Testing times in Portsmouth
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TRUCK FRANCHISE dealers located in Portsmouth are becoming concerned that their customer bases will be undermined by The HGV Centre, an independent service agent that has opened up a new vehicle test lane.
Several dealers are interested in using the test lane, reveals The HGV Centre's managing director Michael Callard.
One local dealer, who didn't want to be named, agreed it will avoid travelling to test stations in Southampton. Guildford or Lancing, West Sussex. However, as a competitor to The HGV Centre, which also runs a workshop, there is the risk of losing some of his clients to the service agent.
The HGV Centre's 55-metre test lane is long enough for two articulated vehicles and high enough for double-deck trailers.
It tests on Wednesdays and Fridays, and caters for cars, caravans, light commercials, minibuses [Category 4,5 and 7] as well as HGV and PSV tests.
Callard says more than £200,000 was spent renovating the site, and its location was key. He adds: "Vehicles can be prepped for testing. tested, repaired and serviced all under the one roof." •