News - Page 2269

AUDI has been praised by one of the biggest names in fleet management and vehicle leasing as leading the marketplace when it comes to helping set residual values before a model's launch.

MEN who drive company cars walk less than a third of the average distance walked by men in households without cars, according to a new statistical report on walking published by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.

FLEET managers must improve the specification of their vehicles to help drivers avoid fatigue and potential sleep-related accidents, according to John Lyons, managing director of leasing company Godfrey Davis.

UNIFLEET, the vehicle management business within United Utilities, has signed a major contract for more than 3,600 Overdrive fuel cards.

GREEN Flag is disputing a ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority, banning it from saying it is cheaper and faster than the AA.

FLEET managers in several Government departments are preparing to trial fuel-saving devices which could lead to orders worth more than £250,000.

EVIDENCE of widespread speeding has added weight to the argument that company car drivers are wasting thousands of pounds in petrol.

MYSTERY surrounds takeover talks involving the petrol retailer Save Group.

CAR rental giant Avis Europe is to take delivery of around 4,000 Smart cars - the new two-seater city car to be launched in Europe in October - in an innovative three-year exclusive deal.

MAJOR Government trials have shown that the technology is now available to introduce motorway tolling into the UK.

FIRST National Vehicle Contracts has launched an own-brand fuel card for its fleet customers.

DAEWOO has launched a three-year/100,000-mile service and maintenance package to cater for fleet customers holding on to their vehicles for longer periods.

CAR manufacturers are fighting back against claims that adding more technology to their vehicles will set fleet costs soaring.

THE cost benefit to fleets of falling world tyre prices is being undermined by car makers fitting low profile tyres to increasing numbers of vehicles.

FLEET buyers could hold the key for independent tyre dealers in their fight for sales in a market dominated by tyre manufacturers and their equities.

ANNUAL Government increases in fuel tax is failing to stop motorists from driving their cars, according to new AA research.

PHH Vehicle Management Services has called for the Government to launch an inquiry into why UK motorists are paying the highest fuel prices in Europe, when the actual fuel price - minus duty and VAT - is the lowest.

FLEET managers could see substantial savings by switching to alternative fuels, a three-year study by the London Borough of Camden has shown.

FLEET managers are having to bear the cost of repeated delays in publication of the Government's integrated transport policy white paper as they hold back on replacing company cars to see what it could mean to their buying strategies.

THE Department of Social Security has outsourced a major chunk of its fleet administration to PHH Vehicle Management Services.

RATE rises across the contract hire industry are on the cards as the windfall disposal bonuses of the last few years come to an end.

THE House of Lords has ruled against Thorn UK in the electrical giant's long running battle to operate a VAT avoidance scheme for its company car fleet.

VAUXHALL is battling to secure and increase its fleet servicing and maintenance business with the launch of the Vauxhall Fleet Service Commitment.

ABSOLUTE quality will be the watchword of the new Rover 600/800 replacement, codenamed the R40, when it goes on sale.

ZENITH Vehicle Contracts has acquired Societe Generale's majority stake in Hambros Vehicle Solutions for an undisclosed sum.

A REVAMP of fleet management software is being carried out at Siemens Group Services to cope with a doubling in its fleet size.

FLEET operating costs are set to rocket as more hi-tech gadgetry and safety features are incorporated into vehicles.

BRITAIN'S leading car manufacturers have been urged to bow to pressure from the fleet market and provide standard three-year/60,000-mile warranties on all their vehicles.

PRESSURE is growing on Neil Pykett, the former chief of the newly-named Arriva Automotive Solutions, to head a bid for the up-for-sale company.

THE fleet industry looks set to lose its £26 billion company car VAT recovery battle with HM Customs & Excise.