News - Page 1928

NATIONAL fleet repair group ABS has boosted its 200-strong network with the addition of seven new national repair centres.

WATERWELL drilling company Sonicbore has taken on two Iveco Daily City Artics to be used for transporting specialist sonic drilling rigs to sites across the country.

BUSINESS is booming for body repair group Trimline Systems to the extent that the group is seeking new franchisees to join its network.

BARFIELD Air and Water Treatments has taken delivery of two Peugeot Expert vans and expects to order more during the year.

THE safety of company car drivers is being jeopardised as Government cash allocated for road maintenance is diverted to other departments, claims a report by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA).

AS the introduction of changes to block exemption edges closer, the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) is collating information to give to members on how the approved repairer element will work.

IT services company Steria is renewing and expanding an existing fleet deal with Vauxhall on the strength of the manufacturer's new models.

HOUSING maintenance company Acis Group has taken on eight LDV vehicles in a deal worth £120,000 at showroom prices.

MERCEDES-Benz is using its Hampstead showroom to trial a new 'while you wait' service concept aimed at small fleets and cash-for-car drivers.

RENAULT chairman and chief executive Louis Schweitzer has admitted there is room for improvement in the reliability of the firm's vehicles. Here he reveals what he intends to do about it.

JAMES Sutherland, managing director of double Fleet News Awards winner Peak Performance, talks about how his firm achieved success.

UP to 30% of all fleet vehicle repairs are a result of mysterious knocks and dents, according to Diarmuid Fahy, accident services manager at Interleasing.

THE next generation of in-car technology will dissuade thieves from targeting fleet vehicles by using a camera to put a face to a criminal.

MICHELLE King has joined Lex Vehicle Leasing as its academy manager.

TOYOTA is urging European institutions and governments to look more favourably on hybrid vehicles while claiming that other manufacturers are holding back progress on low emission cars.

NEW car prices have risen across Europe by almost 5% over the past 12 months.

MARC Pasture has been appointed as general manager of Alfa Romeo in Germany, replacing Dietmar Futterer, who is retiring after 24 years with the company.

HERTZ has been named as best car rental company by readers of Russian travel trade publication TTG.

MORE people in the van fleet industry are becoming concerned about the effects of vehicle emissions on drivers, a survey conducted at this year's CV Show reveals.

VAN sales in March surged to their highest level ever at 48,834 – 24.3% up on last year.

A FREE pamphlet offering information on carrying loads safely has been published by the Fleet Safety Forum, a division of Brake, the road safety charity, and ALREM, the Association of Load Restraint Equipment Manufacturers.

VAN residual values are set to benefit as manufacturers offer longer warranties.

NISSAN has added three years' RAC cover to its warranty package of three years/60,000 miles.

MARKET leader Ford was out in force showing off a range of commercial vehicles – but the star of its show is still on the drawing board.

GET the specification wrong on a fridge van and you risk not just higher running costs but a ruined load unfit for eating.

RENAULT'S cheeky youngster on the LCV block has blossomed into a graceful adult.

WITH the demise of the old Ford Escort van, the French manufacturer has stepped in to offer a credible alternative with the Xsara Enterprise.

THE driver of an Iveco Daily HPI suffers a mechanical breakdown at the roadside in Hull. He calls the freefone number on the inside of the vehicle's windscreen and gives details of the problem and his location to the operator.

TWO Fleet News Award Winners combined to great effect when Ford's new compact panel van, the Transit Connect, made its used market debut in a special sale at BCA Nottingham.