2 minute read
Fleets urged to consider their options as WLTP data gap bites
The BVRLA Alternative Dispute Resolution service has been praised by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute following a review carried out on 4 February.
In a written report, the Trading Standards Institute concluded that “Overall BVRLA and ECRCS have shown to be providing an effective ADR service.”
It also praised the work of the ADR team, saying: “CTSI was impressed with the knowledge of the ADR officials and the thorough process carried out when making a decision.”
The review assessed the BVRLA and European Car Rental Conciliation Service (ECRCS) ADR services, reviewing compliance against set criteria covering:
• Access to the ADR body • Expertise, Independence, and Impartiality • Conflict of Interests • Transparency • Effectiveness • Fairness • Legality • Grounds for refusal
The BVRLA has handled 3047 cases and ECRCS 3945 cases over the period 2018/20, with an average resolution time of 20 and 22 days respectively for each scheme.
Customers of BVRLA members can access the ADR free of charge, referring an unresolved complaint at any point within 12 months of a member organisation’s final response to them. u
Growth in membership
The latest data from the BVRLA shows that membership numbers continued to rise during 2019, ending the year with 1,007 organisations in membership, up 2% on the previous year.
2019 saw more rental, leasing & fleet management, commercial vehicle and associate members joining the BVRLA family and the association also welcomed members to its new Fleet Operator category. Leasing broker numbers reduced slightly, largely due to consolidation in the sector.
The total BVRLA fleet size grew modestly during 2019, with members collectively responsible for just over 5.1 million vehicles, up 2% year-on-year.
Cars continue to be the most dominant vehicle type on fleet, up 1.5% at over 4.1 million. The number of vans and trucks on fleet also continues to grow, with both the LCV and HGV fleet sizes increasing by 4% and 1.5% respectively. The size of the short-term rental fleet continued to grow at a stable but modest rate of 1%, in line with the previous year, with just under 480,000 units. A slight reduction in the size of the rental car fleet was offset by an increase in the commercial vehicle rental fleet.
Personal leasing contracts continued to represent the highest level of growth in 2019, up 6% year-on-year, accounting for over 2 million vehicles. The number of personal contracts taken out on both cars and LCVs grew, whilst HGVs saw a small reduction.
There was no change to the total number of business contract hire vehicles on fleet, remaining static at around 2.6 million, with a modest reduction in the size of the car fleet being offset by an increase in commercial vehicle business leasing. u
Gerry Keaney with BVRLA Chairwoman, Nina Bell
BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney:
“ We are delighted to have seen another year of growth at the BVRLA, in what has been a difficult year for the wider automotive industry. “As well as seeing continuing growth in personal leasing, we have also seen an increasing trend in the number of commercial vehicle operators looking to the rental and leasing sectors for more cost-effective, cleaner transport solutions.”
