Northern Ireland’s official Mercedes-Benz Vans Dealer has become the first dealer in Britain to pass the first full year audit in the Van ProCenter programme.

Mercedes-Benz Van ProCenter dealers must keep extended opening hours for customer convenience and meet the manufacturer’s strict requirements on everything from sales staff numbers, training, qualifications and expertise in specific models and business sectors, to advice on bodybuilding options and the availability of Sprinter, Vito and Citan demonstration vehicles for test drives at short notice.

They will also demonstrate ‘best-in-class’ brand and product presentation at their premises where, as well as new models, they should retail a broad range of top-quality used vans and offer customers fair and transparent trade-in deals on their own vehicles.

From an after sales perspective, meanwhile, Van ProCenter Dealers must have specially trained service advisors and technicians, and ensure customer mobility by providing replacement vehicles and collection and delivery services.

Managing director for Mercedes-Benz Vans in the UK Steve Bridge said: “Van Pro dealers have to meet more than 50 separate standards of excellence which, taken together, mean their customers are assured of class-leading levels of service, not only when selecting, ordering and taking delivery of their new vehicles, but also once they’re on the road.

“The excellence of our dealer partner in Northern Ireland is reflected by its achievements over the past year, not only in terms of vehicle sales but also against a range of key performance indicators. MB T&V (NI) is a model van dealer.”

Managing director of the dealership Neil McKibbin (pictured, image one) said: “Our motivated, expert team have passed every test that Mercedes-Benz has put in front of them with flying colours, and should all be extremely proud of this latest achievement.

“We’re committed at Mercedes-Benz Truck and Van, Northern Ireland, to providing the class-leading acquisition and ownership experience that customers for vehicles bearing the legendary three-pointed star are entitled to expect.”