Mercedes-Benz Vans promises to ‘Keep businesses moving’. As Kaycee Amokachi is happy to testify, the brand’s ability to live up this commitment has been crucial to the success of his courier firm.
Mr Amokachi is the proprietor of Swindon-based Panashe Logistics, which is now running two of the first new-generation Sprinters to be supplied by the local branch of Rygor Commercials. So impressed are he and his colleagues with the latest model that the Dealer group will shortly be delivering a third.
Panashe Logistics was established by Mr Amokachi in 2013. The fast-growing company now operates a fleet of eight vans, every one of which wears a three-pointed star, and is a trusted service provider to several of the biggest names in the express parcels industry.
Mr Amokachi and his team also offer same-day and out-of-hours collections and deliveries for customers based along the M25 corridor and in London, ‘man and van’ support for house and furniture removals, secure storage, and logistics solutions for conferences, exhibitions and events.
Panashe Logistics chooses Mercedes-Benz vans for their unrivalled reliability and durability. “Our vehicles take a lot of punishment,” he explained. “Much of it is multi-drop work, with different drivers, and each van will cover anything up to 100,000 miles a year.
“We’ve tried other makes but they couldn’t cope – the clutches would invariably go after a couple of years. By contrast, even though our first Sprinters were high-mileage used models, we’d just get the wear and tear items changed at each service, and they kept on going.”
With its ground-breaking 4G Internet connectivity the recently launched, third-generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been hailed as a technological tour-de-force. Mr Amokaci is looking forward to using some of the fast, efficient and cost-effective vehicle management services available through the new model’s Mercedes PRO connect system to drive his business forward. “The additional data can only improve the efficiency of our operation, which should be reflected in increased profitability,” he observed.
However, it is the latest Sprinter’s class-leading comfort and safety that have most impressed Mr Amokachi. Although external revisions are relatively modest, the cab interior has been completely redesigned to provide a first-class working environment.
“The previous Sprinter was excellent, but the new version has taken the driving experience to another level,” he enthused. “The quality of fit and finish is superb, while it’s also quieter and smoother, with lighter, more direct steering, and an amazing centre console with touch screen.”
New Sprinter comes as standard with the cutting-edge Mercedes MBUX infotainment system, which features a user-friendly voice control function that responds to “Hey Mercedes!” followed by the command, in conjunction with Navigation.
Mr Amokachi continued: “I took three pallets up to Scotland shortly after we took delivery of the first of the new vans, and it returned more than 40 mpg for the trip. Fantastic! I’ve never driven anything like it.”
The Sprinter has always been recognised as the benchmark for safety in the van segment, and here, too, the latest model leads the way. New features include the autonomous Active Brake Assist system with pedestrian recognition technology – another industry ‘first’ – and ATTENTION ASSIST, which detects drowsiness in the driver and encourages them to take breaks when tired.
“Given the nature of our work, and the high mileages we cover, it’s reassuring to know that I’m sending my drivers out in the safest vans on the road,” reflected Mr Amokachi, whose 22-year-old son Omar is also a Director of the business and regularly drives one of the new Sprinters.
Panashe Logistics acquired the vans with competitive funding support from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Both rear-wheel drive L3 H2 variants with Long bodies and high roofs, one is a 140 hp 314 CDI model, the other a 316 CDI with 163 hp.
In line with its previous policy, the operator has also fixed its maintenance costs by signing up to Mercedes-Benz ServiceCare plans. “The workshop team at Rygor, Swindon, provide brilliant support and are like a second family to me,” laughed Mr Amokachi.
“Most importantly, I have the flexibility to get my vans booked in at times that suit me. They’ll normally carry out a service at night so we can collect the vehicle at 6am and send it straight back to work.”
Rygor Commercials Van Sales Executive David Lever commented: “Kaycee works incredibly hard but is never short of enthusiasm and energy. He is a pleasure to do business with and a great ambassador for our Dealership.
“As for the new Sprinter, it’s a genuine ‘game-changer’. With six body styles, three drive and four power options, the range extends to more than 1,700 variants, and our commitment to Setting Standards means that whatever their application, customers can always rely on Rygor to help them choose exactly the right one.”
