News - Page 2045

CALOR Gas is to launch a new programme to offer preferred autogas converter status to garages that meet strict quality standards when equipping cars with equipment to run on alternative fuels.

THE second phase of the Fleet News ATS Euromaster Rugby Challenge has kicked off and if the first weekend's games are anything to go by it is going to be business as usual with one or two teams dominating both the real leagues and our fantasy competition.

A WEST Midlands fleet has seen its annual accident rate plunge, its insurance premiums fall and its staff productivity rise after instigating a raft of road safety measures, driver training and incentives.

AUDI has fended off complaints that it is discouraging drivers from using independent outlets for servicing through hi-tech devices fitted to its cars.

THE Ford Focus, Britain's best-selling car for both fleet and retail buyers, is the model most dealers look out for at auction, according to the CAP Used Car Confidence Index.

SAAB set new volume and turnover records at its first sale of the year at BCA Nottingham.

BRITISH Car Auctions has reported strong demand for Honda cars since the start of the year, with two sales at Brighouse and Nottingham selling a total of 500 vehicles.

ONLINE disposal firm Ecom Auto Auctions has launched Ecom Direct, offering vehicles from fleet and leasing firms.

MANHEIM Auctions Northampton posted a record sale of 260 vehicles for its first evening event of the new year and believes the economic slump towards the end of last year is lifting.

##IT&E small--left## Fleet managers are being warned they could be tricked into spending large sums of money on inadequate software systems.

Sixt board member Andreas Heinze highlights the reasons why he believes the day is a long way off for a standardised approach to fleet management in Europe.<p>

BCA Europe, Europe's largest auction and remarketing group, is to double its continental sites over the next five years.

Manheim Europe is preparing to launch its internet-based vehicle sale and purchase facility, Manheim Online, in France.

Hertz Lease in the United Kingdom has announced plans to sell used Lexus models direct to dealers via electronic auctions.

Fleet suppliers in 12 European countries have less than four months to help customers adopt systems capable of converting records and data into Euros.

Toyota is preparing a major attack on the European fleet market with all-new replacements for the Corolla and Camry.

German delivery company Hermes Versand Service is helping DaimlerChrysler run a ground-breaking two-year field test on fuel cell vehicles - in a move that could hasten the adoption of fuel-cell vehicles by European fleets.

Business travellers are among the target audience for new website services offered by Mercedes-Benz in Germany.

Daimlerchrysler Services Fleet Management has reached a milestone after handing over the vehicle for its 100,000th contract.

New car sales are expected to increase in Croatia next year as the country ends import custom duties on all cars manufactured in the EU.

Major European supermarket chains could start selling cars to private and company drivers if changes to the block exemption laws open up the market next year.

Leading insurer Aon has launched a double attack on the company car market - with the creation of a new fleet management operation in France, and a new pan-European accident management service.

A leading motoring organisation is warning business travellers not to drink on a flight before completing the final leg of their journey by car.

European fleets, daily rental firms and leasing companies are at the forefront of ambitious growth plans announced by paintless dent removal specialist, Dent Wizard.

Ford claims an investment of $4.9 million in new design technology will allow it to improve the quality of new models and get them to market quicker.

By Bernard Pollak, president of the European Car and Truck Rental Association (ECATRA)

Nissan will use the Frankfurt show to launch the dramatically-styled Primera.

The launch of the executive-class Skoda Superb at Frankfurt will be the culmination of an extraordinary decade which has seen the Czech brand reinvent itself.

Opel/Vauxhall will give fleet buyers a vision of the future at Frankfurt with the unveiling of the Signum II concept car.

Cadillac will use Frankfurt to launch its new world saloon, the CTS.