News - Page 2044

THE Norwegian fleet market is beginning to appreciate the full negative impact of Government changes to the VAT treatment of car leasing introduced at the start of 1999.

THE company car sector in France presents two conflicting images: at first glance its figures look rather encouraging, yet at the same time the market is experiencing teething problems.

New figures released by Avis Europe show that the daily rental company achieved 'double-digit revenue growth' in all major European markets apart from Germany.

Avis Europe has joined forces with dealer group Inchcape to create a pan-European vehicle remarketing operation aimed at manufacturers, rental and leasing companies.

NEW CAR sales are certainly a barometer of Ireland's fast-moving economy, christened now by the Irish as the Celtic tiger.

THE substantial investment required to develop pan-European full service leasing operations is testing the commitment of major industry players.

CITROEN'S Paris-based international fleet department is in discussion with 70 companies exploring future opportunities for pan-European fleet deals.

MARTIN Soest, director of Eismann Fleet Management, wants politicians, fleet decision-makers and vehicle manufacturers to sit down together to create an 'Alliance for Mobility' to help pan-European fleet operations.

The European Commission has cleared a proposed fleet management joint venture between Fiat-controlled company Fidis, and Sei, run by Italian electrical group ENEL.

MG Rover's German operation plans to start targeting fleet sales next year when it will have created a network of 200 dealers.

NEW car pricing is one of the most emotive issues in the fleet industry - in any country.

ARVAL PHH president John Cullum will retire at the end of March after five years as company president and 20 with the company.

CAR manufacturers believe the European Commission has backtracked on the most radical of its ideas for reforming car distribution in the European Union.

TRAFFIC information provider Trafficmaster is set to sell off a majority stake in its fleet management division, Fleetstar, to concentrate on its core business.

THE Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions has launched a 'leave the car at home' initiative that will help fleet managers expand their role into transport and environmental management.

The Honda Civic has achieved the best-ever rating for pedestrian protection in the latest European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

One of Europe's largest fleets is looking to cut between 2 million Euros and 4 million Euros from its annual expenditure through a new pan-European procurement programme.

Hubertus von Zastrow has left DaimlerChrysler Services Fleet Management, where he headed up its international division based in Germany.

Daily rental giant Avis is looking to develop a pan-European relationship with Renault after signing a deal to acquire 1,000 new Renault Lagunas in the UK.

The Ford Focus was the most popular car sold in Ireland during the first four months of the year, latest industry figures reveal.

SEAT is to produce more sporty cars in future as part of plans to increase sales.

The European Commission has fined Volkswagen, the biggest manufacturer of cars in Europe, more than 30 million Euros for preventing its German dealers from offering discounts on Passat models in 1996 and 1997.

Renault is planning to open an international network of business centres for fleet vehicle operators.

An accident management company is launching a new service that it claims will offer cost savings to pan-European fleets.

BMW Group's international corporate and direct sales division has appointed <b>David Gibbs</b> head of marketing and communication.

Sales of new and used vehicles are benefiting from the lifting of restrictions on cross-border trading, despite recent worldwide instability.

Thesis - the new flagship Lancia sedan - may be a little late coming to the market, but Lancia has wasted no time getting out into the European fleet industry to present the car to potential customers of the future.

There's a lot of talk about adding value in the fleet business — but how many companies genuinely work to delight their clients when economic conditions take a turn for the worse?

COMPANY car and van drivers are missing meetings and suffering rising stress levels because of appalling traffic conditions on Britain's roads.

NISSAN will launch a high-spec version of the new Primera claiming it will be the most feature-laden car available for less than £20,000.