74 Once a common practice in the sugar and ethanol sector, heavy vehicle leasing is gathering pace. Recent developments in the market leave no doubt that this is a situation that is here to stay. Last year, giants in the segment did a lot of business, as did manufacturers, getting into leasing. The merger of Ouro Verde and Locadora Unidas created the Unidas Group, with decades of experience in fleet management and outsourcing in light vehicle leasing. The Vamos Group did a deal with Truckvan, boosting the leasing of road implements in a portfolio that includes trucks, machinery, and equipment. Among vehicle manufacturers, Scania, Volvo and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus announced areas dedicated to vehicle leasing. An announcement at Fenatran last year signaled another example of the opportunities generated by the leasing of heavy vehicles. A R$ 250 million project created Addiante, a joint venture between Randon and Gerdau dedicated to the leasing of trucks, implements, machinery, and wagons. Addiante has a distribution network of 90 Randon units and a specialized leasing team. “The company offers a package of customized solutions for the logistics, forestry, mining, sugar and ethanol, electrical and last mile sectors,” says Fábio Leite, CEO of the company. According to Leite, one of the main reasons for the recent explosion of companies in the rental business is that of around 3.8 million heavy vehicles in Brazil, only 2% are outsourced. In the USA, it is 25%. “It is still an undersized fraction because machines are not licensed, which indicates even greater potential for growth,” notes the CEO. On the transport company side, the executive says there is a benefit in leasing. In striving to reduce costs, leasing offers vehicles with a consulting, documentation, insurance, tracking, and driver training package and, at the end of the contract, there is no need to worry about demobilizing assets, with the option of getting a new vehicle. “It’s another way of looking at the business. When leasing, the asset ceases to be a debt and enters the balance sheet as an expense. The transport companies also benefit from the need to mix fleets, in addition to having frequent renewals, contributing to lower fuel costs.” Leite adds that the current economic situation in Brazil is also an opportunity. High interest rates and low availability of credit prevent fleet renewal and make transport companies more receptive to leasing. Even if a company has to break a contract, it is better to pay a penalty and return the asset than to continue with finance. In its first full year, in 2023, Addiante estimates it will deliver 500 to 600 vehicles. “From there, we project growth of 20% to 25% a year.” Ample growth potential The calculation that only 2% of the heavy vehicles on the roads in Brazil are leased stokes the market LOCAÇÃO | LEASING | ARRIENDO
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