News - Page 2369

BULL bars may not be as dangerous as initially believed, according to new research by the Transport Research Laboratory. An in-depth analysis of police accident statistics commissioned by the Government suggests the steel adornments may only be responsible for a fraction of the fatalities and injury accidents previous studies have indicated.

SCRAPPAGE grants to reduce the numbers of older, more polluting vehicles on UK roads are still on the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' agenda. Chief executive Ernie Thompson said the SMMT would pursue the issue with either a Labour or Conservative administration after the election.

COMMERCIAL vehicle hire specialist Northgate continued to expand in the half-year to October 31, 1996 through both acquisitions and organic growth. Northgate helped parent company Goode Durrant post pre tax profits of £15.18 million - up 13% on the same period last year - with turnover up 28% to £70.2 million.

FLEET News has increased its editorial team with the recruitment of Natasha Rosset - the first female reporter to join the market-leading title.

EVANS Halshaw, the vehicle distribution and fleet management specialist, has raised £1.3 million by selling dealership property and an engineering subsidiary as the first stage of a divestment programme.

ONE of the largest daily rental groups in the world has been created by the acquisition of National Car Rental by Republic Industries, which bought Alamo Rent-A-Car last year. National Car Rental has a fleet of around 100,000 vehicles run from 800 locations in the US and Canada; and this combines with Alamo's US fleet of 130,000 vehicles. Both companies will maintain their identities.

VAUXHALL is to help fleets beat traffic jams by including information system Trafficmaster Oracle as standard on Vectra LS models.

THE Fleet Driver Training Association is actively looking for external sponsorship to fund the association's development. The heavy time and effort demands made of the association's secretary have convinced members that the position should be a permanent, full time post.

OVER the past year the Fleet Driver Training Association has moved from conflict to consensus over the best way forward for the industry, and now represents the majority of the UK's leading training companies. Membership has risen from the founding 10 members to 17.

FLEET software specialist GAMMA is about to launch Contract Manager, a new fleet management package specifically designed for companies which contract hire their vehicles. Kenwood Electronics is one of the fleets which has piloted Contract Manager, and the software should be openly available next month.

SINGLE-badge contracts are being identified as prime targets to form the major thrust of Honda's ambitions for dramatic acceleration of fleet sales in the next few months. And Honda UK has signed up ex-Ford men Paul Craven and Adrian Porter as leasing managers with the aim of winning vital fresh sales to build on the company's successful 1996 performance, it was revealed this week.

ELECTRONIC trading pioneer OASIS Global Systems has been quick to capitalise on the opportunities created by the advent of electronic relicensing which goes live from March.

THE future of Ford Escort production in the UK remained uncertain as the manufacturer refused to confirm reports that it would not close its Halewood plant near Liverpool where the model is built.

THE UK fleet market could reach one million vehicles this year despite the 'big three' manufacturers continuing to lose market share.

PROTON rocketed into the fleet sales top ten after clinching a revolutionary supply contract with daily rental giant Avis Rent A Car. The Malaysian manufacturer is supplying 2,500 of its Persona upper medium contender over the next three months in a deal which catapulted Proton to number eight in the December fleet sales chart with 1,490 units.

VOLVO'S current quest to build cars which appeal to the heart as much as the head continued with the unveiling of the stunning C70 Convertible at this week's Detroit Motor Show. The full-blown four-seater combines turbocharged performance, looks to die for and a TWR-developed chassis with traditional Volvo safety features like side airbags and roll-over protection.

ZURICH Insurance has relaunched its multi-vehicle policy offering 'book and bonus' rates for small fleets operating up to nine vehicles. Since the original policy was launched Zurich has added full uninsured loss recovery and legal expense cover. Written-off cars under a year old are replaced with new models.

AT&T Automotive Services has appointed Colin Tourick as its new managing director. Tourick has extensive experience of the fleet industry, having been chief accountant at Lease Plan, director and general manager of Fleet Motor Management and Commercial Union Vehicle Finance.

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