News - Page 2106

LEASEPLAN has won the contract to run Panasonic's entire UK fleet of 550 vehicles and provide complete maintenance, full breakdown and recovery cover.

Hereford's GT School of Motoring has taken delivery of its £160,000 new fleet of Skoda vehicles - the largest fleet sale to date for supplying garage Bay Horse Motors.

THE new Ford Transit has been named International Van of the Year by a jury of commercial vehicle journalists.

DAEWOO is recalling about 200 Musso and six Korando 4x4 models to check a possible fault with the automatic gearbox.

MANUFACTURERS and dealers must convince large fleets to buy new vehicles over the internet if online trading is to be successful, according to a new report.

TAX harmonisation and exchange rate stability would not achieve common new car prices across Europe, according to a new report, <I>writes sister magazine Fleet News Europe</I>.

COMPANY cars are among those at the lowest risk of theft, according to the latest Home Office figures. The Car Theft Index 2000 shows most typical fleet cars - medium saloons and hatchbacks built between 1997-99 - are less likely to be stolen than older cars.

A EUROPEAN digital business consultancy is targeting large companies, municipal authorities and rental and leasing firms with a new car pool scheme, <I>writes sister magazine Fleet News Europe</I>.

INTERNATIONAL construction company SGB is planning to implement a pan-European supply deal by the middle of this year, <I>writes sister magazine Fleet News Europe</I>.

TWO of the UK's best-known fleet consultants have launched a new firm to provide company car-style peace of mind to professional owner-drivers.

HEALTHCARE group SSL International has brought forward plans to showcase its pan-European fleet requirements and invite potential suppliers to bid for it, <I>writes sister magazine Fleet News Europe</I>.

MG Rover has revealed the new high-performance version of the MGF roadster to re-emphasise the sporty image of the brand. The MGF Trophy 160 uses a tweaked version of the 1.8 VVC engine and develops 158bhp, with larger disc brakes, 16in alloy wheels, uprated and lowered suspension, front and rear spoilers and new colours.

JAGUAR is planning to expand in the German fleet market with a target of 10% of its sales there, <I>writes sister magazine Fleet News Europe</I>.

THE Jaguar F-Type roadster, first shown as a concept at the 2000 Detroit Motor Show, has been given the green light for production. The car has been subject to a detailed study to determine business implications and launch timing, and the decision to put the car into production was announced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show last week.

PROTON has introduced a sporty looking version of the Satria hatchback based on the Lotus-tuned GTi. The Satria Sprint is powered by the company's 1.6-litre engine but has aggressive styling cues with spoilers and alloy wheels.

ROCKETING fleet running costs have sparked a fight for efficiency among fleet managers. Yet as they struggle against a raft of rising prices, vital weapons in their battle are being ignored, a new Lex Vehicle Leasing/Fleet News survey of fleet managers has revealed.

FLEET managers will be the first people in the country to see the new Jaguar X-Type 'in the flesh' as it makes its UK debut at the Fleet Show 2001. The fleet market is seen as crucial to the success of the X-type, which will be a contender in the luxury upper-medium sector against rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

FLEET operators will be urged to work hand-in-hand with local authorities on helping ban polluting vehicles from inner cities under ambitious plans being discussed by a leading environmental organisation.

HONDA is undertaking its largest yet fleet demonstration programme with the launch of the all-new Civic. A fleet of 200 Swindon-built Civic five-door models has been launched by the manufacturer, with the vehicles being loaned to existing and prospective business customers for month-long trials.

Avis Europe has warned that second-half earnings will be hit following last year's fuel tax protests across the continent, particularly in the UK and France, resulting in lower activity and additional costs.

INCHCAPE has acquired a 49% holding in Eurofleet for £12.3 million in a deal to boost its logistics and fulfilment business. Inchcape's Seaking Automotive subsidiary expects to benefit through access to services which will allow both businesses to expand in the refurbishment and remarketing segments.

VEHICLE hire and accident management group Helphire has revealed the price of peace in the battle over credit hire bills after giving up a claim to tens of millions of pounds worth of debts owed by insurers.

FLEET experts have hit out at plans to revise penalties for traffic offences in a bid to reduce serious motoring crimes and cut accidents.

ISUZU has announced list price reductions of up to 10% across the Trooper range. Customers buying the off-roaders will find reductions ranging from £1,050 to £3,255. Biggest reductions are made at the luxury end of the range, with £3,000 off the LWB Insignia model.

TOUGHER penalties for motoring offences will force fleet managers to tighten up on driver training and safety according to proposals in a Government consultation paper.

FLEET managers could slash their costs by thousands of pounds if they shopped around for maintenance contracts, with potential savings of £20,000 over three years on a 100-car fleet, according to a new survey.

A SCATHING attack on the inability of contract hire and leasing companies to launch innovative products has been made by GE Capital Fleet Services' managing director Steve Taylor.

RYDER, the Slough-based logistics and transportation company, has clinched a huge deal with supermarket giant Sainsbury's to service its expanding internet-based home delivery market.

VISSCHER Communications, part of Visscher Caravelle, has launched a new outsourcing product for fleets and leasing companies acquiring new vans. Van Solutions allows fleet managers and their leasing suppliers to outsource the complex process of sourcing, purchasing and installing van accessories.

HULL LDV dealer Lex Commercials has won an order to supply Kingston Upon Hull City Council with 67 vans in a deal worth more than £1million at showroom prices. The order will see the council take delivery of Pilot and Convoy vans, Crewcab tippers and dropside pickups.