News - Page 2351

LEX Vehicle Leasing has made marketing director Richard Koster redundant after a change in its marketing strategy. Managing director Roy Fewster, who joined Lex Vehicle Leasing last September, wants to move the company towards a product marketing approach to strengthen the company's position in the UK contract hire market.

FORD is poised to take a dramatic 4x4 turn upmarket with a plush and speedy new version of its top-selling Explorer. Company executives unveiled a 140mph prototype of a super off-roader called Tremor at this week's Detroit Motor Show - then dropped significant hints that the 4.6-litre model would soon be in production.

SUNDERLAND-based dealer group Reg Vardy plc has reported profits before tax and exceptional items 27.8% ahead at £7.86 million (1995: £6.15 million) on turnover up 23.2% at £344.6 million (1995: £279.8 million) in the six months to October 31, 1996. Vardy shares immediately rocketed 23p to 315p on the back of the results.

ISUZU has this week boosted its Trooper range with improved power steering giving enhanced 'on centre' feel with improved straight-line stability and the addition of full-size airbags on Duty models as recently introduced on the luxury Citation and seat-belt pretensioners.

LONDON Borough of Sutton has ordered the Freeway PC-based fleet software system to help with the management of 200 vehicles and plant. The fleet belongs to the Borough's contract services division, responsible for refuse and cleansing, catering and management of grounds and car parks.

THE Retail Motor Industry Federation has slammed Chancellor Kenneth Clarke's plans to raise insurance premium tax to 17.5% for insurance products sold by motor dealerships. These insurance policies include mechanical breakdown cover, extended warranties, credit protection and ordinary motor insurance.

NEW daily rental company Prime Car Hire of Neath has chosen Vauxhall to supply its first batch of vehicles. The fleet of eight Corsas and two Astra estates including both petrol and diesel models have been acquired on a lease package through Vauxhall Master Hire Leasing and are being supplied through Swansea Vauxhall Business Centre FRF Motors.

MASTERDRIVE Contract Hire and Leasing has launched a new daily rental division to meet all customers' rental requirements. Masterdrive Vehicle Rental has access to 90,000 cars and more than 20,000 commercial vehicles, from over 600 locations.

MIDLANDS based motor distributor Ryland Group has revealed that it is in negotiations about a possible takeover. An official statement from the company issued this week, said: 'The board of Ryland announces that it's in discussions which may or may not lead to an offer being made for the entire share capital of the company.'

FLEET companies have given the 16th Fleet Motor Show to be held at the world famous Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire from April 29-May 2 the thumbs up as delegates start registering to attend the 1997 event. To-date 116 companies from across the fleet spectrum have booked to attend the show.

Who's booked so far for Fleet Motor Show 97

Who's booked so far for Fleet Motor Show 97

SKODA will be introducing diesel power to the Felicia range later this year when Volkswagen's 64bhp 1.9 engine becomes available. The Felicia 1.9 D will be available in hatchback and estate variants when it arrives in the UK in GLi specification only.

VAUXHALL'S list of solus fleet deals has expanded with the addition of Norwich-based civil engineering and construction company May Gurney. The company operates a fleet of 230 cars and light commercial vehicles and, under the terms of the deal, Vauxhall Vectra and Astra cars and Astravans will be supplied to staff.

THE MGF roadster has been an unexpected fleet success for Rover with corporate customers accounting for 25% of total sales. With almost 7,000 sales last year, the MGF's volume alone puts it ahead of Alfa Romeo and Subaru in the UK car market, but the proportion which have been sold to fleet operators and contract hire companies has come as a surprise to Rover.

TOYOTA is set to radically expand its corporate business department with the recruitment of six new specialists and is to establish a new network of corporate dealers as it aims for a 10% rise in fleet business this year.

LEADING leasing companies are looking to emulate Lex Vehicle Leasing's One Call service by launching similar 'one stop shop' products of their own.

THE deadline is looming for fleet service companies to enter the 1997 Fleet News Awards. The Awards were launched six weeks ago when service companies were invited to enter the 11 categories open to them in this year's Awards which will be held on Wednesday, March 26 at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

RECORD fleet sales in 1996 resulted in the UK new car market reaching a seven-year high. Consistently buoyant fleet sales throughout the year helped the new car market break the two million barrier for the first time since 1990.

ELECTRONIC relicensing for fleets operating more than 1,000 vehicles will be launched in March following successful trials of the new computer technology. And, according to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the hi-tech system will be the catalyst for much wider use of electronic data interchange (EDI) throughout the motor industry.

TOYOTA'S niche Picnic family vehicle will start at less than £16,000 on the road. The entry level Picnic GS carries an on-the-road price tag of £15,840 while the flagship Picnic GX auto comes in at £19,680.

THE Wildlife Trusts Service has taken delivery of its first batch of Vauxhalls as part of the organisation's replacement programme for its 230-strong fleet. The contract was won by Vauxhall Master Hire Leasing which is to manage the vehicles on a fixed price maintenance programme and a guaranteed buy-back arrangement. The vehicles are being supplied by Vauxhall dealer Henlys of Rotherham.

ALLEGATIONS that local authorities plan to tax company car parking via back door increases in business rates have been refuted by council representatives. The denials follow press speculation over 'secret' talks between 40 local authorities over the introduction of punitive parking taxes without the need for Government legislation.

BRITAIN'S top companies are to be ranked according to their commitment to a 'green' transport policy by the Environmental Transport Association.

HYUNDAI has switched to on the road pricing with immediate effect - almost completing the transition by manufacturers following a campaign launched last year by the Association of Car Fleet Operators. The Korean importer's prices will now include delivery, road tax and number plates.

BMW is refining both ends of its range with specification enhancements to the flagship 840 and new engines for the 3-series.

NISSAN has announced average price increases of 1.5% across its range with immediate effect. The move follows a similar announcement by Ford. However, Nissan's move was immediately attacked by National Franchised Dealers Association director Alan Pulham who said manufacturers and importers should think twice about automatically indulging in the tri-annual round of price rises.

CAP has extensively revamped its Monitor projected residual values guide with the addition of a raft of new information services. Out now and dealing with cars first registered between January and July this year, the new Monitor includes information on wider aspects of the running cost equation such as maintenance charges and fuel consumption figures.

BURY-based telecommunications business, The Nationwide Telephone Company, has taken delivery of a fleet of 50 bright red Vauxhall Vectras which will be added to its usual white service fleet. Supplied by Vauxhall dealer Bristol Street Manchester, the vehicles are on a contract hire package through Bristol Street Motors' contract hire subsidiary Autolease.

HIGH Street furniture retailer Habitat UK was welcomed into the new year with a cheque for almost £84,000 from Lease Plan.