News - Page 1872

MERCEDES-BENZ is adding extra safety features to the Sprinter panel van for 2004.

AS technology grows ever more complex, the problem of lost, broken or stolen van keys is becoming more complicated.

SPL Technology, based near Gaydon in Oxfordshire, has launched a new range of speed limiters.

IT'S been a strong end to the year in the auction halls as Duncan Ward, BCA's UK Business Development Manager - Commercial Vehicles reports.

'BACK at the start of this year I wrote in Fleet Van about the imminent new licensing rules which spelled the end of taxing vehicles without a V5 document.'

BCA's new Commercial Auction View service (www.commercial auctionview.co.uk) has made a flying start with thousands of prospective buyers logging on to find the vehicles they want, anywhere in BCA's network.

'DISCOUNTING and incentives on commercial vehicle forecourts have been higher than ever during 2003 and manufacturers have been aggressively offering low finance deals on new vehicles.'

SOMEONE, somewhere is in for a nasty shock before long. It may not come this year but probably will the next. That person will, in all probability, be a van fleet operator. And when the shock comes it will be sudden, brutal and costly.

PICTURE this scene. Bill has been in your employ for 10 years and during that time he has proved to be one of most amiable and willing drivers on the fleet.

THREE weeks ago, I was sitting in a cafe on the waterfront at St Tropez, having driven a new Renault Master on a two-hour run from Nice. The sun was shining and all was right with the world.

VOLKSWAGEN is banking on increased load space and higher quality standards to win a greater share of sales in Britain's car-derived market.

PAN-European fleet executives are reminded that discounts are available for booking early for the Fleet News Europe Conference 2004.

VOLKSWAGEN is keen to promote the latest version of the grandfather of MPVs, the Caravelle, as a car.

MANHEIM Auctions has launched a new electronic system aimed at making the disposal of fleet vehicles more efficient and cost-effective.

MANY leasing companies are issuing 'no log book, no sale' policies when remarketing vans because a number are still coming to auction without their V5 documents, causing a massive drop in their value.

THE prestige and executive car market remains strong, according to BCA, with the auction house noting continued interest in the 'Top Car' sector.

RESEARCH in the prestige market has revealed that satellite navigation is growing in importance.

A COMPANY vehicle driver who caused a fatal accident after making a series of phone calls on his hand-held mobile phone while driving has been jailed for five years.

FLEET decision-makers can learn how to maximise the potential of the internet at a major industry event to be held on January 28 next year.

THE Government is pushing ahead with plans to launch a national road charging scheme following the opening of the M6 Toll around Birmingham.

BMW has unveiled the convertible version of the new 6-series (pictured), which will arrive in dealers about the same time as the coupe in March 2004.

FLEET finance group Alphabet has awarded a multi-million pound tyre authorisation and invoicing contract to Kwik-Fit Fleet.

TRANSPORT Secretary Alistair Darling has unveiled a package of measures that he claims will keep company car drivers on the move.

AUDI'S first six-cylinder versions of the A8 are now available to order priced from £46,105 on-the-road.

A NORTH west food specialist has introduced a driver training programme following research which showed 85% of its accidents were due to its own drivers.

FIAT has made changes to the Stilo range for 2004 with minor alterations to the rear of the five-door model, a new petrol engine and a new multijet common rail diesel.

INTERNATIONAL engineering, construction and services group Balfour Beatty has signed a deal for 80 Astravans worth £1 million at showroom prices.

FLEETS using Thales Telematics' customer service unit are promised a more efficient service following the launch of two new support centres.

A BRITISH VAT regulation simplifying tax returns relating to company cars could effectively be declared illegal next year by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

CLIVE Woodward OBE, head coach of the World Cup-winning England rugby team, has taken delivery of a new personalised Jaguar XKR Convertible.