RAC Business Services and Hitachi Capital continue partnership with new five-year contract
12 MAY 2014
The RAC has been awarded a five-year contract for Accident Management services by Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, adding to the current provision of breakdown services already taken across its divisions of cars, commercial vehicles and driving instructor vehicles.
The move sees Hitachi Capital’s 20,000-strong fleet of accident-managed cars and commercial vehicles able to access the RAC’s new Accident Management service, complementing provision for Hitachi Capital’s total fleet of 63,000 vehicles by the breakdown service.
Hitachi Capital, one of the UK’s largest leasing companies which won Fleet News Leasing Company of the Year 2014 and was placed in the top 10 of the FN50, selected the RAC’s Accident Management service following a £2m investment in a bespoke IT system. The new RAC platform brings together state-of-the-art diagnostics with super-fast repair networks to produce significant cost efficiencies and reduction in vehicle downtime.
The two organisations have been working together since 2011 and through the development of new services will provide Hitachi Capital clients with best-in-class levels of service and will pioneer initiatives aimed at addressing real fleet manager concerns.
Customers are already seeing the benefits of Hitachi Capital having the RAC’s roadside service in place, which completed the roll-out across all Hitachi Capital divisions in December 2013, with current driver satisfaction score relating to breakdown running at nearly 90%.
David Aldridge, RAC Business Services Director, said: “The way Hitachi Capital works to continually improve its level of service and customer experience is very much in line with the RAC way of operating, so there is a real match in the way we do business.
“This has led to a strong partnership that we believe will continue to grow and deliver major benefits to Hitachi Capital’s fleet. Having invested significantly in our Accident Management service, systems, personnel and infrastructure we know that we are in the best place possible to meet the needs of the fleet and ensure we support Hitachi in the best way possible.”
Tim Bowden, Head of Operations for Hitachi Capital Car Solutions, who was actively involved in the negotiation and implementation of the accident management and breakdown services added: “The appointment of the RAC for accident management services is a strong strategic fit for our organisation.
“Provided alongside the breakdown services, the appointment presents a number of opportunities for us to drive further benefits for our customers. We were very pleased with the professional approach adopted during implementation by the RAC and we look forward to jointly developing further initiatives.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About RAC
With around seven million members, the RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.
The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK motorists at a national level, including advancing levels of road safety, supporting the needs of young drivers and voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring. The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring survey, now in its 25th year, provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.
For the very latest news on UK fuel prices visit our Fuel Prices Explained pages – www.rac.co.uk/advice/fuel-prices-explained. Here we detail the average UK price of petrol and diesel and give an indication of which way prices are likely to go – up or down – over the next couple of weeks based on the wholesale price. You can also discover more about the fuel industry, what affects UK fuel prices, how they compare those in Europe, how motorists are taxed and top-tips for better fuel economy.
The RAC supports FairFuelUK campaigning for fairer taxes on petrol and diesel. Show support and find out more at www.fairfueluk.com.
Key facts:
RAC patrols fix four out of five vehicles at the roadside and on an average within 37 minutes
The RAC has more patrols per member than any other breakdown provider
98% of members would recommend RAC Rescue to their friends and family
RAC press releases, news alerts and a wealth of motoring research is available from www.rac.co.uk/press-centre/.
Follow us on Twitter:
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RAC.
About Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions Ltd
Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions Ltd is a division of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, part of Hitachi Ltd, one of the world’s largest and most respected industrial groups. Hitachi Capital Car Solutions is a division of Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions Ltd and combines technology with market leading customer service to offer the full spectrum of tailor-made fleet finance and fleet management services, including all forms of funding, maintenance management, accident management and daily rental management. The company also operates Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Solutions, a leading specialist commercial vehicle services division, from Trowbridge and Hitachi Capital Driving Instructor Solutions from Leicester, the UK’s leading supplier of contract hire to the driving instruction market. Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions has a fleet size of over 60,000 vehicles ranging from cars, small, medium and large vans to HGVs with specialist ancillary equipment such as cranes and tail lifts. Visit http://www.hitachicapitalvehiclesolutions.co.uk/
Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Twitter: @hitachi_capital
Who we are
For over 125 years, the RAC has been at the forefront of developing motoring solutions. Today, you can trust the RAC for complete peace of mind, for all your driving needs.
Discover our history
The RAC has been consistently at the forefront in assisting UK drivers. Take a look at a snapshot of our history so far, beginning in 1897.
Corporate responsibility
The RAC has embedded Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) throughout the business, with a continued focus on enhancing road safety, improving fuel efficiencies and in developing innovative new products and services for members.