News - Page 2107

FORD is recalling about 2,500 new Mondeos across Europe including 800 in the UK due to a possible airbag fault. The airbag control module in some cars could malfunction, causing the airbag warning light to illuminate, and in rare cases may prematurely deploy the side curtain airbags, according to Ford.

FLEET managers are making more use of the internet to assess the impact of company car tax issues, according to a leading consultancy. Fleet Audits' free tax calculator spreadsheet, which can be requested via the Fleet Audits website, underwent a major revision in September and demand for the service has rocketed.

CITROEN, Mercedes-Benz and Skoda are all claiming record new car sales last year ahead of official Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' final sales figures due to be released next week.

BRAKE, a voluntary-sector road safety organisation, will run a Road Safety Week 2001 (March 31- April 5) to help raise awareness of the extent of deaths and injuries on roads and improve the level of care taken by everyone on roads -particularly fleet drivers.

STRONG concern that self-registrations are occurring well in excess of official figures have been raised by Glass's Information Services as the latest details from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders are published.

CW LEASE is understood to be recruiting a new joint managing director, who will work alongside current managing director Vib Verma, as part of the company's internal development.

SOVEREIGN Finance, the asset finance arm of Alliance & Leicester, has launched two interactive websites to give businesses clear, easy to access advice on a range of financing options from hire purchase to fleet management.

RENAULT has launched a new website to help customers choose a Renault van to suit their requirements. Browsers can search for a new Renault van, check out available conversions on Renault van platforms, locate Renault used vans, download manuals and seek out van accessories.

FINANCIAL services group Cattles has signed a new single badge deal for the supply of small cars to its 1,400-vehicle fleet.

PEUGEOT has supplied Watkin Jones with 36 vehicles as part of a long-running fleet deal with the 210 year-old construction company. The deal has already seen Elim Garage, the Peugeot dealership, supply 36 models (both 306 and 406s) on a three-year-contract hire basis, for use by middle and senior managers.

CONSTRUCTION machinery distributor Greenshields JCB has taken delivery of 16 Vauxhall Movanos, Astras and Zafiras to add to its 50-strong fleet.

The National Sheriffs Council is taking delivery of 10 new Hondas to help carry out its High Court enforcement duties in Surrey and Greater London.

Derby Tertiary College has taken delivery of 17 Vauxhall Astra Envoys on a renewed contract hire agreement with Vauxhall MasterHire.

Whitehouse Group has signed a new sponsorship deal with Premiership football club Charlton Athletic.

Vauxhall MasterHire has won a deal to supply Ebbw Vale Rugby Club with 10 new Corsa Envoy models on contract hire after beating two competitors.

American Solutions, the West Sussex-based USA tour operator, has renewed its contract with National Car Rental for the 10th year in a row.

Allen Fleet Services has won a major servicing contract with Arval PHH, one of the largest contract hire and fleet management companies in the UK.

THE contract hire industry is bracing itself for a chaotic new year as mounting residual value losses raise concerns about the future of key players in the market.

NEW car sales in Britain will reach record levels next year and while private buyers will lead the surge, fleet and business car sectors should reach new levels.

NISSAN is planning to boost its position in the fleet market by launching a saloon version of the new Almera range. The four-door car will arrive in the showrooms next summer to allow the company's compact family car line-up to compete more effectively with the Ford Focus.

NATIONAL vehicle rental group Northgate Motor Holdings has changed its name for the second time in 12 months. Now known as Northgate Vehicle Hire the company, part of Northgate plc, says the new name reflects what the company does - vehicle hire to business.

GENERAL Motors chief executive officer Rick Wagoner says the global vehicle manufacturing giant is still interested in acquiring the troubled South Korean car maker Daewoo. However, he said he didn't expect a deal for the bankrupt company to be announced soon.

LEXUS has launched a corporate sales <A HREF="http://www.lexus.co.uk" target="_blank">website</A>, giving fleet chiefs the ability to request demonstrators, obtain service maintenance and repair cost information, details of Lexus centres, quotes from Lexus Financial Services and view price comparisons versus the competition.

CITIGROUP has successfully completed its acquisition of Associates First Capital Corporation, including its UK leasing subsidiary Associates Fleet Services, in a deal that is likely to herald a change of name.

ROAD repairs will increase over the next few years following a £500 million cash boost announced by the Government. The budget for repairing local roads in England has been doubled to £535 million in 2001/2 and £555 million in 2002/3.

SIMBA Security Systems, the specialist nationwide vehicle alarm and immobiliser installer, will now trade under the banner of Simba Vehicle Systems.

REVISED V5 versions of the Volkswagen Golf and Bora are now on sale, with a 20bhp power boost, improved economy and lower emissions. The extra power comes from multi-valve technology - the five-cylinder unit now has four valves per cylinder - giving the engine better performance higher up the rev range.

CITROEN has introduced a Modutop roof option for its Berlingo Multispace, offering drivers more versatile storage space.

SUZUKI has revised its Grand Vitara range for 2001 to include a total of five models along with minor cosmetic changes. Top of the range is the five-door 2.5 V6 while a new common rail 2.0 diesel replaces the current turbodiesel.