TÜV SÜD: Internationality is becoming an increasingly significant factor for the fleet industry

TÜV SÜD: Internationality is becoming an increasingly significant factor for the fleet industry

Leasing, damage claims processing and remarketing are the key topics addressed by the TÜV SÜD Fleet Management Strategy Forum in 2011. For the first time in its five-year history, this forum for the fleet management industry will take place at the IAA in Frankfurt and will be held on 19 and 20 September. TÜV SÜD's cooperation partner Fleet Logistics will also be present with an examination of the increasingly international scope of requirements for the fleet industry. The partnership between TÜV SÜD and Fleet Logistics now constitutes the largest independent fleet management service provider in Europe. As a further highlight of the conference, the GreenFleet® Award will be presented on 20 September. The growing importance of green fleets throughout Europe is a key theme for TÜV SÜD at the IAA.

Car hire companies operating branches all over Europe, international corporate fleets, global leasing service providers – today's fleet management is no longer constrained by national boundaries. The TÜV SÜD subsidiary FleetCompany and its strategic partner Fleet Logistics now have over 100,000 fleet vehicles throughout Europe in their care and aim to double this figure in the coming years. The partnership, founded this June, represent a significant expansion in TÜV SÜD's fleet service operations and consistently implements its strategy of internationalization. By concentrating expertise, infrastructure and scale at international level, the partners provide optimum support for fleet operators in reducing and managing fleet costs. "The know-how and experience we have gained from the support we provide for internationally operating fleet customers will be directly transferred to the attendees of the 2011 Fleet Management Strategy Forum", says Roland Vogt, Managing Director of FleetCompany.

This year's conference will focus on the topic of leasing after the economic crisis, in the wake of which leasing companies have introduced significantly stricter conditions for fleet customers. Leasing rate increases of up to 30 per cent, tougher credit conditions and even unilateral changes to framework contracts were all part of the harsh reality of life for fleet managers last year. On the second day of the conference a panel discussion will present the views of the various participants in the leasing process: fleet managers, leasing providers and international fleet operators will meet to discuss the post-crisis leasing market. Further topics at the two-day conference include insurance management, processing of accidental damage claims, used-car marketing and the use of social media in customer retention.

A highlight at every Fleet Management Strategy Forum is the presentation of the GreenFleet® Award – this year at the IAA for the first time. FleetCompany Managing Director Roland Vogt regards the choice of venue as a source of genuine impetus for the event: "The IAA will add dynamism to the conference and the award. As a meeting-point where international specialists converge, it is the ideal opportunity for the winners of the GreenFleet® Award to publicize their projects."

The GreenFleet® Award is not only a long-standing and important signal encouraging companies to move towards eco-friendliness; it has also established its status as a major image factor, as can be seen from the roster of winners. Last year awards went to Deutsche Post DHL, IKEA Germany and Paul Hartmann AG for their innovative fleet concepts.

Additional proof that the way in which companies deal with carbon emissions is an important factor in modern brand-building is given by FleetCompany's findings concerning emission levels in its customers' fleets. In the Top Ten vehicle models undergoing first-time registration, carbon emissions have fallen by a total of 22 grams/kilometre since 2007. Vogt believes this sends out an important signal to the entire automotive industry, especially against the backdrop of the IAA, the world's largest motor show: "An essential part of mobility today involves the consideration of environmental impact and of costs. These are precisely the topics we address, and they will take on added significance this year in our setting at the largest motor show in the world."

The Fleet Management Strategy Forum, held for the fifth time this year, is now among Germany's largest trade conferences in the fleet management sector. This year it will make its debut at the IAA on 19 and 20 September. For more information and registration opportunities, visit www.fleetcompany.com.

Contact: Frank Volk