FLEET operators are moving towards the use of a single supplier to source and manage vehicles right across the globe. Jonathan Burr, managing director of GE Capital Fleet Services, said having two leasing companies in tow for competitive bids might offer short term savings, but was inefficient, crude, and missed out on positive strategic direction.

'It is the relationship between the customer and a single, dedicated fleet provider which generates major savings and service benefits,' he said. 'International fleet deals can save mega bucks for the client, and we would expect a pan-European deal to produce savings per vehicle of between 10 and 17%,' said Burr.

He called such relationships fleet alliances, rather than outsourcing. These partnerships require high levels of investment internationally, in IT and communication links. 'We spent over $15 million to develop Phoenix, our pan-European computer systems, in which investment continues to run at several million dollars a year,' he said.