News - Page 1684

GERMAN carmakers have pledged their commitment to biofuel-powered vehicles and are calling on the country’s government to ensure the fuel is not taxed too heavily.

THE Volkswagen Golf was the best-selling car across Europe during last year, closely followed by the Vauxhall/Opel Astra, whose sales leapt by 24% compared with 2004.

TURKISH car manufacturer Tofas – a joint venture between Italy’s Fiat and conglomerate Koc Holdings – has announced plans to make a new budget model from 2007.

AN increasing number of fleets will spend this year attempting to get drivers who have opted out back into traditional company car schemes, new findings have revealed.

A RETIRED civil servant has written a road kill cookbook to teach people how to turn dead animals found from the side of the road into a nutritious meal.

THE Government is aiming to end the scourge of white van man – by offering to tame his reputation for wild driving through training.

FLEETS have been given a glimpse of what Britain’s transport system could look like in 50 years time – and the trusty horse could become the ‘company car’ of the future.

AVIS has warned that rental costs are likely to rise this year, in line with predictions from many other rental suppliers, but has pledged to work with fleet managers to minimise the impact on budgets.

PEUGEOT has simplified its Partner Combi range, with a single Escapade version now available for £11,700.

AUDI’S 3.0-litre TDI quattro A4 model has been given a power boost from 200bhp to 230.

A BURGEONING outsourced fleet management market is threatening the existence of fleet managers.

AA Business Services has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a new risk management service.

LEASING firm Leasedrive has become the largest fleet to adopt the 1link Disposal Network e-commerce package.

MITSUBISHI is the latest carmaker to join the folding metal roof convertible club with its new Colt CZC.

THIS is Volvo’s all-new S80 executive saloon which goes on sale in the UK in June.

NEARLY a third of drivers have failed to wear a seatbelt in the past year, according to new research.

ARE you one of the growing number of fleet managers with responsibility for fleets in Europe? If so, we’d like to hear from you.

SIEMENS Financial Services has formed a new automotive business division after buying rival Broadcastle.

MORE than 1,400 motorists have signed up to a new speed awareness course as an alternative to receiving penalty points on their licences.

NISSAN has added a new trim level to the Micra supermini range.

VAUXHALL has launched a new petrol engine in the Vectra and Signum ranges, offering lower company car tax bills and more power.

THE high-performance Mazda6 MPS will cost £23,950 when it goes on sale this week.

AVERAGE fuel prices in the UK.

NATIONAL Car Rental has signed a deal with Pendragon and its contract and leasing brand Bramall Contracts.

LETTERS to Fleet News’ editor Martyn Moore.

NOW, this is not going to be a lesson in maths, or else I’m sure I’d lose a majority of my readers by the end of the next sentence.

FLEET NewsNet looks at how new cars taken on to a typical fleet might perform over the next three years/60,000 miles.

RESEARCH has shown that the prices of defleeted vehicles at auction have remained fairly constant for the last two years, illustrating the consistent demand for used fleet cars.

PRICES achieved at sales around the country.

CHEVROLET is delaying the launch of its Captiva SUV (above).