‘Mobility as a service’, such as car sharing and related technological developments, will impact the competitive landscape. To be successful, leasing companies will need to anticipate such changes; they must be flexible and agile in offering solutions that meet all mobility needs. This will require integration and collaboration between different stakeholders in the field of mobility. The key players will be those who utilise their size, brand identity and expertise to seize – and shape – their share of the evolving market.
New players will challenge existing mobility value chains; in fact, several have already made their entrance. Uber is shaking up the world of taxi services, and private car-sharing initiatives are present in many markets. The autonomous vehicle market is attracting the attention of not only automotive manufacturers, but also of companies like Google. Meanwhile, multinationals like Apple and Samsung are exploring how to extend their touchscreen technology to vehicle dashboards.
But corporate mobility is not merely about technology. It is also about understanding the role that mobility plays within a company, and how it is linked to the strategic and operational processes. At LeasePlan, we have that expertise: it is our core business.
In response to these trends, we are continually extending our services and products from basic fleet management into an array of value-added offerings.
Attitudes: Global trends of population growth, urbanisation and the resulting congestion in cities are changing traditional patterns of vehicle usage. In the quest for greater flexibility, people are increasingly regarding the car as just one possible means of transportation. Eco-awareness is driving interest in vehicles based on environmentally friendly fuel options. Meanwhile a new ethos of sharing is encouraging people to explore alternatives to vehicle ownership. Linked to this, the car is in decline as a ‘must-have’ status symbol, particularly among the Millennials.
Data: High-speed internet availability, smartphones, 24/7 connectivity and social media have created a broader acceptance of the concept of data sharing. Clients are increasingly demanding data in support of efficient leasing solutions. Advancements in on-board telematics, big data and real-time analytics are enabling us to respond to this demand.
Financial incentives: A growing number of companies are offering their employees alternatives such as mobility budgets instead of lease budgets. Local governments are playing an important role in stimulating mobility solutions to tackle congestion and pollution due to excessive traffic in major urban areas. There is growing societal pressure on companies to adopt sustainable business practices and improve transparency.
In response to these trends, we are continually extending our services and products from basic fleet management into an array of value-added offerings.