Looking for local service ‘cheaper and better for fleets’

Fleets could save money, reduce vehicle downtime and enjoy better, more personalised service by employing local independent suppliers over national chains, according to a leading specialist.

Mercia Fleet Management (Mercia), the fleet management division of EV salary sacrifice specialist Fleet Evolution, employs networks of local independent suppliers to keep fleet customers on the road, rather than resorting to national chains of suppliers and franchised dealers.

According to Andrew Leech, head of Mercia and founder of Fleet Evolution, local independents provide better, more individualised service and assist in reducing vehicle downtime. “They can also be more cost-effective as they are not constrained by national pricing policies, which often have hidden extras,” Leech said.

Mercia includes several fleet clients within the care sector, which use specially adapted vehicles often requiring bespoke modifications, enhancements or servicing. Mercia’s experience indicates that these are rarely looked after well within franchised networks as they do not fall readily within standard servicing and maintenance routines.

“Vehicle downtime is a big problem using franchised networks which are typically not fit for purpose, and we have seen off-the-road periods of up to six weeks, often through inefficiency,” Leech said.

“This can have huge knock-on effects for a business with jobs unable to be fulfilled, meetings cancelled and personnel having to be redeployed simply because a vehicle is not available.

“We now over-inspect our fleet costumers’ vehicles, often as regularly as every three months. This reduces unscheduled maintenance events which can cost the business thousands in unbudgeted maintenance costs and can cause huge disruption to the running of the fleet.

“Also, by carrying out three monthly checks, we can provide as much notice as possible of any impending work that may need carrying out.”