News - Page 2049

THE world got its first glimpse of MG Rover's new sports car at the Brussels International Motor Show as singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor took the wraps off the MG TF.

SAAB unveiled its new company car tax-busting diesel engine for the executive 9-5 at the Brussels International Motor Show.

THE most powerful Vauxhall convertible - the Astra Cabrio Turbo - made its first appearance at the Brussels International Motor Show.

AUDI has revealed prices and engine variants for its new soft-topped A4 Cabriolet.

TOYOTA has added a splash of colour to its Yaris range with a new Yaris Colour Collection.

ARVAL PHH has joined forces with BP to launch a diesel fuel card for light and heavy commercial vehicles which it claims could slash tens of thousands of pounds from company bills.

TWO service stations are basking in the glow of becoming the 1,000th LPG refuelling site, due to intricacies in constitutional geography.

PROTON will be giving up to 30,000 budding racing drivers their first taste of life in the fast lane this year following a deal with Octagon Motorsports.

VOLKSWAGEN is targeting fleets with the launch of a replacement tyre programme that will be run through its dealer network.

A NEW DVD-based driving assessment has been developed to help fleets cut the cost of reducing accidents.

THE Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is calling for new drink-drive laws after an increase in the number of people testing positive over Christmas and New Year.

THE first new Toyota Camry to join a UK leasing fleet has gone to Birmingham-based Fleet Hire and is being driven by Mary Martin, finance director of hi-tech venture-management company Forward Group.

SUBARU has boosted the specification of its Legacy models along with price rises for entry models.

Ford Motor Company has today reported a net loss of $5.45 billion (£3.8 billion), or $3.02 (£2.10) per share, for full-year 2001.

BRITISH Car Auctions has reported that new year trading conditions have continued as strongly as the end of last year, and has urged fleets to remember basic principles in order to keep the positive sales climate going.

WILSON'S Auctions Group has held its first dedicated Motability Finance (MFL) auction of the year, after being appointed sole remarketing agent for all MFL cars in Northern Ireland from the start of 2002.

GE CAPITAL Fleet Services is trying to boost its 'Drive It, Buy It' ex-fleet car sales programme by contacting hundreds of company car drivers.

CARS are losing value quicker as manufacturers shorten models' lifecycles and image-conscious drivers crave the latest versions, according to CAP Network.

As I have said over the past few weeks, this year is going to be a massive one for new car launches. In fact with just a quick tot up it works out to be a new car being introduced every eight days. Then, of course, on top of that there will be specification changes, new engines and facelifts.

MG Rover remains in talks with China Brilliance about jointly developing and manufacturing new cars in the UK and China.

Discovery production is threatened by a dispute as Land Rover prepares to open a ride and drive Adventure Zone at the Bluewater shopping and entertainment complex near Dartford in Kent.

New entrants to new car retailing, such as Virgin Cars and supermarkets might not be able to secure direct supplies with manufacturers according to leaks from Brussels this week, signalling a victory for franchised dealers.

THE world's largest car maker, General Motors, sees an essential role for fleets in an automotive development that promises to revolutionise the car.

COMPANY bosses could inadvertently find themselves facing legal action if they use big brother-style technology to track drivers, a senior legal expert is warning.

FORD is considering selling fast-fit giant Kwik-Fit and could dispose of its Hertz rental operation as part of a massive worldwide overhaul.

FLEET risk management experts have called on company bosses to review working practices to make sure drivers don't nod off behind the wheel, after the driver found guilty of causing the deaths of 10 people in the Selby rail crash was jailed for five years.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-class was unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show on Tuesday.

FLEET operators will have to turn to the internet for the latest vehicle emission figures after the DTLR decision to cut spending on the Vehicle Certification Agency reference book.

THE new company car tax system will force drivers out of traditional company cars and into the arms of car dealers, according to a leading dealer group.

RAC group managing director Graeme Potts has decided to leave the business following a restructuring at parent company Lex Service.