50 | FEATURE
Commercial Vehicle Hire 2022 - What is in store for the next 12 months…..
The seemingly never-ending series of world events that have been presented over the past few years have changed many people’s views on what is best practice for their business. What previously seemed a prudent investment to enhance a business may now suddenly appear to be risk-taking of the highest calibre. What can be learned from the recent turbulent times is that for a company to survive and adapt it must be highly flexible and have both the ability, and the willingness to change - and to do so very quickly.
FLEETTRANSPORT | MAY - JUNE 22
When it comes to a company acquiring new equipment, especially vehicles, it is always a daunting task with the final decision swaying for and against in the increasingly unpredictable business climate. Could this now be the time to make the move and make owning the vehicles someone else’s problem, allowing you to focus fully on the core activity of the company. Fleet Transport spoke to a number of companies within the vehicle hire, leasing and contract rental sector. It is interesting that overall the companies are finding strong demand from their customers and a positive willingness to move forward. One of the key benefits of not owning a vehicle became apparent during the recent pandemic when the nation as a whole was working from home. National Truck & Van Rental’s van hire and leasing services, with three main branches (Dublin & Cork) ensure fleet operators have fast access to the highest quality vans on the local market. As part of their services, National Truck & Van Rental provides all maintenance and repair on the hired vehicle, and completes scheduled tyre replacements. The company also completes scheduled computerised service to help ensure vehicles retain peak performance year-round. They also offer free vehicle replacement in the event of a breakdown! Morgan McAndrew of Fleet Options explained that during the almost
two-year period, business was relatively buoyant, and hire and rental companies worked together to help each other out and ensure customers were looked after. He continued to say that great effort was invested by companies like Fleet Options to make alternative arrangements and deal with sometimes unusual situations. One example Morgan cited arose because people were not travelling they wished to return vehicles to reduce their liability for Benefit in Kind (BIK). Other businesses realised a sudden increase in demand due to the new world of home deliveries which overnight became the norm. Another new norm Morgan and everyone else we spoke to is working
around, is that of sourcing vehicles. Morgan sees the difficulties of sourcing vehicles being the most important issue on the horizon for the sector and one which he believes could continue through to next year and even into 2024. There are two principal factors hampering this positive demand. One is recent, and due to the difficult and troubling situation in Ukraine and the effects it is having on the economies of Europe; this is of course apart from the humanitarian crisis the war has generated. The other difficulty has been with us for a longer period, and that difficulty is
