Welcome to the May edition of our newsletter, included in this month’s update:
- Increasing Vehicle Lead Times
- Focus on… Days Personal Choice
- New Phone System Goes Live
- Meet the Team – Karen Kelsey
- Behind the Wheel – Volvo XC60
- DriverLine – Reminder
Increasing Vehicle Lead Times
As we reported last month, the global vehicle industry is facing a shortage of semiconductor chips which are vital for onboard computers and safety infotainment systems. This global shortage, caused by a surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic for consumer electronics including smartphones and PCs is impacting the ability of all automotive manufacturers to produce vehicles equipped with certain components and is resulting in increased lead times. To counteract this, vehicle production is being reduced or in some cases stopped altogether.
A number of vehicle manufacturers have announced that production will be reduced / ceased over the coming months or that vehicle specifications could be affected. As always, Days Fleet will do all we can to support our clients through this situation.
If you have any queries on how your current or future orders may be affected by this please contact your account management team – 01792 277628 / [email protected]
Focus on… Days Personal Choice
As well as offering business contract hire, Days Fleet are also able to offer other funding solutions for vehicles. If you offer your employees a cash allowance or would like to offer them access to personal contract hire the Days Personal Choice team are available to help.
We have partnered with several funders and vehicle manufacturers to offer:
- Cash allowance drivers
- Employee Car Scheme’s
- Access to expert support and advice
- Access to our lists of ex-lease vehicles
No matter the circumstances there’s a service to suit you, your business, your drivers, and your employees.
Speak with Alistair Murray on 01792 277619 / [email protected] to see how Days Personal Choice could work for you.
For more information please visit www.dayspersonalchoice.com
New Phone System Goes Live
Days Fleet has recently launched a new phone system which has removed the need for physical handsets from our offices. The evolution of home working has meant that we needed to find a solution that allowed our staff to communicate with clients and suppliers effectively no matter where they are.
This is now possible via an internet-based system called ‘Wildix’ and headsets. Along with removing paper from the business, this is another step forward in future-proofing the business and ensuring our processes are as streamlined as possible to facilitate collaborative office and home working.
Meet the Team – Karen Kelsey
1. What is your role within Days Fleet?
My role within Days Fleet is Vehicle Disposal Administrator which involves the disposal of vehicles once they have returned off-contract.
2. What do you enjoy most about your role with Days Fleet?
No two days are the same which is good, I work closely with my colleagues which ensures that the day-to-day running of my department goes smoothly.
3. What has been the most challenging part of working during the past 12 months?
The uncertainty of what was going to happen in the future, whether working from home was going to become the new way of working, I have been lucky enough to work from the office for most of the lockdown which has helped massively as I am an outgoing person and enjoy working with other people rather than being on my own at home.
4. What would you like to achieve in 2021?
I would like to be able to keep achieving my own personal goals in my work and I would like to be able to finish off our garden and house renovations.
5. What’s the first thing you’d like to do when restrictions are lifted?
I’d like to be able to go away to somewhere hot with a nice pool with a nice cocktail, we do enjoy going out for a meal with friends so looking forward to that happening again.
Behind the Wheel – Volvo XC60
Our Personal Choice General Manager, Alistair Murray had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the new Volvo XC60….
For the last two weeks, I have had the pleasure of test driving the Volvo XC60 Recharge Inscription, practical space, high level of specification and an exceptional Co2 rating should put this vehicle high up on company car choice lists.
The model I’m driving is the T6 plug-in hybrid which boasts 100.9mpg, Co2 emissions rating of 55g/km and an incredible 335 BHP making this car not only ‘green’ and eligible for one of the lowest benefit in kind bands but also incredibly quick, responsive and fun to drive. The advertised mpg is only achievable if you take advantage of the XC60’s plug-in port and charge the vehicle but with a pure electric range of up to 33 miles on a full charge, it should be adequate to cover most commutes with minimal fuel usage and Co2 output.
0-62 comes in at 5.9 seconds which is a serious competitor for many ‘hot hatches’ but has a level of refinement that is synonymous with modern-day Volvo’s.
The interior is beautifully built, tastefully designed and very well equipped which only serves to cement Volvo’s place as a Prestige brand. Volvo’s Sensus portrait infotainment touchscreen system handles most of the car’s user-controllable functions through a 9-inch touchscreen which is a very slick and crisp display that didn’t take much time to get used to.
Every model within the Recharge range is equipped with cruise control, powered tailgate, LED headlights, heated steering wheel & seats, and a 12.3-inch digital dashboard display. So highly equipped as standard that not much else needs adding to this vehicle, but I 100% recommend the Intellisafe Pro & Xenium packages as these give you adaptive cruise control with steer assist, cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera with self-parking mode.
Along with a sense of luxury that you cannot miss while being in this vehicle, it also doubles as a highly practical space. The boot capacity alone stands at 505 litres which, whilst not huge is ample for day-to-day life, and with the seats down it’s more than capable of fitting my large hybrid bike along with anything else I need for a weekend away on the bike!
The outright purchase price of this model is on the high side but with strong residual values and great support from Volvo UK, on a lease, this vehicle is within reach of many!
DriverLine – Reminder
If your vehicle’s maintenance is managed by Days Fleet, all work and events surrounding the vehicle must be booked through our DriverLine on 0345 296 4423 – a 24/7 number that provides access to multiple services.
When a service or repair is required on your vehicle all you need to do is call DriverLine and we will make the necessary arrangements for your vehicle to be booked into an approved service centre.
Any bookings made outside of DriverLine i.e. booked directly with a dealership or garage may not be authorised and could result in significant delays in getting the vehicle back on the road.
