News - Page 2016

DaimlerChrysler has joined forces with Hyundai and Mitsubishi Motors to develop a new family of engines.

Renault increased its European sales during the first quarter of the year

PSA Peugeot Citroën has announced that it is considering stepping up production of the 206 hatchback and new 206 SW at Ryton, near Coventry.

New car sales in Europe for the first quarter of this year increased in just four countries, figures show.

THE growing popularity of diesels amongst company car drivers could be under threat due to new medical research claiming to establish a link between the fuel and respiratory diseases.

SAFETY-MINDED fleets will have a clearer guide to the quality of defensive driver trainers after the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) introduced a new register of driving instructors specialising in training company car and light van drivers.

FLEETS will be urged to switch to hybrid vehicles in the next eight years as part of a £300 million plan to slash vehicle emissions in the UK.

COMPANY car drivers will be able to access the internet and emails through their mobile phones and laptop computers in 4,000 service stations, hotels, bars and coffee shops in the near future after BT announced the launch of a wireless connection service to the web.

THE UK van market can look forward to a bright future and an important economic role, according to speakers at the 'White Van Man in the Urban Jungle' conference.

LONDON Mayor Ken Livingstone has launched a series of free cycle guides to the capital after research revealed most trips in London were less than two miles - within easy cycling distance.

PRESTIGE car rental firm Guy Salmon has launched an online booking facility on its website.

A NEW programme has been developed by Milton Keynes-based Visscher-Caravelle to help leasing and contract hire businesses sort their way through the maze of accessories and options for light commercial vans.

MERCEDES-Benz is offering a special edition A-class with an extra £1,640 of optional equipment at a premium of £990.

OASIS Global Systems has relocated to larger premises.

FLEET risk management and driver training firm Driving Technique has launched a new booklet, called 101 Defensive Driving Tips.

RAC Business Solutions has launched a new range of services directly targeted at smaller fleets and their company car drivers.

CONTRACT hire and fleet management firm Fleetlease recovered from its residual value mauling last year to move back into profit, results from parent firm Hitachi Credit (UK) revealed.

HONDA has reduced all Accord prices by £500 in the S, Sport, SE and Type V (which also gets satellite navigation worth £1,200), and by £1,000 for the SE Executive.

MG Rover sales and marketing director John Parkinson has been appointed managing director of the company's parts business.

The first new Vectra to be built at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant on Merseyside has rolled off the production line.

PRACTICAL Car & Van Rental has renewed its annual leasing contract with Nissan and predicts it will order 400 new vehicles this year.

PAINTLESS dent removal expert Dent Wizard is claiming an industry first with the launch of a dent and cosmetic repair protection plan.

TOYOTA and sister-brand Lexus have posted impressive scores in the latest JD Power survey on customer satisfaction with three cars in the top 10.

SKODA is adding ABS and a passenger airbag to its Fabia range. It applies to all vehicles built from April.

From pens to courier vans - DHL has instigated a major procurement programme to cut costs and increase supplier service levels. Mike Roberts talks to procurement executive Peter O'Brien about DHL's new fleet arrangements.

BRITISH fleets are being prevented from reducing company car fuel bills by the lack of a sulphur-free petrol refuelling network in the UK.

Minorplanet has countered claims that satellite-based vehicle tracking systems could be unreliable in built-up areas.

PROSECUTIONS of motorists caught speeding by roadside cameras in England and Wales have more than doubled in three years, creating potential liability problems for fleets.

A FREEZE on LPG duty and changes to company car tax rules have helped persuade a Yorkshire-based fleet to switch its company cars to Volvo's Bi-Fuel range.

THREE more teams have qualified for the final of the Kwik-Fit Fleet National Karting Challenge, in association with Fleet News.