Clear messages needed from the car leasing sector to clear the fug of government inaction

We're in something of a pea souper at the moment: a real fog surrounds the government's intentions on just about every level and that is filtering through to the automotive sector.

A taxation system that was once clear has been fudged - we'll have to wait until 2020/21 for that one to unravel. In the meantime the current system is pushing more drivers into alternative car provision schemes and diesel fear is putting clean diesels on to a crisis level: witness the 29% drop in diesel sales month-on-month. 

The Sword of Damacles is what the government will do next against diesels after extending the 3% BIK surcharge and then, when Dieselgate exploded a year ago, threatening action to be announced 'autumn 2017'. We probably have to wait for the Budget on that - another month wasted.

What's needed now - with such lack of government clarity - is for leasing companies to continue communicating with customers, both existing and potential, analysing the choices available, enabling electrification where possible, but not fearful of promoting clean diesel technology when appropriate.

I'm sure, more than ever, that now is the time for clear, consistent dialogue with the automotive customer. And leave the government in the fug of its own making.