Firm launches Groupon-style service for fleets
A fleet management firm is trying out a new business model for the fleet sector, following that of popular money-saving website Groupon.
Groupon has rapidly expanded from its United States base to become operational in the UK and the global leader in online group buying is reaping the dividend of tough economic conditions in which personal and business budgets are tight.
Now Run Your Cars is aiming to bring significant discounts to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) running vehicle fleets.
Steve Whitmarsh, managing director of Run Your Cars, said: “Groupon has hit on a hugely successful business formula that sees consumers band together to buy goods and services at a block discount.
“Effectively that is exactly the thinking behind Run Your Cars, which has used its purchasing power to negotiate discounts with leading providers of a wide range of fleet services.
“In turn individual SMEs, which would not normally have access to the level of discounts we have negotiated, can make significant financial savings. We believe the discounts available would usually only be available to large fleet operators.
“All fleet decision-makers are looking to make financial savings. We have calculated that our existing customers are saving on average £300 per vehicle per year. On a fleet of just 10 cars or vans that adds up to £3,000, which is a significant bottom line saving for a small business.”
For £5 (plus VAT) per vehicle per month, Run Your Cars’ membership includes RAC breakdown and accident management services and access to a range of other fleet benefits at discounted rates from leading suppliers including: accident management and crash repair through Nationwide Crash Repair Centres, tyre repair and replacement via Kwik-Fit Fleet, car rental through Enterprise Rent a Car, windscreen replacement via Auto Windscreens and vehicle servicing through a network of 6,000 franchise and independent garages.
Further services, including risk management, are available at a small additional cost, while access to a range of vehicle funding options is also available.
The monthly fee also enables customers to manage their fleet using Run Your Cars’ own online fleet management system.
The firm has said that savings obtainable to businesses by using the scheme include more than £465 a year – almost £1,400 on a typical three-year/60,000-mile fleet replacement cycle – on an Audi A4 2.0 TDi SE; almost £250 a year or more than £740 over a similar operating cycle on a Vauxhall Astra 1.9 TDi; and more than £260 a year or almost £800 over a three-year operating cycle on a Ford Transit 2.2 TDCi 140ps.
The savings are based on a typical fleet vehicle requiring one service per year, two tyres and one third of a windscreen (on average a fleet vehicle will require a new windscreen every three years). The comparison is based on a like-for-like service at the same franchise dealer, Pirelli tyres from Kwik Fit, breakdown cover from the AA and windscreens sourced from Nationwide Motor Glass.
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