Manufacturers demonstrate life-saving technologies at Company Car in Action

Manufacturers will give fleet decision-makers the opportunity to experience the latest life-saving technologies at Company Car in Action on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10 and 11.

An increasing number of cars are being fitted with technologies that aim to protect both the vehicle and driver, while also making every day driving tasks easier.

In fact, around 23% of new cars on sale today have Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems available as optional or standard fit.

‘Driver Technology in Action’ will build on the launch of the experiential area at last year’s event by allowing visitors to try out different technologies on a range of models.

Volvo, Kia, Ford and Fiat will all be bringing vehicles for visitors to experience collision avoidance and park assist systems.

Volvo’s version of AEB is called City Safety. It’s active at speeds up to around 30mph and keeps an eye on traffic in front with the help of a laser sensor that is integrated behind the top of the windscreen.

The car automatically brakes if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops – or if the car is approaching a stationary vehicle too fast.

Volvo will have the V40 D2 R-Design manual, V40 CC D2 SE powershift, V60 D4 R-Design geartronic and S60 D4 R-Design manual available for visitors to experience both its City Safety and Park Assist Pilot systems.

Park Assist Pilot makes parallel parking easy and precise by taking over and operating the steering wheel while the driver handles the gearbox and controls the car’s speed. The parking manoeuvre is based on front, rear and side-facing ultrasonic sensors.

Ford will be demonstrating a range of technologies, including its Park assist system and Active City Stop, its version of AEB.

Active City Stop uses a light-detecting and ranging sensor to scan the road ahead 50 times every second, to help prevent collisions at speeds of up to 10mph and to help reduce the severity of impacts at speeds below 20mph.

It calculates the risk of hitting a stationary or slow-moving object and pre-charges the brake system to deliver maximum braking response.

If the driver does not respond by braking or evasive steering then the system applies the brakes, reduces engine torque, and activates the rear hazard warning lights.

The technology will be demonstrated on a Focus Zetec Nav with convenience pack, Driver Assist pack and BLIS.

BLIS is Ford’s Blind Spot Information System that helps detect vehicles in blind spots during normal driving and traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots.

Driver Technology in Action will also play host to Fiat, which will be showcasing its collision avoidance system – City Brake Control – on a Fiat 500L.

However, visitors will also be able to sample its automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, and crash mitigation systems in the all-new Jeep Cherokee.

Kia will complete the line-up with a Ceed Sw 4 Tech 1.6CRDi MT6 ISG, which will be demonstrating Parallel Park Assist.

Chris Lester, Fleet News events director, said: “Insurers recognise the benefits, with AEB-fitted cars given a rating of as much as five groups lower than their counterparts – a potential saving of up to 10% on insurance premiums.

“As the country’s premier driving event for the fleet industry, it’s therefore vitally important we give visitors the opportunity to test the technology for themselves.” 

Visitors will be able test collision avoidance systems in the test area by driving at an inflatable obstacle and allowing the technology to intervene before any impact occurs.

They will also have the opportunity to try out Park Assist systems, which will park the car for you in the tightest of spaces.

Visitors will be able to drive alongside a row of parked cars in the test area, where the vehicle will identify the parking space. They will then engage the system and the car parks itself automatically or by providing assistance with sensors.

CCIA is a free event for fleet operators that is organised by Fleet News and held at Millbrook Proving Ground on June 10 and 11.

In total, 25 manufacturer brands have signed up to this year’s event, giving visitors access to 300 vehicles for unaccompanied test drives.

The line-up will include several show debutantes alongside some UK exclusives, allowing visitors to be amongst the first to put the cars through their paces.

To find out more, see the full list of vehicles available to drive and to register your attendance, visit www.companycarinaction.com.