Arval’s leased fleet grew by 8.2% last year, reaching 1,193,910 vehicles and the number of vehicles ordered increased by 9% year-on-year to 353,302 units.

The number of end-of-contract vehicles sold was flat versus 2017, totalling 254,207. 

Arval full service car leasing solutions are delivered in 29 countries by around 7,000 employees. It reported growth of 5% in France and the UK, 8% in Italy and 19% in Spain. Double-digit growth was also achieved in the Benelux (12%), Southern Europe (16%), Central Europe (14%) and the Nordics (25%). 

Last year, Arval grew across all corporate client segments, with a 4% uplift in the corporate and public segments and 17% in small and medium enterprises.

The international clients of Arval stood for an organic growth of more than 7% and now represent more than 25% of the overall business.

In 2018, Arval rolled out its offers for private individuals throughout Europe, the private lease fleet having increased by 45% between 2017 and 2018.

In the Netherlands, Arval has launched an online car store for private customers where they can select the car that best suits their needs and lease it through an all-inclusive, hassle-free service package.

The goal is to introduce this new qualitative customer experience across several other European countries in 2019. 

Miguel Cabaça, managing director at Arval UK, said: “Over the last year, we have enhanced and expanded our product offering to meet the needs of a changing fleet sector and the results have been encouraging, both in our traditional corporate segment and the SME/private lease area.

“Into 2019, we intend to continue this strategy, helping our partners and customers to meet their transport challenges, whether those specific to the UK market or those that are reflective of longer terms shifts in fuel choices and mobility. It’s a challenging but exciting period.”

Arval’s strategy for the coming years is all about further growth, fostered by more innovations and digital applications fit to offer a broader range of mobility services to its clients and prospects.

It has recently launched its new Employee Value Proposition to underpin the importance of empowered people driving this strategy and delivering outstanding service and industry expertise to its customers and drivers. 

The My Arval platform allows customers and drivers to interact and get personalised and proactive information and services whenever and wherever they need it.

Alain Van Groenendael, Arval CEO, concluded: “As our unique spectrum of high-value services meets the positive market trends, we are confident that we will achieve a significant growth in 2019.

“Our teams are engaged in all countries and segments and achieving a 9% growth for the year ahead seems within our reach.

“Our integrated offer, strong assets, and the course set on data and digital will enable us to meet our clients’ mobility challenges, including our responsibility to fight climate change.”