Honda

WVL's month-long Test Drive Event

#TestDriveYourBestDrive 2016 – the Results are in!

#TestDriveYourBestDrive 2016 – the Results are in! https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/TDYBD-results-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

The start of September marks the end of our month-long test drive event – from the early days of #SmallCarWeek through to the grand scale of #7SeaterWeek – our forecourt has been what feels like an Olympic-scale arena for this first-of-a-kind showcase of motoring might!  Now a time for reflection on proceedings, did Windsor Vehicle Leasing also strike gold? It’s a firm ‘YES’ as far as we’re concerned.

Firstly, we’re extremely grateful to all the manufacturers who have provided vehicles for the event – Audi, BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mahindra, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Peugeot Citroen, Renault, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo. The collaboration has been much appreciated and the key-for-key swaps worked seamlessly. It showed the strength of our relationships and the confidence all the manufacturers have in their brands. No-one is afraid to stand comparison with anyone else. There seemed to be a consensus that what we were doing was a great idea, with more than one manufacturer pointing out that they couldn’t understand why no-one had come up with this concept before.

We would also like to thank the customers, existing and potential, who made the effort to come along and do the test drives. Hopefully they found the unique opportunity to compare brands and technologies worthwhile. In some instances, it was enough for visitors to sit in the cars; get that feeling which no amount of online research can replace.

WVL Test Drive event Small Car Week

WVL Test Drive Event, week 2 - Family Saloon Week

We’re aware that WVL may not necessarily see the direct benefits of this unique event, though it can only be a positive that we had so many visitors and enquiries. It was our intention to shake the tree during the traditionally quiet month of August and if the fruit fell elsewhere, then the industry was still the winner. It’s a bonus that we have quoted for and won business as a result.

The event was publicised through the local press and via social media across our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts where each individual car’s arrival was posted online. If some of the puns which accompanied the postings were excruciating, please allow for wordplay fatigue by Week 4! Nevertheless, good old footfall played a key part in us getting as many bookings as we did. Our position on Clarence Road usually guarantees interest from passing customers and there’s nothing like a line of new, gleaming cars to catch people’s attention.

WVL Test Drive Event, week 3 - SUV Week

WVL Test Drive Event, week 4 - 7-Seater Week

There’s no doubt, weeks three and four – the SUV and 7-seater weeks – provoked huge interest, as well as testing our forecourt organisation and parking skills. However, all four weeks, including small cars and family saloons, provided excellent opportunities, both for customers and the staff of WVL to familiarise themselves with the very latest models and technology, meaning Windsor Vehicle Leasing can continue to provide the most comprehensive and tailored customer experience.

There seemed to be a consensus that what we were doing was a great idea, with more than one manufacturer pointing out that they couldn’t understand why no-one had come up with this concept before.

It’s fair to say, the vehicles supplied showed that nowadays, there’s not really such a thing as a bad car. Probably the area of greatest change and progress is the on-board technology. Time in a vehicle is important. It would be easy to become a nervous wreck without exposure to and proficiency in the safety systems, including lane control, collision alerts and integrated braking systems. Even knowing how to start a car these days can be an adventure, though it’s always simple enough once you know! Interestingly, no-one seemed inclined to try the self-parking modes! Seems we still like control!

Of course the selection of vehicles not only gave many of our visitors the opportunity to have a fresh look at classic models, but also a first close-up look at relatively new technologies such as hybrids and electric cars.

For us at WVL, there was the bonus of a visit from a sporting icon. As you may have seen in our posts on the day, West Indian legend Gordon Greenidge, one of the finest opening batsmen of all time, took the opportunity to come by. Just for a while, the gleaming cars were outshone and talk of the off-drive replaced the test drive!

It is our firm intention to repeat this event in the future. Of course, others may try to do so in the meantime… but we’ll always know we were first!

If you’ve spotted something in the line-ups above, or would like a quote on a particular vehicle, please get in touch. Our Configurator allows you to spec-up a vehicle to your exact requirements, though we’d be happy to offer advice and suggestions if you’re at all unsure. Either way, try our online Quote Form, email us at [email protected], LiveChat with one of our leasing experts using the tab at the bottom of the screen, or simply call us on 01753 851 561, and let’s talk leasing!

Staff Profile: Martin Callaway, Operations Manager

Staff Profile: Martin Callaway, Operations Manager https://wvl.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/martin-c-featured.jpg 660 300 Anthony Anthony https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a9c4089fd91833b9d9ac3cd2423e0fcb?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Track Record

As with most things in life the best place to start is at the beginning, so let me take you back 37 years to my first time at the company. Having carried out just 4 days of work experience at AA Clark, through charm, skill and a little bit of luck, I was offered the role as an apprentice in 1977. Working on the petrol forecourt, there was never a dull moment, perhaps best demonstrated by being given the responsibility of filling up the Queen’s Rolls Royce’s on several occasions!

During my time as an apprentice I was able to learn all aspects of the motor trade: parts department, service department and workshop. I remember the first car I worked alone on was a PDi inspection on a Vauxhall Viva BBL 70T sold to a Mrs. Cartwright. To my delight the car was still going the last time I saw it in 2010!

It wasn’t just Mrs. Cartwright and the Queen’s cars that I dealt with during my time as an apprentice, with Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and many old generals who used to live at Windsor Castle also among the customers whose cars I helped repair. Not bad for a teenager!

In 1979 I moved to the service department as a junior receptionist before being promoted to Assistant to the Service Manager in 1984. Throughout the years I went on to become Service Manager at Merry’s in Egham, Maintenance Controller at WVL before taking up my current role as Operations Manager in 2006.

Cars are my real passion in life and I’ll give anything vehicle related a go. Ever the perfectionist, you’ll often see me putting the finishing touches to cars before they are moved to our retail site.

Despite being 37 years older (or ‘more experienced’ as I like to say) than I was when I first landed on AA Clark’s doorstep, the Chairman still insists on calling me BOY or Fozzie Bear. Terms of endearment, I hope!

Extra Curricular…

I’ve always lived in Maidenhead and try to embrace the local community. With a keen interest in football I like to watch the local non-league football team (Maidenhead United) play as often as possible. When I’m not watching football I like to play golf at Maidenhead Golf Club as an Artisan member. From time to time I like to dabble in a bit of DIY and gardening work as well as taking trips out on my mountain bike and visiting the local art centre to watch the local theatre groups.

If I find myself with some spare time at the weekends, my wife and I like to visit local National Trust properties/locations, of which there is a surprisingly large number in the area.

Recently, I have been attempting to relive my youth by watching some of my favourite bands of yesteryear including Madness, Squeeze and Eagles. Next up is the Henley Rewind Festival that I’ll be attending later this year.

Favourite Rides

My favourite owned car was my MK 3 Ford Cortina GXL. Bronze in colour, with 16” Wolf race alloy wheels, red painted brake callipers and brake drums, 4 front spot lights, bucket seats, radio cassette with graphic equaliser it was one of the best looking cars in town and, after I tinkered with the twin webber carburettor, was also one of the fastest. A lovely anecdote arose when a policeman stopped me for speeding only to have him comment on how good looking the car was and thereon wave at me whenever he saw me out and about in town.

Unfortunately with my future wife only being 5ft tall she couldn’t see over the steering wheel and, as she had to drive the car to work every day, I had a tough choice to make: her or the car. In the end she won by a short head mainly because I knew she wouldn’t get rusty with age (but with similar running costs). And so with a tear in my eye I had to send my baby to a new home.

CortinaImage © REX FEATURES

Unashamedly, watching re-runs of ‘Life on Mars‘ brings back fond memories of the Cortina. I still miss that car so if you see a Bronze MK 3 Cortina NLF 388K on your travels please let me know!

Unfortunately, due to time constraints (as well as the Mrs nagging me) I wasn’t able to have a good look round the recent Ford owners club meet that I stumbled across in Somerset. Alas, I know when the next one is so I’ll be going to that one on my own, and maybe…

Beyond my own collection I don’t have a favourite car, but I’ve shortlisted some of the cars I’ve enjoyed here, by type:

Small car – Audi A1 / BMW 120d, typical German engineering, top quality.

Mid/Small range – Honda Civic* 5Dr 1.6 I-dtec Se-t. Very good car, comfortable, very good MPG, and low CO₂ and running costs.

Mid Range – Audi 2.0TDi A4 S-Line… almost perfection.

Luxury – Any Jaguar XF will do. It’s impossible to look out of place anywhere.

4×4 – Range Rover Sport. It makes me feel important.

Dream Car – Any Aston Martin as long as someone else pays for the fuel & insurance… and tells the wife!

Connect with Martin in the Maintenance & Bodyshop team by phone on 01753 801914, by email [email protected] and join his network on LinkedIn too.