Hard work pays off for Wolverhampton service advisor

Three years of hard work has paid off for a Pendeford administrator after she qualified as a service advisor with Wolverhampton Volkswagen.

Laura Davis (24) joined the Bilston Road retailer in 2003 as a receptionist and soon progressed to an administrator within the servicing division before commencing her service advisor qualification.

Speaking of her qualification Laura said: “I’m delighted to have qualified after a very demanding three years.

“I pride myself on giving the best service possible. The qualification has given me the extra knowledge, experience and confidence to ensure customers’ needs are consistently met.”

Through the Volkswagen Training Academy Laura completed a series of both practical and written exams covering all aspects of customer satisfaction and product knowledge.

Her final assessment was an on-site role play in front of key Volkswagen representatives, which Laura passed with flying colours.

Wolverhampton Volkswagen brand manager, Andrew Hockedy, said: “We believe having knowledgeable staff is paramount to the success of our business.

“The course is designed to equip staff with the very best knowledge and we are delighted with Laura’s hard work and dedication. She thoroughly deserves the qualification.”

LOYAL MOTORIST GETS A SPRING CLEAN SERVICE

A Wolverhampton grandmother has celebrated a special birthday, with help from her local car retailer.

Norma Tomlinson, from Compton, received a complimentary spring clean for her Volkswagen Golf’s tenth birthday from Wolverhampton Volkswagen.

She has lovingly looked after her red Volkswagen Golf, which she purchased from the Bilston Road car retailer in 2001, and wanted to celebrate her ten year relationship with a professional valet.

The retired scientist was delighted to receive the complimentary treatment, she said: "It took me six months to find the car I really wanted. My husband and I go on many trips to Devon, the far North West of Scotland and the Outer Hebrides so we needed a car that would make these long journeys comfortable and could accommodate all our luggage.

“It has now found a new purpose in life as I regularly look after my two grandchildren which I take out on trips to the park. It runs better today than it did the day I drove it home and looks great.

"Although I look after my car after 100,000 miles on the clock I wanted to get a professional valet to celebrate its tenth birthday and I was thrilled when the Volkswagen team offered to help."

Andrew Hockedy, managing director for Wolverhampton Volkswagen, part of Trust Group UK, which also has Volkswagen sites in Stourbridge and Redditch, added: "We value each and every one of our customers and we’re delighted to have given Norma’s car the full works."

WOLVERHAMPTON APPRENTICE PROVES HIS WORTH

Three years of hard work and training have paid off for Matthew Lloyd after he qualified as a service technician with Wolverhampton Volkswagen.

The 21-year-old ‘petrol head’ joined the Bilston Road retailer in 2006 on work experience and impressed so much that he was offered an apprenticeship in 2007.

Matthew completed an intense training programme, through the Volkswagen Training Academy, to achieve his recent status and is now focusing on progressing his skills and qualifications.

His ultimate goal is to work at the Volkswagen’s state-of-the-art car plant in Wolfsburg. Speaking of this qualifications Matthew said: “I have enjoyed every minute of the course and would love to eventually work at Volkswagen’s HQ in Germany.

“I am very passionate about the Volkswagen range and I’m already in the process of doing up my third Volkswagen, which is a Golf Mark II, after which I want to tackle a classic Beetle.

“The motor industry is my life and it’s something I share with my dad. Last summer we spent time visiting the various Volkswagen factories in Germany and I feel this really helped to give me a greater insight into the precision and quality behind Volkswagen vehicles.

“I’m really grateful to Wolverhampton Volkswagen, because they have shown faith in my ability and continually support my ambitions.”

Wolverhampton Volkswagen’s service manager, Paul Robinson, said: “Matthew has worked diligently throughout his training programme and fully deserves to have reached the technician status.

“He is an excellent example to others and is already assisting our newest apprentice. We are confident that Matthew’s passion and enthusiasm will help him to reach his ultimate goal.”

It costs over £40,000 to train a candidate to technician status with further investment to continue developing as a technician.

For more information contact Sue Foster on 01902 714957 or email sue@connect-group.com.

Car retailer gets half million pound investment

Over 100 guests attended a lavish event at Wolverhampton Volkswagen to celebrate its half a million pound refurbishment.

The VIP evening event saw popular chef, Nigel Smith, demonstrate an array of dishes accompanied by a string quartet. Local magician, Ben Hanlin mingled the guests dazzling them with entertaining tricks.

The Bilston Road car retailer has invested £500,000 pounds in the showroom to enhance the customer facilities and service. The light and airy interior provides a calming ambience with clean cut lines and crisp colours making it a more pleasurable customer experience.

Andrew Hockedy, Managing Director of Trust Group UK Limited confirmed that both the company and colleagues were delighted with their new showroom environment.

He said: “The work was completed in just 15 weeks and we are delighted with the results and feel it now represented the perfect environment to market and display the growing Volkswagen range.

“The evening was very well received by our guest and we had a number of good comments about eh entertainment as well as our new style showroom.

“This refurbishment is a big investment for the business and confirms our commitment to Wolverhampton drivers and the brand.”

The new showroom on Bilston Road now provides a display of 10 vehicles as well as Wi-Fi facility for the customers nad refreshmen within our hospitality area.

Trust Group UK, formerly Reg Vardy, was established in March 2006 following a £506 million buy out by Pendragon PLC who subsequently sold three Midlands-based retailers - Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and Redditch.