SME fleets have dealt with uncertainty and economic pressure during the pandemic by adapting their vehicle operations and becoming more agile.
Research from Vimcar reveals that 81% of UK SME businesses polled say they have had to adapt their businesses since March 2020.
Almost half (46%) said they have implemented a new vehicle management software and 30% have digitalised their fleets since March 2020.
A total of 36% of those businesses surveyed adapted to meet customer demand, with a quarter (25%) of companies surveyed increasing their fleet size, and almost a third (30%) of companies surveyed will continue to rely more on local custom to impact growth.
And a total of 44% of have adapted their transport/fleet since March 2020. The top three business sectors that this applies to includes travel and transport (66%), IT and telecoms (57%), and retail, catering and leisure (56%).
But 25% of those surveyed claiming that the running cost of managing their fleet has increased since March 2020.
Looking ahead, just under a third (29%) of businesses are looking to increase their fleet size over the next 12 months, with 25% saying they would increase to meet customer demand or because their customer has changed since March 2020 (23%).
And investment into technology is going to be an increasingly important way for companies to overcome challenges in the next 12 months. A third (33%) of those businesses surveyed who run vehicles says they plan to install a fleet tracker or to invest in a fleet management solution (31%) to overcome challenges they are expecting.
Ronald Clancy, UK country manager, Vimcar, commented: “This data shows us just how resilient and adaptable UK SMEs have had to be to ensure the continuation of their businesses – and the reliance that these businesses have on the effective running of their fleets.”
He continued: “When we look to the future and the roadmap to recovery there are still challenges ahead, but it is positive to see that the digitalisation of fleets is an ongoing commitment for SMEs and their future success.”
