Chauffeur support fleet bridges the gap
April 2007
Hertfordshire based company Licensed Carriage Hire Ltd correctly predicted some of the issues that PCO* legislation would cause chauffeur companies and had the foresight to invest in a pool of cars, purchased through Mercedes-Benz Retail Corporate Sales, to be made available to fleets whenever a PCO vehicle was needed. Their clients can call upon the fleet for short term vehicles to cover maintenance and repairs, for additional cars to fulfil short term contracts or to provide a specific vehicle model, such as a seven-seater that may not always be readily available in their own fleet.
Investment wasn’t just confined to cars. LCH developed a unique booking system that ensures the right vehicle is provided every time and that regular clients enjoy continuity. Cars are fully fuelled and ready to go; vital for unplanned or short notice bookings which LCH are used to handling.
With a rapidly growing customer base of satisfied clients, the 20 all-PCO car fleet, including 15 Mercedes, soon proved insufficient to meet demand. 18 new Mercedes vehicles will therefore be added over the next few months, six as direct replacements for end of contract cars. The cars are on two year contracts through Daimler Fleet Management (DFM), who are also responsible for their servicing and maintenance, and supplied by Mercedes-Benz Retail Corporate Sales’London team.
The LCH fleet includes the Mercedes-Benz Viano people carrier, the new generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (the mainstay of many chauffeur companies) and the flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class (What Car? Luxury Car of the Year 2007 and Fleet News Luxury Car of the Year 2007).
Richard Horne, LCH’s Managing Director says "Demand for our Mercedes fleet has grown consistently over the last couple of years. We’ve invested in the brand because it’s the badge that most chauffeur customers ask for because of the image and comfort. Some of our customers need to hire in a top end S-Class for a few days at a time when their most important employees or clients require it, another hires in a Viano to support their special events. When a fleet wins a new contract they often need to increase their pool of cars at short notice. Because we understand their needs and have everything ready to go, we can respond immediately and professionally, so they can too".
The LCH fleet supports chauffeurs with general fleet cover and short term expansion. It also provides vital support in the case of unscheduled off-road instances such as accidental damage and breakdown and LCH is a partner to the Mercedes-Benz MobiloLife programme. The Mercedes-Benz MobiloLife team will take care of everything for Mercedes owners in the case of unscheduled breakdowns, if you are a London chauffeur company and qualify for a replacement vehicle under breakdown cover.
When a PCO licensed chauffeur car is required, LCH and Mercedes-Benz work together to ensure our customers achieve the mobility they require, without delay.
*PCO = Public Carriage Office
For further information, please contact:
Tracey Watson
Marketing Manager
(t) 01908 697 106
(e) marketinguk@daimler.com