Arval has reported a successful year of growth in 2020, despite the lockdown, while also setting out plans for 2021.

Alain Van Groenendael, Arval chairman and CEO

Its new report reveals the Arval leased fleet grew by 6.4% in 2020; reaching 1,381,555 vehicles, with 4.6% growth in its UK market during the same period. The corporate financed fleet reached one million vehicles in 2020.

Arval also expanded its vehicles in the retail segment, up by 15.7% and including 100,000 vehicles on private lease, while the mid-term rental segment grew by 6%.

Supporting its growth was geographical expansion. The company reinforced its presence in Latin America, opening a new subsidiary in Colombia in partnership with Relsa. This confirms Arval’s growth alongside its partners in the Latin American region.

Arval also supported its work during the pandemic by mobilising teams across the world to ensure continued services. More than 99% of Arval employees were able to work from home safely from March 2020.

Arval also accelerated its remarketing strategy throughout the Covid-19 crisis, complementing its B2B sales activities with a retail offer supported by a fully digital customer journey.

And in May 2020 the company launched its new ‘The Journey Goes On’ service to help and support Arval’s customers restart their business with safe, sustainable, and cost-effective mobility solutions.

Its work in 2021 will be underpinned by the recently launched ‘Arval Beyond’ strategic plan, which has a central ambition of becoming a leading player in sustainable mobility through the rollout of its 360° Mobility offer.

Last week saw Arval announce new mobility services to help accommodate changing corporate needs. The Mobility Hub, Mobility App, Mobility Consulting will form part of the Arval Beyond’s 360° Mobility offer.

It’s also set a renewed ambition to double the Battery Electric Vehicles orders market, backed by a “transformational” CSR project to be launched in June 2021.

Alain van Groenendael, Arval chairman and CEO, said: “The crisis in 2020 confirmed the priorities we defined for Arval Beyond as something our customers needed. Arval is even stronger today and is leading the market in terms of performance, with a pioneering spirit and our ambitious CSR commitments.

“I am very confident about the year ahead; we have numerous projects and initiatives planned. The investments we make today will strengthen our vision through 2021 and the years to come, and we expect to exceed 2020’s performance in terms of fleet growth this year.”