Inchcape Fleet Solutions has launched a competitive tendering system after research with fleet decision-makers found that 94% consider price to be ‘important’ or ‘very important’ in sourcing vehicles.

Despite the interest in price, more than a third of those polled only request quotes from one or two companies.

The biggest cause of this seems to be time pressure, with more than half of respondents spending less than two hours per month obtaining quotes.

Being tied into long-term contracts with one provider and having no ability to select a better deal is another issue for those responsible for very large fleets.

Inchcape Fleet Solutions has a long-established competitive tendering model but has launched new product, Inchcape Fleet Autobid, to address the needs of fleet decision-makers.

Inchcape Fleet Autobid provides real-time quotes on each and every vehicle required, with one click.

The platform connects directly to the quoting systems of a panel of funders who will automatically provide their best quote for that chosen vehicle.

The system is accessed through a dedicated client portal; a web-based system which can be tailored to client’s vehicle policies.

In addition to fleet decision-makers, drivers can optionally be given access to create quotes in line with their company policy, further removing administrative burden from decision-makers.

Inchcape Fleet Solutions manages the whole process so that the client has one point of contact regardless of the funder. 

“Clients won’t have to call multiple contract hire companies to get competitive quotes”, said Matthew Rumble, commercial director at Inchcape Fleet Solutions.

“Based on competitive tendering with Inchcape Fleet Solutions, one of our clients has saved an average £346.32 per vehicle over a three-year term.

"For a company with a fleet of 300 vehicles, this would amount to more than £100,000 of savings on financing the vehicle over the period, before any other fleet management savings are factored in.”