News - Page 2332

GOVERNMENT proposals to increase the charges to mobile telephone companies will have no effect on the millions of company car drivers who rely on them.

A PLAN to end premium pricing for estate cars is under consideration at SEAT. Officials at the Spanish firm's UK division are keen to put the new Cordoba Vario model in British showrooms at prices to match those it charges for Cordoba saloons.

THE Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association has renewed its call for bodyshops to stop supplying free courtesy cars, saying insurance policyholders should meet the cost through increased premiums.

VAUXHALL is implementing plans to dramatically increase its network of MasterFit outlets to 500 within the next three years in an attempt to stem the flow of aftersales business away from dealerships.

DEBIS Financial Services has forged a new partnership with the Civil Service Motoring Association to provide a comprehensive vehicle management programme for its members. The Daimler-Benz subsidiary will provide CSMA members with a range of services - from new and used vehicle sourcing to finance and disposal - at special rates under the Best Choice scheme.

AT&T's TransLease electronic trading system has won its biggest endorsement to date with the signing-up of vehicle management giant PHH Fleet Management Services.

FORD will use auctions only as a 'last resort' as it moves to further increase its control over supplies of used cars across the country. As revealed in March, Ford Direct has been extended to cover cars of up to four years old and dealers will be allowed to prepare their own vehicles for sale under the Ford Direct banner.

BMW Financial Services (GB) Ltd has taken the wraps off its new finance and fleet management operation for Rover Group vehicles. Rover Corporate Finance will offer fleets a full portfolio of funding and management services, including contract hire, contract purchase, finance leasing, fleet management and full outsourcing.

Vauxhall realigns Vectra and Omega line-up. Sample new prices

Vauxhall realigns Vectra and Omega line-up. Sample new prices

NATWEST has become the latest high street bank to launch a branded fleet finance and management operation. The establishment of NatWest Vehicle Solutions follows the launch of Lloyds Bank's Black Horse Vehicle Management Services, Barclays' creation of Barclays Vehicle Management Services, while HSBC, owner of Midland Bank, operates Swan National.

DAEWOO is to supply company cars for shop managers at auto accessories chain Carnography plc. The Bradford-based company took delivery of the first eight cars this month and additional ones will be ordered as existing vehicles become due for replacement in what amounts to a solus deal worth 30 cars.

ACCIDENT management company AutoManagement has moved to new, larger premises - first evidence of investment in the company by new owners Evans Halshaw Vehicle Management Services.

LONDON'S famous taxi is picking up new fares - in Spain. After spending decades wending its way through the streets of the capital, the friendly black cab is now driving to international success. Billed as a new exhibit alongside the latest offerings from leading European car firms, the Carbodies Fairway had its official launch at the Barcelona Show - and was declared an instant hit by the importer.

RUMOURS that a collaboration agreement between Ford and Nissan has hit a difficult patch have been denied. An announcement that the contract under which Nissan's Spanish factory builds the Ford Maverick would not be renewed did not mean the companies no longer wanted to work with each other, said Nissan Motor Espana SA spokesman Martin Fabregat.

JAGUAR'S crucial next new model has been given the green light - by the car company's global sales network. For distributors around the world are now fully primed for X200, the mid-size executive car due to be launched in 18 months time, claims Spanish market sales chief Jose Soriano Rouco.

SPANISH car maker SEAT is planning to help bolster Britain's economy by not raising prices this year. The firm - part of the Volkswagen group - will soon be announcing that it is to hold the prices it fixed last Christmas through to the early part of 1998.

DAEWOO will maintain aggressive pricing in Britain when vital new cars are launched late this year or early next year. As the all-new range-leading Lanos, which along with the other two cars in the new line-up, made its debut at the Barcelona Motor Show, a Daewoo spokesman said: 'Our target is to offer this range at prices broadly similar to those of the outgoing Nexia. By making it available for around £9,000, we will be lining up some stiff competition for the Escort and Astra.'

MERCEDES-Benz will introduce a facelifted version of its best-selling model in Britain this summer - but customers will be hard-pushed to recognise the differences. However, officials at Mercedes-Benz Espana SA are confident the revisions are sufficient to boost the mid-range model's appeal against prestige rivals from Audi and BMW.

RENAULT has renewed its solus deal to supply cars for financial services company Scottish Provident's sales force. The agreement involves the supply of 130 vehicles over the next 12 months and follows a successful first year of business between the companies.

HONDA'S fleet-focused five-door Civic is among the most cost-efficient contenders in the lower medium sector according to fleet management consultancy Fleet Audits. Wholelife costings calculated by Fleet Audits experts put the new Civic well ahead of established fleet favourites like the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Escort.

MOTOR group Charles Sidney has launched a new company, called Extra Leasing, offering a one-stop finance, contract hire and commercial vehicle rental service for transportation industry fleets.

LONDON'S second largest courier company has chosen Car Fleet Control software for the crucial role of co-ordinating its motorbike workshop. Courier Systems maintains a fleet of 70 BMW K75RT motorbikes as well as machines run by its many owner-riders.

SANDERSON Bramall Leasing has secured a contract worth £1 million to supply 47 cars to industrial lighting manufacturer Crompton Lighting of Doncaster. The deal represents one of the biggest ever contracts for the Harrogate-based leasing division of Sanderson Bramall Motor Group, which was set up two years ago to expand the company's contract hire business.

FLEETS are turning to contract hire and leasing as a method of vehicle operation in increasing numbers, according to early figures from the annual British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association's statistical membership survey.

AT&T Automotive Services has signed a solus fleet management deal with frozen foods retailer Iceland. The three-year contract involves purchasing, fuel management, policy and disposal of vehicles on Iceland's company car and home delivery fleet.

CONTRACT hire specialist BCH Vehicle Management has appointed ATS solus fast-fit supplier for its entire vehicle client base following many years of multiple sourcing.

HI-Q, the nationwide network of fast-fit and vehicle maintenance stores, is expanding at the rate of around one new branch a week. Now with 370 stores the company has the fourth largest network in the UK with outlets including Hi-Q Tyreservices stores owned by Goodyear or franchisees, and more than 190 outlets owned by Hi-Q dealer partners.

SOFT drinks and packing company The Robinson Group has decided to contract hire its 60-strong multi-badge fleet instead of outright purchasing the cars. Six companies were invited to tender for the business and the full-maintenance contract has been secured by Hartwell Motor Contracts for the largely petrol-engined fleet which is on a four-year replacement cycle.

SUPERMARKET giant Safeway has signed a dual-badge contract with Volkswagen and Ford to supply cars for its 1,500-strong fleet, which was previously solus Rover. The entire Volkswagen car range features on the fleet policy, with the Sharan becoming the first MPV to be included on Safeway's choice list. Employees will also have an extensive choice of Ford vehicles.