Europcar has launched a new service aimed at SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) customers — smaller business customers who may not normally be able to access high-volume corporate deals.

The service is called Business Connect and aims to give SMEs more choice and flexibility than they enjoy at present. Some of the features of the Business Connect service are:

• A choice of fixed rates, to help with budgeting, or variable discounted rates;
• A choice of payment options, including credit facilities or no-contract credit card payment;
• Access to Europcar’s online booking system
• An Affinity scheme to provide employees with access to discounted car hire for personal use.

Europcar says that the Business Connect service will also offer a number of benefits that are usually only available to larger corporate customers, such as a guaranteed diesel option, a light damage option that waives any damage costs up to £400, and dedicated account manager support.

Delivery and collection and one-way hire are also available, although these services are on offer to regular retail customers of Europcar, too (not necessarily at the same rates).

Commenting on the launch, Ken McCall, Europcar UK Group Managing Director, said:

“The launch of Business Connect is part of Europcar’s commitment to our small business customers who are the engine room of the UK economy. Business Connect delivers big business benefits to smaller organisations, helping them get the best out of Europcar’s services by creating a rental solution that meets their specific needs.

“We know that SMEs have to be even more conscious of costs but can often find that they are excluded from the discounts and benefits that are afforded to big volume rental users.  Business Connect brings certainty on costs with discounted rates to keep UK SMEs on the move.  Plus our Affinity programme offers staff, friends and family discounts on vehicle rental booked via our consumer website, providing savings on leisure rentals.”

Europcar is Europe’s largest car and van hire company, and has more than 200 branches across the UK.