News - 2009 Archive

• Driver training
• Total cost of ownership
• Rise in Rentals
• European fleet risk management
• Green Debate
• Confused by LOLER regulations?
• Public Sector Growth
• Car jacking - beware
• Whole life costs
• Parlez vous TCO?
• State of the Industry
• WLC what fleets need to know
• Driver Licence Checking
• Diesel particulate filters

Public Sector Growth

ING Car Lease sees a bright future in the public sector

ING Car Lease, the top ten fleet management company, is predicting strong growth for its range of vehicle leasing services in the UK’s public sector. Managing director, Ian Tilbrook, is confident that despite the continuing economic gloom that is hitting corporate fleets, the growing sophistication of NHS Trusts, education authorities and councils in the way they procure fleet services offers an opportunity to the fleet sector.

He said: “Since our acquisition of Appleyard in 2006, our managed fleet profile has shifted to include a much higher proportion of public sector bodies. This area of the market now accounts for around a quarter of our total fleet and we see this proportion rising over the next few years.”

Tilbrook believes the public sector will create opportunities for fleet management companies that, until now, have focused largely on the corporate market. He continued: “Public sector bodies are turning to outsourcing their fleets for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are looking for proactive advice on all areas of fleet management, especially in the area of risk. By and large, public sector bodies are much more concerned about minimising potential risk from their ‘grey fleets’ and are looking for expertise on reducing the risk of operating often very large fleets.

“We have also found the public sector to be more quality-driven than many outsourced suppliers perceive. Our experience of working with hospital trusts, councils and education authorities has shown that while this sector is price competitive, there is also a recognition towards quality of service and solutions that support specific needs.

Tilbrook also highlights the relative stability in the public sector as another reason for the fleet industry to consider the market an attractive proposition. He said: “While we are seeing some businesses in sectors such as finance and property reducing fleet sizes, the economic downturn is unlikely to have such an impact on the public sector, making it a relatively stable and therefore attractive market for the fleet industry.”