Fleet briefs: Latest news from E-Training World, Dynamon, Allianz Partners, Autoglass, Shoreham Vehicle Auctions and Protector Insurance

E-Training World launches new road rage training module

E-Training World has launched a new training module focused on road rage.

More than two in three (​69.5%) drivers in the UK report experiencing road rage, with over one in 10 (12%) admitting it's a weekly occurrence for them.

Graham Hurdle, managing director at E-Training World, said: “With congestion on our roads increasing, we felt it was important to design a training module that addressed the common causes of road rage and trained drivers in how to react if faced with an angry driver.”

Drivers often get frustrated because they are in a hurry and can't get to their destination quickly enough because of traffic.

Leaving earlier can help drivers feel more relaxed and less likely to react angrily. Keeping a safe distance can also help drivers avoid potential road rage situations.

Hurdle said: “You can't control another driver's behaviour, but you can control your own. How you react to a situation determines what happens next. If you back off, take a deep breath and remain calm, you can defuse a potentially damaging situation.”

New Dynamon Zero feature calculates and compares TCO for electric and ICE vehicles

Fleets can calculate and compare the total cost of ownership for petrol, diesel and electric vehicles using Dynamon’s new Financial Planner feature.

A major new update to its Zero software, Financial Planner automatically pulls together the key pieces of data needed to calculate total cost of ownership (TCO) and generates results that compare owning and operating an electric vehicle (EV) fleet to that of an internal combustion petrol or diesel engine (ICE) fleet.

Additionally, the tool offers insights into which ICE vehicles should be prioritised for a switch to electric, and which ones can be transitioned at a later stage.

“Our new Financial Planner feature gives fleets a tool they have been craving for some time: a definitive way to determine the costs of electric vehicles compared to internal combustion ones,” said Dynamon CEO Angus Webb.

Core to the offering is a ‘rate card’ which uses a wealth of data from the fleet, including purchase price or leasing costs, vehicle age, mileage, residual value, charging tariffs, insurance, SMR and taxation.

For ICE vehicles, it can also factor in emission zone fees, fuel price and fuel efficiency, while for EVs it adds in EV tariffs for public, workplace and domestic charging.

The software then generates an in-depth financial report on the fleet, suggesting which vehicles can switch to EV now, and which ones can be transitioned at a later stage.

Allianz Partners unveils new suite of roadside assistance products

Allianz Partners has launched a range of new roadside assistance products in the UK as it expands its breakdown offering to mobility providers, fleet owners, banks and insurers.

Allianz Partners’ new products are based on three levels of cover: ‘breakdown’, ‘accident’, and ‘breakdown and accident’ combined. 

Each of these cover levels can be further customised to suit the needs of business partners and their customers.

The roadside assistance service is supported by Allianz Partners’ own fleet of vans and in-house technicians.

Marcus Latchford, chief sales and distribution officer for Allianz Partners UK and Ireland, said: “In the UK, Allianz Partners isn’t the first name people think of when it comes to roadside assistance. But we are aiming to change that.

“We already work with over 50 car manufacturers and handled 10.5m roadside assistance cases globally in 2023.

“The assistance capabilities we’ve developed globally, combined with our scale and unrivalled experience of working with OEM’s, makes us well placed to offer a very compelling alternative to potential UK partners.”

Allianz Partners’ roadside assistance offering includes a fully digitalised customer journey – which business partners can integrate into their own online services.

The digital platform allows customers to report their location and the nature of their incident, monitor the progress of their repair and even suggest alternative onward travel options to their destination.

Alongside the launch of its new products, Allianz Partners has announced a new partnership with Turo, the innovative car-sharing app.

Turo provides a marketplace for the general public to share their car when it’s not in use.

Xavier Collins, vice president of Turo UK, said: “Together, we have built a bespoke process that ensures our guests are promptly supported should they ever require roadside assistance, whether they remain in the UK or travel to Europe.

“This premium service that Allianz Partners is working with us to deliver gives our guests peace of mind and allows them to focus on what is most important - enjoying a great trip in their perfect car.”

Autoglass names the UK’s best windscreen technician  

Autoglass has announced the champion of this year’s Best of Belron UK competition, which aims to find the best windscreen technician in the UK.   

The Best of Belron UK winner, George Pim from Grantham, Lincolnshire, will now go on to compete in the international competition in Lisbon where the global Best of Belron champion will be crowned.

The event, running its 12th year, brings together the best 30 technicians from across the Belron family of businesses around the world, with more than 2,000 people attending the bi-annual event.  

Pim competed against seven other top technicians from across the UK business in the final. The eight finalists competed for the champion title by demonstrating their expertise in how to repair and replace a windscreen and door glass and carry out the recalibration of an advanced driver assistance system.

The competition ended with a ‘mystery task’ to apply Rain Repel, the advanced windscreen treatment by Autoglass.  

Simon Blake, operations and supply chain director, said: “George demonstrated remarkable expertise and composure throughout the contest, with his triumph serving as a testament to the comprehensive training and knowledge at Autoglass. It was a fantastic event and displayed the exceptional skills of our technicians nationwide.”   

Pim added: “It’s a dream come true to be crowned Best of Belron UK 2024 Champion. I started working at Autoglass in 2011, so it’s an incredibly proud moment for me to be crowned the best in the UK.”

Shoreham Vehicle Auctions hosts 14th annual charity auction

Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (SVA) has announced the dates for its 2024 Chestnut Tree House Charity auction where the south coast motor industry comes together to raise money for the Sussex-based hospice.

The dealer part exchange and finance on March 25 and light commercial sale on March 26 will host the charity auctions, and SVA is calling for dealers and drivers living on or around the south coast to gift their unwanted dealer part exchange or family car or van so it can be auctioned off for charity.

This is the 14th year that SVA has run the charity auction and in that time, it has raised £270,000 with the generous support of local motor dealers. Getting to £300,000 and beyond is this year’s target according to SVA’s MD Alex Wright.

He said: “Over the past 14 years automotive suppliers and dealers that buy and sell used vehicles have come together to support the auctions and we are very keen to raise more than £30,000 this year so we can beat the magic £300,000.

“Please contact the SVA team if you have an unwanted car or van to donate to the auction.”

Chestnut Tree House is a Sussex-based hospice catering for children and young adults, with highly trained specialist staff and tailored facilities including a hydrotherapy pool and multisensory playrooms. It relies on public donations and fundraising events.

For further details of the auction, or to donate any running vehicles email catherine@sva1961.com.

Protector Insurance announces partnership with the AA

Corporate general insurance provider Protector Insurance has selected AA Business Services as its accident management supplier.

This new partnership aims to deliver cost certainty for the Protector business, as well as improved service levels, continued innovation and reduced downtime for policyholders.

Protector Insurance offers non-marine general insurance to commercial and public sector clients.

As a challenger in the insurance market, the business says it prioritises cost management, a selective distribution strategy and best in class decision making.

Keeping its policyholders mobile, while upholding a quality service is critical to its business and was the driving force behind selecting the AA.

Julie Kenny, deputy head of claims, Protector Insurance UK, said: “As well as guaranteeing the quality, network, and service levels we require, we selected the AA as it shares the same ethos as Protector.

“We work to build unique relationships that make a real difference to the way we operate, and this is mirrored by the AA.

“We’re very much looking ahead with this appointment; we want to work with partners that help us future proof our business.

“Not only does the AA have the EV capability we’re looking for today, it’s at the forefront of automotive evolution, so we’re confident it will be the best partner for tomorrow.”

Dave Bartlett, head of accident management at AA Business Services, added: “We’re excited to provide our approved repair management services to Protector Insurance’s policyholders following insured events, as well as third party vehicles when they’ve been involved in an accident with a Protector policyholder.

“We know cost certainty and control is vital to Protector and we’re proud this is fundamental to our repair management solutions.

“Furthermore, through our supply chain and repair management expertise, we’ll be actively reducing vehicle downtime, which we know is critical to corporate motor fleets and drivers alike.”

The AA will provide accident management and repair to all Protector policyholders following insured events.