More than a quarter of fleets (a net 27%) expect to see growth in the number of vehicles they operate during the next three years, according to the 2022 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer.
The overwhelming reason cited by decision makers surveyed is that their company is expanding (mentioned by 81%), but human resource-related needs (21%) and plans to offer vehicles to employees without a company car (21%) are also major factors.
Shaun Sadlier, Head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “A net 27% of organisations predicting expansion of their fleet operations is a strong indication of confidence in the sector. This is comparable to the 29% figure seen in 2021 and stronger than the 21% recorded in 2020. Clearly, businesses expect a strong rebound in 2022.
“One of the most surprising findings in last year’s research was the high degree of optimism surrounding future fleet growth, despite the potential impact of Covid-19 and lockdowns at that time. Even though we are now emerging from the pandemic, this year brings a different set of risks – ranging from conflict to a rapidly rising cost of living – but fleets still remain notably positive about the future.”
Shaun pointed out that the new research showed that confidence about growth was biased towards smaller companies, with a 36% of those with fewer than 10 employees predicting growth, compared to 15% of those with more than 1,000.