Fleet briefs: Latest from Enterprise, Manheim, Novuna, Autoglass, Copart, Motor Auction Group, Red and Samsara

Autoglass expands footprint in response to advances in technology  

Autoglass has opened 12 new branches in 2024 to accommodate increasing demand for Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) recalibration services and provide convenient branch locations for customers.   

This includes two new branches opened in June, Nelson (Lancashire), and Kendal (Cumbria), which added to the existing branches already opened this year in Leyton, Lowestoft, Harrow, Redditch, Harrogate, Colchester, Brighton, Worthing, Ashford and Middlesbrough.

The expansion brings the total number of Autoglass branches to more than 100 up and down the country. There are plans for further growth in the coming months. 

It is increasing the number of its branches to meet the growing ADAS demand. Ed Colley, head of brand and marketing at Autoglass, explained: “There has been a huge growth of safety cameras in cars in recent years, and with the new regulation this trend is only set to continue in the months and years ahead.

“The safety of the driver is central to everything we do, which is why we conduct our recalibrations in our branches to ensure our technicians are recalibrating in a controlled environment and with access to our best-in-class technology.

“The new branches allow us to expand and grow our comprehensive coverage, meaning our customers can rest assured that their vehicle glass will be taken care of quickly and efficiently wherever they are.” 

Enterprise Car Club expands electric car club fleet

Enterprise Car Club is supporting Edinburgh City Council’s goal of increasing the use of electric vehicles (EVs) by expanding its fleet in the city.

The initial introduction of 12 electric vehicles is part of the council’s sustainable transport strategy and, throughout the summer, Enterprise Car Club will be strategically adding more EVs as usage grows among car club members.

The vehicles are currently based at Brunswick Road, Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh University, Holyrood Road, Hopetoun Crescent, Vanburgh Place, and other locations, within reach of residential, commercial and business areas as well as Waverley Station.

They aim to complement Enterprise Car Club’s network across Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands.

At the same time, Enterprise plans to host drop-in sessions at its rental branches to help familiarise people with how to use and charge an EV.

Adam Lovelock, Enterprise’s general manager in Scotland, said: “Our drop-in sessions aim to excite and educate potential users about electric vehicles, and the new expanded charging network helps to ensure that renting an electric vehicle is convenient, with ample charging points across the city.”

To encourage take-up, Enterprise Car Club is offering a special rate for EV rentals until September 1, 2024.

Enterprise Car Club has grown to include nearly 300 vehicles in Scotland, ranging from small hatchbacks to large estate cars and vans, including petrol, hybrid and pure EVs.

Manheim agrees fleet remarketing deal with Vindis

Cox Automotive’s Manheim Vehicle Services (MVS) has signed a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) deal with Vindis, fulfilling services across their Volkswagen Group portfolio. 

The 12-month contract will see MVS experts at their new PDI facility in Wyton, Cambridgeshire, handle more than 6,500 new vehicles for inspection, storage and onward distribution.

Sam Panayides, sales director at Cox Automotive, said: “Our team have provided exactly the bespoke PDI service Vindis sought, and our feedback so far has been wholly positive.”

Family-run new and used car dealership group Vindis was launched in 1960 by Second World War Czech Spitfire pilot Frank Vindis. Its network of dealerships spans six counties and represents Audi, Bentley, Ducati, Skoda, Seat, Cupra and Volkswagen, with Frank’s son Gary as chairman and grandson Jamie as managing director.

Jamie Vindis said: “I’m delighted to get this deal done as the location, staff and facilities at MVS Wyton are second to none. Vindis, together with our many fleet customers will benefit from this new agreement and we are all very confident it’s the beginning of a long and meaningful partnership with Manheim Vehicle Services.”

Novuna partners with Dealer Auction for used EV sales

Novuna Vehicle Solutions has partnered with Dealer Auction to launch a digital marketplace for its premium electric vehicles.

From this week (July 1), trade buyers will have immediate and priority access to Novuna’s stock of defleeted EVs via the digital marketplace.

All vehicles will be refurbished to NAMA Grade 1 standard, and buyers will pay a flat fee of £250 +VAT.

Marques available will include MG, Audi, Volkswagen, Cupra, Hyundai and Kia, with the majority 70-plate or younger.

Novuna Vehicle Solutions selected Dealer Auction due to its established and active network of used EV car buyers and, as a part of Cox Automotive, its integrations with Manheim, Novuna’s defleet and physical auction partner.

Chris Morse, Novuna Vehicle Solutions’ remarketing manager, said: “As the number of EVs we defleet and remarket continues to grow, establishing the right channels that return the best outcome for these vehicles has become increasingly important.”

He added: “The launch of our partnership with Dealer Auction will be marked by a special sale, featuring 50 hand-picked EVs, launched exclusively to a selected audience of buyers.

“But this is just the beginning, as we expect to market an additional 50 cars each month through the platform.

“This steady flow of high-quality EVs will provide trade buyers with a consistent and diverse selection to choose from.”

Red Corporate Driver Training launches e-learning programme

Red Corporate Driver Training has launched an online e-learning programme, enabling fleets to train drivers interactively and remotely.

The series features a number of videos from the driver’s eye perspective, highlighting on-road risks in real-life situations and providing advice on how to manage them, and drive better.

Each module is then followed by an interactive question and answer section to ensure that the key messages have been taken on board by each driver

These modules and their results are hosted on Red Corporate Driver Training’s new SafetyFirst risk management platform, giving managers and administrators a record of the training status of all their drivers.

The first six new video modules look at major areas of risk for fleet drivers. These are: motorway and dual carriageway driving; town and city driving; rural road driving; fatigue; speed awareness; and sharing the road.

Greg Ford, head of corporate at Red Training, said: “While the benefits of time spent in the cabin with trainers are well proven in terms of increased safety, improved efficiency and better productivity, these interactive e-Learners are essential foundations for an effective risk management strategy, ensuring every employee can be trained and informed to a level.”

Samsara launches Asset Tag to provide increased visibility

Samsara has launched an enterprise-grade Asset Tag designed to meet customer demand for tracking and managing small, high-value assets.

The new device leverages the Samsara network to offer increased visibility into the location of mission-critical equipment and tools.

David Gal, vice president, product and engineering at Samsara, said: “About a year ago, the Asset Tag was born from a radical idea that we could use the millions of Samsara Gateways we have out in the field to create a network, enabling ‘tags’ to ping off those devices.

“With this, we’d unlock a level of asset tracking that was previously impossible and solve even more real-world problems for our customers.

“After months of rigorous testing and customer feedback, I’m excited to see this vision become a reality.

“As we further connect every aspect of physical operations, we can turn massive amounts of data into valuable insights and drive real results.”  

Motor Auction Group’s sale raises cash for children’s hospice

Motor Auction Group (MAG) returned to its Bawtry auction site for a one-off sale event for Arnold Clark on June 1, raising nearly £5,000 for the Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice based in Sheffield.

Its first sale since mothballing the site eight years ago saw 108 dealer part exchanges sold on behalf of vendor Arnold Clark.

More than 150 buyers attended the sale with 80% of the cars being purchased in the hall and 20% by online buyers.

Following the success of the sale, MAG hasn’t ruled out future sales being hosted at Bawtry as the auction company continues to look for different offerings for its customer base.

“The Bawtry sale was very successful, and it brought back some great memories from nearly 60 years of MAG using the site,” said MAG director Matt Gill.

“We were pleased to welcome Bluebell Wood hospice to the sale and the money it raised will help support families across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of North Lincolnshire.”

Copart announces new 30-acre site

Copart UK has announced a new operation centre in Chelmsford, Essex.

The new 30-acre site will provide 25% additional capacity in Copart’s strategic network in the southeast region of the UK, alongside their existing Operation Centres in Colchester, Rochford, Sandwich, Sandy, and Wisbech. 

Jane Pocock, CEO of Copart UK and Ireland, said: “We’re very excited to announce our plans to develop a new operation centre in Chelmsford, which will provide annual storage capacity for 35,000 vehicles.

“The Essex area is growing rapidly with increasing levels of housing development, so Copart Chelmsford will be a key location for us to handle future demand and further strengthen our unrivalled operational capabilities in the southeast.”

Copart said there will be more announcements to come as it continues to acquire more land, expand existing sites, and increase the range of its products and services.