Case Studies: Mercedes-Benz UK

Mercedes-Benz UK, Official Car Partner of the RPA

Now in its fifth season, the partnership between Mercedes-Benz UK and the RPA has grown in strength since its inception in 2005/06.

Mercedes-Benz UK initially joined the RPA team of senior business partners on a two-year deal to sponsor the RPA Young Player of the Year award at the RPA Annual Rugby Players’ Awards Dinner, with a package that included a team at the RPA’s annual Celebrity Golf Classic in La Manga and access to international tickets during that season.

Since then, the partnership has expanded annually, with Mercedes-Benz UK most recently taking the title sponsorship of our premier golf event, The Mercedes-Benz Rugby Open in 2010.

As the RPA’s Official Car Supplier, Mercedes-Benz UK offers RPA members exclusive leasing rates on their range of premium cars. The scheme is managed centrally from Mercedes-Benz UK head office but rolled out regionally via local dealerships, allowing Mercedes-Benz UK representatives to build strong relationships with RPA members.

Members are informed of the latest rates via regular email and text services, sent centrally by the RPA and backed up by information on their members-only website. As a result the players have enjoyed excellent personal service from Mercedes-Benz UK, as well as advantageous rates on their vehicles. This has been of mutual benefit to Mercedes-Benz UK and RPA members, with vehicle sales to players topping the one hundred mark over the last three years.

As with all RPA partnerships, the players are encouraged to build relationships with Mercedes-Benz UK staff on both a local and national level, initially through regular contact at RPA events. Several players, including Strictly Come Dancing star Austin Healey, have also enjoyed supporting additional Mercedes-Benz events, whilst Mercedes-Benz UK Sales Director, Simon Oldfield and National Corporate Sales Manager, Colin Niklas, along with their national and local colleagues, have been regular supporters of RPA events.

The RPA would like to thank Mercedes-Benz UK for their continued and excellent support since 2005, and look forward to extending our mutually successful partnership for many seasons to come.