Lack of car mats could prove costly for fleets, warns vGroup

Fleets, contract hire and leasing companies and franchise dealers have been warned of ‘losing’ money at end-of-contract due to lack of protective floor mats.

Highlighting that car and boot mats protect vehicles from damage and wear and tear perhaps adding as much as £100 to the residual value of a vehicle and potentially negating expensive end-of-contract damage charges for fleets and drivers from contract hire and leasing companies.

vGroup International’s managing director James Nash said: “Car mats and boot protection mats perform a vital function in a number of areas, not least in offering residual value protection and enhancing the look of a vehicle. Furthermore, car mats boost brand awareness as they are embossed with the vehicle supplier’s name.”

VGroup found that only 25% of new cars are supplied with damage-protecting car mats and none with boot protection mats.  

But, as vehicle manufacturers strive to obtain the best possible emission and MPG figures for models they were considering removing accessories from vehicles, thereby increasing the risk of de-hire damage and slower used car sales.

As at least 75% of new cars do not have additional manufacturer floor protection supplied and 100% were without manufacturer rear cargo protection, Nash is urging fleets, contract hire and leasing companies and dealers to specify them as a ‘must have’.

“The demise of ‘three-box’ shaped cars - saloons - and the increase in demand of ‘two-box shaped cars - hatchbacks and SUVs - means that the boot area is now part of the vehicle interior,” said Nash.

“Yet, frequently, the original carpet remains of poor quality and is even more at risk of wear and damage and in need of protection against loss of residual value and de-hire charges.

“Fleets - and company car drivers if any end-of-contract damage recharge costs are passed on to them - are potentially costing themselves money by not specifying car and boot protection mats upon delivery of their new vehicles.

"Simultaneously contract hire and leasing companies and franchise dealers are also losing money by not encouraging sales staff to actively promote them as a ‘must have’ accessory.

“Car and boot mats protect and enhance vehicle interiors and the value added in terms of asset protection is significantly greater than the purchase cost. What’s more mats help deaden exterior noise and provide vehicle branding opportunities.”