Fleet briefs: Latest from Avis, Radius and E-Training World

Avis and Budget launch new leasing websites

Avis Budget Group has launched new leasing websites for its Avis and Budget brands.

The refreshed websites will connect prospective customers to a growing network of independently operated Avis and Budget licensees located in over 90 emerging global markets.

“Our refreshed websites will connect customers to our network of national mobility firms so that they can benefit from our flexible leasing options and fleet management services,” said Hans Mueller, vice president, Global Licensees.

Radius acquires Australian fleet management firm Connect Fleet

Radius has bought Connect Fleet, a fleet management provider based in Queensland, Australia, to strengthen the Radius telematics business.

Radius CEO Bill Holmes said: “Australia is a really important long-term market for us in the telematics division and this acquisition gives us more scale and capability to add to the organic base we have been building over the last 18 months.”

Connect Fleet has some “innovative” fleet software, according to Holmes, that he believes will help develop its local business more rapidly and also provide some wider functionality in other parts of its global business.

He concluded: “Thanks to Alan Nicklos, our local managing director, we completed the deal really quickly and we look forward to working over the next few years to build a great business in this exciting market.”

New online EV driver training modules launched

E-Training World has launched its new online driver training modules for drivers of electric cars.

The three modules cover an introduction to electric vehicles, an EV awareness course for general safe driving and a speed awareness course tailored for electric cars.

“We provide online driver profiling and e-driver training systems to leading insurance companies, major driver training providers, contract hire and fleet management specialists, rental companies and directly to fleets large and small,” said Jonathan Mosley, E-Training World’s sales and marketing director.

“Many of our fleet sector partners benefit from a white-labelled version of our system, enabling them to offer a leading risk management solution to their customers, and with vehicles with electric capability now making up over 50% of new company cars delivered we felt it was the right time to launch a range of EV-specific modules.”

Topics covered within the new modules range from general training around the safe driving of an EV, through to whether they can be driven through standing water, their suitability for towing and journey planning to include charging stops.

“Having trialled these modules with some of our key insurance contacts and major customers ahead of their launch, the feedback has been exceptional and we anticipate high demand as an increasing number of drivers take delivery of their first EV,” he added

Sort My Sign campaign wants drivers to identify problem road signs

Have you ever missed a turning because a road sign was missing information or hidden by overgrown trees?

The Sort My Sign campaign, from the watchdog Transport Focus, is asking road users to report any problem road signs they have spotted.

It wants Highways England to sort broken or confusing signs, provide better communication during delays and unexpected disruption and review the current standard of information on motorway and major ‘A’ roads.

Anthony Smith, Transport Focus chief executive, said: “Drivers often tell us how frustrating it can be to miss a turnoff due to a broken or illegible sign.

“Every single report we receive is helping to make roads safer and easier to navigate for all road users.”

As a result of Sort My Sign, Highways England says it has already fixed three out of five cases reported so far and is working on the others.