Inchcape Fleet Solutions won a competitive tender to manage the charity’s 520-strong fleet composed of around 340 company cars and 180 vans last year, when a two-year contract with a one-year option to extend was signed.
As part of a comprehensive and wide-ranging fleet policy review Inchcape Fleet Solutions’ experts have been trawling the marketplace to identify vehicles that are suitable for carrying two or three dogs. Predominantly the vehicles used currently are Renault Meganes and Peugeot 308 SWs, as well as a range of mini-MPVs.
After analysing vehicles from every manufacturer, Inchcape Fleet Solutions compiled a shortlist of potential models based on the charity’s own stringent space requirements that also took into account vehicle MPG and carbon dioxide emissions, specification and insurance groupings.
Finally the vehicles were made available at a special evaluation day where more than 20 Guide Dogs’ employees assessed the operational efficiency of each vehicle.
Terry Bartlett, managing director of Inchcape Fleet Solutions, said: “This is undoubtedly one of the largest fleet vehicle evaluation events we have ever undertaken. It underlines the extent of the consultancy work we undertake with customers to arrive at the optimum vehicle solution for their fleet requirement taking into account both operational and wholelife cost demands.”
The final decision on which vehicles will make the Guide Dogs choice list is down to the charity, which expects to have its new policy in place in around a month.
Guide Dogs’ business support manager Gordon Smith said: “The final choice of vehicle(s) will take account of the evaluation, wholelife costs and manufacturers’ terms and then we will make a final decision. If we decide on a solus fleet supply deal that will be a happy coincidence, but functionality is paramount and we may decide on a two or three-badge deal.”
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