Referendum result means fleets should seek bargains

Steve Clarke, Fuel Card Services group marketing manager, says: “At any time of economic difficulty, there are suppliers who cave in to short-term pressures, which means good deals for their customers. This is as true in the fleet market as anywhere else. In reality, Britain will remain within the EU for at least the next two years, but probably rather longer.

“Although 94% of UK firms do not trade with the EU, everyone’s projected whole-life vehicle costs will rise in the very short term,” he said. “Sterling’s fall effectively raises UK prices for fuel which will be reflected at the pumps in the coming days and weeks. It also hits anything else sourced from overseas and there may have to be temporary duty and tax rises. In the mid- to long term, history shows that markets always stabilise. The key difference between the current exchange rate crisis and any previous difficulty is that this one was anticipated.

His view is supported by Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, who said: “We are well prepared for this. The Treasury and the Bank of England have engaged in extensive contingency planning. The Bank will not hesitate to take additional measures … supported by a resilient UK financial system, one that the Bank of England has consistently strengthened over the last seven years. The capital requirements of our largest banks are now ten times higher than before the crisis. The Bank of England has stress tested them against scenarios more severe than the country currently faces.”

Steve Clarke adds: “Although only 6% of British firms trade with the EU, the immediate impact and enduring consequences will affect everyone. Fleets can expect interesting times ahead and it is hard to see how fleet managers should prepare. Right now, it could be worth watching for signs of panic-selling by nervous suppliers facing short-term stakeholder pressures. Those with funds available for investment may be able to find some real bargains.”

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Government must now maintain economic stability and secure a deal with the EU which safeguards UK automotive interests. This includes securing tariff-free access to European and other global markets, ensuring we can recruit talent from the EU and the rest of the world and making the UK the most competitive place in Europe for automotive investment.”

“Although the referendum result is clear,” he said, “there remains a great deal of uncertainty. We know only that change is inevitable, without having a timescale. Britain will look the same next week as it did yesterday, but it may be a very different place in a few years’ time. All that we can do is to watch, analyse and make the best practice recommendations that will most help our customers.”

Fuel Card Services advice to fleets following the referendum can be found here.

Steve Clarke’s long experience in the fleet sector makes him perfectly positioned to comment. Fuel Card Services, part of the international DCC group, serves many thousands of fleets every day. Its comprehensive portfolio includes low-cost refuelling, emissions reporting, mileage tracking and more, all offered nationwide through a network of strategically located offices.