Leasing of cars becomes more and more important in Germany. In 2008 43 percent of financed cars and freight vehicles where leased. While new car sales were going down and the importance of traditional credit financing was declining leasing was able to expand its share in recent years.

Leasing is especially important for fleet companies. This is significant because in 2008 60% of all new cars have been commercially approved. In big fleets leasing counts for more than 80 %. These figures show that leasing companies and fleet operators can make a significant contribution to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Therefore VCD as German partner of the Cleaner Car Contracts project has contacted Germany's largest leasing companies and asked them to join. Although they are mostly interested in the campaign no leasing company has signed yet. But talks are still going on.

In addition VCD promoted the campaign through a press release and interviews with journalists. The story has been taken up by several fleet related trade magazines, environmental journals and online media (see articles here and here.
On December 9 VCD will present the project to leasing companies, fleet managers and related businesses at a meeting of the AGRION network in Frankfurt. Participants are still welcomed.