News - Page 2026

Jaguar, Fiat and Land Rover will be attending the two Fleet News ride and drive events taking place at Brands Hatch (April 9-10) and Oulton Park (April 30/May 1).

Heated windscreens are the new technology most wanted by European motorists on new cars

FORD will be bringing its latest edition to the Focus range, the ST170, powered by a 167bhp 2.0-litre engine, to the Fleet News ride and drives.

New car sales figures showing falls across Western Europe

THE Inland Revenue has raced against the clock to announce fuel scale charges (the basis for taxing company car drivers who receive free fuel for private motoring) before the start of the new tax year.

GREEN fleets anticipating discounts from congestion charges in London because they run alternatively-fuelled vehicles are in danger of falling foul of the small print of the capital's charging scheme.

DRIVERS who complain about rises in their company car tax bills under the new benefit-in-kind tax system will receive short shrift from their employers.

VOLKSWAGEN fleet cars are the cheapest to repair, according to accident management figures released by Willis Group's DRIVE scheme.

Jaguar is planning to introduce a sporty estate version of the X-type saloon in a bid to increase its share in the compact business car sector.

FLEETS that use alternatively fuelled vehicles will not pay more for vehicle insurance, new research reveals.

ROB Barrowman, former managing director of Fleet News' parent company EMAP Automotive, is leaving next month.

FORD has unveiled a new 'pop-up' safety bonnet to protect against pedestrian head injuries.

VEHICLE leasing company Arma is offering insurance-inclusive contracts which it claims will reduce fleet premiums and relieve managers of administration and paperwork.

COMPANY car drivers can spend a full working week behind the wheel before they even start their full-time jobs, and many claim the pressure of work has forced them to exceed the speed limit, shocking new research reveals.

THE majority of company car drivers are aware of changes to company car tax being launched next month, with 88% saying it will affect their next choice of vehicle.

A CONGESTION charge of £5 per day would deter fewer than 50% of motorists from driving into city centres, according to a new report.

VAUXHALL is to launch a factory-fitted liquefied petroleum gas version of its Zafira, with alternative fuelled versions of new Vectra and Corsa set to follow.

LIVERPOOL City Council has nailed its 'green' colours to the mast by taking delivery of 16 alternatively-fuelled vans.

The AA is launching a set of free internet-based company car tax calculators.

BURGER King to Ford dealership group Gowrings is celebrating an 'outstanding year' in its motor division.

A 37% increase in sales of premium cars helped Ryland Group achieve pre-tax profits of £1.1 million last year, reversing a £5.9 million loss in 2000, on turnover up to £467 million (2000: £400,169).

FIFTEEN major fleets including the BBC, BT, Government Car & Despatch Agency, and J Sainsbury will have their battery powered electric Th!nk cars tracked around London.

DIESEL power has returned to the Mitsubishi Carisma range offering company car drivers another low-tax option in the line-up.

MAZDA has produced a new limited edition MX-5.

FLEETS, manufacturers and car retailers are being asked to respond to a new draft of the proposed changes to the car distribution block exemption.

EUROPCAR has shrugged off troubles that have gripped many rental rivals with a jump in profits and plans to become the largest car rental company in Europe by 2003.

THE industry's finest were rewarded last night at the annual 'fleet Oscars', the awards ceremony hosted by Fleet News and held at the Le Meridien Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

The Fleet News Europe Congress 2002 took place at the Hotel Princesa Sofia Inter-Continental, Barcelona, on March 12-13 providing an unprecedented forum for learning and idea sharing on the most important issues facing leasing, rental and fleet companies.

Visitors to the Fleet News ride and drives will be able to experience the thrills – but hopefully not too many spills – of worldclass rally driving, thanks to Pirelli.

Vauxhall has announced prices for the new Vectra, which goes on sale on June 13.