Courtesy cars key to customer satisfaction and production
New analysis by Enterprise Rent-A-Car has revealed that repairers are having to turn away work due a shortage of courtesy cars.
Its survey of more than 100 repairers found that 36% said they had turned down or delayed work because a suitable courtesy car was not available.
A further 44% said courtesy car availability had an impact on production.
The survey also found that 81% of respondents said the cost of providing courtesy cars has increased in the last 12 months, with 15% saying costs have gone up by 20-50% and seven per cent saying costs have increased by more than 50%.
Onward mobility
Stuart Sandell, assistant vice president for replacement sales at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, said: “The data from this survey indicates how providing onward mobility remains essential to great customer service, higher productivity and better workplace allocation.
“Operating courtesy cars is a time-consuming and expensive job for repairers. Vehicle availability slows work rates, which has a knock-on effect across the supply chain, especially with repair lengths increasing.
“Some larger bodyshops will essentially be running a small fleet business supplying customers with replacement cars, with all the associated costs and risks in terms of insurance, personnel, repairs, servicing and valeting. This is where partnering with a mobility provider like Enterprise can enable bodyshops to focus on their core business of repair and driving workshop utilisation.”
