Fleet briefs: Latest industry news from Nexus, Autoglass, GreenRoad, AA Insurance Services, Europcar, MotoNovo, WeFlex, Bridgestone and Webfleet

Nexus drives business mobility with all-in-one platform

Nexus Vehicle Rental has launched its new Nexus Go app, an all-in-one mobility platform which aims to allow employees to manage their own mobility needs in one place.

Through the app, users can tailor their journey to suit personal travel preferences, whether that be car or van hire, taxi services, or walking.

The app provides a consolidated B2B billing solution for businesses, which enables them to keep track of spend, itineraries for expenses and travel history, as well as to plan future trips and filter out particular transport methods. 

The new functions are accompanied by a built-in weather app for users to check before they opt for their preferred method of travel.

To ensure users can make the right choices, that align with their business’ objectives, the app also incorporates filters and preference options with carbon emission calculators. 

Scott Haddow, CEO at Nexus Vehicle Rental, said: “With 6,000 bookings already made through the platform, we are looking forward to see how our updated platform can further benefit the industry and support our customers with all mobility needs. 

“The updated and added benefits to Nexus Go will enable businesses to take their mobility solutions to the next level and support the end user at a far greater level as well as having an emphasis on providing a tailored experience for each journey.”

Autoglass opens first ever off-grid branches in sustainability drive  

Autoglass has opened three solar panelled modular buildings which will operate entirely off-grid and help to reduce the company’s environmental footprint. 

Each building runs off six batteries which are charged by 20 solar panels, with the ability to generate enough power to run all the equipment needed for the site using only normal levels of daylight typically seen in the UK.

The modules also have a heating system that runs off bio-oil, which is clean-burning and renewable. This translates into a substantial reduction in the reliance on conventional energy sources, contributing significantly to the businesses’ carbon footprint reduction goals. .  

Tim Camm, technical training manager at Autoglass, said: “We firmly believe in taking proactive measures to protect our planet, and our new off-grid branches showcase our dedication to environmental responsibility.

“These new branches will be the first of many as we continue taking steps to help tackle the climate change emergency.” 

He added: “These modular units not only reduce our environmental impact but also provide more space, enhanced lighting and more efficient storage for technicians, allowing us to provide an even better service to our customers.” 

The new modular branches are open and operational in Reading, Doncaster, and Worcester. There are plans for further branches like these to open in the coming months.

GreenRoad and Stratio partner to drive fleet safety

GreenRoad Technologies and Stratio have joined forces to bring fleets an AI-based solution for optimising driver safety and vehicle health.

By combining GreenRoad’s data-driven technology with Stratio’s predictive maintenance insights, the solution aims to enable a predictive approach that identifies unsafe driving behaviour and anticipates mechanical failures before they disrupt fleet operations.

“The combined solution will fuse driver- and vehicle-centric data to provide our fleet customers with enhanced decisioning tools and insights,” said Zohar Elhanani, GreenRoad’s CEO.

“This is a significant step forward in creating the industry’s most comprehensive, predictive and preventative fleet safety solution.”

Ricardo Margalho, CEO and co-founder of Stratio, added: "Merging different datasets and turning data into comprehensive insights on vehicle health and safety fosters the collaboration of teams that would otherwise operate independently. This empowers transport providers to make faster and smarter decisions and results in a better service for passengers.” 

The integrated solution provides real-time driver feedback and engagement that promotes safe, eco-friendly driving habits, while also triggering real-time predictive vehicle health alerts.

For EVs, the solution provides visibility into state of charge, with potential issues highlighted on a live map.

AA Insurance Services extends Europcar deal

AA Insurance Services has renewed and extended its partnership with Europcar Mobility Group UK for a further five years.

Europcar provides direct hire vehicle replacement for AA Insurance policyholders and AA members while their vehicles are being repaired.  

Driving the contract renewal has been the high levels of customer service delivered by Europcar over the previous four years, including its delivery and collection service, said AA Insurance Services. 

“In Europcar we have selected a high quality, trusted, mobility provider to support AA Insurance and Accident Assist,” said Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist.  

“The AA has ambitious plans for the future - we’re confident that Europcar will continue deliver service excellence to our customers and members.”      

James Roberts, head of insurance sales at Europcar Mobility Group UK, added: “Over the past four years we have worked closely with AA Insurance Services to build a tailored proposition to ensure their customers receive the best replacement vehicle service possible.

“In the current market, insurance providers need to know they have fast access to a wide range of quality vehicles to provide customers with like-for-like replacements when their vehicle is undergoing repair and our sustained investment in a young and varied fleet goes to the heart of that requirement.”   

MotoNovo’s fleet funding service hits £140m of lending

More than 7,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have now been helped by MotoNovo Finance’s fleet funding service, which supports dealers across the UK to provide new and used cars, and LCVs to business customers.

Over the past month, research has highlighted the scale of the funding challenge facing SMEs.

More than four in five credit brokers reported that high-street banks are reducing their appetite for funding SMEs, according to the latest edition of the SME Index Data report. 

At the same time, 43% of SMEs believed that their need for external finance had increased compared to six months previously, but more than half are finding it harder to access the finance they wanted.

MotoNovo’s commercial sales director, Debbie McKay, said: “It is obvious that accessing funding has become an increasing challenge for SMEs, and this can be an issue for dealers, especially for businesses looking to expand or replace part or all of their fleet.

“It is a niche where we have expertise and have proved we can help. By enabling us to fund their vehicles, businesses can use other funding options to support their other needs. Sharing the funding load is proving to be invaluable.”

WeFlex strikes ride-hailing deal for Mercedes-Benz EVs

WeFlex has joined forces with Sytner Mercedes-Benz London to meet growing demand from ride-hailing drivers for premium electric vehicles (EVs).

With up to 324 miles and 380 miles of range respectively, the Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV and EQE Saloon offer plenty of range for the average ride-hailing driver in London, says WeFlex, as well as delivering a more business class travel experience for customers.

WeFlex now has a fleet in excess of 2,000 cars across a number of brands. It provides flexible finance plans to help ride-hailing drivers run their business and own their vehicle, in a way that works for their individual circumstances.

Nicko Williamson, founder and CEO of WeFlex, said: “Ride-hailing passengers are increasingly looking for a more luxury experience and drivers want to be able to attract corporate customers – and higher fares.

“Mercedes-Benz are experts in luxury vehicles – and Sytner has been a brilliant partner in helping get these beautiful electric vehicles onto London’s roads.”

Stephen Hanifan, corporate sales director from Sytner Mercedes-Benz London, added: “We are seeing growing demand from across the spectrum and particularly within ride-hailing for higher-end vehicles.

“When you spend your entire working day driving for a living, you can see why the additional comfort, technology and range of the EQA and EQE is highly appealing for drivers - and for their passengers - looking to travel around London in style.”