The Australian distributor of Yutong Bus - Vehicle Dealers International (VDI) – has added two key industry personnel to its burgeoning team, it reports recently.
Former Scania Australia sales guru Warren Young is VDI’s new national sales manager.
For Yutong and VDI the appointment will play a critical role in continuing its growth strategy in Australia by focusing on driving and supporting its sales team, strengthening its dealer network, and strengthening relationships with its key customers, VDI states..
General manager of Yutong Bus Australia Lou Riccardi said: “Having someone with Warren’s industry experience and drive will be key and vital in this new role to help us strengthen and grow Yutong in Australia; we are delighted to have him aboard!”.
In the new role, Young will be based at Yutong Australia’s head office in Campbelltown, NSW, and comes at a time when there are some imminent new product releases, VDI states.
For his part Young says he was delighted by the opportunity to take on the national sales manager role and become better acquainted with Yutong’s customers, staff, and product.
“After nine months away helping the family transport business this is a great way to return to the bus industry,” Young explained.
“I have really missed so many of the wonderful people in it.”
Having spent most of his life in and around buses and coaches, he added: “I believe the Yutong product line-up has reached a maturity that it is very exciting to be a part of its growing success in Australia, especially in the booming electric bus sector.
“Yutong certainly has the runs on the board as a proven package for our unique conditions, something they have certainly invested in heavily.”
“Combined with the passionate and caring team at Yutong Australia, we are looking forward to introducing many more operators to our products and showing them how they provide the solution they are looking for”, he added.
WILLING AND ABEL
Yutong Bus says it is also pleased to announce the appointment of Greg Abel as its new national fleets manager.
The appointment of former Premier Transport Group’s Abel’s will play a critical role in continuing Yutong’s growth in the new Green Energy Vehicle segment – focusing on ‘green vehicle’ strategy sales and customer operational needs to ensure Yutong’s sales teams and dealer network succeed in the rollout of this new technology, VDI explains.
Abel will have a strong focus on national key account customers’ needs and requirements, supporting the sales team and developing new strategies to help the uptake of Yutong’s New Green Energy range of buses.
General manager Lou Riccardi said: “Greg, with over 25 years of operational experience, working for one of NSW largest outer metro and rural bus operators, brings a completely a new dimension to our sales team in understanding the needs and concerns operators are experiencing in the new Green Energy space’, he said.
In the new role, Abel will also be based at Yutong Australia’s head office in Campbelltown.
Yutong Bus national fleets manager Abel says he was delighted by the exciting new opportunity.
“While the present direction and implementation rate of zero-emission buses is exciting and socially beneficial, it is also challenging due partly to the rapidly evolving technology and operational changes involved,” Abel stated.
“Twenty-five years of experience working in the bus industry provides me with the ability to understand the particular challenges faced by operators,” he explained.
Photography: courtesy Vehicle Dealers International