Sussex and Surrey Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealer Rossetts Commercials is now offering a new range of vans with engines that meet the latest round of tough EU emissions limits.
As well as being cleaner, the Euro 5 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters are smoother, quieter and more powerful, and significantly cheaper to run.
The 313CDI model, for example, is 15 per cent more fuel-efficient than the popular 311CDI it replaces. This equates to an extra 4.5 miles per gallon, while CO2 emissions are cut by 13 per cent. Mpg improvements on other models vary between five and 12 per cent.
An entirely new design, the 2.1-litre, four-cylinder OM651 is available with 95hp, 129hp and 163hp power ratings. The long-stroke unit’s unprecedented smoothness, even when cold, owes much to its twin, counter-rotating Lanchester balancer shafts (named after the pioneering British engineer Frederick Lanchester), which are used for the first time in a van.
Other innovative features include increased pressure common-rail injection and – in the two most powerful models – twin sequential turbochargers. At low speeds only the small turbo is active, allowing a high charge pressure to be built up quickly to boost responsiveness. The bigger blower becomes active at higher engine speeds, increasing motorway performance.
The new engines offer approximately 10 per cent more power and torque than their equivalent predecessors, while the redesigned oil pump, coolant pump and alternator are now demand-controlled and operate only when needed, thus further contributing to economy.
While the OM651 is entirely new, the 3.0-litre OM642 V6 has been retained but heavily revised and updated to meet the Euro 5 standard. A masterpiece of Mercedes-Benz engineering, the six-cylinder engine matches its four-cylinder siblings in offering more power – up slightly, to 190hp – and at 440Nm, 10 per cent more torque, while sipping less diesel too.
The Euro 5 emissions rules came into force on October 1st 2009. New Sprinters can also be optionally specified to meet the even more stringent, but voluntary, Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle (EEV) standard.
Mercedes-Benz was the first manufacturer to achieve Euro 5 and has done so using a sophisticated, water-cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system. The only other mainstream van maker able so far to meet the Euro 5 limits has employed the alternative Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, which relies on a urea-based solution called AdBlue, carried in a separate tank, to clean nitrogen oxide gases.
As well as their cleaner, ‘greener’ engines, Sprinters now come as standard with a new six-speed manual transmission called ECO Gear, which has been designed specifically for vans to improve flexibility and maximise fuel economy by reducing engine speeds. ECO Gear’s main feature is the very wide – 16 per cent broader – spread between the top and bottom ratios. It also boasts a higher torque capacity, and is quieter and smoother-shifting than the unit it replaces. There are two versions of the new gearbox, six-cylinder engines getting their own, heavy-duty variant.
Although the most significant advances are restricted to the driveline, the latest Sprinter models also benefit from several other improvements, primarily relating to safety. For example, instead of merely illuminating, the new Adaptive brake lights – also now a standard feature on Mercedes Vito van models – flash under heavy braking, providing an additional warning to traffic behind.
Meanwhile, the maximum permitted towing weight of the 3.5-tonne Sprinter has been increased to the same figure, 3.5 tonnes. And if a customer asks for their vehicle to be fitted with a trailer coupling at the factory, the Sprinter’s Adaptive ESP® anti-skid system will be set up to incorporate ESP® trailer stabilisation. This recognises ‘sinusoidal oscillations’ around the vertical axis of the vehicle – colloquially known as ‘fishtailing’ – and intervenes by applying the brakes to bring the van and its trailer safely back into line.
Brian Phippen is Sales Director at Rossetts Commercials, which has main dealerships in Aldershot, Crawley, Eastbourne and Worthing. He declares: “Achieving environmental compatibility often entails having to make performance sacrifices, but that’s not the case with the low emission Euro 5 Mercedes Sprinter range. Improved fuel economy means the new Sprinter is kinder to the operator’s wallet, as well as to the environment, while the increased power outputs and smoothness make it even more of a pleasure to drive.”
All Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, chassis and crew cabs, and Traveliner minibuses bristle with active and passive safety features, and are backed by three-year, unlimited mileage warranties.
Mitsubishi Fuso Woodsman Tipmaster Conversion from Rossetts Commercials
Jim Cochran, Rossetts Mitsubishi specialist will once again be showcasing the Canter Fuso product to the timber industry at the annual Bentley Weald WoodFair 18th-29th Sept. Rossetts will share a stand with vehicle body builder TipMaster.
The Woodfair is the leading woodland, wood-use and woodcraft event in the south east, held at Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum and has also become a huge tourist attraction over the past 14 years of the event.
Entry to the show is Adults £12 and Children under 16yrs £8. Family and Senior Citizen discounts are also available.
The opening of a new branch in Brentford, west London, prompted specialist builders’ merchant Rudridge to invest in its third 7.5-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso Canter.
With a head office in Farnham, Surrey, and another depot in Gravesend, Kent, Rudridge is a ‘heavy side’ firm specialising in the distribution of groundwork and civil engineering materials aimed, primarily, at the drainage industry.
Unlike its two other Canters, both of which are 7C18 models powered by range-topping 180hp 5.0-litre engines, the new truck is a 7C15 with a 145hp 3.0-litre unit.
"This one will be spending much of its time working in and around London, so we don’t need as much power,” explains Eddie Rourke, Group Logistics Manager at Rudridge. “But we did want to maximise the payload and, of course, the smaller engine is also that bit lighter."
Like its other Canters, the latest addition to the Rudridge fleet arrived via the Aldershot branch of Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer of the Year Rossetts Commercials – the German manufacturer’s franchised agents are also responsible for sales and support of the popular Mitsubishi Fuso light truck range in Britain.
Fitted with a maximum length, 21ft (6.4m) dropside body by AL Musselwhite, of Romsey, Hampshire, it offers a payload just shy of four tonnes.
"That’s the best part of a tonne more than we’d get on other 7.5-tonners," says Mr Rourke, “and a big asset, given that a lot of the materials we supply are very heavy. We also use the truck to carry plastic drainage pipes which, although they’re not very heavy, come in lengths of up to six metres.
"The Canter is well built, reliable, and popular with our drivers. It’s also very compact for a 7.5-tonner which means it’s highly manoeuvrable when operating in built-up areas. So all in all, it’s a very flexible and productive tool."
Rudridge’s Canters are all the subject of three-year contract hire deals with the manufacturer’s in-house commercial vehicle financial services arm, Mercedes-Benz CharterWay. “This acquisition method allows us to budget with confidence, knowing there are no nasty shocks around the corner,” continues Mr Rourke.
Rudridge opened its new depot on the Great West Road in Brentford, in response to growing demand from customers in this part of London, and, indeed, in the counties beyond the M25, particularly Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Founded in 2000 by Directors Robert Rudd and Alan Betteridge, the company has since enjoyed impressive growth; it now employs 29 people and boasts a turnover of more than £18 million.
If you’re the owner of an exotic car worth hundred of thousands or even millions of pounds, you want to know that the company responsible for transporting your prized machine can be trusted.
That’s where the Virginia Water Motor Company comes in. Founded 20 years ago by Julian Sainsbury and business partner John Humphreys, the Surrey-based firm provides specialist car transportation throughout the UK and Europe.
It operates a fleet of 11 fully enclosed transporters, all but three of which wear the three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz. Their custom-built bodies are designed to have the lowest possible loading angle, which means even the most ground-hugging of sports models can be accommodated without modification.
The latest addition to the fleet is a 12-tonne Atego 1224 with high-roofed sleeper cab and optional air-conditioning. It was supplied by the Aldershot branch of reigning Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer of the Year Rossetts Commercials, and is the subject of a five-year repair and maintenance contract.
The truck has a box body with roller shutter doors to both sides and at the rear, which was built by Freightshield, of Newbury. This body is mounted on a sliding bed by Bedford firm TFL and can be rolled right off the back of the truck to facilitate loading.
This vehicle has lined up alongside Virginia Water Motor Company’s seven other Mercedes rigids – three 7.5-tonners, two more 7.5-tonners which have been uprated to 8.4-tonne gross weights, a 10-tonner and a 17-tonner. The firm also runs three Swedish-built tractor units.
Although only a single car transporter, the latest Atego has been specified with some very big vehicles in mind. “The deck is 7.5 metres long,” Julian explains. “Most cars are less than five metres in length but the latest Rolls Royce Phantom is 6.2 metres long, which means the average single-car transporter can’t take them. Our new Mercedes can do so, though, and still have half a metre to spare at both ends..
“We also carry a lot of test cars,” he continues, “and the extra space on this unit gives us plenty of room for tyres and other spares.”
Julian started out in vehicle recovery but with major Ferrari, Lamborghini and other exotic car retailers in the area, quickly spotted a gap in the market for a provider of specialist transport.
He recalls: “I bought my first Mercedes on the recommendation of a friend and have never looked back. They’re amazingly well built and reliable, so much so that we never replace our Mercedes – we just refurbish them occasionally and gradually wind them down.
“I still use the second truck I ever bought, back in 1990. It’s a 7.5-tonne 814 with a straight six engine, has had two or three clutches and is still going strong; we just give the cab a bit of a polish and up she comes, brilliant.”
Given the profiles of many of its customers, Virginia Water Motor Company also values the three-pointed star’s image of quality, while the extensive Mercedes-Benz back-up network on the Continent is another key attraction.
“We also get great service from Rossetts’ truck sales executive Andy Hird,” adds Julian. “He’s not pushy but gives you all the facts, good and bad. And it’s because I know I’m getting the whole truth that I trust him.”
The Animal Relentess Bike Tour will be visiting Eastbourne on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of July at the Eastbourne Extreme Event held on Eastbourne Promenade.
As well as the stunning displays you'll also get the chance to take a closer look at the Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport which has been kitted out especially for this event and the National tour.
Surrey-based distribution company Office Gold has invested in six of the best – half a dozen Mercedes-Benz vans.
The new Sprinter 311CDIs replace four-year-old models that have each clocked-up 160,000 miles of trouble-free service for the Guildford firm.
Like their predecessors, the latest Sprinters were supplied by local dealer Rossetts Commercials, the reigning Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer of the Year. Office Gold’s all-Mercedes fleet also includes a trio of 7.5-tonne Atego trucks.
“We’re delighted with the performance of our Mercedes-Benz vans and trucks,” declares Chairman and CEO Michael Loftus, “and confident that despite covering high mileages, our new Sprinters will once again give us reliable service over three or four years.”
He continues: “We’re happy to pay a slight premium ‘up front’ for better quality vehicles because in terms of ‘whole life’ costs the Sprinter beats its competitors hands down. As well as long service intervals and an unlimited mileage, three-year warranty, Mercedes vans command strong resale values when the time finally comes to stand them down.”
Office Gold is a ‘total facilities’ distribution company, supplying the corporate, educational and legal sectors. It also provides executive lounge services at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The firm has made tremendous progress over the last five years, during which turnover has risen from £1.8 million to around £8 million.
Its Sprinters and Ategos are used to service customers throughout the south-east, from a state-of-the-art warehouse at Old Portsmouth Road, Guildford. Deliveries to the rest of the UK are made by its logistics partners.
“It’s very important that our vehicles project the right image – and the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star speaks volumes for the quality of our own business,” continues Mr Loftus.
The Mercedes Sprinter is powered by a smooth and clean common-rail diesel engine, and bristles with safety features, including the latest Adaptive version of the ESP® anti-skid system, which dynamically monitors the vehicle’s load status while it is on the move.
“Our drivers are delighted with their new Sprinters,” Mr Loftus adds. “They are comfortable and very easy to drive, as well as being better equipped than our previous vans.”
Mr Loftus also has plenty of praise for Rossetts Commercials and its Area Van Sales Manager Matt Potts. “Matt’s been excellent to deal with and has looked after us very well. Rossetts also offer late-night servicing, which means we don’t incur any ‘downtime’ and our vehicles are ready to use when we need them.”
A team from the Aldershot service department of Mercedes-Benz truck and van dealer Rossetts Commercials have taken national honours in a competition run by the manufacturer.
The Rossetts contingent beat off the challenge of 21 other dealers representing the famous three-pointed star, to lift the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle trophy.
Their achievement follows the recent success of Rossetts Commercials – which has headquarters in Worthing and other dealerships in Crawley, Eastbourne and Guildford – in winning the ‘blue riband’ Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer of the Year trophy for the second year in succession.
The Rossetts team of Customer Service Manager Karen Halcrow, Shift Supervisor David Askew, Technical Specialist Roy Spicer and technicians Craig Hicks and Jonathan James are all based at the company’s depot on Eastern Road, Aldershot.
This facility recently underwent a £170,000 facelift, much of that money being spent on improving the service and parts receptions and customer waiting area.
Given the legal requirement for regular inspections of vehicles, and the fact that a truck or van which is off the road awaiting service or repair is effectively costing its owner money, high quality after sales support is crucial within the road transport industry.
Mercedes-Benz and its franchised partners have invested huge resources over recent years on state-of-the-art facilities and staff training, to provide the very best levels of back-up to operators. The TechMasters competition seeks to identify and reward the best of the best.
All dealer teams initially completed an on-line exam. The four with the best results were then called up to Mercedes-Benz (UK)’s Training & Development Centre in Milton Keynes to compete in a University Challenge-style quiz with questions on technical aspects of the commercial vehicle servicing job, the history of the marque, and general knowledge.
The two best performers – Rossetts, Aldershot, and a contingent from West Midlands dealer Gerard Mann Commercials – returned soon after for the final, in which three vehicles were rigged up for a fault-finding and maintenance role-playing task.
Roy Spicer was diagnostics technician responsible for the work flow of the Rossetts team, with David Askew and Craig Hicks operating as service technicians and Jonathan James as a maintenance technician. Karen Halcrow, meanwhile, was the service advisor, co-ordinating activities and interacting with ‘customers’.
There followed the ‘Skill Circle’, a range of five individual tasks that required teamwork to complete, and the ‘Knowledge Task’, a multiple choice quiz completed by each participant with no conferring.
Rossetts emerged victorious after its technicians found and repaired all of the mocked-up faults on the three vehicles, while Karen dealt smoothly and efficiently with a volley of calls, including one from an ‘irate operator’ whose truck had broken down.
“It was a very intensive day and the pressure was certainly on during the role-play session, but it was great fun too,” declared Karen, who joined Rossetts in 2000, the same year as David; Roy, meanwhile, has been with the company for 10 years, while Craig arrived in 2001 and Jonathan in 2004.
“We won,” she continued, “because as well as being passionate about our jobs, we all work very closely and get on together really well.”
The Rossetts team returned to Surrey with the TechMasters trophy, which is now on display in the dealership. They also won individual trophies and Mercedes-Benz watches, as well as three-day passes to the British Grand Prix.
Service Manager Steve Wright added: “Rossetts’ philosophy is all about providing the best possible customer service, and good teamwork plays an essential part in enabling us to achieve this goal. Winning TechMasters is a great accolade for all of the staff at our Aldershot depot, and richly deserved.”
Meet Our New Owners
Rising stars take over at Rossetts Commercials
One of Britain’s most successful Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealerships is now operating under new ownership – but as far as customers are concerned it’s very much ‘business as usual’.
Rossetts Commercials, which serves truck and van operators throughout Surrey and Sussex :country-region, has been bought from previous owner Rossetts ( Eastbourne ) Ltd by Northern Ireland-based Inspired Business Investments Ltd.
The company’s name has changed to Rossetts (UK) Ltd but it will continue to trade as Rossetts Commercials, with plans to maintain and build on its already impressive reputation for excellent customer care; in 2008 the company was named the best Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle outlet in the country, when it won the manufacturer’s coveted Dealer of the Year Award.
Inspired Business Investments is led by Neil McKibbin, who is also Managing Director of Belfast dealership Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van, and of thriving truck and van hire business RentaMerc.
His partner in the acquisition of Rossetts is Peter Lambert, who takes on the role of Managing Director of the new company. Peter brings a wealth of experience to the partnership, having spent 10 years working for Mercedes-Benz UK ’s Truck and Van divisions, most recently as Van Sales & Marketing Director.
He says: “Neil and I both have a very solid grounding in this business but, equally importantly, we have acquired a superb team of people and some fantastic facilities in Sussex :country-region and Surrey .
“Our number one priority now is to ensure that Rossetts Commercials continues to focus on customers’ needs and deliver a first-class level of service.”
The opportunity to acquire Rossetts Commercials, one of the most consistently high-achieving truck and van dealers in the UK, presented IBI with the perfect route by which to expand its operations into mainland.
Rossetts Commercials sells and supports the entire Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle range, from the 2.7-tonne Vito van to the mighty Actros tractor unit – recent winner of the International Truck of the Year award – as well as the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter family of light trucks, from sites in Aldershot, Crawley, Eastbourne, Guildford and Worthing .
Sussex and Surrey Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealer Rossetts Commercials is now offering a new range of vans with engines that meet the latest round of tough EU emissions limits.
Mitsubishi Fuso Woodsman Tipmaster Conversion from Rossetts Commercials
The opening of a new branch in Brentford, west London, prompted specialist builders’ merchant Rudridge to invest in its third 7.5-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso Canter.
If you’re the owner of an exotic car worth hundred of thousands or even millions of pounds, you want to know that the company responsible for transporting your prized machine can be trusted.
“We also carry a lot of test cars,” he continues, “and the extra space on this unit gives us plenty of room for tyres and other spares.”
The Animal Relentess Bike Tour will be visiting Eastbourne on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of July at the Eastbourne Extreme Event held on Eastbourne Promenade.
Surrey-based distribution company Office Gold has invested in six of the best – half a dozen Mercedes-Benz vans.
“It’s very important that our vehicles project the right image – and the Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star speaks volumes for the quality of our own business,” continues Mr Loftus.
A team from the Aldershot service department of Mercedes-Benz truck and van dealer Rossetts Commercials have taken national honours in a competition run by the manufacturer.
Rising stars take over at Rossetts Commercials