How do you cut your company car costs? Michael Kemp talks to Fleet Support Group’s chairman Geoffrey Bray about its action plan for businesses.
Look for business efficiency and you will always find a way of reducing expenditure, says Fleet Support Group (FSG) in presenting its ‘Action Plan to Cut Fleet Costs’.
A timely act? Clearly there is far-reaching need. Yet, in contradiction, the economic downturn can cause companies to shy away from taking the necessary action.
“In the current financial crisis, business is in uncharted waters. Trying to find the right approach is difficult and managing change can be confrontational,” says FSG chairman Geoffrey Bray.
“We are simply saying: we understand companies’ needs and are in a position to help. If asked we can offer a solution…and please believe we do understand current business problems – we’re in the downturn too.
“Most businesses with company cars could reduce costs by around 20%. But in the current crisis, managements can be cautious of change. They need to cut spending but fear consequences in economic uncertainty they’ve never before experienced.”
The programme is designed to help any sized business, but particularly small companies, to slash working vehicle costs. It mirrors FSG’s in-house best practices so ‘the plan’ can be seen in action.
A panel of 20 business vehicle operation specialists, including an employment lawyer and chaired by FSG, have drawn-up the Action Plan
FSG is an award-winning specialist in economic (cost saving) business vehicle management with its own 24hr control centre. It is expert in managing (even providing and managing) client companies’ vehicles cheaper than they could do themselves.
‘Action Plan to Cut Fleet Costs’ consists of five ‘actions’. It requires management to answer a comprehensive questionnaire that indicates where cash cuts might be made.
Its ‘actions’ include root-and-branch review of existing vehicle policy, feeding data into FSG’s uniquely comprehensive cost calculator, weekly measuring performance indicators, and managing performance using all available FSG tools.
The process includes challenging need for vehicles; journey planning to reduce vehicle use, fuel use, and exhaust emissions; vehicle choice tailored-to-fit maximum efficiency; downsizing for tax efficiency if appropriate.
“We understand companies’ needs, like a doctor with a particular cure,” adds Bray.
