FleetPartner leadership shift and franchise strategy explained

Bruno Pougnet was named the national head of sales for FleetPartner in July 2026, guiding a business that aggregately includes BestDrive, Eurotyre, Feu Vert and Siligom. Following Continental's sale of BestDrive stores to Xellent Service in June 2026, FleetPartner is pursuing a franchised model with a stronger on-the-ground presence to support its nearly 1,000 professional sites across France. This explainer breaks down what changed, who is affected, and practical steps for stakeholders.

What changed for FleetPartner and its networks

FleetPartner, a business group that brings together multiple automotive networks (BestDrive, Eurotyre, Feu Vert, Siligom), appointed Bruno Pougnet as the national head of sales on July 1, 2026. This comes after Continental sold 130 BestDrive branches to Xellent Service in early June 2026. The leadership shift signals a push to strengthen on-the-ground relationships with franchised operators and to coordinate sales across its four networks as a unified professional-services platform.

Key facts about the change

• Bruno Pougnet has two decades of experience in the tire and automotive sectors, including time at Copadex and Continental.
• His role focuses on national sales leadership for FleetPartner, a position newly established in mid-2026.
• The sale of BestDrive branches to Xellent Service changed the composition of FleetPartner’s professional network, potentially affecting franchise operations and site-level management.
• FleetPartner operates around a thousand professional sites in France across four networks, aiming to reinforce field proximity with franchise partners.

Who is affected

Franchisees and site managers within FleetPartner’s networks (BestDrive, Eurotyre, Feu Vert, Siligom) are the primary stakeholders. They will experience changes in leadership direction and potentially changes in sales support, training, and field operations as the new national head emphasizes closer ground-level engagement. The move may also affect supply and service coordination across the four brands that operate under FleetPartner.

Practical next steps for stakeholders

• Franchisees: Seek clarity on national sales strategy and how it translates to store-level targets, training, and support. Request regular updates from FleetPartner leadership and regional coordinators.
• Site managers: Expect more on-site visits or calls from the national sales team to align fleet services, pricing, and promotions across the four networks.
• Independent operators within FleetPartner: Review any changes in branding, inventory, or service agreements resulting from the new leadership structure and consolidation of field activities.
• Customers with fleets: Monitor communications about new service options, network compatibility, and any changes in preferred supplier arrangements arising from FleetPartner’s strategic shift.

Limits and questions

The available information is focused on leadership changes and the broader strategic intent to strengthen field presence. Details about concrete operational changes, timelines, or contractual implications for individual franchisees are not provided in the source material. Questions you might pursue include: How will sales targets be changed? Will there be new training programs or support tools? How will BestDrive’s divestiture affect cross-network collaboration within FleetPartner?

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