Leaseurope statement on Covid-19

Leaseurope, the trade federation representing automotive leasing and rental at European level, would like to emphasise the important role leasing plays as a supporter of European business during the current Covid-19 crisis.

Firstly, our thoughts are with our entire extended community right now, including our members and their employees, partner organisations, policymakers, and their families. Lessors and rental firms, while implementing measures to protect their employees and customers, have been working hard to ensure their services continue to be provided to those who rely on them. The leasing industry has always supported European businesses, particularly SMEs, to invest and grow by providing essential equipment like fleet cars, delivery trucks, computers and printers, manufacturing machines, agricultural equipment, amongst many more. Now more than ever before, the continued efforts of our members are helping SMEs stay in business, supporting farmers and delivery firms to keep shelves stocked, and ensuring factories are still running.

To be effective in our efforts will require close cooperation between lessors, governments and regulatory authorities. As cash flow becomes a concern of many European enterprises, governments across Europe are taking actions to limit the impact, such as subsidies, debt moratoria and tax relief. Supporting the liquidity of lessors, in addition to banks, will be vital in ensuring these valuable leasing services are not lost to the businesses that need them most, at a key moment in time. We maintain our close relationships with government and regulatory bodies, whether national or European, so that they continue to recognise the important role our industry plays in supporting the European economy and ensure that the leasing sector is included in any liquidity or fiscal support schemes.