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I USED TRUCKS
Page 52
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Renting trend on the rise
Operators are renting vans for longer in order to meet their needs as the credit crunch bites, says TLS Vehicle Rental.
Words: Kevin Swallow LONGER VAN rental has been one of the key trends as operators battle with the economic crisis.
That's the opinion from TLS Vehicle rental, and Carl D'Ammassa, chief operating officer, says: "Tough economic times bring into sharp focus one of the key benefits of renting — there is no long-term financial commitment. You can hand back the vehicle at any time.
"With the general loss in economic confidence, this is very attractive to many businesses. They are unsure what the next few months will bring, and so they don't want to sign up to a three-year lease or commit to buying a vehicle at the moment.
"However, they take a look at rental and see that it answers their needs. They get the vehicle they require to get the job done at this moment in time, but if the demand for it suddenly disappears, they are not exposed," he says.
And TLS has been keen to promote long-term rental as an alternative to owning or leasing vehicles. "We have been planting the seeds of an idea with customers for a few years now, trying to bring about a shift where anyone with a need for a van or truck automatically considers rental alongside other acquisition methods."
He concludes: "Long-term rental has been increasing for some years, partially as a result of these efforts, but we believe that the credit crunch is accelerating the trend and could continue to do so for as long as the general feeling of uncertainty in the air continues."