Young Driver has expanded its nationwide fleet with the delivery of 170 Suzuki Swifts, replacing a previous line-up of Vauxhall Corsas and marking a shift away from leasing to outright ownership.
The under-17s driving school worked with NatWest Commercial Banking and asset finance provider Lombard to structure a funding model that allows greater long-term flexibility. The deal includes the option to sell vehicles early without penalty, supporting Young Driver’s plans to adjust the fleet mix in response to future EV demand.
Ian Mulingani, managing director at Young Driver, said: “We’d been discussing the possibility of a cash loan to purchase for some time, and as we drew near to the end of the lease on our previous Vauxhall Corsa fleet, we just needed the right replacement product to maximise the benefits of buying outright.”
Young Driver cited residual values as a key factor in selecting the Swift. According to CAP, the model is expected to retain 55% of its value after 3 years or 36,000 miles. Mulingani added: “With the future so uncertain about demand for EVs, it’s impossible to say if new drivers will want to learn in one, or not. By owning the cars, we have the flexibility to react to changing trends and potentially replace some cars with EVs early so that the fleet mix is appropriate for the children we’re training.”
The vehicles include 160 Swift Motion models powered by a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder mild hybrid engine producing 81bhp, with a five-speed manual transmission. A further 10 models feature CVT gearboxes for students with additional needs. All are fitted with He-Man Dual Controls.
The new fleet will deliver around 150,000 lessons annually. Young Driver said that the design of the Swift allows them to offer lessons to children as young as nine, compared with a previous minimum age of 10 for the Corsas.
Young Driver is also targeting improved sustainability. The company expects to save nearly £20,000 in fuel annually due to the Swift’s greater efficiency, with a combined figure of 64.2mpg and emissions of 99g/km CO₂.
