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IFMI expert session on International Fleet Cost Control
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On 30-31 March, the International Fleet Managers Institute (IFMI) held its 2-day expert session on “International Fleet Cost Control” in Brussels, with 19 international fleet managers coming from all over Europe. When it comes to controlling costs, one factor is key: the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). TCO remained at the centre of all discussions, for it appears that defining this concept and breaking down its components still remains complicated. For instance, who would have thought that tyres could have a significant impact on the total cost of a vehicle ? Amongst the factors impacting costs, taxation remains an important post. In particular, CO2 emissions ought to be taken into account in one’s car policy. For example, CO2-related incentives and taxation result - in France, Belgium and the UK - in a BMW 318d being less expensive than a Peugeot 407 2.0 HDI, in a full operational lease setup. Interest rates, SMR spend, fuel, and mostly residual values have an indubitable impact on fleets. As far as the latter is concerned, speakers insisted on how optimized remarketing and residual values can impact TCO. Understanding the export market dynamics in car remarketing and the influence of the car resale market in relations with international fleet management are key to manage and optimise TCO in volatile market conditions. Cost control and cost reduction Participants were left with much food for thought on day-1 and, on 31 March, they resumed the expert session with a reflection on how car policies can be used as tools for cost control, and what elements of the car policy can be adapted to find the right balance between cost control and cost reduction, between a local and an international approach and between cost control and driver care. Having a “policy of principle”, for example, can leave room for more adaptability and flexibility when implementing an international car policy at local level. And although accurately quantifying savings can be difficult, it is essential to have consolidated reporting of costs and savings and to be aware that all changes will require short term actions and long term partnerships. The IFMI expert session on International Fleet Cost Control was concluded by 2 workshops, which were based on case studies focusing on the successful implementation of an international car policy. This opened the way for discussions, and mostly for questions. International fleet managers are concerned by the importance of going global in fleet management and by the implications this can have in terms of cost, assessing these costs and getting full support from their direction. Also, aligning HR policy with a TCO approach remains a challenge for many an international fleet manager. Overall, project planning and internal communication remain key elements for the successful and cost effective implementation of an international car policy; and there is no better time to bring about changes and show adaptability to this volatile market than now. The next IFMI expert session (Amsterdam, 18 November) will focus on “Corporate Social Responsibility in Fleet Management”. For more information, visit the IFMI website.
| 02/04/2009 |
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Registration 
