Giant Bicycles team up with Lookers Leasing & Mitsubishi to go greener…
Summer Issue 2015 ••• This newsletter is designed as an insight into what is happening within Lookers Leasing. It covers a range of topics, issues affecting our industry, news, product launches, our success stories and our people.
Lookers Leasing have moved… While Team Giant-Alpecin is currently competing in The Tour De France, Giant UK were going green with a move across from diesel vehicles to Hybrid technology after taking delivery of 6 new Mitsubishi PHEV GX4h. The deal was structured by Joe Skinner, Business Development Manager at Lookers Leasing and the first vehicles were delivered on the 6th July to the Giant UK HQ in Charnwood, Leicester. When it came to choosing a vehicle to replace their Lookers Leasing supplied Volkswagen Passat Estates, the company wanted to have a vehicle which matched the ethos of a business supplying a product which promotes a healthy and active lifestyle, had a generous storage capacity, excellent build quality in order to be able to travel over 120,000 miles in the 3 year contract
period and a vehicle which made an ECO statement on behalf of Giant reducing its CO2 levels across the fleet. With a CO2 output of just 44 g/km, 5% company car tax, combined fuel consumption of over 100 mpg and the build quality and specification of a luxury SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander GX4h was the successful choice.
www.lookersleasing.co.uk
We are now in our new building and loving the extra space it comes with. Lookers Leasing Lookers House Cardale Park Beckwith Head Road Harrogate HG3 1RY All our numbers remain the same, T: 01423 853 000 F: 01423 853 002
Lookers Leasing Leasing wins Crown Commercial Services supply contract…
Welcome to our Lookers Leasing New Starters… Starters…
The CCS tender is one of the largest single contract awards in Europe.
Geoff Burton
Lookers Leasing is very proud to announce that it has been successful in securing
Business Development Manager geoff.burton@lookersleasing.co.uk T: 07580 998 112
a place as one of 12 suppliers for Lot 1 of the tender, The Lease of Passenger Motor Vehicles and LCVs up to 3.5 tonnes. CCS is a public sector organisation which acts on behalf of the UK Government to drive savings for the taxpayer through procurement efficiencies and improved quality of commercial and procurement activity. Its procurement arrangements can be used by central government departments
Lamin Demba Pricing & Risk Manager lamin.demba@lookersleasing.co.uk T: 01423 853 000
Dave Rushton Maintenance Controller dave.rushton@lookersleasing.co.uk T: 03300 122 401
and organisations across the public sector, including local government, health, education, not-for-profit and devolved administrations. The securement of the CCS supply contract will directly help Lookers Leasing with its expansion plan over the next 3-5 years. Lookers Leasing are very proud of its staff and to secure the contract with the highest score on customer services
“A FN50 UK Leasing Company, with over 4,000 vehicles on its fleet.” “Industry leading end of contract charges.”
was a very big achievement.
For any CCS supply enquiries please contact:
“True national coverage in mainland UK and Northern Ireland with an open underwriting procedure - we will always listen to what a company has to say and their business plan.”
Diana Charalambous Public Sector Regional Manager diana.charalambous@lookersleasing.co.uk T: 07983 561155
www.ccs-agreements.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/contracts/rm3710
“Part of the £3BN turnover Lookers PLC motor group, one of the largest in the UK.”
The budget reviewed… Fuel duty The Chancellor froze fuel duty, scrapping the proposed 0.54p-per-litre duty escalator due in September 2015. 'I want to make sure that the falling oil price is passed on,' said Osborne, who called the five-year amnesty the longest fuel duty freeze for two decades. He claimed that his move would save motorists £10 every time they fill up - or £675 a year by 2016, according to Whitehall estimates. Hauliers will do even better, saving an estimated £21,000 per lorry annually.
A summary of the effects of the new budget on fleets …
Cheaper petrol in remote areas 'The government recognises that motorists in some rural areas face particularly high pump prices compared to the rest of the UK, and has now received full approval from the Council of the European Union to extend the rural fuel rebate scheme to 17 areas of the UK mainland, enabling retailers in eligible areas to register for a 5 pence per litre fuel duty discount.' Will that be passed on to motorists? That is the key question... Weak oil prices: impact on UK drivers 'The fall in oil prices has supported household budgets,' the Budget documentation explains. 'Due to petrol pump prices falling by 19p per litre since March 2014, the cost of filling up a tank for the typical motorist has fallen by £11 since Budget 2014. The government has made very clear that it will watch industry to ensure that savings from the fall in oil prices are being passed through to consumers.' Coalition politicians across Westminster must be relieved that oil prices have handily dropped just in time for the General Election, just 50 days away... Classic car tax As earlier announced, the rolling deadline for classic car VED tax exemption will switch to apply to all cars registered before 1 January 1976. Great news for owners of old bangers. But will they continue to bring the cut-off forwards, to allow more modern classics tax-exempt status? Investment in roads The Budget includes an update on roads spending. 'To improve the Strategic Road Network, 15 major schemes worth £3.4 billion have been completed with a further 16 schemes worth £2.3bn underway.' The Government said roads planned for upgrades include the A1, M62, M1, A556 and Mersey Gateway Bridge - and a tunnel under Stonehenge (that old chestnut!). Company car tax 'Recent changes to the company car tax regime have supported the move to fuel efficient cars while ensuring that the benefitin-kind is taxed fairly. The Budget announces that in 2019-20 rates for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles will increase more slowly than previously announced, and that rates for other cars will increase by three percentage points.' Severn road crossing In a surprise announcement, Osborne revealed that the toll for crossing the Severn bridge between England and Wales on the M4 would be 'reduced' from 2018. Some media are reporting the plan is to abolish it altogether, in the longer run. Great news for the 'Welsh tax' on the M4 westbound. Investment in autonomous cars A new £100 million investment was announced in autonomous car projects in the UK. The Government wants to make Britain a centre of excellence in driverless cars. Car manufacturing Osborne hailed the increase in manufacturing output, led by a buoyant car industry, and pointed to faster growth in the North than the South. 'Britain's manufacturing output has grown more than four-and-a-half times faster than it did in the entire
decade before the crisis... We are seeing a truly national recovery,' said the Chancellor. It's worth noting that most of the UK's volume car factories are based in the Midlands (Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin) and the North (Nissan, Land Rover, Bentley). Spending on transport The Government commits to spending ÂŁ29 billion as part of its public sector spending commitment 2015-16. HGV drivers The Budget spelled out measures to support Britain's lorry drivers, to tackle the shortage of skilled staff available as foreign hauliers are dominating. Electric vehicle support 'The government announced in February 2015 the launch of a ÂŁ10 million ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) battery prize, which will see a UK-based collaboration of manufacturers and researchers develop a new commercially viable battery pack for ULEVS. The winner will be announced in summer 2015.' Road tax Annual road tax will rise by inflation from 1 April 2015. 'Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates for cars, vans, motorcycles and motorcycle trade licences will increase by RPI,' the Budget confirmed.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motoring-issues/2015/budget-2015-how-it-affects-uk-motorists/
Total Cost of Contract (TCC) Lookers Leasing has developed a truly unique offering with our Total Cost of Contract partnership agreements . It is an agreement whereby our customers can truly see how much they can save in cost and time while also protecting themselves from large ancillary costs that were not included in the fleet budget. The actual cost of running a fleet on Contract Hire is not simply the finance aspect of the rentals each month, but a much greater cost base:
Cost of the rentals +: End of contract damage re-charges. Excess mileage charges. Administration charges e.g. fines. Cost of temporary vehicle until contract vehicle delivered. • Tyre damage (accidental). • Accident Management. • MID • • • •
Our Business Development Manager, Joe Skinner, outlines the key principles of TCC… “Our industry leading delivery of contract hire agreements that ensure the WHOLE COST of the contracts is taken into consideration. TCC removes cost exposure and risk and enables true budgeting.
By utilising a TCC partnership agreement some of the immediate benefits in cutting costs are:
TCC Benefits: Industry leading end of contract re-charges. Industry leading excess mileage charges. NO fine administration charges. NO quibble accidental tyre policy. • Lead in vehicles at monthly rental price. • • • •
“The ability to show to a company the amount of fleet cost and time savings we can achieve, by using the customer’s own provided data, is a very powerful tool indeed and the key to our TCC partnership agreements.”
Our 5 star cars to watch… These are the 5 cars which we think at Lookers Leasing will be star performers in 2015/16.
Renault Kadjar …
Jaguar XE Saloon …
Audi A4 …
The Jaguar XE is worthy of serious consideration for anyone searching for their next compact saloon. It scores highly for both its sleek looks and efficient diesel engines, but its biggest attraction is that it’s absolutely sensational to drive. It comes better equipped than most of its rivals, featuring all the latest safety gadgets, and is one of the only executive cars which emits just 99g/km of CO2, meaning superlow tax bills. The only downsides are some issues with practicality and slightly disappointing interior quality.
The new Audi A4 can only be described as a revelation. The new model is powerful and smooth, with poise and undeniable refinement. This competent executive saloon is ergonomically superb and generates effortless performance in a deluxe package. The Audi A4 Saloon and Avant now comes with Ultra technology which combines innovative materials and intelligent design principles which results in greater agility with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Until a couple of years ago, Renault’s car line-up looked very conventional. With several years of dwindling sales some fresh ideas were needed.
The Kadjar (the name of an ancient Persian dynasty, but Renault also says a play on Quad – referencing the four-wheel drive ability – and jaillir, French word that suggests agility and responsiveness) will be available in September, with orders officially open from July. There are four equipment grades, starting with Expression+, rising through Dynamique Nav and Dynamique S Nav to Signature at the top. The range starts at £17,995 on the road for the 1.2-litre TCe 130 Expression+, with diesel versions starting at £19,895 for the 110hp 1.5litre dCi Expression+.
RR Discovery Sport …
www.fleetnews.co.uk
Skoda Superb…
The version that is likely to be most popular is the 1.5-litre dCi Dynamique S Nav at £22,395. Core features on Expression+ include electronic parking brake, digital radio, front foglights, LED daytime running lamps, seven-inch TFT instrument panel with digital speedometer, electric windows, air conditioning, bluetooth connectivity, USB socket, and a tyre inflation kit.
The new Superb is the culmination of everything that Skoda has become so good at. Its huge and airy interior is beautifully screwed together and littered with clever touches to make your life easier, while the exterior is an exercise in sculpted modern minimalism. It’s comfortable, quiet and composed to drive, too, especially with the DSG gearbox.
www.fleetnews.co.uk
This could be all the car you’ll ever need.
The new Discovery Sport is a replacement for the Freelander, only with the versatility of seven seats. Based on the more expensive Range Rover Evoque, only with a new design of rear suspension that allows for the third row of seats, it promises to blend style and space in a way that no other model in this class can. Initially available with only a 187bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine, the range will be bolstered by the arrival of a new, cleaner 2.0-litre "Ingenium" diesel model with either 148bhp or 178bhp. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/la nd-rover/discovery-sport/
Commercial Vehicles The latest news from the world of LCVs, that we have found interesting
Lookers Leasing loves vans …
this quarter.
New Peugeot Partner…
Ford Transit Custom tops June business van sales charts…
A BRAVE new business face has been put on one of the UK’s most popular van, the Peugeot New Partner. It’s fresh new front end features a contemporary designed nose and fresh headlamp styling, bringing it into line with the new Peugeot family face already seen on other recently launched vehicles. Inside the modifications made the floor pan mean that even the L1 version has class leading carrying capacity for two Euro pallets. Keeping control of running costs is a key part of any light commercial vehicle (LCV) fleet, and the New Partner claims to be a star performer on a budget. Among the economical engines in the range, there are new VTi petrol and BlueHDi diesel units to choose from, which meet Euro 6 standards.
www.businessvans.co.uk
The funding and management of LCVs is a rapidly expanding activity for Lookers Leasing and one that we are considerably experienced in. Our parent company, Lookers PLC has one of the largest networks of LCV dealerships, providing a great choice of vehicles in stock and often greatly reduced lead times for factory orders.
Fitting…
Ford's British-engineered Transit Custom van was the biggest selling van to UK fleets in June, with 3598 registrations. The Transit Custom was crowned medium panel van of the year at the 2014 Fleet Van Awards. Judges said the van offered "sector leading technology, multiple configurations and options, while pleasing drivers with its smooth, easy driving style."
We work with all the UK’s top fitting companies to complete sometimes complex racking and fitting solutions for customers.
Signage… Building on the previous success of the Fleet Van Summit, but now incorporating the key truck sector, this event is designed to answer questions and issues regularly faced by van and truck fleet operators. As with previous years, our 2015 speaker line-up will bring together industry leaders who will present on critical issues, share experiences and exchange ideas whilst focusing on the biggest issues and opportunities. The day will offer case studies, best practice advice and debate the key industry topics. www.summit.commercialfleet.org
We are able to provide signwriting solutions using either yours or our suppliers to produce stunning graphics and wrapping.
LiteLease A fantastic way to secure a vehicle on a short term contract with no hidden extras. Here at Lookers Leasing we have developed our Lite-Lease product, which is based upon a hassle free 12 month contract including maintenance.
Audi A3 1.6 TDI Sport 5dr
We provide an excellent choice of vehicles and you can be confident that the vehicle and contract is provided direct from
Audi A4 2.0 TDIe SE Technik Saloon
one of the fastest growing FN50 UK Leasing Companies.
Contact us now for further details…
Ford Transit Custom 270 L1H1 2.2 TDCi 100ps
£449 per month £325 per month 1+11, 20,000 miles per annum Full maintenance Profile: Rentals based on 1 months deposit followed by 11 monthly payments. Mileage: 20,000 miles per annum including full maintenance.
1+11, 20,000 miles per annum Full maintenance
£375 per month 1+11, 20,000 miles per annum Full maintenance
Audi A4 2.0 TDIe SE Technik Avant
Vauxhall Vivaro 2700 L1H1 1.6 CDTi 115ps
Alternative profiles and mileages available. Business users only. Rentals are plus VAT. (Vehicles used for illustration purposes only.)
£459 per month 1+11, 20,000 miles per annum Full maintenance
£375 per month 1+11, 20,000 miles per annum Full maintenance
For new business quotes, tender opportunities and TCC fleet evaluations, please contact: Joe Skinner Business Development Manager M: 07870 894 398 E: joe.skinner@lookersleasing.co.uk
Geoff Burton Business Development Manager M: 07580 998 112 E: geoff.burton@lookersleasing.co.uk
For existing customers, please contact your Account Manager: Steve Quayle Area Sales Manager M: 07939 677 060 E: stephen.quayle@lookersleasing.co.uk
Cath Burgess Area Sales Manager M: 07908 000 714 E: cath.burgess@lookersleasing.co.uk
Diana Charalambous Public Sector Regional Manager M: 07983 561 155 E: Diana.charalambous@lookersleasing.co.uk
Lookers Leasing Limited Lookers House Cardale Park Beckwith Head Road Harrogate, HG3 1RY www.lookersleasing.co.uk Telephone: 01423 853 000 Fax: 01423 853 002