Fleet briefs: Latest from FMG Repair Services, Targa Telematics, Surecam, Inseego, Fuel Card Services, Switch, VRA, 3Dtracking and Queclink

FMG Repair Services enhances mobile repair capabilities

FMG Repair Services has upgraded its mobile repair vans with vehicle diagnostics and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) recalibration equipment.

This new technology, provided through a collaboration with diagnostics specialist A1 ADAS Solutions Group, aims to streamline mobile repairs by eliminating the need for third-party service providers to perform diagnostics scans and ADAS recalibration.

The devices enable FMG Repair Services' mobile repair technicians to conduct comprehensive vehicle scans both before and after repairs, removing the requirement for external diagnostics reports.

Additionally, the equipment allows technicians to perform ADAS recalibration independently post-repair, further reducing vehicle downtime.

Carl Manton, operations director at FMG Repair Services, said: “In response to the increasing demand for quicker and more convenient vehicle repair solutions, we are significantly investing in our mobile repair services.

“This ensures we possess the capacity and expertise to execute specialised modern vehicle repairs to the highest standards at the customer’s convenience.

“Our mobile repair technicians are highly skilled in all facets of vehicle repair, and by equipping them with the latest technology, we can enhance the customer experience, making mobile repairs faster and more seamless.”

Targa Telematics rebrands to Targa Viasat UK

Following Targa Telematics’ acquisition of Viasat Connect in 2023, it has announced that Targa Telematics UK and Viasat Connect will merge and be rebranded as Targa Viasat UK.

The new, combined business will be led by Simon Keam-George (pictured) as country manager.

He said: “This union allows us to amplify our leadership in the UK market and broaden our offerings with an extensive range of cutting-edge technologies in global projects.

“Our customers stand to gain significantly from this merger as we leverage our combined strengths to become a dominant force in connected mobility solutions.

“We are committed to addressing the evolving challenges our customers face by consistently delivering higher quality, exceptional service, increased competitiveness, and relentless innovation.”

Following the integration, Targa Telematics grows to more than 670 employees, with more than 3.5 million connected assets in 50 countries.

Speakers announced for annual VRA conference

Speakers from the Bank of England and Tesla are among those confirmed for this year’s Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) annual seminar.

Taking place on Wednesday, November 27, at The Slate, Warwick University, it will examine a wide range of current and new issues affecting the sector.

Speakers will include Graeme Chaplin, Bank of England agent for the West Midlands; academic economist David Bailey of Birmingham Business School; Melissa Seckington, corporate sales development manager, Wilson’s Auctions; Michael Tomalin, chief executive officer, City Auction Group; Olivia Mills, remarketing manager and gender chair for diversity and inclusion, Zenith; and Danny Minshall, regional retail director, Greenhous.

Philip Nothard (pictured), chair at the VRA, said: “Each November, we look to the year ahead with a range of experts providing an outstanding degree of insight into an array of important topics that will have an impact on remarketing.

“This year, we’ll be looking at everything from the macroeconomic picture to the pressures affecting manufacturers, and from the future of valuation to where next for motor auctions?

“We’ve also taken a look at the format for the event this year. There will be more on-stage interviews and fewer straightforward presentations, which is an approach that we are finding helps to drive interest during our events and ultimately delivers more content that is directly relevant to delegates.”

The seminar is not just open to VRA members but also free to attend for other motor industry professionals who want to find out more about what is happening in the remarketing sector.

Details about attending the VRA seminar can be found here. 

Surecam launches AI driver coaching tool

Surecam has launched an AI-powered driver coaching system to help fleets make the most of their smart vehicle cameras by improving safety outcomes, eliminating risk, and dramatically reducing the manual workload.

The software solution is designed to remove over 90% of vehicle alerts, while at the same time automate coaching processes to effectively manage driver engagement, remediation and escalation.

“Fleets are struggling to handle the avalanche of alerts and video uploads generated by AI cameras, which is impairing their ability to best use the technology,” explained Justin White, European MD at Surecam.

“These devices provide an added layer of risk detection – determining threats both in the vehicle and on the road – but this has created its own set of challenges. By embedding AI into our platform, the driver coaching system can manage and resolve issues without needing excessive human oversight and intervention.”

All alert videos are located in a driver coaching hub, so fleet managers can find, review and resolve issues from one centralised place.

Moving forward, fleet managers will be able to configure the system to remediate and escalate events with automated coaching actions, so they can focus personal interventions that will drive the biggest impact.

The coaching system integrates with Surecam’s AI cameras to provide real-time, in-cab intervention. The company’s “coach the driver first” approach uses audible nudges that gives drivers the chance to self-correct and maintain a clean safety record

Switch reaffirms My Name’5 Doddie Foundation support

Vehicle rental business Switch, part of Scot Group, reaffirmed its support for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation this month by sponsoring its Business Club at the Tower of London.

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was set up in 2017 by rugby legend Doddie Weir to raise funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and to support fellow sufferers.

The Foundation runs a Business Club providing networking and event opportunities for business leaders to support the cause.

Taking place earlier this month at the Tower of London, 60 people attended the event, which was organised by Kenny Logan's company, Logan Sports Marketing.

The event featured two talks - one from television personality and ex special forces operator Jason Fox on the ‘Art of Survival’ and another from renowned neurologist and MND researcher Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi with some encouraging updates on MND treatment. Attendees also witnessed the 700-year old ceremony of the changing of the keys.

Martin Wilson, Scot Group MD, said: “The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is a charity that is very close to our hearts at Scot Group.

“The Business Club was superb, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to showcase our exciting new brand Switch as part of the event. 

“This is our sixth year supporting the Foundation, we’ve now raised over £300,000 for the cause and we look forward to continuing our support.”

Scot Group recently launched Switch which offers a range of flexible rental options.

Scot Group continues to operate the Thrifty franchise alongside its new offering.

As part of Scot Group’s charitable work, the Switch business also supports hospice charity Hospiscare.

Fuel Card Services is latest addition to FleetCheck affinity programme

Fuel Card Services has this week become the latest company to be added to FleetCheck’s Affinity Services Programme, bringing savings of up to 10 pence per litre on petrol and diesel for its customers.

Other benefits for FleetCheck clients from the new arrangement include HMRC compliant invoices, fixed weekly prices, fuel cards at preferential costs, and a dedicated account manager.

Peter Golding, managing director at FleetCheck, said: “Petrol and diesel prices remain stubbornly high and are a nagging concern for fleets, while those who use highway charging for their EVs face prices that are exponentially higher than the best domestic tariffs.

“Bringing Fuel Card Services into our Affinity Services Programme is an excellent way of helping to contain or reduce these costs, while essentially removing the possibility of fuel fraud and making the administration of fuel buying as easy as possible.”

Ryan Grant​​​​, partnership and association team leader at Fuel Card Services, added: “We’re very pleased to be working with Peter and his team in this manner.

“Over 50,000 businesses trust us to help reduce and manage their fuel costs, and we look forward to forging new partnerships across FleetCheck’s client base.”

The FleetCheck Affinity Services Programme was created in 2020 to offer a range of discounted and enhanced services from providers of essential fleet services to the company’s 2,000-strong customers.

Inseego launches EV telematics reporting

Inseego has launched an EV reporting package to help fleets tackle some of the most common and difficult challenges they face when operating electric vehicles.

“Our aim is to remove some of the pain points that fleets encounter when switching to and running electric vehicles,” explained Steve Thomas, managing director ofInseego UK.

“By speaking with existing customers, we were able to identify recurring operational issues that were resulting in added cost, disruption and delays.

“What became clear was the need for a more comprehensive EV reporting package based on real-world scenarios and experience.”

The EV telematics functionality comprises five bespoke reports – covering status, efficiency, charging, trip replay and operational performance – and a live view for real-time visibility.

It is designed to go above and beyond standard EV tracking to gain a detailed understanding of an electric vehicle fleet, while flagging issues and potential risk.

For example, the operational report creates a picture of lost productivity or added costs due to uncoordinated and inefficient charging schedules.

Thomas said: “Fleets can demonstrate their green credentials and meet future sustainability targets by using the information provided by our EV reporting package to best manage the change process, target savings, and deliver business value.

“It is all about gaining that added layer of insight needed to make the day-to-day operation of electric vehicles smooth and trouble-free.”

3Dtracking partners with Queclink Wireless Solutions for fleet and video telematics

3Dtracking has teamed up with Queclink Wireless Solutions to develop an all-in-one solution that brings together fleet and video telematics.

The global telematics platform provider has integrated Queclink’s CV200 smart dashcam with its cloud-based software to provide a vehicle camera system with CAN bus connectivity that delivers advanced video capture, driver monitoring and tracking features.

Noam Cimand, general manager at 3Dtracking, said: “Our partnership with Queclink means we can tap into their proven expertise to develop this integrated camera solution that achieves all the benefits of fleet and video telematics.”

Vernon Bonser, UK sales director at Queclink Wireless Solutions, added: “Tracking from dashcams has traditionally been poor but with the high quality of our location and video data capture we can see our single system solution becoming a popular choice for fleets.

“Working closely with 3Dtracking we have integrated proven hardware and software to create the most comprehensive fleet technology solution of its kind.

“We have even gone as far as including our stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) functionality into the camera system to make the proposition even more compelling.”