AT&T Capital Corp.'s Automotive Services division plans to bring lease funding and fleet management services to what it perceives as an under-served market, the small business sector and employee leasing. AT&T Automotive Services is applying the experience it has accumulated through approximately 45,000 vehicle leases for AT&T and its employees and offering it directly to other companies and employees of client companies.

AT&T Automotive Services is supported by one of the world's largest equipment leasing and finance companies, AT&T Capital Corp. For the past several years, AT&T Automotive Services has managed an extensive fleet leasing operation for AT&T, from passenger vehicles to specialized telecommunications trucks and vans. In addition, the company offers passenger-vehicle leasing to AT&T employees nationwide through a single toll-free number.

"Major corporations with substantial fleets already have access to fleet management," says Dan Moore, vice president of marketing and business development for AT&T Automotive Services. "But the smaller companies, those with fleets ranging from two to 200 vehicles, do not generally enjoy that luxury, and they represent a large segment of the market. We aim to be their resource in this important area."

Private-label leasing is another value-added service being offered to large and small businesses. As part of its new marketing approach, AT&T Automotive Services will extend its employee vehicle leasing services to other companies through a turn-key private-label employee vehicle leasing program. A company can offer a benefit to its employees with the endorsement of the program under its own name.

The program includes installing and operating a toll-free number for a company's employees, marketing lease funding at a competitive rate, and establishing and maintaining the operational infrastructure necessary for the program.

AT&T Automotive Services is also looking to expand into the consumer market, where automotive leasing is a growing trend. "This fall, we will begin advertising a single phone number for consumers nationwide who are interested in leasing a vehicle through AT&T Automotive Services. Dialing 1-800-CAR-LEASE will connect them with a professional and knowledgeable lease consultant who will provide specialized attention," says Moore.