Fleets nervous about the state of GM have been reassured that it is “business as normal” by the manufacturer.

Fleet News has learnt that several lease companies are considering - or already have - revised their policies in relation to three GM marques – Vauxhall, Chevrolet and Cadillac.

Most stopped writing new Saab business after the Swedish carmaker was set adrift by GM earlier this year.

There is particular concern about Vauxhall - the UK’s second most popular fleet marquee – with questions remaining about the expected new owner of GM Europe, Magna’s, fleet strategy for the Vauxhall brand.

“The German government is providing strong back-up to protect the huge number of German jobs at stake. Unfortunately this may impact UK-based manufacturing jobs but it will be several months yet before we know the potential outcome,” said Roddy Graham, commercial director, Leasedrive Velo Group.

“Currently, everything points to GM Europe being taken over and undoubtedly there will be changes at every level of the organisation with new owners looking to streamline and fine-tune the business.”

Graham added that Leasedrive Velo has not revised its policy on GM products.

However, Lombard and ING Car Lease have both confirmed that they are revising their policies.
And two other top FN50 companies have also confirmed that they have taken similar steps.

“We are anxious about Vauxhall, our customers are making their concerns known - the majority of them have Vauxhalls,” Ian Tilbrook, managing director of ING Car Lease told Fleet News.

“We have not made any decision yet in regard to Vauxhall but we are naturally very anxious because of the volumes involved. We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.”

Lombard Vehicle Management, which has one of the largest GM fleets in the county, confirmed that it is also looking at its GM policies and has begun making adjustments.

“We have made some tactical and short-term decisions which relate only to our broker and introduced sales channels,” confirmed Stuart Houlston, Lombard managing director. “No residual value or pricing changes have been made and we have a very positive view of GM’s products.”

According to a document leaked to Fleet News, those “tactical” decisions include not writing new business for Chevrolet or Cadillac through broker channels.

“No new proposals will be accepted for these manufacturers with immediate effect,” Lombard told its brokers. “With immediate effect deals for bodyshop businesses will not be agreed where any GM product is to be supplied.”

Houlston said Lombard “occasionally needs to flex some of our decisions” but added that it still has an “extremely strong relationship” with GM.

ING said it is also considering its position to writing new Cadillac and Chevrolet business.

GM wrote to lease companies last week to reassure them that it was “business as usual” as far as Chevrolet is concerned.

“Chevrolet UK is managed by Chevrolet Europe and is unaffected by these developments,” said a Chevrolet spokesman. “Chevrolet UK is a successful business which has adequate liquidity to meet all its obligations, including warranty and services, for the foreseeable future."