News - Page 1874

CONGESTION charging was just one of the problems looming on the horizon when Steve Rowson took over the fleet at London-based The Paper Company in May 2002.

PAN-European fleet operations are normally thought of as only being suitable for huge multi-national firms running tens of thousands of vehicles.

The latest appointments in the fleet industry.

Average fuel prices in the UK.

WHEN it comes to leasing, big is not necessarily beautiful, argues Paul Talbot, managing director of Bedford-based independent fleet management specialist IFC.

THE Chancellor published his Pre-Budget Report yesterday. While Gordon Brown unveiled specific details about fleet issues - such as its support for alternative fuels - there were a number of pointers towards future Government policy and in particular hints of what would be included in the Budget in spring 2004.

FLEET drivers are costing their employers hundreds of millions of pounds extra every year by using motorway service stations to fill up instead of other forecourts positioned just a few miles away on local roads.

FLEET decision-makers have called for a series of stringent new laws that would force employers to do more to improve safety.

FLEETS missing out on grants for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cars due to PowerShift funds drying up could be given a reprieve.

MITSUBISHI has lambasted the Government for its 'disgusting' treatment of the LPG industry.

BRITAIN'S army of company vehicle drivers are being sold short by employers who are not doing enough to meet their duty of care.

BRITAIN has one of the worst developed motorway networks in Europe, a survey has claimed.

A UK housing association has installed a vehicle tracking system across its fleet in a bid to improve driver efficiency and promote duty of care across its workforce.

VOLVO unveiled its new V50 (pictured) at last week's Bologna motor show, pitching the compact premium estate against Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

CITROEN has unveiled a high-performance UK-exclusive version of the C2.

FLEETS can expect to see improved technology from Glass's Information Services now that the information provider has been awarded 'managed partner' status by Microsoft.

THE Fleet Safety Forum has produced a free guidance sheet and poster for drivers on this month's ban on hand-held mobile phone use while on the move.

A LIVERPOOL-based Ford dealer has been named as the Motability Car Dealer of the Year.

CYBIT and Lex Vehicle Leasing have announced a three-year strategic partnership.

THE new car market is on track to achieve record sales this year, despite latest figures showing a slight dip in November.

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.

NATIONAL Car Rental is leasing almost 1,000 cars from MG Rover Group.

MERCEDES-Benz has developed a new type of paint which should help ensure fleet cars keep their pristine finish from new until disposal time.

NISSAN is offering pre-wired mobile phone kits on many of its models, including a voice-activated version on the new 350Z.

LEX Vehicle Leasing has given a bottle of champagne to all its staff to celebrate the delivery of its 100,000th vehicle.

SUSSEX-based APEX Car Rental has agreed a twin- badge deal with Vauxhall and Saab in a contract worth more than £50 million at showroom prices.

OGILVIE Fleet, based in Scotland, increased its turnover by 25% to £38 million in 2003 as its fleet expanded to 3,500 vehicles.

HILLS Numberplates has awarded a contract hire deal to FleetLine to supply 10 Jaguar X-types.

A CHRISTMAS drink-drive warning has been issued to company car drivers amid calls from road safety charity Brake for the alcohol limit to be lowered.

THE Trades Union Congress (TUC) has criticised what it describes as the increasing use of 'unjustified and degrading' drink and drug testing by UK employers.