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LeasePlan ready for new EU Tyre Labelling Legislation

Almere, Netherlands, 26 June 2012 - As a key partner of the technology leaders in the tyre industry, LeasePlan Corporation N.V. (“LeasePlan”) announces its readiness to comply with the latest EU legislation regarding tyre labelling.

The legislation, Regulation (EC) No. 1222/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 2009 on the labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters, outlines a number of parameters regarding the characteristics of tyres for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. It applies to all Member States of the European Union.

It stipulates in particular the need to rate fuel-efficiency, wet grip performance, and the exterior rolling noise of tyres. The new labels specify a range from “A” (most efficient grade) to “G” (least efficient grade) in both the fuel-efficiency and wet grip performance categories, whilst the labels for exterior rolling noise indicate the decibel level of the specific tyre. The new law officially takes effect on 1 November 2012, with a prior transition period for tyre manufacturers, who must ensure that every new tyre produced after 1 July 2012 uses the new labels.

LeasePlan fully supports this new legislation, as it provides end users with clear and important information about their purchase. As the leading fleet management company, LeasePlan maintains an in-depth business dialogue with the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, and will continue working with them to ensure that customers receive complete information and best-in-class products, and that all EU guidelines are met.

LeasePlan customers and fleet managers will be able to see clearly identifiable labels and documentation to allow them to best assess the comfort, safety and efficiency of tyres.

“As an industry leader in fleet and vehicle management, LeasePlan takes its sustainability and safety responsibilities very seriously, and we work with global tyre technology leaders to ensure maximum fuel efficiency and safety for our customers around the world as part of our service offering to our customers,” according to Wolfgang E. Reinhold, Senior Vice President Car Remarketing and Operations at LeasePlan.

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Article 6 of Regulation No. 1222/2009 states in part “…vehicle suppliers and distributors shall, before the sale, provide [the end user] with information, for each of the tyres offered, on the fuel efficiency class, the external rolling noise class and measured value and, where applicable, the wet grip class of C1, C2 and C3 tyres…”.

A vehicle using four A-grade tyres, for example, will use 7.5% less fuel than the same vehicle using G-grade tyres. Similarly, stopping distance in wet conditions can be reduced by up to 30% with A-grade tyres instead of G-grade tyres.