| | AXA sends Mercedes vans to the rescue |
AXA Assistance, part of the worldwide AXA Group, has enlisted Mercedes vans to reinforce its recovery network.
The brand ‘rescue24’ is being used in a new venture for AXA Assistance, which will offer roadside repair and recovery assistance to motorists.
Six new vans were supplied by Crawley dealer Rossetts Commercials. Three are 3.5-tonne Sprinter 315CDI Long models with high roofs, these are now being operated by ‘rescue24’ around London’s M25 orbital motorway.
The remaining 2.9-tonne Vito 311CDI Longs are based in Dublin. Rob Carter, Network Services Manager at AXA Assistance, is overseeing the rescue 24 project and, following its launch, is now preparing to roll out a nationwide fleet of Mercedes.
We want to be able to give our customers the best possible journey, from making the original call to us through to the repair of the problem or recovering them to their home, he says.
We looked at a range of other manufacturers? products and decided that Mercedes had the edge. Both the Sprinter and the Vito command high re-sale values and the kudos associated with the three-pointed star will underpin our image and professional approach.?
He adds: 'The Sprinter is the best platform for a roadside repair vehicle, but we chose the smaller Vito for our Irish operation because we needed a more nimble van to negotiate the streets of Dublin.'?
All six vans have been comprehensively fitted out by Bri-Stor with interior storage and vehicle recovery equipment. Leyland Product Development has provided rapid deployment trailers for the Vitos, enabling them to recover cars or bikes.
The Sprinters carry repair equipment such as air compressors, spare batteries and chargers but still have enough room to carry bikes of all sizes, from a scooter to a Harley Davidson, safely and securely to a workshop. AXA's aim is to have the best bike rescue facilities available.
Mr Carter continues: 'Our trained technicians aim to fix the problem at the roadside but the vans will recover the bikes if necessary'.
The Sprinters are the subject of a five-year Mercedes-Benz ServicePackage Plus deal. They will be maintained within official Mercedes-Benz workshops with all labour, material and lubricant costs required in routine servicing covered by a single, up-front payment. The Vitos will be maintained under a similar arrangement in Ireland.
Initially, the Mercedes vans are being supported by three 7.5-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 7C14 light trucks, which can double as recovery vehicles for cars.
AXA Assistance is one of the largest assistance organisations in the world. With an extensive network of over 30 offices worldwide, it possesses the global capability, expertise and experience to provide a comprehensive range of services to meet its clients' needs and their customers both in the UK and throughout the world. Services include motor breakdown, travel and medical assistance, emergency property and legal assistance. |
| |  Contact person |
| Sharon Bennett
Group Marketing Manager
Tel.: 01903 223443 |
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