Ciceley Commercials Ltd has become the first Mercedes-Benz Vans retailer in the UK to fully comply with the new MAR20X franchise standard, setting a benchmark for modern, sustainable, and customer-focused showrooms. The family-owned business, with four sites across the UK, has invested heavily in transforming its Darwen site into one of the country’s most eco-conscious dealerships, blending cutting-edge showroom design with innovative sustainability initiatives.
The Darwen dealership now features electric vehicle charging stations, solar roof panels, and energy-efficient LED lighting, alongside a colony of 640,000 bees affectionately known as ‘Merce-BEES’. The honey harvested from these hives is sold locally, with proceeds benefiting East Lancashire Hospice and Eden Valley Hospice. This £15,000 beehive initiative is part of a wider £400,000 investment into the site, which forms a key part of Ciceley Commercials’ £3.5 million refurbishment across all four of its locations.
MAR20X, Mercedes-Benz Vans’ new franchise directive, aims to elevate dealership standards by 2028, emphasising a flexible, personalised, and digitally integrated customer experience. Showrooms are now expected to include dedicated client reception and consultation spaces, alongside vehicle handover areas, all wrapped in modern, dynamic design. Ciceley Commercials’ early adoption of these standards has positioned them as a leader in showroom innovation, delivering a seamless customer journey from the moment visitors arrive.
CEO Simon Wilson explained that the MAR20X framework provided a clear blueprint for enhancing both customer service and environmental responsibility. Sustainability forms the cornerstone of the dealership’s vision, with electrification of 90% of its fleet, upgraded energy-efficient lighting, and a £368,000 investment in solar power reducing grid reliance by 40%. Future plans include faster EV chargers, advanced battery storage, and the expansion of bee colonies to double their population, reinforcing the company’s commitment to biodiversity and community impact.
Iain Forsyth, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, praised Ciceley Commercials for combining outstanding customer service with a creative and responsible approach to sustainability. The dealership’s innovative initiatives, from solar panels to honey-making bees, exemplify how MAR20X is shaping the future of retail and service excellence for Mercedes-Benz Vans across the UK, proving that the journey to modern, sustainable dealerships can be as rewarding for the community as it is for customers.
