News - Page 2292

BBC Television's Watchdog programme has been lambasted by Ian McAllister, chairman and managing director of Ford Motor Company, after the Broadcasting Standards Commission upheld a formal complaint from Ford.

LLOYDS TSB has moved the management of its 7,000-strong fleet to Black Horse Vehicle Management Services, the bank's fleet funding and management operation.

AUTO Windscreens has been put up for sale by its parent company Heywood Williams Group plc, which is looking to fund a major acquisition.

FORTY exhibitors at the 1998 Fleet Motor Show are taking part in a new priority visitor plan service which sees event organisers booking visitor appointments with companies in the scheme.

FLEETS are wrestling with the problem of how to address the cash windfall coming their way and compensate company car drivers as employees give up the benefit of free fuel for private motoring.

GATESHEAD-based Wares Security Group took advantage of Vauxhall Master Hire's fast-track contract hire service to keep staff mobile immediately after the company was rescued from the receiver.

THE AA is calling for a ban on the sale, advertising, purchase and use of radar speed trap detectors following a court decision which ruled they are legal to use.

BMW has launched a 50-strong Servicemobile fleet which will assist customers under the manufacturer's roadside assistance programme.

MITSUBISHI is set to launch two direct injection diesel engines (DID) to complement its GDI direct injection petrol unit.

A NATIONAL group has been launched to co-ordinate the work of more than 60 local authorities running travel campaigns to encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport.

A CAR mirror hanger designed to rebut eight commonly quoted prejudices against cars and their pollution, has been produced by the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

AVERAGE fuel consumption achieved by more than 2,000 corporate decision-makers taking part in Mitsubishi's round-Britain corporate ride and drive event for the Carisma fitted with the eco-friendly GDI engine was 53.2mpg.

SHELL Gas claims that fleets switching to liquefied petroleum gas from diesel power can save hundreds of pounds in operating costs of both cars and vans.

AN out-of-town office park near London's Heathrow Airport has launched a transport plan aimed at reducing car use by more than 20% over a five-year period.

PRACTICAL Car & Van Rental is the first daily rental company to convert an entire fleet to run on gas in the wake of continuing Government support for alternative fuels.

FED-UP fleet managers and company car drivers are opting to take 'British'-badged cars as an antidote to waiting up to two years for some foreign marques.

CAMDEN Council has placed a major order for clean emission vehicles as part of its 'Greening Camden's Fleet' initiative.

SHELL UK has claimed new engine technology, catalysts and better vehicle maintenance could achieve much greater and more cost-effective air quality improvements than more widespread use of low sulphur city diesel.

THE new Vauxhall Astra should enjoy improving residual values over the next few years.

ROVER has introduced four new derivatives of the 600 specifically designed to offer company car drivers added extras while not hitting fleet managers' budgets too hard.

BE an environmentalist and drive a new car - that's the message from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders as it continues to press the Government to introduce a scrappage scheme.

MORE than 85% of fleet managers want the current company car tax regime to change, and more than one third believe a benefit-in-kind tax based on a driver's private miles rather than business miles would be the fairest levy.

LACK of availability of ultra low sulphur diesel is likely to hinder driver demand for the 'green' fuel incentivised in the Budget.

OFFICIAL Government figures showing carbon dioxide emission levels and fuel economy for every car on sale in Britain expose the confused thinking behind Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown's Budget message to fleets.

A POOLE-based company is aiming to extend its success in the liquid petroleum gas marine market into the road vehicle market.

FLEET demand is at the heart of the aim of Calor Gas and Halfords to double the number of liquefied petroleum gas filling stations in the UK.

FLEETS with the biggest incentives to convert their vehicles to gas, are sticking with petrol and diesel because of the lack of a viable gas refuelling infrastructure.

SKODA is planning to spark a fresh sales drive by launching its first 'super clean' vehicle in the next few weeks.

NORWICH Union is launching an insurance policy which will give fleets the choice of two premiums - one with driver training and one without.

BCH Group plc has announced record preliminary results for the year ended December 31, 1997, including a 47% rise in pre-tax profits to £2.99 million (1996: £2.03 million).