Group-buying online businesses Groupon has rapidly expanded from its United States base to become operational in the UK.

Now Run Your Cars is aiming to bring significant discounts to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) running vehicle fleets after adopting the Groupon model.

Steve Whitmarsh (pictured), managing director of Run Your Cars, said: “Groupon has hit on a hugely successful business formula that sees consumers band together to buy goods and services at a block discount.

“Effectively that is exactly the thinking behind Run Your Cars, which has used its purchasing power to negotiate discounts with leading providers of a wide range of fleet services.

“In turn individual SMEs, which would not normally have access to the level of discounts we have negotiated, can make significant financial savings. We believe the discounts available would usually only be available to large fleet operators.

“All fleet decision-makers are looking to make financial savings. We have calculated that our existing customers are saving on average £300 per vehicle per year. On a fleet of just 10 cars or vans that adds up to £3,000, which is a significant bottom line saving for a small business.”

For £5 (+VAT) per vehicle per month, Run Your Cars’ membership includes RAC breakdown and accident management services and access to a range of other fleet benefits at discounted rates from leading suppliers including: accident management and crash repair through Nationwide Crash Repair Centres, tyre repair and replacement via Kwik-Fit Fleet, car rental through Enterprise Rent a Car, windscreen replacement via Auto Windscreens and vehicle servicing through a network of 6,000 franchise and independent garages.

Further services, including risk management, are available at a small additional cost, while access to a range of vehicle funding options is also available.

The monthly fee also enables customers to manage their fleet using Run Your Cars’ own online fleet management system.