VIA represents the interests of the internationally operating car rental companies AVIS Budget Group, Europcar Mobility Group, Enterprise Holdings and Hertz in Germany. It advocates for the economic and political positions of its member companies to decision-makers in politics, business, and society, and promotes evidence-based exchange about the car rental industry and its contribution to shared mobility in Germany.

Jason Altman, president of VIA and corporate vice president, Enterprise Germany (pictured), said: “VIA’s member companies are part of the shared mobility ecosystem and are contributing to sustainable travel and the future of mobility. Overcoming boundaries is part of our industry’s DNA and driving change towards a better, more efficient and innovative market environment is also at the core of EU policy making. That’s why we are thrilled to be an official Leaseurope member to make the German voice heard at discussions on EU level.

“Germany is a crucial piece of the puzzle in terms of seamless mobility solutions, technological leadership, and pioneering the transition towards climate friendly and consumer-centered mobility. VIA will act as a bridge, providing its fellow members at Leaseurope with input on recent trends in Germany while driving forward European issues and topics with stakeholders in Germany.”

Leaseurope’s director general, Anne Valette, extended a warm welcome to VIA, noting: “The expertise of this important association in the automotive rental market will prove particularly valuable in our work and allow us to further raise the profile and visibility of this industry across the board. Our growing membership is testament to the Federation’s commitment to providing value added partnerships, thereby helping our industry as a whole to thrive.”

Background

The European Federation of Leasing Company Associations was founded in 1972. The 13 founding member associations of Leaseurope represented the equipment leasing associations from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

At the time, their goal was to meet with practitioners from around Europe to share best practices and market information in a sector that was relatively new, and to promote the concept of leasing and make European policymakers aware of its benefits.

Today, Leaseurope represents 43 member associations across 31 countries, bringing together national associations throughout Europe representing bank-owned, captives and independent lessors as well as long and short-term automotive rental companies. The scope of products covered ranges from hire purchase and finance leases to operating leases of all asset types (automotive, equipment and real estate) and also includes the rental of cars, vans and trucks.

Patrick Beselaere, chair of Leaseurope, stated: “As the voice of the leasing and automotive rental industry in Europe, Leaseurope has been very active over the last fifty years in representing and promoting the industry across a wide range of policy issues, publishing valuable insights on our sector, and providing a platform for our expansive network to share and collaborate.

“We would like to thank all the member associations, Board members and industry experts who have so generously contributed to the work of the Federation over the years.

“We plan to celebrate this milestone anniversary with our members and the wider industry at our annual convention, taking place on 6 & 7 October 2022 in Cascais, Portugal. This will not be one you want to miss, we hope to see you there!”