Rumours are flying that the association between Mercedes Benz and Phil Wheelans Trucks and Vans is coming to an end – but there is little solid information.
Phil Weelans says he cannot comment, while David Ballantyne, general manager of Mercedes Benz New Zealand’s commercial vehicle division, says that the company is making a change in the bottom of the North Island.
But beyond that, lips are firmly shut on the details, except that the association is about to end.
The move is sudden, taking place just under three years from when the new Palmerston North Wheelans dealership opened. The dealership integrated Daimler’s four brand identities, Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling and Fuso.
Ian Walker, the then Mercedes Benz NZ commercial vehicles manager said at the time that the plan was to have a network of integrated dealerships covering the country by 2012, although that plan has not eventuated.
Now the wider Wheelans Group has announced that its truck and trailer hire division is now a sales and service dealer for Chinese truck brand JAC.
