Fleet World April 2015

April 2015

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

Paper Travails Spotlight Under the skin of the new Skoda Superb

Driven Mazda CX-3 SEAT Leon X-Perience Suzuki Vitara

Expert advice Seven steps to better short-term rental

Tuesday 12th May 2015 Silverstone

Register for the show at... www.thefleetshow.co.uk

SPONSORED BY

fleetworld.co.uk

contents 22

The AA’s President, Edmund King, on the company’s future plans.

April 2015

FLEETW RLD

26

All that matters in the world of fleet

What the 2015 Budget means for fleets...

Paper Travails Spotlight Under the skin of the new Skoda Superb

Driven Mazda CX-3 SEAT Leon X-Perience Suzuki Vitara

Expert advice Seven steps to better short-term rental

Tuesday 12th May 2015 Silverstone

Register for the show at... www.thefleetshow.co.uk

SPONSORED BY

fleetworld.co.uk

32

Behind the wheel of the all-new Mazda CX-3.

40

Don’t miss your chance to pre-register for the Silverstone Fleet Show on 12th May 2015!!

Publisher Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Steve Moody steve@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Deputy Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Features Editor Katie Beck katie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Fleet Consultant Ross Durkin ross@fleetworldgroup.co.uk VFW Editor Dan Gilkes dan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Director Anne Dopson anne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Executives Darren Brett darren@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Claire Warman claire@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Circulation Manager Tracy Howell tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

54

We clear up the fleet confusion over the Government’s decision to abolish the paper driving licence.

Head of Production Luke Wikner luke@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Designers Tina Ries tina@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Samantha Hargreaves sam@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

Published by Stag Publications Ltd, 18 Alban Park, Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts, AL4 0JJ tel +44 (0)1727 739160 fax +44 (0)1727 739169 email fw@fleetworldgroup.co.uk web fleetworld.co.uk

VAN FLEETW RLD

62

Spare retired: why the spacesaver could be a thing of the past.

77 INTERVIEW: Neil Cunningham of Hertz. Corsavan, VW Tristar, M-Benz Unimog, LCV telematics.

STAG Publications

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fleetworld.co.uk / 03

fleetreview This month, editor Steve Moody outlines why you should come to Silverstone on 12th May and where the smart money should be spent...

12th May 2015: a date for your diary What are you doing on 12th May? Hopefully you will be joining us at the Fleet Show at Silverstone, the biggest and most important event in the fleet calendar by some distance. Now in its fourth year, the show has grown remarkably in that time to the point where, at the time of writing, there are nearly 100 exhibitors – 75% up on last year – almost 30 car brands and visitor pre-registrations nearly double 2014’s level.

It illustrates there is a huge appetite for an industry show, where everyone can come together, find out about the latest developments in the industry, quiz potential new suppliers and drive product. At last year’s show, the stands and seminars were packed all day, while an endless stream of cars circulated Silverstone’s famous circuit.

This year’s Fleet Show next month promises to be bigger and better than ever...

04 / fleetworld.co.uk

A spot of insider knowledge for you: when you do get there, I’d recommend that once you’ve registered you get round the car stands and book your intended drives for the day first – putting your towel down, so to speak.

Then it’s easier to plan the rest of the day and allow you time to visit the exhibitors. There’s so much to see and do that you need to have a plan of action, a bit like going to Disneyland.

Although we haven’t got anyone dressed as a giant mouse. Yet. For more information, visit www.thefleetshow.co.uk, and I look forward to seeing you there on 12th May.

Don’t miss out on all the latest daily news! Visit fleetworld.co.uk

Faster isn’t always better. Smarter is.

Recently, a KPMG report reckoned that the value to Britain of driverless cars could be as high as £51 billion a year, with much of it in increased productivity, allowing people to work in their cars, much as they do on trains or planes now.

Ironically, the new HS2 line is reckoned to cost about the same to build by the time it is up and running in nearly 20 years’ time. But a train that can go at more than 200mph in 2035, on an island in which almost all major conurbations can already be reached in the space a of few hours, seems a case of overkill, and a distinctly analogue solution in a digital age.

Just as Concorde eventually found out, nowadays we don’t actually need to go faster. We just need to go smarter. So bin HS2 and its flawed, 1950s Jetsonstyle thinking, and spend that extra 50 billion on smartly connected transport and driverless vehicles instead.

SPONSORED BY

Turn to page 40 to see what’s there...

Ford NEWS

Ford Focus just gets better...

FORD has continued to evolve and improve the Ford Focus, the world’s best-selling car, with Ford Remarkable Technologies for improved safety, lower cost of ownership and a more enjoyable driving experience.

Enhanced Active City Stop is designed to help reduce the likelihood and potentially expensive consequences of colliding with the vehicle in front in traffic moving at up to 30mph by applying the brakes if a likely collision is detected.

Pre-Collision Assist – integrated with Adaptive Cruise Control – works in a similar way, using an on-screen Forward Alert to warn of a possible collision and Advanced Emergency Braking if the driver does not heed the warning.

Once off the road, intuitive parking aid Active Park Assist uses ultrasonic sensors to steer the vehicle while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. It uses semi-automatic Perpendicular Parking Assist to reverse park into a perpendicular space, Side Parking Aid as a collision warning and Park Out Assist to help the driver out of the parking space.

The new Cross Traffic Alert feature uses radars – the same ones used for Blind Spot Information - to pick up traffic or other moving objects when reversing out of a parking space.

Safety at night is enhanced by Adaptive Front Lighting, available as standard with Bi-Xenon headlamps; the headlamps follow the road, delivering greater visibility and improved safety. They automatically adjust, depending on vehicle speed and ambient lighting conditions.

All-new Ford Mondeo Hybrid arrives FORD has started deliveries of its all-new Ford Mondeo Hybrid – the first hybrid electric car built and sold by Ford in Europe.

The Mondeo Hybrid combines a specially-developed 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery for 67.3mpg combined, reaching 100.9mpg for urban driving and 99 g/km CO2 emissions.

Available as a four-door saloon, it offers fleet customers the best of both worlds: the enhanced efficiency and reduced emissions of electric power, and the range and performance of a traditional powertrain.

The widest-ever range of powertrains for Mondeo includes Ford’s new 1.5 litre EcoBoost petrol and enhanced 2.0-litre TDCi diesel. The Mondeo Hybrid offers pricing competitive with Mondeo diesel powertrain variants, delivering on Ford’s promise to give fuel-efficiency-minded customers the power of choice.

For further information on any vehicle in the Ford range please contact the Ford Business Centre on 03457 23 23 23, email flinform@ford.com, or visit www.ford.co.uk/fordfleet

Ford News Feature // 05

inbrief

Ford focuses on lowering CO2 emissions across the whole vehicle range WHILE many manufacturers produce ‘halo’ low-CO2 cars, Ford’s focus is on low CO2 emissions across the whole vehicle range because reducing CO2 in high volume vehicles makes the biggest difference to air quality.

Ford has maintained a consistent and sustained reduction in CO2 over many years while also increasing power. In the UK, the company is investing £1.5 billion in low-emission and environmentally friendly engine and vehicle technology over five years.

This includes recent investment at Dagenham of £190 million – including £8.9 million from the Government’s regional growth fund – to produce an advanced low-emission 2.0-litre diesel engine for cars, which follows an earlier £287 million investment for a 2.0-litre diesel engine for commercial vehicles.

These new engines are being designed and developed by Ford engineers at Dunton and Dagenham.

Ford produces advanced petrol engines at Bridgend in south Wales, and diesel engines at Dagenham, with total production from the two plants exceeding 1.5 million engines in 2013.

Reductions in CO2 are matched by increases in mpg - up to 15 per cent in the new Ford Focus, for instance – and resultant lower running costs. And it is not just good news on diesel engines – the multi award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine chosen by a third of Fiesta drivers returns 65.7mpg with CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

Picture: Paul Marriott

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The World of Fleet

George’s last stand 18 March, 2015: George Osborne takes the Coalition Government’s final Budget to Parliament.

To find out what it meant to fleets, see page 26.

fleetworld.co.uk / 07

inbusiness

€3bn LeasePlan up for sale Dutch giant in talks with secret investors over global acquisition.

L

easePlan has confirmed that its current 100% share‐ holder, Global Mobility Holding (of which Volkswagen owns a 50% stake), is in talks with a group of investors over plans to sell.

The investors have not been named, but according to previous reports, are said to include TDR and several pension funds, including Dutch public sector fund PGGM. In a statement, LeasePlan said: “The discussions are still underway. LeasePlan emphasises that these discussions may or may not result in an agreement.”

Leaseplan added that it has been informed that the investors envisage financing the acquisition with an equity investment representing at least 40% of the total purchase price, cash‐pay debt facilities of €1,550 million provided by an international syndicate of lenders and an additional

source of funding that is currently under discussion.

The firm added: “None of the debt raised by the Investors would be borrowed by LeasePlan and the company would not be responsible for the repayment of such debt. According to the investors, it is expected that LeasePlan will maintain investment grade ratings allowing it continued access to the wholesale funding market directly.”

The leasing giant, based in Holland, is thought to be worth nearly €3 billion, with profits last year of €202 million. The group operates a fleet of more than 1.42 million vehicles and provides leasing and fleet manage‐ ment solutions in 32 countries and across five continents.

The UK division of the company operates a fleet in excess of 138,000 vehicles including 37,000 commercial vehicles.

104g/km for new Jaguar XF J aguar has announced its all‐new XF executive saloon will launch this autumn, featuring an aluminium‐rich body and new diesel engines with fuel consumption of up to 70mpg and CO 2 emissions the firm claim are class‐leading, from 104g/km.

Engines include 161bhp and 188bhp versions of the new 2.0‐litre Ingenium four‐cylinder diesels.

WE’RE ALWAYS RIGHT BEHIND YOU IT’S OUR WAY OF PUTTING YOU IN FRONT

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So whatever your requirements are, we’re here to help deliver a solution that best suits you.

Keeping you one step ahead

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inbusiness

Five things to know about the new drug driving laws Why has drug driving legislation been updated?

How will drug driving be detected?

New drug driving laws for England and Wales came into effect on 2 March 2015, with the first arrest taking place at 10am that morning. The new legislation represents the most stringent update of drug driving laws since the 1930s, and it is now an offence to drive with prescribed levels of 16 legal and illegal drugs in your system.

Road safety campaigners have long lobbied for updates to the law, claiming that the official statistic of 36 deaths a year caused by drug driving could in reality be closer to 200 due to exploitation of legal loopholes in the outdated legislation.

Police will be able to use ‘drugalysers’, which work in a similar way to breathalysers, to screen for cannabis and cocaine use at the roadside. Officers will also be able to test for other drugs at a police station using a urine sample, even if a driver passes the roadside check.

Urine or blood samples will need to be sent away for laboratory tests to screen for traces of the other drugs.

New devices that can test for a greater number of drugs at the roadside are currently under development.

What constitutes drug driving under the new law?

The legal limits for driving under the influence of illegal drugs are now extremely low – taking even a very small amount of an illegal drug will put the driver over the limit for up to 36 hours. Cannabis, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, LSD, ketamine, benzoylecgonine (crack cocaine) and methylamphetamine (speed) are all covered by the new drug driving legislation.

The new drug driving offence will work alongside the existing offence of driving whilst impaired through drink or drugs.

What about prescribed medication?

Nine prescription drugs now have legal limits set per litre of blood (µg/L).Drivers using them within recommended amounts will not be penalised, but those detected with above legal limits in their system will be prosecuted. Above these set limits, the law deems the driver to be impaired and unfit to drive.

Patients are advised to consult their doctor if they are concerned about their ability to drive on their prescribed dosage and to carry proof of using medicinal drugs in case of being stopped by police.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG LEGAL LIMITS Drug Amphetamine Clonazepam Diazepam Flunitrazepam Lorazepam Methadone Morphine Oxazepam Temazepam

10 / fleetworld.co.uk

New legal limit 250µg/L 50µg/L 550µg/L 300µg/L 100µg/L 500µg/L 80µg/L 300µg/L 1,000µg/L

What are the penalties for drug driving?

Convicted drivers will receive a minimum one-year ban and a criminal record, and could face a fine of up to £5,000 and six months in prison. Their driving licence will also carry details of the conviction for 11 years. The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is up to 14 years in prison.

What impact will it have on fleets?

It is a duty of care requirement for organisations to educate employees on the dangers of drug driving and the consequences of breaking the law.

“ACFO would recommend that all vehicle and driver handbooks are updated accordingly and drivers are informed of the regulations through a range of communication channels such as email bulletins and newsletters,” advises John Pryor, ACFO chairman.

“Fleet managers must also make clear that the regulations cover the use of illegal and legal drugs. Illegal drug use – just like the use of hand-held mobile phones – should not be tolerated in any shape or form.

Employers should take all necessary steps within their policies and procedures so that drivers have clear company guide lines and advise on the prescription drugs covered by the legislation.”

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WITH RENAULT IT’S SIMPLE: WE KEEP YOUR FLEET ON THE ROAD, t Renault we’ve got just one goal: keeping your fleet on the road.

And thanks to our Business Quality Commitment, we’ve become one of the best in the business at doing just that.

Simply put, no matter how big or small your fleet is, whether you’re a small business or a large multinational, from the moment you order a new Renault you can be confident that we’ll keep you mobile. Here’s how it works.

A commitment to your peace of mind Our commitment starts with a guaranteed delivery date and the reassurance that all new Renault cars, vans and electric vehicles come with a four-year/100,000 mile warranty, which includes unlimited mileage in the first two years.

“No matter how big or small your fleet is, from the moment you order a new Renault you can be confident that we’ll keep you mobile.”

A commitment to clear and transparent pricing Another important part of our commitment to your fleet is our pricing. Or more precisely, our lack of pricing.

If carried out as part of a service, we’ll fit front and rear wiper blades, fill screen wash and replace exterior bulbs for free. And we’ll never invoice you for ‘environmental charges.’

A commitment to first-class service One of the most important elements of what we do is our customer service.

That’s why every one of our dealerships has a dedicated business sales and service contact on hand to answer questions about your vehicles, maintenance, service and repair.

Every one of our customers also receives four years Renault Roadside Assistance cover, with a car-for-car or van-for-van replacement provided if the fault can’t be immediately fixed.

With the high levels of quality offered by all Renaults, problems are rare. But if anything does pop up, we’ve got you covered.

A commitment to keep you mobile We don’t have to tell you how important it is to keep your drivers on the road – that’s why minimising downtime is one of our priorities.

As a result, all of our dealers can provide a ‘while you wait’ service.

For an even faster turnaround, you can opt for a Pit Stop service, which aims to service and return your vehicle in 120 minutes.

Whichever you opt for, with the majority of our dealers having free Wi-Fi on-site, your drivers can stay productive for the short time they are off the road.

Appointments can be booked with a lead time of 72 hours or less, or 48 hours and under at Renault Pro+ dealerships.

For more information on the Renault Business Official consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for vehicles shown are: Urban 35.8 – 72.4 (3.9); Extra Urban 47.9 – 88.3 (3.2); Combined 42.8 – 80.7 (3.5). Official CO2

ent feature

NO MATTER WHAT.

24-hour support line, open every day of the year.

On every visit we’ll automatically offer to wash and vacuum your vehicle. You can organise free collection and delivery on the majority of vehicles up to four-years-old within 20 miles, or in urban areas within 10 miles, of your dealer. All our business customers can book courtesy vehicles (five days notice needed). Your dealer will do their best to provide a like-for-like model.

A commitment to look after your drivers The Renault Accident Support Line (RASL) is available to your drivers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In the event of an incident our advisors will be on hand to support, assist and guide them, regardless of who’s at fault. We have also developed a RASL app, which is designed to make a stressful situation easier.

First-class customer service.

are tailored even more towards serving your professional needs.

All of our staff are highly trained in commercial vehicle sales and support. They have a large selection of cars and commercial vehicles, with many available for test drives, and can create bespoke finance packages in under 48 hours.

They also have extended service hours for business users and can provide within-the-hour diagnoses. Our commercial team are happy to answer any questions or provide assistance in any way they can.

Call us today on 0800 731 7066 or email renaultbusiness@renault.co.uk

Supported by a specialist dealer network Every one of our dealerships offers excellent service levels. However, we have a network of Renault Pro+ Business dealerships that

Quality Commitment, visit renault.co.uk/business emissions are 90 – 174g/km. EU Directive test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors.

inbusiness

Shades of grey The Insider on the problem of managing employees without a company car.

F

ifty shades of grey is a much-hyped book and film, but the title is curiously appropriate to that other well-known phenomenon, the grey fleet.

Except there are many more shades than just 50.

The grey sector encompasses everything from vehicles operated under salary sacrifice and eco schemes to Jack’s 15 year-old jalopy. The former will be low-emission, maintained and likely insured under the scheme; the latter – won’t.

It wasn’t so long ago we had the revelation that 57% of HSE staff were using their own cars for business, the highest proportion of any government agency.

And calculations based on unverified figures can never be more than an approximation, but from current figures available it appears the average grey fleet mileage for a business driving Council employee is around 1,700 annually; there being another assumption that they are paid no more than 45 pence per mile, which could equally be wrong.

Approximating again, it’s likely that 1,700 is made up of numerous short journeys which, if you hired a car for each, might have cost you, all in, four times as much as you actually paid out in business mileage. Looked at in that light, it appears my Council Tax is not being spent so badly after all. So why should that change?

Well, in the bad old days we weren’t charged with improving air quality and reducing CO2, and there was less emphasis on corporate responsibility. The goalposts have narrowed and we are now expected to deliver on cost and environment, and take a more holistic approach to the wellbeing of our employees, which means we have to measure such information. Whilst I’m sceptical about health and safety being over-egged by companies with something to sell, the basic premise of checking both car and driver are fit for purpose and legally presented is paramount.

Your grey fleet cars may be private cars run on an allowance which is provided more as a perk than for business use. They may sit outside your office door, or they may be spread all around the country, and you never actually see them. So whilst it’s easy to make sweeping idealisations about control of

14 / fleetworld.co.uk

that section of the fleet, in practice it’s not.

If you have a firmly laid down policy which says if you choose to take a cash allowance you must run a car under a certain age, set an emissions level, your business mileage must be less than x, and you outline maintenance and insurance requirements, and that if you cannot meet these criteria you must take a company car – then you are giving clear guidelines from the start. The inference is that the allowance will be paid as part of remuneration but only under those criteria. If you don’t set those clear criteria then the employee sees the cash allowance as ‘their’ money which they can spend how they like, usually on a hobby or holidays. And they will be quite happy to tell you that too.

Having set the guidelines, if the overall car policy includes sections on driving for work, then at that point you don’t differentiate between company and grey cars. The grey driver learns that he is part of that same culture when driving on business, regardless of whether it’s his car or ours. The vehicles are subject to regular document checks to prove ownership of the right type of vehicle, its level of insurance, and maintenance history.

Licence checks are carried out for all drivers.

The alternatives to running private cars are out there, and can be cost-effective. For instance, the use of properly managed pool cars, or car share clubs, whose popularity appear to be spreading.

Like so many things in fleet, there is no one size to fit all, but a combination of answers, and one of the reasons for increased administration in a fleet manager’s role is the willingness to make the effort to have all available tools at his disposal.

In the real world, we are never going to switch nine million drivers of privately owned cars regularly driven on business into leased vehicles, however much the leasing providers would like that, and I’m sure they will have a go.

ESOS may have a part to play here with grey fleet mileage requiring inclusion in the reporting, and hopefully advice being passed on for cost reduction where appropriate. So perhaps a consequence of ESOS could be a reduction in the grey fleet?

G H I B L I

THE HEAD SAYS YES. THE HEART SAYS DEFINITELY, YES.

MASERATI GHIBLI. THE ABSOLUTE OPPOSITE OF ORDINARY. STARTING FROM £49,160

THE NEW MASERATI GHIBLI IS POWERED BY A RANGE OF ADVANCED 3.0 LITRE V6 ENGINES WITH 8-SPEED ZF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, INCLUDING, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A V6 TURBODIESEL ENGINE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE MASERATI GHIBLI, CALL 01943 871660 OR VISIT MASERATI.CO.UK

Official fuel consumption figures for Maserati Ghibli range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 18.0 (15.7) – 37.2 (7.6), Extra Urban 38.7 (7.3) – 56.5 (5.0), Combined 27.2 (10.4) – 47.9 (5.9). CO2 emissions 242 – 158 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Model shown is a Maserati Ghibli S at £70,608 On The Road including optional pearlescent paint at £1,776, 21” Titano design alloy wheels at £3,670 and Red brake callipers at £432.

www.maserati.co.uk

inbusiness

Acknowledging the best The winner of the Best Fleet Dealer Network was well deserved but a surprise for a brand not on every business' radar.

Curtis Hutchinson, editor of Motor Trader reports.

W

ho has the best fleet dealer network?

The big boys Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Peugeot must be in the running.

Perhaps the German premium triumvirate of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz? Then there's relative newcomers such as Kia and Hyundai who have made such headway in delivering customer satisfaction to retail customers.

The answer, according to the 2015 Experteye Awards, is SEAT. The annual awards poll the views of company car drivers with the results based on data gathered through Experteye’s forensic Touchpoint driver satisfaction survey, taken immediately after delivery of their new vehicle, or immediately after key events such as vehicle delivery, servicing, tyre or windscreen, vehicle breakdown and accidents, while the service experience is still fresh in their minds.

Experteye is an independent research company whose data is used by car manufacturers and dealers, as well as contract hire and fleet management companies, to measure and manage their service levels and those of their suppliers.

SEAT, clearly punching above its weight, emerged as the winner in this highly coveted category, based on responses from around 40,000 lease vehicle drivers canvassed in 2014. The brand was also the only non-premium marque to receive an award for excellence in fleet customer service. It's clearly doing something right against some tough competition.

To win an Experteye award you need to be at the top of your game. With no judging panel or submission process, the facts speak for themselves. Winning this award is an impressive feat for a relatively small brand with a limited but growing line-up.

So how did SEAT achieve it? The brand and its dealers have been something of a quiet success story over recent years. While sales dipped during the downturn, last year it recorded its sixth record year in a row, with registrations up 18% to 53,512 units.

UK connecting the UK’s fleet community ~ Formerly Fleet Academy

16 / fleetworld.co.uk

While its sporty aspirations make it a natural for discerning retail buyers, the brand has significantly increased its fleet penetration with year-on-year sales up 11.2%, accounting for just under 45% of total sales.

Not bad for a brand that's not on everyone's radar.

Furthermore its line-up is growing. Last year saw the welcome addition of the Leon X-PERIENCE 4X4 estate and next year will see the debut of its first SUV. Indeed, the centrepiece of SEAT's Geneva Motor Show stand was the 20V20 concept model which hinted at the look and feel of a future family of SUVs. Strategically it's an important area for SEAT and its dealers as it will open up a new corporate sector and sees a further shift in emphasis away from the small cars with which it made its name.

"What we're trying to do is move our centre of gravity from small front wheel drive to medium sized SUVs," said SEAT UK director Neil Williamson.

"We have one SUV that is confirmed and that's coming next year, and we hope to have more. The SUV segment in all sizes is conservatively worth a quarter of all sales in the foreseeable future and we have to be in there. These will be incremental sales for us. All that investment in product, as part of the VW Group, is coming."

In the meantime SEAT under Williamson, who knows a thing or two about retailing to fleets as the former UK boss of the Mercedes-Benz Retail Group, is revamping the look and feel of its UK dealer showrooms in a much needed move to modernise facilities as it prepares to further grow its fleet and retail propositions.

"There’s a real sense of momentum with our brand at the moment, which we’ll be looking to capitalise on.

We’ve made great strides in fleet and retail over the last couple of years and will cement our position in both in 2015."

SEAT has the dealer network and now an expanding product line-up to raise its game in SMEs and among drivers who want an alternative to the mainstream.

Join the debate... theukfleetforum.co.uk

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With luxurious interiors and legendary off-road ability, it’s as versatile as it is thrilling.

To book a test drive visit jeep.co.uk/fleet or contact our Business Centre on 01753 519442 or via email at fleet@jeep-comms.co.uk jeep.co.uk/fleet Jeep with ®

OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR JEEP RENEGADE RANGE MPG (L/100KM): EXTRA URBAN 48.7 (5.8) – 70.6 (4.0), URBAN 32.1 (8.8) – 51.4 (5.5), COMBINED 40.9 (6.9) – 61.4 (4.6), CO2 EMISSIONS: 160 – 120 G/KM. Fuel consumption and CO figures are obtained 2

for comparative purposes in accordance with EC directives/regulations and may not be representative of real-life driving conditions. Factors such as driving style, weather and road conditions may also have a significant effect on fuel consumption. Chrysler and CNH Industrial are Official Global Partners of the Expo Milano 2015. Jeep® is a registered trademark of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC.

BAROMETER Making sense of the surveys

We’ve pulled together the pertinent points from the myriad of research done in the fleet industry this month to give you a clearer view of what’s really going on...

SME fleets

Source: Lex Autolease

New company vehicles have been named among the key investments SME businesses plan to make in 2015, according to the latest bi-annual Business in Britain research by Lex Autolease.

48% of the 1,500 companies surveyed said that management teams plan to raise money to invest in their businesses in the first six months of the year.

New vehicles were identified as a key area of spend by 8% of businesses, alongside other frequently named priorities such as new plant and equipment, employee training and overseas expansion.

Company vehicles were a particular priority for small firms in the construction and transport sectors, with 28% and 20% of respondents respectively planning to either invest in buying or leasing a company vehicle this year.

“It’s significant that company cars and commercial vehicles remain on SME’s shopping lists, despite our survey showing a slight reduction in business confidence,” said Andrew Hogsden at Lex Autolease. “This signals a growing appreciation of the wider benefits of investing in vehicles, such as maintaining a professional image and reducing carbon emissions by operating a more fuel efficient vehicle fleet.”

accident delays According to the results of a survey by incident first-on-scene training organisation Driver First Assist (DFA), delays caused by accidents on British roads are seriously reducing business productivity.

47% of the commercial vehicle drivers surveyed said they were held up by a road traffic collision (RTC) at least once a month, with a further 28% being delayed three to five times.

If held up by a traffic accident, 44% said they are delayed by between 30 minutes and an hour.

Of those who were delayed due to an accident, 40% said they felt under pressure to make up the time.

Source: Driver First Assist

18 / fleetworld.co.uk

DFA reports that there are around 138,000 accidents on UK roads each year and assuming at least one commercial driver is stopped at every one of these incidents, the average time lost as a result could be in the region of 103,000 hours a year.

By educating professional drivers, of which there are now approximately 466,600 on UK roads, on how to manage the scene of a collision, DFA predicts road traffic fatalities could be cut by up to 46%.

fleet administration

Source: GE Capital Fleet Services

Fleets are dealing with increased administration work due to a growing focus on risk management and environmental initiatives, the results of the latest quarterly Company Car Trends research from GE Capital Fleet Services, suggest.

For respondents with fleet management as their primary job role, 20% reported an increase, compared to 17% for those with fleet management making up a part of their role. Respondents were asked which of the following jobs took up the majority of their time. Their responses are displayed in the pie chart.

“These results show a sizeable number of managers involved in running fleets are seeing a year-on-year increase in the amount of administrative work they have to undertake,” explained Gary Killeen, managing director at GE Capital UK Fleet Services.

“It also shows managers who become involved in fleet decisions and for whom company cars and vans are not their primary responsibility, increasingly get tied up in fleet issues. We continue to see more companies outsourcing key areas of fleet responsibility and an increasing administrative burden is often part of this decision.”

eyecare policy

18%

25%

16% 22% 19%

Administration

Finance

Human resources

Operations

Other

Source: Specsavers Corporate Eyecare

Over a quarter of employers are failing to comply with Health and Safety Display Screen Equipment (DSE) regulations, a recent survey conducted by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare suggests.

27% of the 138 organisations surveyed admitted that they did not have a DSE policy in place, or did not educate employees about their entitlement to eyecare.

39% of organisations with a policy said that corporate eyecare is highly valued by their staff.

43% of employers said a booklet to explain the details of eyecare benefits would be the most useful communication tool.

While 36% said they would prefer it if details were available on their company’s intranet, while 34% would find posters on the availability of corporate eyecare useful.

“Eyecare is extremely low-cost to high-value in relation to other employee benefits,” commented Suzanne Randall, corporate account manager at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare. “This is often only recognised, however, when the employer is provided with adequate and appropriate tools to communicate the value of the benefit to employees.” Corporate eyecare is a duty of care concern for fleets, for employees both in the office and behind the wheel.

for the latest daily news from the fleet industry, visit fleetworld.co.uk fleetworld.co.uk / 19

inbusiness

Edmund King, president of the AA, on the company’s plans for refinancing and its longer-term plans, including for fleets.

What are the reasons for the refinancing?

We have always said that reducing the amount of expensive debt we inherited from the previous private equity owners is a top priority. This refinancing will reduce our finance costs considerably, saving £45m a year allowing us to pay off our debt more quickly while also meaning we have more cash to invest in our strategic plan and support the ongoing development of the business.

How will it be carried out?

We have raised £200m of new equity to pay off our most expensive debt – the PIK – that we inherited from the previous owners. We have also swapped the costly bonds put in place by the previous owners in 2013, for new bonds with lower interest rates. In total this will mean we are saving £45m in annual interest costs so we’ll be in a better position to support the ongoing development of the business.

What are the plans for the longer term?

We want to transform the AA from being the provider of an insurance breakdown product into a digital brand with a wider suite of products to meet motorists’ needs.

The refinancing alongside our strategy to significantly invest in our IT systems, digital capability and the brand, will put in place the building blocks for longterm growth, and ensure the AA remains the UK’s preeminent motoring organisation.

What plans are in store for fleets?

We put customer service at the forefront of everything we do. The service provided by our patrol force is

Q &A

already absolutely excellent, and this is supported by our first-class geo-tracking system, AA Help. To improve our fleet service even further we are planning to increase the number of patrols on the road, as well as to tailor our fleet vehicles for every eventuality so that they are even better able to handle issues at the roadside. Our fleet customers will also have the opportunity to further benefit from our digital transformation, for example, by being able to track the progress of their AA patrol via the AA App. How is the AA planning to slow the fall in member numbers?

Last year the slight drop in personal members was balanced by an increase in spend per member as well as an increase in the number of new B2B customers.

The drop in personal members was due to our decision to no longer chase low margin business through heavy discounting. The AA clearly offers a premium service, and we need to market this rather than just compete on price. Research indicates that customers are happy to pay more for a more inclusive service.

Bob Mackenzie mentioned plans for accelerated investment in IT systems. Have these lagged behind?

Under previous private equity ownership, the AA was significantly under-invested in. As a result, our back-office systems are in need of an update. Our planned investment into these systems will allow us to operate more efficiently as a business, which will benefit staff, and we are also looking at digitising how our customers use the AA service to improve the customer experience.

Enter the Honours...

2015 HONOURS fleetworldhonours.co.uk 22 / fleetworld.co.uk

+ Fuel up Volkswagen Group Leasing – approved promoter of Barclaycard Fuel+ in association with The Miles Consultancy (TMC)

Fuel+ means saving money on your fleet’s business fuel spend.

Volkswagen Group Leasing working with Barclaycard Fuel+ provides access to the UK’s biggest network of fuelling stations that display the VISA sign*. What’s more with its Chip and PIN payment system, it’s secure and can be used in most stations across Europe.

With the ability to monitor and run a vast array of reports you can control your spending and we’re confident it can save you money too. If your first-year saving doesn’t amount to double the TMC fee*,* TMC will make up the difference.^

To find out more about Fuel+ call 0870 333 2229† or visit makingleasingsimple.co.uk/fuelcard * Please note that a few small fuel retailers with a shop may be classified by their VISA processing bank as a supermarket or convenience store and your card may therefore be declined. Only an outlet classified as a fuel retailer will accept your card. ** Fuel + costs £3.25 a month per vehicle. Additional card fees of £2 per month per card, may apply. ^ Mileage over-claims are only for claims made within the first year. †

Calls provided by BT will be charged up to 5p per minute, with a 12p set-up charge. Mobile and other provider’s charges may vary and are likely to cost more.

Terms and conditions apply and availability of Fuel+ is subject to credit approval.

inbusiness

BCA sold for £1.2bn

H

aversham Holdings has confirmed that it has reached an agreement to acquire BCA for £1.2bn.

Haversham Holdings, a listed vehicle which has backing from a funding group comprising Aviva Investors, Artemis, Invesco and Schroders, will buy the company from BCA’s owners which include private equity investors Clayton Dubilier & Rice. Last year CD&R stopped a flotation of BCA, citing volatile global equity markets.

The reverse takeover will be funded by a placing of new ordinary shares and a new debt facility and will see BCA renamed as BCA Marketplace plc.

Avril Palmer‐Baunack, executive chairman of Haversham, said: “Haversham's management team sees exciting growth opportunities in the changing European used vehicle market and plans to refresh BCA's strategy to enhance its strong growth record. We would like to thank our existing and new shareholders for their strong support and look forward to working with the management team at BCA to create long‐ term value.”

Pendragon rebrands P

endragon Contracts has rebranded as Pendragon Vehicle Management, citing the evolving nature of the fleet market as a key driver of the change.

Neal Francis, managing director of Pendragon Vehicle Manage‐ ment, said that the leasing division of the Pendragon Group, which has been around for nearly 30 years, has been rebranded to reflect the wider range of management services it offers fleets.

The firm has also put a ‘multi‐million pound’ investment into a new online system which offers fleet managers and drivers access to information through PCs, tablets and smartphones.

Francis said: “We changed the name because we are not just a provider of leases. Today’s fleets require the full range of management solutions and a first class service, as well we the ability to mine data wherever they are. Our new operating platform allows our customers to access a huge level of detail about their fleet and we intend to bring even more functionality to them over the next few months.

“We’ve been here nearly 30 years,” Francis added. “This rebrand‐ ing and online launch sets us up for the next 30.”

inbusiness trading places

in

out

out

David Wallace to lead RAC drive for B2B growth The RAC has announced the appointment of David Wallace as its new business services director to lead its drive for B2B growth.

Wallace brings a wealth of industry experience to the role and will be responsible for leading the development of the core business-to-business (B2B) customer base, and further improving the RAC’s B2B customerfocused services.

He joins the RAC from epyx where he spent three years as sales and business development director and prior to that he was at the AA for 12 years where he built and led the Business Services sales team.

Nigel Trotman to retire after 22 years in fleet Alphabet has announced that strategic fleet consultant Nigel Trotman will retire at the end of March after 22 years in the fleet and business mobility industry.

Trotman joined the industry in 1993 managing Whitbread’s fleet and subsequently joined Alphabet in 2010. Since that time he has worked with corporate and public sector clients on the strategic development of their fleet and mobility solutions; including helping customers switch on to electric vehicles with AlphaElectric, as well as introducing corporate car sharing with AlphaCity.

David Bushnell, who joined Alphabet in October 2014, will assume Trotman’s responsibilities at Alphabet.

LeasePlan’s Matt Cranny moves to ARI Fleet management company ARI has announced the appointment of LeasePlan’s Matt Cranny.

Cranny will leave his role of operations director at LeasePlan and will take on the same title role at ARI where he will work closely with managing director Keith Allen and sales director Jason Chamberlain.

In his new role he will lead the operational teams, overseeing the continued rollout of ARI’s services and products supported by the company’s continued significant investment in technology.

in

Budget 2015

Reaction and Analysis A sustainable travel and transport infrastructure “Overall, the measures announced by the Chancellor are positive and demonstrate the Government’s commitment to building and supporting a sustainable travel and transport infrastructure that supports not just current, but future needs.”

Richard Schooling, CEO, Alphabet

The last Budget of this Government offered few surprises, but in the fine print were some pointers to the next five years for fleets, whichever is in power. We ask industry leaders for their reaction...

Company car tax Company car Benefit in Kind rates will see an increase for 2019/20 while rises will be slowed for low emission vehicles.

In the Budget statement, Mr Osborne said: “To encourage a new generation of low emission vehicles we will increase their company car tax more slowly than previously planned, while increasing other rates by 3% in 2019-20.”

Company car tax will see a rise by two percentage points for cars emitting more than 75 g/km to a maximum of 37% until 2018-19 after which there will be a rise of three percentage points for 2019-20. In 2017-18 there will be a four percentage point differential between the 0-50 and 51-75 g/ km bands and between the 51-75 and 76-94 g/km bands. In 2018-19 this differential will reduce to three percentage points.

Fuel duty frozen Chancellor George Osborne announced that the proposed 0.54p-per-litre fuel duty escalator due in September has been cancelled.

The Chancellor said this equates to the longest duty freeze in over 20 years and saves a family around £10 every time they fill up their car.

26 / fleetworld.co.uk

The move builds on previous action to cut fuel duty by one pence per litre in March 2011.

Driverless cars The Chancellor announced the Government is to “back our brilliant automotive industry by investing £100m to stay ahead in the race to driverless technology”.

The funds will be invested into research and development of driverless car technology and the wider systems required to implement and adopt the technology – such as telecommunications.

Fuel Benefit Charge From 6 April 2016 the Fuel Benefit Charge multiplier for both cars and vans will increase by RPI. Van Benefit Charge From 6 April 2016 the main Van Benefit Charge (VBC) will increase by RPI. Vehicle Excise Duty rates and bands From 1 April 2015 Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates for cars, vans, motorcycles and motorcycle trade licences will increase by RPI.

Hit and miss for the motor industry “The government now runs the serious risk of reducing the tax incentive between ultra low-emission vehicles and higher-polluting models.

“This is likely to cost the industry an extra £340m in 2019-20, according to Government estimates, which is a 171% tax rise compared to what the industry was expecting from the 2014 Budget.

“Overall, this has been a hit-andmiss Budget for the motoring industry.”

Jay Parmar, director of policy & membership, BVRLA A disappointing Budget “The government is ploughing hundreds of millions of pounds into encourage the uptake of zero and ultra low emission company cars so ACFO is disappointed that Benefit-in-Kind tax rates on these vehicles (0-50 g/km) are increasing further in 2019-20.

“Given the government’s focus on encouraging demand for electric and plug-in cars through a range of incentives, notably grants, ACFO would have expected the Chancellor to reduce company car Benefitin-Kind tax rates, not increase them, on these vehicles.”

John Pryor, ACFO chairman A step in the right direction for ULEVs “The previous Budget was criticised for increasing BiK tax on ULEVs at a faster rate than higher emitting vehicles but today’s announcement appears to be a more positive step in the right direction.”

David Hosking, CEO, Tusker

Beware BiK tax increases “For fleets, the newly announced Benefit-in-Kind taxation rates represent quite a significant increase on the rates that were announced in last year’s Budget. “This will have a direct impact on the amount of tax paid by certain drivers in certain vehicles. For example, if you chose a 120g/km petrol car after April of this year and your employer runs a four year cycle, the percentage of list price on which you pay tax will rise from 19% to 28% over time.�

The winning formula for ffleet leet per performance formance

Gary Killeen, fleet services commercial leader for GE Capital UK A fiscally neutral Budget “This seems to be a structured, sustainable and fiscally neutral Budget albeit with some significant gimmicks around savings and personal taxation. “In the shorter term, freezing fuel duty is also helpful while additional support and incentives for green and hybrid technology from a business taxation perspective is also interesting given the carbon emissions to which the UK is committed.�

Rupert Pontin, head of valuations, Glass’s

“...a structured, sustainable and fiscally neutral Budget albeit with some significant gimmicks around savings and personal taxation.�

What will happen post-election? “Will this policy of stability continue after the General Election? We are told that the result is likely to be close and that new coalitions could be created. While the attitudes of the major parties towards fleets are well known and probably unlikely to change dramatically, the attitudes of smaller ones that may suddenly hold a large amount of power is pretty much unknown.�

Kyle Truman, head of marketing at epyx Stability vital for businesses “Stability and consistency are what businesses need to grow and prosper. This Budget sets the tone, providing a clear plan for fiscal health and growth. This Budget has some encouraging measures to help businesses create jobs for the benefit of all.�

John Cridland, CBI director-general

Fuel Fuel Card

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inbusiness

Under Pressure A new technology which radically simplifies tyre pressure checks is beginning trials at one of the UK’s busiest motorway services, and could become a valuable tool for fleets, reports Alex Grant.

What is it?

Developed by WheelRight, the system instantly checks the pressures of a full set of tyres just by driving over pads in the ground. Already in use at bus depots, a 13-week trial launched at Keele Services on the M6 in March, working with the Highways Agency and Welcome Break to provide free tyre pressure checks for cars and HGVs.

The problem Tyre pressures are often neglected, WheelRight says, and Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems, which become mandatory on all new cars later this year, aren’t necessarily the solution. Some use the ABS system to monitor wheel size differences across an axle, so can’t detect if tyres are deflating together, and others give live pressure readings but bury them within menus and only alert drivers once they get really low.

As a result, between 10 and 20% of the UK’s tyres are estimated to be underinflated, causing a multitude of problems. A 10% decrease in pressure increases fuel consumption by up to 5%, reduces tyre life by up to 15% and causes a 10% loss of braking efficiency. In the UK, 25 deaths and 1,500 serious accidents each year are attributed to tyre issues.

How it works: Aiming to give drivers a nudge to check their pressures more often, the system is designed to be instant, accurate and automated. There are two pads on the ground with sensors that record pressure points as the car drives over, and from this the

28 / fleetworld.co.uk

system can calculate in seconds how much each corner is inflated. The driver can see the results on a screen, or print a slip afterwards.

Because the cars are identified by automatic number plate recognition and the system is networked, drivers can have results sent to their mobile phone and fleet operators can have data sent to them via e-mail, regardless of where the check takes place.

However, the trial at Keele is about providing data to drivers, and registration numbers won’t be shared.

What’s next?

Once the trial at Keele is complete, WheelRight is hoping to roll the technology out to other service areas and forecourts around the UK. However, there are applications for companies with large car fleets.

For installation costs and a monthly lease, which covers maintenance, repairs and upgrades, the system can be installed in company car parks enabling regular tyre checks as vehicles enter and exit, notifying fleet managers or drivers of any issues. One UK company with the system installed said less than 70% of its car drivers had correctly inflated tyres beforehand, compared to 97% now.

New functions are under development, too. The automatic number plate recognition could enable drivers to register online and select which wheels are fitted to their car, allowing the system to show how under-inflated they are without needing to check the handbook. WheelRight is also about to start trials of a camera-based system which would enable it to check the condition of the tread.

End of the spare wheel?

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Bremont Jaguar MKI and MKII Developed in collaboration with Jaguar, Bremont’s latest wrist watches are inspired by the dashboard instruments of the E-Type. Both are built into a polished stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal reverse, showing the internal workings overlayed by the E-Type’s iconic drilled steering wheel.

Price: £4,950 (MKI) £8,950 (MKII), see bremont.com for stockists

Apple MacBook The thinnest and lightest Mac ever made measures just 13.1mm at its thickest point, and weighs 900g. Yet it offers a 12-inch Retina display, fullsize keyboard with a customisable Force Touch trackpad and provides enough battery life for nine hours of web browsing. There’s also a choice of three finishes, just like an iPhone.

Price: £1,299 from apple.com/uk

AMPL Smart BackPack Within this rain-resistant rucksack is an advanced charging system with seven USB ports, not only capable of topping up mobile devices but monitoring charge levels and relaying internal temperatures to a smartphone app. The included battery is modular, so it can be expanded to charge laptops, too.

Price: £200 from ampl-labs.com

Samsung Galaxy S6 Samsung’s spearhead smartphone now features wireless charging and the ability to gain four hours of battery life in ten minutes through a cable.

Beneath tough Gorilla Glass, its 5.1-inch display curves around both sides of the front of the device, brightening images from its 16-megapixel camera and bringing content to life. Three memory sizes and five colours are available.

Price: Depends on tariff, see samsung website; samsung.com/uk

apps of the month

SignEasy

Letterspace

Ginger Keyboard

Signing documents on the move just got easier. SignEasy lets you enter your signature using a finger or stylus and insert it into most common formats, either stored on your device or in the cloud. It’s protected

by PIN or fingerprint for added security and streamlined to take seconds, as well as enabling offline signing while out of coverage.

Price: Free from Amazon, Blackberry World, Google Play, and iTunes Store

A solution to fiddly cursor placement on touchscreen devices, Letterspace is a simple note-taking app with a quick-access slider to scan through text. Notes can be grouped by hashtags and mentions, synced across multiple devices and searched easily, and the app can create to-do lists with simple toggling of completed tasks too.

Price: Free from iTunes Store

Autocorrect issues are a frustrating aspect of writing on a smartphone or tablet, so Ginger Software has come up with a package which is more intelligent. Depending on your device, it can predict your next words and offers grammar checks as you type, improving your writing speed and avoiding embarrassing typos.

Price: Free from Google Play, iTunes Store

30 / fleetworld.co.uk

iPad

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Mazda CX-3 The CX-3 joins a growing sector with driver enjoyment as a focus. Alex Grant finds out more.

SECTOR Crossover PRICE £17,595–£24,695 FUEL 44.1–70.6mpg CO2 105–150g/km

H

aving revolutionised the traditional C‐segment, it appears the supermini class is next on the radar for manufacturers’ crossover plans. Supermini‐ derived SUVs are firmly on the development plans for most carmakers in the coming years, set to double 2013’s 400,000 global sales by 2017, and the CX‐3 is Mazda’s contender in this expanding market.

Around 38,000 of the 150,000 annual production will come to Europe, of which 5,500 will be sold in the UK, and it’s the latest asset in a constantly evolving product line‐ up. Linked by its strongest ever visual identity and under‐ pinned by the SKYACTIV Technology package of efficient drivetrains, lightweight construction and driver‐focused chassis upgrades, the brand’s rapid renewal has given a well‐deserved sales uplift and this will certainly help.

The CX‐3 sets out its stall as a driver’s car, based on an extended version of the Mazda2’s chassis but coming in just short of the Mazda3’s overall length. That’s perfect not only for taking on established rivals in the Juke and Mokka, but it’ll enable it to poach buyers upsizing from a super‐ 2.2‐litre engine used in larger models. With NVH bench‐ mini as well as those moving from a C‐segment hatchback. marked against the Mazda3 the CX‐3 is also impressively It also gives an extra dimension to Mazda’s fleet offering hushed at cruising speeds, only getting gravelly when in the UK, though sales are expected to be pushed hard. retail‐weighted at launch. Petrol engines, Beyond that, engine options vary depend‐ FLEET FACT comprising 2.0‐litre units with 118 and ing on the trim level. The CX‐3 follows the 148bhp, are forecast to take half of sales and, same structure as the rest of the range, The CX-3 is despite not downsizing and turbocharging including SE and SE‐L grades with a £600 like its key competitors, the CX‐3 comes close navigation upgrade, and the top‐of‐the‐range available to order enough on fuel consumption for this not to be Sport Nav which gets the widest choice. in the UK from an issue. The upside is a lack of lag at low revs.

Automatic transmission and four‐wheel the 19 June.

For fleets, the 1.5‐litre diesel engine is the drive add £1,300 and £1,500, respectively, to most sensible option, available with front‐ the diesel engine. wheel drive and a manual gearbox in all trim levels. It’s a The seats are positioned between the height of a Mazda2 derivative of the Mazda2’s drivetrain, here tuned to and CX‐5, which means the low‐ish roofline hasn’t compro‐ 103bhp, and offers the same wide spread of torque as the mised rear‐seat headroom too heavily and it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. Boot volume, at 350 litres, is on par with rivals but very usable with a flat floor from the tailgate to the front seats with the rear bench folded.

Where it really sets itself aside from rivals is the driving position. The dashboard is logically laid out around the driver, with central controls and a steering wheel which doesn’t obscure the instruments.

Mazda has taken real strides in fit and finish in recent years and, though there are plenty of hard plastics inside, stitched fabric or leather sections and accents of red and silver stop it feeling cheap. The only slight niggle is the gearstick, which is slightly too low to fit in with the other‐ wise sporty‐feeling cabin.

This might be a new niche, but there’s a clear place for the CX‐3 in Mazda’s growing product range, and it feels well‐tuned to British tastes. Convincingly related to its driver‐focused newcomers and stylish enough to stand out in a segment where design leads decisions, it’s another strong string for Mazda’s bow.

32 / fleetworld.co.uk

what we think

highlights Based on an extended Mazda2 chassis, tuned for the taller body and high speed stability

A stylish newcomer in a range which has become impossible to ignore in recent years, the CX-3 would have benefitted from sub100g/km CO2 emissions but ticks all the right boxes to give Mazda real presence in this segment.

Plentiful interior space, despite compact overall size Touch screen MZD Connect infotainment is standard, navigation costs ÂŁ600

key fleet model Mazda CX-3 1.5d SE-L Nav

fleetworld.co.uk / 33

SEAT Leon X-Perience The Leon X-Perience gives SEAT a foothold in the expanding crossover sector, reckons John Kendall.

SECTOR Lower medium estate PRICE From £24,385 FUEL 57.6mpg CO2 129g/km

T

o say that within the Volkwagen Group, SEAT has only with the excellent DSG twin‐clutch six‐speed auto‐ been a bit light on the SUV and crossover front is a mated transmission and SE Technology spec. Choose bit of an understatement. Volkwagen has Golf either engine for fuel consumption and emissions that are Alltrack, Tiguan and Touareg, Audi is all ‘Qs’ and Allroad said to be the same 57.6mpg combined and 129g/km CO2.

That means BiK tax at 23% in 2015/16 and VED at £110 and Skoda has Yeti and Octavia Scout. per year. All models are Euro 6 compliant.

OK, there used to be the Altea Freetrack, but Cinderella X‐Perience models are well specified with a host of is now off to the ball. Leon X‐Perience, in some ways a optional equipment too. A full‐length panoramic sunroof successor to the Altea Freetrack, with its Haldex four‐ is on the options list as is adaptive cruise control. The wheel drive system is merely the starting point. SEAT boot has a floor that can be set at two levels, giving a showed the 20V20 SUV concept at the recent Geneva capacity of 587 litres, expanding to 1,470 litres with the Show and there will be a compact SUV arriving in show‐ rear seats folded. rooms next year after making its debut If you have driven a Haldex‐equipped at the Geneva Show 2016. model before, the Leon X‐Perience will X‐Perience is based on the Leon ST not hold surprises. The raised suspen‐ estate model with 15mm raised ground sion is noticeable when getting in, but clearance and the almost obligatory sill otherwise it feels like a Leon ST, until and wheel arch protective mouldings. you get under way. The 4x4 system is As we have hinted, all models get the unobtrusive, as it’s intended, but ride latest version of the Haldex four‐wheel‐ quality is more compliant than the drive. This smart system drives the front‐drive Leons. That combination of front wheels only for most of the time, slightly higher driving position and but when loss of traction is detected, it greater comfort would appeal to older will divert drive to the rear wheels. It is drivers, but you are more likely to find infinitely variable, capable of sending those with “Active Lifestyles” featuring all the drive to the rear wheels when in marketing material. necessary, or any front/rear drive split Leon X-Perience doesn't With crossover and SUV sales still it senses is best. For traction in snow do anything especially growing and the cars seen as desirable, and ice, or towing a trailer onto a new, but signals SEAT’s it ought to ensure some competitive muddy field, it’s an ideal system. leasing prices as RVs should hold up X‐Perience comes with a Boris‐baiting entry into the crossover well, maybe with a bit of help from diesel‐only power option featuring the and SUV sector. It offers all arriving SEAT SUVs next year. It’s a wel‐ 2.0TDI engine used extensively across the advantages of the ST come addition to the Leon range, offer‐ the Volkwagen Group. There’s a choice with all-weather traction. ing more design verve than an Octavia of 148bhp with SE or SE Technology Scout. spec or the 182bhp version available

what we think

34 / fleetworld.co.uk

500X IS COMING. The latest member of the Fiat 500 family, the all-new Fiat 500X crossover is set to appeal to fleet drivers thanks to its benchmark levels of efficiency, driving dynamics and generous standard equipment. equipment, such as Cruise Control, TPMS (tyre pressure monitor system) and 3.5” multifunction TFT display.

The 500X will also excel when it comes to the all important performance figures, thanks to its Euro 6 compliant fuel-efficient petrol and diesel engines. The new 1.6 MultiJet II, a second generation diesel engine can deliver up to 68.9mpg on the combined cycle as well as CO2 emissions from only 109g/km. Benchmark performance is assured further by the segment-first nine-speed automatic transmission, shared with the Jeep Renegade.

Other highlights include Drive Mode Fuel economy: Selector with adaptable driving modes optimising on and off-road dynamics for from 68.9 (combined) any conditions you may come across.

CO2 emissions:

SINCE its launch in 2007, the chic Fiat 500 has become recognised across the world while here in the UK it has earned its place as the best-selling city car.

As Fiat expands the 500 family, a new compact crossover version, the Fiat 500X, is being launched to provide both private and fleet drivers with the option of a stylish, innovative model that delivers increased space with resounding on and off-road capability, making it perfect for city driving as well as outdoor pursuits.

Combining style and substance Offering the benchmark levels of efficiency, driving dynamics and 4x4 capability when needed, the Fiat 500X also throws in distinguished Italian design and styling. Five trim levels are offered, with the Cross and Cross Plus models particularly focused on rugged, off-road styling.

A number of drivetrain and engine combinations will be available to meet individual drivers’ requirements.

500X

from 109g/km Drive Mode Selector: Auto / Sport / Traction (All Weather)

Safety first

A comprehensive range of safety features include optional Lane or Blind Spot Assist and Brake Control system in addition to 6 airbags and ESC fitted as standard across the range.

Drivetrain options: The new model will be a real contender 4x2 / 4x2 with in the fastest growing car segment and a Traction+ / 4x4 great proposition not only for compact Xtremely well equipped SUV fleet drivers but also traditional B Advanced in-car technology with up-to-date mobile and C segment buyers due to its versatility and a generous connectivity will be a key feature of the new model. standard equipment across the range.

Technology highlights include the UConnect LIVE DAB Radio featuring a high-definition 6.5” touchscreen The Fiat 500X goes on sale later this month, from £17,595 with Bluetooth and navigation technology with 3D OTR for the front wheel drive 1.4 MultiAir II 140hp Pop Star. landmark details, while audiophiles will no doubt To discover how the new Fiat 500X fits your business appreciate the sound of the premium Beats®Audio requirements, email our Business Centre at system, boasting ample 560W of power.

This is backed up by high levels of standard fiat.fleet@fiat.com or call 01753 519442.

advertisement feature

Suzuki Vitara

Has softening the Vitara broadened or blunted its appeal? Anthony Ffrench-Constant finds out.

SECTOR Compact SUV PRICE £13,999–£21,299 FUEL 50.4–67.2mpg CO2 106–131g/km

S

uzuki has clearly developed something of a Land both powertrains, the company is clearly all too cognisant of Rover obsession of late, claiming the new Vitara the scant 10% up‐take of all‐wheel drive in the SUV market. looks like an Evoque.

On board, swathes of hard plastics abound, but the over‐ No it doesn't. Elements of the frontal treatment and the all appearance is tidy enough, and Suzuki has been fairly sloping roofline are where all similarities end, because the artful in ensuring that the fingers always encounter higher Vitara, though visually inoffensive, lacks the daring of the quality and even soft touch materials whenever the hands chunky faux Range Rover. drift into the vicinity of switchgear.

Whatever your view, there was a delightful honesty about The driving position elicits no complaints, with reach and the robust, no nonsense Vitara which is now clearly deemed rake adjustment to the steering ganging up with more than superfluous to ever‐shifting SUV market requirements. Thing adequate leather n' suede seat comfort to offer helm ergonom‐ is, in replacing rural rugged with upmarket urban, has Suzuki ics that can't be bettered in the segment. And the standard thrown the baby out with the bath water? equipment specification is notably lavish, Suzuki has taken an age to produce a car especially higher up the grade ladder. for this ever‐burgeoning segment. And Sadly, a combination of petrol engine joining an increasingly crowded party so and six speed manual transmission was‐ late would suggest that a fairly striking n’t available, so we focussed on the top‐ USP or two are needed to avoid the Vitara of‐the‐range diesel, which, with CO2 emissions of only 111g/km, make the rising without trace. Especially since those diesel all‐wheel drive Vitara the cleanest unpasteurised milk and Kendal Mint Cake non‐hybrid 4x4 on the market. aficionados that favoured previous gener‐ Notchy manual gearshift aside, this is an ations of the car may find less here to offer otherwise entirely pleasant drive, steering similar, mud‐spattered appeal. tidily, and cornering with a flat stance and Priced from £13,999 to £21,299 and fine body control. Damping's very good targeting the likes of Skoda's clever Yeti, and progress largely supple, though ‐in the the Renault Captur, Fiat's 500X and the interests of making the car handle with a Nissan Juke, the range includes a choice The Vitara's biggest probpleasing agility and poise absent from any‐ of 1.6 petrol or 1.6 diesel powerplants lem could be competition thing previously sporting a rhino astern‐ it allied to either front or all‐wheel drive, from its own, slightly does feel a whisker over‐sprung. with automatic transmission available on True off‐road capability will inevitably petrol versions alone. larger, better looking, be shackled by just 185mm of ground Based on the S‐Cross, Suzuki suggests AWD equippable and clearance and a prominent front overhang, that UK punters will display a 60:40 price-overlapping but a transmission tunnel‐mounted drive favouritism for petrol over diesel. More‐ sibling, the S-Cross. mode select switch makes operating a 4x4 over, given that all‐wheel drive is only system no one will ever use a doddle. available on top of the range versions of

what we think

36 / fleetworld.co.uk

Audi TT TDI Ultra S Line Steve Moody explores whether the new diesel TT could be a great company car, in the right hands.

SECTOR Coupe PRICE £32,320 FUEL 67.3mpg CO2 110g/km

I

’ve always thought that a diesel Audi TT was a bit of a cop‐out. If you really want to save tax, don’t choose an iconic sports car – go for something a little less sporty and more suited to the role.

But with the new TT, my opinion has been revised. Of course, this has to be placed in context: it is not as good as the high‐revving petrol versions. But they are utterly bril‐ liant, a huge leap forward from the last model. So on that basis, the overall progress of the model makes this new diesel version really quite excellent.

From the outside, the TT looks sharper, while retaining a whiff of that three‐lump silhouette that has made it so dis‐ tinctive, and it’s a good looking, stylish machine. But it is

inside and underneath where the real talent lies.

For a start, the TDI version is part of Audi’s Ultra range, meaning it has low emissions, with its 182bhp 2.0‐litre diesel engine rated at just 110g/km of CO2. So the on‐paper figures are pretty impressive. This model comes only with a manual gear and front‐wheel drive, and I thought missing the DSG auto gearbox might be a weakness. It isn’t.

That’s because the engine revs surprisingly keenly for a diesel, it handles with plenty of agility, the gearbox has a wonderfully positive feel, and the off‐beat thrum from the exhaust sounds pretty fruity. In fact, under acceleration, it is very much a sports car.

Then, when you are just cruising about in day‐to‐day mode, it will easily hit mid‐50s mpg and rides quite com‐ fortably. In the cabin, you will be comfortable too, because it is a masterpiece. The standard of materials and the fit is as good as there is, while the high definition screen that produces dials, sat nav and all other functions is the best in any car on sale today.

Clearly, a £32,000 coupe isn’t going to be the ideal choice for everyone, but with ridiculously strong residual values, low running costs due to its Volkswagen Group running gear, and a multitude of talents, this is a fabulous company car in the right hands.

Tusker’s salary sacrifice car scheme... with you every step of the way Put your employees in the driving seat with an all inclusive motoring package Tusker fully manage the scheme on your behalf

Comprehensive risk mitigation that offers a range of protections to mitigate any risk

Clock up incredible savings Unique carbon offsetting initiative

Fully bespoke systems are designed around your personal requirements

Make great savings and improve your employee benefits through our innovative fleet solution To find out more give us a call on 0333 400 1010, email us at hello@tuskerdirect.com or visit www.tuskerdirect.com/fwap15 0333 400 1010 hello@tuskerdirect.com www.tuskerdirect.com/fwap15

Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 CDTi With its quieter and more efficient new diesel engine, the Mokka is great value, reckons Alex Grant.

SECTOR Crossover PRICE £18,129–£20,174 FUEL 55.4–68.9mpg CO2 109–134g/km

V

auxhall was an early arrival in the compact crossover segment, and the Mokka has been an important part of broadening its appeal with user‐ choosers since. That’s something a new and more compet‐ itive diesel engine can only build on.

It’s the same 1.6‐litre ‘Whisper Diesel’ engine that Vaux‐ hall has steadily been rolling out across the range over the last 18 months. The Mokka gets the more powerful of the two outputs – at 134bhp – and it’ll supersede the ageing 128bhp 1.7‐litre CDTi as Euro 6 emissions limits come into force this year. In the meantime, both engines are avail‐ able, but with a tiny £180 price walk to the newcomer.

For company car drivers, the new engine is a no‐brainer.

Vauxhall’s pricing on the Mokka is aggressive, but CO2 emissions of 120g/km were starting to show its age against an ever‐wider choice of competitors. At 109g/km with a manual gearbox and two‐wheel drive, it’s competitive on running costs and good value too – especially in the Tech Line trim. However, that headline figure does require downsizing to 17‐inch wheels – the 18‐inch versions fitted as standard bump it up to 114g/km.

Financial advantages aside, it’s also a much nicer car to drive. It’s still grumbly under load, but there’s a marked reduction in noise, vibration and harshness compared to its predecessor, which makes the Mokka feel more like a

D DAB – never a dull moment

F

C‐segment hatchback than an scaled‐up supermini, and the relatively high power output means it’s long‐legged enough for motorway use.

If there’s any criticism to make, it’s that the model range could be wider. Vauxhall has a 108bhp version of this engine in the Astra, bringing the same refinement benefits but with the added advantage of an even lower entry price and a reduction in CO2. Given that most of this car’s rivals are between 110 and 120bhp, that could’ve made the Mokka even better value.

J Just keeps going...

Up to 88.3mpg†

Flaunt it

T Turbocharged engines

Q Quids in for Whole Life Costs

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). New Corsa range: Urban 36.2 (7.8) – 76.3 † = Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. * = 2014-15 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, parking and speeding fines and the £250 insurance excess (if applicable). 3 Day Test Drive vehicles are subject to availability and terms and conditions apply. Please refer to www.vauxhall3DTD.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

Tesla Model S 85kWh Alex Grant tries the mid-market electric executive.

SECTOR Executive PRICE £58,680 (after £5,000 grant) RANGE 310 miles CO2 0g/km

A

s improbable as it might have sounded until fairly recently, Tesla has managed a couple of impressive feats with the Model S. Not only is this tempting drivers out of established premium brands, but it’s doing so without the backup of a petrol or diesel engine.

At the core of the range, the 85kWh version makes the most sense for corporate users. It’s an £8,000 upgrade from the entry‐level model, but the larger battery capacity adds 70 miles to the range and includes free lifetime access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. In other words, it ticks the

K

two important boxes to make an electric vehicle viable – plenty of range and the ability to recharge quickly.

This makes it unlike any other electric vehicle on the market. It’s possible to get into the Model S and just drive it normally, stopping to charge at realistically long intervals and not having to be overly gentle with the throttle or limit the use of climate control. Typical range to a full charge is around 250‐260 miles on the motorway and, as Tesla extends its Supercharger coverage, it’s only going to become more usable.

Designed as an electric car, there’s no compromise on practicality elsewhere. It has a large boot, the cabin is spa‐ cious and comfortable with no transmission tunnel to affect rear legroom, and there’s a separate luggage compartment under the bonnet. It’s heavy, but with 376bhp and a flat torque curve, it’s an effortless long‐distance car and the combination of electric drive and aerodynamic body make it incredibly refined too.

Tesla could have been setting itself up for a fall by target‐ ing the most exacting end of the market, but the Model S is an impressive first shot at the executive sector. Ongoing improvements in quality and additional driver assistance technology introduced this year, set to be bolstered by soft‐ ware updates in the coming months, mean this seemingly improbable newcomer is a very interesting alternative.

Love at first sight Love the tiny whole life costs Love the huge spec Love New Corsa

Kind on BiK – from just 13%*

G Gloves?

Who needs gloves with the heated steering wheel?

VAUXHALL FLEET Call 0870 010 0651 | visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/fleet

Book your FREE** 3 Day Test Drive at www.vauxhall3DTD.co.uk or call 0870 240 4848

(3.7), Extra-urban 57.6 (4.9) – 94.2 (3.0), Combined 47.1 (6.0) – 88.3 (3.2). CO2 emissions 140 – 85g/km. trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their particular tax position. ** = Excludes fuel and lubricants; congestion charges; Drivers must be 25 years or older and is available for Mainland UK only. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (March 2015). Images shown for illustrative purposes only and may feature options at extra cost.

EVENTS Fleet Show 2015

6

Ways to have a great Fleet Show 2015

There’s so much to do at the Fleet World Fleet Show at Silverstone on 12th May, and we have some recommendations on how you can make the most out of your day.

1 Drive the legendary Silverstone track The Silverstone circuit offers a superb range of safe, queue-free track driving opportunities on the National, International and Stowe circuits, providing the best possible testing ground for all the latest fleet cars and vans.

Drivers using the National circuit will be accompanied by a professional racing driver who will clearly explain the benefits of each vehicle. There is no speed limit on the National circuit and all drivers using this circuit will be required to wear a crash helmet at all times. Visitors using the International circuit will be accompanied by a representative of the relevant motor manufacturer, on hand to answer any questions drivers may have, while the Stowe circuit will be available for all vehicles, including test drives with LCV manufacturers.

D DAB – never a dull moment

F

J Just keeps going...

Up to 88.3mpg†

Flaunt it

T Turbocharged engines

Q Quids in for Whole Life Costs

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). New Corsa range: Urban 36.2 (7.8) – 76.3 † = Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. * = 2014-15 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, parking and speeding fines and the £250 insurance excess (if applicable). 3 Day Test Drive vehicles are subject to availability and terms and conditions apply. Please refer to www.vauxhall3DTD.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

2

3

SPONSORED BY

Have a seminal moment

Go off-road

A team of expert fleet managers will become trainers for the day when they host a series of workshop-style sessions.

Following the highly successful format pioneered at the 2014 show, the seminar and training programme will follow a similar theme in which experienced fleet managers will pass on their knowledge and expertise in a series of interactive sessions where audience participation will be actively encouraged.

The team of fleet managers includes Andrew Houston from Altro Group plc, Glenn Ewen from Clear Channel UK, David Oliver, procurement manager for Red Bull and WSP group fleet & employee benefits manager, Dennis Dugen.

The four sessions will cover the fundamentals of fleet management, environmental management, risk management and procurement.

Silverstone Circuit boasts its own off-road driving area for those who wish to put the latest 4x4s to the test.

Located near the main circuit, visitors can experience the latest off-roaders alongside a professional instructor.

D DAB – never a dull moment

4

Learn how to ‘Stop the Crash’ The Copse Runway will be used to demonstrate a range of exciting new and existing automotive safety technologies that can provide real benefits to fleet operators. These include vehicle stability and anti-skid control, crash-avoidance systems, driverless vehicles and advanced road train systems. There will be opportunities to experience these new technologies for themselves, as well as watching demonstrations in the Silverstone Wing.

FDOTY

F

5 Find out who the best fleet driver is Entering its third year, the final of the Fleet Driver of the Year competition will again be held at Silverstone. Following a four-stage assessment which has been open to all UK fleets and their drivers, there is a final stage of skills driving, to really test the abilities of our entrants, will take place on the day.

Partners returning for the 2015 competition include Toyota and Lexus Fleet Services, ALD Automotive and AA Drive Tech.

→

J Just keeps going...

Up to 88.3mpg†

Flaunt it

T Turbocharged engines

Q Quids in for Whole Life Costs

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). New Corsa range: Urban 36.2 (7.8) – 76.3 † = Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. * = 2014-15 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, parking and speeding fines and the £250 insurance excess (if applicable). 3 Day Test Drive vehicles are subject to availability and terms and conditions apply. Please refer to www.vauxhall3DTD.co.uk for full terms and conditions.

→

6

Visit nearly 100 exhibitors!!

The Fleet Show sees nearly 100 exhibitors – 75% more than 2014! – showing their wares at the iconic Silverstone Wing, providing an unrivalled location to source new suppliers and innovative new products to help run your fleet.

SPONSORED BY

Consulting

Consulting

Fleet Conne

ions

CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO BE THERE?

pre-register now at thefleetshow.co.uk

→

The fast way to cut business fuel costs by an average of 25% *

Barclaycard Fuel+, developed in association with The Miles Consultancy (TMC), is the next generation fuel card†, proven to reduce fleet fuel expenses by an average of 25%*. It’s powered by Visa, meaning it’s accepted almost everywhere** and features an award-winning Mileage Capture and Audit system. With no transaction charges and total visibility, you can take full control of your business fuel spend. It’s the clear way to move your fleet forward.

To see how our fuel solution could make a difference to your business visit barclaycard.co.uk/business/fleetworld or call 0844 822 2400.^

Barclaycard Fuel+. Miles ahead. †

Please note that, at present, Fuel+ is available only to organisations with a business fuel spend of more than £100,000 p.a.

*This is based on the first year business fuel savings of 24 TMC customers calculated in 2012. TMC is a trading name of The Miles Consultancy Ltd, a provider of Mileage, Fuel and Mobility Management solutions. Registered Office: TMC House, Minshull Vernon, Cheshire CW1 4RJ. **Please note that a few small fuel retailers with a shop may be classified by their Visa processing bank as a supermarket or convenience store and your card may therefore be declined. Only an outlet classified as a fuel retailer will accept your card. ^For BT business customers, calls will cost no more than 5.5p per minute, minimum call charge 6p (current at March 2015). The price on non-BT phone lines may be different.

Calls may be monitored and/or recorded.

Barclaycard is a trading name of Barclays Bank PLC. Barclays Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register Number: 122702) and subscribes to the Lending Code which is monitored and enforced by the Lending Standards Board. Registered in England No: 1026167. Registered Office: 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP.

WHY YOU NEED TO BE THERE! INDOOR EXHIBITION

SEMINAR PROGRAMME

With nearly 100 exhibitors already signed up, the indoor exhibition area at Fleet Show 2015 promises to provide visitors with plenty of opportunities to discover new products, services and suppliers.

Covering everything from accident management to telematics, exhibitors in the indoor exhibition area will be primed to provide fleet buyers with information on how to make their fleet safer, more environmentally friendly, more cost-effective and more effective as a means of recruiting and retaining staff.

Fleet Show 2014 pioneered a new kind of seminar programme in which all the content was collated and presented by a team of experienced fleet managers.

Audience feedback was unequivocally positive and as a result the same format will be adopted in 2015.

Under the chairmanship of Dennis Dugen - Fleet & Employee Benefits Manager for WSP Group - our team of professional fleet managers will present the latest thinking on: • Fundamentals of Fleet Management • Environmental Management • Risk Management • Procurement and supplier agreements Further seminars and training sessions will be available throughout the day.

OFF-ROAD COURSE The off-road course will be in operation throughout the day. Visitors who have experience of driving 4x4s will be able to test a wide range of vehicles over the challenging course, while those who haven’t driven offroad before can pick up some of the key skills from our team of instructors.

TRACK DRIVING With so many different areas to choose from, Silverstone Circuit provides the perfect location for test driving new cars and vans. At Fleet Show 2015 visitors can experience: > NATIONAL

> INTERNATIONAL

> STOWE

VILLAGE CORNER THE LOOP

ABBEY COPSE CORNER WOODCOTE CORNER

NATIONAL PITS STRAIGHT

FARM CURVE INTERNATIONAL PITS STRAIGHT

CHAPEL CURVE

BROOKLANDS CORNER

WELLINGTON STRAIGHT

HANGAR STRAIGHT

LUFFIELD CORNER MAGGOTTS CORNER

CLUB CORNER

SPONSORED BY

VALE

AINTREE CORNER

STOWE CORNER

All drives will be accompanied by either a professional racing driver or a representative of the motor manufacturer.

Drivers on the National circuit will be able to experience the full excitement of the iconic Silverstone Circuit.

NETWORKING LOUNGE Fleet Show 2015 will provide visitors with a full day of informative experiences, but there’s always time to sit down for a chat with colleagues old and new. The networking lounge in Hall 3 proved to be something of a magnet for visitors to last year’s show and with so many of the industry’s major players in attendance, the networking lounge will once again be the place WHERE THE FLEET INDUSTRY MEETS.

SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

12TH MAY 2015 www.thefleetshow.co.uk FLEET DRIVER OF THE YEAR Now in its third year, Fleet Driver of the Year 2015 is a driving competition like no other. It puts fleet drivers’ skills to the ultimate test through a thorough three-month assessment to find the UK’s best company car driver and promote safer, smarter driving. The event was launched by ALD Automotive, in association with event partners Toyota & Lexus Fleet Services. The final of the prestigious competition will take place at the Fleet World Fleet Show 2015.

REGISTER TODAY and be part of the action at the Fleet Show 2015, visit www.thefleetshow.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT Skoda Superb

Simply Superb Skoda says its new Superb is more handsome, bigger, lighter, better equipped and more refined – but still great value. Steve Moody reports.

Drivetrain The new Superb will come with seven engine options with additional options of DSG automatic and 4x4 transmissions on selected models. There will be four TSI petrol and three TDI diesel units with outputs ranging from 120PS for the entry level diesel 1.6 TDI to 280PS for the new 2.0 TSI engine.

Two specific SE Business diesel models are available from launch: a 1.6-litre 120PS unit and a 2.0-litre 150PS motor. DSG transmissions are available on both. A GreenLine model, which is expected to return 76.4mpg combined and emit 95g/km of CO2, will join the line-up later.

46 / fleetworld.co.uk

Price, spec and tech Designed to meet the specific needs of the fleet market, SE Business trim level adds a raft of additional equipment over the SE model, including Alcantara upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, tinted glass, Amundsen touchscreen satellite navigation system with a 6.5inch colour touchscreen and Bluetooth telephone integration, as well as SmartLink (which integrates mobile phone functions via Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink and Google Android Auto).

Also featured is Drive mode selection, which enables drivers to choose between Eco, Sport or Normal driving profiles. From 2016, a Phone Box with wireless charging and an enhanced mobile signal will also be standard, meaning driver’s phones will always be charged without the need to plug in.

Prices start at £21,590 for the 1.6-litre 120PS model Business SE models, while the overall range starts at £18,640 for the 1.4 TSI S – £50 less than the current entry-level model.

What we think...

Size and space The new Superb is 28mm longer and 47mm wider than its predecessor, with an 80mm longer wheelbase, making for an even more spacious passenger compartment than before. The boot (which is a traditional hatchback rather than double-hinged type in the current car) is 30 litres bigger at 625 litres, expanding to an estate-like 1,760 litres with the rear seat backs folded. Despite the increased size, the Superb is up to 75kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks in part to weight-saving measures made available by the car’s advanced MQB construction.

The new Superb builds on the strengths of the old one such as tremendous value for money, refinement and space, and addresses some of the weaknesses – it is much sharper looking, for a start. The result is a car that looks a very strong package for long-distance business drivers. SM

fleetworld.co.uk / 47

OPEN MORE DOORS FOR YOUR BUSINESS.

THE NEW MINI 5-DOOR HATCH.

Official fuel economy figures for the new MINI 5-door Hatch Range: Urban 36.7-70.6 mpg (7.7-4.0 l/100km).

Extra Urban 58.9-88.3 mpg (4.8-3.2 l/100km). Combined 47.9-80.7 mpg (5.9-3.5 l/100km). CO2 Emissions 136-92 g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

The new MINI 5-door Hatch delivers the same distinctive styling and go-kart handling as the MINI 3-door Hatch, but with the benefit of 5 doors. This time you’ve got no excuse not to take your colleagues out at lunch.

MINI customers can benefit from increased legroom plus bags more luggage space, taking it to a generous 278 litres. As well as all this extra space, the new MINI 5-door Hatch sets itself apart from competitors with the wide range of MINI technologies available. Standard specification includes Keyless Go, USB audio interface, Bluetooth® and On-Board Computer.

With impressively low CO2 emissions and superior performance, the new MINI 5-door Hatch provides fleet drivers with a proposition that’s hard to refuse.

The new One D, for example, offers combined fuel economy of 80.7mpg while CO2 emissions start from only 92g/km, resulting in a BIK rate of only 16%.

To find out how MINI makes sense for your business, visit www.minicorporate.co.uk or call 0370 5050 166.

J Fuel economy: from 80.7mpg (combined) J CO2 emissions: from 92g/km J BIK: from 16%

MINI Fleet & Business Sales

SWOTTeam This month the SWOT Team analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the new Jaguar XE against its closest rivals. Here is what they have to say...

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

GA It looks and drives easily as well as the competition, combined with class leading CO2 and fuel economy.

They’re onto a winner.

GA The brand has historically been associated with the older driver. Clever marketing is helping but some users will still want something German on their drive.

GA A huge opportunity for Jaguar to make a big impact in this sector. Jaguar has done a fantastic job allowing them to take on the Germans.

GA The competition won’t stand still. Jaguar needs to keep working on the XE to ensure that they stay ahead of the game, and carefully manage the numbers and wait times to manage RVs correctly.

AC Plenty of company car drivers are looking for a new ‘premium’ vehicle to try having had one of the excellent German models that have dominated this segment, and this fills the role very nicely.

MJ Good looking and priced sensibly against core competition, has excellent emissions and economy.

Equipment levels and interior quality are high, plus ride and handling are good.

Should be a sure-fire success.

MW The new kid on the block, something different and gives a better choice for fleet managers and drivers.

Low CO2 will create interest.

50 / fleetworld.co.uk

AC Well if you are going to try and pick out the weaknesses then you are going to have to look at things such as load space; the boot at 450 litres is not small but it is 30 litres shy of the other three main competitors.

MJ Impressive economy has some impact on performance. Car lacks an MMi /iDrive type of controller for Touchscreen Infotainment/ Navigation system.

MW The XE is in danger of being linked to the XType, it shouldn't be, but it might just be.

AC Jaguar should take a fair bit of conquest business if the rentals are competitive enough.

It should also prove to be popular in the UK as the Jaguar is a great British brand that has been on the up for a while.

MJ Many corporate drivers will welcome a credible and desirable alternative to the big three German products. This opens up a significant part of the corporate market for which Jaguar previously had nothing to offer.

MW Bound to steal business from all the other three, and rightly so. The Germans have had it their way for too long, and now a real competitor comes along, and British built too.

AC The BMW and Audi are due to be replaced or updated, and you can bet that efficiency will be improved.

Mercedes has already made gains in this segment.

MJ Apparently restricted volume for the UK may mean that Jaguar will not be able to maximise all opportunities.

Well-established rivals and niche competitors such as Lexus IS300 and Infiniti Q50 means nothing is easy!

MW The dominant brands will still fight to keep or improve their market share, and could damage RVs.

Martin Ward (MW) Manufacturer Relationship Manager, CAP

Jaguar XE

Gavin Amos (GA) Head of Valuations, CDL Vehicle Information Services

Mark Jowsey (MJ) Commercial Director, KeeResources KwikCarCost

Strengths GA Good to look at and drive, class-leading CO2 and economy.

AC Lowest company car tax in this group.

MJ Sensible pricing, personalisation options.

MW A real competitor, and British too.

Strengths

BMW 320d ED Business

GA Badge, dynamics and running costs make this a tough act to beat.

AC Still dynamically excellent.

MJ Specification improved for 2015.

MW A fleet and driver favourite.

GA People might want something ‘different’ to the neighbours.

AC Needs the update that is due very soon.

MJ Range volumes still high.

MW Are people looking for a change of badge?

OTR: £30,175 P11D: £30,120 Fuel: 68.9mpg CO2: 109g/km RV*: £10,450 (35%) BiK: 19% SMR: £2,185 Fuel costs: £4,614 Insurance: £4,350 Finance: £4,066 NI: £2,245 VED: £40 Cost per month: £1,034

Strengths

Audi A4 SE Technik 2.0 TDI ultra

GA A great vehicle that stacks up on paper.

AC Still a good car, despite its age.

MJ Surprisingly good for the oldest car in this group. Competitive CO2 and MPG. MW Looks such good value, and will maintain its strong following.

Standard equipment: • DAB Radio/CD, BT, USB, aux-in • Cruise control • Rear parking sensors • Sat nav with 6.5-inch display • Leather upholstery, heated front seats • Climate control • 16-inch alloy wheels • Auto lights, wipers, rear dimmer Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £645 • Folding rear seats £325

Standard equipment: • DAB radio/CD with Bluetooth, USB, SD • Cruise control • Front and rear parking sensors • Sat nav with 6.5-inch display • Metallic paint • Leather upholstery • Climate control • 17-inch alloy wheels • Folding rear seats Optional equipment: • Heated front seats £300

GA Ageing car, not quite in the same league as the others.

AC Due to be replaced.

MJ Starting to look a touch old.

MW New model can't be far away.

OTR: £29,620 P11D: £29,565 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 109g/km RV*: £10,025 (34%) BiK: 19% SMR: £2,610 Fuel costs: £4,724 Insurance: £3,885 Finance: £3,991 NI: £2,203 VED: £40 Cost per month: £1,029

Strengths

Mercedes-Benz C220 BlueTEC SE (Executive Pack)

Weaknesses

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Standard equipment: • DAB Radio/CD,BT, USB, aux-in • Cruise control with speed limiter • Rear parking sensors • Sat nav with 8-inch touchscreen • Leather upholstery, heated front • Dual-zone climate control • 17-inch alloy wheels • Auto lights, wipers, rear dimmer • LDW, traffic sign recognition Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £620 • Folding rear seats £400

GA Historic association with older drivers.

AC Smallest boot in this company.

MJ Restricted volume, lots of competition.

MW Memories of the X-Type.

Weaknesses

Audi A4

Jaguar XE Prestige 2.0 163PS OTR: £30,775 P11D: £30,720 Fuel: 75.0mpg CO2: 99g/km RV*: £13,475 (44%) BiK: 17% SMR: £2,419 Fuel costs: £4,239 Insurance: £4,575 Finance: £4,147 NI: £2,035 VED: £0 Cost per month: £964

Weaknesses

BMW 3 Series

Andy Cutler (AC) UK Car Editor, Forecast Values Glass’s

GA On paper a very strong offering.

AC Excellent interior, efficient engines.

MJ Fresh styling and more equipment, has attracted new customers.

MW Full of standard equipment.

Weaknesses GA Image and desirability still behind its German rivals.

AC Not the quietest diesels.

MJ Leasing rentals look almost too cheap!

MW Previous bad press may affect this new model, but shouldn’t.

OTR: £30,775 P11D: £30,720 Fuel: 68.9mpg CO2: 104g/km RV*: £11,950 (39%) BiK: 18% SMR: £2,978 Fuel costs: £4,614 Insurance: £4,125 Finance: £4,147 NI: £2,162 VED: £40 Cost per month: £1,025

Standard equipment: • DAB radio/CD, USB, BT • Sat nav • Cruise control with speed limiter • Reversing camera • Sat nav with 7-inch display • Artificial leather upholstery • Heated front seats • Folding rear seats • 16-inch alloy wheels • Auto lights and wipers Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £645

* 3yr/60k

fleetworld.co.uk / 51

flashback a look back at the company cars of yesteryear

model Range Rover Classic era 1970-1995 UK sales 317,615 (global) successor Range Rover (P38A)

L

and Rover had senior business owners in its sights when the first Range Rover began development in 1966. Designed to offer seemingly opposing talents, it began a new era not only for its parent company but for the premium sector in general, and became of the most important vehicles of the late 20th Century.

But the project was steered initially by Rover, rather than its off-road division. Noting the growing popularity of Sports Utility Vehicles such as the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wagoner in the United States, it realised there was a niche to fill in Europe, for a car which could cruise like a Rover 2000 but cross rough terrain like a Land Rover.

This meant re-thinking the manufacturer’s engineering norms. The suspension, derived from the Rover P6, used coil springs instead of Land Rover’s usual leaf springs, it featured all-round disc brakes for the first time and the permanent four-wheel drive system meant the rear axle could be lighter than the switchable transmission used elsewhere, saving weight.

Most of the body panels were aluminium, pinned to a rigid steel box section chassis, but the clamshell bonnet and split tailgate were made of steel due to the complexity of their pressings. The engine, a de-tuned Rover P6 V8, was also all-aluminium to keep weight low, and enabled a saloon-rivalling top speed of 96mph – unheard of in an off-road vehicle at the time.

A true icon The now-iconic silhouette with its trademark clamshell bonnet was developed out of functionality rather than style. Its square sides and the corner castellations at the front meant it was easy to judge off road, and its farspaced seating meant occupants had plenty of space with good visibility.

However, despite a price tag close to its Rover counterpart, early cars were far from luxurious. Land Rover’s engineers stipulated a hard-wearing interior with vinyltrimmed seats and moulded rubber flooring so it was easy to hose down, though carpet and leather crept into the cabin during its first years on sale. Four-door versions didn’t arrive until 1981, unveiled with the luxurious In Vogue edition which set the tone for the brand’s ongoing move upmarket.

With popularity growing far beyond expectations, the

52 / fleetworld.co.uk

Range Rover continued to be a spearhead for Land Rover’s latest innovations through the 1980s. This was its first car to feature anti-lock brakes from 1989, while traction control and automatic electronic air suspension were added in 1992. A three-speed Chrysler automatic transmission meant it could compete in the United States, where it launched in 1987, while gutless but frugal VM Motori diesel engines arrived from 1986.

Land Rover achieved a 25-year lifespan for its luxury model, carving out a new niche in the process. The Range Rover’s chassis went on to underpin the Discovery, while the luxury brand opened the door to the Sport in 2005 and Evoque from 2011, as well as kick-starting the premium SUV class in Europe. From an inconceivable project, it’s become a global icon and aspirational business car for industry leaders worldwide.

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Sharp Thinking The all-new Honda Civic Sport combines the styling and performance drivers love, with competitive low running costs and unparalleled flexibility fleets require.

For the Heart The Honda Civic Sport was developed by the same team responsible for the new Civic Type R, and it shows. Its aggressive styling, with large 17-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler, offer a close link to the iconic hot hatch, while aluminium and chrome accents complete a driver-focused premium-quality cabin, with a thick-rimmed leather steering wheel and gear knob.

But it’s not just about styling. Engine options comprise the acclaimed 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine, producing 118bhp and the 140bhp 1.8-litre i-VTEC petrol, both offering spirited performance. New chassis technology includes Agile Handling Assist and Vehicle Stability Assist, which can individually brake each corner of the car while cornering, resulting in a responsive, sure-footed drive.

Drivers can also take advantage of convenient new features, such as the Honda Connect infotainment system with internet connectivity and downloadable apps. Designed to function like a smartphone, it offers intuitive pinch, swipe and tap operation and can be equipped with Garmin navigation, making it easy for drivers to take their connected lives on the road.

For the Head Stylish design doesn’t have to mean compromising on functionality. The British-built Civic’s bodyshell is aerodynamically optimised to maximise fuel economy, and it’s incredibly spacious too. Its 477-litre boot space is the best in its class, while the unique Magic Seats provide flexibility closer to a compact MPV than a traditional hatchback.

All models now include City Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes to avoid a frontal collision at low speeds and has reduced insurance ratings by two costs. Add the Driver Assistance Safety Pack, and the Civic can also monitor other traffic, road conditions and signage, putting an extra pair of eyes on the route ahead.

Petrol and diesel versions feature Idle Stop to avoid wasting fuel, and the Eco Assist technology gives real-time feedback on efficient driving to help make every tank last longer. With the aerodynamically-optimised body helping offer fuel economy of up to 76.3mpg and BiK-friendly CO2 emissions from 98g/km, the Civic Sport is as affordable as it is desirable.

For more information visit honda.co.uk/cars/corporatesales

FEATURE Driving Licences

Since the Government announced it was abolishing the paper driving licence, confusion has reigned over what’s happening and how the system will work.

Natalie Middleton clears up the myths.

54 / fleetworld.co.uk

PAPER TRAVAILS I

t’s over three years since the Government announced that the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence was to be axed as part of the Red Tape Chal‐ lenge, and while we’ve waved a fond farewell to the tax disc, the paper licence still remains despite the initial 1 January 2015 deadline to abolish it having already past.

Now the DVLA has finally confirmed that the paper counterpart will be gone as of 8 June this year. From this date, the driver’s licence (whether photocard or paper) will remain the official document that shows what vehi‐ cles a person can drive; but the driver record held by DVLA will be the only legal source of penalty point endorse‐ ments – paper driving licences will no longer be updated with endorsements.

The change of date has given the DVLA an extra six months to develop suitable digital enquiry services for driver detail checking after its initial plans came under fire from the fleet industry for being time‐consuming and costly.

The DVLA is proceeding with its plans for free‐of‐charge services that will build on the existing View Driving Licence service, which allows GB driving licence holders to view their driving record online. The new 24/7 Share Driving Licence service will go live about a month before the June deadline and will allow the driver to generate a one‐time use code, which is valid for up to 72 hours, to enable a third party to see their licence status, endorse‐ ments and what vehicles they can drive.

The information will be accurate at the time of down‐ load and is a snapshot of the record at that time. The DVLA has said that the service is free and it has no plans to charge for it in the future. The DVLA is also looking to introduce GOV.UK Verify as the authentication means for View Driving Licence in the future.

The premium‐rate phone service will also remain in effect although the driver must be present to access data.

Meanwhile, the DVLA is also developing the Access to Driver Data (ADD) service for businesses and organisa‐ tions who would prefer to draw driving licence informa‐ tion directly into their own systems – this includes third‐party licence checking providers as well as some end‐user fleets.

The system is currently in beta testing and the DVLA hasn’t released full details yet, but it will allow for real‐ time enquiries to be made against the DVLA drivers’ data‐ base with the consent of the driver. The third party will be able integrate the data file they receive into their own system. The service will initially cater for one‐at‐a‐time

enquiries with a batch enquiry facility planned for future development. Access will be governed by a contact with DVLA – although the requirements for this contract are currently being worked through, as are costs, but the DVLA said that it is looking for the contracts to be put in place for the summer. However, there will need to be a lead‐in time to have the IT put in place. Some third‐party providers are already launching using this system.

The changes will leave employers with a choice as to whether they use the free “self‐certification” approach via the DVLA database or instead look to outsource driv‐ ing licence checking to a third party offering paid‐for services that are said to bring vastly reduced adminis‐ tration and increased efficiency, particularly for fleets with large numbers of licences to check. There will also be the Access to Driver Data service – although the indus‐ try is still waiting for full details on how this will work, the DVLA has said that the decision for fleets deciding whether to use this or the Share Driving Licence services will depend on where the responsibility for licence checking lies within the fleet and if it is at a central office for all company drivers or delegated to the local/regional transport managers. However, many fleets are expected to use third‐party services instead.

For many firms, the move to remove the counterpart is expected to increase demand for licence checking as fleets will no longer be able to use the counterpart to check holders’ driving entitlement categories and current endorsements/penalty points. However, it is also very likely to increase accuracy of the data, as drivers won’t be able to use old/photocopied counterparts to hide any penalty points or, worst‐case scenario, actual loss of licence.

What is ADD? ADD differs to the current Electric Driver Enti‐ tlement Checking Service (EDECS) offering as it allows for real‐time checking of the drivers’ database, as opposed to an overnight batch run. The DVLA added that there are no plans to decommission the EDECS service at this time.

The DVLA has also launched a ‘toolkit’ online section for fleets, which will be regularly updated in the run‐up to 8 June: http://dvla.dft.gov.uk/dvla‐aoc‐toolkit.html

→

fleetworld.co.uk / 55

FEATURE Driving Licences

MYTHBUSTING LICENCE CONFUSION

→

The deadline may be moved back again and fleets do not need to take action yet

current driving licence photocard, but not the old‐style paper licences issued before 1998. These are still valid, but will no longer be legally accepted as having an up‐ to‐date record of a driver’s endorsements, penalty points or disqualifications.”

Gerry Keaney, chief executive, BVRLA

MYTH

1

“The DVLA announced the 8 June deadline in the middle of December and were very specific on this.

There will be no shuffling back from that date so fleets need to be prepared and decide if they are going down the DVLA route or will use a third‐party provider.

Just don’t leave it too long.”

Richard Payne-Gill, deputy chairman, Association for Driving Licence Verification (ADLV) “Despite the abolition of the paper counterpart not coming into force until 8 June, we would advise fleets to move their records online immediately in order to avoid any issues.”

Malcolm Maycock, managing director, Licence Bureau

SUMMARY: Drivers should keep all documentation until after the implementation date has passed and after that only get rid of the paper counterpart.

MYTH

3

“All fleet managers, particularly those with large fleets, should start planning now for any potential impact the counterpart abolition will have on the way they handle driver data.”

Gerry Keaney, chief executive, BVRLA SUMMARY: Although the DVLA has already moved the implementation date once, it will not again, so fleets need to start acting now to decide which method they want to use.

Drivers should get rid of all licences MYTH

2

“Drivers with a photocard driving licence should destroy their paper counterpart – just remember to keep the photocard itself.

“This only affects the paper counterpart to the photocard driving licence. Old‐style paper driving licences issued before the photocard was introduced in 1998 will still be valid and should not be destroyed.”

DVLA “The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is abolishing the paper counterpart that accompanies the

The abolition of the counterpart will have negative implications for fleets

“The DVLA’s decision to move licence data online will have a positive impact on the fleet industry, as licence verification will inevitably become quicker and more efficient.”

Malcolm Maycock, managing director, Licence Bureau “ACFO believes the way forward is preferential to the current system of potentially leaving to chance that what an employee provides to their employer by way of their driving licence and paper counterpart being legitimate and a 100% accurate representation of their validity to drive.”

John Pryor, chairman of ACFO “An employee may have a photocard driving licence, but it tells the employer absolutely nothing about the driver in terms of their risk‐related endorsement points.”

Martin Evans, managing director of Jaama “The fact that businesses will no longer be able to check the paper counterpart – a process that is fraught with error and the potential for fraud – is a positive move.”

Richard Payne-Gill, deputy chairman, Association for Driving Licence Verification (ADLV) SUMMARY: The changes may be arduous for fleets to put into effect but they will have positive implications for accurate record keeping and road risk management.

Licence Bureau: advice for fleets and drivers • Drivers with both card and paper licences should discard the latter from 8th June.

• Drivers who only possess counterpart licences won’t be affected until renewing.

• Fleets should have employee consent to check records before launch of new DVLA portal.

• An offence will be committed should a driver’s personal records be accessed unlawfully.

• Fleets should digitalise their records as soon as possible in order to avoid any issues in June.

56 / fleetworld.co.uk

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FEATURE Driving Licences

MYTHBUSTING LICENCE CONFUSION

→

MYTH

4

Currently intermediaries pay set‐up and annual fixed charges plus a transactional fee – the pricing model for ADD hasn’t been confirmed, but expect it to align with whatever intermediaries have to pay to make it a level playing field.

“We believe that ADD will only be an economic option for the very largest of fleets who are prepared to make the IT investment. Instead, most businesses will look to outsource to a third‐party provider. Indeed the market for electronic checking is already at over 1.7 million checks per annum and growing rapidly as more busi‐ nesses look to switch to electronic checking.”

Fleets will be able to check details without driver consent

“Employers can check their drivers’ details using the ‘View Driving Licence’ system, although doing so with‐ out consent breaches privacy laws. This is where Licence Bureau’s portal adds further value in ensuring full, legal employee driver compliance checks.”

“It is a myth that an employer or third party will be able to get drivers’ details without consent – that consent may now be given electronically as well as written but the bottom line is that consent has to be given. We know there are examples of employers using View My Driving Licence to get data ille‐ gally but Identity Assurance will improve once it uses GOV.UK Verify to verify identities, which will greatly reduce the risk of individuals’ details being taken without their consent. Data Protection legislation must be respected.”

“Fleets need to consider how they manage, record and keep driver data, and can obtain advice from the Information Commissioner’s Office (www.ico.org.uk). Alternatively, they can use an accredited driver licence checking service provider, who will ensure that driver details are stored and handled in a legal and compliant manner.”

SUMMARY: Fleets will need to get drivers’ consent for all checks and the new Identity Assurance Programme should help ensure this is undertaken.

The new DVLA solution will be ‘one size fits all’ MYTH

5

“There are a variety of ways to undertake driving licence checks and this will be open to choice.

“This is a complicated requirement for any size of business but particularly for companies with 10 or more business drivers. Such firms will now have the deci‐ sion as to whether they go down the DVLA’s ‘free’ Share My Driving Licence route, whereby each time a check is required the driver generates a PIN and passes it to the employer and the employer has to access the data indi‐ vidually, or whether they go to a third‐party provider for a fully managed service providing checks on an automated and continuous basis for a relatively modest fee.

“The Access to Driver Data system is in theory an option if a company wants to invest IT resources to access DVLA data but there will be direct and indirect costs to do this both set‐up and on‐going – it isn’t clear what these are going to be.

58 / fleetworld.co.uk

SUMMARY: There will be a number of different ways that fleets can access drivers’ licences and their chosen method will depend on a number of criteria, including fleet size and set‐up. Many fleets may prefer to use a third‐party provider though.

MYTH

6

The abolition of the paper counterpart will just impact on end-user fleets

“The abolition of the driving licence counterpart will have a particular impact on the daily rental sector, where companies rely on the document to check a driver’s entitlement to drive and any points or endorse‐ ments. To ensure that the vehicle hire process continues to run smoothly fleets should talk to their rental provider about which of the driver information services they will be using.”

SUMMARY: The removal of the counterpart will have wide‐ reaching ramifications and will impact on anyone, other than the police, who has a need to check on driver details.

“The abolition of the driving licence counterpart will have a particular impact on the daily rental sector.”

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FEATURE Back to Basics

7 steps to better...

Daily Rental We talk to the experts about how to secure the very best terms, select the best partner for your needs and avoid the common pitfalls associated with daily rental. By Katie Beck.

1

Beware open-ended contracts

Hire length terms should be locked down at the time of signing to ensure the vehicle is kept on loan for the shortest time possible to fulfil the terms of the hire. “Key to reducing short‐term hire costs is the proactive management of open‐ended hires,” explains Jay Lovell, business development manager at Days Contract Hire, which also supplies short and flexi hire.

“Policies such as ours will actively manage open hires to prevent them running on indefinitely. By keeping in regular contact with the driver, fleet manager and any other relevant parties (such as a garage or accident manage‐ ment providers in replacement hire cases), average hire lengths can be reduced, bringing better control and a reduction in overall hire spend.”

2

You get what you pay for

Selecting a supplier because they offer a low‐cost quote can prove to be false economy and a costly mistake.

“The most common mistake when procuring daily rental is simply looking for the lowest price,” says Carlos Montero, commercial director at fleet management firm FleetEurope. “The first consideration should be usage. Thought should be given to the frequency of hires and the types of vehicles required, as these can quickly escalate costs.

“We would also advise customers to remember that rental requires the phys‐ ical movement of vehicles to enact a service, and it is how those situations are managed that shows the true value of a supplier. If a supplier is £2 cheaper on one day’s rental but the vehicle is deliv‐ ered late and the driver is then late for a meeting, that is not a true saving.”

60 / fleetworld.co.uk

Up-to-date records

3

Most suppliers will offer an online management tool to allow customers instantaneous access to information about the current rental profile. As well as helping to maintain an overview of the fleet and the driver assigned to each vehicle, these online systems can also provide vital adminis‐ trative support and simplify the logisti‐ cal challenges associated with short‐term rental.

This is particularly useful for organi‐ sations running predominately field‐ based fleets, as it is all too easy for important paperwork to get left behind or not completed altogether. With the online platform, driver details and important information, such as any vehicle damage, are instantly recorded, reducing the administrative burden and protecting against false claims by providing evidence of the vehicle’s condition on delivery if it is queried at the end of contract.

4

Open communication

There should be a continuous dialogue between supplier and customer to flag up any potential issues, such as a contract reaching its mileage terms or vehicles that are being underutilised.

“Working with individual divisions and the Hitachi Capital downtime team, we utilise any spare long term lease and pool vehicles, which are available to reduce the expenditure on daily hire,” explains Kathleen Whittam, head if rental solutions at Hitachi Capital.

“We proactively monitor and intervene with drivers (and subsequent behav‐ ioural reporting) to avoid unnecessary ancillary costs. Our approach is based upon KPI reporting and added value comes from managing peripheral activi‐

ties, such as liaising with accident management teams and administering motor offences. This reduces manage‐ ment time, involvement and expenditure.”

Supply and demand

5

Daily rental is used to support a business during a period of growth, and a multi‐supply network can help to ensure vehicle requirements can be met at this crucial time: “The benefits of this model are numerous, including greater vehicle availability and access to specialist vehi‐ cles to meet varying needs of customers,” comments Ian Drayton, senior manager in car & van rental at Lex Autolease.

“It also means that customers with large volume requirements can be accommodated. A multi supply model is also less likely to be affected by seasonal surges in demand. It’s vital that vehicle suppliers are highly regulated, and all our contracted suppliers are signed up to our Service Level Agreements to ensure an efficient rental service.”

6

Investigate hidden charges

Some suppliers limit Deliv‐ ery and Collection (D&C) for vehicles to short distances, so it is vital to check these terms and if the delivery radius is limited, that the supplier has a branch close to the destination to ensure addi‐ tional charges are not incurred. This should also extend to where employees, offices, suppliers and customers are based for a field‐based organisation.

“Keep an eye out for hidden extras such as delivery or collection costs and caps on daily mileage, a practice becom‐ ing more frequent with daily rental,” advises John Ellis, managing director at Nexus Vehicle Rental. “Costs can quickly

“Some suppliers limit Delivery and Collection (D&C) for vehicles to short distances, so it is vital to check these terms.”

CASE STUDY stack up when you add in the potential for damage claims and refuelling charges so it’s vital your drivers are made aware of this.”

One-stop solutions As fleets increasingly look for a more tailored rental offering, it can prove prudent to select a partner that offers a one‐stop shop for all short and medium term hires. There is also the added advan‐ tage of maintaining an ongoing relationship with a current supplier, rather than having to start the tendering process from scratch. This requires a degree of foresight and for the fleet manager about what their daily rental requirements could be in six months to a year’s time.

“One‐stop solutions offer the widest choice, the great‐ est flexibility and maximum convenience, whilst main‐ taining a competitive price,” explains Mel Dawson, managing director of ALD Automotive. “This can cater for a company’s every need, whether it’s for an extra car at short notice, a bespoke vehicle for several weeks, or even a van for 12 months.”

7

Reducing emissions Heathrow Airport Ltd. runs a car pool program enabled

by Hertz 24/7 that allows employees to access a dedi‐ cated fleet of low emission vehicles bookable online, over the phone or using a mobile app. By implement‐ ing a car pool scheme of on‐demand technology enabled vehicles, Heathrow Airport Ltd. claims the size of its vehicle fleet has been reduced by 25%, leading to a 28% reduction in carbon emissions due to the use of more efficient vehicles and improved vehicle utilisation.

The car pool vehicles, replaced every three years, are tracked by GPS and the emissions figure is calcu‐ lated at the end of each month. Heathrow Airport Ltd. also reports reduced administration and overhead costs through the 24/7 car pool program.

fleetworld.co.uk / 61

FEATURE Spare wheels

62 / fleetworld.co.uk

Spare A century after they were invented, spare wheels look set to become an uncommon feature of new cars. But is new technology providing a suitable replacement? Alex Grant finds out.

fleetworld.co.uk / 63

→

FEATURE Spare wheels

Spare →

D

oes your car have a spare wheel? It might seem like an obvious question, but the answer has become increasingly complicated as technology has begun to replace something which was once a very valuable backup for motorists.

The spare wheel might seem an unlikely casualty of the pursuit of fuel economy, but it’s a low‐hanging fruit for car manufacturers. With factory wheel sizes increasing, it’s not unusual for a full‐size spare wheel to weigh between 25 and 30kg. Shedding that weight elsewhere involves expensive exotic materials, which makes the spare tyre an easy choice to downsize or remove altogether.

Cars with full‐size spare wheels are already in the minor‐ ity, and puncture repair kits are steadily replacing the space‐saver wheels which followed them. With EU‐set fleet average emissions of 95g/km set by 2020 and the rise of hybrid batteries, AdBlue tanks and subwoofers in vehicle boots, this is likely to be an ongoing trend.

Is it a problem?

As with anything other than a full‐size spare wheel, punc‐ ture repair kits have limitations. The damage must be less than 4mm in diameter and in the central part of the tread if the tyre is to hold air afterwards. It’s also not permanent, and there’s a 50mph speed limit on a repaired tyre – like a space‐saver, consider it as a way to get you home, or to the nearest tyre stockist.

So it’s certainly a growing issue. Figures from the RAC show incidents of punctures where the vehicle has no spare have already quadrupled since 2010, reaching 118,011 call‐ outs in 2014, and the forecast is 168,000 in 2016 as fewer vehicles come with spare wheels.

Of the four million UK drivers – 11% of the total – who have a puncture repair kit, according to Kwik Fit, three million of them also said they carry a spare wheel as an added backup. In many cases a spare wheel is a cost option when ordering the car, though not all vehicles come with a compartment to store it.

The downsides of spare wheels The familiar technology isn’t foolproof, either. An estimated 10‐20% of UK cars are on under‐inflated tyres, and motorists are prone to neglecting the spare. Of the 18,806 AA members polled in January, only two thirds said they’d checked their spare wheel, and only half had checked it in the last six months. Many of them could be carrying under‐ inflated wheels.

Kwik Fit’s data suggests further problems, showing 36% of drivers don’t know how to swap a wheel and 10% don’t carry the tools to do so. Many fleets have policies forbidding drivers to change wheels at the roadside, for their own safety, and The Highway Code forbids it on motorways.

Carrying a spare wheel isn’t necessarily a solution, and in some cases it may actually be simpler for drivers to use a puncture repair kit, or just to phone their recovery service for assistance.

The AA’s advice is clear. “We also know that quite a few people aren’t comfortable changing a wheel, either lack of knowledge, tools or desire to do so – say they’re in smart clothes or in a vulnerable location,” a spokesperson told Fleet World. “There is actually more to changing a wheel correctly and safely than some will realise. If people aren’t sure or are in a vulnerable location, we would far rather they called us out – it’s why you have breakdown cover, after all.”

The Universal Spare Recognising the decline of spare wheels as factory equipment, British company Dynomec has launched a solution for break‐ down companies. Its universal spare wheel features five moving bolt holes, which means it fits most new vehicles, and a four‐ stud version is under development.

Already in use with AA and RAC patrols, it’s a temporary fix to get cars back on the road. It still carries a 50mph speed limit, but has a larger contact patch than a space saver and means car and van drivers aren’t reliant on carrying their own spare wheel.

There’s also a system in place for tyre stockists to courier the wheel back to the recovery company which owns it.

Head of RAC technical operations, Phil Ryan, says: “The univer‐ sal spare wheel provides additional options for patrols to deal with breakdowns more quickly and effectively. We are already seeing very positive results from the trials and we expect the universal wheel to become an increasingly common sight on our roads.”

64 / fleetworld.co.uk

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ontheroad The number of dings and dents occurring in car parks is driving Anthony Ffrench-Constant potty..

F

or those wont to visit the rolling hills and honeyhued architecture of Mudfordshire and then bang on at some length about how lucky I am to have such scenery on my doorstep, here are a few pitfalls...

For starters, there's the whole of the summer. Live in area of outstanding allure to those who favour the dubious machinations of the Thetford Cassette over properly plumbed-in variants of Thomas Crapper's throne and, no sooner have your favourite road test routes finally shrugged off the slush, than they're promptly clogged with legions of caravans, motorhomes and other monstrous specimens of badly-moulded polypropylene.

Then there's the impact this influx has on the towns.

The streets are lined with nought save twee tearooms and what my missus calls 'Stuff Shops': tourist emporia in which you may purchase only tat; bon mot embroidered cushions; stuffed Scottie dogs; chunks of inelegant jewellery. A new pair of shoes or other ephemera of everyday life? Forget it.

Recently, though, my attention has been forcibly drawn to another, somewhat more insidious downside to life amidst the rolling hills. There isn't a single parking space which doesn't slope like the South Col or offer all the width of a potholer’s final resting place.

So never far from my thoughts as I return to the car at the end of each day is that there's a better than even chance that the poor thing has once again been assaulted in my absence, and yet another door-sponsored divot added to the burgeoning collection.

Sorry, but I’ve despised such dent ‘n’ run behaviour ever since my pretty Mk.1 Scirocco GTi was vigorously assaulted in my absence some 30 years ago. The culprit left a nice note – ‘I’m sorry I hit yor car but it was parked in an awkward positon’ – but, naturally, no phone number.

And I well remember when, after three years of suburC4 Cactus The solution to parking dent’n’run behaviour?

66 / fleetworld.co.uk

ban London life, I sold said VW back to the garage whence it came. ‘There isn’t a clean panel on it...’ they frowned.

Funny how you simply fail to notice the gradual accumulation of dents and divots that, even if relatively minor, can suddenly reduce the value of a used car by up to 15%.

So, finding this irritating when running one car, I cannot comprehend the levels of ire this must cause when running a fleet, and having to endlessly deal with fraught calls and emails from drivers whose cars have been dinged. Or noticing said dings when the driver is blithely ignorant…

It must happen a lot to you, and I feel your pain: research released last year by Accident Exchange says that every year there are approximately 125,000 general car park incidents, costing £175m each year in vehicle damage. Indeed, it seems that more than half of all the drivers have suffered car park-sponsored damage to their cars in the last 12 months alone.

Now, the number of these incidents could be dramatically reduced by two courses of action. Firstly, manufacturers might take a long look at door hinge intermittent-stop mechanisms. Most appear to have mutated recently from the three or four position affairs of yore to a simple choice of either gaping maw or sliver of daylight sufficient only for those who refuse to eat anything that casts a shadow. Perhaps they should install a real-world gradient or two in their design studio floors to boot.

Secondly, parking spaces need to be far bigger. It’s hardly surprising that such an astonishing number suffer the indignity of relentless denting when, as cars grow ever fatter (today’s Mini Cooper is a whopping 24% wider than the 1959 original), parking bay size has remained effectively unchanged for the last 60 years.

Local authorities will whine that it’s too expensive to re-size all existing bays but, truth is, they’re still allowing brand new car parks to be built housing bays of the same pathetically minuscule proportions. Fact is, less spaces mean less income.

In the meantime, then, there appears to be only one immediate course of action open to us; we must all go out, as one, and buy the Citroën C4 Cactus, the only car out there with bubble-wrap door couture inspired by Parisian ramming-speed parking techniques.

My family is now running one for the next six months.

I’ll let you know how we get on...

Isn’t it time your fleet was running like clockwork?

Zenith will ensure your fleet is performing even better than planned, all of the time.

With the right combination of precision, expertise, intelligent vehicle solutions and innovative systems, Zenith will help reduce the cost of your fleet and fine tune its performance. And, in no time, your business could be running much more smoothly and efficiently.

Our in-house solutions are tightly geared to manage every single part of your fleet; from

fleet@zenith.co.uk

funding, fleet management, consultancy, accident management and commercial vehicles to intelligent online tools. We can provide a solution to tick all boxes.

And by building strong relationships with our customers, drivers and suppliers, we are focused on providing you with the most expert, personable service in the industry, every single minute.

Contact Zenith today or come and meet us at the Fleet World Fleet Show 2015, stand A11.

www.zenith.co.uk

0844 848 9311

MARKET OVERVIEW Contract Hire, Finance & Leasing

ALD Automotive ALD Automotive is the second largest vehicle leasing operation in Europe and manages over 1 million vehicles across 40 countries worldwide. Within the UK, ALD finances and manages over 110,000 vehicles, providing customers with total fleet management flexibility from pure financing of cars and vans to comprehensive outsourcing operations.

Established in 1958, ALD UK has over 55 years’ experience in vehicle funding and ancillary support services within both corporate and consumer markets. ALD is widely recognised as one of the industry’s leading service providers, with a proven portfolio of innovative, award-winning products for major PLCs, small businesses and individual drivers alike.

ALD hold ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditation.

Contact: Ian Turner ian.turner@aldautomotive.com www.aldautomotive.co.uk

Tel: 0870 00 111 81

Vehicle Management

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management Arnold Clark Vehicle Management is one of the UK's premier vehicle leasing companies. We’re a family run business - small enough to deliver a uniquely personal experience, yet big enough to deliver the professional fleet management you need.

We are the largest dealer-based leasing company in the country and we have a characteristic no-nonsense business style. Because we're totally independent, you can always rely on us to provide unbiased advice. We've helped corporate clients, small businesses and government departments realise genuine savings and improvements in productivity. We listen, and we'd welcome the chance to work with you.

Contact: Calum Ewart calum.ewart@arnoldclark.co.uk

Tel: 0845 603 4590 www.acvm.co.uk

Inchcape Fleet Solutions Fleet Alliance Limited Fleet Alliance is an award winning fleet management provider, offering contract hire, leasing and a complete range of fleet solutions, and managing 18,200 vehicles on behalf of corporate clients.

Our market-leading Fleet 360 model provides the best combination of products and advice delivered through our cloud-based fleet management system, e-fleet, and our awardwinning smartphone app, e-fleet mobile.

Recent awards successes include: Experteye Award for Customer Service 2015 Best Small Fleet Leasing Company award 2014 Best Small Fleet Leasing Customer Service Excellence award 2014 Best App Award, BusinessCar Techie Awards 2014 National Business Awards: Customer Focus (Finalist) 2013/14 National Business Awards: Employer of the Year (Finalist) 2013/14 Investors in People Gold Accreditation

Contact: Grant Boardman

Tel: 0845 601 8407

Inchcape Fleet Solutions has been providing flexible fleet management solutions to Corporate, Government and Nonprofit sector clients throughout the UK for more than 50 years and has grown to become one of the UK’s leading fleet management companies. IFS is a subsidiary of Inchcape plc, a leading global premium automotive group that operates in 26 markets with a portfolio of the world’s leading car brands in the fastgrowing luxury and premium segments.

The voice of our customers is the driving force behind our innovation and we are committed to creating an incredible fleet customer experience for the best car brands and fleet management services in the world.

Contact: Matthew Boswell sales@ifs.inchcape.co.uk www.inchcape-fleet.co.uk

Tel: 0333 222 0966

Lex Autolease

Venson is a hands-on fleet management specialist with a proven track record in reducing fleet costs and increasing vehicle availability. It’s our level of experience, knowledge and service that allows us to give you the kind of impartial advice that delivers real financial returns whether your business is in the private, public, not-for-profit or emergency services sector. From sourcing the right vehicles to funding, maintaining and delivering commercial vehicle fit-outs, we handle every aspect and we don’t let our clients down, our client retention rate of 98% is testament to that.

Lex Autolease builds vehicle solutions around your business.

As the UK’s leading vehicle management and funding specialist we currently manage over 289,000 cars and vans for organisations of all shapes and sizes.

But in a competitive market, being the biggest isn’t enough.

We satisfy individual customers by providing tailored solutions and services to meet their needs.

For large fleets, our Fleet Consultancy team can help you improve operational performance while saving money. By assessing aspects such as sustainability, funding, cost reduction, duty of care and policy, we’ll make sure your fleet runs as efficiently as possible.

For smaller vehicle numbers, we’ll ensure a smooth, seamless leasing process from quotation to delivery – together with critical additional services including vehicle servicing, maintenance and repair, and tyre, glass and breakdown.

Contact: Danielle Tilley sales@venson.com

Contact: Jane Kendall Tel: 0845 769 7381 marketing@lexautolease.co.uk www.lexautolease.co.uk

grant.boardman@fleetalliance.co.uk

Venson Automotive Solutions Limited

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Tel: 08444 99 1402 www.venson.com

Approximately how many vehicles does your company operate?

Will you provide a bespoke Internet/Intranet site for major clients?

Do you offer an open discloure/profit sharing option?

Do you offer an ECOS / COP scheme?

Do you have a dedicated phone-based facility for small fleets?

Do you offer an on-line solution for managing a grey fleet?

Do you offer a salary sacrifice sheme?

Do you offer pooled mileage as standard?

Do you offer a fleet management option for non-funded vehicles?

Do you offer a consultancy service for fleets looking to use plug-in vehicles?

Do you offer EV drivers access to petrol or diesel models for longer trips?

Do you offer a recovery service for electric vehicles?

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ALD Automotive

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Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

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Inchcape Fleet Solutions

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Leasedrive

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Lex Autolease

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Venson Automotive Solutions Limited

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HELP OUR CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE FLEET SAFETY. Motor Fleet Risk Consultant Home based Competitive base salary dependent on experience plus company car, bonus, competitive pension, healthcare and a suite of excellent flexible benefits

We have an exciting opportunity for a Motor Fleet Risk Consultant to join our team providing work-related road risk management consultancy services to our customers.

Your role will involve undertaking fleet safety reviews for our customers and articulating risk improvement recommendations to all stakeholders up to and including board members.

It will also involve helping customers to put your recommendations into practice if they do not have the appropriate skills or resources.

Ideally you will have extensive experience of managing the workrelated road risks of a fleet of vehicles.

Alternatively, you will have extensive consulting experience working with

clients on work-related road risk management plus an appropriate health and safety qualification. In particular we are keen to speak to people with a proven track record of sustainably improving companies’ collision and claim rates.

Experience of claims management and analysing the root cause of collisions and claims is desirable, as is experience of working in a consultancy environment. Some knowledge of the insurance industry is also attractive but not essential. You will need to be a self-starter who thrives in a managerial environment.

To find out more and apply, please visit www.zurich.co.uk/careers and use the reference number 140001QF.

ZURICH INSURANCE. FOR THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE.

FEATURE Taxation & Funding

Part 3

Compare & contrast How PCPs could fit into fleet funding. By Professor Colin Tourick.

O

£

70 / fleetworld.co.uk

ver the last two editions of FW we have compared contract hire with salary sacrifice and employee car ownership schemes (ECOS). This month we will consider a fourth financing product, personal contract purchase (PCP), and how this may be used when employ‐ ees are given a cash allowance in lieu of a company car.

PCP is by far the most popular method of consumer motor finance offered by dealerships.

With PCP a consumer agrees to buy a car by paying an initial deposit followed by a series of monthly payments and a final balloon (lump sum) payment. Once the balloon has been paid, title to the vehicle is transferred to the cus‐ tomer and they can then keep the car or sell it whenever they wish.

Alternatively they can return the car to the funder at the end of the agreement under the provisions of a repurchase undertaking (a put option) signed by the funder on day one. This undertaking will have included a guaranteed minimum future value (GMFV) – the price the funder will pay for the used car (so long as it has not exceeded the contractual mileage and is in fair condition for its age and mileage). The GMFV and balloon are the same amount, so the customer can just hand the car back without paying the balloon.

If the car is worth more than the GMFV the customer has ‘equity’ in the car which they can use towards the deposit on a new PCP agreement.

PCPs have been very important for manufacturers’ captive finance companies (companies that offer the manufacturer’s ‘branded’ finance to consumers through

£

dealerships). Historically low levels of interest have allowed them to offer very attractive APRs (0% in some cases). By including the balloon payment the customer’s monthly pay‐ ment is reduced (compared to, say, conventional hire pur‐ chase where the full amount financed would be repaid in equal monthly instalments). These features have helped boost the popularity of PCP, which now accounts for perhaps 70% of all new car finance deals.

According to data collected by KeeResources, the average value of a Top 100 three year/60,000 mile used fleet car in early 2009 was around £6,500. Today that figure is nearer £10,000. This strong growth in used car prices has allowed captive finance companies to ask dealers to approach PCP customers to encourage them to early terminate their PCP agreements, return the car and take out a new agreement on a new car without paying a settlement figure. In addition, the strong performance of Sterling against the Euro has sup‐ pressed new car prices so a customer can often take a new car at the same monthly cost as their old car.

Everyone wins here: the manufacturer and dealer sell another new car earlier than expected; the captive finance company has a new three or four year PCP agreement on their books and the customer gets a new car earlier than expected. A true win win win win.

PCP is a great consumer motor finance product but tradi‐ tionally it has not been considered to be a fleet product because it is a contract between the finance company and the customer; the customer’s employer isn’t involved. However, many employers offer monthly cash allowances to their driv‐ ers instead of a company car, and those employee needs a way to convert this monthly payment into a car. PCP serves this need well. No‐one knows how many former company car drivers enter into PCP agreements but it is quite likely that they total many, many thousands.

This raises two questions: is this the optimum financing solution for these ‘cash allowance’ employees and is there a better alternative?

By ‘optimum financing solution’ we probably mean the solution that delivers the lowest after‐tax cost to both employee and employer with the least hassle and risk. Meas‐ ured by that definition, PCP may not be the optimum solu‐ tion. However if an employer simply wants to tell their employees “we’re not providing company cars, here’s some cash, go away and sort out your own car and just claim x pence per mile for petrol for each business mile,” then per‐

haps here PCP is the optimum solution because in all likeli‐ hood the employer just wants a simple life and cost isn’t their primary consideration.

The reason PCP may not be the optimum financing solu‐ tion for cash allowance‐takers is all down to tax. We looked in detail at tax and national insurance (NI) on ECOS and salary sacrifice schemes in the last two articles so we won’t go into much detail here.

In a nutshell; when an employee is given a cash allowance rather than a company car the payment is taxable at the employee’s marginal tax rate and both the employer and the employee have to pay NI on the allowance. The employer can then pay the employee up to the AMAP limit (45p per mile up to 10,000 miles, 25p thereafter) for each business mile, tax‐ and NI‐free.

If instead that same employee was to be given a car under an ECOS the additional cash paid into their monthly gross pay would be ‘optimised’ to take maximum advantage of the AMAP rates and minimise tax and NI. Similarly, if they received a car under a salary sacrifice scheme they would give up some salary and the employer would provide them with a leased car. The employee would save tax and NI on the sacrificed salary and so long as they chose a relatively low‐CO2 car they would pay less tax and NI than they would have paid on the cash allowance. Once again, the AMAP rates will make some payments tax and NI‐free.

If you give a cash allowance to your employees instead of a company car it would be worthwhile reviewing the actual costs that are being incurred and the benefits that are being derived, to see whether an alternative approach might deliver a better result.

INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT PCP is a great consumer motor finance product but it traditionally has not been considered to be a fleet product.

fleetworld.co.uk / 71

our fleet Mazda3 2.2D SE-L Nav I happened to park next to the Fastback version of the Mazda3 a few weeks ago, wearing a smart shade of pearlescent red paintwork and in a high spec.

In the UK it’s the hatchback which dominates this segment, which makes the alternative bodystyle a bit of a rarity.

However, it’s a smart-looking compact saloon which manages not to look any frumpier than its sibling – in itself an achievement. At first glance, it could almost be a downsized Mazda6.

Checking the price difference on Mazda’s website reveals something interesting, too. The Fastback has a higher entry point than the hatch, but at the core part of the range – SE-L Nav, with the 2.2-litre diesel engine – the two

versions are identically priced, and match each other on fuel economy and CO2 emissions. That makes the Fastback, with its 15% extra boot space, an interesting proposition.

It’s also made me wonder whether that longer bodystyle could underpin an equally elegant Estate. The Mazda6 is certainly a good-looking load-carrier, and the Mazda3 would wear the extra luggage capacity well for drivers whose choice list doesn’t allow a move up to the CX-3 crossover.

Anne Dopson

Audi A5 Ultra SE Technik STEPPING from our Insignia long termer into the A5 makes for an interesting comparison, as the two cars are fairly similar in size and similarly designed to minimise fuel consumption, with the usual eco technologies such as revised engine mapping and gearing, plus auto Stop/Start. The A5 has the edge on paper. In practice, I haven’t yet managed to match the Insignia’s impressive fuel consumption although 53-55mpg is a regular event in the A5, so the difference is not that great.

The Audi is less powerful too (136bhp plays 163hp) and that is noticeable, particularly as the Audi’s gearing is quite tall to max the fuel economy. On the other hand the Insignia’s engine is less refined (an issue dealt with on the latest models). Cost wise, you get a lot of car for your money from the Insignia – Country Tourer is Insignia top spec. There is no adaptive front lighting on the A5 for instance, but it does have heated seats where the Insignia did not and that’s always good news in the cold weather we’ve been having.

72 / fleetworld.co.uk

the figures It is hard to beat the Audi’s intuitive MMI (man machine interface) for the infotainment system.

The central control surrounded by four quadrant switches that controls the system was thoroughly thought out from the start and combined with the screen labels, makes it easy to find what you need.

The Vauxhall’s system is just not as intuitive. The Audi is undoubtedly a pleasant way to travel, with the accent on comfort and low CO2 emissions, meaning low BiK tax for a car this size. Anyone racking up the miles will appreciate the comfort and refinement. Personally I think it’s the best looking A5 too, with better lines than the coupe, although I suspect that the buyers for the coupe are quite different from those of the Sportback.

John Kendall

OTR PRICE £31,665 POWER 136bhp @ 4,200rpm TORQUE 236lb.ft @ 1,500rpm 0-62mph 9.5 seconds TOP SPEED 132mph COMBINED MPG 67.3mpg CO2 109g/km (19% BiK)

BMW 430d Gran Coupe xDrive

Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE-T WITH the London Marathon fast approaching, my Sunday mornings are dominated by increasingly long periods of pavement pounding. Fortunately Mrs G is cycling along, to keep me supplied with energy drinks and disgusting carb gels.

Getting to our start spot has been a breeze though, as the CR-V has a massive boot that will take an adult’s bicycle without removing a front wheel. Seriously, I’ve seen smaller vans.

Dropping the rear seats is equally simple, with a single lever flipping the seat squab forward, folding the headrest and dropping the seat back to an almost flat position. If only the running was as straight forward.

Dan Gilkes

Peugeot 308 SW Allure BlueHDI 120 More trouble-free miles this month for arguably the best-value and most practical allrounder on our fleet. Apart from the obvious issues that white shows up the dirt all too readily and the touchscreen display that can be a little tricky for the uninitiated, it’s business as usual for the 308 SW. That means 60+mpg and terrfic refinement on long journeys. In fact, our fleet consultant Ross Durkin noted that it almost made his 700mile round commute a pleasure, which has to be good news for high-mileage fleet drivers.

Luke Wikner

the figures

THE problem with having a young family is that it cramps your style. You need a car with all sorts of boring practical applications, such as vast swathes of boot space, the requisite number of seats, wide doors. Dull things really, and it’s hard for cars imbued with such necessity to be exciting either.

Except for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Here is a car that has a perfectly serviceable set of seats for the brood, four doors and a big hatchback boot which easily swallows all the kit needed, yet looks utterly stunning. So sleek and sexy in fact that numerous people have commented on it. It is some combination.

If it was a 3 Series saloon, on which it is based, then nobody would have said a word, but this 430d xDrive does not only looks great but performs remarkably in every situation it finds itself.

The four-wheel drive system has provided sure-footed stability through the late winter (although a rear drive version would be far more tax efficent), the 258bhp twin turbo 3.0 diesel is flexible, forceful and surprisingly efficient: careful motorway driving sees 45mpg no bother.

At more than £42,000 it’s a lot of money, but for company car drivers, a rear-wheel drive 420d version is nearly ten grand less, yet still has the all the Gran Coupe benefits.

I took the family (including the dog!) to Cornwall in it and it is a superbly comfortable long distance cruiser, but also great fun on the county’s tight little B roads.

The only complaint is there is quite a lot of roar from the front tyres and a hollow ring from the lightweight 19 inch M-Sport alloys. Otherwise, the Gran Coupe is one of the most complete corporate cars you can buy.

Steve Moody

OTR PRICE £42,460 POWER 258bhp @ 4,000rpm TORQUE 414lb.ft @ 1,500rpm 0-62mph 5.3 seconds TOP SPEED 155mph COMBINED MPG 51.4mpg CO2 145g/km (25% BiK)

fleetworld.co.uk / 73

our fleet Citroën C4 Cactus BlueHDI 100 Flair

WITH its fresh approach to the often-conservative C-segment, the C4 Cactus was one of my favourite new cars from last year’s launch calendar. So I’m delighted to have six months to get better acquainted with a model which I think is one of the most interesting hatchbacks money can buy.

So far, the styling is proving to be the biggest conversation point. I think it’s a beautiful piece of design – ultra-modern, chic and proof that new cars can be characterful, and cheap cars don’t have to feel utilitarian. It isn’t

as softly finished as the C4, but Citroën has managed to strip cost from the C4 Cactus without making it feel like a white good, and there’s a real skill to that.

Ours is the top-spec Flair trim, a step up from the most popular Feel version with the aim of adding long-distance necessities such as satellite navigation and climate control, though it also adds an automatic parking function with front sensors. I wasn’t brave enough to opt into the Hello Yellow signature colour, but the bold red-on-black looks great against the four-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

So it’ll be interesting to see how a car which almost universally impressed the media at its launch last summer stands up to the rigours of day-to-day life. To find out whether simplicity has compromised functionality, whether it can live up to its excellent fuel economy claims, or whether other drivers get used to the way it looks. I’m feeling hopeful.

Alex Grant

SUPPLIER

DIRECTORY electric vehicle charging

Ensto UK Ltd Tel: +44 7432 701524 ensto.com/chago

accident management Selsia Vehicle Accident Centres Ltd

Tel: 0845 468 6800 www.selsia-vac.co.uk

Lexus NX 300h Luxury Total Accident Management Tel: 0845 078 4157 www.totalaccman.co.uk

fast fits & tyres ATS Euromaster Tel: 0870 066 3624 www.atseuromaster.co.uk

LEXUS certainly can’t be accused of being over-cautious with the design of their new NX 300h. The marque’s first venture into the compact crossover sector has an eye-catchingly athletic posture and looks to match. If you like to make an impact, look no further.

It may all look a little Chelsea High Road frivolous at first. But under the skin there is some cutting edge technology that makes the NX 300h both economical from a fiscal perspective, and reasonably capable as an off-roader should the need ever arise.

Lexus’ E-Four all-wheel drive, hybrid powertrain features constantly variable transmission (CVT) which takes a little getting used to at first. It sounds like the engine is over-revving, but a CO2 emissions rating of

74 / fleetworld.co.uk

just 121g/km and combined MPG of 54.3 will quickly outweigh any misgivings.

When the NX first arrived on our long-term test fleet it attracted a great deal of interest and that continues to be the case. Cars like this are a rare sight in the South-West (until they are about 18 years old) and it has proved to be a real head turner.

Such is the list of key features in the press pack accompanying the NX 300h that the next few reports will probably need to be preceded by a visit to the owner’s manual. But first impressions from one long trip and several short ones is that this is a car with supreme levels of comfort and all the creature comforts you would expect from a £36,630 price tag.

Ross Durkin

fleet insurance insureFLEET Tel: 0333 202 3133 www.insurefleet.com

Bluedrop Services Ltd Tel: 01706 658608 www.bluedropservices.co.uk

driver licence checking Jaama Tel: 0844 8484 333 www.jaama.co.uk

FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY contract hire, leasing & finance

daily rental

risk management

fleet management software

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

Drive Software Solutions Tel: 01438 317731 www.drivesoftwaresolutions.com

Tel:0121 288 5935/07815 601622

sgfleet Tel: 0845 154 0721 www.sgfleet.com

www.volkswagengroupleasing.co.uk

Nexus Vehicle Management Ltd Tel: 0871 984 1947 www.nexusrental.co.uk

Maxxia 020 7520 9450 www.maxxia.co.uk

Venson Automotive Solutions Tel: 08444 99 1402 www.venson.com

Europcar Tel: 0116 217 3530 www.europcar.co.uk

Cardinus Risk Management Tel: 01733 426015 www.cardinus.com

www.soficoservices.com

Tel: 0845 815 0019 www.dayscontracthire.co.uk

Promote your company here and online for just £500/year.

Bill Plant Ltd Tel: 01765 645023 www.billplant.co.uk

Jaama Tel: 0844 8484 333 www.jaama.co.uk

Tel: 0845 769 7381 www.lexautolease.co.uk

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tel: 01784 221 300 www.enterprise.co.uk

ARI Fleet UK Tel: 0844 8000 700 www.arifleet.co.uk

Chevin Fleet Solutions Tel: 01773 821 992 www.chevinfleet.com

Contract Hire a Car Tel: 0370 218 8015 www.contracthireacar.com

Budget Rent-a-Car Tel: 0844 5338 08701544 56 56 56 www.budget.co.uk

MAC GB Ltd Tel: 01745 828180 www.reduceroadrisk.com

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

Fleet Alliance Tel: 0845 601 8407 www.fleetalliance.co.uk

Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Tel: 01786 468 700

AA DriveTech Tel: 01256 495732

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

www.AAdrivetech.com/fleetsafe

Civica Tranman Tel: 01454 874002 www.civica.co.uk/tranman

Volkswagen Group Leasing Tel: 0870 333 2229

Alphabet (GB) Limited Tel: 0870 50 50 100 www.alphabet.co.uk

Promote your company here and online for just £500/year.

Lex Autolease

Total Leasing Solutions for your business

Sofico

Telephone 0113 250 0060

www.jct600vehicleleasingsolutions.co.uk

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

Tel: 0845 603 4590 www.acvm.co.uk

DriveTech

Vehicle Management

Zenith Tel: 0113 348 8667 www.zenith.co.uk

Pendle Vehicle Contracts Tel: 08456 025697 www.pendlelease.co.uk

EV FLEET WORLD Tel: 01727 739160 www.evfleetworld.co.uk

Interactive Driving Systems Tel: 01484 551060

Enterprise Software Tel: 0161 925 2400 www.essl.co.uk

www.virtualriskmanager.net

November 2014

FLEETW RLD FLEETW RLD November 2014

All that matters in

the world of fleet

All that matters in the world of fleet

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

interview

interview

Michael O’Shea of

Michael O’Shea of Volkswagen

Volkswagen

stopping power

stopping power

Why fleets should

check their brakes

IAM Drive & Survive Tel: 0870 120 2910 www.iamdriveandsurvive.co.uk

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

Why fleets should check their brakes

fuel management

misfuelling MODE MODELPUPIL LPUPIL Behind the wheel

of Tesla’s remarkable

Model S

Behind the wheel of Tesla’s remarkable Model S

2014

2014

MPG Marathon

100mpg in real-world driving from a C-segment estate? The UK’s premier economy event sees if it’s possible...

MPG Marathon 100mpg in real-world driving from a C-segment estate?

The UK’s premier economy event sees if it’s possible...

AFF Tel: 0844 879 4770 www.autofuelfix.com

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BP Oil UK Ltd Tel: 0845 603 0723 www.bpplus.co.uk

fleetworld.co.uk fleetworld.co.uk

tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

telematics & tracking

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

Teletrac, a Trafficmaster company Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletrac.co.uk

Tel: 0845 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk

TRACKER Network UK Limited Tel: 0845 602 3981 www.TRACKER.co.uk

Shell Fuelcards Tel: 0800 915 6021 www.shell.co.uk/euroshell

Trakm8 Tel: 01747 858 444 www.trakm8.com

Telogis Tel: 0203 005 8805 www.telogis.co.uk

Navman Wireless UK Ltd Tel: 0845 521 1188 www.navmanwireless.co.uk

Esso Fuel Cards Tel: 0800 626 672 www.essocard.com

Fleetmatics Tel: 0800 975 4566 www.fleetmatics.co.uk

Quartix Ltd Tel: 0870 013 6663 www.quartix.co.uk

MiX Telematics Europe Tel: 0121 717 5360 www.mixtelematics.co.uk

The Fuelcard Company Tel: 0845 073 0873 www.fuelcards.co.uk

SMR Autoserve Limited Tel: 0844 888 3001 www.autoserve.co.uk

fleetworld.co.uk / 75

fleet finance

Behind the numbers Mel Dawson, managing director of ALD Automotive, analyses the main changes in the 2015 Budget and the implications for fleets.

G

reeted by many industries as being positive and straightforward, this year’s Budget also seemed to be rather innocuous for fleets, with just a handful of announcements, none of which were Big Bang reforms.

But whilst the news about the Northern Powerhouse transport plan and the funding for car sharing and autonomous driving, and even the Severn Bridge toll reductions, are encouraging moves that will have positive implications for the fleet industry as well as private driv‐ ers, the change to Benefit in Kind rates is something that fleets need to be aware of.

On the face of it, the announcement of a three percentage point increase in BiK tax from 2019/20 is evolutionary not revolutionary and somewhat to be expected. But actually, if you look more closely at the figures, it becomes clear that unless fleets adopt a forward‐thinking approach to the CO2 emissions output of the vehicles on their choice lists, they could see quite a rise in both their and employees’ tax bills in the coming years.

Take for example, a typical diesel fleet car with CO2 emis‐ sions of 120g/km – which is actually the average emission figure for new cars added to the ALD Automotive fleet.

For the 2015/16 tax year such a car will qualify for the 22% bracket, falling to 21% the following year thanks to the abolition of the 3% surcharge. But this starts to climb from 2017/18, ending with a BiK banding of 28% for 2019/20.

For a car with a P11D value of £30k, this means a 20% tax payer will see their tax bill rise from £1,320 to £1,680 over this period whilst the bill for a 40% tax payer climbs from £2,640 to £3,360.

But even drivers of cars with lower emissions will see a sharp rise in their tax bills. As an example, take a petrol plug‐in hybrid model with emissions in the 1‐50g/km cate‐ gory and a £40k P11D value. Such a model has a 5% BiK rat‐ ing for 2015/16 but a 16% rating for 2019/20 and, as a result, the annual 40% tax bill on this model will rise from £800 to £2,560 over this period – suddenly making it pro‐ hibitively expensive.

And of course, it’s not just employees who face the increase in bills but also employers through Class 1A National Insurance Contributions.

Contact ALD Automotive:

76 / advertisement feature

t 087000 111 81

What all this means is that fleets need to take a step back and ensure that the vehicles they are running are low emis‐ sion as well as fit for purpose.

And whilst one ray of light is that growing numbers of increasingly practical and well‐priced low‐emission vehi‐ cles will make it easier for businesses to reduce BiK bills, they also need to make sure they are addressing their fleet procurement correctly.

As such it is vital to make sure you are using total cost of ownership modelling tools as the platform from which the optimum vehicles for the fleet are selected. Only in this way can companies ensure that they are adopting a holistic approach that takes into account vital taxation and envi‐ ronmental parameters.

It can also prove extremely beneficial to seek expert advice on how to adopt such a strategy. This is where ALD Automotive’s AutoSolutions team can help. This specialist division comprises experienced analysts, experts in the fields of vehicle funding and fleet choice lists, and the deployment of proven cost‐effective and practical car poli‐ cies over many years.

Using market‐leading fleet analysis technology, AutoSolutions can assess whole life costs from all manufac‐ turers, models and derivatives as part of the CarSelector soft‐ ware module. This provides a conclusive picture of company and employee tax implications during vehicle selection, tak‐ ing into account forthcoming BiK rates until 2019/20.

Of course, one further ray of light in the Budget was the announcement that the fuel duty increase scheduled for September has been cancelled. Clearly this is a move that will be very much welcomed by fleets and drivers – and could help offset climbing BiK bills – but with fuel prices widely expected to start rising again, it does mean that companies cannot afford to take their eye off the fuel man‐ agement ball. And once again, using total cost of ownership can help fleets ensure fuel costs are taken into account when it comes to vehicle choices.

For more details of how the AutoSolutions team can help optimise your fleet policy, contact ukinfo@aldautomotive.com or phone 0870 00 111 81.

e ukinfo@aldautomotive.com

w www.aldautomotive.co.uk

VAN

April 2015

FLEETW RLD

p86 New Corsavan is a stylish compact load carrier with a range of drivelines and high spec.

at a glance driven...

Mercedes-Benz Vito • Volkswagen Tristar Vauxhall Corsavan • Mercedes-Benz Unimog

plus...

Telematics & tracking, Mercedes’ new Van network and Hertz van expansion

Thursday 8th October 2015 ArenaMK

Register for the show at... vanfleetworldlive.co.uk vanfleetworld.co.uk

inbusiness

Ford racks up more sales with BT

inshort

B

bitesize stories from a month in the van fleet world...

T has added 1,000 Ford vans to its fleet in the first three months of this year.

The order, which is both to replace existing vans and to add to the customer service fleet, includes 500 Transit Custom vans, 200 Ford Transits and 300 Fiesta Vans.

“We started by looking at all of our skill sets across the business and design‐ ing the safest and most ergonomic rack‐ ing we could,” said Mike Langford, BT’s senior customer relationship manager.

“We then looked at what vehicles were available which could accommodate what was required. After that we looked at a range of factors, including whole‐life costs, safety, emissions, technology and after‐ sales. If we are keeping a van for seven years, we have to ask whether we will be

able to get a spare part for that vehicle, at the right price, throughout its life.

“Our timescale was extremely tight as BT is a rapidly growing business and we needed to put 2,000 more customer service engineers on the road. Ford has kept to its commitment of delivering in volume and on time.”

Conversion specialists Bri‐Stor Sys‐ tems and Bott are undertaking the inte‐ rior alteration works on the vans. The Fiestas will be in service with engineers based at exchange buildings, with Tran‐ sit Customs used to carry the equipment required by customer service engineers.

The larger Transits are long wheelbase, high‐roof panel models, marking a shift away from the previous chassis cabs.

Mercedes to offer pick-up by 2020 Mercedes-Benz is to launch a fourwheel drive pick-up “before the end of the decade.” The mid-size truck, which will offer a payload of around 1-tonne, will be built for markets in Latin America, South Africa, Australia and Europe.

“The Mercedes-Benz pick-up will contribute nicely to our global growth targets,” said chairman, Dieter Zetsche.

“As part of our Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global strategy, the pick-up is the ideal vehicle for the international expansion of our product range with a newly developed model.”

Storage solutions for Volkswagen vans

FTA calls for help for ULEZ operators

T

he Freight Transport Association (FTA) has responded to London Mayor Boris Johnson’s confirmation that the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will launch in the city in September 2020.

“London’s proposed ULEZ is only ‘do‐ able’ due to the geographic area of the zone and if the five year lead time stays the same,” said head of policy Natalie Chapman.

“If either were to be altered due to a change of mayor, it will cause serious dif‐ ficulties for businesses.

“FTA wants to see some help for those who will find it harder to comply, as the sec‐ ond‐hand market for Euro 6 vehicles will not have fully matured by then, and unlike previous phases of the London Low Emis‐ sion Zone, there will be no retrofit option available. Essentially this means purchasing a brand new truck or van.”

The ULEZ will require vehicles travel‐

78 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

ling in the central London Congestion Charge Zone to meet new emission standards 24/7 or pay a daily charge.

The restrictions will apply to large vans and minibuses, with Euro 6 for diesel engines, registered from 1 September 2016. Non‐compliant vehicles will have to pay a daily charge of £12.50. HGVs, buses and coaches that do not comply will have to pay a daily charge of £100.

“FTA would reiterate previous calls to incentivise companies currently oper‐ ating Euro 6 commercial vehicles, by offering them a discount to the Congestion Charge,” said Chapman.

“This would mean that they could ensure that fleets move their newest and cleanest vehicles to the Capital, giv‐ ing those living and working in Central London some of the benefits of the ULEZ immediately.”

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched a range of racking and storage solutions, in partnership with Rhino Products and Sortimo.

There will be a full line of roof racks and pipe storage systems from Rhino, while Sortimo will deliver a crash-tested range of flexible modular internal racking systems for Volkswagen’s Caddy, Caddy Maxi and Transporter line-up.

Demand drives CoolKit growth Refrigerated conversion specialist CoolKit has doubled its manufacturing capacity to meet demand. The Lancashire firm is ion response to a 47% increase in sales during 2014.

“As well as increasing our manufacturing capacity and improving our order turnaround times, the changes will help the company from an internal perspective to better differentiate between manufacturing and fitting,” said managing director, Rupert Gatty.

“Separating manufacturing and fitting will allow manufacturing to become more streamlined and improve the working environment.”

® © 2015 TomTom Telematics B.V. TomTom ® and the logo are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by TomTom N.V. and its affiliates. Our limited warranty applies to this product. You can review it at www.business.tomtom.com/legal

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Business integration

INTERVIEW Neil Cunningham, Hertz

Hertz van expansion As rental giant Hertz opens two additional van supersites to meet growing demand for flexible van rental, UK general manager Neil Cunningham talks to Dan Gilkes.

How would you describe your van supersites?

“Vans are available from all of our 155 UK car rental outlets, but Hertz now has 20 van supersites specifically set up to work with LCV business rental customers.

“Our van supersites are where we corral van expertise as well as our fleet of vans. We are able to offer customers mobile servicing and fitting out, while our supersites feed the smaller sites. They will do spot rental, but it’s essentially about longer‐term flexirent.

“Our flexible van rental service helps customers focus on grow‐ ing their businesses efficiently, by removing the financial commit‐ ment of purchasing a fleet and by saving them the administrative headache of insurance, breakdown cover, maintenance, servicing and road tax.”

How many vans does Hertz offer in the UK? “We have more than 6,000 LCVs on the road, but it’s a very differ‐ ent business to cars, particularly on flexirent.

“Last year we grew by 26% and this year we will see double‐digit growth. We have a relatively small percentage of the UK hire market, so there is potential for good growth.

“As the UK comes out of recession the growth we are seeing is really interesting and people are less willing to sign up to long contracts. People really like the flexibility of flexirent.”

Are you planning additional van site growth?

“We don’t think that we need many more supersites to provide a backbone of service across the country. But vans have been outgrowing a number of locations.

“It is really hard to find the right sites though, we don’t want to compromise. The Glasgow site for instance can take up to 1,000 vans, while this site in West Thurrock has a capacity of 1,300 vans.”

Are you building the fleet in response to specific customer demand?

“We buy to service customer needs, but hire can be one month to three years. The customer can return the vehicles at any time with‐ out penalties. Some people see rental as a supplement to a leasing fleet, there’s a trade‐off between lease and hire.”

80 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

HERTZ ONLINE Hertz is updating its innovative 24/7 van hire serv‐ ice with the addition of PIN number pads, for anytime access to vehicles. There are currently more than 300 of the firm’s 24/7 vans based at branches of B&Q, Costco, IKEA and Homebase.

Customers who discover that all of that flatpack won’t fit in their car, can sign up to the 24/7 service by downloading an app, onto Apple or Android devices. They can then upload their driving licence details and credit card before renting a van, liter‐ ally by the hour, to get their goods home.

This originally relied on the store being open, so that customers could access the vehicle keys, but that is no longer the case as Hertz is rolling out a touch keypad that is stuck inside the windscreen of the van. The customer is sent a six‐figure PIN number for the hire, having booked a van. This is typed in at the agreed rental time and the LCV unlocks. The keys are tethered inside the vehicle.

Each vehicle has a mobile phone connection so Hertz can check that everything is okay once the hirer has checked over the vehicle, reporting any damage from the previous user before setting off.

The vans are provided with a fuel card that can be used at any time, as rental is charged by the mile.

When the van is returned and the door closed, the vehicle is locked and immobilised, with the invoice for the hire sent to the customer’s account, to be accessed on smartphone, tablet or computer.

“We’re pretty selective about our partners for 24/7,” says UK general manager Neil Cunningham.

“We do it through Costco, Homebase, IKEA and B&Q and expansion means finding relevant part‐ ners with the footfall and the need for the vans. Our ambition is to get a van within 10 miles of 90% of the population.”

Volkswagen Tristar

Dan Gilkes drives Volkswagen’s Tristar concept ahead of the T6 Transporter launch.

C

olleagues who recently attended the Geneva Motor Show will have been treated to a host of outlandish concept vehicles.

Concepts at a motor show are traditionally an opportu‐ nity for designers to let their hair down, forget the restric‐ tions of legislation and factory assembly procedures.

More recently though, manufacturers have used concepts to gauge public opinion, showing barely disguised details of future models. There is usually little of substance beneath the bodywork though, unless the manufacturer wants to try a new dash design, and it is rare indeed that the vehicle can actually move under its own steam.

Occasionally though, a concept actually works and the manufacturer will allow a few journalists to get behind the wheel to try the vehicle. This is one of those days, as Volk‐ swagen has given us a rare opportunity to try the Tristar concept, first seen at last year’s Hanover CV show.

Tristar takes its name and inspiration from a Trans‐ porter dropside, first seen at the launch of the synchro all‐wheel drive system almost 30 years ago. The concept has an extended cab, a high‐riding 4x4 driveline and a luxurious interior, potentially appealing to both business and leisure users.

Having seen the way the latest Caddy moves on Volk‐ swagen’s design language from the previous generation, it is fairly obvious how Tristar points the way towards the T6 Transporter, which will make an appearance later this year. The wrap‐around bonnet lines, horizontal grille elements and striking LED headlights all give clues to the new van’s exterior look.

The interior is equally familiar, though using slightly updated Volkswagen styling, mixing the firm’s latest car design with the commercial.

The concept is powered by a 204hp version of Volkswagen’s well‐proven 2.0‐litre diesel engine, driving through a seven‐speed DSG gearbox and permanent 4Motion drivetrain. However, we were speed restricted during the test, as the van is still a one‐off, not to mention

fairly valuable, creation.

A few laps of Millbrook Proving Ground’s hill route were enough to demonstrate that Transporter customers will feel instantly at home in the new vans though.

As well as the design tweaks, there are some interesting ideas on Tristar, such as the huge water‐tight drawers that can be pulled out from the side and the rear below the dropside deck. We’ve seen a similar idea on the rear of Fiat’s Doblo Work‐Up, and the drawer offers secure stor‐ age for an exposed pick‐up.

There are of course a number of ideas that will not be making production any time soon, like the video confer‐ encing facility in the cab and the touchscreen table top. It’s doubtful that Volkswagen will offer an integral winch on the front of the next‐generation Transporter either.

But as a way of showing customers the direction that the new van will take, both in appearance and in terms of possible performance, Tristar offers a tantalising vision of the future.

We’ll be seeing the real T6 Transporter towards the end of April, though we won’t get to drive it until slightly later in the year. Don’t be too surprised if you recognise elements of the van’s external and in‐cab appearance.

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 81

THE A-Z OF NEW

CORSAVAN

L IS FOR LOOKS THE BUSINESS NEW CORSAVAN The new Vauxhall Corsavan says a lot about a business. It can impress upon your customers that you’re a serious professional ready to do a good job. It also shows your style, combining New Corsa looks and performance with the safety and security of a factory-built van. So whatever your trade, it looks the business.

Call 0845 740 0777 or visit vauxhall.co.uk/vans

Mercedes-Benz Vito New Vito looks set to take on the class leaders in the medium panel van sector, reckons John Kendall.

U

K customers will be able to see the new Mercedes‐Benz Vito at the CV Show for the first time and the van will go on sale at the show. Mercedes claims a first for offering both front and rear‐ wheel drive models in this sector of the van market.

For FWD models, Mercedes is using the Renault‐Nissan 1.6‐litre turbocharged diesel, similar to that in the Renault Trafic and Vauxhall Vivaro. This engine provides the two lower power ratings for the van, with 88hp and 114hp, badged 109CDI and 111CDI. Mercedes’ 2.1‐litre diesel has been revised to meet Euro 6 emissions regula‐ tions and is available in three power rat‐ ings: 136hp (114 BlueTEC), 163hp (116 BlueTEC), and 190hp (119 BlueTEC).

All engine options are available with all three body lengths and weights. The three lengths are designated Compact, Long and Extra Long and each is available as a panel van, crew van or passenger carrying Tourer.

Tourers are available with either PRO or SELECT trim. Prices start from £17,855 (ex‐ VAT) for the 109 CDI. The Tourer SELECT starts off at £32,090 (ex‐VAT). Perhaps sur‐ prisingly it is the larger engined 116 and 119 BlueTEC models that are the economy champions, both returning 47.1mpg on the combined cycle. All rear‐drive models get Mercedes BlueEFFICIENCY package, which includes alternator management, improved under body aerodynamics and automatic engine Stop/Start. Alternator management ensures that the battery is only charged during coasting or deceleration. 2.1‐litre engines will be Euro 6 compliant from the

84 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

what we think The new Vito has classleading potential, and is a capable challenger to the Ford Transit Custom. With potential for low running costs, it seems to offer plenty of fleet appeal.

specification MODEL

Mercedes Benz Vito 114 BlueTEC Van Long BASIC PRICE £20,860 ENGINE 4-cyl/2,143cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 136hp @ 3,800rpm TORQUE 330Nm @ 1,500–2,500rpm Weights (kg) GVW 2,800 KERB WEIGHT 1,930 PAYLOAD 870 MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 2,000 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 2,831 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,685 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,392 LOAD VOLUME 6.3m3 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 170g/km/44.1 mpg OIL CHANGE 2 yr/20,000 miles WARRANTY 3 yr/unlimited

start, requiring the AdBlue additive. The 1.6‐litre engine will be available as a Euro 5 compliant engine initially. The three gross weight ratings are 2,800kg, 3,050kg and 3,200kg.

There’s a lot of standard equipment in the Vito spec including Attention Assist, Crosswind Assist and a tyre pressure mon‐ itoring system. Cruise control and a speed limiter are also standard kit, as is a trip computer and 5.8‐inch dashboard display.

Bluetooth connectivity, USB and aux‐in ports, iPod interface and SD memory card slot are also part of the deal. In the load area, rear twin doors, two side loading doors and a full height bulkhead are stan‐ dard for all vans.

Unfortunately we didn’t drive one of the new front‐wheel drive models, but were able to sample a 114BlueTEC variant as a Long van and Long Tourer in the entry‐level PRO spec. The van was loaded to 500kg. Even so, the 136hp engine gave respectable perform‐ ance on a mix of roads including motorway.

Noise levels were low in the van and eight‐ seater Tourer, while ride and handling felt as though they could be a match for the Ford Transit Custom. A load always helps to improve ride quality but the unladen Tourer also provided a smooth ride.

The weight took up a good deal of the load space but minimal taper to the body sides helps maximise available space and there are sturdy looking tie‐down eyes in the floor and lower body sides. There was plenty of room for the driver with comfortable seat adjustment, although the fixed twin passen‐ ger seat in the van limited legroom.

Mercedes Vans go pro With Mercedes-Benz launching the complete new Vito range at the CV Show, John Kendall finds out how the company’s new Van network is developing.

T

he new Mercedes‐Benz Vito range will be launched at the CV Show on 14 April. Managing director of Mercedes‐Benz Vans in the UK, Steve Bridge, told us what customers will be offered from launch.

“On this occasion it’s reasonably helpful that right‐hand drive was a little bit behind because it does allow us to come to market with pretty much everything straight away,” says Bridge. A select group of fleet and SME customers will see the van ahead of the launch at the CV Show. “Dealers are actually taking orders now in advance, which is actually quite encouraging because a lot of people want to drive before they place an order.”

As Vito is being launched, Mercedes has also begun to roll out its Van ProCenters to handle Mercedes van sales and servicing across the UK. “The dealer network is being trained in the principles of Van Pro,” says Bridge. “We have seven dealers that are fully

accredited and the remaining 85% of the dealer network is now in the process. This then means that we have a unique identity for the van business and we also have the facilities that go with a commercial vehicle network of 24‐hour, seven days a week availability.”

Dedicated van sales and service advisers are very much part of the Van ProCenter package, along with extended open‐ ing hours and a collection and delivery service. All 20 Mercedes van dealers in the network will gain accreditation in time. All are based at Mercedes truck dealers where the facilities are already offering extended hours servicing and facilities for heavier models.

“It’s an on‐going process,” says Bridge. “Because once they get accreditation, it’s not an accreditation for life. It isn’t a case of just putting some flags up and painting the tarmac. A customer who buys a vehicle in, say, Oxford and then drives to Glasgow should get the same experience from the dealer there.”

We’ve got what you need.

• Fleet Policy Advice • Duty of Care • Vehicle Acquisition • Funding • Grey fleet management • Salary Sacrifice • Maintenance and Servicing • Vehicle Rental • Accident Management • Workshop Management • Vehicle Conversions

You talk, we listen There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach at Venson. We sit down and listen to what you have to say and then we build a fleet programme to meet your financial and operational objectives. That’s because our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We put you first, which means you always feel like the most important person. On top of that, we continually develop new services and give you nothing but the best in customer care. All of which results in a true sense of partnership.

86 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

To find out more call 08444 99 1402, email: sales@venson.com or visit www.venson.com

Vauxhall Corsavan

Vauxhall’s latest Corsavan combines Euro 6 power with increased carrying capacity, says Dan Gilkes.

W

hile many manufacturers have moved away from direct car‐ derived vans in favour of high cube models that use car drivelines, Vauxhall con‐ tinues to sell the compact Corsavan. The fifth generation of this compact LCV (in truth the first model was known as a Nova rather than a Corsa) picks up where the last left off, but with cleaner engines, an improved cab envi‐ ronment and increased carrying capacity.

Vauxhall sold 2,400 Corsavans in the UK last year, the model’s strongest performance since 200 and worth 7.4% of the firm’s over‐ all LCV sales. More than 34,000 of the last model found buyers in total, with 64% going to retail and 38% to fleet buyers.

While Corsavan, like the similarly designed Fiesta Van, benefits from the latest technology that is seen in the car market, it is also compromised in body shape and size by the car on which it is based. Few cus‐ tomers will buy a Corsavan for ultimate load hauling ability, however Vauxhall has man‐ aged to increase an already class‐leading payload to a maximum of 571kg, despite the additional weight of new technology.

There are no less than four engine/gear‐ box options available, again made possible by the fact that the car range already offers these variants. The three 1.3CDTi diesels will prove the most popular, though Vauxhall is offering a 1.2‐litre petrol engine, for those customers with concerns over the efficiency of DPFs in inner city driving.

All of the Euro 6 diesels have Start/Stop, with the most popular 75hp engine boasting up to 72.4mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 102g/km. The 95hp engine can be had in two

86 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

what we think New Corsavan is a stylish compact load carrier with a range of drivelines and high specification. If you don’t require ultimate carrying capacity, there’s a lot to recommend it.

specification MODEL

Vauxhall Corsavan Sportive 1.3CDTi BASIC PRICE £14,558 ENGINE 4-cyl/1,248cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 95hp @ 3,750rpm TORQUE 210Nm @ 1,500–3,000rpm Weights (kg) GVW 1,720 KERB WEIGHT 1,177 PAYLOAD 543 MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 1,250 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 1,257 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,264 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 921 LOAD VOLUME 0.92m3 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 101g/km/74.3 mpg OIL CHANGE 1 yr/20,000 miles WARRANTY 3 yr/60,000 miles

models, with a five‐speed gearbox in the ecoFLEX van, delivering 85.6mpg and 87g/km and with six forward gears in the Sportive, boasting 74.3mpg and 101g/km.

A comprehensive standard specification includes ESP Plus stability control, with straight line stability control, cornering brake control, drag torque control, brake assist, active rollover protection and hill start assist.

Corsavan also has six airbags, one‐touch electric windows, electric door mirrors, Blue‐ tooth, DAB, tyre pressure monitoring and speed‐sensitive steering with a City Mode that lightens the wheel further for easy parking.

The increasingly popular Sportive trim costs £1,000 over the standard 95hp model, adding air conditioning, metallic or pearles‐ cent paint, 16‐inch alloys, a heated wind‐ screen, sports seats, a leather‐wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, heated mir‐ rors and front fogs.

The new model has taken a big step forward in terms of comfort, with very low noise levels and a reach and rake adjustable steering wheel. Both the ecoFLEX and Sportive models performed well on a mix of roads, though there was little chance to try out the sixth gear that comes with the sportier model. No doubt reg‐ ular motorway work would reveal a more relaxed cruise with the higher ratio.

Service intervals are 20,000 miles/one year and the warranty is 60,000 miles/three years.

The van can be had with Vauxhall’s four year 0% finance offer that includes roadside assis‐ tance, servicing and extended warranty. Diesel Corsavan prices start at £13,108 for the 75hp van, rising to £14,558 for Sportive.

Mercedes-Benz Unimog

Mercedes-Benz has created a Unimog that is even more dedicated to off-road use, says Dan Gilkes.

SECTOR Heavy-duty off-road ENGINE 5.1-litre Euro 6, 230hp, 900Nm GROSS WEIGHTS U4023 10.3t, U5023 14.5t

I

new seven‐seat crew cab the engine hump does intrude ’ve never heard anyone complain that their Unimog was slightly into the rear footwell, though it remains comfort‐ struggling off the road. Despite that, Mercedes‐Benz has able for booted workers. gone back to the drawing board with its heavy‐duty 4x4 The mid‐engine concept helps with weight distribution and to make it even more capable. allows Mercedes to move the air conditioning system from the The firm’s off‐road hauler is now split into two very roof of the cab to in front of the engine. It also makes it possi‐ distinct categories. There are the smaller U216‐U530 ble to fit an engine power‐take‐off at the rear of the cab, to implement carriers, which are designed for some off‐high‐ complement the transmission PTOs and allow attachments to way use but mainly as attachment carriers to power a be powered even when the vehicle is not being driven. massive range of front, side and rear‐mounted tools. The An uprated transmission with faster shift times offers latest development here is the availability of four‐wheel eight forward gears and six reverse ratios. There is also the steering on some models. option of a low off‐road gear set, in effect Then there are the U4023 and U5023, doubling the number of gears on offer. built to conquer any terrain while carry‐ The improved engine brake develops ing cranes and a range of bodies for fire up to 180kW of brake force, with each fighting, agriculture, power generation cylinder now having its own brake unit and mining applications. It is these two for improved power. An off‐road ABS heavyweight models, with maximum system also comes as standard. gross weights of 10.3 tonnes and 14.5 The trucks also feature a Tirecontrol tonnes respectively, that have been plus tyre pressure control system, which updated, now running Euro 6 power with allows the driver to individually inflate a revised tyre pressure control system, and deflate each tyre from the driver’s improved dash layout and more comfort‐ seat. The system has preset sand, rough able cab mounting system. terrain and road modes, but also allows Mercedes has dropped the previous more experienced drivers to set their six‐cylinder engine in favour of a powerful own preferred pressures depending on four‐cylinder Euro 6 motor for both models. load and terrain.

This generates 231hp and a massive The Unimog has been Unsurprisingly the Unimog is in a class 900Nm of torque from its 5.1 litres, using an off-road load-carrying of its own off‐road, climbing the steepest EGR, a DPF and SCR with an AdBlue addi‐ icon since its launch in hills and handling pretty much any tive to meet the emissions standards. terrain that you can throw at it. The The big news, however, is the engine’s 1946. Thirty models and truck’s fully welded chassis frame actu‐ positioning, as the firm has moved the 400,000 sales later, ally flexes to allow greater axle move‐ motor an incredible 100cm back in the quite incredibly, the ment, with a three‐point cab and body chassis, to a point where it is almost best just got better. mounting system allowing that frame sticking out from under the back of the twist beneath the load‐carrying platform. cab, at least on single cab models. In the

what we think

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 87

MARKET OVERVIEW Telematics & Tracking

BOX Telematics Ltd

Ctrack

Box Telematics provide market leading solutions to help Fleet Operators reduce costs and manage fleets efficiently. All solutions are powered by innovative telematics devices which are developed and manufactured at the in-house manufacturing facility based in the West Midlands.

BOX Telematics’ web based portal provides an accurate view of real time locations of a fleet as well as advanced mapping overlays such as live traffic events, road speed and weather conditions. Through their extensive Dealer network, BOX Telematics offers a variety of Fleet Management solutions based around any sized fleet. From real time vehicle tracking, to activity reporting, to monitoring of driving behaviour or reducing maintenance costs, BOX Telematics has the solution.

Ctrack provides technically-advanced vehicle tracking and telematics solutions that deliver immediate benefits and financial returns resulting from the ability to better manage a fleet operation. As a result, meaningful management information is available in simple and intuitive formats, such as dashboards, reports and alerts, to provide added operational insight and business intelligence.

Ctrack delivers real advantage by enabling fleets of all sizes to address business critical performance issues as a result of greater operational visibility, control and efficiency. This includes reducing fuel consumption; validating overtime claims; eliminating unauthorised out-of-hours vehicle use; monitoring driver behaviour; achieving more jobs per employee; enhancing service levels; supporting environmental compliance; and increasing protection against vehicle theft.

Ctrack is part of DigiCore Holdings, a global company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with more than 830,000 tracking systems fitted in more than 50 countries across five continents.

Contact: Sales Support Team sales@boxtelematics.com

Tel: 01675 434000 www.boxtelematics.com

Contact: Steve Thomas steve.thomas@ctrack.co.uk

Navman Wireless Navman Wireless is one of the world's largest fleet management providers monitoring more than 220,000 vehicles owned by over 17,000 organisations worldwide. The company ignited the industry by making real-time fleet monitoring and vehicle tracking accessible to all and reinvented the industry with the game changing M-Nav, the first combined fleet tracking, messaging and satellite navigation system. Navman Wireless products and services are designed to give businesses instant access to vehicle location and driver behavior information and are proven to reduce fleet running costs, increase business productivity, enhance customer service and improve driver safety. Navman Wireless continues to lead the vehicle and fleet tracking software evolution with its market leading OnlineAVL vehicle tracking platform and is defining the future of connected vehicle technology with its driver behavior monitoring technology and advanced remote applications.

Contact: Sales Team info@navmanwireless.co.uk www.navmanwireless.co.uk

Tel: 0845 521 1133

Tel: 0845 055 8555 www.ctrack.co.uk

Quartix Ltd Quartix has grown to become one of the UK's most respected vehicle tracking companies. With a network of over nearly 200 experienced engineers, the award-winning Quartix system is available throughout the UK. More than 6,300 customers across a wide range of sectors currently use the online service, including government organisations, housing associations, construction firms, hospital trusts, the emergency services, and SMEs and large British brands. The company's unique, owndesign tracking system has been installed in over 160,000 vehicles. Quartix has also established itself as a leading provider of telematics for the UK’s pay-as-you-drive insurance market.

Contact: Dan Catterall dan.catterall@quartix.net

Tel: 0870 013 6663 www.quartix.net

Seven Telematics

Teletrac, a Trafficmaster Company Teletrac’s Fleet Director® is the most advanced and interactive fleet automation software on the market, equipped with easyto-use navigation and safety capabilities. With innovative features that include on-board navigation, lane guidance and two-way messaging, it is the premier software for fleet tracking intelligence. Tracking more than 250,000 vehicles globally, Teletrac saves fleet owners time and money while reducing their carbon footprint. Teletrac customers report up to 30% lower fuel usage, an average of 15% less driver overtime, 12% higher productivity and less unauthorised vehicle use.

Contact: Mark O’Neill fleetsales@teletrac.co.uk

88 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletrac.co.uk

At Seven Telematics we manufacture the world leading Transcan® temperature and data recording equipment.

Transcan® provides the standard in monitoring critical cargo conditions whilst in transit.

Other telematics companies profess to offer real time temperature monitoring, in short they don’t!

We connect our GPS tracking device directly into your existing or new Transcan® temperature recorder and provide live temperature monitoring with alarm alerts deliverable by SMS and/or e-mail to designated recipients, this in addition to all of your usual vehicle and driver management data including fuel economy analysis, digital tachograph interface, KPI reporting, fuel tank level, axle load monitoring, etc.

Contact: Sales Team sales@seventelematics.co.uk www.seventelematics.co.uk

Tel: 01636 550320

VAN FLEETW RLD

Fleetmatics

In-Car Cleverness

Fleetmatics is a leading global provider of fleet management solutions for businesses of all sizes delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). Our solutions enable businesses to meet the challenges associated with managing local fleets, and improve the productivity of their mobile workforces, by extracting actionable business intelligence from real-time and historical vehicle and driver behavioural data.

Fleetmatics’ intuitive, cost-effective web-based solutions provide fleet operators with visibility into vehicle location, fuel usage, speed and mileage, and other insights into their mobile workforce, enabling them to reduce operating and capital costs, as well as increase revenue. Fleetmatics serves more than 25,000 customers, with over 552,000 subscribed vehicles worldwide.

In-Car Cleverness is a leadingedge telematics solution from the AIS Group, now featuring new business upgrades.

The development of an interchangeable device brings easy access to information on any fleet vehicle, while the device’s customisable firmware also allows businesses to tailor the data they record according to their individual requirements.

The device reads accurate data from the engine management system via the OBD port without interfering with diagnostic procedures or warranty issues.

As well as vehicle tracking, driver behaviour, journey reports and CO2 measurements, In-Car Cleverness provides remote vehicle fault diagnostics, accurate fuel measurement/mileages, service countdowns and digital accident reconstruction.

In-Car Cleverness also benefits from an iPhone/Android app and a 24/7 support centre.

Contact: Chris Morrell Tel: +44 (0) 7808 248 991 chris.morrell@fleetmatics.com www.fleetmatics.co.uk

Contact: Paul O’Dowd Tel: 01675 435169/07824 143561 Paul.O'Dowd@incarcleverness.co.uk www.onboard.co.uk

Telogis Telogis provides solutions for driver and commercial vehicle productivity and safety. Its cloud-based location intelligence software platform has a transformative effect on the way businesses optimise their mobile workforces, assets and data.

Telogis provides enterprises with one platform that includes: • Advanced Telematics • Mobility • Territory Planning and Route Optimisation • Work order management • Developer tools By installing location-intelligent solutions, companies can analyse when and where its vehicles are used, and how they are being driven. This gives the organisation the information it requires to improve asset utilisation, fuel consumption, and delivery schedules.

Contact: Victoria Gimigliano Victoria.gimigliano@telogis.com

Tel: 0203 005 8831 www.telogis.co.uk

Trakm8 Trakm8 is the leading M2M telematics company, analysing Big Data to design, develop and manufacture in the UK, Fleet Management Solutions and innovative telematics devices.

With an in house team of Big Data analysts monitoring the 2 billion miles of data collected per year, Trakm8 enhances their Fleet Management solutions to improve fuel economy, decrease accident risk and shorten serviceability downtime.

A number of blue-chip companies including Direct Line Group, The AA and Saint Gobain Group have partnered with Trakm8 and benefit from the range of Fleet Management Solutions and telematics innovation Trakm8 has to offer.

Contact: Nathan Piper info@trakm8.com

Tel: +44 (0) 330 333 4120 www.trakm8.com

TomTom Telematics TomTom Telematics is a world leading telematics solution provider with over 464,000 subscriptions worldwide. Our WEBFLEET platform is a Software-as-a-Service solution – used by businesses to improve vehicle performance, save fuel, support drivers and increase overall fleet efficiency. With 3 APIs –one in the back office, one around the vehicle and one on the driver terminal, WEBFLEET is extremely well connected.

More than 34,000 customers benefit every day from the highest level of security, quality and availability of our ISO 27001 certified service.

Our name has changed over time (TomTom WORK, TomTom Business Solutions) but our commitment to innovation and quality remains.

Contact: Giles Margerison uk.business@tomtom.com www.tomtom.com/telematics

TRACKER Network (UK) Ltd TRACKER - part of the Tantalum Corporation- is the UK’s number one supplier of vehicle tracking services, with over a million systems installed to date. Award winning TRACKER Fleet uses ground-breaking technology to allow businesses to operate at maximum efficiency. Cost savings are provided as TRACKER Fleet highlights fuel inefficiencies and reduces overtime claims. Additionally, driving styles can be monitored to ensure best practices and compliance with duty of care.

Operating across a wide range of industries, TRACKER provides the knowledge and experience you would expect, coupled with support you can rely on for a smooth running and efficient fleet.

Tel: 0208 822 3605 Contact: TRACKER Sales Team enquiries@tracker.co.uk

Tel: 0845 604 6094 www.tracker.co.uk

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 89

Is it possible to fit sensors to load area doors to detect unauthorised cargo area access?

Does your system have the facility to send alerts by text message in the event of a security alert?

Does your system alert the controller if vehicles stray from their pre-set route?

Can the Police locate the stolen vehicle using your system?

Does your system offer two- way communication/job dispatch facility?

Does your system offer driver behaviour analysis?

Does your management software offer real-time accurate arrival times?

Does your management software offer dashboard reporting?

Does your system take live & real time information direct from the vehicle’s onboard management system such as idle time & RPM? Do you provide web services for third party integration?

Do you offer a management app/web tool for smartphones or tablets?

Key to services

Does your system allow the geographical “ring fencing” of particular locations?

MARKET OVERVIEW Telematics & Tracking

BOX Telematics Ltd ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Ctrack ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Fleetmatics ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

In-Car Cleverness ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Navman Wireless ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Quartix Ltd ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Seven Telematics ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Teletrac, a Trafficmaster Company ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Telogis ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

TomTom Telematics ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

TRACKER Network (UK) Ltd ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Trakm8

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Service unavailable

Thursday 8th October 2015 ArenaMK

Register for the show at... vanfleetworldlive.co.uk

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VAN SUPPLIER DIRECTORY FLEETW RLD daily rental

contract hire, leasing & finance

racking systems

tail lifts

fleet management software

Europcar Tel: 0116 217 3530 www.europcar.co.uk

Lex Autolease

Tel: 0845 769 7381 www.lexautolease.co.uk

Sortimo Central Tel: 0121 511 2303 www.sortimo-central.com

Penny Hydraulics Tel: 01246 811475 www.pennyhydraulics.com

Civica Tranman Tel: 01454 874002 www.civica.co.uk/tranman

Ratcliff Palfinger Ltd Tel: 01707 382880 www.ratcliffpalfinger.co.uk

Chevin Fleet Solutions Tel: 01773 821 992 www.chevinfleet.com

DEL Equipment (UK) Ltd Tel: 01993 708811 www.del-uk.com

Mycompanyfleet Tel: 0845 077 7760 www.mycompanyfleet.co.uk

Quartix Ltd Tel: 0870 013 6663 www.quartix.co.uk

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

fast-fits & tyres

Nexus Vehicle Management Ltd Tel: 0871 984 1947 www.nexusrental.co.uk

www.volkswagengroupleasing.co.uk

Tevo Limited Tel: 01628 528034 www.tevo.eu.com

Avis Rent A Car Budget Rent-a-Car Tel: 0844 5000 08701544 56 56 56 www.avis.co.uk www.budget.co.uk

Venson Automotive Solutions Tel: 08444 99 1402 www.venson.com

Bott Ltd Tel: 01530 410600 www.bott-group.com

Promote your company here and online for just £400/year.

Fleet Alliance Tel: 0845 601 8407 www.fleetalliance.co.uk

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tel: 01784 221 300 www.enterprise.co.uk

Alphabet (GB) Limited Tel: 0870 50 50 100 www.alphabet.co.uk

TRACKER Network UK Limited Tel: 0845 602 3981 www.TRACKER.co.uk

Navman Wireless UK Ltd Tel: 0845 521 1188 www.navmanwireless.co.uk

Budget Rent-a-Car Tel: 0844 5338 08701544 56 56 56 www.budget.co.uk

LeasePlan UK Ltd Tel: 0844 493 5810 www.leaseplan.co.uk

Trakm8 Tel: 01747 858 444 www.trakm8.com

TomTom Business Solutions Tel: 020 7255 9774 www.tomtom.com/business

conversions Full listings online at

Clarks Vehicle Conversions fleetworld.co.uk Tel: 0845 319 2787 www.van-conversion.co.uk

Volkswagen Group Leasing Tel: 0870 333 2229

Zenith Tel: 0113 348 8667 www.zenith.co.uk

telematics & tracking

Tel: 0845 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

STEPS AVS Steps Ltd

Tel: 01939 235900 www.avssteps.co.uk

Tel: 0845 603 4590 www.acvm.co.uk

Teletrac, a Trafficmaster company Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletrac.co.uk

ATS Euromaster Tel: 0870 066 3624 www.atseuromaster.co.uk

vehicle data International Decision Systems Tel: 01256 302 000 www.idsdata.co.uk

risk management

fuel management

Shell Fuelcards Tel: 0800 915 6021 www.shell.co.uk/euroshell

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

Esso Fuel Cards Tel: 0800 626 672 www.essocard.com

BP Oil UK Ltd Tel: 0845 603 0723 www.bpplus.co.uk

IAM Drive & Survive Tel: 0870 120 2910 www.iamdriveandsurvive.co.uk

Vehicle Management

UKVANLEASING

Tel: 01708 511071 www.ukvanleasing.com

insurance Bluedrop Services Ltd Tel: 01706 658608 www.bluedropservices.co.uk

Full listings online at

fleetworld.co.uk

vehicle ventilation

accident management

Flettner Ventilator Ltd Tel: 020 8200 2321 www.flettner.co.uk

Total Accident Management Tel: 0845 078 4157 www.totalaccman.co.uk

VAN FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk vanfleetworld.co.uk / 91

IF THERE’S A BETTER WAY YOU’LL BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Recalculating...

You want a fleet management company that puts you in the driving seat.

With ALD Automotive, that’s exactly what you get. Our dynamic Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) programme constantly weighs cost, flexibility, choice, and your business needs so that ALD can advise which fleet policy best suits you, now and in the future.

Keeping you one step ahead. www.aldautomotive.co.uk