Coming technological changes will provide opportunities for the rental and leasing sector – but firms must have a clear plan for them.

That’s the main message that came out of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) Fleet Technology Congress 2018.

BVRLA chairman Matt Dyer told delegates that the changes could be summed up by four letters variously arranged as either CASE or ACES – standing for connected, autonomous, shared and electrification.

He said  these were big topics – but firms should not be frightened into not preparing for them.

He said, “I think one of the challenges that we can easily have is that it can seem a very overwhelming topic, because there’s just so much, and one of the reactions we run the risk of is that you do nothing, because it’s so overwhelming and so dynamic.

“One of my call-outs for all of you is to take this as an opportunity to break it down, because what is important here is having a plan and being purposeful about it. 

“I don’t think we’re really in an era of right and wrong. I think the wrong is not doing anything. I think we’re going to need to be agile and adaptable, but the clear thing is to have a clear plan.”

Dyer said that although the transitions would be significant, they represented
an opportunity.

He said, “The thing that has come out is the opportunity for us as a sector, and this is an opportunity that is in our hands. 

“We are well placed as a sector because we have good capabilities and strengths to respond.”

Taking a slightly different view, another speaker at the congress, Matthias Wellers, managing director of AVL Powertrains, warned that change may not come as quickly as some think, with particular regard to autonomous vehicles, which he said currently struggle to detect stationary objects among other issues.

He said, “Don’t think autonomous cars are just around the corner. This will take 20 years, because we have to make it secure. 

“My take is it isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. It will take much longer than we all think.”

Justin Benson, UK head of automotive for accountancy firm KPMG, said he was “more bullish” about the prospects for autonomous cars, but warned that an “elephant in the room” going forward for technological developments would be residual values, citing how these are currently low for electric vehicles (EVs).

He said, “I’m not sure it’s a marathon, because we are going to have to run very fast to keep up, but when we look back we might find it took us a while.”

The congress also saw the unveiling by the BVRLA of its Fleet Technology Report, which it says provides new insight into the connected vehicle market. 

The BVRLA worked with connected vehicle consultants SBD Automotive to produce the report, which is partly based on in-depth interviews with senior executives at ARI Fleet, Arval, Avis Budget Group, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, LeasePlan and Lex Autolease, and it includes a behind-the-scenes perspective of manufacturers’ connected vehicle strategies, along with tips for how fleets can work more effectively with manufacturers.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said, “Connected vehicles and data are already having a massive impact on our members and the association is determined to help them thrive in this exciting new environment.

“The whole automotive industry is grappling with the challenges and opportunities presented by this technology and the introduction of new data protection rules has added even more uncertainty.

“We hope this report will provide fleet operators with the best perspective yet on the key issues at stake and how they can be tackled.” 

The report is available from the BVRLA’s website.