LeasePlan becomes operational lease partner for FCA in 12 European countries

LeasePlan and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have announced an operational lease partnership in several European markets.

Under the agreement, LeasePlan will become the preferred partner to FCA's European dealer network in the following markets where FCA does not operate its own captive arm, Leasys: Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.

The deal is likely to come to an end once Leasys is launched in those markets, although an FCA spokesperson declined to comment on a timeline.

No white label

"It's not a white label deal," commented a LeasePlan spokesperson. At FCA dealerships, customers will be referred to LeasePlan who will take over the customer relationship under LeasePlan's own branding, as opposed to a white label agreement where a leasing company operates under the name of a car manufacturer.

SMEs

A key focus will be on the fast-growing Small and Medium Enterprise market. "We want to maximise our channels for SMEs," said an FCA spokesperson. 

Berno Kleinherenbrink, LeasePlan’s Senior Vice President Commercial, said: "SME is LeasePlan’s fastest growing segment and a crucial element in our strategy to lead the European Car-as-a-Service market."

LeasePlan will also offer customers pre-configured FCA vehicles which can be available to drivers within two weeks.

Image: Berno Kleinherenbrink, LeasePlan’s Senior Vice President Commercial, and Alessandro Grosso, Head of Fleet & Business Sales, FCA EMEA Region