JUST 50 out of 200 invited fleet managers visited the Transport Research Laboratory last week to see for themselves the results of the recent European New Car Assessment Programme crash tests on superminis and upper medium cars. The Department of Transport had invited the fleet managers to inspect the crashed vehicles in a bid to increase companies' awareness of the difference in performance between the cars.

John Laing Construction fleet administration manager and Institute of Car Fleet Management council member David Lee said he was disgusted that so few fleet managers had taken up this 'golden opportunity'.

'Those who did not turn up should be ashamed of themselves. It was a tremendous opportunity to see and hear at first hand how the tests were evaluated and be able to put behind us all the protestations from manufacturers,' he said. 'I found it a salutary experience. There is no comparison between reading the published report, which was severely limited in its contents, and actually seeing the results for yourself. I hope the low attendance will not discourage the Department of Transport from holding similar events in the future.'