One of Lucion Environmental’s new Volkswagen Caddy vans
Although large businesses can justify the manpower and IT investment needed to optimise the total cost of ownership of their their van fleets, smaller firms have to take a certain amount on trust: there is only so much time you can spend analysing the maintenance costs, residual values and fuel consumption of vans when you only operate a handful of them.
Perceived reliability, efficiency and low running costs — plus a prestigious brand — are some of the reasons why Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz vans are a default choice for many businesses in the UK.
Although they traditionally cost slightly more upfront, this extra outlay is usually compensated for by high levels of reliability and strong resale values — plus a great image.
A case in point is independent asbestos management company Lucion Environmental, which has maintained a relationship with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for more than 10 years.
To mark this important milestone, the Gateshead-based firm is now taking delivery of 25 new Volkswagen commercial vehicles, as part of its ongoing expansion.
The new Caddy and Transporter models will be used across Lucion Environmental’s seven offices nationwide. The firm specialises in the surveying and analysis of asbestos-containing materials, and delivers hazard management services to the built and marine environments.
Charles Pickles, Financial Director at Lucion Environmental, said:
“We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles by bolstering our fleet with 25 new vans. Reliability is essential to the smooth running of our business and Volkswagen gives us exactly that.
“The business has experienced rapid growth especially over the last few years, and without a dedicated fleet manager on the team we rely on the Volkswagen Group Leasing service to ensure that our fleet is running at an optimum level at all times.”
As part of the deal, Lucion Environmental will take advantage of Volkswagen’s fleet management services – which are specially tailored to suit the company’s individual requirements.
These allow the company to benefit from additional services, including vehicle acquisition, service and maintenance management, along with a personal dedicated support system for drivers — all services which a large fleet might provide in-house, but which are generally not cost-effective for smaller companies to provide for themselves.