I WENT along to the BVRLA’s splendid annual shindig for the great and the good of the leasing and motor fleet industry earlier this month at the London Hilton Hotel, situated on swish Park Lane. It’s a black tie affair and I was on the vice-chairman’s table so I was on best behaviour.
And all credit to Gerry and his team. It was an excellent evening made better by the brilliance of guest speaker Andrew Marr.
I’d been to visit Gerry at the BVRLA’s HQ late last year to learn more about his plans for the association since taking over from former chief John Lewis. One of his thrusts was to help guide government policy in relation to fleets, particularly the take up of electric and ultra-low emission vehicles.
“BVRLA members can play a key role in driving this change, provided the government creates the right policy and tax environment,” Gerry told me.
However, Gerry is realistic that this is not going to be an easy task. “Fleet take-up of ultra-low emission vehicles will be a marathon, not a sprint,” he confided.
Let’s hope Gerry and the BVRLA can help everyone get their running shoes on then.
For a review of the latest electric car to hit the streets – the BMW i3 – read this: BMW i3 car review – could this be the car to convince your business to go electric?
Skoda to launch SE Business model range
Also at the BVRLA dinner was Skoda national fleet sales manager Henry Williams. This time last year Henry had just been appointed to the role.
And Henry had some good news for SME small fleets. Skoda is planning to launch SE Business models across their range this spring. The SE Business models will have a good level of business specification (Bluetooth, satnav, alloys and so on), low emission CO2 engines, with a really competitive P11D value for maximum business car value and low company car tax.
Sounds like a winning combo to me.