20 | Tees Business
Mill Volvo operations director Jeff Tabb at the firm ’ s Teesside dealership , which has undergone an £ 800,000 refurbishment .
Mill Volvo ’ s ambitious sales drive after major Tees investment
An £ 800,000 investment has created one of the finest Volvo showrooms in the UK here on Teesside .
Mill Volvo made the significant investment in its Preston Farm dealership , which reopened in September last year .
Its new state-of-the-art facility , combined with a new range of cars due to come to market , has also enabled Mill Volvo Teesside to attract a number of new employees .
Sales are now being driven by the firm ’ s group operations director Jeff Tabb , along with senior sales managers Toby Vandome and David Levett .
Volvo has set an ambitious target of selling 60,000 new models a year in the UK , with 3,200 of those coming from the North-East .
But the firm hopes the introduction of the new 90 ‘ cluster ’ – including the new XC90 , the V90 estate and the S90 saloon – along with a brand new XC60 this year and a new XC40 at the end of the year will enable it to hit targets .
Tabb said : “ The investment in our Teesside dealership , coupled with a new range of products , has enabled us to attract top new staff , because we now have world-class products to match our world-class new facility .
“ The showroom environment is now in sync with the product and properly reflects the Volvo brand and ethos .
“ With the introduction of the new S90 and V90 we now have the most advanced , luxurious and beautiful range of Volvo by Martin Walker
cars ever , and our showroom environment and facilities must reflect that .”
Mill Volvo ’ s new showroom space is now bright , light , spacious and modern , functioning as a space to show off the cars and a place to greet and meet customers . Scandinavian style is in evidence everywhere , from the open , uncluttered layout to the funky splashes of colour and stylish furniture and lighting .
The lines between ‘ front ’ and ‘ back ’ services are being dissolved in a new environment , with customers able to see straight through to the servicing area where repairs and maintenance are in progress and technicians are as likely to greet you as reception and service staff .
A comfortable lounge area allows customers to relax during ‘ while you wait ’ servicing .
“ It ’ s a lot more joined up and complete now ,” adds Tabb .
“ It allows customers to see our whole
The new showroom at Mill Volvo Teesside .
operation and the efforts we go to in order to look after them and their vehicles . It ’ s a great place to work too .”
Meanwhile , new sales manager Vandome says he ’ s delighted to return to Mill Volvo after a spell working elsewhere .
“ I didn ’ t take much convincing once I ’ d seen the plans Mill and Volvo had for the years ahead ,” he said .
“ I can ’ t think of a more exciting place to be right now . Nobody is investing more in their staff and infrastructure than Mill , and the investment in the Volvo products and brand is phenomenal .”
To discuss Volvo products and services , give the Mill Volvo Teesside team a call on 01642 673251 , or go to volvocarsstockton . co . uk