Changing mobility needs and the future of leasing

How are mobility needs changing? What are companies looking for when they think about their transport needs? And how does car leasing fit into this? BNR, a Dutch national business radio station, recently interviewed Marchel Koops, Chief Commercial Officer at Athlon International to discover the answers to these questions and more.

    Mobility needs are continuously changing at companies, but until recently, the pace of change was relatively constant. We are now seeing new trends sweeping through the industry, resulting in an acceleration in the pace of change and introducing new ways for the industry to tackle mobility.

    Corona and its impact on mobility

    One major influencer on changing mobility needs has been the Corona pandemic. With many people working from home, there were significantly fewer cars on the roads.

    Corona also had a large impact on cashflow for many companies, leading them to look for ways to trim costs. Even as employee levels were scaled down, companies were faced with fixed lease periods. We worked with them to find alternatives such as extending contract durations, adjusting payment terms, and offering short-term contracts.

    The most sustainable kilometer is the kilometer that isn’t driven, but mobility will always continue to exist. We just need to do it differently and do it smarter.

    Electric cars gain market share

    Technological advances in electric engines, lower environmental impact, increased and improved charging infrastructure, and government-led incentives are helping electric vehicles (EVs) to gain market share. But companies still don’t find it easy to take that first step to introduce EVs. There are still concerns about vehicle range, especially when planning to visit a customer several hours’ drive away.

    The most sustainable kilometer is the kilometer that isn’t driven, but mobility will always continue to exist. We just need to do it differently and do it smarter. Two ways you can already see this in action are the trends towards mobility subscriptions and the rise of EVs. At Athlon, we have devised a 5-step-mobility plan to help our customers in making the shift to sustainable mobility.

    Mobility budgets and subscriptions

    Different journeys need different types of mobility. For short journeys, a bike is often a good solution. Commuting to work or visiting a customer during the week is best done in a small vehicle. While weekends and holidays require the space of a large vehicle to fit family members, luggage, and more.

    Combine this with the increasing number of people that are working from home at least part time, and companies are finding that a single leasing solution isn’t always the best solution. Instead, their needs are better met by establishing a mobility budget that allows drivers to have subscriptions to multiple transport methods, including multiple vehicle types, so they can switch to the best option depending on the situation.

    Looking to the future

    The idea behind mobility – getting from point A to point B easily and efficiently – continues to be as relevant today as it was when the car was first invented. The leasing industry is a major element of the mobility strategies of many companies, but this is evolving. And Athlon is evolving alongside it, helping companies to make the transition from leasing options to the complete mobility solution for their future.