News - Page 2316

RENAULT will become the first manufacturer after Chrysler to offer long wheel base versions of a people carrier following the launch of the Grand Espace. At 27cms longer than the Espace with the increasing length divided between the wheelbase and the overhangs - thereby giving increased driver and passenger space as well as luggage space - the new vehicle will become the range's flagship.

COMPANY bosses will be able to live the American dream when Vauxhall establishes a network of up to 12 dealers who will sell Cadillac and Chevrolet models in the UK starting next spring. Parent company General Motors is looking to export the new Cadillac Seville, which had its world launch at the Frankfurt show, and a number of Chevrolet models to the UK.

ROVER followed up its shock pre-show peep of the new Mini with surprise reveals of ultra-sporty and higher-powered versions of best-selling models. The company's stand at Frankfurt bristles with special editions of the 200 hatchback and 400 saloon which recall sporting links of the past and help underpin the 'British' appeal of the brand.

DAIMLER-Benz has unveiled one of the most impressive diesel engines in motoring history. The new V8 offers ultra-low emissions, increased economy, and the ability to outperform most petrol engines.

ROVER is to be kept on its course of being pitched at above-average pricing in the British market. Competitive forces will not sway the BMW subsidiary from the marketing stance it has adopted over the last two years, pledged chief executive Walter Hasselkus in an interview on the eve of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

THINKING small dominated the world's biggest motor show when the doors swung open on Germany's sprawling centennial celebration of the car. But despite landmark reveals of mid-size newcomers from Volkswagen and General Motors at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a high proportion of the record 33 debuts submitted by leading manufacturers focuses significant attention on the burgeoning supermini sector.

EXPANDING dealership group Dixons Motors has revealed a 71% increase in pre-tax profits to £4.01 million for the first six months of 1997 (JanuaryûJune 1996: £2.35 million). The massive rise on turnover, up 40% to £173.59 million (1996: £124.47 million), has been attributed to a long list of impressive sales successes across the company's 44 motor vehicle retail sites which represent 19 franchises and four motorcycle retail sites representing seven manufacturers.

COST and service levels were the key factors in Fleet Cost Management winning an outsourced fleet management deal with Stevenage-based Marconi Instruments. Part of the GEC group, the company operates a nationwide 140-strong fleet.

EUROPEAN Commission proposals may result in a standardised vehicle registration document for all member countries within the next few years. A spokesman for the Department of Transport, Environment and the Regions said the proposal for a harmonised document was at an early stage.

AFTER only a few weeks on the road, the new SEAT Arosa has overtaken every small car rival to drive off with the title of Britain's cheapest car to operate. According to statistics due to be released this week, the 60mpg Spanish supermini has beaten the Ford Ka, Suzuki's Alto and the Fiat Cinquecento in the race for the lowest running costs.

DAEWOO has taken another step in its ambitious drive to win the heart of the fleet market with a three-day ride and drive event at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire. Hundreds of fleet decision makers were able to drive the South Korean manufacturer's three new models - the Lanos, Nubira and Leganza - which were due to go on sale in the UK today.

REDUCING fleet sales due to their lack of profitability helped boost half-year profits at West Midlands-based Evans Halshaw. The motor distributor, leasing, fleet management and fleet software group has reported an 11% rise in pre-tax profits to £8.1 million for the six months to June 30 compared with £7.3 million last year on marginally reduced turnover of £449 million (1996: £455 million).

SUBARU launched its answer to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CRV at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show. Like the forthcoming Land Rover Freelander, the new Forester joins a growing sector of compact 4x4s combining off-road ability with better on-road manners and a more affordable price tag.

ESSO Petroleum is to contract hire nearly new, low mileage cars for its ex-patriate workforce in Britain through Hertz Leasing's Leasesaver service. Leasesaver is designed to dispense with the high depreciation costs associated with brand new vehicles and therefore tends to offer lower rental costs and more flexible contract periods.

GOODE Durrant, which owns specialist commercial vehicle hire company Northgate Motor Holdings, has bought Transport Development Group (TDG) Vehicle Rental for £28.2 million. London-based TDG operates a fleet of 2,440 vehicles, mainly commercial vehicles, from 16 depots largely based in Scotland, along the M4 corridor and in the Portsmouth/Southampton areas. The fleet consists of 2,250 commercial vehicles and 190 cars.

A NEW multi-lingual support desk has been launched to offer assistance to Car Fleet Control's growing number of customers across Europe. Those deals include contracts with a major oil company, and a major leasing and fleet management company.

MERCEDES is to replace its unloved 2.3 litre 4-cylinder engine in the E-class with another lightweight V6 unit which is cleaner and more efficient. The German manufacturer has also unveiled a new 4.3 litre V8 for the E-class - the first time a V8 has been available in the range.

THE Europwide Fleet Funding and Management initiative, launched earlier this year by Swan National and three other leasing companies, has expanded further into Europe. The pan-European consortium, whose members include TOP Lease, Maske and Ucalease, has recruited member companies in Austria and Denmark with plans to further expand with associate members in Sweden, Norway, Portugal and Ireland.

THE upper medium sector fleet battle further intensified this week with Honda adding air conditioning as standard to its Accord petrol-engined saloon range with no price increase. Honda's move - worth around £600 - means the Swindon-built saloon is now equipped with both air conditioning and sunroof and comes just a week after Vauxhall announced air conditioning was now standard on all Vectras with the exception of the entry-level Envoy.

POWERMARQUE has won a contract worth £9.5 million over the next 12 months to provide Anglian Water with 850 cars on contract hire. Powermarque is a wholly owned subsidiary of Anglian Water, and took over the fleet management of its parent's commercial vehicle fleet nine months ago.

TRAFFIC information network operator Trafficmaster has announced that it is in merger talks with stolen vehicle tracking system company Tracker Network. In a statement Trafficmaster said: 'The boards of Trafficmaster and Tracker Network confirm that discussions are currently taking place regarding a possible merger of the two companies. These discussions are at an early stage and a further announcement will be made later this month.'

AA Financial Services has launched a multi-marque personal contract purchase scheme with cars sourced through Godfrey Davis (Contract Hire). Called Freeway, the PCP aims to capitalise on drivers opting out of company car schemes and looking for flexible ways of financing their own new car every two or three years.

FLEET Management Services has attacked the minority of manufacturers still insisting on 6,000-mile service intervals for their diesel vehicles. As improving reliability pushes the industry norm to 9,000 miles, and beyond in some cases, FMS is urging Citroen, Nissan, Peugeot and Renault to extend the service intervals on their diesel ranges to bring them into line with their competitors.

COMPANY cars are still viewed as essential by more than eight out of ten companies - but the number offering the cash for car alternative is continuing to increase according to a new survey by the Reward Group. Its wide-ranging survey of Employee Benefits and Employment Trends identifies a growing trend towards cash for car and more flexibility in whether drivers can up- or downgrade their vehicles.

VAN sales are likely to reach a record this year as companies continue to replace ageing vehicles whose life was extended through the recession. New Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders sales figures show 13,984 vans under 1.8 tonnes were sold in August compared to 10,518 in August last year.

THE Environment Agency has introduced a car lease scheme which encourages staff to drive more powerful vehicles the more business miles they clock up - with planned incentives worth up to £1,600 of taxpayers' money per driver.The scheme has been condemned by some staff as 'hypocritical' and 'unnecessary' as the Government launches an integrated transport policy aimed at encouraging greater use of public transport, bicycles and alternative fuel vehicles.

THE Association of Car Fleet Operators will hold its first Business Day and Awards Dinner at the Jarvis Penns Hall Hotel at Sutton Coldfield on Wednesday, October 1. The event will feature a Business-to-Business exhibition, Fleet Question Time with a panel of experts and an awards ceremony for Fleet Car of the Year, Fleet Car-derived Van of the Year and Fleet Panel Van of the Year.

DEVON Wildlife Trust has seen its number of insurance claims dive since beginning driver training, including special off-road and trailer towing tuition, with IAM Fleet Training. With many of the Trust's staff called upon to tow exhibition trailers and drive 4x4s through tough off-road terrain on its 35 nature reserves, a specially tailored training programme was vital.

FLEETS can insure vehicles for two years instead of the traditional one-year period, under an initiative by insurance broking and risk management company Oughtred & Harrison Insurance. The company, which has offices in Hull, Grimsby, Lincoln and Leeds, says the two-year agreements will allow fleets to budget more effectively.

FORD has won a contract to provide more than 300 British-built Transit vans to the Hong Kong Government. The Ford Transits will be used by various Government departments, including the Hong Kong Police.