News - Page 2073

A NEW report, produced by a team including the AA and RAC, found light commercial vehicle drivers are six times more likely to have motorway accidents compared with heavy goods vehicle drivers.

NEW research suggesting lack of attention is the key cause in two-thirds of M25 accidents involving fleet drivers has prompted urgent calls for fleets to invest in risk assessments for staff.

ROAD signs hidden by overgrown bushes are endangering drivers' lives and could lead to driving restrictions being unenforceable, the AA has claimed.

CITROEN is chasing increased September registration-change van sales with cashback offers and improved contract hire deals.

MG Rover has renewed a 10-year-old agreement to supply cars to furnishing and electric retail giant Courts.

FEWER than 1% of vehicles in the UK are equipped to run on gas, according to Government figures.

NISSAN is fitting its special edition Micra Activ with parking sensors as standard.

TOYOTA has launched a range-topping version of the Celica 190 called T-Sport.

MCC Smart is claiming a UK first - every car sold this year was purchased over the internet.

MAZDA Motors UK has reduced the price of its cars by up to £2,000 and realigned its model specifications.

Transport Minister John Spellar has made a direct appeal to UK fleet decision-makers to promote travel flexibility among staff and cut the umbilical cord between drivers and their company cars.

A pharmaceutical firm has branded 'big brother' tactics used in traffic surveys as a threat to company car drivers' privacy and human rights, and called on the Government to take action.

Lex Vehicle Leasing shouldered residual value losses of £15.2 million on vehicle disposals during the first half of the year, although its losses are £1 million less than expected.

The insurance industry and police want fleets to reflect the New Car Security Ratings in their company car choice lists

A leading employment lawyer has warned company directors to have a clear policy in place to remove drivers from cash for car plans if they do not comply with strict corporate rules.

Magistrates are calling on the Home Office to introduce a new offence of driving while using a mobile phone. <P>

Company directors could be swamped with paperwork as drivers defect from company provided private fuel to escape rocketing tax bills.

News that bi-fuel vehicles will have to pay London congestion charges has been met with anger by the alternative fuel industry.

Shareholders of the Bank of Scotland and Halifax have approved the merger of the two firms, which could create the country's largest car leasing firm.

European electronics giant Thales has bought the entire shareholding of Global Telematics. <P>

WITH the new format number plate just around the corner, confusion over how it will work is still rife within the trade.

HUMAN resource directors have the upper-hand over finance directors in establishing company car choice lists, new research has shown.

COMPANY and private car drivers will increasingly seek fixed cost motoring solutions and avoid the hassle of arguing with dealers, according to BMW (GB) managing director Jim O'Donnell.

EUROPE'S largest fleet has established a new end-of-contract vehicle inspection service to protect its residual values.

STAFF at the 6,500-car Ministry of Defence are using the internet to book in vehicles for servicing work.

FLEXIBLITY must be a watchword for UK employers as they adapt to new company car strategies to cope with the changing work environment.<p>

A ROW has broken out over the benefits of high caffeine drinks recommended to ensure high-mileage drivers stay alert at the wheel.

FLEETS will no longer be able to buy new European cars fitted with rigid bull bars from the start of next year, following a voluntary agreement between car makers and the European Commission.

Autoglas has appointed Meri Williamson as its sales director, replacing Jeff Boekstein who moves to parent company Belron.

Vauxhall has launched a special edition of the Astra Coupe with extra features over the standard cars.