There is more evidence emerging that fleets are starting to shake off a recessionary mindset and enter an “investment mode” that sees them look to meet new organisational objectives for the future, suggests Chevin.

The change in direction was forcing a complete rethink of their approach for some fleet managers, said David Gladding, sales director, at Chevin Fleet Solutions.

He explained: “For six or seven years, the corporate objective set for most fleets has been to cut or contain costs with further gains expected on a year by year basis.

“Now that the economy is showing signs of picking up in many sectors, some companies are really starting to look seriously at how they might expand and this, of course, has implications for the fleet.

“Managers are being asked to move into an investment mode and, after years of squeezing more and more out of less and less, it can come as something of a shock. It does require a change in mind-et.”

Gladding said that the most noticeable effect was in sectors where company cars were, once again, being used as key attraction and retention tools.

“One of the effects that follows any recession is that there tends to be a talent shortage in growth sectors were little training or development of staff has taken place in recent years,” he explained.

“We certainly see fleets where there is starting to be more of an HR bias to operations. Perhaps a little less attention is being paid to minimising costs and a little more to maximising the appeal of the choice list.

“For managers who might have spent their entire working life in fleet under recessionary conditions, this is a new approach and we are helping some to implement their new growth strategies with the support of our software.”