Pentagon Commercials has become the first member of Mercedes-Benz’s franchised network to appoint a technical specialist dedicated to the Fuso Canter light truck range.

Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealers are responsible for sales and support of the Fuso Canter range, which last year captured a record 16% share of the UK’s key 7.5-tonne market segment.

Sam Whittaker, director customer service, Mercedes-Benz and Fuso Trucks UK, said: “Pentagon is one of our strongest dealers for Fuso sales, and its welcome decision to appoint the country’s first Canter technical specialist reflects not only the increasing importance of this product, but also the heightened focus on specialism within our network." 

Chris Hiller (pictured), the new technical specialist at Pentagon, joined the workshop team at Pentagon’s Andover’s branch in 1998 and is a three-time winner of the Mercedes-Benz Service24h Technician of the Year award.

He was working as an elite diagnostic technician when he was chosen last year by the Fuso team at Mercedes-Benz HQ to help pilot a service initiative designed to increase efficiency and reduce vehicle downtime, which is now being rolled out to the rest of the network.

Compatible with most desktops, tablets and mobile devices, the Animated Service Literature system brings technical data to life by combining written instruction with high-resolution imagery and 3D animations. It provides a compact, reliable, touchscreen-working document for use in the workshop or at the roadside.

The decision to involve Hiller in its development owed much to his expertise on the Canter range, which comprises chassis with gross weights of 3.5-8.55 tonnes, and includes 4x4 and advanced diesel-electric Eco Hybrid models. 

“I’ve long seen the Canter’s potential, which is why I’ve seized every opportunity to increase my technical knowledge,” said Hiller, who is now based at Pentagon’s Southampton Service Centre, but supporting colleagues at the company’s headquarters in Fareham, and other branches in Andover and Poole.

“The Canter is an impressive piece of kit which, at 7.5 tonnes, offers the best payload potential on the market. The technical assistance I’m able to provide to colleagues underlines our determination to keep our customers’ vehicles out on the road and earning.”