The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has today launched a new voluntary industry standard covering dealer deliveries of cars and vans to fleet customers, effective February 23, 2022.

The organization for fleet professionals says its AFP Dealer Standard lays out 28 points covering pre-delivery standards, vehicle condition on handover, and familiarization with the vehicle’s key functions.

The AFP says it’s becoming increasingly vital for fleet end users to have their vehicles delivered not only in excellent condition but also to have fundamentals of the car explained - particularly as UK fleets are moving extensively to electric vehicles whose operation may be unfamiliar to drivers.

“The need for this kind of benchmark has become apparent over time as a number of factors have emerged,” commented Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP. “The most significant is that cars and vans have rapidly become more complex. The time when a driver could sit in the seat of a new model and work out all the key functions in a couple of minutes has gone.

“At the same time as this requirement has become essential, issues such as the pandemic and supply issues have placed dealers and the logistics sector under considerable pressure, meaning that handover standards have varied considerably. What we hope to encourage is a high degree of consistency in important areas such as ensuring that vehicles arrive with a high level of charge.”

The AFP says it hoped the association’s Dealer Standard would be voluntarily adopted as an industry benchmark.

“Dealers can sign up to the Standard for a fee by getting in touch with the AFP and committing to meet its requirements, at which point they also become a member of the organization. They can then use the Dealer Standard logo in marketing materials and tenders to promote their participation in the programme.

“We have, of course, been talking to major dealers as part of the creation of the project and there is a high degree of interest. They recognise the importance of getting this crucial element of the fleet customer experience right and the first few who have decided to take part should be announced within a few weeks.”

What’s In The AFP Dealer Standard?

There are four main headings to the operational guidelines. We have selected highlights from each section:

Pre-delivery standards

• Regular lead time updates should be provided to either the fleet customer, fleet operator or driver including further information in the event of any delays and the reason for lateness.

• Confirmation should be provided to the customer when the vehicle is in stock, and the delivery date and time formalized.

• Comprehensive vehicle details including the registration and VIN details should be supplied as well as P11D and CO2 follow-ups.

Operational handover standards

The Vehicle

The vehicle should be supplied with:

• Company, leasing company, dealer and safety packs, as applicable

• Fitted carpet mats from the manufacturer or leasing company at a negotiated cost

• At least a quarter of a tank of fuel for petrol or diesel cars or 50% charge for EVs. The low fuel light should never be showing.

The Delivery Driver

• The delivery driver should be of smart appearance and conduct themselves professionally, as well as being able to communicate clearly and adhere to current COVID security guidelines.

• The delivery driver should be aware that vehicles may be tracked and speeding or other offenses in the vehicle will be noted and challenged.

• The customer should be contacted by the delivery driver prior to departure or during the journey with an estimated time of arrival.

• There should be no eating, drinking, smoking or vaping within the vehicle.

The Handover

• A handover process is required either physically or virtually and must include basic driving and safety-related controls, as well as Bluetooth, navigation and other key features.

• Dealers should be able to advise the customer if required on where they can obtain support on using a vehicle app. This is particularly important on EVs that have preconditioning, vehicle locking and other features remote which may be essential.

• Guidance on refueling, charging and additives should be provided. For EVs, this should cover charging cables.

  The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has today launched a new voluntary industry standard covering dealer deliveries of cars and vans to fleet customers (February 23, 2022).

  The organization for fleet professionals says its AFP Dealer Standard lays out 28 points covering pre-delivery standards, vehicle condition on handover, and familiarization with the vehicle’s key functions.

  The AFP says it’s becoming increasingly vital for fleet end users to have their vehicles delivered not only in excellent condition but also to have fundamentals of the car explained - particularly as UK fleets are moving extensively to electric vehicles whose operation may be unfamiliar to drivers.

  “The need for this kind of benchmark has become apparent over time as a number of factors have emerged,” commented Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP. “The most significant is that cars and vans have rapidly become more complex. The time when a driver could sit in the seat of a new model and work out all the key functions in a couple of minutes has gone.

  “At the same time as this requirement has become essential, issues such as the pandemic and supply issues have placed dealers and the logistics sector under considerable pressure, meaning that handover standards have varied considerably. What we hope to encourage is a high degree of consistency in important areas such as ensuring that vehicles arrive with a high level of charge.”

  The AFP says it hoped the association’s Dealer Standard would be voluntarily adopted as an industry benchmark.

  “Dealers can sign up to the Standard for a fee by getting in touch with the AFP and committing to meet its requirements, at which point they also become a member of the organization. They can then use the Dealer Standard logo in marketing materials and tenders to promote their participation in the programme.

  “We have, of course, been talking to major dealers as part of the creation of the project and there is a high degree of interest. They recognise the importance of getting this crucial element of the fleet customer experience right and the first few who have decided to take part should be announced within a few weeks.”

  What’s In The AFP Dealer Standard?

  There are four main headings to the operational guidelines. We have selected highlights from each section:

  Pre-delivery standards

• Regular lead time updates should be provided to either the fleet customer, fleet operator or driver including further information in the event of any delays and the reason for lateness.

• Confirmation should be provided to the customer when the vehicle is in stock, and the delivery date and time formalized.

• Comprehensive vehicle details including the registration and VIN details should be supplied as well as P11D and CO2 follow-ups.

• Operational handover standards

  The Vehicle

  The vehicle should be supplied with:

• Company, leasing company, dealer and safety packs, as applicable

• Fitted carpet mats from the manufacturer or leasing company at a negotiated cost

• At least a quarter of a tank of fuel for petrol or diesel cars or 50% charge for EVs. The low fuel light should never be showing.

• 
  

  The Delivery Driver

• The delivery driver should be of smart appearance and conduct themselves professionally, as well as being able to communicate clearly and adhere to current COVID security guidelines.

• The delivery driver should be aware that vehicles may be tracked and speeding or other offenses in the vehicle will be noted and challenged.

• The customer should be contacted by the delivery driver prior to departure or during the journey with an estimated time of arrival.

• There should be no eating, drinking, smoking or vaping within the vehicle.

• The Handover

• A handover process is required either physically or virtually and must include basic driving and safety-related controls, as well as Bluetooth, navigation and other key features.

• Dealers should be able to advise the customer if required on where they can obtain support on using a vehicle app. This is particularly important on EVs that have preconditioning, vehicle locking and other features remote which may be essential.

• Guidance on refueling, charging and additives should be provided. For EVs, this should cover charging cables.