Welcome to the September edition of our newsletter, included in this month’s update:
- Vehicle & Parts Delays
- Congratulations Gavin
- Good luck Laura!
- London Electric Vehicle Company
- Flexi Hire – Update
- BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear
- Farewell Annabelle
- Meet the Team – Donna Read, Client Support Coordinator
Vehicle & Parts Delays
For many months we have been updating our clients on the impact of the semi-conductor microchip shortage on vehicle availability. This issue is still prevalent with some manufacturers now quoting lead times of up to 12 months for a new vehicle. Specifications are also being affected with premium vehicles being built without the cutting edge technology drivers expect – such as 3D Navigation and Heads Up Display. The issues are also affecting vehicle keys with some new vehicles only having one electric key fob upon delivery.
Vehicle parts are also experiencing delays as a result of the shortage of HGV drivers, Brexit, COVID etc with some parts completely unavailable and some taking longer periods to arrive at service centres when ordinarily they would have been available the same day. Our teams are doing all they can to keep our clients and drivers updated if their vehicle is affected by any of the above but if you have any queries please contact us.
We continue to be in dialogue with manufacturers to look to implement more flexible solutions and are pleased to confirm that Days Fleet can now take and place Tesla orders up to 9 months in advance. Previously this lead time has been restricted to 6 months only.
If you are being provided with long lead times from any other leasing partner, Days Fleet are working hard behind the scenes to source vehicles of similar suitability that may be available from other manufacturers with a considerably shorter lead time. Please contact your account management team to discuss further.
As always, Days Fleet are working closely with clients and suppliers alike to manage this unprecedented situation as best as possible. If you have anything you would like to discuss, please contact your Account Management Team, call us on 0345 815 0019 or e-mail us at [email protected]
Congratulations Gavin
Since Days Fleet started trading in 1988, we have had in house ‘Maintenance’ team responsible for the safety and upkeep of all vehicles on our fleet. However in line with the rest of the leasing industry and to better reflect the wide range of issues and technologies that they get involved with, from 1st September this team will now be known as the ‘Technical’ team.
As part of this change Gavin Williams has been appointed as ‘Technical Team Leader’ and is now responsible for the day to day operations within this team which covers activities such as services, MOT’s, breakdowns and vehicle recalls.
Gavin said: “After 9 years at Days Fleet I am excited and grateful to be given the opportunity to lead the newly formed technical team and the challenges that will lie ahead”.
Good luck Laura!
Laura Lewis, Fleet Administrator in our Purchasing team, has recently started her maternity leave. Laura is expecting her first child with husband Dan at the end of September and has been working at home throughout her pregnancy.
Good luck Laura, you’ll be sorely missed but we can’t wait to meet the new addition!
London Electric Vehicle Company
We’ve recently been lucky enough to see and drive the new London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) VN5 van.
This vehicle is powered by a 1.5 litre, three cylinder petrol engine, 31kWh battery pack and rear mounted motor – there’s no physical connection between the engine and the wheels with petrol engine only kicking in occasionally to keep the battery topped up. It can deliver more than 58 miles of pure electric motoring but the range extender petrol engine can boost the range to up to 300 miles which can eliminate the range anxiety of a conventional electric vehicle.
Our Team were super impressed by the vehicle, especially its turning circle and interior specification. For more information or to request a quotation please contact your Account Management Team.
Flexi Hire – Update
As you may be aware, the vehicle rental industry has been facing severe challenges around availability over recent months – high demand coupled with vehicle supply issues and staff shortages is continuing to place huge pressure on all our partners. The majority, and we predict soon to be all, of which are now setting a minimum hire period of two or three days. This may in turn lead to higher daily rates and or delivery and collection charges being offered, but we will ensure we communicate this with you if this is the case.
We are still working closely with our providers and will continue to do so in the challenging months ahead but kindly ask that you help with the following points:
- Book in advance and where possible give as much notice as you can especially if you know you have upcoming services or MOT’s
- New vehicle lead times are increasing so please plan ahead if you need an interim vehicle
- If you are thinking of off hiring a vehicle but know you’re likely to need it again shortly, do not off hire as you may not get it replaced
- Many partners are not accepting bookings of less than 2 days
- Collect from the rental branch wherever possible. Some availabilities are affected by staff shortages not just vehicle shortages so if delivery is not required we may be able to locate a vehicle quicker
- Arrange hire start times for later in the day rather than first thing in the morning when demand is increased
Couriers have already begun block booking commercial vehicles in the run up to Christmas and we are already experiencing the effects of this on top of the challenges outlined above.
Please be patient with us – our team is working tirelessly to accommodate all requests as quickly and effectively as possible.
To discuss Flexi Hire further, please contact our team on 0345 184 9337
BVRLA Fair Wear & Tear
The British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) of which Days Fleet is a long standing member have recently updated their Fair Wear & Tear Guides.
Before returning your lease vehicle to us we recommend you follow these steps:
Copies of the Guides are available to view and refer to, here.
Farewell Annabelle
Days Fleet are sad to announce the departure of Client Support Executive, Annabelle Mills, who has been part of the team since 2019. Annabelle has been accepted on to an Adult Nursing Degree Course at Swansea University that starts at the end of September.
We’d like to thank Annabelle for all her hard work over the past two years and wish her all the best on her new career path.
Meet the Team – Donna Read, Client Support Coordinator
Joined Days Fleet in June 2007
1. What is your role within Days Fleet?
To look after mid-life and end of contract life activities, such as extensions to contract, mileage realignments, early termination, purchase by drivers, contract end reminders.
2. What do you enjoy most about your role with Days Fleet?
There are such a variety of tasks within my role there’s never a day without a challenge! Finding ways to resolve difficulties that crop up… or someone to delegate them to!
3. What has been the most challenging part of working during the past 18 months?
I have missed the office banter, friendship with colleagues and the fund-raising activities. On the plus side, there are no distractions in my home office, I don’t waste 75 minutes a day commuting and the view of the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons from my office window is fabulous!
4. What would you like to achieve in 2021?
More holidays! More exploring the UK, we live in a beautiful country and should all celebrate what we have instead of jetting off to the sun at the first opportunity!
5. What are you most looking forward to doing now that restrictions are easing?
Meeting our first grandson Charlie was amazing; born Sept 2020. Due to border lockdowns between England and Wales he was already 8 months old before we met in person… and what an absolute charmer he is! Looking forward to more family visits this year, the negative effect of lockdown on our octogenarian parents has become very apparent.
