MERCEDES-BENZ APPOINT FAROL
For the Unimog
Mercedes-Benz has announced the appointment of Farol as a franchised Unimog Dealer.
The move represents the first step in a new strategy designed to raise the profile and boost sales of the off-roader in Britain.
L-R: Bernhard Dolinek: Head of Special Trucks - Unimog at Mercedes-Benz UK; Matthew Vellacott: Managing Director at Farol Ltd; Kevin Newman: Major Accounts Director at Farol Ltd
The deal was concluded between Farol Managing Director Matthew Vellacott and Bernhard Dolinek, who recently took up the position of Head of Special Trucks - Unimog at Mercedes-Benz UK.
Farol’s appointment coincides with its 40th anniversary. The family-owned company operates from state-of-the-art headquarters - opened last year, following a £3.5-million investment - in Thame, Oxfordshire, and other depots in Byfield, Northamptonshire; Hinckley, Leicestershire; Midhurst, West Sussex; and Shefford Woodlands, near Hungerford, Berkshire.
Senior members of the Farol team have already undergone product and systems training by the manufacturer, with more planned for members of its 18-strong sales force, as well as technicians, parts and warranty staff. The new Dealer will also be commissioning a number of vehicles for demonstration purposes, the first three of which arrived at the end of May.
Farol Managing Director Matthew Vellacott said: “We are very proud to be representing the iconic Mercedes-Benz Unimog and look forward to growing the brand alongside our other franchises.
“What potential customers don’t always appreciate is that the Unimog is an extremely cost-effective vehicle, not least because it commands such strong residual values. We will be making the most of these attributes, and our own expertise, by developing attractive package deals that make the product easier to understand and operate than ever before.”
Meanwhile, Bernhard Dolinek, Head of Special Trucks, Unimog at Mercedes-Benz UK, is convinced that given its track record as a successful and diversified business, Farol will quickly establish itself as a high-performing member of the manufacturer’s Dealer Network.
“We have been discussing this franchise opportunity with Matthew Vellacott and his colleagues for some months and were impressed by their enthusiasm for the Unimog product, as well as the dynamics and drive that underpin their business,” he said. “I am confident that our new partner will deliver the enhanced customer experience which is going to be crucial if we are to achieve our strategic goal of a significant improvement in the Unimog’s market position in the UK.”
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