Expert Panel: Leasing
Expert final thoughts
that education again plays a key role in other ways of travelling aside from car, and getting people to buy into electric. viewing mobility as a service. This could “The industry’s challenge is to educate include a mix of car sharing, car clubs, and motorists as to which new fuel technology public transport. Car clubs are particularly is the most suited to their driving styles and popular in cities where traditional car patterns,” explains Chris Chandler from Lex ownership may not be practical due to Autolease. “Rather than questions about parking restrictions and congestion zones. brand style and image, drivers should be Another major way the industry is changing asking what sort of vehicle technology is the advent of self-driving cars. Whilst it may is the best for the kind of driving they seem like an idea way off in the future, trials do. By working in partnership, industry are happening today to test their viability. bodies, suppliers and manufacturers can “With autonomous, or semi-autonomous, raise awareness of the potential of new vehicles on the horizon, this is arguably vehicle technology and help motorists the greatest transition for drivers in 100 find what works best for them.” years,” says Shaun Sadlier from Arval. “For Shaun Sadlier from Arval agrees, adding: this reason, businesses will rely heavily on “As a leasing company we have a key role to their leasing provider to cut through the play in supporting and advising our information available and the vast customers on the implementation choice, to advise them on the Just and efficient usage of best solutions to meet their alternatively fuelled vehicles. business objectives today, s low icle a In doing this our customers and in the future.” h e nv will get the best from Chris Chandler from emissio gy evolves, o these vehicles which Lex Autolease says: l o d techn icies aroun in turn will drive “Fully autonomous l further adoption.” vehicles are also the po are moving “Leasing companies them his is where increasingly a near‑term need to be in a position reality, with huge T quickly. sing industry potential for changing to test, demonstrate and report back on the infrastructure and the lea tep up to the latest technologies legislation of our roads. can s late so that they can provide “In-car connectivity is the p practical advice to customers. also becoming more important That’s precisely why we are taking with many new drivers more part in a new trial to operate and lease a interested in the vehicle’s connectivity small number of hydrogen vehicles.” potential than the badge on the bonnet.” Going back to the changing policies Sharing her vision of future mobility, and incentives surrounding zero and Judith Eadie from Automotive Leasing ultra low emission vehicles, Judith Eadie says: “One thing’s for certain, the car will from Automotive Leasing says: “Just like remain king. But urbanisation is set to the technology inside these vehicles, the grow and technology will drive continuous policies around them are moving quickly. transformation, which means the palette of This is where the leasing industry can step mobility solutions and individuals’ attitudes up to the plate. As well as working with toward them will also continue to change.” manufacturers to provide customers with “It’s inevitable that over the next access to ULEVs, leasing companies can five‑to-ten years we will continue to see a use their expertise to educate them about demand for the use of vehicles, spurred by any changes in policy and offer advice.” a combination of development to include individual-focused solutions that will make Where is the industry going? cars easier to access than ever before. For Alongside the evolution of zero and ultra example, Uber has grown almost 40-fold low emission vehicles, there are other over the last four years and new ride sharing changes happening in the automotive companies like GoMore allow individuals easy industry. People are beginning to look at access to cars to get them from A-B.” L
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Shaun Sadlier With autonomous, or semi-autonomous, vehicles on the horizon this is arguably the greatest transition for drivers in 100 years. For this reason, businesses will rely heavily on their leasing provider to cut through the information available and the vast choice, to advise them on the best solutions to meet their business objectives today, and in the future. However, some things won’t change – despite the dynamic landscape that we operate in, businesses will remain focused on areas like fleet efficiency, cost management, employee recruitment and retention and duty of care – the difference will come through the solutions that we offer. Judith Eadie By 2025, we expect to see the number of cars on the road increase from 1.2 to 2 billion, bringing with it growth in the number of issues that impact the globe – infrastructure, road congestion and carbon emissions, among others. Collaboration is essential for our transport industry to evolve and become future-proof. In order to address the potential issues and threats, stakeholders will have to work together to provide solutions that keep all needs addressed. So, alongside government, auto manufacturers and other stakeholders, the leasing industry will have to play their part in helping this transformation take shape. Chris Chandler New fuel types and vehicle technologies are going to be the major game changers into the future. Legislation is driving cleaner vehicles, and the desire for more connected vehicles and tech within cars such as autonomous driving is challenging existing legislation. Our role in this ever‑changing environment remains constant. Through our depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise, we advise our customers on the most effective and cost‑efficient vehicle and fleet policy to suit their specific business and driver needs – no matter whether in the future that vehicle is a hydrogen fuel‑cell‑powered, driverless car or a pure electric van.