Global leasing giant Arval is focusing on digital innovation as a key driver of growth this year to build on the successful introduction of services in 2018.
The company said that it would use insights from its data to develop new services, reflecting the success of its digital solution Arval for Me, launched last year.
It provides customers in Italy and Spain with a database of information and value-added services that has attracted 12,000 members.
Driver services are an important additional revenue stream for its growing customer base. Last year, the Arval global leased fleet grew by 8.2% overall, reaching 1.2 million vehicles, with orders rising 9% year-on-year.
It reported strong growth in key territories throughout Europe, including a 19% rise in demand in Spain and 8% in Italy. Double-digit growth was reported areas including Benelux (+12%), Southern Europe (+16%), Central Europe (+14%) and the Nordics (+25%).
While its corporate and public sector business grew 4% last year, with small to medium enterprises up 17%, the strongest rise came in personal leasing, where the fleet grew 45% year-on-year after the launch of sector specific services.
In the Netherlands, Arval has launched an online car store for private customers where they can lease cars through an all-inclusive service and the business aims to launch across several other European countries in 2019.
Last year, Arval also launched an electric vehicle leasing service, which includes a petrol/diesel vehicle replacement option for short periods such as holidays. It is now available in 12 countries including France, the UK, Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands and Germany and is being expanded this year.
Alain Van Groenendael (pictured), Arval CEO, said: “As our unique spectrum of high-value services meets the positive market trends, we are confident that we will achieve a significant growth in 2019.
“Our integrated offer, strong assets, and the course set on data and digital will enable us to meet our clients’ mobility challenges, including our responsibility to fight climate change.”
Arval, which is owned by BNP Paribas within its retail banking arm, is a founding member of the Element-Arval Global Alliance, the longest standing strategic alliance in the fleet management industry, with 3 million vehicles in 50 countries.
