South Island dealership ACL Smallbone has been named as a new service dealer for Scania NZ, covering the South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury regions.
Smallbone Timaru (an existing Scania service dealer) merged with Ashburton Contracting Limited (ACL) last year with a view to expansion.
The partnership with Scania provides a larger service network for commercial vehicles in the region, operating from two main locations in Timaru and Ashburton.
Scania NZ managing director Mattias Lundholm says the expansion will provide a premium service offering for customers.
“As our network of service dealers grows, Scania are well equipped to deliver customers more convenience than ever before. The scale of service offered by the ACL Smallbone merger represented an ideal acquisition to Scania’s network in a key growth region of the country.”
Scania NZ network director Colin Bowden also sees great strategic appeal in the new partnership.
“ACL Smallbone was a perfect fit for our network from our first discussion. Their commitment to a customer-focussed dealership was clearly evident, and I know our customers will be impressed as they ramp up their new premises over the next few months.”
The dealership’s new workshop in Ashburton is under construction, despite challenges presented with the lockdown, and it is expected to be open in July.
ACL Smallbone chief executive Gary Casey says he is delighted to have partnered with an industry leader like Scania.
“Scania’s standing within the New Zealand trucking industry as well as its expanding customer base will benefit all the parties involved in this exciting new venture – most of all the truckies within the South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury regions,” he says.
