News - Page 2188

THE Government is insisting there will be no U-turn over its commitment to increase fuel prices by 6% above inflation until 2002, despite warnings the policy could lose it as many as 100 seats at the next election. The fuel tax escalator has been heavily criticised by motoring organisations, such as the AA and RAC, since it has led to the UK having the highest petrol and diesel prices in Europe.

FLEET decision makers could soon be ordering cars over the internet, following a new joint venture between Ford and Microsoft. The two companies are partners in CarPoint which from the first quarter of 2000 will allow car buyers to specify and order the car they want on the web.

COMPANY car users driving abroad are twice as likely to be killed in their vehicles as they would in the UK, according to a new report. Although more than 3,000 people a year die on UK roads and fleet drivers covering 25,000 miles a year face a higher risk than coalminers of being killed 'at work', Britain holds joint first place, along with Sweden, for the lowest number of deaths according to distance travelled on the roads.

THE European Commission is taking legal action against France to allow fleet training companies to claim VAT rebates on the cost of their vehicles. French law forces companies to pay VAT on vehicles unless they are used solely for training purposes, but the EU says this goes against its rules.

NINE months after the launch of the euro - designed to increase competition and level prices significantly across Europe - new evidence suggests few companies have changed their marketing and pricing strategies in response. And with UK new car prices under the political and consumer microscope as the Competition Commission investigates, a report from consultant McKinsey suggests price discrepancies for other products are significantly wider than those for cars.

A BAN on gas-powered vehicles passing through the Channel Tunnel will remain in place until at least the new millennium, according to its operators. Despite calls for a change of heart from fuel manufacturer Shell and PHH Vehicle Management, the tunnel's operators have held back on making a proposal to lift the ban to the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority.

A MAJOR investigation into block exemption will examine whether internet car sales and car supermarkets have removed the need for the exclusive distribution system. The European Commission is asking whether the explosion in alternative outlets for vehicles, particularly the internet, have made redundant the system which allows European car-makers to operate exclusive dealer networks that leave them immune to some key aspects of open competition.

THE EC increased pressure on car manufacturers to push down prices with two new probes into Peugeot and Volkswagen. EC inspectors raided the headquarters of Peugeot and its German and Dutch distributors amid claims it was blocking cross-border trade of vehicles.

MITSUBISHI is to launch 2.4 gasoline direct injection engine versions of the recently launched facelifted Galant at the London Motor Show at Earl's Court in three weeks' time. Mitsubishi claims that the GDI's 20% cut in greenhouse gases, a 20% improvement in fuel economy and a 10% increase in power when compared to a conventional petrol engine of equivalent capacity makes it one of the 'greenest' cars on the road.

A SERIES of new and facelifted Subaru models go on sale to coincide with the London Motor Show at Earl's Court which opens on October 20. The all-new 125bhp 2.0-litre Legacy saloon and estate, starting at £15,495 on-the-road for the GL saloon, joins the 2.5-litre GX saloon and estate and Outback models launched earlier this year.

HONDA is unveiling two new sport-styled models for its Accord range at the London Motor Show. The Accord VTEC SE Sport and VTEC SE Executive Sport will be available with 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre engines, with four or five-door body styles and with manual or sequential shift automatic transmissions.

SKODA has revised its Octavia model line-up with the introduction of a new 2.0-litre 115bhp petrol engine, improved specification and a price cut at the top of the range. The new engine replaces the 125bhp 1.8-litre unit, and while it drops 10bhp, it offers improved torque and fuel consumption - up from 33.6mpg to 34.9mpg on the combined cycle.

A NEW flagship for the SEAT Alhambra range has been launched - the £22,690 on-the-road Gran Via Alhambra, the manufacturer's first MPV with an all-leather interior and captain's seats and is its most expensive model to date.

A EUROPEAN grant of more than £32million is set to push forward better links between the UK and the Continent. Cash for the development of the Trans European Network (TEN) for 1999 is £4 million more than last year.

THE UK and France have made a commitment to work together to develop a more environmentally-friendly transport policy. Together, the nations plan to integrate different modes of transport more effectively.

FLEETS are being charged hundreds of pounds by the police to pay informers for the return of stolen company vehicles. And a Scotland Yard senior police officer has confirmed that the practice is 'quite legitimate'.

FLEETS will be buying zero emission fuel cell powered cars at 'affordable prices' in 2004, the world's leading car manufacturers claimed at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Both Ford and Vauxhall plan to have fuel cell vehicles in production by 2004 - a year earlier than previously thought.

TWO of the world's largest oil companies are planning new strategies to support fuel cell initiatives. On Monday Britain's biggest company, BP-Amoco, will unveil a new commitment to develop natural gas, hydrogen and hybrid-electric fuel cells.

THE Government's plans to radically alter the company car benefit-in-kind taxation system looks likely to fail in its prime objective of encouraging drivers to take a more environmentally-conscious attitude to vehicle choice. A number of fleet chiefs at the Drive '99 Alternative Vehicles Show incorporating Diesel Drive sponsored by Calor Autogas at Gaydon said there was no evidence that attempting to persuade drivers to opt for less polluting vehicles by hitting them in the pocket would work.

FORD has backed the 'Clear Up Clean Up' campaign by our sister print title Fleet News with the publication of carbon dioxide emission figures for every car model sold in the UK. This information is vital for fleet managers as the Government plans to introduce a graduated vehicle excise duty and new company car tax regime based on a car's CO2 emissions.

CENTRICA yesterday completed its £1.1 billion purchase of the AA with a promise to plough millions of pounds into new technology and services at the breakdown company. Of 4.4 million eligible AA members, 97% of a 67% turnout gave the green light to the sale, with many in for a £248 windfall.

MIDLANDS-based fleets have been invited to become part of the UK's largest electric vehicle fleet, thanks to a £300,000 grant unveiled on Wednesday. PowerGen and Powershift have both contributed £150,000 to the project, which will enable businesses, charities and local authorities in the Nottinghamshire area to buy electric-powered cars and vans at the same price as conventionally-fuelled vehicles.

FLEET demand for grants to help buy alternatively-fuelled vehicles has led to a 400% year-on-year increase in inquiries to the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme. Programme manager Jonathan Murray said Powershift was handling 400 inquiries a month from fleets wanting information on converting vehicles to alternative fuels and buying alternatively-fuelled vehicles.

THE launch of the motor industry's 'Stop Fuming!' campaign has been accompanied by renewed calls for the Government to introduce an old car scrappage scheme and a pledge to allocate all cash raised from additional motoring taxes to improving transport facilities. Coinciding with the UK motor industry's second annual 'Stop Fuming!' campaign launched on Monday was a week-long free vehicle emissions check programme at 330 sites nationwide.

INDUSTRY fears are growing of a stall in September sales due to a combination of the 'millennium effect' and Ford's recent money-back pledge. Fleet and retail car sales were forecast to reach 400,000 in September to make this month the peak for new car registrations.

FORD'S goal is to become the world's leading consumer company providing automotive goods and services, Nick Scheele, president of Ford of Europe, claimed at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. By linking Ford's marques together - Ford, Volvo, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mazda, Lincoln and Mercury - Scheele said the company's vision was to establish 'an umbrella of trust' over all brands, products, services and actions.

FORD has no plans to take over ownership of its entire dealer network but Britain's biggest vehicle manufacturer believes it can help franchises make more money by streamlining processes. Ford of Britain chairman and managing director Ian McAllister was speaking after the company had announced it had paid £20 million for a 49% stake in Pendragon's 29 Ford outlets.

FORD of Britain chief Ian McAllister says discussions are taking place as to whether right-hand drive versions of the innovative two-seat electric TH!NK city car are viable as fleet orders take-off. The car is the first purpose-built European electric vehicle to be produced in volume and has a top speed of 56mph and a range between charges of 53 miles.

MITSUBISHI'S mould-breaking GDI engine family now goes under the bonnets of 75% of the company's cars in Japan and 35% of models sold across Europe. The high-economy petrol engine is now being built in five versions ranging from a 1.5-litre in-line four-cylinder to a 3.5-litre V6 and production has reached a total of 600,000 units, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation powertrain chief Akira Kijima revealed at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.

FORD has unveiled an all-new prototype 1.1-litre three-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine which the manufacturer says will meet all Government thresholds for carbon dioxide emissions. The engine has been developed as the Government prepares a reform of company car tax which in April 2002 will become based on CO2 emissions.