Fixing problems with your motor vehicle, whether it is getting the correct diagnosis, knowing how much it is going to cost, and even just getting it repaired at the right place can be time consuming, confusing and stressful. To solve this problem, Regional leasing firm, Vehicle and Equipment Leasing Limited (VAELL), has announced that it will set up more garages across East Africa as it rolls out virtual diagnostics service to support fleet and its operations across the region. So far, the firm says it already has set up 20 physical garages across the region. The firm that enjoys a warm relationship with various automaker in the region says that it will be working with various dealers to realize this. The garages will carry out regular maintenance, service and repairs. The garages will be able to support at least 600 cars at once.
VAELL’s Managing Director, Bertha Mvati, said, “With this innovation we will remotely reach out to clients where they are through technology and connect them to our garages near them and wherever we are yet to set up a physical garage we connect them to a reliable garage and service providers near them. The technology-backed diagnosis will take about 20 minutes and therefore reduce turnaround time. It will also help control assets repairs and maintenance.”
“We have just added two garages in Tanzania; in Mwanza and Biharamulo Gold mines which can repair heavy mining equipment. Its proximity to Western Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda also gives residents of the neighbouring countries access to superior repair services. By having a regional reach of repair network, it means VAELL clients can obtain support anywhere across East Africa. Therefore, clients can move across East Africa with ease. We have clients who have asked for cross border movements,” she narrated.
The virtual garages connect vehicle users with VAELL’s mechanics via video call who can then arrange to have the vehicle repaired at a physical garage near them or send a service provider to their convenient location if the repair is minor. These Garages will ensure that clients derive as maximum value as possible as well as aiding them to concentrate in their key businesses with less interruption. This will optimize commercial and operational processes.
“We don’t just offer clients’ vehicles and equipment but convenience and that is why we are always looking for ways to enhance our clients experience and our new garages arrangement is here to sort out problems that car owners go through. These virtual garages relieve frustrations, providing customers with trusted and transparent feedback in minutes,” said Ms. Mvati.
Through the virtual garages, the firm hopes to overcome delayed turnaround time on repairs actualisation. Most car owners complain of mechanics taking too much time to diagnose and repair their cars. The lessor says it will overcome this through scheduling the repairs and therefore the vehicle user does not have to queue or wait for too long since they will be given timelines when their vehicles will be ready.
“To ensure that we offer the best service possible and no concerns on the quality of any part replaced, the garages will strictly use authorised Dealer and Genuine Parts unlike other service providers may use non-genuine parts to cut costs. This will help us overcome ‘being blind’ on assets repair history, meaning when an asset is coming back from lease, you are totally clueless on assets conditions,” added Ms. Mvati.
Most organizations and individuals lease vehicles and equipment so that they pass on other services such as insurance, remote tracking and maintenance to leasing firms which is their area of expertise at a fixed monthly cost during the lease period. In a global emergent trend, most companies do not want to create their own dedicated fleet maintenance systems but still need to ensure optimal operation of trucks because of the potential economic and safety costs of systematic failure.
For further details and updates, please contact;
Jared Oundo,
Head of Corporate Affairs & Communications
VAELL Group,
Email: jared.oundo@vaell.com,
Cell: +254 719408244/0780408244
ABOUT VAELL
Vehicle and Equipment Leasing Limited (VAELL) is the market leader in asset leasing, maintenance and consulting in Eastern and Central Africa region. It has presence in the auto mobile, healthcare, mining, agricultural, telecommunication, construction, gas and oil sector. It has managed to diversify and expand its portfolio by offering customized solutions to suit every client’s requirement and need. VAELL, the leading provider of integrated leasing services for a broad range of moveable assets and machinery across the region, has geographical coverage with fully-fledged subsidiaries in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia. The leasing firm has a correspondent relationship with other leasing companies in South Africa and India. It facilitates clients with vehicles and machinery throughout the region from any one-country office across its network.
In 2014 VAELL won the award for the Best in Transport, in the Top 100 KPMG/Business Daily survey, and 2015 shot into Club 101 in the same survey. It has scooped 14 awards in the last 5 years. It was also named in 2018 by East African Business Council Tanzania as the best East African Company in The Service Sector. The lessor has also been named in the South Africa’s Titan Building Nation awards in the outstanding achievement category.
VAELL was recently hosted by Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) onto its premium incubation and acceleration programme, Ibuka. VAELL also owns Quipbank Trust Limited, equipment sharing platform and TingA, East Africa’s largest tractor share platform.