Suzuki GB PLC is delighted to announce that it has been named Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer of the Year at the 2020 Fleet News Awards. The brand, which was one of four shortlisted for the prize, collected the Athlon International-sponsored accolade during the prestigious ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. The annual event, now in its 32nd year, recognises the exceptional performance and achievements of fleet operators, suppliers and individuals.
Adding to what it is already a burgeoning trophy cabinet, Suzuki was commended for the great strides that it has made in the fleet sector in 2019, hailed by Fleet News as a ‘transformative year’ for the brand. This has resulted from the increased resource which has been put in place, in addition to the substantial investment and enhanced infrastructure that has been introduced to serve fleets and leasing companies. This has led to Suzuki’s fleet market share rising from 1.04% to 1.25%, whilst Contract Hire registrations have grown by 132% when compared to 2018.
Headed up by Graeme Jenkins, Suzuki GB’s Business department in Milton Keynes now counts a full-time 12-strong team, which has seen the recent arrival of a Used Car and Remarketing Manager and four regional field staff who support the needs of customers across the length and breadth of the UK. Furthermore, in July, the vehicle manufacturer unveiled what has proved to be a highly successful Suzuki Business Programme (SBP), a nationwide network of approximately 32 dealer groups housing dedicated Suzuki GB-trained fleet specialists at around 60 showrooms to capitalise on local market opportunities. It is also supported by a fleet demo app, with a national used car programme and e-auction platform currently in development designed to protect residual values together with an attractive bonus scheme to encourage partners to exceed service level agreements.
The culmination of these initiatives and the carmaker’s unrelenting commitment to the fleet sector, enabled Suzuki to be well-placed to win nine lucrative private and public sector contracts to supply cars from the brand’s award-winning model line-up. With a suite of fuel-efficient and low emission petrol engines and hybrid capability, today’s product range provides corporate users with a unique formula of great value, exceptional reliability and low-running costs. Furthermore, the line-up will shortly include three new 48-Volt Self-Charging Hybrid equipped Swift Sport, Vitara and S-Cross derivatives, providing drivers with a 20 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, in addition to a 15 per cent overall improvement in WLTP Combined fuel consumption.
Stephen Briers, editor of Fleet News, comments: “Suzuki has put in place a new fleet business programme over the past two years as part of a complete rethink in the corporate market. The restructure, which includes fleet specialists across its dealer network, shows serious intent, and has already resulted in impressive growth in the leasing sector”.
Graeme Jenkins, Head of Fleet at Suzuki GB PLC, said: “We are very proud to have received the Fleet News Most Improved Manufacturer of the Year award. This would not have been possible without the determination and hard work of the team, especially against a backdrop of challenging trading conditions. We have built a very attractive fleet proposition in a relatively short period of time, which has seen very encouraging results during the past 12 months, and we are delighted that our achievements in the sector have been recognised.”
Graeme added: “We will certainly not be resting on our laurels, and will continue to drive forward with our long-term plan to maximise our penetration and presence in the sector, so that even more fleet operators and end-user drivers ultimately benefit from the compelling package that Suzuki has to offer.”
SOURCE: Suzuki
