Ignition October 2012

Ignition Issue 5 Oct 2012

Car views and news by FleetNews

FIRST DRIVE: VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Evolution of a fleet favourite GO Golf stars in Paris; now we’ve driven it ●

GO Paris Motor Show Latest models ● GO tested and rated fleet car special ●

All the cars you need to know about viewed and assessed

Infiniti M35H, Volvo V40 and Bentley Mulsanne (yes, really!)

Sign up to Ignition

FREE Download Ignition

Click here to contact us

F IR S T DRI V E

A WINNING FORMULA

Latest Golf builds on the qualities which has made the model range so successful

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF NEED TO KNOW n Reductions in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption n Latest safety features will be standard n 1.6TDI priced from £19,000

I

2.0 TDI AND 1.4 TSI

By Stephen Briers f there is one criticism of Volkswagen that constantly resurfaces, it is the company’s tendency for conservatism.

From the Mk4 Golf to the Mk6, you’d be hard-pressed to notice the differences in design without the cars lining up side-by-side.

The new Mk7 follows a similar pattern. Yes, the back-end features smoother, softer curves with a horizontal crease running through the badge, and the bonnet has deeper slashes cut back from the lights to the A-pillar. It’s slightly longer and wider, too, but try playing spot-the-difference at a glance.

Do Golf customers care? 80,000 sales in a good year – 60,000 of those to fleets – suggest not. It accounts for a third of Volkswagen’s UK sales.

The Golf is the fleet car, popular with user-chooser and job-need drivers alike.

And while the mark-to-mark changes remain evolutionary rather than revolutionary, this car is significantly different – and improved – over its predecessor.

Many of the improvements are in the areas that are fundamental to fleets.

The corporate-staple 1.6-litre TDI cuts CO2 emissions from 107g/km to 99g/km, due in part to a 100kg weight reduction; residual values are expected to increase a couple of percentage points; SMR costs will reduce – all of which adds up to cheaper running costs.

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

BEHIND THE WHEEL

The back features softer curves

Interior quality is at its customary high level

The 1.6-litre TDI will be the model of choice for fleets, although it was unavailable to drive on the international media launch.

Instead we were presented with the keys to the 2.0-litre TDI and the 1.4-litre TSI petrol.

Both impressed.

The chassis finely balances firmness and cushioning for a smooth driving experience.

Well-weighted steering lets you know exactly what’s happening under the wheels.

It’s fun, without going crazy.

The 1.4-litre TSI petrol may

win a few new fans among fleets, particularly userchoosers who do little business mileage.

It offers plenty of spark with a reasonable mid-range and, while fuel efficiency is 21mpg lower than the 1.6 TDI at 53.3mpg, it comes in at £712 cheaper in SE trim.

The new Golf is an easy car to drive and enjoy from the moment you sit behind the wheel. With its lower cost of ownership figures, it makes a persuasive case for both company and driver.

The Golf also comes with the latest safety features as standard in the crucial mid-trim SE, including: Automatic Distance Control (radar sensor controlled distance monitoring and emergency braking), brake pad wear indicators, fatigue alert system, electronic stability control, electronic differential control (which applies the brakes to individual wheels if traction is lost under cornering) and traction control. Lane departure warning and corrective steering is a £520 option.

This will help fleets to reduce crash rates, while every model now comes with stop/start for improved economy.

Interior quality is at its customary high level, with tactile switches and soft plastics, although a cheap strip of hard, scratchy plastic on the doors running below the handle spoils the look a little.

While the 105bhp TDI is expected to be the popular seller, in late summer 2013 the 1.6-litre TDI Bluemotion launches. This all-new engine offers 110bhp, 5bhp more than the standard 1.6 TDI, and reduces CO2 emissions from 99g/km to just 85g/km, with fuel efficiency of 88.3mpg.

For now, the 1.6-litre TDI SE 105bhp five-speed manual will be the key model.

Fleets can order from October 18; deliveries begin in January.

P11D pricing for the five-door manual 1.6 TDI model starts at £19,000 (est) for the S and rises to £19,900 (est) for the SE. The range topping GT trim is available only on the 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TDI. Additions to the line-up in 2013 include the Bluemotion, GTi and GTD variants.

An electric e-Golf will be launched in early 2014, followed by a plug-in version in 2015.

COSTS P11D price £19,000 (est) BIK tax band 13% Annual BIK tax (20%) £494 Class 1A NIC £340 Annual VED £0 RV (4yr/80k) n/a Fuel cost (ppm) n/a Running cost (4yr/80k) n/a

SPEC Engine (cc) 1.6-litre Bhp 105 CO2 99g/km Fuel economy 74.3mpg

To compare running costs, click here

T E S T ED T HIS MON T H

Volvo V40

Stephen Briers “Safety has always been one of Volvo’s lynchpins and the V40 has taken this to a new level with the highest ever overall score in Euro NCAP testing.”

“Front, side-on and from the rear it is sharp, sporty and sleek – arguably the best looking model in a sector which includes the Audi A3 Sportback, BMW 1 Series and Volkswagen Golf.”

“The 1.6-litre D2 engine in our test car promises much and partially delivers. Power from the 115bhp block is good, although throttle response is poor at low revs.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Ford Focus Electric

Simon Harris “The Electric Focus is distinguished from the current range by optimised aerodynamics and a new grille shape in line with the revised Fiesta and the 2013 Mondeo.”

“Pricing will be key when it becomes available, but the Focus will do a great deal to help establish the electric vehicle as a viable niche.”

“The Focus Electric feels much like the standard car from behind the wheel with a few tell-tale signs about how it’s powered in the instrument panel.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Infiniti M35H

Sarah Tooze “The engineers have worked hard to achieve the reduction from 162g/km to 159g/km by making the electric motor run longer before the engine cuts in.”

“Despite this engineering wizardry, there is no disguising the fact the M35h is still far behind rivals in terms of CO2 emissions.”

“Infiniti says the M35h’s main advantage, aside from performance, is specification with 55 premium standard features.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

Kia Ceed Sportswagon 1.6CRDi

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

COMING SOON

Maurice Glover “Despite the price increase, the new Ceed Sportswagon still undercuts rivals and comes with superior equipment packaging and lower wholelife costs, claims John Hargreaves, head of fleet and remarketing at Kia UK.” “The C-segment car takes over from a model that accounted for 65% of British Ceed registrations.”

“Based on the new hatchback launched three months ago, the Sportswagon is available only with 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre diesel engines in the UK.” CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Volkswagen Golf Blue-E-Motion

Simon Harris “Volkswagen is adding two cars to the growing ranks of EVs over the next few years.”

“Volkswagen believes the electric Golf could undercut the price of the Nissan Leaf, although the Leaf is also expected to become more affordable when UK production starts in 2013.”

“The Golf Blue-E-Motion has a more sophisticated method of energy recapture, with three different levels selectable through steering column-mounted paddles” CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Bentley Mulsanne

Stephen Briers “Spacious, sumptuous and supremely comfortable, the Mulsanne is also the VIP’s car of choice.”

“As you’d expect of a car in the class, the quality of materials is excellent. Step into the back and you find a high floor, almost level with the sill, settle back into the seat and the choices begin.”

“The 6.7-litre 505bhp V8 engine roars into life; it’s immensely powerful, capable of propelling this 2.5-tonne car from standstill to 62mph in just 5.3 seconds.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

PA RIS MOTOR SHO W

TOYOTA AURIS

SEAT LEON

Toyota unveiled its second-generation Auris, as well as a new Verso people carrier. The Britishbuilt five-door hatchback will be launched in a four-grade line-up with on-the-road prices from £14,495. The grades rises from an entry-level Active trim, through Icon and Sport to the top-of-the range Excel.

Seat’s new Leon promises better comfort despite being shorter than its predecessor.

Its wheelbase is longer by almost 6cm, while minimum luggage volume is increased from 340 litres to 380 litres. CO2 emissions on the 1.6 TDI Ecomotive is 99g/km with fuel consumption of 74.3mpg on the combined cycle.

AUDI A3 SPORTBACK

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Audi unveiled the five-door version of the new A3, which is available to order and carries a premium of £620 over its three-door equivalent priced from £19,825 OTR. Equipment levels mirror the three-door A3 across the three SE, Sport and S line specification levels.

Potential customers got their first sight of the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf.

From launch, the Golf will be available in the UK in three trim levels: S, SE and GT (the GTI and BlueMotion models will join the line-up in 2013). Four petrol engines and two diesel engines will be available to order.

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

LOWER MEDIUM

HYUNDAI i30

Hyundai unveiled a sleeker three-door version of the i30 in Paris – the third member of the i30 family, joining the five-door hatchback and the Tourer estate.

The three-door will share its engine and transmission options with the rest of the range, with lowest CO2 emissions of 97g/km.

V40 R DESIGN / V40 CROSS COUNTRY

Volvo revealed the V40 R-Design and V40 Cross Country, starting from £22,295 and £22,595 respectively. The R-Design range starts with the D2 R-Design, which produces CO2 emissions of 94g/km, and goes up to the T5 Geartronic R-Design Lux Nav, available from £31,390.

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

UPPER MEDIUM

MAZDA 6

Mazda's new-generation flagship Mazda6 goes on sale in the UK in saloon and tourer versions in January.

Prices will start at £19,595 on-the-road for the 2.0-litre 145bhp saloon SE, rising to £28,045 for the 2.2-litre 175bhp Tourer Sport auto Nav.

FORD MONDEO

Ford's new Mondeo is the next model to be fitted with its award-winning 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engine, following Focus, B-MAX, Fiesta and C-MAX. The car, which is expected to go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2013, is part of the company’s ‘one Ford’ global product strategy.

PA RIS MOTOR SHO W

CHEVROLET TRAX

FORD ECOSPORT

Chevrolet has confirmed the choice of two trim levels and three engines for the manufacturer's new small SUV. The Trax, brother to the Vauxhall Mokka, is 4,248mm long with a wheelbase of 2,555mm. A total of eight seating combinations are available.

Ford’s Fiesta-derived compact crossover car was given its public debut. The rugged Ecosport will be equipped with Ford Sync in-car connectivity system, enabling owners to voiceactivate phone calls and select music from devices connected via Bluetooth or USB.

BMW CONCEPT ACTIVE TOURER

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PLUG-IN HYBRID

BMW showcased future technology as well as more versatile vehicles in future with its latest 113mpg, 60g/km concept car.

The Concept Active Tourer is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) based on the drivetrain of the BMW i8 concept car.

The Outlander is the first car to be designed by Mitsubishi from the outset for internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrid EV technology combined.

The new Outlander PHEV will arrive in the UK in April next year.

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

CROSSOVER / 4X4

RANGE ROVER

PEUGEOT 2008

The all-new Range Rover will feature fuel-saving diesel hybrid technology shortly after launch in December. Other innovations employed to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel efficiency include an all-aluminium body, which has reduced the weight of the car by 420kg (39%).

Peugeot will be taking aim at the Ford B-Max and Vauxhall Meriva with the new 2008 due in 2013. The concept car appeared close to production specification. It is expected to use Peugeot's new three-cylinder 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol engines and a new four-cylinder diesel.

SUZUKI S-CROSS CONCEPT

NISSAN TERRA CONCEPT

Suzuki is aiming to strengthen its presence in the fleet sector with a production version of the S-Cross concept car. A production car based on the S-Cross will arrive toward the end of 2013, and will be targeting the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Kuga and Mitsubishi ASX drivers.

The Nissan Terra SUV concept combines a 4x4 fuel-cell electric powertrain and an athletic exterior that has presence beyond its compact dimensions. Powering the front wheels is the electric propulsion system currently featured in the Nissan Leaf.

PA RIS MOTOR SHO W

MINI PACEMAN

KIA CARENS

The Mini Countryman will spawn a coupĂŠ version next year called the Paceman.

Four versions of the three-door model will be available when it arrives in showrooms next spring, including the Mini Cooper D Paceman with 64.2mpg and 115g/km emissions.

Kia is deliberating whether to take only the seven-seat option when the new Carens is launched next year. The compact MPV features greater space front and rear compared to its predecessor thanks to a longer wheelbase and much improved quality with softer materials.

FORD TOURNEO CONNECT

Ford unveiled the people carrier version of the next-generation Transit Connect in Paris.

The all-new vehicle adds to Ford's new generation of Tourneo people movers for Europe and offers families the latest Ford passenger car technologies - including the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, Active City Stop and Ford Sync.

SMART FORSTARS CONCEPT

Smart displayed the new Forstars concept in Paris to showcase the exterior styling set to feature in the next generation of its models.

Compared to the production model of the Smart Electric Drive, the power output of the magnetoelectric motor has been increased to 80bhp.

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

COUPÉ / CONVERTIBLE / MPV

CITROËN DS3 CABRIOLET

JAGUAR F-TYPE

Examples of the smash-hit DS3 have become so scarce that Citroen UK officials are asking for additional supplies. Costing from £15,500, the drop-top car will be pitched to rival the Mini and Fiat 500 and is expected to account for 10% of DS3 sales.

Jaguar marked a return to its roots by unveiling its new F-Type. The company says the two-seater, convertible sports car represents a return to its heartland, focusing on performance, agility and driver involvement. F-Type prices will start at £58,500, rising to £79,950.

SMALL

MITSUBISHI MIRAGE

RENAULT CLIO

Mitsubishi’s Colt replacement was shown in production form in Paris promising classleading fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions. The Mitsubishi Mirage is targeting CO2 emissions of 92g/km and fuel consumption of 70mpg from its new petrol engine. It’s likely that a battery electric version will become available.

The fourth-generation Clio promises classleading fuel economy as well as first-rate safety.

The best fuel consumption comes from an Eco version of a new 1.5-litre diesel with CO2 emissions from 83g/km and more than 88mpg.

A new 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine takes CO2 emissions as low as 99g/km.

PA RIS MOTOR SHO W

SMALL

PEUGEOT 208 GTi

VAUXHALL ADAM

Two variants of the Peugeot 208 were confirmed and expected to be in showrooms for March 2013. The 208 GTi has been tweaked to deliver the sporty look powered by a 1.6-litre and 200bhp engine while the 208 XY will have a choice of three diesel and two petrol engines.

Prices for Vauxhall's new Adam small car will range from ÂŁ11,255 to ÂŁ14,000 on the road.

Customers will have a range of personalisation options available through a wide variety of trim and accessory combinations. Order books are now open with deliveries beginning early in 2013.

PREMIUM

LEXUS LF-CC CONCEPT INFINITI LE CONCEPT

The next Lexus IS model is likely to be inspired by the LF-CC concept which is equipped with a new 2.5-litre full hybrid powertrain that is destined for use in future models, including the GS. In the LF-CC it delivers performance and low emissions, targeted below 100g/km.

Infiniti's all-electric LE Concept will combine driving appeal with zero emissions in a dramatically-styled compact saloon body. A production version will be on sale in selected markets in around two years and may include a ground-breaking wireless recharging system.

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

MORE NEWS

The headlines from Paris Motorshow 2012...

Click the links below to view the full stories online • Larger Skoda Octavia due March 2013 • Facelifted Kia Sorento cuts CO2 emissions • Toyota Auris models become star players • Honda has high expectations for new Civic • 2013 G will double Infiniti sales • Jaguar Land Rover condemns capital allowance change • A-Class becomes Mercedes-Benz's most successful launch • New Lexus IS ousts diesel • Mitsubishi Mirage offers best-in-class emissions • Peugeot 208 on path to leadership in Europe Click here for all Paris Show coverage

F L EE T S A L E S F IGURE S

Healthy month for fleet sales Ford figures climb ahead of Fiesta facelift while Vauxhall and Volkswagen

L

By Jay Nagley, Redspy Automotive ooking at fleet sales in September is like the old joke about accountancy: “What is the figure for my profit?” asks the client.

“What number would sir like it to be?” replies the accountant.

Leaving aside all the caveats about pre-registrations, distress marketing and unwanted European production being dumped in the UK, September appears to have been a reasonably healthy market, given the prevailing economic conditions (it looks like the UK will definitely end 2012 with a smaller economy than it started the year with).

At a manufacturer level, Ford had a fairly strong month despite the Fiesta coming under pressure as customers await the November facelift – with a new

A new Fiesta is due in showrooms in November

Qashqai continues to attract fleet sales

range of 1.0 Ecoboost engines, this will be a lot more significant than the normal mid-life nip-and-tuck.

Vauxhall’s market share loss diminished slightly, but its proportion has even more to do with short-term pricing decisions than is the case with most other manufacturers.

Volkswagen also fell in September, but that will come as no comfort at all to other manufacturers.

The main reason is the impending arrival of the Mk7 Golf, which is possibly the scariest Golf for rivals since the 1975 original. With its squillion-a-year MQB platform giving big cost advantages, plus a Euro currency that makes its German factories the world’s unlikeliest low-cost production centre, the Golf can afford to buy market share and still turn a profit.

Fellow Germans Audi and BMW both had a good September, mostly thanks to sales of the new generation of A3 and 1 Series.

Among the volume brands, Peugeot is fighting back to stop the Germans having it all their own way. It now outsells Citroën and Renault combined, and will be praying for great things from the new 208.

Nissan is also doing well, despite having no significant new models this year. The Qashqai is selling very well and the Juke continues to grow market share.

Among the mid-table Asian brands, Hyundai has now pulled out a significant lead over Toyota, which actually fell slightly in September.

It is hard to see how Toyota can overtake Hyundai until the new Auris is fully available, and Toyota could also be overtaken by Kia, which is only 349 units behind so far this year.

Finally, a moment of light relief. Aston Martin sold more fleet cars last month than Mitsubishi. Indeed, with 64 fleet sales last month, Aston Martin was unfeasibly popular in this market. Are rental companies stocking up in the expectation of a Skyfall-induced rush of James Bond wannabees?

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

Sept Sept YTD fleet YTD fleet Manufacturer fleet 2012 fleet 2011 % change 2012 2011 % change

Ford 22,555 21,610 4.37% 123,847 121,857 1.63% Vauxhall 17,999 20,106 -10.48% 101,878 124,578 -18.22% VW 16,002 17,043 -6.11% 82,489 85,871 -3.94% BMW 13,502 9,932 35.94% 57,125 54,067 5.66% Audi 11,294 10,065 12.21% 55,193 52,389 5.35% Peugeot 10,559 8,976 17.64% 47,807 44,210 8.14% Mercedes 7,989 7,871 1.50% 37,200 34,792 6.92% Nissan 7,484 6,570 13.91% 40,011 36,014 11.10% Hyundai 6,925 5,212 32.87% 28,624 19,999 43.13% Toyota 5,557 5,660 -1.82% 26,774 23,319 14.82% Kia 5,513 4,774 15.48% 26,425 20,819 26.93% CitroĂŤn 4,667 4,031 15.78% 24,623 23,719 3.81% Honda 4,401 2,659 65.51% 17,557 14,040 25.05% Seat 3,419 3,830 -10.73% 15,517 15,226 1.91% Skoda 3,411 3,538 -3.59% 18,395 16,856 9.13% Mini 3,166 3,804 -16.77% 15,557 14,790 5.19% Land Rover 2,690 2,213 21.55% 10,753 9,158 17.42% Renault 2,653 4,588 -42.18% 12,005 27,658 -56.59% Volvo 2,409 3,246 -25.79% 14,547 15,691 -7.29% Fiat 2,307 2,023 14.04% 10,782 8,141 32.44% Suzuki 1,575 1,333 18.15% 4,503 2,372 89.84% Jaguar 1,517 1,636 -7.27% 5,661 5,395 4.93% Mazda 1,342 2,203 -39.08% 5,665 10,322 -45.12% Lexus 708 846 -16.31% 3,448 2,928 17.76% Alfa Romeo 494 715 -30.91% 2,802 4,792 -41.53% Chrysler Jeep 443 387 14.47% 1,860 1,011 83.98% Chevrolet 398 553 -28.03% 6,843 4,645 47.32% Smart 340 249 36.55% 1,509 1,267 19.10% Subaru 112 292 -61.64% 703 791 -11.13% Porsche 103 126 -18.25% 670 601 11.48% SsangYong 64 21 204.76% 257 23 1017.39% Aston Martin 64 45 42.22% 247 292 -15.41% Mitsubishi 58 255 -77.25% 1,048 2,361 -55.61% Other 49 169 -71.01% 361 2,559 -89.01% Bentley 42 39 7.69% 309 289 6.92% MG 40 14 185.71% 463 86 438.37% Total 161,851 156,634 3.33% 803,458 802,928 0.07%

OUR F L EE T

HONDA JAZZ

1.3 I-VTEC IMA HS HYBRID CVT

A sceptic finds the automatic choice is not just for older people

I

By Sarah Tooze n the past an automatic gearbox didn’t appeal to me. I thought it would make for a boring drive and it was something for ‘older’ people.

But I’ve found myself starting to liking them more, thanks to driving more automatics. It doesn’t just make life easier on motorway journeys, it’s less hassle to drive round town, too, and arguably I’m a safer driver as I’m free to concentrate on the road ahead. And, if you opt for a hybrid, chances are you’ll have to get used to an automatic.

Manufacturers favour an automatic gearbox for hybrids because it helps manage power delivery from both engine and electric motor sources and, in particular, allows better clutch management. Often it’s a CVT gearbox rather a conventional torque converter automatic transmission.

The theory is that a CVT is smooth and good at low speed as well as being inexpensive and efficient compared with the torque converter automatic gearboxes of the past.

My main complaint with the CVT is that, combined with the Eco button, it can feel slow. It can also be pretty noisy when I put my foot down.

The alternative is to switch to sport mode and manually shift gears using the paddles behind the steering wheel. I find this handy when I need to overtake a slow-moving vehicle on a B-road, but it’s not something I often bother with and can’t imagine others will either.

I also fear the impact on fuel economy. Or maybe I’ve just got too used to auto.

NEED TO KNOW

n CVT gearbox makes town driving less hassle n Test fuel economy increases to 51.3mpg

COSTS P11D price £16,100 BIK tax band 11% Annual BIK tax (20%) £369 Class 1A NIC £295 Annual VED £0 then £20 RV (4yr/80k) £5,425 Fuel cost (ppm) 11.09ppm AFR (ppm) 18 Running cost (4yr/80k) 35.77ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,339 Power (bhp) 100 Torque lb-ft 147 CO2 (g/km) 104 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 62.8 Max speed (mph) 109 0-62mph (sec) 12.1 Test mpg 51.3 Current mileage 10,611 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Jazz's CVT gearbox can feel slow when combined with the Eco button

Click here for previous Jazz tests

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SEAT EXEO ST

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

2.0 TDI SPORT TECH MULTITRONIC

Changing driver behaviour has already paid off with improved mpg

C

By Luke Neal hanging driver behaviour, It’s an interesting subject (covered extensively in your free supplement with the October 25 issue of Fleet News).

By educating your drivers and improving the way they drive you can reap big fuel and SMR savings. It’s an idea that hasn’t passed me by as I remain disappointed with the Exeo’s fuel economy.

It’s not that they are terrible, but I think that nowadays most cars should be achieving more than 50mpg. Even my wife's 2.0 TDI seven-seat Volkswagen Touran with 56,000 miles on the clock will regularly see more than 50mpg, and even a fully-loaded trip to Shropshire from Peterborough saw it average 49mpg.

So, changing driver behaviour is what I’m doing and it is working.

Feather-light acceleration, gentle braking and smooth cornering have seen the figures of my daily 10-mile commute rise from 38-41mpg to 40-43mpg and I am now possibly the best driver I have ever been with much smoother and more fluid control. It’s not a massive mpg increase, but multiply that extra 2-3mpg across a large fleet and the fuel saving could really start to show, not to mention the reduced wear and tear on consumables like tyres and brakes.

And it gets better. On a recent trip from Peterborough to Matlock Bath, my new relaxed driving style saw an average for the 85-mile journey of 47.2mpg, to nudge the Exeo closer to the official combined figure of 51.4mpg.

NEED TO KNOW n Eco driving techniques see fuel economy rise n Official fuel economy of 51.4mpg

COSTS P11D price £26,010 BIK tax band 23% Annual BIK tax (20%) £1,196 Class 1A NIC £826 Annual VED £135 RV (4yr/80k) £5,558 Fuel cost (ppm) 12.43 AFR (ppm) 15 Running cost (4yr/80k) 42.24ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,968 Power (bhp) 143 Torque lb-ft 236 CO2 (g/km) 146 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 51.4 Max speed (mph) 125 0-62mph (sec) 9.6 Test mpg 42.1 Current mileage 7,946 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Eco driving has edged the Exeo closer to its official fuel consumption figures

Click here for previous Exeo tests

OUR F L EE T

KIA OPTIMA

1.7 CDRI 2 TECH

Saloon's rakish lines kill I-Spy fun for rear-seat passengers NEED TO KNOW

n Poor visibility for small passengers n Tyre rotation service offered

COSTS High window lines in the back spoil the view for young passengers

C

By John Maslen ompany cars often perform two roles – firstly as a business tool for a busy corporate week and secondly as family transport.

As we have had a lengthy relationship with the Kia, I thought I would get the family verdict and got a surprising answer from the back seats – it’s the car that killed I-Spy. It seems that in that awkward period between leaving a booster seat and reaching teenage years, rear seat passengers are treated to a face full of door during car journeys, as the low seats and high window line conspire to spoil any chance of playing ‘car snooker’ on long journeys (same as real snooker, but you ‘spot’ rather than ‘pot’).

It seems their peers are equally unimpressed by the view. One even resorted to sitting on a football before a sharp word from the front seat resumed scenery-less seating.

However, it’s not a problem that can’t be sorted by Uncle Nintendo and Auntie iPod, so from the front seat at least, journeys have continued to reaffirm that Kia is fit for business.

The car’s most recent trick is its tire (sic) rotation service announcement, which requires a quick visit to the dealer to get the car’s boots changed around so they wear evenly.

This may be my only chance to assess the dealer network too, as with 20,000-mile service intervals it will barely go near a garage in its lifetime.

P11D price £21,695 BIK tax band 19% Annual BIK tax (20%) £824 Class 1A NIC £567 Annual VED £0 then £100 RV (4yr/80k) £5,425 Fuel cost (ppm) 11.09ppm AFR (ppm) 18 Running cost (4yr/80k) 35.77ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,685 Power (bhp) 134 Torque lb-ft 239 CO2 (g/km) 128 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 57.6 Max speed (mph) 125 0-62mph (sec) 10.2 Test mpg 52.0 Current mileage 11,800 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous Optima tests

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

NISSAN QASHQAI

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

1.6 DCI N-TEC+

An impressive spread of abilities leaves a lasting positive impression

A

By Debbie Wood fter an enjoyable six months with the Qashqai, it is time to let another member of the team take over running it.

All in all the car has been a resounding success. Nissan has presented a complete fleet package which stands up well against its rivals.

All my passengers have been impressed with its interior as much as the exterior, while the extras such as the panoramic roof and 360º parking camera have added a luxurious feeling to the car.

The Qashqai's economy has also been impressive – I've achieved more than 70mpg on a trip and I got another reminder of its fuel-sipping ability a few weekends ago on a trip to Rockingham Raceway when I flicked through the trip computer and was surprised to see the mpg at 69.4.

Granted, for a large part of the journey I was limited to 50-55mph as I was stuck behind a lorry on winding roads, but it is still impressive.

Only a few niggles have emerged during the Qashqai's time with me.

The gearchange is quite stiff and the sound system is not the best I have heard. But, for me, the only real negative, which I am sure Nissan would disagree with, is its popularity. You cannot seem to drive down a road or into a car park without being passed by another one.

However, Nissan’s crossover is fun to drive, great to look at and offers a comfortable ride, which makes it a real winner for me.

NEED TO KNOW

n Extras add luxurous feeling n Economy continues to impress n Gearchange is quite stiff

COSTS P11D price £22,090 BIK tax band 17% Annual BIK tax (20%) £785 Class 1A NIC £542 Annual VED £0, then £30 RV (4yr/80k) £6,100/26% Fuel cost (ppm) 10.46 AFR (ppm) 13 Running cost (4yr/80k) 35.32ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,598 Power (bhp) 130 Torque lb-ft 236 CO2 (g/km) 119 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 62.8 Max speed (mph) 118 0-62mph (sec) 10.3 Test mpg 58.3 Current mileage 10,656 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Qashqai is great to look at and fun to drive

Click here for previous Qashqai tests

OUR F L EE T

RENAULT MEGANE

SPORT TOURER 1.5DCI DYNAMIQUE

Efficiency claims for facelifted model seem too good to be true. Are they?

NEED TO KNOW

n Revisions to engine improve fuel economy by 15% n CO2 emissions of 90g/km n Early test fuel economy of 60.6mpg

COSTS P11D price £20,545 BIK tax band 13% Annual BIK tax (20%) £534 Class 1A NIC £368 Annual VED £0 RV (4yr/80k) £4,125/20% Fuel cost (ppm) 12.96 AFR (ppm) 12 Running cost (4yr/80k) 31.96ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,461 Power (bhp) 110 Torque lb-ft 177 CO2 (g/km) 90 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 80.7 Max speed (mph) 118 0-62mph (sec) 12.4 Test mpg 60.6 Current mileage 500 *Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Click here for previous C-Max tests

Megane's 1.5dCi engine is quiet and smooth

C

By Maurice Glover ommon sense dictates that any proposition that sounds too good to be true is most likely to be just that.

So we felt compelled to check out the claim of a remarkable fresh blend of efficiency and performance being made for the latest power unit from the Renault-Nissan alliance.

According to Renault, the 1.5-litre turbodiesel motor in the revised Megane features such substantial revisions that it now burns 15% less fuel than before.

But company engineers insist the parsimony that delivers a mix of 90g/km tailpipe emissions with more than 80mpg on the official test cycle comes with no loss of power.

Raising the bar to that level of efficiency stands to work wonders for the French brand, which has seen its popularity in the company car sector decline in recent years.

Fleet managers are duty bound to show interest in vehicles that improve bottom-line results so, on paper, the revitalised Megane has rather more appeal than you’d expect for a facelifted model. But will it live up to the promise?

So far, things are looking good for our car, a Dynamique TomTom Stop & Start version. Despite reaching us straight from the production line, the dCi motor is quiet, smooth and has the ‘run in’ feel of a unit with plenty of mileage behind it.

And the first tank-to-tank check has resulted in 60.6mpg – a long way from the claimed economy potential, but not bad for 300 miles of short-hop driving.

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

2.0 TDI S

AUDI A5 SPORTBACK

Off-set pedals detract from coupé's beautifully-finished interior

G

By Simon Harris etting behind the wheel of the A5 Sportback for the first time, I realised I’d forgotten how beautifully finished inside modern Audis are.

Functional design that’s also elegant and put together with the precision of a fine timepiece sets Audi apart from rival premium brands. It got me thinking about other parts of the interior before I noticed how offset the pedals were.

The sporty three-spoke steering wheel’s vertical spoke is in line with the clutch pedal, so when changing gear the driver’s left foot is repeatedly called to duty in the centre of the pedal box, while the right foot works even further right than its natural position.

The large left foot-rest also interferes with me pushing the clutch pedal in fully, my heel snagging each time.

I worry that any good work done in the design of the seat to ensure longdistance comfort could be undone by an unnatural posture from using the pedals that may be out of position.

It seems strange that there could be a design flaw such as this, but most European cars, and especially those that sell well in North America and China, would be designed as left-hand drive vehicles, and while they are sold in right-hand drive markets, the conversion work isn’t as simple as creating a mirror image of the foot-well on the left of the car.

Time will tell if there are any long-term ill effects but so far I’m not 100% happy with my first long-term stint in a manual car for several months.

Most European cars would be designed as left-hand drive vehicles

NEED TO KNOW n Superb interior design and finish n Possible off-set pedals impact on comfort

COSTS P11D price £31,145 BIK tax band 18% Annual BIK tax (40%) £2,242 Class 1A NIC £773 Annual VED £0, then £30 RV (4yr/80k) £8,598 Fuel cost (ppm) 12.10 AFR (ppm) 18 Running cost (4yr/80k) 50.33ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 1,968 Power (bhp) 177 Torque lb-ft 280 CO2 (g/km) 120 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 61.4 Max speed (mph) 142 0-62mph (sec) 8.5 Test mpg 52.5 Current mileage 15,800

*Running cost data supplied

by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

OUR F L EE T

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

ED4 PURE

SUV impresses on the road, but economy falls shy of official figures NEED TO KNOW

n Effortless motorway cruising n Fuel consumption 25% below official figures

COSTS P11D price £28,520 BIK tax band 20% Annual BIK tax (40%) £2,282 Class 1A NIC £787 Annual VED £120 RV (4yr/80k) £10,474 Fuel cost (ppm) 11.17 AFR (ppm) 18 Running cost (4yr/80k) 39.65ppm

SPEC Engine (cc) 2,179 Power (bhp) 150 Torque lb-ft 280 CO2 (g/km) 133 Fuel efficiency (mpg) 56.5 Max speed (mph) 112 0-62mph (sec) 11.2 Test mpg 12,100 Current mileage 36.3

T

By Gareth Roberts he Range Rover Evoque continues to impress after a few weeks on the Fleet News fleet, having clocked up several hundred miles both on the motorway and in town.

The 2.2-litre diesel engine provides a reasonable amount of torque for such a big vehicle and the lightness of the steering gives it a nimble feel, even if it sometimes feels slightly nervous when cornering at speed.

It feels effortless when cruising down the motorway and the seating and ride adds to an all-round excellent driving experience.

However, perhaps unsurprisingly for such a large vehicle, driving around town requires a little more effort, even when taking that light steering into account.

Official fuel consumption figures are 47.1mpg urban, 62.8mpg extra urban and 56.5mpg on the combined cycle.

However, that’s where my glass begins to look half empty as I’m still struggling to hit the quoted figures.

Driving around town the Evoque has been managing 33-37mpg – a shortfall of at least 20%.

Meanwhile, on the motorway, the 2.2-litre engine performs much better, but the 53mpg achieved is still 15% shy of the official figures.

However, a journey which has involved both town and motorway driving has left me up to 25% short of the official combined, having only achieved 42mpg.

As ever with these things, performance is not only determined by the vehicle, as the driver has a major part to play and I intend to pay as much intention to my driving style as what fuel economy the Evoque achieves over the coming weeks.

Light steering gives the Evoque a nimble feel

F UEL P RICE S

5

9

6

6 EXETER Diesel 145.65** Unleaded 139.29 LPG 80.90**

2 BRIGHTON Diesel 142.01 Unleaded 138.45 LPG 76.90

7 HEREFORD Diesel 143.52 Unleaded 139.12 LPG 76.90

3 CAMBRIDGE Diesel 143.31 Unleaded 139.65** LPG 75.23

8 LEEDS Diesel 141.65 Unleaded 137.41 LPG N/A

4 DERBY Diesel 142.07 Unleaded 137.46 LPG 77.9

9 LIVERPOOL Diesel 141.24* Unleaded 137.20* LPG N/A

5 EDINBURGH Diesel 142.09 Unleaded 137.88 LPG 73.90

10 LONDON Diesel 143.19 Unleaded 137.52 LPG 70.70 11 MANCHESTER Diesel 142.48 Unleaded 138.90 LPG 71.90

8 11 4

1 7

1 BIRMINGHAM Diesel 142.35 Unleaded 137.23 LPG 68.50*

13

12 3 14 10 2

12 NORWICH Diesel 141.47 Unleaded 137.20* LPG N/A 13 OXFORD Diesel 143.90 Unleaded 137.80 LPG N/A 14 WATFORD Diesel 142.02 Unleaded 137.21 LPG 74.90

For full UK fuel price figures Click here * Cheapest ** Most expensive

IGNI T ION ON...

SAVING FUEL Fuel is now the second biggest cost when running a vehicle.

But there are many things that can be done to reduce the amount you spend on it each year.

Here we show you how small changes to both driver behaviour and vehicle care can improve fuel consumption.

THE DRIVER Adopting a smoother driving style has been proven to reduce fuel consumption, which includes driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine, anticipating the road ahead and not exceeding 2,000rpm.

Less harsh acceleration and braking puts less strain on the engine and components, while teaching drivers to look ahead and read the road and conditions means they can maintain speed.

Reducing mileage and car sharing If several members of staff are attending the same meeting, could they meet up somewhere beforehand and take just one vehicle instead?

Plan ahead By planning your route well in advance you can avoid known congestion times, giving drivers a quicker and less stressful journey. Equally, planning out an unknown route effectively will help drivers find their destination quicker.

Speed As well as being illegal – driving at 80mph could use up to 20% more fuel than at 70mph. This is another good reason to stick to the speed limits.

THE CAR Tyres Check your tyres regularly to make sure they are not over worn or under inflated, which can drastically reduce fuel efficiency.

Excess weight Declutter your car. The lighter your car the less power you will need to accelerate. Removing roof racks and shutting windows will help to reduce the drag and increase fuel efficiency.

Regular maintenance checks Weekly checks of engine oil level and tyre pressures can improve fuel economy by up to 33% (according to AA figures), and gives each car more of a chance of achieving its claimed economy figures.

Turn off the aircon if not needed

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

SHOP AROUND Recent studies have shown that fuel prices can fluctuate by as much as 5p per litre in any given area. Supermarket fuel is in most cases cheaper than other branded fuels. Avoid motorway services.

Regional fuel prices Click here Fuel cost calculator Click here

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

C A RM A K ER NE W S

September new car registrations Toyota issues recalls for Auris, exceed market expectations Yaris, RAV4 and Corolla New car registrations grew by 8.2% to 359,612 units in September, with fleet and business sales accounting for 51% of the market at 182,370 units.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that the market has increased by 4.3% to 1,620,609 units in the first three-quarters of 2012, with 875,591 units (54%) being registered to fleet and business.

“The important September plate change market outperformed expectations with new car registrations increasing more than 8% on last year to 359,612 units,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

James Douglas is leaving Nissan to join Audi Nissan’s corporate sales director James Douglas is leaving to join Audi, but his new role with the company is yet to be disclosed. However, he is expected to fill the vacancy left by Iain Carmichael, who left his position as fleet sales director at Audi UK in May after six years in the role.

Audi confirmed Douglas’s appointment and an official announcement is expected shortly.

Douglas joined Nissan in 1998 as area fleet manager and held several sales and marketing roles within the company before becoming fleet sales director in 2007. He was promoted to corporate sales director in January 2011.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Toyota has registered a recall of vehicles produced between 2006 and 2008 because of a possible fault with the electric windows master switch.

The recall affects about 138,000 cars in the UK, including RAV4, Yaris (above), Auris and Corolla.

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted to arrange repair work free of charge.

The power window master switch controls the windows for the driver and passengers, and it's possible that the switch, located in the driver’s door, may over time begin to feel uneven or notchy when it is operated.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Major car manufacturers sign fuel cell agreement Four major car manufacturers have signed an agreement to support the introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles in Nordic countries.

Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai signed a memorandum of understanding with organisations around launching vehicles and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure between 2014 and 2017.

Honda recently announced an all-new fuel cell electric vehicle for Japan, the U.S. and Europe, to be launched from 2015, which will showcase further technological advancements and significant cost reductions.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

Vauxhall named NI Fleet Manufacturer of the Year Vauxhall has been named Fleet Manufacturer of the Year at Northern Ireland’s UTV Business Eye Awards 2012.

The manufacturer was praised for consistently offering the best range of fleet vehicles to the business sector based upon benefit-in-kind taxation, CO2 emissions, fuel economy figures, wholelife costs and desirability.

The judging panel included UTV's business correspondent Jamie Delargy, Business Eye editor Richard Buckley as well as the business editors of Northern Ireland's two main morning newspapers, Gary McDonald (Irish News) and Adrienne McGill (News Letter).

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

Hybrid4 management software drives down CO2 emissions All three Hybrid4 200 Airdream EGS6 models in Citroën's DS5 range have received technical updates to deliver CO2 emissions from 91g/km with improved fuel economy.

New management software has been developed for the full-hybrid diesel powertrain with a number of technical improvements to optimise DS5’s efficiency. Key enhancements include improved energy recovery when decelerating and braking, and a new battery management system.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Volkswagen wins top honour at vehicle safety awards

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

Toyotoa reveals Proace medium panel van Toyota has revealed its new medium-sized panel van produced as a result of a new partnership with PSA Peugeot-Citroën.

The Proace will effectively replace the Hiace panel van in Europe, which was discontinued in 2011, but will not be sold in other markets.

It will be available in two lengths and heights, giving load capacities of 5cu m, 6cu m or 7cu m, according to the configuration chosen. Payloads up to 1,200kg can be carried and Proace will be able to tow up to two tonnes.

It is a re-badged version of the Peugeot Expert, Citroën Dispatch and Fiat Scudo.

Vehicle manufacturers celebrated nearly a decade of achievement in vehicle security, as the winners of the ninth British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards (BIVSA) were announced .

In the presence of Jeremy Browne, minister of state for crime prevention, Volkswagen UK was presented with the overall best car manufacturer award for the third year running with the Beetle (above), Phaeton and Sharan among its category winners, while Nissan scooped the LCV equivalent with the Nissan Primastar winning outright in the heavy van category.

The BIVSA represents an opportunity for manufacturers to demonstrate the efforts they are making in minimising the disruption and anxiety caused by becoming a victim of crime.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

CLICK HERE FOR MORE

NE W S IN SIGH T

'We want to grow in fleet XPXPX PX XPPX XPPXXXX – but not at any cost' Steve Robertson on how Seat has prepared its team for growth

A

By Stephen Briers fleet commitment is giving Seat opportunities to win corporate business.

The charter includes a number of measures which, says head of fleet Steve Robertson, “will directly help fleets run our cars more cost effectively”.

It has reduced hourly workshop rates, increased availability of courtesy cars and collection and delivery, reduced prices for core services such as MOTs and oil, while fleets do not have to pay for any work that takes up to 12 minutes. “It shows we are really serious about fleet,” he said.

Seat has increased fleet sales year-to-date, a large reason behind its likely full-year growth to “well into the 40,000s”. True fleet market share will rise from just over 1.1% last year to around 1.4% this year.

Rental has also played its role – all Volkswagen Group brands have increased registrations into this low-profit sector – although Robertson claims Seat has “frontloaded” its sales as it anticipated high demand due to the Olympics.

Seat has restructured its fleet team in preparation of significant growth with the launch of the new

Contract hire business rises

Steve Robertson Toledo this year and Leon in February/March 2013. Complementing this is a network of fleetspecialist dealers. Seat has 19 now, but expects to add another six.

“We expect much more growth in fleet at the end of 2012 and into 2013 with the Leon and Toledo and therefreshedIbiza,”said Robertson.

Seat has picked up some wins on the government procurement framework, although Robertson is critical of the buying structure.

“It doesn’t take into account the wholelife cost position and, to be blunt, there’s only a few manufacturers running those bits of business at significant discounts.

“And that will impact on residual values in the marketplace. We want to grow, but not at any cost.

We are not into buying business.”

An increasing number of fleets are considering putting off car replacements as uncertainty over the economy grows.

Extended agreements are under discussion with contract hire companies, said Steve Robertson.

“This creates an additional challenge for us,” he added.

“But we are still seeing an increase in business with the top 10 contract hire and leasing companies.”

Those still replacing cars are under greater pressure from employees to seek out the lowest CO2 models.

“BIK for the end user is increasing in importance and we are working hard to reduce our overall levels of CO2,” said Robertson.

“We have introduced the Exeo Ecomotive model with a trim level that is right for fleets and we are considering this for other models as well."

Dorset County Council dorsetforyou.com

■

Corporate Fleet Manager £41,616 - £46,461 + 30 days annual leave Ref: ESCFM This is a unique opportunity to shape a fresh approach to fleet management.

Responsible for implementing a brand new strategy, you’ll lead a coordinated corporate response to the management and maintenance of a hugely diverse fleet of over 600 vehicles.

An inspirational individual with a commitment to excellence, you will have proven corporate fleet management experience and the ability to take a commercial approach to the whole lifecycle management of a large corporate fleet – from procurement, through running, repair and maintenance, to disposal. Here, you’ll benefit from all the advantages of leading an established, successful team, and you’ll enjoy the professional challenge of decreasing operational costs while maximising roadworthiness.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact Andrew Martin on 01305 228182 or Lisa Goodfield (Andrew’s PA) on 01305 228177.

Closing date: 10 October 2012.

To view the relevant details and apply online please visit www.dorsetforyou.com/jobs or ring the application hotline on (01305) 228535.

DE-F L EE T ING

When will the bubble burst?

That's the question facing fleets as ex-company car values set new record

P

average fleet and lease car values improved by £185

By Gareth Roberts rices paid for ex-company cars sold at compared to August to reach a new record monthly auction continued to rise in September, value of £8,339 – the fifth consecutive month that a according to data from Manheim’s record value has been established.

Year-on-year, the fleet and lease sector again posted monthly market analysis. double digit improvements, the fourth month The average selling price of a in a row this has happened, says BCA. de-fleeted vehicle was £6,706; the highest CAP performance rose by a point to 98.44% figure achieved since June 2012.

Average selling Such strong values have continued price of ex-fleet compared to August, with average age and mileage falling slightly. Performance against despite the average age of cars continuing vehicles at original MRP (Manufacturer's Retail Price) to top the 50-month mark and mileages Manheim improved by more than a point to 42.05% remaining above 61,000, says Manheim. across the fleet and lease sector.

Jumping by £202 over August's figure, Year-on-year, the fleet and lease sector the current value of ex-fleet cars demonrecorded a significant 10.3% uplift. strates the chronic shortage of good quality Year-on-year Mike Pilkington, head of strategy at Manheim vehicles at auction.

This trend is further supported by increase in values Remarketing, said: “The big question facing fleet managers is: 'when will the bubble Manheim data. When compared to the original new price of vehicles, September saw the burst?' Certainly, the current state of the market, average ex-fleet car achieve a 35% rate. In September where supply cannot keep up with demand, is not sustainable.

2011, this rate was just 32%.

“We expect to see the market return to normal Meanwhile, BCA’s latest Pulse Report shows that

£6,706

10.3%

£6,6 99 £6,706

£8,339

Sept

£6,504

£8,154

Aug

£6,620

£8,053

July

£6,699

£8,042

Jun

£7,934 £6,634

May

£7,640 £6,712

Apr

£6,427

Mar

£7,714 £6,270

Feb

£6,157

£7,435

Jan

£5,561

£7,658

Manheim

Dec

£5,794

£7,388

Nov

£5,939

Oct

Sept

£6,154

£7,287

£7,557

BCA

£7,795

Average fleet and lease used values

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

OUR FLEET

SALES FIGURES

market conditions by the new year. Clearly fleet managers should not be basing long-term RV predictions on the current performance of the market.”

Looking at the price performance of specific vehicle segments, compared to their original new price, highlights some interesting trends, according to the Manheim Market Analysis.

While superminis continue to hold their value well, achieving 49% of the original price in September – up from 43% in September 2011 – executive, compact executive and coupés have also shown a good return on the original retail price.

Based on the same year-on-year comparison, MPVs

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

and 4x4s are the only segments to show a fall on this measure of 2% and 3% respectively.

Pilkington said: “Our rolling measure of ‘percentage of original new price’ provides a solid benchmark for fleet managers on specific segment performance.

“Looking over the longer term, this clearly highlights the winners and losers in terms of price performance at auction and should help inform fleets on their future choice of vehicle.”

BCA communications director Tony Gannon said: “Over the coming weeks, we expect to see pressure on values as volumes rise in the wholesale sector and retail demand softens in the run-up to the year end.”

BCA year-on-year fleet and lease cars Fleet/lease Sept 2011 Sept 2012

Avg age 40.89 40.50 (-1%)

Avg mileage 49,398 47,225 (-4.3%)

Avg value £7,557 £8,339 (10.3%)

Sale vs CAP 99.29% 98.44%

Average LCV values rise in September Monthly values in the fleet and lease LCV sector improved by £158 (3.2%) to £5,002 in September, while performance against CAP increased by more than a point to 99.9%, according to BCA. Retained value against Manufacturer's Recommended Price improved by a point to 31.65%, with age and mileage falling slightly.

September 2012 was £39 (0.5%) behind the same month last year – with average age rising but mileage falling. Duncan Ward, BCA’s general manager, commercial vehicles, said: “Much of this improvement is seasonally driven as trade buying activity rises to meet the needs of small businesses that often look to change their vehicles in the autumn.

“However, we are yet to see any significant uplift in vans from corporate fleet sources and demand is still outstripping supply.

“Trade buyers have to look further afield to secure the stock they need and BCA’s internet platforms are seeing plenty of activity.

“Many buyers are looking at older, higher mileage vehicles if they are in good condition and as a direct consequence we have seen values rise in the dealer part-exchange sector, while demand for the very few late year, low mileage LCV’s remains intense.

“We expect to see some pressure on values as volumes rise in the wholesale sector and retail demand softens in the run-up to the year end.”

BCA year-on-year fleet and lease vans Fleet/lease Sept 2011 Sept 2012

Avg age 44.19 44.63

Avg mileage 73,180 71,548

Avg value £5,041 £5,002

Sale vs CAP 105.55% 99.90%

C OMING S OON

COMING SOON...

The V40 Cross Country is Volvo’s model for those customers that want a small five-door hatchback but with a more ‘off-road’ and rugged look. As standard, the Cross Country SE is offered with auto-folding door mirrors with ground lights and black mirror covers, 16” alloy wheels, rain sensor, textile/T-Tec upholstery, tread plates and silver roof rails.

VOLVO V40 CROSS COUNTRY On sale: January

JAGUAR XF SPORTBRAKE On sale: November

Jaguar has been remiss in producing an estate version of the hugely well-received XF executive saloon. That’s due to be rectified this year with the XF Sportbrake. It will come with Jaguar’s new 2.2-litre diesel engine in 163bhp and 200bhp versions with CO2 from 135g/km.

WHAT'S NEW

TESTED THIS MONTH

PARIS SHOW

SALES FIGURES

OUR FLEET

SAVING FUEL

CARMAKER NEWS

DEFLEETING

The new models you need to know about for the next 3 months Customers will be able to order the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf in October, with the first UK deliveries expected in January 2013. The new model is longer, wider and lower than the current model to generate more interior space, but new production techniques VOLKSWAGEN contribute to it being 100kg lighter. Launch engines include a GOLF 1.6-litre diesel which returns 74.3mpg and 99g/km of CO2.

On sale: January

RANGE ROVER On sale: January

As well as the latest versions of the TDV8 diesel, the new model will also be offered with a more fuel-efficient V6 diesel, as well as a supercharged V8 petrol engine.

A diesel hybrid is expected to follow after the car’s launch.

Over 800 guests attending – limited availability, book today!

Events

networking of the year dinner The

6th November 2012 Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London

Headline sponsor

Associate sponsors

Book your table now – visit www.fn50event.co.uk