Martin Ward, CAP manufacturer relationship manager, scours the globe for the week’s insider fleet intelligence

FRIDAY

Rob Barnes, from BMW’s corporate team, came up north with Dave Tuckett and Carl Sanderson to give a presentation on the current climate and some future models.

It seems the German manufacturers just don’t stop designing and producing new cars – it’s endless.

They came up in a new 750Li, which can best be described as ‘big’.

Normally when you see a new car, the natural reaction is to go and sit in the front, but for some reason with this type of car you go straight for the rear door and climb in and stretch out your legs.

And with this long-wheelbase version, that’s exactly what you can do.

It is very luxurious and full of toys, including television and live internet access that is displayed on the two rear screens.
It did attract some attention from my neighbours, who either thought I had come into the money, or I knew someone really famous – they were disappointed when I told them it was only the boys from BMW.

MONDAY

A visit up to Leeds from Lexus to tell us about the badging changes to the IS range.

Quite sensibly, Lexus is dropping the base model (IS220d) and rebadging it IS220d SE, which puts it in line with other prestige manufacturers.

Lexus showed us photographs of the IS250C which is a full four-seater coupe/convertible with a retractable hard top, which is due on sale early next year.

It looks a pretty thing, but only being available with one engine – a 2.5-litre V6 petrol – may put some off, despite its looks and high quality.

TUESDAY

Down to Cirencester to see Paul Flint at Mitsubishi, and take a look at the new Colt.

This new three or five-door hatch has plenty of competition including the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, SEAT Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, to name just a few.

The front end is reminiscent of the Evo X, which for a small car makes it look very distinctive.

It goes on sale in November, a couple of months ahead of its original launch date, but Mitsubishi managed to get some early production, and it says that in light of the current economic climate it needed a supermini sector car sooner rather than later.

The interior quality has improved, and exterior styling makes it into a cute little car.

Prices start at £7,749 for a CZ1 with a 1.1-litre petrol engine, but the one to have at £1,000 more is the CZ2, which is fully loaded and looks great value.

A sub-120g/km 1.1-litre petrol engine will be available in January.

Mitsubishi Corporation has recently announced that it has bought the Colt Car Company, the UK importers, and will be shortly factory owned.

WEDNESDAY

Our quarterly catch-up meeting with Chrysler Group in Milton Keynes went well.

Despite the problems in the money markets and the downturn in 4x4 sales, it had some good news on some of its models – the Jeep Patriot is selling well, and there is demand for the Chrysler Grand Voyager, Dodge Caliber and the Dodge Journey.

We all have to admit that the current range of vehicles – around 23 models – is just too many and needs rationalising.

Federico Goretti, the new managing director, said the group has to re-establish the brand and raise awareness with retail and fleet customers.

It expects to start production of full electric and electric-hybrid vehicles in 2010.

The Dodge Hornet, a funky small compact five-door hatch, is also due in 2010.