North-East Mercedes-Benz Dealer Bell Truck and Van beat off competition from 18 other franchisees nationwide to win the Mercedes-Benz ‘Commercial Vehicle Aftesales Dealer of the Year’ award.

Last year, Bell Truck and Van’s emergency response technicians took an average of just 47 minutes to reach breakdown scenes, then fixed 91% of vehicles at the roadside.

And 96.4% of all trucks prepared for MoT tests by the dealer’s technicians passed first time.

Gavin Hewitt, aftersales manager at Bell Truck and Van, stepped up to receive the award during a ceremony at the Mercedes-Benz World brand experience centre in Brooklands, Surrey.

“I’m really proud of our entire team, every one of whom has played a vital part in this success,” said Hewitt. “We also owe our customers a debt of thanks, for providing the positive feedback that proves our efforts have been worthwhile.

“The process that led us to this point started several years ago.It’s taken a concerted effort that’s seen us focus on recruiting the right people and investing in staff training and our facilities to get here.

“Having a vision and setting out a plan is one thing but it can only work if the people responsible for delivering on that plan, those who deal with our customers on a day-to-day basis, are fully behind it.

"Fortunately our colleagues gave the initiative their full support and a commitment to delivering the finest customer service is now firmly embedded within the culture of the business.”

David Joyce, customer services director, commercial vehicles, for Mercedes-Benz, added: “The Bell team can be rightly proud of the superb efforts they have made to deliver the highest standards of care to all their customers – they are worthy winners.”

Picture caption: Bell Truck and Van aftersales team receive the 'Commercial Vehicle Aftesales Dealer of the Year’ award from TV motorsports presenter Lee McKenzie and former Grand Prix racing driver David Coulthard.