Tristram corporate fleet manager Darren Bird says the key to a successful fleet business operation in a new vehicle franchise dealership is to build strong relationships with suppliers and customers by providing a solutions based approach for all.
Owned and operated by Mark Hayward, Tristram currently operates new vehicle showrooms for MG, Skoda and Volkswagen in the Wairau Valley on Auckland’s North Shore.
The company also has an MG showroom in Greenlane, central Auckland, and a Volkswagen showroom in Henderson, West Auckland.
To support the five showrooms and the fleet business Tristram has a predelivery centre preparing new vehicles for sale and completing the fit out of GPS tracking, digital signwriting, and other special requests.
Tristram works with Custom Fleet, DriveLine, FleetPartners, Fleet Plus, Maxxia, Orix, and SG Fleet to provide turn-key solutions.
Among its three brands, Tristram offers a growing line-up of low-emission and electrified models which qualify for the Clean Car Discount scheme.
Tristram MG sells the all-electric MG ZS SUV in Excite and Essence specification which qualify for a $8625 rebate and the larger plug-in hybrid MG HS Plus EV – also in Excite and Essence specification – which qualify for a rebate of $5750.
Tristram Skoda offers the plug-in hybrid Octavia IV station wagon in Style and RS specification and the larger Superb IV station wagon also in Style and RS specification.
All qualify for the Clean Car Rebate of $5750.
The all-electric Skoda Enyaq IV SUV will arrive in the showroom in 2023.
Tristram Volkswagen has the plug-in hybrid Multivan 7 Family people mover which qualifies for a Clean Car Rebate of $5750.
In 2023 more VW electrified vehicles will arrive including the all-electric ID.4 Pro SUV which gets a $8625 rebate.
Other electrified Volkwagens coming include the ID.Buzz people mover, the ID.Buzz Cargo commercial van and the ID.5 SUV.
Plug-in hybrid versions of the Golf, Passat wagon, Tiguan and Touareg R SUV will arrive mid-year.
Bird says some fleet customers have been extremely conscious in doing due diligence to find the right electrified vehicle that’s fit for purpose and meets all their fleet criteria including environmental performance and health and safety requirements.
He says one client, Southern Cross Healthcare, spent more than 10 months trialling an MG HS Plus EV before placing an order for 67 for its national fleet.
Tristram Fleet provided Southern Cross Healthcare with a complete package for the MG HS Plus EVs which are under the daily management of Yoogo Fleet.
Bird says that package included fitting GPS and digital signwriting to the vehicles, arranging nationwide delivery through the nearest MG dealer.
It included a 22-minute demonstration video prepared specifically for Southern Cross Healthcare staff to educate them about how to operate the vehicle in a health and safety conscious manner.
Tristram Fleet has also supplied electric vehicles to Auckland Council, GHD, the New Zealand Defence Force, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Goodman, and Switch Taxis, a division of Corporate Cabs.
Bird says providing Switch Taxis with a package based around the MG ZS EV enabled it to win further central government business because it offered a zero-emissions transport option for public servants and MPs.
One Switch Taxi operator relocated from Auckland to Queenstown and is now considering buying a second vehicle to meet business growth there.
These customers are showing strong interest in the Volkswagen ID.4 SUV and Bird hopes to offer test drives in December.
In spite of not yet having confirmed pricing, the forthcoming Skoda Enyaq IV with its 440km range is also drawing strong interest, he says.
Before he offers any advice to new fleet customers, Bird undertakes a full fleet audit to identify where there are specific needs and where savings and efficiencies can be made.
It’s important fleets collect as much data on their vehicles as they can to help make informed decisions and he’s “slightly alarmed” that some still don’t.
