A weekly round up of European and UK fleet news this week including Europe’s growing fleets, BT managing Post Office vehicles and a boost to manufacturing through fleet purchases. By Jonathan Minter and Mike Cobb
Strong end to 2013 for European fleet but UK still pulls away
New commercial vehicle registrations in the five biggest European markets of Germany, UK, France, Spain and Italy saw an impressive 13.5% year-on-year in December, according to fleet information provider Dataforce
The UK saw the largest growth at 25%, followed by Spain (24%), France (12%) and Italy (10%), with the German market recording the smallest growth of just over 4%.
Despite this strong end to the year, only the UK recorded decent growth for the year, up 8.2% on 2012, meaning it over took the German market, which shrank 6.2%.
The French market declined 0.6%, while the Italian and Spanish fleet markets shrank by 10.2% and 13.1% respectively.
Compact cars continued to be the largest segment, after a 0.6% growth in the year. Small cars became the second largest segment after it grew market share from 16.1% to 16.9%. In comparion, the number of mid-range car registrations fell 12.3%, meaning the segment’s market share fell from 18.8% to 16.8%. SUV’s saw the largest growth in volume at 9.0%.
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Online fleet comparison site launched
Comparemyfleet.com has launched as a free to use online fleet comparison and consultancy service.
The service aims to provide users with a report containing quotes from a number of leasing companies within 24 hours of the customer entering certain requested vehicle details.
The site has been founded by director Neil Birkbeck, who has held commercial and procurement roles at a number of blue chip companies and fellow director Mark Pritchard, who has held senior technology roles and Bank of America and JP Morgan.
Burnt Tree signs up to 1link hire
UK contract hire firm Burnt Tree Vehicle Rental has signed up to software provider epyx’s e-commerce platform 1link Hire Network.
The company said it intended to use the platform to help it move into new hire markets and sectors by reaching a larger number of potential fleet users.
The agreement comes as a result of Burnt Trees five year company expansion plan.
Fleet business helps boost UK vehicle manufacturing – BVRLA
The British Vehicle Leasing and Rental Association (BVLRA) has welcomed the growth in vehicles manufactured in the UK and highlighted the contribution made by the fleet and business markets.
Vehicle manufacturing in the UK surpassed 1.5m units in 2013, 3.1% up year-on-year, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the highest since 2007.
Gerry Keaney, BVLRA chief executive, said "This growth would not be possible without fleet and business sales. BVRLA members purchase around 80% of UK-manufactured vehicles sold in this country, and are key to helping UK vehicle production reach record-breaking levels by 2017."
Post Office signs to BT Fleet
After an 18 month tender process BT fleet, a division of telecoms group BT, has signed a five year fleet management contract with Post Office.
The contract will cover the 470 vehicle existing fleet of cash delivery vehicles and mobile post offices.
BT fleet won the contract based upon the ability to deliver a minimal downtime requirement, specialist maintenance and regulatory compliance, all at a reasonable cost.
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