A partnership deal has been signed between Northgate Vehicle Hire and the AA to support the rental company’s aim of keeping its customers on the road longer and reducing costly vehicle down time.

Northgate customers can now take advantage of the 45 minute roadside attendance times, in addition to miss-fuel, key and battery assist services.

The partnership is designed to ensure businesses utilising Northgate’s services can deliver the highest levels of service to their customers by minimising the down time associated with vehicle breakdowns or servicing requirements.

Bill Parsons, head of purchasing for Northgate Vehicle Hire, said: “Our partnership with the AA will benefit our customers with immediate effect.

“Our affiliation with the UKs leading breakdown provider will have a major impact on the service our customers receive, as we are now able to attend to all Northgate vehicles, including heavy duty vehicles, requiring road side assistance in addition to having the facility to drop customers off directly at our branches for a replacement vehicle.”

He continued: “Northgate is working hard to ensure the service it offers its customers is second to none; providing roadside assistance and other AA services as standard, reinforces this commitment.

“We have every confidence in the partnership and look forward to seeing our customers benefit from it moving forward.”

In addition, to the roadside assistance, drop off and key, fuel and battery assist services, the AA partnership will also reduce Northgate’s previous call out costs.

Northgate’s customers will also benefit from vehicle warranty assistance and increased support patrol servicing across a wider geographic area, in addition to higher first time fix ratings and a quick-phone service, which allows businesses to dial for assistance faster.

Roger Williams, director of Fleet Services for the AA, said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with Northgate Vehicle Hire and look forward to providing an excellent service for their customers for many years to come.

“These are exciting times for the UK’s market leaders in both the breakdown and vehicle hire sectors, and the new relationship recognises the strength of our individual public profiles and the similarities between our respective brand values.

“The AA prides itself on its partnership approach with key customers and we will be working continuously to develop bespoke initiatives, which will improve efficiency, effectiveness and overall quality of service for Northgate’s end users.”

The partnership is also being rolled out across Northgate’s sister company Van Monster, which will see the company provide a free three-month AA warranty and roadside assistance package, as part of a customer charter for all Van Monster customers.

The Charter includes a 48-hour return policy, in case customers are not completely satisfied with their purchase, reiterating Van Monster’s commitment to providing the highest quality of vehicles to local businesses.

The recent partnership also involves an AA Audited Inspection, whereby all of Van Monster’s vehicles are inspected prior to sale to ensure the highest standard.

The inspection, which is audited and approved by the AA, includes checking the operation and condition of a minimum of 24-vehicle elements including mechanical parts, fluids and bodywork condition.

The AA provides a number of unannounced inspections every month to ensure Van Monster’s inspection standard is consistent.

The inspection is not offered by any other used van dealer, seeing Van Monster continue to dominate the local markets in which it operates.