The first ever ride and drive event for brokers, organised by online procurement platform Fleet Procure, took place at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire over 15 and 16 May.
In total Fleet Procure Live! attracted 20 OEMs along with six retail groups to show their vehicles and let brokers experience the products firsthand which they are selling to their customers.
The sunnier first day saw 295 attendees come to the event, while the wetter second day saw 198 attendees arrive. In total just over 1,000 test drives were taken over the two days.
Along with the cars there was also an area for advertisers while BYD showcased its Seal model and Hyundai highlighted its great-looking IONIQ 5 N (right).
Paul Bulloch, Managing Director of Concept Vehicle Leasing said:
“What an awesome event Fleet Procure has organised for our sector with the inaugural Fleet Procure Live!”
Paul also put together a great little video which you can click on in the link below within his post:just ov
Graham Lesslie from Gofor attended the second day and said:
“The sales team came back from the first day and they were absolutely buzzing. And I can see why. It’s brilliantly organised – congratulations to Lee Jones and his team. It’s so good to get your hands on the product you’re actually selling, It really makes a difference.”
Among the OEMs present was Volvo. Tosh Crompton, the brand’s Contract Hire & leasing Manager, said the company had completed over 90 test drives across the range of its products.
“It’s been really good for us. It’s really well run, and we will definitely be here again next year.”
Lee Jones on Fleet Procure Live!
Managing Director Lee Jones has to be congratulated on putting together such a professional ride and drive event. Did he think it had been a success?
“Oh definitely. Feedback from the exhibitors has been excellent and the brokers have really enjoyed the access to the products as well as the catering we’ve put on for them.”
With such a successful event, would Fleet Procure put it on again next year?
“Well, I think the demand is there as proven in this inaugural event,” continues Lee. “It has been immensely popular and with over 1,000 test drives it’s certainly achieved its goal considering we got only a 58% OEM turnout. Plus, there was hesitation from some brokers as to whether they should attend as it was the inaugural event and they didn’t know what to expect.
“Will we repeat the event next year? We will be taking the next few weeks to debrief and consult with this year’s exhibitors on their interest for next year, along with seeing if we would change any of the event’s the format.”
One thing’s for sure, Broker News would certainly support the event with a dinner the night before the ride and drive. And with the level of support shown on LinkedIn, Lee and the Fleet Procure team can only expect a bigger turn out next year! Let’s hope they can make it happen.
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Ralph Morton is the leading journalist in the leasing broker sector and editor of Broker News, the website which provides information and news for BVRLA-registered leasing brokers. He also writes extensively on the fleet and leasing market in both the UK and Europe.
