Martin Ward, manufacturer relationships manager Cap HPI talks about the upcoming Fleet News Awards and the PSA International B2B Conference

Another new year, oh how they pass. It will soon be time for Fleet News Awards judging down in Peterborough and, before you can say Easter, it will be the awards event itself in London.

I’m sure it will be full to capacity and there will be many happy – and some not so happy – people, but that’s the nature of awards.

Looking back at the final part of 2017, I went to Valencia for the PSA International B2B Conference and test drive. The event was for two groups spread over three days.

The company invited fleet managers, rental companies and leasing and contract hire companies. 

We gleaned many interesting facts including: PSA plus GM (Opel/Vauxhall) will give them a 17% market share in Europe.

PSA sales in Europe are strong, but sales in China are down 42%, simply because they have the wrong products there. By 2020, 50% of vehicles will be low emission, rising to 80% by 2023, many being ‘part-electric’. 

The number of B2B centres across Europe is rising, giving better coverage for fleet-specific customers. There will be a plug-In Citroën C5 Aircross. 

The departure was announced of the Citroën C4 hatch, to be replaced by the new C4 Cactus, which has new suspension and more comfortable seats. 

Then it was the turn of DS. It said there will be a new model introduced each year for the next seven years, including the DS 7, which is due in the UK, any time soon.

Peugeot is certainly having a good time, especially with the brilliant new 3008. It confirmed there will be a electric-powered 208 when the new model is launched – no dates though.

Then we got chance to drive some pre-production DS 7 Crossbacks in the sun around Valencia. The quality is of a high standard and it is loaded with high-tech kit.

A good, well organised fleet event.

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