Sustainable fleets, new challenges
The leasing market is undergoing a big transformation. New financing schemes and flexible leasing solutions are becoming increasingly popular among companies. These new approaches make it possible for them to respond quickly and flexibly to changes, while optimising their operating costs and minimising their risks.
This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2024/8-9
Digital technologies
Csaba Ambrózi, sales team leader of Mercarius Flottakezelő Kft.:
“While the unfavourable interest rate environment has improved somewhat by now, we are nowhere near the levels of the pre-pandemic period, which has a negative influence on market expansion. Although more favourable, foreign currency financing still carries risks”.
Despite the changing economic circumstances, the long-term lease arrangement remains a top priority, taking the burden of fleet procurement and operation entirely off the customer’s shoulders and offering problem-free mobility. The company is pushing for the digitalisation of its processes and administration. By switching to electronic invoicing, they want to support paperless operations, easier invoice processing and shorter lead times.
Different types of rental
The evolution of commercial vehicle fleets closely follows retail trends.
“Online shopping was the main driver during the coronavirus pandemic, leading to a significant increase in the number of commercial vehicles doing home deliveries. Then contractors have reduced their fleets and in the current economic and market environment the market isn’t booming”,
says Tímea Pesti, CEO of LeasePlan Hungária Zrt.
Most companies are experiencing economic uncertainty, which is causing them to focus on cost reduction, but at the same time they also have to manage the mobility of their colleagues. LeasePlan Hungária Zrt.’s short-term fleet can help a lot in this regard, as companies can provide transport for their colleagues at a competitive price without a long-term commitment. There are also options for long-term leasing that can be adapted to the economic situation, such as variable interest rate financing or a change to euro-based financing that LeasePlan can offer.
So many features
Porsche Hungaria Kft.’s Smart Care service package offers predictable, calculable costs to vehicle owners, and the 4-year or 200,000km warranty guarantees the continuous usability of the vehicles.
“Because of changes in the GSR 2.0 rules that enter into force on 7 July, only those vehicles that comply with the stricter rules can be put on the market after the deadline. In order to comply with the new rules, vans will be sold with more features in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles line, e.g. more assistance systems, upgraded infotainment systems and improved electronic (cybersecurity) systems”,
says András Kovács, brand director at Porsche Hungaria Kft.
“Regulations are getting stricter every year, for example in terms of emission figures, which requires a tremendous effort and development from manufacturers. In July new mandatory safety features (GSR 2.0) were introduced as standard features for cars, vans and trucks, which have made them more expensive. The 95g/km CO2 quota will become 15% stricter from 2025, which could cause difficulties for some manufacturers, forcing them to adjust their prices”,
says Aleksandra Banovic, chief sales officer of MHC Mobility Magyarország, highlighting the significant changes ahead.
ESG-compatible solutions
MHC Mobility Magyarország is an international company with a Japanese background, which has great experience across several continents. They are constantly monitoring trends and when they introduce a new service that works well in one of their subsidiaries, they are quick to localise it in Hungary. Their innovation is ESG-compatible fleet service, preparing up-to-date online reports with accurate data. Their ElectricFleet service with charging station deployment and the possibility to switch back to internal combustion vehicles is also an ideal choice for holidays and business trips alike.
Gergő Zlatniczky, sales manager of Emil Frey – M5 Center DS:
“We can satisfy all customer needs up to a total weight of 3.5t and we have a full range to choose from. Special bodywork and refrigerated conversions are also possible, which are very common among vehicles operated in the FMCG sector. Under the name Free2Move, we offer short and long-term rental options and a commercial vehicle fleet”.
Extra expectations
One of the most important changes in the commercial vehicle segment has been the rise in demand. Nowadays, comfort and extras and services are increasingly important when buying a van.
“By service we mean not only bring-and-take, same-category replacement vehicle or tyre service, but also online services that have already been common for passenger cars, such as app-based air conditioning, seat heating/ventilation, various map services and real-time information”,
says Edwin Bondar, fleet director at Reálszisztéma Kft.
The company provides partners with the most suitable commercial vehicles to meet their daily commuting needs, tailored to their individual preferences.
Zsombor Páll, managing director of VIARENT Kft. underlines that in today’s world everything is speeding up and there is a need for instant information flow, therefore greater attention must be paid to online reviews, at the same time guaranteeing the best and most cost-effective service possible, with maximum customer satisfaction.
“We are in contact with all sectors, not only the FMCG world. Our company offers both zero-emission, fully electric vehicles and conventional vehicles that meet today’s strictest emission standards”, he adds. Their short- and long-term rental schemes are equally popular. //
Intelligent speed assistance, breathalyser and black box
From July only those newly manufactured vehicles will be allowed in the European market that are equipped with the required advanced safety and driver assistance systems. The objective is to increase road safety and better protect drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. However, such a big change also raises a number of challenges and questions, e.g. about the price of new cars, expected delivery times, administrative problems or even the protection of personal data. Balázs Kövesdán, commercial director of ALD Automotive | LeasePlan told our magazine: the new legislation isn’t likely to entail a sudden price increase, as manufacturers have already included these items in the list price of standard features. For customers the most important thing is predictability – including the expected delivery time – which has been steadily improving since the beginning of the year. //
Diesel truck vs. electric truck
ALDI Magyarország has once again expanded its fleet of electric trucks. The discounter chain was the first in the country to start using an electric truck at the end of 2021, which was followed by several more, serving ALDI stores in Budapest and Pest County. ALDI’s e-trucks have already covered more than 150,000km, and the measurements clearly showed that the zero local emissions of the electric vehicles make a measurable contribution to reducing emissions and improving air quality, while e-drive is also more economical than diesel. “It was a pioneering initiative in 2021 to start using electric trucks within 100km of our logistics centre. Since then we have never once been left on the road with an e-vehicle, so we decided to double our fleet”, told Bernhard Haider, country manager of ALDI Magyarország Élelmiszer Bt. //
Restrictions because of road and railway renovation works
Over the next six years around 1,100km of motorways and almost 1,600km of railways are planned to be upgraded in Hungary, and this will create a difficult situation for the logistics industry, as there will be major restrictions on transport lines that are already often overloaded.
Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) and the Association of Hungarian Logistics Service Centres (MLSZKSZ) have agreed to engage in regular consultations, in order to ensure that transporters and their customers are informed of the expected restrictions in good time, so that they can prepare for them. Transport development projects in Hungary and neighbouring countries will also be discussed at the Eastern European Intermodal Conference, organised by MLSZKSZ in Budapest on 18 October. //
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