275 8711Toowoomba, West-Star Motors T (07) 4639 0111Townsville, Carmichael Motors T (07) 4750 0460Australian Capital TerritoryFyshwick, <strong>Mercedes</strong>-<strong>Benz</strong> Canberra T (02) 6175 5555Western AustraliaBunbury, Coastal Automotive Centre T (08) 9721 8199Osborne Park, Westpoint Star T (08) 9492 8188Welshpool, Diesel Motors T (08) 9311 7400Nor<strong>the</strong>rn TerritoryDarwin, Kerry’s Automotive Group T (08) 8980 8080If you would like to receive a FREEsubscription to Love Your Work ® Magazine,visit www.mercedes-benz.com.au/vans

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