Start planning (and discussing with your vehicle leasing provider) your vehicle needs well in advance. Although lead times have improved in the last 18 months, it’s still worth aiming to start order discussions 6-9 months in advance (or 9-12 months in advance for Commercial Vehicles).

Short and medium-term rental solutions like Alphabet Rent offer a flexible way to keep your employees on the road in case of longer-than-anticipated lead times or delivery delays.

With price fluctuations and longer lead times putting pressure on new vehicle orders, your existing fleet may be needed for longer than you had planned. Take a proactive approach to servicing and maintenance. That way you’ll be able to spot and resolve any issues early. Also you may wish to consider extending the contract of your existing leases to reduce your reliance on new vehicle orders.

With demand for certain vehicles and vehicle types higher than others, speak to your fleet supplier about alternatives which may be suitable (and potentially available sooner). This is also a good time to review your vehicle needs and see if downsizing would be possible.

However, be wary of swapping to something which doesn’t meet your fuel efficiency, spec or sustainability needs. If a good swap isn’t available, it’s usually better to wait for the right vehicle (potentially bridging the gap with a rental solution) than be stuck with something which is unsuitable in the long-run.