Mercedes-Benz Vans today announces that leading delivery company DPD has selected dealer eStar to supply 341 eSprinters as part of a wider fleet agreement.
The investment marks another step in DPD’s transition towards lower-emission deliveries, with the new electric vans joining its nationwide fleet ahead of the peak Christmas season to support growing customer demand.
Every van will be supported by Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare Complete, providing repair and maintenance support through the nationwide dealer network to help maximise uptime and keep deliveries moving.
The partnership is expected to deliver significant long-term aftersales value across the Mercedes-Benz retailer network, with authorised dealers nationwide supporting the fleet through servicing, maintenance and repair activity.
Through Mercedes-Benz connected vehicle technology, the van can alert the customer and their nominated dealer when attention may be needed, helping work to be planned before a vehicle is forced off the road.
Steve Bridge, Managing Director of eStar, said: “The agreement reflects DPD’s focus on whole-life value, with uptime, maintenance support and operational resilience central to the decision.
“Reliability extends far beyond the vehicle itself,” said Steve. “When customers are judging you literally on whether you deliver or not, having as many of your fleet in service, on the road and operational is a higher business priority than ever, especially in the run up to Christmas when there is increased demand.
“A key part of the relationship with DPD is our CompleteCare package, where we can anticipate problems with vehicles in advance, so we can take preventative action, as opposed to only reacting if or when a vehicle needs attention.
“It means DPD can concentrate on what they do really well, knowing that we have the backs of their drivers and keep the business moving.
“We liken it to the technology that airlines adopt for aircraft, picking out the parts of the plane likely to need maintenance and repair before it becomes an issue, benefitting customers while mitigating the huge cost of having them out of action.”
Rob Dawson, Head of LCV, DPD UK said “We’re delighted to continue working with Mercedes-Benz Vans as a trusted partner. As we continue to invest in a more sustainable fleet, having the right partners alongside us is just as important as having the right vehicles.
“The eSprinter gives us the capability we need to support lower-emission deliveries, while Mercedes-Benz Vans’ aftersales expertise and nationwide support network will play an important role in keeping our vehicles on the road and our operation moving. We’re looking forward to building on the relationship as our fleet continues to evolve.”
He said another major advantage of partnering with eStar and the Mercedes-Benz Vans network was the fact it could mobilise at scale in a tight window.
The first vehicles will enter service from September, with all vans scheduled to be operational by the end of October, ensuring DPD is fully prepared to meet peak seasonal demand while maintaining service levels across its nationwide network.
Iain Forsyth, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, said: “In a fast-moving business landscape, it’s becoming increasingly vital for businesses like DPD operating at scale, to need partnerships that ensure vans remain operational to meet customer demands.
“DPD deliver seven days a week, 52 weeks a year so it feels good to have their backs and really deliver for them.”
