FLEET management company CLM has launched a new dedicated website for its minilease products: www.minilease.online

The Newport Pagnell-based company says it has seen bookings for flexible, short-to-medium term rental product increase by 30% year-on-year.

Terms can be booked from 3-12 months for superminis to large vans.

CLM Director – In Life Services, Chris Mitchinson, said: “We are seeing continuous demand for our Mini-lease vehicles from companies of all sizes – from SMEs through to major corporates.”

Mitchinson outlined several reasons for the increase:

“Firstly, there is economic and financial uncertainty in the market, some of it around Brexit and the lack of confidence that is causing for many businesses.

“At the same time, Mini-lease can provide an interim solution to the current issues around the WLTP emissions test, and the resulting uncertainty over the CO2 values of vehicles and availability issues.

“It is also worth noting that Mini-lease may be of great interest to those organisations operating under international accounting standards which will, under IFRS16, be required to show on their balance sheet all liabilities for leases, unless the lease term is 12 months or less. The short-term nature of Mini-lease means that this does not apply.

“In addition, it can be more motivational for drivers to change their cars every few months rather than every three or four years, especially with the wide variety of new vehicle launches each year, and some business want to reward their staff in this way.

“Currently, Mini-lease rates are highly competitive and may be cheaper than some contract hire rates. This is because we are able to negotiate direct deals with the vehicle manufacturers at very attractive rates on certain models,” he said.

CLM offers vehicles on Mini-leases from a number of manufacturers, including Volvo, Volkswagen, Kia, Vauxhall, Peugeot, Fiat, Suzuki, Audi, BMW.