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BVRLA and Covid-19
Rental sector helps keep the UK moving
Andrea Davies Communications Manager, BVRLA
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With around 15 million vehicle rental transactions every year in the UK, the rental sector has been heavily relied upon during the coronavirus crisis to provide transport to key workers and those delivering essential goods.
The Government acknowledged the valuable contribution of the sector by making it exempt from business closure during lockdown when millions of businesses across the UK closed their doors.
Although business from leisure customers fell off a cliff almost overnight following the outbreak, business customers and key workers needing an alternative to public transport continued to turn to rental for access to safe, suitable and affordable vehicles on flexible terms.
The collection and delivery of vehicles has carried on throughout the health crisis and rental firms have been quick to introduce new
As UK businesses report losses on average of over £11,000 as a result of Covid-19, Europcar Flex and Flex+ solutions take the pressure off cash-flow
According to a recent study, the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown has been considerable, costing each business on average just over £11,700 in lost work, loan repayments and lost earnings.
And SMEs – accounting for 99.9 per cent of all businesses and around half the turnover in the private sector – have had their agility and ingenuity tested to their limits.
Now, as the economy moves into a ‘new normal’ SMEs face a new challenge – to stay on the road without tying up cash.
In response to these new challenges, Europcar, a brand of Europcar Mobility Group UK, is offering a way to take the pressure off cash-flow with a range of vehicle solutions designed to help companies move forward to a ‘new normal’ and a more efficient way of keeping business on the road.
Sam Sterry, SME sales director commented: “For the majority of SMEs the last few months have been extremely challenging – whether they have been working at full pelt supporting essential services, or stood down during the processes and procedures to ensure that they are working within the government guidelines. The BVRLA also published guidance tailored specifically for the sector to help support businesses as they adapted their ways of working.
Steps were taken early on to help keep customers and staff safe. Rental branches installed screens, introduced electronic signature facilities, stepped up cleaning regimes and started to use coverings on items such as seats and handbrakes – all in addition to ensuring that other hygiene and social distancing requirements are met.
Rental operators who relied heavily on leisure customers, such as those with branches at airports, have been hardest hit during the Covid pandemic. Although the summer saw green shoots from leisure customers as holidaymakers chose to hire vehicles instead of flying, this demand was quickly curbed when quarantine measures lockdown. Now what is needed is as much flexibility as possible to adapt to an unknown future.
“We have, therefore, focused on developing a range of ‘on demand’ long-term flexible rental products covering both cars and vans which can help companies respond quickly to changing demands in an efficient and ‘cash friendly’ way.
“Our vehicles, which are generally brand new, can be delivered or picked up from our branches or van supersites nationwide. And in were imposed on those returning from France.
Coronavirus has certainly brought about a change in behaviours when it comes to transportation choices. The Government’s transport usage figures shows that although public transport figures remain low at around a third of pre-pandemic levels, motor vehicle usage is almost back to normal and vehicle rental continues to play a valuable role in transporting people and goods.
Top Tips for Rental
When renting a vehicle, use a BVRLA member. This gives you the reassurance of knowing that you are dealing with a professional company, who adheres to an industry Code of Conduct and is subject to a robust inspection regime. More Top Tips for Rental can be found on
Flexible rental: the answer for SMEs feeling the pinch
the BVRLA website, www.bvrla.co.uk
Europcar is offering a range “ of vehicle solutions that will take pressure off cash-flow
the wake of the pandemic we have added extra hygiene measures to keep everyone as safe as possible.”
Instead of being committed to a fixed-term lease or an outright purchase, Europcar’s B2B Flex and Flex+ packages offer companies the opportunity to pick-up vehicles when they need them. And they can be returned after as little as three months – with no upfront deposit or early termination fees beyond the initial three months.
With a wide choice of cars and vans available, a variety of mileage options, 24-hour roadside assistance and competitive rates, fixed for 12 months, flexible vehicle rental allows businesses to stay on top of their finances and adapt quickly to new situations – be that another wave of Covid-19 or an unexpected job that requires additional man and vehicle power.
“SMEs are clearly the backbone of the UK economy and helping them to adapt and thrive benefits us all”, concluded Sam Sterry.
