Press Release
February 18th, 2011
Volkswagen Group Leasing opts for Leaselink to deliver growth and ordering efficiencies
Volkswagen Group Leasing (VGL), the fleet and corporate leasing arm of Volkswagen Financial Services, has implemented the Leaselink e-procurement platform from Ebbon-Dacs to help deliver ambitious growth plans, replacing existing processes and generating major savings in time and costs.
Multi-marque VGL, which funds a fleet of 47,700 vehicles* has determined growth plans in the fleet market. After a review of its internal processes and the available systems in the market, VGL opted for the Leaselink e-procurement system from Oxford-based online solutions provider, Ebbon-Dacs, which is currently used by 10 of the UK's 15 largest contract hire and leasing companies ** to source and buy their new vehicles.
VGL has created a dedicated buying team to handle all new vehicle orders from fleet customers. By using Leaselink, it can also access all vehicle manufacturers and the Leaselink multi-marque buying community of approved franchised network across the UK to ensure that it is capable of delivering all major brands to fleet customers.
VGL expects to see efficiencies in three key areas of the new vehicle ordering process quickly, following the implementation of Leaselink. The first is in the reduction of phone calls and emails necessary to place and confirm an order, and early indications are these have already fallen significantly.
The second area is in data accuracy which reduces not only time but administrative workload as there are fewer errors. And the third area is improved and more focussed communication with the network.
"We have already seen a transformation in our dialogue with the network, which is now not so frequent but far more targeted and focussed around key information," said VGL joint managing director, Graham Wheeler. "We have also been able to use the system to communicate directly with fleet customers to warn them of impending price rises and advise them to pull forward orders where necessary to avoid them," he said.
Another benefit of the Leaselink system is its complete integration with new vehicle information provided by CAP Motor Research. "We may be experts in our own brands, but the CAP information within Leaselink also allows us to build up and display our expertise within other brands," added Graham Wheeler.
Once a new vehicle order is placed, Leaselink allows all parties involved in the order process to track the vehicle from sale through to delivery. This has proved beneficial in keeping fleet customers up to date with the whereabouts of their new vehicle order within the supply chain.
Rob Pilkington, managing director of the Leaselink International division of Ebbon-Dacs, commented: "We are absolutely delighted to add VGL to the Leaselink family of companies that source, order and track their vehicles electronically.
"Leaselink has been proven to increase efficiency, raise productivity, broaden capacity, reduce errors and save money. Buyers achieve better service levels, while the network can handle and execute a much greater number of enquiries, and we are confident that VGL will see all of these benefits for themselves over time," he said.
Ends
Notes to Editors
About Leaselink
Following seven year’s development, Leaselink is Europe's market leading web based e-procurement solution, linking franchised dealers and motor manufacturers to major fleet management, leasing and rental companies.
An established online community, Leaselink is accessed by over 700 franchised dealers and dealer groups every day to respond to tenders and optimise the supply of fleet vehicles. In 2008 the trading platform was responsible for in excess of €3.15bn worth of fleet orders in the UK and Europe.
About Ebbon-Dacs
Ebbon-Dacs is an online solutions company based near Oxford and specialises in delivering hosted, web technology solutions. The company has a presence in France and the Netherlands and, through partners, in Italy, Germany, Australia and Portugal.
Ebbon-Dacs, which is owned by a private equity group, provides business process automation solutions to a wide range of automotive business enterprises through a number of different business tools and solutions and is a leader in hosted solutions for the automotive industry.
About VGroup International
Launched in 1992, VGroup International is a full process supplier of vehicle accessories to all sectors of the new car market, including motor manufacturers, accessory departments, the fleet and leasing industry, dealers and dealer groups and major retail outlets.
VGroup International operates in UK, China and the United States of America and is opening an outlet in Australia. It is looking further to establish itself in the Middle East and South Africa.
One in three new cars sold in the UK have a VGroup International product in them, and the company also has programmes for light commercial vehicles, from graphic design and manufacture to ply lining manufacturing and fitment.
Contact information:
Andrew Wilson
Sales director
Ebbon-Dacs
Tel: 01865 866810
Mob: 07976 337637
Email: andy.wilson@ebbon-dacs.com
Martyn Nash,
Managing director
VGroup International
Tel: 0870 60 70 198
Mob: 07802 250633
Email: mnash@vgroupinternational.com
Press enquiries:
Mike Gunnell
MGMedia Services
Tel: 01832 275060
Mob: 07786 971 544