News - Page 2334

THE fleet industry has nothing to fear from the new Labour Government which will concentrate on ensuring that the motor industry remains one of the bedrocks of the UK economy.

THE British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has pledged to work with the new Labour Government, not against it. But secretary general Norman Donkin raised concerns over the lack of detail in Labour's transport policy, outlined in its 'Consensus for Change' document.

A CASH-strapped Labour Government will be hard-pressed to take any action in the short-term to solve Britain's chaotic transport system. That's the view of the RAC, which says Labour must carry out a review of the UK transport system resulting in various pilot projects and research programmes prior to any new strategies being implemented.

FLEET managers say they are confident the change of Government is no cause for panic and predict changes are likely to be slow in coming and subtle in nature.

THE fleet industry makes a vital contribution to the UK economy and the newly-elected Labour Government must work with the industry to ensure the country's prosperity continues. That was the message from Peter Agar, deputy director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, when he opened the 1997 Fleet Motor Show.

HOPES are high that the Labour Government will give further encouragement to improve fleet uptake of vehicles powered by alternative fuels. Members of the new Cabinet have driven an LPG-powered vehicle over the last month.

TRANSPORT and environmental issues have leapfrogged up the agenda as a result of the Labour Party's general election triumph and deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's appointment as head of a new super ministry overseeing both areas. The Association of Car Fleet Operators and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association have both pledged to hold early talks with Prescott and his colleagues.

THE 15th Fleet Motor Show has been voted the best ever by exhibitors, with attendance figures for the four-day event being similar to last year. And as the show drew to a close last Friday, BCH Vehicle Management Services became the first of this year's exhibitors to sign up for Fleet Motor Show 1998 after another successful appearance at Silverstone.

AROUND 150 delegates are expected to attend the second European Car and Truck Rental Association Congress to be held in Barcelona next week. The event will be held at the Hotel Fira Palace on Wednesday (May 14) and Thursday (May 15), following an ECATRA assembly meeting at the hotel earlier in the week, and will bring together leading leasing and rental industry figures from across Europe.

TOYOTA has unveiled its most European car ever in the shape of the new Corolla. This car follows a completely European design, borrowing only the chassis from the Japanese version, and marks a radical departure for Toyota.

Supermarket giant Kwiksave has switched its entire fleet to a solus Toyota arrangement in a deal worth more than £10 million. The company's 630 company car drivers will be able to select their next company car from a list which includes the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Carina E, Camry, Picnic and RAV4.

VOLKSWAGEN is predicting a massive UK sales increase on the strength of a string of new models and is targeting a major attack on Peugeot's position in the 'big four'. Volkswagen's confident prediction came at the Fleet Motor Show where the new Passat was one of the stars.

NISSAN launched a new phase in its fleet dealer programme at the Fleet Motor Show. The move will see a further 100 of its 274 dealers targeted to specialise in the local business user market. Last year Nissan fleet sales totalled 45,318 - 12.6% up on 1995 - and in the first quarter of 1997 fleet sales total 11,985 - up 1.1% on the first quarter of last year.

CITROEN unveiled an enhanced and upgraded version of its fleet management software system at the Fleet Motor Show. Auto Manager Pro replaces Auto Manager, which was snapped up by more than 1,000 fleets following its launch last year.

VOLVO is targeting fleet operators with an initiative designed to quantify the environmental impact of its entire model range. The manufacturer unveiled the programme in the UK at the Fleet Motor Show on Tuesday and it will now be rolled out in the USA and Volvo's native Sweden.

HONDA'S bid to almost double fleet sales in 1997 will be undertaken on the back of a unique approach to the fleet market. While most manufacturers are expanding their corporate dealer network, Honda has reduced its network from 55 to 24, is not giving those dealers special corporate sale terms, will not indulge in tactical bonuses, and has pledged not to take part in distress marketing.

THE new government must stimulate debate on environmental issues and the company car to encourage imaginative solutions to Britain's transport problems. This is the call from Dial Contracts' executive director Ian Goswell who warned against the new government viewing company car drivers as a soft target.

THE AA has called on politicians of all parties not to duck transport issues for company car drivers as the new government takes office. In demanding 'policies not platitudes' the motoring organisation said a survey by National Opinion Polls showed company car drivers' continued dependence on car travel and their increasing frustration with road congestion.

A UNIQUE agreement has been signed by Avis Fleet Services and leisure company Whitbread which could revolutionise the shape of leasing and fleet management contracts. The 'partnership sourcing' deal covers Whitbread's 2,851-vehicle multi-marque fleet and is based on a management charter which enshrines a radical new long-term relationship.

A CONFIDENT Peugeot has announced much-improved profits for 1996 and confirmed the new UK-built 206 small car will be launched at the end of next year. Managing director Dick Parham said UK sales had topped £2 billion for the first time, and profits of £30.5 million were the highest since 1991 - up by more than £25 million on 1996.

CITROEN has increased specification and slashed prices of the entire Xantia range following the introduction of a brace of new flagship diesel and petrol models. Hard on the heels of the launch of the 3.0 V6 and the 2.1 turbodiesel, the French manufacturer has realigned the rest of its upper medium range.

FLEET bosses will face an administrative headache and company car drivers look set to lose cash when new legislation governing tax relief on travel expenses comes into force in April, 1998. The Inland Revenue claims the new rules, which cover taxation of travel expenses to temporary places of work, make the system fairer.

FLEET Motor Show 1997 opened its four-day run at Silverstone on Tuesday with many of the 150 exhibitors announcing new contracts and new initiatives.

VAUXHALL Astra residual values are again on the slide amid concern about oversupply in the nearly-new marketplace. Glass's Guide this month marked the 1.4LS down by £375, spelling further pain for the major daily rental companies which buy them in their thousands.

POLITICAL uncertainty as to the outcome of yesterday's (Thursday's) general election has resulted in some fleets extending their agreements with contract hire companies. With the polls predicting the Labour Party would form the next government today, some fleets were said to be waiting for a June mini-budget before taking on new contracts.

A six-cylinder engine is to go under the bonnet of Britain's best-selling Mercedes-Benz. By the end of this year, the C-class will be available with one of the latest V6 engines just introduced in the E-class saloon and estate range.

FLEETS are being offered a tyre warranty by Toyo Tyre. The Five-Year Accidental Damage Warranty, which was launched at this week's Fleet Motor Show, guarantees that fleets will enjoy the full serviceable life from every Toyo tyre, or receive compensation.

NATIONAL Tyres and Autocare has launched a nationwide fast-fit by phone service for fleet customers. National Tyreline offers a comprehensive range of fast-fit services, including tyres, exhausts, batteries, MOTs and shocks, and has been successfully trialled in the Midlands.

ENTRIES are flooding in for the the RAC and Fleet News five-a-side charity football tournament which was officially launched at this week's Fleet Motor Show. Hopes are high that 96 teams will sign up for the RAC-Fleet News Five-a-Side Charity Challenge with the aim of raising £4,000 for Motability.

AUTO Windscreens has launched a new corporate identity aimed at both differentiating the company from its competitors and encouraging motorists to 'get straight to the point' - whatever their automotive glazing problems. Fifteen months in gestation, and over 500 designs later, the new image combines an arrow motif with the familiar windscreen shape.