As a result, there is evidence of differing strategies from Fleet200 companies, with  some shifting to sole supply arrangements, while others have opted for multiple leasing suppliers to generate competition and lower costs, while also increasing the pool of expertise they have access to.

One fleet responding to the survey reflected this, saying: “We are moving from a sole supply leasing company to using a third party to manage multi-bidding from a pool of leasing companies.”

One key theme identified for 2013 is the willingness of Fleet200 companies to consider new avenues for savings, particularly through using telematics.

Interviews with Fleet200 companies suggest that as the difficult economic environment continues, employers are more willing to consider strategies they previously would have rejected – and, critically, employees are less likely to resist.

The head of one Fleet200 company said: “We are considering the introduction of telematics to drive further savings in the business. We are also issuing tenders on fleet management, leasing, car rental accident management and fuel card providers this year to maximise utilisation of vehicles.”

For further details, email Sewells Research & Insight on www.sewells.co.uk or call 01733 468254.

live debates identify key issues

Key issues, including the future of alternative fuels, downsizing the vehicle fleet, grey fleet and risk management, have been debated by Britain’s biggest fleets during a series of face-to-face meetings.

Members of the Fleet200 network of companies gather for regular meetings each year to discuss the challenges and issues they face.

Issues identified during the open discussions have included the changing environment surrounding eligibility for company cars. With companies under continued pressure to maintain cost reductions and find further savings, the spotlight has been turned onto whether company cars are being used effectively.

At one Fleet200 meeting, members revealed that HR departments were becoming less influential as companies turned to their fleet departments for expert advice on the best strategies for maximising utilisation of the fleet.

A Sewells Research & Insight report which followed the meeting said: “The current environment has meant that companies can be more aggressive with their policies. In the past, a company might have provided a much more extensive HR-led perk choice list, but even here choice is now likely to be restricted. There also seems to be a growing focus on enforcing mileage requirements for access to a company car, so employees who do not justify a company car because of their low or zero-business mileage risk having it removed as part of an annual review, to keep the investment in cars to a minimum.“

The report also noted that vans utilisation was an increasing area of focus for companies that operate commercial vehicles, bringing an end to ‘one man, one van’ policies.