Tuesday, 04 October 2011

Out With The Old And In With The New

For more than ten years local businessman Doug Hinchley has worked to build his business into a regional success but the owner of Chauffeur Drive North East has caused controversy by replacing his most valued and experienced team member Sidney with a newer, younger and sleeker looking model! You will be forgiven for a sharp intake of breath as your mind fills with thoughts of unfair discrimination; for Sidney was a model employee, a long-serving member of the team adored by staff and customers alike with an unblemished sickness record and precision timekeeping!

But before you stand in outrage and petition for an employment tribunal thereʼs something you should know! Sidney (C1 DNE) is a Mercedes-Benz whoʼs love for the road has seen him clock up an awesome 250,000 miles in 4 years, transporting celebrities and dignitaries, brides and businessman around the North East with not one breakdown or splutter along the way. Jeremy Simpson, Dealer Principal at Mercedes Benz Newcastle comments “Despite working every day and driving more than 250,000 miles Sidney is still in great shape which is outstanding! Many cars will be in the scrapyard long before they cover the mileage that Sidney has and yet he is still posing for photoshoots!"

And who did Doug choose to face the unenviable task of filling Sidneyʼs empty parking space...Sidney Junior, a brand new S Class Mercedes Benz. Chauffeur Drive NE operates a fleet of Mercedes Benz vehicles and Doug comments: “We use Mercedes because their cars are elegant, luxurious and are known around the world for their technology and their safety features - all of those things play a huge part in our business and itʼs what our customers expect as standard. Our business has put its trust in Mercedes-Benz and the brand has never let us down. Our staff and customers will miss the old Sidney - a lot of customers knew him, they referred to him as Sidney and asked for him by name on their trips to the region. We are sure that the new version will do him proud.”

Sidney was also treated like one of the family on his regular trips for servicing down at the Mercedes-Benz Newcastle dealership. Service manager Jon Crewe comments: “Because of his high mileage we saw him about 4 times a year to keep him in top condition. It was always a pleasure”. Meanwhile the staff at Mercedes Benz of Newcastle are contemplating finding Sidney a quiet retirement cottage in the country where he can rest his pistons. If you would like to offer Sidney a good home please contact Paul Doran at Mercedes Benz of Newcastle on 0191 226 7444 for more information and prices.