Operators are renting vans for longer to counter costs in the current economic crisis, according toTLS Vehicle Rental. Carl D'Ammassa, chief operating officer, says: "Tough economic times bring into sharp focus one of the key benefits of renting - there is no long-term financial commitment. You can hand back the vehicle at any time.
"With the general loss in economic confidence, this is very attractive to many businesses. They are unsure
what the next few months will bring, so they don't want to sign up to a three-year lease or commit to buying a vehicle at the moment.
"However, they take a look at rental and see that it answers their needs. They get the vehicle they require to get the job done at this moment in time but if the demand for it suddenly disappears, they are not exposed," he says.
And TLS has been keen to promote long-term rental as an alternative to owning or leasing vehicles. "We have been planting the seed of an idea with customers for a few years now, trying to bring about a shift where anyone with a need for a van or truck automatically considers rental alongside other acquisition methods when they need a vehicle," D'Ammassa says.
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