Fleet Assist has launched a new garage services programme for independent garages to ensure parity of pricing and service provision across its network.

The new Lemon Penguin initiative gives independent garages access to purchasing ability and commercial rates normally reserved for larger, franchised businesses

Its new Lemon Penguin initiative combines the purchasing power of its extensive UK network of service, maintenance and repair premises to give the independent garages within its network access to purchasing ability and commercial rates normally reserved for larger, franchised businesses.

The scheme runs across a wide range of retailers, from oil and lubricant suppliers, technician training schemes, courtesy car providers and even EV charge point providers.

Fleet Assist said its work would provide a level playing field for all operators within its network – which spans more than 5,200 franchised and independent dealers UK-wide.

The new scheme launches as garages come under increased inflationary pressures and will help assist them in the management of costs.

There are no constraints on the use of  the products or services solely in connection with Fleet Assist customers’ service maintenance and repair work – said to be a key differentiator compared to schemes run by other network providers in the market. This ensures that downtime is not adversely affected by any stipulated supply route and is complementary to the garages’ existing arrangements.

Karen Ewer, head of business development at Fleet Assist, said: “It is important to Fleet Assist that our customers receive the same excellent levels of service wherever they are in the country, and Lemon Penguin has been designed from the ground up to help our network to deliver this.”

The solution has been designed in collaboration with Fleet Assist’s network to ensure that the products and services available are guaranteed to be of benefit to users. Additional suppliers and services are being added to the programme on an ongoing basis, ensuring that garages are not left behind in a rapidly changing marketplace.

“While larger franchised garages have historically been able to access preferential rates on products and services for customers, by combining the purchasing power of our thousands of independent garages into a single buying programme, we can ensure that every business within our network has access to a level playing field which not only benefits our garages, but also our customers,” added Ewer.