MEET THE TEAM

For the past five years or so Matthew Bianchini has been working in and around the Volkswagen brand. He’s seen plenty of change but also has a pretty good view of what’s coming up as well.

Now, in his new role as Head of Business at our Wooburn Green Commercial Vehicles branch, Matthew sits down and tell us what has led him here and what you should be excited for in the months and years ahead.

Yes, well I worked at Ridgeway before it was acquired by Marshall and when it switched to Marshall I began my Volkswagen journey over in South Oxford, After a couple of successful years I was ready for a switch so I re-joined ex-Ridgeway colleague James Feehan here at Citygate.

I started at the High Wycombe retailer as Aftersales Manager and, again, had a couple of good years there, before stepping up to the role of Head of Business here at Wooburn Green. It felt like ‘next challenge, next step’ time, so here I am.

In this role I’m responsible for sales as well as aftersales, the site and anything that goes on within the site I’m also responsible for, whether it be repairs or maintenance. So, broader remit and exciting challenges.

It’s a big site, we have sales, aftersales and bodyshop departments on site, so there’s lots going on. I like to think it’s already an inviting place and environment when you come through the front door because I’ve inherited an already successful site. My remit, really, is to continue that and develop where I can.

My short-term objective is maintain the success, manage customer satisfaction and ensure great communication with customers – we have plans in place for that. Longer term, we want to be top tier for commercial vehicles in the UK and we will achieve that next year.

Yes. We have an event here at Wooburn Green for the arrival of the ID. Buzz in November, which we’re looking forward to. The fully electric vehicle is an exciting step forward, and then next year we will see the ID. Cargo which is the commercial vehicle version of the platform.

We should absolutely be excited for the ID. Buzz, but then don’t forget the new Amarok. There is absolutely a great feel about commercial vehicles at the moment with the new product coming through.

I’ve driven an electric car myself for about a year-and-a-half. It will be different for the commercial vehicle element, and it will be different for staff handling electric van users, but it’s good change and we are absolutely embracing it.

Range anxiety is the main question that comes back. Having driven an electric vehicle for a while now I can speak from experience when I say it’s not the challenge or issue that people think it is – 200 miles gives you 200 miles, it’s a true reflection of range.

Unless it’s fully loaded, radio blaring and air con on, that will drain it – but that’s the case in any vehicle. I probably charge up every couple of days, you just need to be organised.

My message is this: They are fantastic vehicles to drive, you need to try it.

If you want to talk electric vans with our expects at any of the Citygate Commercial Vehicle centres, just use the button below to let us know.