Today's Budget should be used as an opportunity to re-examine the impact of Vehicle Excise Duty on rental companies and other businesses that keep new vehicles for less than a year, says Meridian Vehicle Solutions. Phil Jerome, managing director at the medium-term rental specialist, said that the current inability to obtain a full refund on any outstanding balance from the first VED payment at … [Read more...]
Medium-term rental drive by Meridian
A new business drive into the corporate fleet market is being planned in 2019 by medium-term rental specialist Meridian Vehicle Solutions. So far, the company has worked almost entirely through leasing and fleet management companies as intermediaries, white labelling their product for more well-known brands. Phil Jerome, managing director, explained, “While we expect that working these … [Read more...]
Local trade sales and stock quality rising
Trade sales are becoming more local, reports one company. epyx is reporting that it is seeing evidence of a return to more regional-based remarketing in recent months. Usage of options in its 1link Disposal Network platform indicate that more fleets are opting to look at pricing and sales patterns on a geographical basis before deciding where to sell a vehicle. Head of remarketing Vicky … [Read more...]
Tradelines 24 October
The withdrawal of the Government’s plug-in hybrid grant will add about £2,500 to models and make them no longer commercially viable for many fleets, said Meridian Vehicle Solutions. It has taken the decision to operate its current plug-in rentals but not add further versions when they are due to be replaced. VW has introduced an old-diesel swapping scheme in Germany where 14 cities are … [Read more...]
Fleets unprepared for Brexit fallout
The fleet industry needs to start encouraging a sector-wide conversation about Brexit in order to make preparations, says Meridian Vehicle Solutions. Phil Jerome, managing director at the medium term rental specialist, said that he understood the current lack of dialogue given the ongoing absence of clarity about exactly what form leaving the EU would take. However, with only a few months … [Read more...]
Tradelines 12 September
Ford will show a new 2-tonne Transit with 48V mild hybrid powertrain at next week’s Hannover CV show. It will also reveal a PHEV Transit Custom due to launch in 2019 and the latest telematics and data services to be fitted in next year's models. Lex Autolease, the UK’s leading vehicle leasing provider, is launching a new fund to offer contributions of £1,000 towards the cost of 1,000 new … [Read more...]
New-car delivery delays boost nearly-new values
Demand from dealers for nearly new stock is increasing thanks to long waiting times for many new cars, reports Meridian Vehicle Solutions. Phil Jerome, managing director, explained that his company’s medium term rental model meant that it almost exclusively defleeted 6-12-month old prestige and semi-prestige cars, and so had a strong insight into this sector. He said, “We have seen a … [Read more...]
Medium term rentals expected to rise in 2017
A growing mood of caution among businesses is likely to lead to a boost in demand for medium term rental during 2017. Phil Jerome, managing director, at Meridian Vehicle Solutions, said that the possibility of an economic downturn would make more flexible arrangements increasingly attractive. He said, “The effects of Brexit are so difficult to forecast that the majority of businesses are … [Read more...]