Small to medium sized businesses running cars and light commercial vans are a new focus for fleetnews.co.uk.

The needs of the 4.6 million SMEs in the UK will be met through a number of online initiatives, ensuring Fleet News becomes the most influential source of information for fleet decision-makers running up to 25 vehicles.

A cornerstone of the new offering sees Fleet News partner with comparecontracthire.com, the UK’s first SME contract hire price comparison site, providing online quotes directly from FN50 leasing companies.

For the first time, this will provide SMEs easy, direct access to the major finance houses. All the FN50 leasing partners on comparecontracthire.com are also members of the BVRLA, adhering to their code of practise and thereby offering excellent service credentials.

It is estimated that SMEs account for in excess of £3.0 billion worth of vehicle finance per annum according to comparecontracthire.com – a massive opportunity for the motor industry.

The contract hire aggregator is accessible via fleetnews.co.uk’s news section dedicated to SME news, views and advice.

In addition to this new website section, SMEs will benefit from a wealth of features on fleetnews.co.uk aimed at ensuring their drivers are safe; they drive vehicles that are fit for purpose and are economical.

Ian Richardson, Fleet News' general manager, said: “Our new online offering is designed to ensure we meet the needs of all SMEs running cars and LCVs.

“We’ll be backing up our new SME section with a regular email newsletter which will be launched by the end of February, as the first of a number of new initiatives to help SMEs run their fleets of cars and vans safely and efficiently.”

Robert Wastell, founder of comparecontracthire.com said: “Often when SMEs need a new car or van they haven’t got the time or opportunity to get the best deal from a quality supplier or choose the correct finance method.

“Contract hire is an easy and simple product for companies from a budgeting perspective and provides a vehicle for a fixed all inclusive monthly rate. I am delighted to be working with Fleet News on this initiative, and I believe SMEs will benefit from this new partnership.”

Key features for SMEs on fleetnews.co.uk include:

• average national and regional fuel prices

• fuel cost calculator (for any number of vehicles, fuel types and mpg rates)

• running cost database offering pence per mile figures, including CO2 emission levels and

• residual values on more than 6,000 vehicle derivatives, updated monthly

• road tests on all the latest cars and vans written with the fleet-decision manager’s needs in mind

• a toolkit, bringing together essential information on all the topics of concern to vehicle managers, including vehicle choice, taxation, road safety and risk management advice, environmental concerns, motoring laws and travel planning.

For more information go to:

www.fleetnews.co.uk/SME
www.comparecontracthire.com/fleetnews.co.uk

Contacts:
Jeremy Bennett, Fleet News Online editor.
T: 01733 468298
E: jeremy.bennett@bauermedia.co.uk

Robert Wastell, Director, Compare Contract Hire Limited.
T: 020 8398 6775
E: robert.wastell@comparecontracthire.com