The team at ORIX is continuously working on new products and improvements – from fully unbundling leasing and services with ORIX MyWay, to delivering a new app that has radically changed driver experience with DriverHQ.
Barry Nicholson, GM for ORIX New Zealand says, “We’re committed to helping our customers achieve their fleet objectives. Finding new solutions to excite our customers is a big part of who we are, so we have multiple new tech products and digital solutions in the pipeline this year.”
One initiative that ORIX is particularly excited about, is the addition of a Sustainability Manager.
Meet Mark Flusk
Mark is a qualified Automotive Engineer with a background in operations and procurement. He joins ORIX from The Warehouse Group (TWG), where he was Category Manager for logistics, utilities, and fleet. Here, Mark played an integral role in the team that transitioned TWG’s vehicles to electric – making it one of the largest EV fleets in the country.
ORIX currently helps customers transition to hybrid and electric vehicles, which make up more than 16 percent of their vehicles on order and is aligned with market averages.
3D EVi Strategy
They have built an EVi strategy centred around three pillars: Discover (education and shared experiences), Develop (single/phased transition solutions) and Deploy (implementation) that is proving valuable to their customers.
So why invest further? Nicholson says, “We felt there was a missing link during the early adoption of our EVi programme – we needed something to elevate our customer experience from the outset. In the appointment of Mark, we gain the ‘hands-on’ experience that comes from transitioning a large fleet to alternative powertrains.”
Nicholson adds, “Mark’s role as Sustainability Manager is one focused on supporting ORIX customers on their journey to lower/zero emission fleets. We engaged him specifically given his perspective as a former fleet manager, understanding first-hand what works and what doesn’t. His ability to view the transition from the standpoint of our customers is invaluable to us as an FMO.”
Greener fleets
Speaking about the shift to greener fleets, Flusk acknowledges, “Transitioning from ICE to EVs is not a single event, it’s a lifestyle change. When you make a conscious decision to reduce your company’s emissions you embark on a journey of change that requires careful planning, education, stakeholder engagement, and execution.”
He adds, “I’m looking forward to getting started, adding to ORIX’s value proposition in the coming months with customer engagements, and developing new tools and resources that customers will be able to access.”
Flusk’s top three tips for businesses wanting to transition light commercials to a greener fleet:
1. Get 100 percent granularity on the LCV vehicle application. You need to be comfortable that whatever solution you select, it will deliver on your business requirements and remain highly productive.
2. After-sales support is critical. Alternative powertrains are still in their infancy in New Zealand, so there will always be challenges to navigate. Vehicle downtime is detrimental to any commercial fleet operator, so always ensure that the vehicle selected has the necessary aftersales support to keep your business moving and your drivers safe.
3. Plan your implementation. Ensure you have considered how you will transition vehicles, educate and support your drivers, and keep stakeholders informed.
ORIX is a global financial services company which operates by the principles of the UN Global Compact on human rights, labour, and anti-corruption. They’ve reduced carbon emissions globally by over three million tonnes since starting their journey in 2014 and are committed to sustainable business practices.
For help starting your transition to a greener fleet, contact the sales team at ORIX on 0800 106 749.
