Claire DeHaes (Mercedes-Benz) is the FLEET Director for 2022!

2021 was clearly marked by uncertainty. Whether it’s a semiconductor shortage in the auto industry, financial plans for the company’s car future, or the COVID situation. Hopefully 2022 will bring more stability and certainty (maybe different than it was before 2020). And on a personal level: that we will all be allowed to do something again.

What advice do you give your customers regarding their car policy today compared to what it was two years ago?

A tip I gave you already a couple of years ago, but it is more relevant today: make a total ownership calculation depending on the different profiles of drivers in your company, taking into account the current tax system in order to provide the right models / vehicles in your car fast. Mercedes-Benz offers something for everyone, with a wide range of fully electric models, but of course also PHEV models, along with both petrol and diesel engines. And above all: start this analysis on time!

Will the future of plug-in hybrid cars remain in fleets beyond 2023?

This is a good example of why you should look at a director’s profile. Although the tax benefits wane until 2026, the TCO calculations for plug-in hybrids, certainly in combination with diesels, remain a more interesting solution than a conventional combustion engine for frequent drivers. Thus, plug-in hybrids with an electric range of more than 100 km, such as the new C-Class, are an ideal intermediate step before the driver later switches to a fully electric vehicle.

What do you think of the gradual deterioration of the tax benefits for electric cars after 2026?

I think it is positive that these fully electric models will be financially supported until 2026. The past has shown that the fleet market in Belgium in particular was the driving force behind the greening of the Belgian fleet. We hope that technological development after 2026 will provide solutions to this decline in tax advantage.

From 2025, all of our new car bodies will be fully electrified. And so Mercedes-Benz is preparing to be fully electric before the end of the decade – market conditions permitting.

What are the main concerns of your customers in transitioning to an all-electric fleet?

The range and selection of all-electric models are now available. Look at our EQ range, we offer EQA to EQS (range 730 km WLTP), EQC crossover, 7-seater EQB and soon EQE; Not to mention eVito and EQV. Of course, concerns about charging infrastructure remain; In particular, the limited public infrastructure for charging, especially for employees who live in an urban environment. We hope that government support measures will lead to an accelerated expansion.

Is there much enthusiasm among your customers for budget mobility or will the company car remain property?

We note that companies are analyzing the mobility budget. This highly depends from one company to another, which must take into account many factors (human resources, cost control, diversity of employee profiles, …). The vehicle continues to play a central role, but we particularly note the greening of the vehicle fleet; Whether it is combined with other pillars your mobility budget allows or not.

Hall of Fame

Claire Dehais (Mercedes-Benz Belux 2022)

Steve Holmans (Toyota/Lexus Pilux 2021)

Tom van Asch (BMW Group Belux 2020)

Marc Fumagali (Renault / Dacia Belgium Luxembourg – 2019)

Alan Pearce (Volvo Cars Belgium – 2018)

Gauthier Hellebut (Mercedes-Benz Belgium Luxembourg – 2017)

Royland Freins (Opel Belgium – 2016)

Joris Spijt (Audi Import Belgium – 2015)

Harald Bloem (Peugeot Belgium – Luxembourg – 2014)

Alan Pearce (Volvo Cars Belgium – 2013)

Chris Fairley (BMW Group Belux- 2012)

Wim Rommel (Mercedes-Benz Belgium-Luxembourg – 2011)

Matthias Gauss (Volvo Cars Belgium – 2010)

Stijn Blankart (Citroen – 2009)

Alain Frenay (VW-Audi – 2008)

Rene Aerts Jr (Volvo Cars Belgium – 2007)

Chris Fairley (BMW Group Belux – 2006)

Paul Gestels (General Motors Belgium – 2005)

Ronnie Firman (Ford Motor Belgium – 2004)

Dimitri Joss (VW-Audi – 2003)

Hadleen de Hoop (Volvo Cars Belgium – 2002)

Paul Gestels (Opel Belgium – 2001)

Hadleen de Hoop (Volvo Cars Belgium – 2000)

Philip Grendel (Renault Belgium-Luxembourg – 1999)

Francis Harney (Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg – 1998)

Guido Huinarts (Volvo Cars Belgium – 1997)

Maurice van den Drese (Renault Belgium-Luxembourg – 1996)

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