2017 Spring Driving Business

DRIVING

Issue 19 Spring 2017 £4.50

Helping you make better decisions

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DRIVING

Issue 19 Spring 2017 £4.50

Helping you make better decisions

VED TAX HIKE AHEAD Be prepared for changes to vehicle excise duty

FIND YOUR PERFECT SOFTWARE MATCH

2017 VEHICLE LAUNCH GUIDE From premium to volume brands, we round up the key models your business should look out for this year

THE RIGHT WAY TO RUN VEHICLES

Ben Holleyhead and Tommy Knott explain their forward-thinking approach

Contents

ISSUE 19 Spring 2017

FRONT END

7 New tax hits ‘green’ cars The new system of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) will affect low-emission cars more heavily from April 1.

8 Diesel ‘still important’ Diesels still have a role to play for businesses despite calls for scrappage scheme, says Arval.

9 Higher fines for speeders Fines for the most serious cases of speeding have increased by 50% under new sentencing guidelines.

� 12

Future Plant Services

11 Take care with colour A vehicle’s colour has a big impact on its value when the time comes to sell it, says Cap HPI’s Andrew Mee.

BROADER VIEW

� 21 VEHICLE L AUNCH

12 ’It’s the right thing to do’ Why the two men who manage Future Plant Services’ vehicles are investing in new initiatives.

GUIDE

SOFTWARE

� 17

17 Find your perfect match Choosing the wrong software supplier to help manage your vehicles can cost your business dear.

2017 LAUNCH GUIDE

21 Coming soon A look at some of the cars and vans hitting the market this year.

FIND YOUR PERFECT Software MATCH

Software

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 3

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DRIVING

Helping you make better decisions

Contact us Driving Business, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA. Editorial Editor-in-chief Stephen Briers 01733 468024 stephen.briers@bauermedia.co.uk Editor Sarah Tooze 01733 468901 sarah.tooze@bauermedia.co.uk News editor Gareth Roberts 01733 468314 gareth.roberts@bauermedia.co.uk Features editor Andrew Ryan 01733 468308 andrew.ryan@bauermedia.co.uk Staff writer Matt de Prez 01733 468277 matt.deprez@bauermedia.co.uk Contributors John Charles, Ben Rooth Production Head of publishing Luke Neal 01733 468262 Designer Erika Small 01733 468312 Production editors David Buckley 01733 468310 Finbarr O’Reilly 01733 468267 Head of project management Leanne Patterson 01733 468332 Project managers Lucy Peacock 01733 468327 Kerry Unwin 01733 468578 Katie Lightfoot 01733 468338 Advertising Commercial directors Carlota Hudgell 01733 366466 Group advertisement manager Sheryl Graham 01733 366467 Account directors Sean Hamill 01733 366472 Lucy Herbert 01733 366469 Lisa Turner 01733 366471 Stuart Wakeling 01733 366470 Account managers Karl Houghton 01733 366473 Publishing Managing director Tim Lucas 01733 468340 Group marketing manager Bev Mason 01733 468295 Office manager Jane Hill 01733 468319 Group managing director Rob Munro-Hall Chief executive officer Paul Keenan Subscriptions: subscription@mydrivingbusiness.co.uk Printing: PCP, Telford. © 2016 Bauer Media No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

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Welcome Running vehicles is set to become a lot more complicated for businesses. Next month sees the introduction of a new Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) system, which will be based on list price as well as CO2 emissions. For some models it will result in a significant tax hike.

The Tesla Model S, for example, will go from attracting no VED to £930 over four years (see page 7).

Those running car salary sacrifice or cash allowance schemes will also face changes from April 6, as part of the Government’s shake-up of the employee benefits tax regime.

It will mean the tax and employer National Insurance advantages of salary sacrifice schemes are affected, except for cars that emit less than 75g/km of CO2.

There is some reprieve as those employees already in contracts before April 6 will be protected from the new rules until April 2021.

Looking further ahead, a new ‘real-world’ testing regime to establish vehicle CO2 emissions will be introduced in September. However, HM Treasury has confirmed to our sister title Fleet News that it will continue to use CO2 values from the existing emissions test to set company car tax and VED rates until it agrees “a suitable moment” to move the tax system to the new ‘real-world’ CO2 figures.

The Government has also announced 15 new company car tax bandings, which take effect from 2020. These are currently based on CO2 figures from the existing emissions test, leaving industry experts to speculate that a new tax system would be introduced afterwards. But no one can be certain.

Speaking of uncertainty…there is now talk of a diesel scrappage scheme, and the possibility of changes to the MOT test (see pages 8-9).

Oh, and did anyone mention Brexit?

Sarah Tooze Editor, Driving Business

Complaints: Bauer Consumer Media Limited is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (www.ipso.co.uk) and endeavours to respond to and resolve your concerns quickly. Our Editorial Complaints Policy (including full details of how to contact us about editorial complaints and IPSO’s contact details) can be found at www.bauermediacomplaints.co.uk. Our email address for editorial complaints covered by the Editorial Complaints Policy is complaints@bauermedia.co.uk.

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 5

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n FRONT END

w w w.mydrivingbusiness.co.uk mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

‘Confusing’ road tax changes hit low-emission cars hardest Businesses should be prepared for a more complicated vehicle excise duty (VED) system in April that will be based on list price as well as CO2 emissions. It will see the Treasury collect tax on many low-emission vehicles for the first time.

Cars registered on or after April 1, 2017, will have a first-year rate according to the vehicle’s CO2 emissions, but will also be split into three bands for the subsequent standard rate: zero-emission, standard (cars up to £40,000) and premium (priced above £40,000).

Zero-emission cars pay no VED, unless priced more than £40,000 when they will be hit with the premium rate of £310 for each of the next five years after the initial zero first-year rate.

Standard cars pay the first-year rate according to their emissions banding and then the standard rate of £140 per year. Premium cars also pay the first-year rate according to their emissions, but are then hit with a £310 supplement for the next five years, taking the VED to £450 a year.

Caroline Sandall, deputy chairman of the fleet representative body ACFO, said: “There remains some confusion [around the new VED system] as it’s not the simplest.

“Lease companies have had to make fairly substantial system changes to manage this.”

In 2015, the then Chancellor George Osborne highlighted that without an overhaul of the

current system, about 75% of new cars would be eligible for free road tax by 2017.

Drivers of fuel-efficient and hybrid cars will feel some of the biggest changes. For example, a Vauxhall Insignia 1.6CDTi SRi Nav with CO2 emissions of 116g/km would have attracted no VED in the first year and then £120 over a fouryear period. The same vehicle will now cost £580 over four years to tax under the new regime.

A Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI SE Navigation sits just under the 130g/km threshold at 127g/ km, but it will cost £580 over four years, rather than £330 under the previous system.

The Tesla Model S has zero emissions and would have attracted no VED over four years. It will now cost £930 to tax over four years.

Gerry Keaney, British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association chief executive, said the new VED system has required significant changes to most quotation and leasing company systems.

He said: “Customers will have to pay particular attention to any additional accessories that are fitted by the manufacturer, which could take a vehicle’s list price over the £40,000 barrier, incurring a supplementary annual charge of £310.”

Sandall said vehicles are impacted to varying degrees so businesses should look at their order and choice lists to see how they will be affected.

Cost and availability of parking is a growing concern for motorists There is growing concern among motorists about both the cost and availability of parking in the UK, according to the latest RAC Report on Motoring.

Almost a fifth (18%) of the 1,714 motorists surveyed for the report said the cost of parking is one of their top four concerns, compared with one in eight (12%) who said this in 2015. Fears about the availability of parking have also increased, with one in seven (14%) now saying this is a top-four motoring concern (up from 8% in 2015).

Concern about the availability of parking is biggest in London, where 20% say it is a significant issue. Similarly, the cost of parking is also the greatest concern for London’s motorists, with 25% listing it as such. However, it is also a significant cause of worry for drivers in the East Midlands (21%), closely followed by the West Midlands, the East of England and Yorkshire where it was named as a concern by 20% of motorists surveyed.

RAC chief engineer David Bizley said: “Motorists are very clearly more concerned about the availability and cost of parking than they were 12 months ago. This is a worrying finding as struggling to find somewhere to park and then having to pay through the nose to do so could have a very negative effect both on individuals who rely on their cars to go about their daily lives and on businesses in our town and city centres whose viability affects the prosperity of our high streets.”

Specsavers opens eyecare voucher scheme to smaller businesses Specsavers Corporate Eyecare has made its Driver Eyecare eVouchers accessible to businesses with fewer vehicles.

Employers can now make a one-off purchase of five or more eyecare eVouchers, without any contract or tie-in. An online management system also eases the administrative burden.

Once purchased, eVouchers are emailed to the relevant employees, who take them to their most

convenient Specsavers store to redeem them for the corporate eyecare they require. Real-time updates show when vouchers are redeemed.

Different eVouchers are available for different requirements, including DSE eyecare and Safety Eyewear as well as Driver Eyecare, so the employer knows their health and safety responsibilities are being met under these specific circumstances.

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 7

n F RO N T E N D

Diesel still has ‘important role’ despite scrappage talk Diesel still has an important role to play for many businesses despite calls for a scrappage scheme designed to improve air quality by removing older vehicles, says Arval.

The vehicle leasing and fleet management company believes such initiatives can be “very effective” in removing old and inefficient vehicles, but there is a risk that all diesel vehicles become incorrectly perceived as inherently “dirty”.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn, has been one of the strongest advocates of a national diesel scrappage scheme and has put forward his recommendations to Government, which includes payments of £3,500 to scrap up to 70,000 polluting vans and minibuses in London, and a national fund to support charities and small businesses that often own older diesel vehicles and mini buses (approximately £245 million in London).

Khan argues that his proposals would help reduce the cost of introducing and expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and help to achieve a 40% reduction in London road transport NOx emissions.

Plans to double the amount that drivers of diesel cars pay for parking are also being considered. Westminster City Council will begin a trial in Marylebone from April 3 which will add 50% to the current rate of £4.90 per hour for pay-to-park bays.

Visitors are currently able to park and pay

per minute up to a maximum of 240 minutes (four hours), meaning charges will be 8p per minute in real terms and 12p per minute for diesels.

A “polluter pays” principle will have the aim of reducing harmful vehicle emissions in Marylebone and any money raised will be spent on initiatives to promote sustainable transport, according to the council.

However, David Nicholas, fleet consultant at Arval, expressed concerns that modern Euro 6 engine diesels that have “a core role” to play in the mix of vehicles run by businesses and that “offer strong environmental credentials such as low CO2”, could somehow become perceived as “undesirable”.

“This would be limiting for fleets and actually make very little sense in operational terms,” he said.

Diesels ‘28% less efficient than advertised’ The real-world fuel economy of new cars fell further behind advertised performance last year, according to figures released by TMC. The fuel card and mileage expense management company analysed data from 21,200 cars, comparing each car’s official mpg figure with its actual performance logged on TMC’s database of fuel transactions and mileage reports.

Diesels used 28% more fuel on the road than under official test conditions, on average; up from 25% the previous year.

Although overall advertised consumption of the diesels in the sample improved from 62mpg in 2015 to 66mpg in 2016, their economy under real-world conditions improved by only 0.9mpg.

Official mpg test results for petrol cars are slightly closer to real-world experience, but TMC still recorded a 19% shortfall. On average, petrol car drivers in the sample achieved 9mpg less than their official fuel economy figures.

As well as increasingly understating real fuel costs, the officially published data paints a too-optimistic picture of exhaust emissions. The ‘real world gap’ measured

by TMC equates to almost £1,800 worth of extra fuel and 2.4 tonnes more CO2 per car over a typical leasing cycle of 60,000 miles.

Tracker warns of rise in technologybased vehicle theft Rather than protecting vehicles against theft, advances in technology are giving thieves even more opportunities, according to vehicle security company, Tracker.

In 2016, tests by German vehicle experts showed 24 cars from 19 different manufacturers were vulnerable to an ‘easily built’ electronic device. This was supported by a Home Office report that highlighted how organised thieves had adapted extremely well to modern security technology.

Andy Barrs, police liaison officer at Tracker, said: “It’s safe to say that criminals became more sophisticated in 2016 in order to overcome vehicle immobilisers and keyless entry systems, using new, readily available technology. The need to buy this technology, and the cost associated with it, may raise the bar sufficiently to deter many opportunist car thieves, but organised vehicle crime will

8 ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

continue to be rife in 2017.

“We have also seen an increase in the number of vehicles being stolen and exported to overseas countries, particularly within the African continent. Again, this is mainly led by sophisticated organised crime groups, who ship abroad high-value vehicles via containers at the UK’s ports.

“The good news is that manufacturers continue to invest in the electronic security of their remote access systems, to safeguard against criminals. However, it’s probably fair to

say that if car makers are ahead at the moment, their advantage is only slight and very short-term. With a raft of new prestige models scheduled to come onto the market in the next year, many offering the latest connectivity, we predict that there will be a continued focus on organised crime groups targeting high-value vehicles.

“However, it’s important to note that traditional methods of stealing vehicles, such as obtaining car keys through a house burglary, won’t go away in 2017.”

Plans to extend first MOT to four years draws mixed response

Drivers face higher fines for speeding Fines for the most serious speeding cases in England and Wales will rise by up to 50%, following the publication of new sentencing guidelines.

The current limit for a speeding fine is 100% of the driver’s weekly wage, up to £1,000 or £2,500 on a motorway.

However, when the new guidelines take effect from April 24, a driver caught doing 41mph in a 20mph zone, or 101mph on a motorway, could be fined 150% of their weekly income – although the upper cash limit will stay the same.

Paul Loughlin, a solicitor at the Stephensons law firm and an expert in motoring crime, said: “While these changes might only be dismissed as ‘sentencing guidelines’, drivers should be aware that – in practice – a magistrate is likely to stick to them unless they have a strong indication that doing so would not be in the interests of justice.

“As such, in the most serious of cases, drivers could expect to be fined one-and-a-half times their weekly salary.”

Data gathered by Stephensons last year showed driving over the speed limit was the most frequently flouted law across the UK and less than a third of people regretted the offence.

Loughlin said: “The sentencing council has said that the increase in fines is to demonstrate the ‘seriousness of

n C A SES HIT BY NE W SENTENCING RULES 20mph speed limit: 41mph+ 30mph speed limit: 51mph+ 40mph speed limit: 66mph+ 50mph speed limit: 76mph+ 60mph speed limit: 91mph+ 70mph speed limit: 101mph+ offending’. Aside from the financial implications, those who are caught speeding will likely face points on their license or – in some serious cases – a ban from driving.”

Scott Chesworth, operations director at vehicle tracking provider RAM Tracking, said safety “should always be a number one priority” for businesses with vehicles.

“The decision to significantly increase the penalty for drivers that exceed the speed limit sends a clear message that such behaviour is not acceptable.

“While fines and other sanctions are an obvious deterrent, managers should still put procedures in place to tackle the problem.”

Education and technology can play a key role in changing driver behaviour.

“By installing a vehicle tracking system, for example, managers will be able to identify those workers who break the speed limit,” said Chesworth.

Businesses are divided over new proposals which could extend the period before the first MOT test from three to four years.

The Government has launched a consultation on whether to allow all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes an additional year before they have to undergo official tests.

Alternative proposals include only allowing an increase for cars and motorcycles, while requiring vans to continue to be checked after three years.

A third option would keep the system in its current form.

Businesses have raised particular concerns about the proposed extension to the first MOT for vans.

Official statistics suggest the average mileage for a car presented for its first MOT is 32,000 miles, compared to around 70,000 miles for vans.

As a result, the failure rate for vans tends to be double that of cars.

Members of fleet operators’ association ACFO were unanimous in a survey on the issue, with 100% voting to keep the MOT for vans at three years.

However, businesses were divided on the correct approach for cars, with 60% of ACFO members in favour of moving to four years.

Similarly, a poll by our sister publication Fleet News, found 51% of readers thought extending the first MOT for cars was good news for the fleet industry, while 49% said it wasn’t.

The Government argues that the current three-year test, introduced in 1967, is out of step with most of Europe, where four years tends to be the benchmark for cars.

In addition, vehicle components are more reliable and failures tend to be related to basic maintenance issues, such as lights, that could be dealt with by encouraging drivers to carry out regular checks themselves.

The consultation will run until April 16, 2017, with any changes introduced in 2018.

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 9

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n F RO N T E N D

HOW COLOUR CHOICE CAN AFFECT THE RESIDUAL VALUE OF A VEHICLE ow much the colour of a vehicle affects its value varies widely, depending on factors such as sector and model, but one thing is certain – the effect is in line with current fashions.

Take white, for example. A decade or more ago, this was a colour very much out of favour. However, manufacturers recognised the opportunity to use white in the launch campaigns of some key aspirational models and this struck a chord with drivers, who were ready for something striking and new. White very quickly edged out colours that dominated the market at the time, such as black and silver. Black now appears to be bouncing back but silver has yet to do so.

‘Retro’ colours, such as orange, yellow, bright green and even gold and bronze, are also showing a resurgence in popularity, demonstrating that over time, drivers simply fancy something different.

Increasingly, manufacturers offer personalisation options on cars, often including contrasting colour schemes, such as a different colour roof, door mirrors, or other body panels. These combinations also affect values, both positively and negatively.

Manufacturers are aware of this and some (but not all) have guidelines in place to prevent ordering of the least appealing colour combinations. These combinations are a matter of personal taste and what may be suitable for one driver may not be for another. In restricting their selection, manufacturers are going some way to protect the future values of vehicles by giving them wider, long-term appeal.

Fleet managers and company car drivers are advised to be cautious when considering more than one colour option. Tastes can change quickly and it could prove costly.

Analysis of Cap HPI’s trade sales database, covering 1.5 million vehicles up to 10 years old sold over the past 12 months, reveals some interesting

H

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

OPINION

insights into the impact of colour on sales values. n White has been consistently the best performer, achieving the highest values. n The next best performing mainstream colours are grey, black, red, blue and silver, with green values about 16% lower than white.

Performance also varies by sector. For example: n Black and silver outperform white by 5% in the luxury executive sector. n Red is 5% behind white in the sports sector and 10% behind in the MPV sector. n Gold is 14% behind white overall, but is only 6% behind in the executive sector, and 20% behind in the supermini sector. n Purple is 10% behind white overall, but only 3% behind in the city car sector.

There are also significant variations by model: n Green is 16% behind white overall, but 5% ahead of white for the Fiat 500. n Silver is 10% behind white overall, but only 5% behind for Jaguar XF. If you are buying a new car, you have the luxury of choosing a fashionable colour. But if you have that choice, should you take it? You need to ask yourself if the purple car that is trendy now will be worth less in five years simply because of its colour.

n ANDREW M EE , SEN I O R FO R EC A S T IN G ED I TO R AT C A P H PI

C AR COLOUR

“

Drivers are advised to be cautious when considering more than one colour

”

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 11

n BROADER VIE W

FUTURE PL ANT SERVICES

‘It’s the right thing to do’ The two men who manage Future Plant Services’ vehicles are on the same page when it comes to investing in new initiatives, reports Sarah Tooze

W

12 ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

he says. “It was so easy to step into a new role; it was more like a transfer than starting a new job.”

The group compliance department handles licencechecking, tachograph reports and their distribution to the various managers, as well as arranging CPC training and any other relevant training, but Knott intends for this to come under his remit.

“We will be taking a lot of control from compliance and bringing it here,” he says.

Knott’s team also intends to have greater visibility of Shell fuel card reporting, which is currently managed by the accounts department. Holleyhead points out that the varied work drivers do can make it a challenge to monitor how efficiently vehicles are being driven.

“The hardest thing with fuel consumption is you’ve got one going to Inverness and another to, say, Bradford.

Then you’ve got some drivers going to five jobs a day, some going to one, some that tow vehicles, some that don’t,” he says.

Despite the vehicles being spread nationwide, the company does not have any issues with restricting drivers to the Shell fuel card network.

The vehicles are funded through a combination of outright purchase, contract hire and spot hire.

The company has always had vehicles on spot hire as that allows it to be flexible.

“As work increases or people leave, we’ve got to have that flexibility and movement,” says Holleyhead. “It’s a bit more expensive than contract hire, but you’re paying for the flexibility. If you sign up for another three- or four-year contract, you’ve got that to pay out. Having a vehicle sat in the yard with no productivity is not something we like, or something our chairman likes.”

Knott adds: “It’s like savings. If you tie your savings up, you get a better return, but short-term you have to have that flexibility.”

Using spot hire has also enabled the company and its drivers to experience different manufacturers and eventually led to it opting for Ford for the majority of its owned and leased vehicles.

“We took what we were given from the hire company, so we had, for example, some VW Crafters, some Sprinters, some Ford Transits, some Iveco Dailys but, ultimately, we seemed to like the Ford ones,” says Holleyhead. “At some point, we had seven or eight Ford Transits on hire and seven or eight we owned and we have continued it.”

▲

hen asked why Future Plant Services is beefing up its qualifications, upgrading its telematics and considering installing riskreducing camera systems, plant and fleet manager Tommy Knott and fleet controller Ben Holleyhead give the same reply: “It’s the right thing to do.”

For Knott, who manages 76 vehicles (24 cars, 42 vans and 10 HGVs), the “right thing” is taking the Transport Manager CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) course. The company has a restricted O-licence (operator’s licence) rather than a standard one so, technically, it does not need a transport manager.

He says: “The company is quite forward-thinking and realises that, although not strictly a requirement, having a transport manager is something that will be a great benefit in the longer term.”

Future Plant Services is part of the Future Energy Group, a utilities infrastructure provider headquartered in Birstall, near Leeds, and whose other companies are Future Utility Solutions, Future Metering Services and Future BioGast. Future Plant Services supports the group of companies on all projects, as well as offering plant hire to external clients.

The number of vans used by the company has nearly doubled over the past three to four years as a result of business growth.

“We are going into different areas,” says Holleyhead.

“For the past two or three years, we had never really been in London. Now we have loads of work down there, so we have to expand a bit more and employ more people.”

Holleyhead has been involved in the day-to-day running of the vehicles for eight years, while Knott joined in July when the previous plant and fleet manager retired.

Knott had a sales role at Fusion Provida (which was taken over by Wolseley) and used to sell products to the Future Energy Group.

“When I started here, I knew everybody because the Future Group had been a customer of mine for 14 years,”

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

Doing things the right way is the only way for fleet controller Ben Holleyhead (left) and plant and fleet manager Tommy Knott

“

It’s the relationship we have with Ford that gets us the best deals, so I think it is important to have that manufacturer relationship as well as with the leasing company Tommy Knott, Future Plant Services

” 76 the number of vehicles used by Future Plant Services – 24 cars, 42 vans and 10 HGVs

36 the number of vehicles Future Plant Services leases, from TCH Leasing mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 13

FUTURE PL ANT SERVICES

▲

n BROADER VIE W

The Transit, Connect and Mondeo are now mainstays, while the directors’ company cars are MercedesBenz, Audi and Volkswagen.

Future Plant Services meets quarterly with Ford.

“It’s important for us because of the mix we have, we do buy as well as lease,” says Knott. “It’s the relationship we have with Ford that gets us the best deals, so I think it is important to have that manufacturer relationship as well as with the leasing company.”

Holleyhead adds: “We have a good relationship with the local dealers as well. We have been working with Ringways for the past six to eight years. They are more than happy to drop what they are doing and help us out because we have been using them for such a long time.”

The company began contract hiring vehicles six years ago, and has always used TCH Leasing.

Holleyhead says: “You know what you’re getting with it [leasing] – you know your costings straight away.”

Knott adds: “I think that’s the biggest thing, you know where you stand. You have no nasty surprises in terms of repairs, it’s all inclusive in the lease cost – no nasty shocks, a pretty standard outlay month-on-month.”

To avoid any excess mileage charges at the end of contracts, the company has a pooled mileage arrangement.

“At the start, it was a bit hard to judge how many miles we actually did. We started off looking at the vehicles and thinking ‘hang on, he’s doing a lot more miles’ and swapped his car,” Holleyhead says.

“It’s difficult trying to work out how many miles we actually do a year because we’re in Inverness, but last year we weren’t in Inverness. But the first rotation we did it [pooled mileage] on 40,000 miles a year. I’d prefer to be under than get a big charge at the end.”

Damage charges have not been an issue as the drivers have “very few accidents”, according to Knott.

Damage typically occurs at building sites rather than out on the road and the company is quick to carry out repairs.

“We try to keep on top of damage; it’s image at the end of the day,” Holleyhead says.

TCH takes care of accident management for Future Plant Services’ vehicles, not just the 36 it leases to the company, and provides reports on a quarterly basis.

“It used to be annually, then six-monthly,” says Holleyhead. “We have recently asked it to be quarterly, so we can look a bit further into the risk management side of it.”

The report includes information such as the time of day that incidents take place, average cost of damage, if there are any patterns of the same people having accidents, and provides comparisons against previous years.

“It’s a generic report that we can act upon if we need to,” says Holleyhead.

Ben Holleyhead has been involved with the fleet for the past eight years

“

Spot hire is a bit more expensive than contract hire, but you’re paying for the flexibility Ben Holleyhead, Future Plant Services

”

Future Plant Services uses its plant hire software to monitor when vehicles are due for a service or MOT and to keep track of repairs.

Tracking devices are fitted to the commercial vehicles, but are “antiquated”, according to Knott. Future Plant Services is currently looking at telematics systems based on driver behaviour, as well as in-cab cameras.

“One system we have looked at links in with your tachograph as well, so you get real-time information,” says Knott. “We have tachographs in all the vans because we tow with them, but we’re looking [at putting telematics devices] in 10 HGVs and see how it goes from there.”

He adds: “We have teams of two as well and they both drive. That’s a factor in why we are doing it. There are different alternatives out there, you can use keypads, you can use fobs, but we are favouring a driver-facing camera so there is no dispute.”

One of the systems they have looked at includes forward-facing, rear-facing and driver-facing cameras.

Although they have not had any issues with false insurance claims, Knott and Holleyhead recognise that because the vans are branded they are vulnerable to claims, and they would like to “safeguard” drivers.

“If someone puts an insurance claim through and we get asked ‘well, what happened?’ we can say ‘here you go, here’s a video of it. It answers all your questions’,” says Holleyhead.

However, Knott says the main factor behind upgrading is “being proactive in terms of risk management”.

“We are looking at driver feedback information, and being proactive in terms of how the drivers are driving and what we can do to train them to be better drivers.

It’s not because we have a bad accident record.”

Holleyhead adds: “It’s the right thing to do.”

n NE W C ARS WILL LOWER EMISSIONS, BUT NO PL ANS TO GO ELEC TRIC

Tommy Knott had Future Plant Services as a client before he joined the company last July

14 ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

Future Plant Services reduced the average CO2 emissions on its car fleet from 129g/km to 109g/km by switching from 2.0-litre diesel engines to 1.6-litre diesel engines three years ago.

When the cars are due to be replaced this month, the company hopes to reduce average emissions further, but is unlikely to opt for electric vehicles as the drivers do more motorway miles than urban driving.

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Commercial Fleet offers insight into the world of light commercial vehicles and trucks to provide operators with detailed analysis on key topics such as operations, safety, remarketing and the environment. Case studies in every issue provide best practice advice to help you to improve your efficiency. The magazine is supported by the commercialfleet.org website and events.

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Boosting the commercial performance of your vehicles Looking beyond the mechanicals, how can your vehicles be more efficient?

W

hen managing company vehicles, you’ll want to ensure your fleet is as efficient as possible. Your vehicles will ideally produce low emissions, with low tax and running costs. They may look good on paper, but what impact do they have on your business when the engines are switched off?

The latest engine technology should have reduced your fuel expenses, and your accounts may show the financial benefit, but is your fleet costing you money in other ways that don’t show on the bottom line?

Administration Putting a financial cost on hours lost completing the administrative burden that is associated with running a company vehicle often gets forgotten. Ensuring that business journeys are recorded accurately and that fuel claims are properly managed can be a tiresome process for both employees and their managers. There’s also potential for substantial issues with HMRC where mileage data is estimated. Without a simple, auditable process something as ‘easy’ as vehicle usage can involve considerable time and energy for the driver, manager, HR, Payroll and Finance.

Maintenance

Drivers In order to get the most out of your vehicles, you’ll ideally have employees driving smoothly who have a safe and responsible attitude behind the wheel and potentially with experience of eco-driving techniques. Even the most fuel efficient cars can be wasteful if a driver has a heavy foot on the accelerator or brakes, or if engines are left idling needlessly.

Failure to ensure your vehicles receive regular services can be another headache, potentially leaving you with unexpected costs resulting from an invalidated warranty, or an incomplete service history impacting on a vehicle’s future resale value. Ensuring a prompt booking for your servicing is also crucial, with garage delays sometimes resulting in the vehicle spending time off the road.

For businesses that rely on vehicles, keeping up to date with the maintenance of vehicles is paramount.

accurate data which is securely stored for easy submission.

Automatic service reminders can also substantially reduce admin time and increase efficiency, with prior warnings giving you the opportunity to book servicing well in advance or at times where your vehicle isn’t required.

ProFleet Telematics delivered via Lombard Vehicle Solutions can now bring together multiple data streams, giving you the ability to make fast, accurate and informed decisions.

Whether you need a simple dashboard or indepth reporting, it can be tailored to your needs.

Solutions One way that you can cut costly administration time is to introduce an easier process for both you and drivers. Telematics based reporting systems can use built-in mileage capture and timesheet management reports to create

To find out more, contact Lombard Vehicle Solutions on 0117 908 6490 or visit www.lombardvehiclesolutions.co.uk Finance subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Lombard Vehicle Solutions is a contract hire and fleet management product provided by ALD Automotive Ltd, trading as Lombard Vehicle Solutions, Oakwood Drive, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7LB. ALD Automotive is registered in England No. 987418.

With proven benefits delivered to fleets across all sectors and all sizes, ProFleet tailored solutions will help you maximise your vehicles performance.

n SOF T WARE

CHO OSING A SUPPLIER

FIND YOUR PERFECT e r a w t f o S MATCH Software can help your business to run its vehicles more efficiently, but choosing the wrong supplier can be a costly mistake. Ben Rooth asks the questions you need answering

G

rowing demands on businesses mean avoiding time-sapping procedures is more important than ever.

One of the biggest time-sappers can be the administration involved in running a fleet

▲

of vehicles.

Ashley Sowerby, managing director of Chevin Fleet Solutions, points out that starting with the initial purchase, lease or rental of the vehicle, managers are having to track monthly repayments, technical specs, renewal dates, MOT dates, servicing dates, depreciation, tax, P11D and insurance.

Relying on paper, spreadsheets or whiteboards is “almost impossible” in his view if you have a reasonable number of vehicles.

If you have a contract hire and maintenance agreement with one leasing company, it may be possible to take

advantage of their fleet management software, but if you are using multiple leasing companies or buy your vehicles and handle the maintenance yourself it is worth investing in your own fleet management software.

“Modern systems will normally be web- or cloudhosted, so will be easy to deploy, scalable and simple to fit into the IT infrastructure of almost any company,” says Sowerby.

“Secondly, they will integrate much more easily with other internal systems, such as accounting and HR packages, giving efficiencies across the organisation.

“Finally, they will be able to draw data from external sources such as fuel cards and telematics systems,

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 17

n SOF T WARE

CHO OSING A SUPPLIER

creating an information and management hub for the entire fleet.”

In addition, new technology may make improvements to the business, whether through direct cost savings or the ability to take on more work without taking on more staff.

SELECTING A SUPPLIER When looking at which suppliers to use, companies need to examine the long-term care they will get, says Matt Goodstadt, managing director of Civica.

“Customers are generally signing a contract for a number of years and the pace of change is quick these days,” he says. “So the services they are offering may alter dramatically and that might lead to a need for new systems.

“They need quality people at the supplier and flexible software that allows them to achieve that change without spending lots of money on development.”

Martin Evans, managing director of Jaama, makes a similar point.

“A good system will monitor, control and reject erroneous expenditure and provide automated checks and balances to make sure that processes are operating as intended and within predefined tolerances, without the requirement for someone to run manual checks,” he says.

n 1 0 S T EP S TO G E T T IN G T H E S O F T WA R E YO U N EED Take nothing for granted, review current processes and question whether they are appropriate for your current fleet and requirements.

Detail what you do and how you do 2 it, so that you know what needs to be included in the new system.

Automate as much as possible – 3 paper-based processing takes up time and people.

Talk to potential suppliers and invite 4 them over, so that they can see exactly how your operation works.

Go to the premises of other users of 5 your preferred technology, so that you can see it in action.

1

18 ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

Always include the people who will be using the software when deciding which package to go for.

7

Look for tools that already do much of what you want, so that little of the system is bespoke.

8

Ensure that your provider updates modules of the software regularly and you know what is available.

9

Make sure that reporting covers all requirements and integrate with HR and other tools.

10

functionality of the software, but the quality of the people and overall operation of the supplier.”

IMPLEMENTATION Communicate your requirements clearly to your supplier so that introduction of the package goes smoothly, and involve all the stakeholders in your company and in the provider in the exercise. This includes training.

“We offer a data migration service that is designed to take clients’ existing information and transfer it into the new system without compromise,” says Sowerby. “Data is reformatted into compatible tables.”

WHAT TO LOOK FOR Fleet software contains a hub of management information that is manually inputted or electronically imported from other departments and software.

It often distributes information as well, so new tools should be easy to integrate into the current system and should ‘talk to’ HR, finance, payroll and fuel technology, plus external systems of suppliers such as DVLA, fuel card and maintenance providers.

It is important to know what you want from a system and some idea of what you will need in the future before you start looking.

You should also ensure your supplier provides continual product development and functionality improvements, check that access to data and good report-writing are as effective as inputting it, and talk to existing users of your preferred system about the benefits.

If possible, visit their offices to see the system operating – that way you will know whether it is as easy to use as the marketing copy suggests.

Sowerby emphasises the importance of the package’s ability to connect with existing systems.

“A new software package should be flexible enough to fit into your existing processes,” he says. “Be wary of any product that forces you to change how you work because it cannot be adapted to you.”

It’s important to investigate the reputation and experience of your chosen fleet management software supplier, adds Evans.

“Analyse its customer portfolio and talk to a system’s users, read case studies and press comment, and check whether the company has won industry awards and independent recognition,” he says.

“You should also investigate its long-term viability to ensure tomorrow’s needs can be met.”

Paul Foster, head of solutions engineering at Telogis, adds: “It is not just about considering the core

Ask what third-party software they have integrated into fleet management tools and how well that works.

6

FUTURE-PROOFING FOR UNFORESEEN CHANGES It is important to make a new software package as future-proof as possible: ultimate flexibility of both provider and product cater for this and mitigate unforeseeable developments in legislation.

The modular design of most systems ensures that any element could be developed in response to changes, ensuring suppliers can help fleet managers keep up with the status quo.

Drive Software Solutions has seen that grey fleet (employees using their own vehicle for business journeys) is an area that is receiving particular attention at the moment, as businesses want to ensure these vehicles are taxed, have an up-to-date MOT certificate and are insured for business use, and to check the driver’s licence.

Since the onset of e-consent for licence checking, Jaama has seen increased demand for its Key2 product.

The software handles all angles, from endorsement points and driver age to accidents that attract points above a certain value. Managers can weight these according to corporate or insurance company requirements.

Before signing up to a new software package, make sure you consider the questions on the following pages.

“A new software package should be flexible enough to fit into your existing processes” Ashley Sowerby, Chevin Fleet Solutions

Training Questions to ask n What training is provided as standard during implementation? n How long is the training likely to take? n Does the training involve only the fleet manager or every staff member who will use it? n Is the training done in-house, remotely or even online? n Will there be an additional cost for any further training after implementation?

Training differs from one software company to another.

Some suppliers have a ‘train the trainer’ approach, whereby key members of staff are trained and they then pass on their knowledge to other staff.

It may be necessary to have the initial familiarisation training ahead of the ‘go live’ date and then a second phase of training later to ensure staff are getting the most out of the system.

Software requirements Questions to ask n This is what I want the software to achieve – how does your product compare? n Do I need all the modules you are offering? For example, an off-the-shelf package may come with the facility to check driving licences when you already have separate existing providers. n These considerations may give rise to a further question: Does the off-shelf-package meet my needs or do I need a bespoke system?

Chevin’s Ashley Sowerby argues that most modern web-based fleet management software systems have flexibility at their core.

He says: “In the vast majority of cases, the standard product on offer now should be able to meet your needs, so the best approach is to sit down with a number of software providers and not just run through what you want the system to do, but to ask them what they believe it could deliver for you in addition.”

“Talk to a system’s users, read case studies and press comment, and check whether the company has won industry awards and independent recognition” Martin Evans, Jaama

Implementation process Questions to ask n What happens during the implementation phase? n How long is it likely to take? n Who needs to be involved in implementation? n Is there an implementation fee?

During a typical implementation phase, fleet managers are normally assigned a project manager or consultant who works with them to ensure their expectations for the software are met.

They will also ensure that any existing sources of data are converted to the new software and subsequently tried and tested.

The length of time this will take will vary according to the size of a fleet and its individual needs.

Matt Goodstadt, of Civica, says: “The software providers’ ability to successfully implement their system is the most important consideration any fleet manager has when deciding on a system.”

Depending on the size of your fleet and the scale of the job, implementation could take between a few months to a year from the initial conversations.

Service support Questions to ask n What happens if the system completely crashes? n Is there a back-up server? n Do you pay an additional/monthly fee for service support?

It is always worth asking precisely what support is available should you have any operational or technical issues with your software.

At the very least, you need the reassurance that a helpdesk exists at the end of the phone or email. But, in the worst-case scenario, ask how quickly an engineer could get to your office or log on to the system remotely to resolve any problems.

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 19

n SOF T WARE

CHO OSING A SUPPLIER

Cost of investment

Security and data

Questions to ask

Questions to ask

n How does the cost of the software break down? n Are there any extra charges? n How and when are payments made?

n What security measures are in place? n Who owns the data? n Will it be lost if you leave the provider? n Can the system pull in data from other sources? n What systems will it integrate with?

Price is clearly critical in any purchasing decision and bespoke systems are always likely to be the most expensive.

However, value for money, value-added service delivery and product innovation are equally important.

Jaama’s Martin Evans says appropriate software systems frequently provide payback over time.

He says: “A good system will monitor, control and reject erroneous expenditure and provide automated checks and balances to make sure that processes are operating as intended and within predefined parameters without the requirement for someone to intervene and run manual checks.

“Fleet managers can justify their employers’ investment in sophisticated systems by the amount of administration time they save in addition to the ability to deliver huge operating cost savings.”

The security of your fleet management software is of paramount importance for both operational and commercial reasons.

No less important is the management of the data that the software controls, as well as its ownership.

Consider working with a company that is certified with ISO 27001, which is the international standard describing best practice for an information security management system.

But don’t overlook other security safeguards that software providers have in place.

Contract terms Questions to ask n Am I locked into a contract? n How long does it last for? n How do I terminate that contract early?

Some software companies require their customers to agree a contract term. This is typically a year, although it could be five years or more for larger systems.

Frequently, the option exists to terminate this early if the partnership isn’t working, but there’s often a notice period.

“The pace of change is quick these days … customers need flexible software” Matt Goodstadt, Civica

n C A SE S T U DY: L & Q

Software updates Questions to ask n How often will these updates be necessary? n How often will it be necessary to build a whole new system? n How are ‘mini’ updates carried out – remotely or in-house? n What will the updating process consist of?

Fleet management software is going to require updates. But while some providers do regular ‘mini’ updates, others build a whole new system. A major upgrade could require months of planning – and you also need to factor in testing and training.

It is important to know that timely updates are going to take place to ensure that your system’s efficiency is optimised.

20 ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

When Maurice Elford joined housing association L&Q as its fleet manager three years ago, the company had about 50 vehicles.

They were managed on spreadsheets, so he looked at commercially available software before choosing FleetCheck.

“There was a huge variation in price and we could not make some of the systems bespoke to requirements,” he says. “But FleetCheck is developing all the time and we have an input into what it does.”

He wanted the software to build records on who drove what, to manage pool vehicles, be a repository for maintenance histories – because L&Q contract hires vehicles – and record spending from fuel cards.

FleetCheck uses Experian data from the

DVLA to get the make, model and derivative into the system, and L&Q adds the registration number, finance and service rentals and current driver.

“Now, we know who is driving what at any one time, and we get data such as maintenance histories and driving licence information,” says Elford.

“I get everything I need in one place. And since we took it on, FleetCheck has developed a phone application for doing vehicle safety checks: if there is a defect, it is flagged up on the home page so we have to do something about it.”

However, Elford advises: “If you have got only 10 to 12 vehicles, you can probably manage with a spreadsheet. But from 50 or more, you need some sort of software to get all the information in one place, especially when you start building up historic data.”

VEHICLE L AUNCH GUIDE Get the low-down on a selection of new cars and vans worth considering this year

2 017 L AUNCH GUIDE: HONDA

CIVIC HATCHBACK AVAIL ABLE: NOW PRICE: FROM £18,235 C O 2: FROM 10 6G/ K M AT L AUNCH

Honda has launched the 10th generation Civic - the brands most important fleet model.

The latest Civic uses a new platform that provides the car with a wheelbase 30mm longer than the outgoing model, and a choice of new turbocharged petrol engines replacing the previous normally aspirated motors.

Narrower windscreen pillars and a lower dashboard top help improve forward visibility and have allowed Honda to lower the position of the front seats, which also have greater forward and backward movement compared with the outgoing model.

The Civic hatchback, which is being produced in the UK for global markets, is the first model in Europe to offer Honda’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol turbocharged engines.

Honda claims that the three-cylinder 1.0-litre VTEC turbo unit offers a significant improvement in everyday driveability compared with the 1.4-litre engine it replaces, thanks to greater torque at low- and mid-range engine speeds. Maximum torque is 200Nm for the six-speed manual and 180Nm for the CVT, while maximum power is 129PS. Fuel efficiency for the manual version is 58.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 106g/km.

The larger four-cylinder 1.5-litre VTEC turbo engine provides substantially greater performance – in power and torque – over the previous Civic’s 1.8-litre VTEC. Maximum power is 182PS with 240Nm for the six-speed manual (CVT 220Nm).

CO2 emissions for the manual version are 133g/km with fuel consumption of 48.7mpg.

The diesel engine will be the 120PS 1.6 i-DTEC one available in the current model, although we expect CO2 emissions to be slightly lower than the current model’s 94g/km and fuel economy to be slightly improved.

A new suspension system, as well as a lower centre of gravity promise to make the new model more responsive and agile than its predecessors, as well as provide greater comfort.

Two generations ago, the Honda repositioned the Civic’s fuel tank under the cabin floor to maximise luggage space, and this version offers luggage space among the best in class at a minimum of 478 litres.

The Honda Sensing suite of active safety and driver assist technologies is specified across the new Civic range. Honda Sensing is among the most comprehensive suites of safety technologies in its class. It uses a combination of radar and camera information, plus a host of hi-tech sensors to warn and assist the driver in potentially dangerous situations.

The Honda Sensing suite of active safety technologies will be standard, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and road departure mitigation (which uses data from the windscreenmounted camera to detect whether the car is veering off the road, then applies subtle steering corrections to keep the vehicle in its lane, and, in certain situations, can also apply braking force).

Similar technology provides lane-keeping assistance, while the Civic also features adaptive cruise control, as well as technology to react progressively to other vehicles ‘cutting in’ ahead on motorways.

It can also combine traffic sign recognition with cruise control to automatically adjust the car’s speed to remain within the legal limit after entering a lower speed zone.

Other technology available includes rear cross-traffic alert and a multi-view camera system for reversing.

There’s no news on whether we will see an estate version of the Civic in 2017, but, as it’s a popular model, it is likely to follow the hatchback during this car’s lifecycle.

Honda’s Clarity hydrogen fuel cell model will enter the UK market this year

22 ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

CARMAKER’S COMMENT Phil Webb, head of cars, Honda UK

2017 will see Honda continue its resurgence in the UK with the launch of the next generation Civic arriving on fleets from March. Built in Swindon and exported on a global basis, the 10th generation Civic represents the largest single model development programme in Honda’s history.

It also represents a step change for the Civic as a car, with the new version being longer, lower and wider than its predecessor and with a lower centre of gravity.

Couple this with a lighter and significantly more rigid structure, and the 10th generation Civic is a very different driving experience from the outgoing model.

“We are confident the new Civic will make a great addition to the shopping lists of both fleet managers and user-choosers” The 10th generation Civic will contain numerous new features

CLARITY FUEL CELL AVAIL ABLE: SUMMER PRICE: £60,000 (ESTIMATED) C O 2: 0 G/ K M

Honda will finally be launching a hydrogen fuel cell car to the UK in 2017.

The company has leased earlier versions, then called the FCX Clarity, in California for many years, where hydrogen cars qualify for substantial subsidies from the state.

It has even tried previous versions of the car, briefly, in the UK. And, while the infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling is still relatively sparse, there is growing interest and a small level of demand in areas where there are refuelling sites.

Hyundai and Toyota both launched fuel cell cars in 2015, with the Hyundai ix35 based on its medium SUV, and the Mirai saloon a bespoke design.

The Clarity will be the first production fuel cell car with the entire powertrain under the bonnet, which improves packaging and provides a roomier interior.

Honda’s own measurements also suggest a range of more than 400 miles from the Clarity, when refuelled with a charging pressure of 70MPa. In Europe, Honda will be introducing the Clarity Fuel Cell to a limited number of European markets through the HyFive programme to promote the development, use and viability of a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.

Together with industry partners, Honda is looking to gather real world user experiences of fuel cell vehicles and the use of hydrogen refuelling stations.

Having been unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the Civic is a completely new car engineered from the ground up and will initially be available with a choice of 1.0- and 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO petrol engines with either a six-speed manual or CVT transmission, with the diesel version following later in 2017.

And with the 1.0-litre engine producing just 104g/km CO2 and from 60.1mpg, it makes the new Civic a strong contender for fleet driver shopping baskets.

Indeed, internal test data shows the efficiency of the 1.0-litre VTEC TURBO with CVT exceeds most 1.0-litre competitors with automatic gearboxes, while maintaining similar performance. While benefit-in-kind (BIK) rates have yet to be determined for the new Civic, this efficiency can only help reduce the all-important BIK and, therefore, company car tax rates.

We are confident the new Civic will make a great addition to the shopping lists of both fleet managers and user-choosers.

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 23

2 017 L AUNCH GUIDE: REN AULT

RENAULT ZOE ZE40 AVAIL ABLE: NOW PRICE: FROM £22,345

Longer range is forecast for the Zoe ZE40

C O 2: 0 G/ K M

One of the EV pioneers in the UK has had a useful revision for 2017 with a longer range. The Zoe is available with a new variant capable of covering greater distances on a single charge.

With a range of up to 250 miles on the official test cycle, the new Zoe ZE40 has the longest range of any battery electric vehicle less than £60,000.

Renault says real world range with the new battery, dependent on use and weather conditions, will vary between 124 and 186 miles, making it much more usable than the existing version, which will remain on sale alongside.

The Zoe remains eligible for the maximum plug-in car grant, currently set at £4,500, and customers can choose either to buy the car outright or, to ease the burden on cashflow, lease the battery separately from the car.

The Twingo GT is expected to have sharper handling

RENAULT TWINGO GT

RENAULT CAPTUR AVAIL ABLE: SUMMER 2017 PRICE: FROM £15,000 (ESTIMATED) C O 2: FROM 9 0 G/ K M (E S TIM ATED)

Renault will unveil a revised version of the Captur compact SUV at the Geneva motor show this month. We haven’t seen the new version yet, but we think it will take on the look of the Kadjar and Koleos SUVs, and we would also expect some technology updates, bringing it in line with newer models in the range.

It’s also likely that Renault will have worked to cut CO2 emissions where possible, potentially bringing the current lowest rating of 95g/km for the 90PS 1.5 dCi even lower.

AVAIL ABLE: NOW PRICE: £13,755 C O 2: 115 G/ K M

Like other models in the Renault range, the Twingo is being offered with a GT version in 2017 – quicker than the mainstream models, but a step down from a full-on Renaultsport-engineered variant.

Its 898cc turbocharged petrol engine has been tuned to deliver 110PS and 170Nm torque thanks to a revised air intake system and modified engine mapping, while different gearing further contributes to the new car’s boosted performance figures.

The Twingo GT’s chassis features revised suspension, specific ESP calibration and variable-rate steering. The result is expected to be sharper handling and responsive steering feedback for precise cornering and improved road holding.

The Captur’s current look is expected to change

RENAULT KOLEOS AVAIL ABLE: SEPTEMBER 2017 PRICE: FROM £28,000 (ESTIMATED) C O 2: FROM 13 0 G/ K M (E S TIM ATED)

The Koleos will be the only large Renault sold in the UK

24 ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

Buoyed by the success of the Kadjar medium SUV, Renault is launching a large SUV in 2017 called the Koleos.

It might use the same name as a previous 4x4 model, but it is different in every respect and aims to take on cars such as the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe and Škoda Kodiaq.

It will also have the distinction of being the only large Renault to be sold in the UK: the Talisman upper-medium saloon and estate as well as the Espace MPV (models occupying declining sectors) are only available in left-hand drive markets.

But the growth of the SUV sector in the UK, as well as a positive performance by the Kadjar has given Renault the confidence to produce the car for British customers.

Little is known about specification, but we expect it to be offered with 130PS and 160PS 1.6-litre diesel engines, and four-wheel drive making it capable of some decent off-road ability.

RENAULT KANGOO ZE VAN AVAIL ABLE: SPRING 2017 PRICE: £23,000 E XCLUDING VAT (ESTIMATED) C O 2: 0 G/ K M

Like the Zoe, with the new ZE40 edition, the electric Kangoo van, which was unveiled at the Brussels motor show will also get a range boost in 2017. The available range (according to the official test cycle) will increase from 106 to 168 miles.

This would open the possibility of running an electric small van to many more fleets that might have been put off by the original model’s lower potential range.

Kangoo ZE bids to address range reservations

RENAULT ALASKAN AVAIL ABLE: L ATE 2017 PRICE: FROM £22,000 E XCLUDING VAT (ESTIMATED) C O 2: FROM 165G/ K M (E S TIM ATED)

Renault will be entering a new sector of the LCV market in 2017 with the Alaskan pick-up truck.

Based on the Nissan Navara, the Alaskan has unique styling and will be offered as a well-equipped double-cab, with a one-tonne payload.

UK specifications are to be decided but the Alaskan will share the Navara’s diesel engines, a 2.3-litre four-cylinder with 160PS or 190PS outputs, and a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.

Renault LCV know-how will ensure the Alaskan is available with a range of conversions and accessories for different business roles associated with pick-up trucks.

Off-road capability will be boosted by the availability of an ‘electronic limited-slip differential’, using braking sensors that constantly monitor wheel speed. Whenever the system detects that one of the axle’s two wheels is rotating faster than the other, the brakes are briefly applied to slow the faster wheel for improved traction, greater cornering stability and a safer feel.

It will also feature hill-start assist and hill descent control.

CARMAKER’S COMMENT

By Mark Dickens, head of fleet sales operations and remarketing, Groupe Renault

2016 was another busy, yet exciting, year for Renault UK. Sales grew by 12% on 2015, with local fleet sales up 33% yearon-year – a direct result of the added investment into the dealer and fleet network alongside our ever-expanding portfolio of fleet vehicles.

In a van market that saw marginal growth on 2015, our award-winning Trafic outpaced the market by 23%.

Additionally, our bespoke conversion range has grown 17% and our Master wheelchair access vehicle took a best-selling position.

In the past six months, Renault has introduced four all-new models, including Mégane, Mégane Sport Tourer, Scénic and Grand Scénic, establishing Renault as a key fleet partner. As we look ahead into 2017, Renault will continue to deliver bespoke solutions to our business

“In 2017, Renault will continue to deliver bespoke solutions to our business customers” customers through the launch of new vehicles and technologies. These will include Koleos, Alaskan, 4x4 Master van, Enhanced Traction Systems and the dCi 110 Hybrid Assist engine, which will vastly improve fuel economy and efficiency across our C-segment range.

In 2014, we set out to double our transacting fleet customer database by 2017. Through investing in both our corporate field sales team and the Renault Business Hub, we have exceeded this target a year early. We are proud to see how our improvements to the fleet network have been recognised by Fleet World, which awarded Renault the ‘most improved fleet manufacturer’ in 2016.

2017 will be another exciting year for Groupe Renault, fuelled by our passion for customer excellence through our Renault Business Quality Commitment. These are exciting times as we introduce 100% electric vehicles that have real-world, everyday usability, right now – not in two, three, or five years’ time.

If you would like to discuss our range in more detail, get in touch with us at contactus@renault.co.uk, call the Business Hub on 0800 040 7344 or visit www.renaultbusiness.co.uk

Unique styling on the Renault Alaskan

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 25

2 017 L AUNCH GUIDE: FORD/ H Y UNDA I / BM W/ P E UGEOT/ L A ND R O V ER / VAU

INSIGNIA GRAND SPORT

AVAIL ABLE: SUMMER PRICE: FROM £22,000 (ESTIMATED) C O 2: FROM 95G/ K M (E S TIM ATED)

FORD FIESTA

AVAIL ABLE: AUGUST P R I C E : F R O M £11, 0 0 0 ( E S T I M AT E D) C O 2: FROM 82G/ K M (E S TIM ATED)

Ford is calling its new Fiesta the world’s most technologically advanced small car, with new driver assistance features, improving convenience and safety, while the new interior features a large dashboard-mounted touchscreen.

Sensors monitor up to 130 metres ahead, while it will also be offered with full steering assistance when parking as well as automatic braking in parking manoeuvres if necessary. Other new features will be automatic dipping main beam, rear cross traffic alert and traffic sign recognition, among a total of 15 driver-assistance technologies.

The new Fiesta will be offered with a sporty ST Line variant. This includes unique alloy wheels and designs for the grille, bumpers and side-skirts. The interior features sports seats, alloy pedals and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, while the driving experience is enhanced with sports suspension.

But for ultimate luxury, Ford will also be adding a Vignale variant to the Fiesta range. This will come with its own 18-inch alloy wheel designs, exclusive exterior detailing and colours, and hexagonal-quilted, ‘tuxedo-stitched’ leather seats.

Most engines will carry over from the current model, including the 1.0-litre Ecoboost with power outputs up to 140PS. A new 1.5 TDCi, producing 120PS, will also be available, making it the most powerful diesel Fiesta to date.

The Insignia elevated the image of Vauxhall when it replaced the Vectra in 2009, and the Insignia Grand Sport could be poised to lift it still further.

Vauxhall is promising a safer, more spacious and more comfortable car than the outgoing model. The Insignia Grand Sport is wider and has a longer wheelbase, and features high-end technology new to Vauxhall.

There will also be improvements in fuel efficiency – Vauxhall has managed to shed up to 175kg in weight compared to the current Insignia, and aerodynamics are also better.

It will be offered with an LED matrix headlight option, which provides improved night time vision as well as a function to automatically avoid dazzling road users ahead with the main beam.

Lane-keeping assist is available along with the lane departure warning system.

Also offered will be adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert, the latter warning of approaching vehicles when reversing out of parking spaces.

There is a new eight-speed automatic transmission option, as well as a four-wheel drive variant (initially only available with auto), which has torquevectoring technology, adjusting the drive to individual rear wheels to improve traction and stability when cornering.

HYUNDAI i30 – IONIQ PLUG-IN AVAIL ABLE: SECOND QUARTER PRICE: N/A C O 2: 32G/ K M (E S TIM ATED)

Electric and hybrid versions of the Ioniq were launched in 2016, and a plug-in hybrid version follows this year. It makes the Ioniq the only car available with three different electrified powertrains.

Like the hybrid version, the Ioniq Plug-in will feature the new 1.6-litre direct injection petrol, four-cylinder engine with a thermal efficiency that matches the engine in the Toyota Prius. The engine alone delivers 105PS and 155Nm of torque.

The electric motor produces 61PS and both units combined achieve 141PS. The battery capacity allows a range of up to 31 miles on a plug-in charge, and thereafter in the journey the Ioniq Plug-in behaves as the hybrid would, being able to recapture energy to return to the battery to be used over short distances.

Hyundai expects CO2 emissions of 32g/km for the Ioniq Plug-in, ensuring its desirability for company car drivers. Prices will be announced closer to the model’s launch, but it is expected to undercut plug-in hybrid versions of the Toyota Prius.

26 ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ mydrivingbusiness.co.uk

BMW 5 SERIES

AVAIL ABLE: NOW PRICE: FROM £36,000 C O2: FROM 4 6G/ K M [5 3 0E ]

The new 5 Series saloon range, which includes the 530e iPerformance saloon plug-in hybrid, made its debut at the Detroit motor show and is priced from £43,985. The standard saloon is priced from £36,000.

Plug-in hybrids are increasing in importance as car manufacturers strive to hit average CO2 emission targets set by the European Union, and their appeal is growing as a company car with lower benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax rates than conventional diesel and petrol cars.

The 530e has CO2 emissions of 46g/km and a pure electric range of up to 29 miles on its plug-in charge.

The 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and electric motor combined produce 252PS and 460Nm of torque, allowing the car to accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds.

BMW hasn’t unveiled the new 5 Series Touring yet, but we expect this model to be launched in 2017 and on sale before the end of the year.

X H A L L / V OL K S WAGEN /CI T R OËN / TOYOTA

PRIUS PLUG-IN AVAIL ABLE: NOW C O 2: 22G/ K M

PEUGEOT 5008 AVAIL ABLE: SPRING PRICE: FROM £25,000 C O 2: FROM 10 6G/ K M

In 2016, Peugeot reinvented the 3008 as an SUV, a move sure to improve its appeal. This year it reinvents its seven-seat people carrier, the 5008, as a seven-seat SUV. Visually similar to the 3008, the 5008 has a longer roofline to ensure it can accommodate passengers in the third row of seats.

Like the 3008, the 5008 will come with the latest version of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit configurable digital instrument display. It is standard across the range and raised to a higher level than a conventional instrument panel, while the steering wheel is smaller with a flatter top and bottom to improve feel and visibility.

Engines and transmissions will be shared with the 3008, including a 120PS 1.6 BlueHDi, and 150PS and 180PS 2.0 BlueHDi diesels. There will also be turbocharged 1.2 and 1.6-litre petrol engines. CO2 emissions for the 5008 start at 106g/km for diesel and 117g/km for petrol.

PRICE: FROM £32,395

This new plug-in hybrid has a revised powertrain, allowing it to travel greater distances in EV mode.

The larger battery gives it the potential to travel more than 30 miles on its plug-in charge according to the official test cycle. Although the battery has doubled in size, its weight had only increased by half, thanks to improvements in technology.

It also features new technology – a solar roof that extends EV range, and a new energy-saving air conditioning system, ensuring drivers travel as far as possible without needing the engine.

The solar roof can add three miles a day to the driving range using daylight, while the air conditioning system will heat the cabin without needing to start the engine, and works far more efficiently than previous systems, reducing drain on the battery and EV range.

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN ALLSPACE

AVAIL ABLE: SUMMER PRICE: FROM £30,000 C O 2: FROM 135G/ K M (E S TIM ATED)

Volkswagen’s sevenseat version of the Tiguan made its debut in the USA’s Motor City, with a longer wheelbase to allow three rows of seats to be incorporated.

The model will be the standard Tiguan in North America and China, where the standard wheelbase European model will not be sold, but it will appear on UK price lists alongside the current Tiguan, and is called the Tiguan Allspace.

It will come with a higher level of standard equipment than the Tiguan, and will go up against cars such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

CITROËN C3

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

Citroën starts the year with a new C3, an important model it hopes will bring the car out from the shadow of the more popular DS3. The outgoing C3 was rather bland in a sector where cars can be more expressive.

The new C3 has more distinctive styling, inspired by the C1 and C4 Cactus. It even comes with the Cactus’s AirBump body protection, although it can be skipped as a no-cost option.

The five-door only C3 is offered with a choice of three-cylinder petrol engines or four-cylinder diesels, although, given the type of car and expected use on fleets, it’s likely petrol engines will be more appealing for business users.

The C3 comes with new safety features, including lane departure warning, blindspot alert and speed limit recognition system. Top models are also offered with a built-in dashcam called Connected Cam. While drivers can upload shots to social media channels via the Connected Cam app on their smartphone, it also saves video footage 30 seconds before and a minute after a crash.

Interestingly, Citroën is still committed to the upper-medium sector, although the C5 is no longer on sale. At the 2016 Paris motor show it unveiled the CXperience concept, a large plug-in hybrid hatchback.

The fifth generation Discovery has been developed with efficiency and luxury in mind.

It includes hi-tech features as well as the availability of a four-cylinder diesel for the first time since the secondgeneration Discovery.

The 2.0-litre Ingenium engine develops 240PS and pace is strong thanks to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and lightweight aluminium construction.

All models get four-wheel-drive with low-range meaning it can still tackle harsh off-road conditions. Inside there is seating for seven and the heated leather seats can be electrically folded growing the boot space from 258 litres to 2,406 litres. The dashboard features a 10-inch In-Control Touch infotainment display with sat-nav and connected services. There is also a 4G WiFi hotspot for passengers and nine USB ports for charging devices.

AVAIL ABLE: NOW PRICE: £10,940 C O 2: FROM 92G/ K M

AVAIL ABLE: SPRING PRICE: £ 4 3,495 C O 2: FROM 171G/ K M (2 .0 DIE SEL )

mydrivingbusiness.co.uk ❚ Spring 2017 ❚ 27

E T A D E H T E V SA

13-14 JU N E 2017

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ADD STORIES. THE NEW MINI COUNTRYMAN PLUG-IN HYBRID. MINI Business Partnership Official Fuel Economy Figures for the new MINI Countryman range: Urban 30.1-58.9 mpg (9.4-4.8 l/100km). Extra Urban 45.6-68.9 mpg (6.2-4.1 l/100km). Combined 38.2-122.8 mpg (7.4-2.3 l/100km). CO2 emissions 49-169 g/km. *Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle using a combination of battery power and petrol fuel after the battery had been fully charged. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions. The new MINI Cooper S E ALL4 Countryman is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that requires mains electricity for charging. †Charging time varies between a minimum of two hours and a maximum of eight hours, depending on the provided voltage and battery levels.

ADD INTELLIGENCE. THE NEW MINI COUNTRYMAN PLUG-IN HYBRID. ARRIVES IN JUNE. SUSTAINABLE DRIVING. Not only is the new MINI Countryman our biggest and most versatile model to date, it’s also our most efficient, using plug-in hybrid power to reduce emissions without impacting practicality or versatility.

CO2

49 g/km*

134.5 mpg* (combined)

26 miles (electric range)

DRIVING MODES.

EFFORTLESS CHARGING.

In the default AUTO eDrive mode, power is intelligently balanced from the petrol engine and electric motor to achieve the best drive. By selecting MAX eDrive mode, and using electric power only, you can enjoy emission-free driving for up to 26 miles.

The new MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid can be charged from the mains with the charging cable provided, or on the go at any of the public charging points located nationwide, in as little as two hours†.

Visit minibusinesspartnership.co.uk/countryman