Marking growing economic confidence, the firm’s order bank broke through the 500-vehicle mark for the first time in May 2014 and the company is on track to record more than 4,000 vehicle orders in a financial year – the firm’s accounting year ends on 30th June, 2014.
With Ogilvie Fleet forecasting 10% organic growth in 2014/15, the firm’s current fleet of more than 11,000 company cars and vans could rise to almost 12,000 vehicles.
Sales and marketing director Nick Hardy said: ‘Fleet vehicle orders in May 2014 were more than 10% above our previous record level, which was set in March 2014. Month-on-month orders are tracking above equivalent levels of recent years.
‘That is due to a variety of reasons – securing new contracts particularly on the strength of our advanced technology and industry-leading customer service – but we also believe it is a sign of improving business confidence as the economy continues to recover from the recession years.’
The firm added that it is detecting a continuing clear trend towards demand for low carbon dioxide (CO2) emission vehicles as swell as a swing towards both hybrid petrol and hybrid diesel models.
Hardy said: ‘Carbon-efficient vehicles are critical to all fleets as they look to reduce their carbon footprint, while drivers are conscious of keeping company car benefit-in-kind tax bills to the minimum.
‘As a result, the push by fleets to operate ever-lower emission vehicles continues and that also means demand for hybrid models is rising.’
He added: ‘Traditionally, Ogilvie Fleet’s model mix has been centred on C and D sector models. But with the industry-wide trend towards downsizing and public sector influence on our fleet we are adding an increasing number of lower medium sector and more compact models.’
