Renault has introduced a new fleet initiative promising upgrades in aftersales support, lower parts prices and a new service for van operators.

The new Renault Business fleet programme, which will be offered by every Renault dealer, replaces the outgoing Renault Fleet Charter.

Only dealers that had dedicated business centres were required to take part in the charter and with no lock-down of fields in the 1Link booking system, they were left free to vary pricing laid down in the charter.

In addition, the charter also had five regional labour rates and a range of discounts on parts.

Now the new programme means fleets will be charged one of only three guaranteed regional labour rates, they will also get a parts discount, fixed oil prices and quantities, no fitment charges for screenwash, wiper blades and bulbs, goodwill for out of warranty claims and a parts rebate for target achievement.

In return fleets must commit to send 85% of their aftersales Renault work into Renault dealerships.

“We want to try to differentiate ourselves, which is very difficult in the fleet market, so we came up with our new business customer care package,” Renault fleet and commercial vehicles director Darren Payne told Fleet News.

“The quality of our products has improved dramatically, and you can tell people the product has improved, but we can only prove it the experience has changed by persuading people to try it for themselves, and for that we need trust.”

There are other fleet commitments under the new programme including three years’ guaranteed mobility, with an alternative vehicle offered if a new car or van misses its delivery date (confirmed when ordering) by more than a day, and three years’ roadside assistance.

Fleets will also be offered guaranteed mobility with up to three days’ use of a replacement vehicle if their car or van suffers a breakdown not repairable at the roadside, undergoes warranty work, or if the vehicle is off the road due to non-availability of parts within 24 hours.

There is also a fast-track booking system at any of the 20 ‘Pro+’ dealers, with a 48-hour lead time for servicing, compared with 72 hours at other Renault dealers.

The company is also planning to install wifi internet access at its outlets so business drivers will be able to work during the 120-minute ‘pitstop’ routine servicing.

Van fleet customers will be able to take advantage of Renault iCare – a per mile charge for SMR verified by a vehicle telematics system so customers are charged according to the distance vehicles travel.

Renault will launch its scheme on July 1, and interested customers will be able to find out more from representatives at Greener Company Car in Action at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire, on June 29 and 30.

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