Renault is revamping the way it approaches sub-100 fleets by merging its small business and Renault Credit teams to form a new 20-person outfit.
The new set-up, known internally as the area manager business sales team, will be responsible for developing and managing the company’s business centre network at its dealerships. Every 10 or so dealers will have a dedicated HQ-based team member.
“We’ve merged the two teams to support the dealer network so every dealer will have the resources and tools in place to approach small businesses,” Renault fleet boss Keith Hawes told BusinessCar. “The area manager, business sales will have the skills to talk about finance, contract hire and HP, as well as databasing.”
The team will form part of what Renault is calling a “quotation platform” at its HQ, pulling all its resources into one building. “The quotation platform will be established in the next two weeks; a team of people to give quotes and put resources into helping dealers do local business.”
“You have to put a bit of effort into the small business market,” said Hawes. “You need someone to advise on tax implications and finance, so if you can get local contact and get someone that knows what they are talking about, it can form a strong bond.”
He added: “We’re trying to create a consistently high level of sales service to customers designed to go hand in hand with our improved product quality.”