News - Page 2380

CAP Motor Research has launched a stinging attack on van and truck manufacturers for failing to fit adequate security devices to their vehicles. It claims the cheapest cars offer drivers substantially superior anti-theft devices to those found on commercial vehicles which means commercial drivers, vehicles and loads are being unnecessarily put at risk.

THE UK leasing industry can breathe a sigh of relief following HM Customs & Excise's failure to establish leasing companies' liability for their customers who exploited a loophole in VAT regulations in the run up to the August 1, 1995 changes.

DIAL Assure, the accident management arm of the Dial Contracts Group, has won a 510-vehicle contract from Norsk Data. The company will provide a comprehensive service, ranging from 24-hour driver rescue and vehicle recovery to claims administration, repair management and invoice vetting and processing.

ROVER has realigned dealer margins as part of its ongoing programme of improving customer satisfaction levels across its dealer network. The manufacturer refused to confirm the exact details of the move, but it is believed that retailers were told that margins would be reduced by 1% to 9% at Rover's annual dealer conference.

NORTHGATE Motor Holdings has bought Yorkshire lcv-hire specialists Ember Rentals for £1.44 million. The acquisition consists of five depots and 900 vehicles and takes Darlington-based Northgate's total fleet size above 12,000 vehicles.

ADT Auctions has continued to increase its shareholding in CMA Auctions in the run up to CMA's acquisition by Independent Car Auctions. It is understood that ADT has increased its stake to 28.2% of CMA, enough to block ICA's plan to gain 100% control.

THE August 1, 1995 VAT changes had little or no effect on the company car leasing market as business volumes remained virtually static according to new figures from the Finance and Leasing Association.

THE RAC has joined forces with the UK's leading diesel fuel management company to offer preferential rates for Keyfuels and Diesel Direct fuelcard customers when they sign up for RAC fleet membership.

MAJOR car makers are sticking to their policy of restricting supply of fast-churn vehicles and prompting a significant change in the used car market according to experts at CAP and Glass's Guide.

COMPANY car drivers who are site-based with no permanent place of work could obtain tax relief on their journeys under new proposals by the Inland Revenue.

ROVER is to become the first of the 'big four' manufacturers to scrap separate delivery charges and adopt on-the-road pricing in the face of mounting pressure on car makers for an all-in list price. From Monday (June 3), all Rover pricing literature will feature two figures - a delivered price including VAT, delivery, number plates and initial servicing and an on-the-road price including a year's road tax.

THE fleet industry has drawn-up a seven-point company car action plan for a future Labour government and called on it to implement a long term transport strategy.

THE Nissan Almera has made its auction debut with all 53 models entered at BRS Auctions' Coventry site sold and achieving an average of 83% of list price.

FLEETS waiting for the new Rover 200 vi will have to wait at least another three months for delivery because the company is concentrating on building the MGF sports car. Dealers can quote a price of £16,146 for the hot Rover but they can't get the cars.

HOPES were high this week that the French may be about to announce an expansion of the Ryton plant, currently building the Peugeot 306. According to reports, the expansion decision has already been taken by company president Jacques Calvet but British executives are still waiting to hear the news.

A NEW brochure and video pack explaining the difference between accident management and claims management has been launched by Kudos UK. The company aims to educate fleet managers that there is no such thing as 'free' accident management or 'free' courtesy cars despite the claims of some accident management firms.

THE Guardian Media Group's 170-strong fleet has switched fuel cards to cash in on the current fuel price wars. The drivers had used a Shell card but after a review by company secretary Arthur Townsend the company has moved to Fleet Cost Management's card to improve the ability to shop around. The FCM card is accepted at 12,500 fuel outlets.

VOLVO has started a run-out programme for the 400 series which is set to be axed at the end of this year. The range has been halved with the introduction of two new specification levels.

A GLOOMY outlook is predicted for the UK's retail motor trade as outlets close and profitability is hit. However, while independent dealers are being hit the hardest, major dealership groups are diversifying into areas such as car leasing, car rental and aftermarket operations in a bid to boost profits.

DISILLUSIONED motorists are turning their backs on dealer servicing and taking their business elsewhere, according to used car experts at CAP Motor Research. Editorial director Andrew Wilkinson said main dealers are losing out on profits today and tomorrow by not delivering the sort of aftersales service customers want.

ESSEX Constabulary has taken delivery of six Jeep Cherokees for use as traffic patrol vehicles. The county joins Cumbria, Warwickshire, West Yorkshire and Wiltshire - who each use a single Jeep.

AN air conditioned SEAT Toledo 1.6 SE has gone on trial with the Thames Valley Police. The loan car is fully equipped with blue beacon, siren, reflective livery and radio while safety is enhanced by twin airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners.

SsangYong's latest off-roader due to go on sale in the UK next year, will be called the Stampede. The vehicle is based on a shortened chassis taken from the Musso and has a strong Jeep look about it. Key features are a spacious three door body with five seats and a sensible luggage space. Target buyers are serious off-roaders and owners of 'fashion' 4x4s.

SSANGYONG has held the price of its Musso 2.9 diesel models despite improvements in performance and trim. In addition, stock shortages have prompted the importers to bring forward customer deliveries from this autumn to next month June) but the new 118 mph 3.2 litre petrol engined GX220 is still set to arrive in time for August with a price around £25,000.

A NATIONAL Health Service Trust has gone into the daily rental business with six Vauxhall Astras in what is believed to be the first fleet contract of its kind. The South Kent Community Health Care NHS Trust has taken delivery of the 1.4 litre five door models in order to launch a pool car operation.

TOYOTA plans to challenge both the Land Rover Discovery and the Mitsubishi Shogun with an all new mid-sized Landcruiser to be launched this autumn. The three and five door vehicles will replace the Landcruiser II and 4Runner models.

HUNDREDS of thousands of company drivers could have been wrongly convicted of speeding on evidence from Gatso cameras, the RAC has claimed. After a Surrey businessman was found not guilty and awarded costs by Uxbridge magistrates, it looked as though all these drivers had grounds to ask for a pardon. The driver had been accused of driving at 70mph on the M25 during a temporary 60 mph limit.

VAUXHALL has announced a special edition version of the Calibra based on the 2.0 litre eight valve engined car. It will be called the SE6 - because it is the sixth in a series of special editions - and adds air conditioning, leather trim and alloy wheels to the standard car. Just one colour is available - Iceland blue.

RENAULT'S Clio supermini has been given front end surgery and a new engine to keep it going until the new model makes its debut in 1998 - but prices in many cases have been cut. There's a new 1.2 litre engine, extra equipment, new trim, a strengthened shell and improved refinement. Sales in the UK topped 50,000 units last year.

FLEET market leader Ford has announced a £213 million pre-tax loss on a turnover of £6,401 million in Britain last year. The company blamed the loss on adverse currency, exchange rates, expenditure relating to the introduction of three major new models - Fiesta, Escort and Galaxy - and the intensely competitive market all of which impacted on the company's performance.