A weekly roundup of fleet news from around the UK and Europe
in conjunction with sister publication
Leasing Life.
LeasePlan UK launch 12-strong
remarketing team
Go deeper with GlobalData
The UK division of European fleet lessor
LeasePlan has launched its expanded 12-strong remarketing team with
the intention of maximising second-hand values.
The team is headed by James Hopkins who was
appointed in April last year and has been recruiting a team to
focus on auction and direct sales.
The remarketing team will continue to work
with LeasePlan’s existing auction partners, BCA, Manheim and Aston
Barclay.
Included in the expanded team is Steve
Jackson, general manager of Direct Sales, who joins from Manheim
and Paul Mason, general manager of Auction Sales, who, with over 28
years of the automotive industry, was promoted from within
LeasePlan.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataHopkins said: “Since I joined LeasePlan, I’ve
been focusing on bringing in the best talent to support the
company’s ambitious plans. Delivering growth in remarketing is an
important part of LeasePlan’s corporate strategy and the senior
team has shown its commitment by boosting our capabilities.
“With the team now in place, I’m confident
that we can help realise LeasePlan’s remarketing potential and
fulfil our goal to be leaders in leasing.”
Supplier awards
The UK division of the Netherlands-based fleet
giant has also recognised the work of its suppliers and partners
with a series of awards at its annual supplier conference.
The winners were:
Auction Provider of the Year –
Cars: BCA Birmingham
Auction Provider of the Year –
LCV: Mannheim Gloucester
Non-Auction Sales Channel of the
Year: The Car Shop
Overall Remarketing Partner of the
Year: JTK Automotive
Independent SMR Supplier of the
Year: Halfords Autocentre
Rental Supplier of the Year:
Thrifty Car and Van Rental
Supplier Employee of the
Year: Joanne Roberts, JTK Automotive
Indirect Supplier of the
Year: Bluestone Credit Management
Managing Partner of the Year:
Interface 247
Overall Supplier of the Year:
Thrifty Car and Van Rental.
There were also awards to supplier’s
individual employees who best demonstrated the fleet lessor’s
values.
Matt Cranny, LeasePlan operations and service
director, said: “We were delighted to have the chance to formally
recognise the hard work carried out by our suppliers over the past
year. LeasePlan has always enjoyed a strong relationship with our
suppliers, and their contribution is vital to our business
objectives.”
Arval welcomes government u-turn on
MOT tests
European fleet operator Arval has welcomed the
UK government’s decision not to extend the gap between mandatory
MOTs from one year to two.
The change was considered following a report
by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency but was scrapped by
Transport Secretary Justine Greening after motoring groups warned
cutting the frequency of the safety tests would have led to more
unsafe cars being allowed on the country’s roads.
Bob Leighfield, head of Midlands operations
for Arval, said: “On balance, we welcome the government’s decision,
particularly from a driver safety point of view. Modern vehicles go
wrong less so servicing intervals are longer and visits to the
garage tend to be less frequent. The annual MOT test will provide a
regular opportunity for an expert to check the vehicle, ensuring
that it is running safely and efficiently.”
“For fleets, the continuation of annual MOT
tests makes it all the more important to ensure that drivers look
after a vehicle; firstly to reduce the need for maintenance and
repair outside of the MOT, and also to limit servicing costs linked
to the passing of the MOT test.”
“From a cost angle, I can understand that some
fleets will view this decision as a negative one. However, when it
comes to driver safety, there is no room for complacency. We also
see situations where poorly maintained vehicles have increased
running costs because there is an undiagnosed problem. For these
reasons, the government’s decision is a sensible one.”
Norbert’s number one
It’s been an exciting 12 months for fleet
lessor Alphabet International and this week the group’s chief
executive has been named manager of the year by a Dutch automotive
magazine.
Norbert van den Eijnden, who was responsible
for Alphabet’s acquisition of ING Car Lease in July 2011, received
the VDO Automotive Manager of the Year award for “his vigorous and
above-board style, his analytical ability and his high
integrity.”
Van den Eijnden said, of the award sponsored
by supplier VDO: “I will pass it on to my team, because this is not
something you achieve alone.”
