Lombard Vehicle Management, the UK’s largest asset finance company, is extending its long-standing relationship with the AA by sealing an £11.6 million deal, handled by Relationship Director Martin Rogers of Lombard Strategic Accounts Team, to supply 167 recovery vehicles between now and the end of 2010. The majority of the order is based on Renault Midlum Crew Cabs, which will be run on an operating lease over a five-year term.
The AA already has 2400 roadside assistance vans and 40 AA Fuel Assist vans in addition to AA Signs vans, point-of-sale vans, AA Driving School cars and company cars supplied by Lombard and the additional 167 vans are being funded in their entirety, including bespoke fittings by J&J Conversions.
The AA’s main objective for ordering this new fleet was to reduce its carbon footprint. Renault fits this bill as it vehicles have lower emissions, better fuel economy and is fully Euro V-compliant. Whole-life costs are also reduced.
“We’re very pleased to involve Lombard in this part of our business”, says the AA’s Steve Sharpe, Manager – Fleet & Recovery. “Very few leasing companies have real expertise in commercial vehicles as well as cars, and even fewer can handle heavier vehicles as well as vans. This factor, the flexibility required and the simple fact that Lombard has access to the funds necessary for such a high-value contract makes Lombard an obvious choice and a valuable ongoing partner.”
The AA has been a Lombard Vehicle Management customer for over five years and is also a banking customer of Lombard parent company The RBS Group. In addition to the AA, Lombard supplies vehicles for many of the UK’s most visible and trusted brands including British Gas, Jewson, BSkyB and Ocado.