RENAULT is opening a network of local business centres, to provide fleets in smaller towns and rural communities with professional sales and aftersales for light commercial vehicles.

The firm already has 50 major business centres in the UK, a number that will rise to 54 during this year.

The business centres offer a dedicated van sales person, fully trained on the Renault product line-up, funding, taxation and aftersales.

They also have specific business offers, vans for 24-hour demonstrations, courtesy Kangoo, Trafic and Master vans, extended service hours, next day servicing, diagnostics and van technicians trained on the light commercial range. However these business centres are all located in major urban areas. To complement this network, Renault has asked dealers in smaller towns to sign up as local business centres.

The local sites will have a fully trained van sales person, van displays and 24-hour demos, a Trafic courtesy van and will offer collection and delivery of customer vehicles.

So far 21 local business centres have been opened since the start of the year. Renault is hoping to have at least 30 by the end of 2005.