Auto Leasing Company Introduces Program Showing Quantitative Environmental Impact and Cost-Effectiveness

Sumitomo Mitsui Auto Service Co., a major automobile leasing company in Japan, started a service on May 1, 2009, which allows corporate customers to choose the best vehicle for their needs by quantifying both the environmental footprint and cost of vehicles. This is the first example of a service in the automobile leasing industry which allows customers to quantify the criteria for choosing vehicles.

After the customer specifies the vehicle models to be compared as well as the planned travel distance, the company's proprietary program automatically calculates the optimal evaluation rating based on cost and environmental factors. The vehicle ratings allow the customers to compare vehicles and assess vehicle leasing options.

It had previously not been possible to quantify the selection criteria of vehicle models; however, the company resolved it by applying the vehicle selection criteria used by the government and municipalities to its rating calculation, which is prescribed in the Environmental-Conscious Contract Law. The company subsequently developed a program that computes the optimal balance between leasing costs and environmental impact.

Posted: 2009/09/01 06:00:15 AM

TAG Non-manufacturing industry , Technology , Transportation