There are many types of business that require the use of a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles. Whether it's a fleet of two or a fleet of two dozen, the vehicles used by your business need to be in top condition for appearances and performance.
Of course, not all businesses are in the right financial or logistical place to purchase an entire fleet of new cars and trucks. Leasing is the practical answer when you don't happen to have several hundred thousand dollars rattling around in the kitty. For any beginners out there who've never leased their own fleet before, we've put together this helpful basic guide on how the process works.
Naturally, you start by choosing a fleet leasing service. This is separate from the consumer-level rental cars commonly found around airports. Business vehicle leasing is a separate industry that specialized in providing for the vehicular needs of businesses rather than individuals.
Investigate the options in your area and weigh them based on reputation, services offered, and vehicle availability. If you are in the southeast, Wilmar will gladly welcome you into the fold as a valued new client.
Once you have begun partnering with a leasing service, the next step is to determine exactly what kind of fleet you need. Every business fleet is different, even those for companies that seem virtually identical from the outside. A fleet expert from the leasing service can help you break down exactly what you need from your fleet, not just what you're looking for in appearances and general performance.
The reason every fleet is different is because vehicle needs vary based on your region, your range of service, the terrain and local road quality, and of course the work you do. Many businesses need a mixed fleet of utility, transport, and diplomatic vehicles. the right mix will depend on your business needs and how you plan on incorporating vehicle services in the future.
In addition to simply picking the vehicles, your fleet services manager can also help you choose the right trim for the job. The tires you put on your vehicles, for example, should provide the greatest efficiency for the kind of roads you drive. Wet or dry, flat or hilly, rural or urban.
Some companies are looking for the top-end security and safety features. Some are looking for cutting-edge navigation and virtual fleet management. Some need the vehicles to be beautiful inside and out to impress important clients.
Selecting the right trim and features is a careful process. Many fleet services can help you choose after-market updates that do not permanently alter the vehicle, like mounting additional mirrors or dashboard devices in addition to manufacturer trim packages. They may also be able to consult you on the right company decals for leased vehicles.
Fleet services are what your leasing company can offer to help take care of the vehicles. Most leasing services, at minimum, offer maintenance and repair packages built to help companies keep their leased vehicles in good condition. But many fleet services go far above and beyond basic maintenance.
Depending on your fleet provider and the needs of your company, you can choose fleet services that include regular preventative maintenance and tune-ups and advanced fleet management both on and off site.
Fleet services are also traditionally included as part of a package when leasing your business fleet. Consider your options and choose the best combination of services for your flow of business.
The next step once all the details are hammered out is to draw up the lease agreement. Fleet leases are a single comprehensive document that includes leasing for your specific fleet of vehicles and the fleet services you chose to include.
Fleet leases keep everything neatly in one place while still giving you a great deal of flexibility to adapt your fleet. Because fleet leases are annual, you have time to plan and renegotiate based on your business's changing needs year on year. Signing the lease officially transfers control of the vehicles into your company's hands.
Once your fleet is in use, the process isn't actually complete. Leasing is an ongoing agreement between the leasing companies and their clients. This isn't just to keep track of the cars, it's also to ensure that you are getting the best possible performance from your leased fleet.
Be sure to take advantage of your fleet services, especially regular maintenance services. Well-maintained cars need repairs far less often and aging parts will always be replaced before there are any performance issues on the road.
Whether you arrange for annual, regular, or concierge maintenance, the services provided by your fleet source share a mutual concern for the quality and longevity of the vehicles.
Finally, never forget that fleet vehicles only need to be a part of your fleet for as long as they're optimal. The best part about leasing your fleet is that you're not committed to any single vehicle. Instead, there is a place in your budget for maintaining an optimal fleet.
There will inevitably come a time when your fleet needs change. Vehicles age and need to be replaced, and at the same time new editions come out that will make your company look sharp. Trading up is simple, with none of the selling and buying hassle in the middle.
You may need a larger fleet, a faster fleet, or to completely change out for a hybrid or electric fleet. You may open new locations, expand your fleet services, or re-imagine your fleet design entirely. The leasing process is there to make it easy to trade one model in for another, expand, contract, and add features or services with a flexibility that vehicle ownership simply does not.
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Leasing a fleet for your business is easier than most business owners and managers imagine. All you need is a plan for your fleet performance and a fleet services expert to guide you through the selection and leasing process. For more information about putting together your company's ideal fleet of vehicles, contact us today.