The Renault Master Van has proven a winner for a high-end property-maintenance company, Vogue Plus.
Based in Victoria’s Collingwood, Vogue Plus specialises in lawn and garden maintenance for several architects and blueribbon landscaping companies. With six staff – two admin and four on the tools – and a client list of around 50, Vogue Plus is thriving.
The company recently acquired two Renault Master Vans and is finding them an excellent choice for hard work and excellent presentation.
But deciding to run with Renault possibly wasn’t navigated in the usual way.
Fast decision
“We didn’t do a hell of a lot of research,” General Manager Andrew Toogood told Landscape Contractor with a wry smile. “One of our directors had noticed a couple of companies running the Renault Master Van for similar services, and we went for a test drive.
“We were blown away by the value.”
It didn’t take long for the Vogue Plus crew to make a decision, as Andrew explained: “We were surprised. We saw the price, the value, and it met all our needs, and there was one sitting there ready to go.”
The right choice
The Renault must’ve performed well, because before long Vogue Plus had a second Master Van – one fitted out to serve the petrol-powered equipment and the second with an inverter to serve the battery equipment – and there’s plans to increase the size of the fleet as the whole company moves to battery power.
The loads being transported by the Renaults include the usual propertymaintenance catalogue of equipment: hand tools, mowers, materials, and of course, people.
“We’ve kitted out both vans,” Andrew outlined. “We’ve got roofracks for our ladders and we’ve fitted out the insides with storage units. And of course, we have two people in each van every day.”
While Master Van’s cargo capacity has been a big drawcard for Vogue Plus, the opinions of the crews who actually drive them has been overwhelmingly positive.
“They’re very spacious and comfortable,” said Andrew. “With all the devices we have these days, it was really easy to plug in and utilise maps, CarPlay, and take calls and do everything.
“The visibility is really good as well, not only for what’s in front, but for all around. That’s really important for us. We do a lot of work in the city, and having the cameras and all the sensors is a big plus. It can take some time to park a big van in the city, but the team has said this is the best van they’ve used.”
“The lane assist and cruise control are incredibly easy to use. Everything’s on the steering wheel. There’s no chasing across the van to get to the touchscreen. Everything is right at the driver’s fingertips to take a call, use the cruise control, use lane assist…the rearview camera and all the sensors are there for parking…it’s incredibly safe.”
More to come
Andrew went on to detail how well the rear barn-doors and side access suited the crews for the loading and unloading of material and equipment, before summing things up nicely.
“We’re very happy with the Renault Master Vans we have, and for the way they present. There’s no doubt we’ll continue to use this model.
“We’re also looking at extending our services, and we’re looking at the Trafic. We’ve had a really good experience across the board with Renault. Not just with sales and with the van itself, but we’ve had a few phone calls with the dealer setting up servicing, and everyone’s been amazing.
“That obviously helps a lot. A quality van is important, but add the aftersales care and it makes life a lot easier.”
To learn more about Renault’s Master Van, visit renault.com.au.