The BVRLA today unveiled its Industry Outlook 2019 Report in front of almost 200 industry leaders, trade media and other guests at the association’s annual industry conference.
The BVRLA today unveiled its Industry Outlook 2019 Report in front of almost 200 industry leaders, trade media and other guests at the association’s annual industry conference.
Although the next twelve months will be a very challenging period, the BVRLA say that there is clear evidence that members are seizing the initiative and not waiting for an upturn in the economy or Government support. The association spoke to nineteen fleet industry leaders during November 2018 to canvass their opinions on key topics likely to affect the industry in the coming year.
The association’s expertise and knowledge combined with this to inform the 2018 Industry Outlook Report which provides a collective industry view on nine key subject areas:
- The long road to zero – Fleet industry opinion is united on seeing a future dominated by electric powertrains. The big questions now are not ‘if’ we get there, but ‘how’ and ‘when’.
- The last mile – The traditional ‘hub and spoke’ method of delivery is coming under pressure from cities looking to reduce the congestion, emissions and safety risks associated with large, diesel-powered vehicles. Can urban consolidation centres, inner-city micro distribution depots and e-cargo bikes and vans come to the rescue?
- Used market urgency – Electric vehicles, Brexit, diesel demonization and WLTP are all contributing to an uncertain outlook for used vehicle prices through early 2019. Current market sentiment is that any price changes will be small rather than seismic.
- Diving into data – Policymakers will come under increasing pressure to legislate for greater access to vehicle data. Meanwhile, prognostics is set to become the new must-have fleet management service.
- Brexit – Rather than just speculate over the potential for one of many ‘Deal’ or ‘No Deal’ scenario, BVRLA members are focussing on what they can do to prepare themselves and their customers for the unexpected.
- Car subscriptions – As the boundaries between rental and leasing continue to blur, car subscriptions are receiving a mixed response. Are they Car Rental 2.0 or just the emperor’s new clothes?
- Up close and personal – BVRLA members are embracing digital technology and the chance to go one-on-one with a new breed of personal and SME clients. Some companies predict that up to 50% of new business could come from these channels in the next two years.
- Urban mobility – The scale of potential Clean Air Zone non-compliance will cause some local authorities to delay or adjust their plans in 2019. BVRLA members are expecting more competition from a range of urban mobility providers and a major improvement in public EV charging infrastructure.
- Repairability – The number of accidents and repairs may be falling, but the costs associated with them are going in the other direction. New materials, sensors and electric powertrains are all having a massive impact on repairability.
The following press release issued on 6 December contains a link to the report: Fleet industry ready to seize the initiative in challenging 2019
