TRUCK group Iveco has expanded its full-line dealership network with two new sales and service centres appointed in Darwin and Illawarra.

The new dealerships will provide existing and prospective Iveco owners with greater service, support and sales of its entire range, spanning from passenger car licence vans and light trucks, through to B-double prime movers.

Transitioning from an IVECO service and parts operation to a full line IVECO dealership, brings added support and convenience to existing and prospective IVECO operators in the Illawarra region.

Darwin Iveco is part of the Heath Motor Group, owned and overseen by long-term motor industry professional Aaron Heath.

The new dealership, based in Pinelands, has a fully-equipped workshop with four heavy-vehicle bays and five light-vehicle bays fitted with the diagnostic equipment that allows the dealership’s factory-trained technicians to professionally maintain the Iveco range. 

Features also include a large wash bay, generous parts warehouse, customer lounge, large customer car park and foyer, and a courtesy bus service that runs twice a day. 

Heath Motor Group is not new to the truck sector. It has also operated the Hino commercial vehicle franchise for several years, so has valuable knowledge of the industry.

Darwin Iveco general manager Ashley Uridge said he was excited to be working with Iveco.

“We see a lot of opportunities with Iveco. The model line-up is proven and products like the Daily and the Daily 4×4 are a big drawcard, as are its medium Eurocargo and heavy-duty S-Way ranges,” Mr Uridge said.

“Customers of the dealership have already reacted very favorably since we opened and there’s been strong interest in the line-up.

Illawarra IVECO Dealer Principal, Kurt Hofer.

“Sales aside, customers should also know that we’re here to help them across all aspects of their journey.

“We have excellent orientation and support systems in place – Darwin Iveco can assist with the bodybuilding process and we enjoy strong relationships with local industry manufacturers.

“We’re also knowledgeable and up to date on national heavy vehicle requirements, so ideally placed to guide our customers.”

The second new dealership, on the NSW coast, is Illawarra Iveco which previously operated as an Iveco service and parts dealership.

Illawarra Iveco dealer principal Kurt Hofer said he saw many opportunities in more closely aligning with Iveco.

Since becoming an IVECO dealership, Darwin IVECO has received strong interest in the range, particularly in the Daily van and cab chassis line-up.

“I’ve been watching Iveco over the past five years in particular and have been impressed by the quality and breadth of the range across all weight classes,” he said.

“The line-up features the latest technologies, they’re comfortable, and very nice to drive and operate. I can only see the brand becoming stronger and stronger within the commercial vehicle market.”

Illawarra Iveco operates from two sites with sales at 17 Princes Highway in Albion Park and service and parts around the corner at 1 Mye Place, Albion Park.

The dealership – part of the Tony White Group – has been involved in the truck industry for decades and Mr Hofer has a 27-year history in commercial vehicles.

Among the impressive facilities at Illawarra IVECO is a 14-bay service centre, a large spray booth and truck wash bay.

Illawarra Iveco has a 14-bay service facility staffed by factory-trained technicians, a spray booth that can accommodate trucks up to 12.5m in length, and a wash bay. The dealership also operates a 24-hour breakdown service and offers mobile servicing.

Additionally it runs its own internal call centre, which communicates with customers after vehicle servicing and other interactions.      

Iveco ANZ managing director Glen Dyer said Darwin Iveco and Illawarra Iveco will provide excellent representation for the brand.

“Iveco Australia is delighted to have the teams at Darwin and Illawarra join our network family as full line dealerships,” Mr Dyer said.

“Meeting the needs of a diverse range of operators and covering a massive geographic area spanning from Darwin to beyond the Kimberley and south towards Alice Springs, it’s important that Iveco offers the best support possible to prospective and existing customers. Darwin Iveco allows us to better do this across sales, service and parts functions.  

Glen Dyer, Iveco ANZ managing director

“There is now also more support in the Illawarra region. With its traditional industries and fast emerging advanced manufacturing sectors and service industries, it’s essential that Iveco has a strong presence there, and in Illawarra Iveco we have the ideal partner in which to back our customers while taking advantage of the opportunities the region presents,” he said.  

The addition of the Darwin and Illawarra dealerships to the dealer network grows the number of outlets nationwide to 55 including service and parts sites.    

By Neil Dowling