LeasePlan Corp. has launched fleet management operations in Russia with a new subsidiary, bringing the total number of countries that LeasePlan provides services in to 31. LeasePlan currently manages more than 1.3 million vehicles, according to the company.

“This is an important day for LeasePlan,” said Vahid Daemi, CEO of LeasePlan Corp. “We have seen continued interest among our multinational customers to internationalize throughout the Russian region. By launching LeasePlan Russia, we are making it easier for them to manage their global fleet and keep their workforce mobile around the world. I am also pleased that LeasePlan is anchoring operations in Moscow as the city provides a premium location to connect our customers with their leasing needs across Russia.”

Sergey Dianin, managing director of LeasePlan Russia, comes to the company from Russia Arval of the BNP Paribas Group, where he worked as general manager. Prior to that role, he worked with Russia Renaissance Insurance and as managing director for Russia at Rolf Leasing.

“LeasePlan is only the third international player to arrive in the Russian market,” Dianin said. “This makes this launch particularly important for the development of the car leasing market here, and not only from a volume perspective. It will also improve the awareness of the products and services of full service leasing. We aim to help to educate the market and to bring innovation to the fleet management industry in Russia thus adding value for both international and local clients.”