News

Fleet management specialist Fraikin has sounded an optimistic note for the UK contract hire sector.

Talking exclusively to Commercial Motor, Fraikin international director Laurent Bonnaure says that from the beginning of January there have been positive signs of activity: "As you'd expect in times of difficulty, our clients are focusing on their core activity  and concentrating their capital expenditure into these areas."

"The result is a further shift to outsourcing of services, and fleet management is of course an area of interest for many customers. We had thought this might result in a lift for the short-term rental business, but we are actually seeing the lift in long-term contract hire activity, which is a positive signal for business confidence."

Bonnaure adds that while these first signs of revival were spotted in the UK at the start of January, there are now signs other European markets - France and Spain - are beginning to follow suit.