News - Page 2102

TOYOTA has introduced its D-4D common rail diesel technology into its Land Cruiser Colorado. On sale from February 1, the Colorado has a new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, with 30% more power and 16% more torque than the outgoing model.

A REVISED Mercedes-Benz A-class will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and is due to go on sale in the UK in April.

CHEMICAL manufacturing company Premiere Products is offering its company car drivers diesel vehicles - ending a 76-year petrol-only policy. The company has a 100-vehicle fleet of Ford Focuses and Mondeos, Vauxhall Astras and Vectras and Peugeot 306s and 406s and opted for a petrol-only policy because of fears over diesel particulate emissions.

A BID to make fleet managers more aware of the potential 60% tax hikes that high mileage fleet drivers could face in 2002 under carbon dioxide-based company car tax is being launched by HSBC Vehicle Finance. The firm has designed a CD-ROM tax calculator showing in detail the tax increases that could face drivers covering more than 18,000 miles a year in just over one year's time unless they take action.

FLEET drivers who switch to alternative fuels will be exempt from congestion charges when they are introduced in London, Mayor Ken Livingstone has revealed - but companies warn introducing any scheme will damage business and costs jobs in the capital.

REMARKETING expert GRS has backed claims that fleets looking for the strongest residual values should dispose of their vehicles after two years, instead of more traditional three and four-year replacement cycles. The market for three- to five-year-old vehicles is declining rapidly, the firm says, but demand for two-year-old models is still buoyant.

CONSERVATIVE members of the Scottish Parliament have blasted plans for congestion charging in Scottish cities. In a debate on the Transport (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Conservative group leader David McLetchie said: 'Such a charge is not necessary and will not achieve its aim of reducing traffic congestion. The charge is a toll tax, designed to raise revenue for the council.'

BARRY Garbett has resigned as chairman of ABS (Acoat Bodyshop Services) after five years, during which the firm has tripled in size.

AUDATEX has announced the appointment of Paul Tucker as managing director of its UK operation.

VAUXHALL'S third generation Corsavan will go on sale in March, promising to hot up an already boiling mini van market. Locking horns directly with the likes of the Peugeot 206 van and Cliovan, the new Corsavan features a choice of three engines and an extensive options list.

IN a bid to capture extra sales in the anticipated rise in demand caused by the internet shopping boom, Iveco has launched the Daily Vendor. The new model features a hydraulic sliding side door and massive load space and is designed specifically for door-to-door deliveries in busy urban areas.

THE new Ford Transit has become the fifth generation model to win the title of International Van of the Year. A panel of 20 international journalists makes the 2001 award and the Transit gained 112 out of a possible 133 points - the highest ranking in the history of the competition.

IVECO is preparing for a year of 'challenges and opportunities' to build upon its launch into new areas of the van market last year. The firm gained new territory in 2000 by entering the sub-3.5-tonne market for the first time with its City Daily truck - it was voted 'international van of the year' - and sold 663 models, taking 1.89% of the total 2.8-3.5-tonne market.

INITIAL press pictures of the new Fiat Doblo Cargo painted a bizarre picture. But viewed for the first time in the metal at the Brussels International Commercial and Recreational Vehicle Show, the van looked a much more acceptable proposition to potential UK buyers.

'WHITE van man' needs a makeover to raise standards and fight recruitment shortages in the haulage industry. The plea comes from Lex Transfleet, which says the public perception of commercial vehicle drivers - from white van man to lorry drivers - needs to change completely with a concerted effort from the industry.

FORD is offering fleets the chance to be cool and sporty with the addition of two new vans. The sporty Ford Fiesta XRV is aimed at style-conscious urban van users and is based on the Fiesta 35 1.8TDdi van, but with silver metallic paint, 14-inch alloy wheels, partial leather steering wheel, upgraded stereo system, roof spoiler and grey instrument surrounds.

CITROEN has announced a number of changes for 2001 to its C15 Champ and Relay ranges. The Champ gains a new larger capacity cleaner diesel engine. The present 1.8-litre diesel powerplant is replaced with the Euro lll emission rated 1.9-litre unit, offering 60bhp at 4,600rpm and 77lb-ft of torque at 2,500rpm.

VOLKSWAGEN has launched a special version of the Transporter panel van costing £9,995 on the road ex-VAT. The previous lowest price was £11,691.

WINDSCREEN repair giant Autoglass has taken delivery of the first of 170 Ford Transit vans to join its fleet this year. The fleet - all Ford - totals 1,100 and offers a 24-hour service across the country.

LONDON Ambulance Service NHS Trust has ordered 63 LDV ambulances worth £3.8million at showroom prices.

MACHO LCV men will be pleased to hear that they can now boost their images even further with the launch of the second generation Mitsubishi Animal Cab 4x4. Based on the L200 4-Life doublecab, the new model, priced at £20,995 on-the-road, has been designed with the help of extreme sports and leisure brand Animal UK.

SIEMENS Metering Services has taken delivery of 93 custom-equipped Citroen Berlingos on a 72,000/four-year contract hire agreement with Arval PHH. The company, which operates nationwide, has specified Berlingo 1.9D LX 800 vans for use by its meter operations and account recovery divisions, which provides service for the customers of 16 electricity and gas suppliers in the UK.

SPECIALIST vehicle repair and refurbishment network Scuffs has forged an alliance with mobile dent repair expert Dent Wizard to increase its service levels to fleets in a deal worth £2.5 million. Under the new arrangement, Dent Wizard will conduct all the paintless dent removal work that comes into Scuffs centres.

LOMBARD and BCA joined forces for a series of exclusive sales to help raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief. More then 700 cars were offered for sale at BCA Nottingham, BCA Derby and BCA Newport and 90.2% of the entry was sold for 100.1% of CAP clean.

NISSAN is to confirm that the new Micra will be built at its Sunderland plant, following European Union approval of a £40 million government grant. Prime Minister Tony Blair announced the decision this morning, ending months of speculation, which intensified with General Motors' shock decision to close its Luton car plant late last year.

A FURIOUS row has broken out over the Vehicle Certification Agency's New Car Fuel Consumption and Emissions booklet after an investigation by Fleet NewsNet's sister print publication Fleet News revealed a string of errors which could cost company car drivers hundreds of pounds.

A GROWING row between manufacturers and dealers over access to fleet discounts could lead to renewed Government interference in the car market that would push fleet residual values to new record lows. Peter Vardy, chairman of dealership group Reg Vardy, made the warning as part of a plea for market calm to allow recovery from 18 months of pricing uncertainty in a bid to rebuild confidence among buyers.

A CRUCIAL second stage of a European Commission investigation into block exemption will take place next month, which could define the future shape of car supply to the fleet industry. The deadline has passed for comments on the EC's long-awaited report on the selective and exclusive car distribution system allowing manufacturers to nominate a dealer network and their sales areas.

CONTRACT hire, fleet management and rental companies want the freedom to buy vehicles direct from manufacturers and a variety of 'independent sources' as they call for the block exemption to be scrapped. The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, which represents the bulk of the industry, made the demand as a response to the European Commission's evaluation report into block exemption, the selective and exclusive distribution system for new cars.

DEALER group Pendragon is using new found buying power created by the Supply of New Cars Order 2000 to launch an assault on the contract hire market. The firm has prepared a three-pronged battle-plan for business with brands aimed at the retail, small fleet and large fleet market. Pendragon