The three-pointed star is shining brighter than ever in Tonbridge, where Mercedes-Benz of Tonbridge celebrated the official launch of its stunning, new-look premises this week.
The Worshipful the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Councillor Owen Baldock and David George, Sales Director, Mercedes-Benz UK, joined customers and staff at a special event to mark the opening at Mercedes-Benz of Tonbridge’s Vale Rise showroom on Thursday 12th May.
Transformed to the latest Mercedes-Benz brand architecture, the development has created stylish, state-of-the-art facilities that are bigger and better than before and have been designed to provide visitors with a retail experience that is second-to-none. They also employ a raft of eco-technologies for energy savings and environmental benefits.
A brand new showroom and workshop have been built utilising additional land on-site, whilst an impressive 80-car Approved Used display area has been created where the former showroom once stood – enabling Mercedes-Benz of Tonbridge to showcase twice as many vehicles than previously.
Clean and contemporary, the spacious, new showroom can accommodate up to 14 new cars and also features an ‘AMG pit lane’ to show off a high performance Mercedes-AMG model in all its glory together with a car configurator zone where visitors can explore the various vehicles and specification options available in an immersive digital environment.
As well as a stylish reception, where customers can wait in comfort and catch up with the news on television or sit back and relax with refreshments, there is a business area with free wi-fi for those who might need to continue with their work.
Behind the scenes, Mercedes-Benz of Tonbridge’s aftersales operation has been significantly improved to offer an enhanced service to customers. Boasting the latest manufacturer-approved diagnostic technology, the new 16-bay workshop has increased the retailer’s servicing capability by almost 50 per cent.
Other developments include the introduction of an approved smart repair centre and paintshop that will undertake minor vehicle repairs such as dents, scratches and scuffs. MOT testing and wheel alignment will now be carried out on-site too.
A variety of eco-technologies have been integrated into the new building, such as heat recovery units for highly efficient climate control and a water recycling plant situated under the vehicle wash bay that recycles 95% of water used with the help of PH neutral environmentally-friendly detergents.
Energy-efficient lighting is also used throughout the site, which features motion detection sensors in staff areas that turn lights on and off automatically. As a security measure, employee movement around the building is accessed via the latest fingerprint technology.
David Currin, Mercedes-Benz of Tonbridge’s Sales Director, thanked customers for the patience and understanding that they had shown since the redevelopment work began in January 2015 and said that he and his team looked forward to showing them around the fantastic facilities now on offer.
“The success, expansion and ever-increasing popularity of the Mercedes-Benz range meant that we had completely outgrown our surroundings as they were,” he added.
“Fortunately we have been able to expand on this site where the brand has been represented for many years to create a dealership that offers the very best in vehicle retailing whilst being totally befitting of the Mercedes-Benz marque.”
David continued: “There was considerable excitement amongst customers whilst the build was taking place but now that we are fully operational and they can experience the exceptional facilities and service on offer, I’m confident that they will agree that the wait has been worth it.”
Customers were given guided tours of the all-new Mercedes-Benz of Tonbridge at the launch event, which featured live music, wine-tasting and golf. There was also fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society.
