IVECO Expands Dealer Network in Darwin and Illawarra
IVECO has added more dealer muscle in the Top End and the Illawarra, with Darwin IVECO and Illawarra IVECO appointed as full-line dealerships to support everything from Daily vans to S-Way B-Double prime movers.
Darwin IVECO has been appointed as a full-line IVECO dealership, supporting customers across the Top End with sales, service and parts for the complete IVECO range.
Darwin IVECO strengthens Top End support
Darwin IVECO is part of the Heath Motor Group, owned and overseen by long-term motor industry professional Aaron Heath.
The dealership operates from a large site at 876 Stuart Highway, Pinelands, which is exactly the sort of address operators like to see because it is not hidden three suburbs behind a café, a roundabout and a goat track. It is accessible, visible and built around commercial vehicle support.
The facility includes a fully equipped workshop with four heavy vehicle bays and five light vehicle bays, along with diagnostic equipment to support IVECO’s current model range. Factory-trained technicians are on hand to maintain everything from Daily vans through to the larger truck models.
Darwin IVECO also features a large wash bay, generous parts warehouse, customer lounge, customer parking, a large foyer and a courtesy bus service that runs twice a day.
Darwin IVECO has been appointed as a full-line IVECO dealership, supporting customers across the Top End with sales, service and parts for the complete IVECO range.
Heath Motor Group is already familiar with the truck sector, having operated another commercial vehicle franchise for several years. That background gives the Darwin team a useful understanding of the industry before the first IVECO badge even rolls through the gate.
Darwin IVECO General Manager Ashley Uridge said the dealership sees strong opportunities with the brand.
“We see a lot of opportunities with IVECO. The model line-up is proven and products like the Daily and Daily 4×4 are a big drawcard, as are its medium Eurocargo and heavy-duty S-Way ranges,” Ashley said.
“Customers of the dealership have already reacted very favourably since we opened and there’s been strong interest in the line-up.”
Ashley said the dealership was focused on supporting customers beyond the initial sale.
“Sales aside, customers should also know that we’re here to help them across all aspects of their journey,” he said.
“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.”
Triple differential locks and parabolic suspension allow the IVECO T-Way 6×6 to maintain traction across challenging mine-site terrain.
That last point is important. In the Top End and across northern Australia, trucks are often working a long way from the comfort blanket of capital city support. The right specification, the right body, the right compliance advice and the right parts backup can make a very real difference.
IVECO ANZ Managing Director Glen Dyer said Darwin IVECO would help support a broad operating region, from Darwin and beyond the Kimberley through to areas south toward Alice Springs.
“Meeting the needs of a diverse range of operators and covering a massive geographic area, it’s important that IVECO offers the best support possible to prospective and existing customers,” Mr Dyer said.
“Darwin IVECO allows us to better do this across sales, service and parts functions.”
Illawarra IVECO has stepped up from service and parts support to become a full-line dealership for the complete IVECO commercial vehicle range.
Illawarra IVECO becomes a full-line dealership
Further south, Illawarra IVECO has also stepped up to full-line dealership status.
The operation was previously an IVECO service and parts dealership, but Dealer Principal Kurt Hofer said he saw clear opportunities in forming a closer relationship with IVECO.
“I’ve been watching IVECO over the last five years in particular and have been impressed by the quality and breadth of the range across all weight classes,” Kurt 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 Dealer Principal Kurt Hofer says the brand’s growing model range, comfort and technology give it strong opportunities in the commercial vehicle market.
Illawarra IVECO operates from two sites, with sales located at 17 Princes Highway, Albion Park, and service and parts nearby at 1 Mye Place, Albion Park.
The dealership is part of the Tony White Group and brings decades of truck industry experience to the IVECO network. Kurt himself has a 27-year history in commercial vehicles, which means he has been around long enough to know that truck customers are not interested in brochure waffle. They want uptime, support and straight answers.
Illawarra IVECO’s service facility includes 14 service bays staffed by factory-trained technicians, a spray booth capable of handling trucks up to 12.5 metres in length, and a wash bay.
The dealership also offers 24-hour breakdown support and mobile servicing, both of which are vital for operators who cannot afford to have equipment parked up waiting for attention.
Customer follow-up is also part of the operation, with Illawarra IVECO running its own internal call centre to communicate with customers after vehicle servicing and other dealership interactions.
The long commute is a great opportunity to play some tunes and enjoy the quietness of the S-Way’s cabin while eating up the kilometres.
IVECO ANZ Managing Director Glen Dyer said the Illawarra was an important region for the brand, with a strong mix of traditional industry, advanced manufacturing and service-based commercial operations.
“There’s now also more support in the Illawarra region,” Mr Dyer said.
“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.”
The question now, especially for Tasmanian operators watching from across Bass Strait, is fairly obvious: if Darwin and the Illawarra can support full-line IVECO dealerships, how long before Tasmania gets a dedicated IVECO dealership of its own?
Two IVECO T-Way 6×6 fertiliser spreaders have joined Tasmania’s Altrac Spreading. They are the first IVECO spreaders the company has operated and their performance has impressed drivers and management.
