VWFS to offer customers Lightfoot efficiency and telematics tools

VWFS has announced a strategic technology partnership with driver behaviour and telematics specialist Lightfoot. The collaboration will see VWFS offer Lightfoot’s comprehensive suite of solutions to its leasing customers, empowering them to optimise performance, enhance safety, and accelerate decarbonisation efforts.

Under the agreement, Lightfoot will become a key Technology Partner, providing VWFS customers with access to its innovative in-cab driver coaching, advanced diagnostics and reporting, dedicated electric vehicle transition software, cutting-edge AI camera systems, and the popular Lightfoot gamification app for drivers, alongside telematics tools.

The Lightfoot tech integration can be managed pre-delivery or in-life. VWFS says it will help maximise fleet efficiency, uplift road safety records, streamline overall fleet management processes, and actively pursue sustainability goals.

"This innovative partnership offers a full-service telematics and rewards technology solution for VWFS leasing customers. By offering the technology at the vehicle ordering stage, customers can specify exactly what each car or van needs, creating economies of scale with consistency throughout their fleet from perk cars to workhorse commercial vehicles."

Paul Hollick, Chief Executive Officer at Lightfoot Tweet

The partnership promises to simplify the integration of vital technologies into leased vehicles, enabling fleets to build tailored solutions catering to diverse vehicle requirements. Hollick added:

“Fleets will be able to fit various vehicles with the technology required for specific needs. For a perk driver in an electric company car, you might just want to know their mileage, vehicle status and record charging data for reimbursement. Whereas for a driver of a commercial vehicle, you may want to instal AI cameras, telematics that help them with routing and jobs, in-cab coaching to deliver safer and more efficient driving and reward them through gamification too. All this, and every level in between, can be easily managed through this Technology Partnership.”

"We know that safety, efficiency, and sustainability are top priorities, and innovative telematics solutions play a crucial role. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Lightfoot – bringing their award-winning technology to our customers as an all-in-one solution. Together, we’re driving smarter, greener, and safer fleet performance, delivering real savings and tangible benefits."

Jonathan Glenn, Head of Fleet Operations at VWFS | Fleet Tweet

According to Lightfoot, a key advantage of this partnership lies in the consistent data stream provided by its technology across all vehicle makes and models within a fleet. This resolves a significant pain point for multi-marque operators who often grapple with disparate data formats from various manufacturers.

“Lightfoot can deliver granular, actionable real-time data about the operational status of vehicles. This could be mileage reporting, alerts about technical problems or even monitoring of charge levels of EVs. By running this technology in every car and van, decision-makers can ensure their fleet is running as it should, and can act when there is an issue,” said Hollick, who was recently appointed CEO of the company.

He further underscored the benefits for leased fleets:

“The benefit of being able to do this with a leased fleet is huge, because you can be sure that vehicles are operating within contract parameters. That means no shocks when vehicles go back at end of contract, that all in-life services and maintenance are carried out when necessary, and you are aware of how the vehicles are being driven and looked after. This higher level of predictability and planning should all have positive impacts on leasing contracts, and fleet operations.”