Renault announced that it will double the number of its Pro+ dealerships by December 2017 at the 2016 CV Show. The Pro+ dealerships have specialist expertise that are dedicated to commercial vehicles, such as an LCV manager, a full range of demonstrators and on-the-spot estimates, including for van conversions.
Keeping up with market demand
Over the past couple of years, the French manufacturer has made rapid gains on the UK’s LCV market. The UK has never been a strong area for the European market leader when compared with successes elsewhere on the continent, but sales have doubled over the past two years (13,000 in 2013 to 26,000 in 2015).
To keep up with demand, Renault will be rolling out an extra 40 Pro+ dealerships across the UK over the next 18 months, taking the total up to 79. This compares with Volkswagen’s 72 Van Centres, Ford’s 105 Transit Centres and Vauxhall’s 100 Premier Van Centres.
“There are a couple dozen dealerships that are almost at the Pro+ standard right now”, explains Steve Wilson, LCV product manager for Renault. “But we don’t give away this title too easily. We have to make sure they can achieve and maintain the standard before we certify them as a ‘Pro+’ dealer.”
Wide range of services
As well as offering a dedicated LCV manager, demonstrators of each Renault LCV model (including conversions) and on-the-spot estimates for servicing and repairs, Pro+ centres also provide servicing for vehicles up to seven tonnes GVW, a courtesy van in the same category if your vehicle is off the road and van test drives without the need for an appointment.
While there are no set weeknight or weekend opening times, Pro+ centres are able to offer out-of-hours servicing that in some circumstances can be tailored to each individual customers’ requirements.
