03-16-2010 Heppner participates in the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles

Heppner, the leading independent Transport and Logistics company in France will be sponsoring for the first time ever an Isuzu pick-up truck in the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, an international automotive off-road sports event that is 100% feminine. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the rally, to take place between March 17 to the 27, starting at Sète, France and finishing at Essaouira, Morocco. Trooping the Heppner colors along with those of other sponsors, the vehicle will be piloted by two seasoned competitors, Catherine Houlès and Armelle Médard. Another challenge is winning to coveted “Beauty Car” trophy awarded to the best-decorated vehicle.
 
 
This is the first time Heppner has backed such a unique event as the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles that advocates another side of automotive racing founded on environmental and social responsibility principles. This initiative is being taken along side its visual communications partners MEGAMARK – no stranger to this competition.
 
Heppner stepped forward because of the human and ecocitizen dimensions that this rally stands for. Since 1990 each year the rally has gathered together more than 230 “gazelles”, 18 to 65 years old, of 33 different nationalities. Another reason Heppner enlisted its support is because the rally is the driving force behind the « Hearts of Gazelles » association working in collaboration with the Moroccan Government to provide access to medical care and aide for children’s education and an orphanage.
 
The rally also takes a strong ecological stand to limit the environmental impact of the activities. The « Charter of Good Behavior » calls for respect of the environment by limiting the speed limit in order to lower carbon dioxide emissions, something Heppner is actively involved in. Indeed since 2009 Heppner has invested in a sustainable development policy based on concrete actions, notably in terms of green distribution using clean fuel by progressively adding less polluting vehicles to its fleet and eco-responsibility training for drivers.
“We decided to accompany Heppner in a real life adventure serving a humanitarian cause dedicated to helping women and children that thus presents a different side of the automotive competition. At the same time, this rally gives us the opportunity to federate energies around an event that is based on common values and promotes team spirit, enthusiasm and competition,” explains Christophe Villiers, Head of the Vehicles Division at MEGAMARK.