Car leasing company ING Car Lease has seen a significant rise in the number of companies using rental vehicles. Is it time for small businesses to follow suit? By Michelle Wilson, head of rental services, ING Car Lease.

Over the last year we have seen a definite shift in attitude towards rental vehicles.

While they were once seen as an expensive option to leasing, this has changed.

Rates and reduced administration have made it far easier for managers of larger company fleets to consider rental. Rental contracts are managed online, though through partner National Car Rental, which significantly reduces administration levels.

Specifically, we are seeing more businesses turning to rental to ensure they are being good employers. And ensuring staff do not use unsuitable or uninsured vehicles for one-off business use.

Certainly, more companies are doing the right thing under the new health and safety regime. They are ensuring rental cars are used in preference to the ‘grey fleet’ option which opens up all kinds of duty of care issues.

We are also seeing increased use of rentals in cases of staff probationary periods and extended contracts.

Obviously, in times of economic uncertainty, businesses are looking to minimise their exposure to long-term contracts. No business would want to saddle itself with assets that may not get fully utilised. Which is why companies are finding daily rental so attractive.

Further information

For more on daily rental, go to our Downloads area for a downloadable pdf on How to benefit from daily rental