Fleet World April 2017

THE NEW INSIGNIA P11D FROM £16,930

BiK FROM 23% | CO2 FROM 105G/KM | UP TO 70.6MPG

THE NEW INSIGNIA

YOUR FREE 3 DAY TEST DRIVE AWAITS Be confident you’re making the right business choice by taking New Insignia Grand Sport on our free 3 Day Test Drive.* • We’ll deliver to your home or workplace • Insurance cover is included • There’s no mileage limit

Visit vauxhallfleet.co.uk/newinsigniatestdrive Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive.

New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 24.6 (11.5)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban: 40.4 (7.0)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km.

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. 2017/18 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their own tax position. New Insignia Elite Nav 2.0 (260PS) Turbo 4X4 auto model illustrated (P11D of £27,155) features Dark Moon Blue two-coat metallic paint (£555), VXR Styling Pack (£850), glass sunroof (£705) and Driving Assistance Pack Four (£595), optional at extra cost. * = Terms and conditions apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please call 0330 587 8221 for full details. ** = Via booking.com. E-mail address and credit card required. Minimum age of reservation owner is 21 years. † = Includes 12 months of OnStar services from date of first registration and a 3 month/3 GB Wi-Fi free trial period (whichever comes first) effective from the date the customer accepts the nominated network operator Wi-Fi Ts&Cs. OnStar services and 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot require activation and are subject to mobile network coverage and availability. Wi-Fi Hotspot service requires account with nominated mobile network operator. Charges apply after free trial period. The OnStar subscription packages could be different from the services included in the free trial package.

Terms and conditions apply. Check vauxhall.co.uk/OnStar for details of availability, coverage and charges. Vehicles purchased without OnStar cannot have the required technology retro-fitted. Destination download only available on vehicles with factory installed navigation systems. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (April 2017).

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YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL New Insignia Grand Sport puts driver safety first with protective features including Forward Collision Alert and Lane Assist. Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Assistance are also there to safeguard, delivering help and assistance when it’s needed.†

YOUR CORNER OFFICE WITH A VIEW We know it’s a top priority for you to keep your drivers connected when on the road. That’s why New Insignia is equipped with a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot supporting up to seven devices.† Comforts include Bluetooth® connectivity, Satellite Navigation and 8-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™.

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FRONT COVER_FW_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 17:19 Page 1

April 2017

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

PSA’s plans for Vauxhall

Analysis How the Spring Budget and Finance Bill will affect fleets

Driven Land Rover Discovery Toyota Prius PHV Mazda CX-5

HANDS-OFF? How autonomous cars could simplify accident management

What will be your memorable moment at Silverstone this year?

THE GREATEST SHOW IN FLEET

Register online now at

SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

thefleetshow.co.uk

10TH MAY 2017

fleetworld.co.uk

CONTENTS_FW_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 18:33 Page 1

contents 10

05/04/2017 17:19 Page 1

April 2017

FLEETW RLD

How the Spring Budget will affect fleets.

All that matters in the world of fleet

PSA’s plans for Vauxhall

Analysis How the Spring Budget and Finance Bill will affect fleets

Driven Land Rover Discovery Toyota Prius PHV Mazda CX-5

18

HANDS-OFF? How autonomous cars could simplify accident management

What will be your memorable moment at Silverstone this year?

What the future may bring for the PSA / GM business.

THE GREATEST SHOW IN FLEET

Register online now at

SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

thefleetshow.co.uk

10TH MAY 2017

fleetworld.co.uk

Director Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

28

What there is to see and do at this year’s Fleet Show 2017.

Publisher Steve Moody steve@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Content Editor Katie Beck katie@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

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Claire Warman claire@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

Behind the wheel of Mazda’s new CX-5.

Circulation Manager Tracy Howell tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Head of Production Luke Wikner luke@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Designers Victoria Arellano victoria@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Dan Desta daniel@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

40 How the latest autonomous technology could help accident management

53 LCV News, plus...

SPOTLIGHT: Isuzu D-Max. CV SHOW 2017: Preview of the future fleet stars.

LCV Telematics.

STAG Publications

®

To subscribe to Fleet World visit: www.fleetworldsubscriptions.co.uk Certified circulation Jan – Dec 2015 18,052

fleetworld.co.uk / 03

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fleetreview Editor Alex Grant looks ahead to next month’s Fleet Show – have you registered for free online yet? – and why electric vehicles will have a role to play in future fleets...

Free advice for your EV fleet Against a backdrop of improving technology and growing awareness of air quality, the UK’s electrified vehicle market is growing rapidly. SMMT figures to the end of March showed more than one in 25 vehicles registered this year are now hybrid, electric or fuel cell models, and more than a third of those are now either plug-ins or hydrogen powered.

There’s clearly an appetite among fleets. The results of a recent survey by Fleet World and Shell showed nearly half of businesses are expecting to increase the number of electric vehicles they have on fleet.

Those who already have, said they’ve seen reduced costs and are expecting that advantage to grow compared to petrol or diesel models over the coming years. Unfortunately, less than 10% are well-equipped to make those additions.

If you’re considering electric vehicles for your business, then the Fleet Show 2017 is a must-attend. We’ve teamed up with Go Ultra Low and the Energy Saving Trust, who will be offering free one-on-one consultations at the event, to help you make the switch to electric mobility. Booked online, these can highlight a business case, explain the technologies available, discuss funding solutions and show where you can get ongoing advice to suit your needs.

The Fleet Show takes place at the Silverstone Wing on 10th May, with a packed schedule of briefings and seminars, networking opportunities, and a growing cross-section of the UK’s biggest fleet suppliers and vehicle manufacturers already confirmed. To register, visit thefleetshow.co.uk – see you there!

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

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Ford NEWS

Vignale delivers unique design and quality THE Ford Mondeo Vignale and S-MAX Vignale deliver unique design, quality craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.

The carefully executed exterior detailing includes signature hexagonal upper grille and exclusive colours; interiors deliver hexagonal-quilted Windsor leather with tuxedo-style stitching.

The refinement is enhanced on Vignale models with diesel powertrains with Active Active Noise Control that cancels out unwanted sounds by deploying opposing sound waves to counter noises from the engine and transmission within the cabin. Enhanced sound insulation better isolates road noise, and acoustic glass helps to reduce wind noise.

SYNC 3 connectivity offers enhanced voice-control and an 8-inch touch screen that enables pinch and swipe gestures.

Further advanced technologies include Ford Dynamic LED headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System that adjusts the headlight beam angle and intensity to match the driving environment.

Both the sophisticated Ford Mondeo Vignale – available as a four-door, five-door or wagon– and the seven-seat Ford S-MAX are available with Ford’s Intelligent All-wheel drive. Further technologies include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Active Park Assist featuring Perpendicular Parking and Ford Dynamic LED headlights. The Ford S-MAX Vignale also offers Front Wide-View Camera while Mondeo Vignale has Inflatable Rear Seatbelts for added safety.

Mondeo ST-Line: performance, delivered THE Mondeo ST-Line is designed for customers who aspire to the sporty image of Ford’s ST models but do not require the full performance delivered by optimised ST engines and chassis with sports technologies. Available in five-door and estate bodystyles, and with optional Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive, it features sport suspension, unique alloy wheel designs and sport seats, leather steering wheel and alloy pedals.

Diesel engine options include a 150PS 2.0-litre TDCi with six-speed manual or six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission offering from 112g/km CO2 and 65.7mpg and a 180PS version offering the same transmission options and from 117g/km CO2 and 62.8mpg. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters are standard with PowerShift.

The ST-Line range now also includes the Mondeo ST-Line X Series, which has a higher level of interior equipment as well as the higher rated 2.0 TDCi 180/210PS and 2.0 EcoBoost 240PS engines available.

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 Transit Courier: low on price, big on space THE Ford Transit Courier is low on price but big on space, with a load volume of 2.3 cu.m, which is up to 10% more than other vehicles in its class. The van’s compact size – an overall length of 4157mm makes it highly manoeuvrable and, with one of the best turning circles in its class. Inside, Ford’s designers have used every bit of space; the optional folding bulkhead with ‘fold and dive’ passenger seat option gives a class-leading load length of 2.59m. Loadspace length behind the bulkhead is 620mm, with a loadspace width of 1488mm and height from roof to floor of 1244mm, and the added versatility of a side load door. There is a choice of engines: the awardwinning 1.0L EcoBoost petrol engine, and advanced 1.5L diesel engines, which deliver outstanding fuel economy along with low emissions: from 76.3 mpg and as little as 96g/km with the Transit Courier 1.5L TDCi with Auto-StopStart and speed limiter. Advanced technological features include rear view camera, parking distance sensors and Hill Start Assist. Ford SYNC with voice control allows the driver to make and receive phone calls handsfree, and the system will even read incoming text messages aloud.

A Ford Transit Courier in Sportvan guise will be among the vehicles on the Ford stand in Hall 5 at the CV Show at Birmingham’s NEC from 25-27 April.

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inbusiness London air quality crackdown gathers pace ayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has confirmed additional details of his air quality plan, including launching an Ultra-Low Emission Zone in April 2019, and providing businesses with a database of ‘real-world’ NOx emissions to encourage them to adopt cleaner vehicles.

The online ‘cleaner vehicle checker’ will use data from independent testing organisations Emissions Analytics and the International Council of Clean Transportation, instead of official tests, to score vehicles based on harmful emissions. This will be used as a basis for the city’s own fleet choices as well as offering advice to drivers and businesses.

From 8 April 2019, older vehicles will also be subjected to a charge of up to £24 to enter the current Congestion Zone. The Ultra-Low Emission Zone applies 24 hours a day, and adds a £12.50 charge for diesel vehicles which do not meet the latest Euro 6 emission standards, and petrols which do not meet Euro 4 requirements. All passenger cars registered after September 2015, and vans after September 2016, meet Euro 6 standards and will not be liable, but the scheme is expected to set a precedent for other parts of the UK.

in brief

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6.6% Year-on-year increase in the business car and van leasing fleet in Q4 2016.

Source: BVRLA

Free fleet tailgating pilot The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) is seeking fleets to sign up to a free pilot to reduce tailgating in business driving. TRL is looking for car or LCV operators with young, male drivers who undertake regular driving during work.

The pilot could help firms reduce accidents and business costs.

Fleet chiefs launch incident management company A group of former fleet chiefs have teamed up to launch a new incident management company. Dubbed Horizon Vehicle Management, the company operates a 24/7 cradle-to-grave service covering claims management, uninsured loss recovery, repair management and risk management using a nationwide network of independent and franchise garages.

Four MP committees to probe Government’s air quality plans Ps have convened four select committees to launch a joint inquiry on air quality to examine cross-government plans to tackle air quality.

With the Government due to publish new air quality plans by 24 April after losing a UK High Court case, the joint inquiry will see the Environmental Audit Committee, Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Health Committee and Transport Committee join forces to hold four evidence sessions to look at the scale of the harm caused by poor air quality and whether the revised government plans will go far enough to tackle pollution. This will include looking at holistic solutions, including the use of electric vehicles.

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SEAT to launch ‘Fleet Excellence’ dealership programme EAT is launching a new dealer programme that will bring enhanced support for fleets. The ‘Fleet Excellence’ programme provides £12,000 a year for dealers that sell more than 100 units to fleets of 40 or more vehicles. Included dealers will have to meet certain standards to ensure fleet customers receive an agreed level of service, and employ dedicated staff.

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Allstar links with Visa for fuel and travel expense card Allstar has partnered with Visa to launch a new combined fuel and travel expense card. The Allstar Plus contactless enabled card provides a dualnetwork fuel card with the benefits of using the Visa network to pay for other travel-related spending.

LeasePlan and Uber sign pan-European partnership LeasePlan and Uber have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a new partnership. The pan-European agreement will build on the firm’s current cooperation in Portugal, France and the Netherlands and will provide partner-drivers with a full operational leasing solution.

out of office

but not offline

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CALL THE VOLVO CAR BUSINESS CENTRE ON 0345 600 4027 OR VISIT VOLVOCARS.CO.UK/BUSINESS

Fuel consumption and CO2 figures for the Volvo V90 range in MPG (I/100 km): Urban 49.6 (5.7) – 54.3 (5.2), Extra Urban 62.8 (4.5) – 68.9 (4.1), Combined 57.6 (4.9) – 62.8 (4.5). CO2 emissions 129 – 119g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results.

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BMW Fleet & Business Sales

DO ONE THING. BUT DO IT BRILLIANTLY. THE NEW BMW 4 SERIES GRAN COUPÉ. THE BARE MAXIMUM. Success lies in focusing on the essential. The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is BMW at its most concentrated. Muscular and poised, every curve, every gram, every piston serves one single purpose: the drive.

To find out more about the new BMW 4 Series range, visit bmw.co.uk/4series Official fuel economy figures for the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé: Urban 31.0-60.1mpg (9.1-4.7l/100km).

Extra Urban 49.6-78.5mpg (5.7-3.6l/100km). Combined 40.9-70.6mpg (6.9-4.0l/100km). CO2 emissions 159-106g/km.

Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions.

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The Ultimate Driving Machine

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inbusiness

Spring Budget 2017 Natalie Middleton looks at how the Spring Budget will affect fleets.

Diesel tax reform due this year

Funding for driverless and electric vehicle research

Ahead of the Government’s draft air quality plan, set to be published in the Spring, the Budget confirmed a new tax regime for diesel engines could be announced before the end of the year. Details regarding the tax changes will be made during the Autumn Budget 2017, and stakeholders will be consulted beforehand, the document said.

The chancellor pledged £270m to keep the UK at the forefront of “disruptive technologies like biotech, robotic systems and driverless vehicles”. This also included a commitment to funding for the development, design and manufacture of EV batteries.

COMMENT ICFM chairman, Paul Hollick “It is clear that fleets must reduce their dependence on diesel power and develop a strategy that focuses on plug-in and ultra-low emission vehicles. Clearly we will have to wait until the Autumn Budget for some clarity, but forward-thinking fleet operators should start to review current policies and plan for a future that is less reliant on diesel.”

Salary sacrifice and cash allowances The Budget documentation, followed by the draft Finance Bill legislation, confirmed that moves to reform the tax and NICs on salary sacrifice and cash or car allowances kick in from 2017/18. The changes apply to vehicles with emissions above 75g/km and could disincentivise employees from adopting many lower-emission vehicles.

COMMENT Professor Colin Tourick, University of Buckingham “If tax is to be payable on the higher of the BiK tax on a car or tax on the cash allowance, employees will lose the incentive to choose a low-CO2 car. Will this Finance Bill lead to an increase in the average CO2 emissions of new cars going into fleets?

Quite possibly! What was the Government thinking of?”

Fuel duty freeze extended The chancellor kept fuel duty frozen at its current rate until 2018, following on from the announcement in the Autumn Statement. The freeze – a tax cut worth £850m – means fuel duty has been held at 57.95p per litre since the March 2011 Budget.

COMMENT LeasePlan UK managing director Matt Dyer “The UK still has one of the highest levels of taxation on fuel, which places an undue burden on motorists. This, it can be argued, restricts economic growth through lost investment and expansion by businesses.”

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COMMENT David Brennan, CEO at Nexus “[The funding] will allow the UK to attract global talent and provides us with the platform to become a world leader in research and development of new technology and in the digital sphere.”

New VED rates Although the chancellor announced another freeze for both the VED rates for hauliers and the HGV Road User Levy, there was no reprieve for the new VED rates, which kicked in from 1 April 2017 for newly registered cars. VED rates for cars and vans registered before April 2017 will increase by RPI. COMMENT BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Keaney “The chancellor chose not to defer the introduction of new Vehicle Excise Duty rates. As a result, the car hire industry will see its first year VED bill rise by almost 400% in 2017.

Firms will also be unable to claim back £1.67m every year in legitimate refunds.”

Road funding Following the Autumn Statement’s £220m funding to address pinch points on the national road network, the chancellor said £90m of the funds would be allocated to the North and £23m for the Midlands. The DfT has also since outlined where the rest of the funding will go to. A £690m competition has also launched for local authorities across England to tackle urban congestion and get local transport networks moving again.

COMMENT Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK campaign “[The chancellor] has missed yet again, a huge opportunity by not announcing a significant UK-wide roads investment plan that’s independently proven will increase GDP four times more than the billions of tax payers cash irrevocably cast in stone for HS2.”

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inbusiness

What I’ve learnt John Pryor, fleet and travel manager at Arcadia Group and ACFO chairman, on how the fleet industry has transformed over the last three decades and the future challenges.

How did you come to be involved in fleet and when?

I ‘fell’ into the role by accident. I initially joined Arcadia Group, the fashion retailer, as facilities manager.

However when the group reorganised its entire structure almost 30 years ago, I inherited management of the company’s vehicle fleet. The restructure revolved around moving from a group where businesses were run on an individual basis to a central control structure. A decade or so ago, my role further changed to one that is summed up by my current job title – fleet and travel manager.

How much have you seen the sector and your role change in the years since?

Both the fleet sector and my role have changed beyond recognition with the increasing use of technology the most significant factor. When I started in fleet we had various people working in the department and it would take a month to recharge all costs out to various departments as we waited for information to be provided, compiled spreadsheets manually and then sent out costs for ‘internal’ recharge. Now using computers the task takes just five minutes.

Clearly technology has played a hugely influential role in the design and production of today’s vehicles, while the way vehicles are taxed has also evolved.

Similarly the range of vehicle funding solutions and inlife products and services for the management of vehicles has changed massively. Furthermore, life and times do not stand still as the march of technology continues to infiltrate every aspect of fleet management and that is influencing further changes in the roll of the fleet manager with them taking on more and more responsibilities for matters such as travel and expenses, which is driving the now growing focus on mobility management.

Which are the biggest issues facing today’s fleets?

They are many and numerous: from government-influenced issues around taxation and legislation in respect of occupational road risk management compliance and vehicle emissions to the broad remit of cost management and managing employees’ expectations and available benefits.

What’s more managers have to be very aware of the law of unintended consequences – change one aspect

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of fleet operation and it can necessitate changes elsewhere. Today’s fleet decision-makers have to be jugglers – the trick is to keep all the plates spinning in the same direction at the same time, while more plates are being added and that challenge will become ever more difficult.

How do you see the sector – and the roles of fleet management and company vehicles – changing over the next five to 10 years?

I think we will see an increased splintering of the sector in terms of how companies manage and operate fleet vehicles. How that happens will, potentially, depend on individual companies – the sectors in which they operate in terms of staff recruitment and retention in respect of perk cars and the requirement for job-need vehicles, particularly vans. Some employers will focus much more on employee mobility and that could involve greater use of public transport and car rental, for example, as well as car clubs and tele/video conferencing, which has yet to truly take-off in many businesses. Company cars remain an essential employee recruitment and retention tool, but as Generation Y start to assume management positions and influencing business and corporate mobility ondemand transport, car-pooling, car sharing and smart parking may become more important than a remuneration package that includes a company car. Meanwhile, it is currently difficult to envisage job-need cars and light commercial vehicles being confined to history so they will require managing.

How would you like to see it change – should there be better support?

The fleet industry has never stood still and I don’t think it ever will as it adapts to changes in legislation and the way society operates. Fleets and fleet managers have always adapted to whatever challenges have been thrown. In that respect it is critical for fleet managers to not only be jugglers, but also have a bit of ‘Mystic Meg’ about them. Just as drivers need to anticipate the road ahead to avoid a collision, as fleet managers we need to be able to read the minds of legislators, anticipate marketplace changes and understand how internal business developments will impact on fleet operations.

Other companies promise the future of fleet technology.

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Go to BigDataFleet.co.uk Watch our experts explain how ARI innovation can lower your total cost of ownership in this 5-part Technology Video Series.

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Q &A

Erik Fairbairn, CEO of POD Point, discusses the challenges for the UK’s charging networks, and the tipping point for EV demand.

How many charging points do you have in the UK? We have shipped over 30,000 units and 2,500 of those are live on the public network. The public network is made up of a mix of Solo Units, which charge one car, Twin Units, which can charge two cars simultaneously and Rapid Chargers, which can charge a car to 80% in 30 minutes or less.

What products or services do you offer for fleets?

We offer the full suite of charging facilities from 3-22kW AC charge points and 50kW DC rapid charging, dependant on their charging needs. All of this is accompanied by our Management Information System which tracks usage, allows monetisation, gives the ability to create a closed network of users, shows carbon offset and tax benefit by user.

of EVs will increase along with infrastructure needed to facilitate. In the meantime, we are working alongside businesses like Lidl, Crown Estate and Apcoa to start putting in place charging infrastructure to meet that demand.

Vehicle Technology – OEMs use different connector types which does create some confusion for the users themselves, we have countered this by fitting all our public units with universal connectors.

Perceived Carbon Cost – the general view of EVs is they are still consuming energy much like carbon vehicles. Work needs to be done to counteract that view and make people aware that networks like ours are Carbon Neutral. All of our carbon is offset using carbon programs in place.

Do fleets tend to prefer having their own charging points, or use public networks?

It’s a mix of usage dependant on their use case. For example; return to base users would have depot charging facilities along with accounts on our Open Charge app to access the public network. Another example; fleet users that take their vehicles home would have home chargers installed along with depot access and public network accounts.

How do you see the public networks changing over the next few years?

Much like mobile phone networks we believe that in time various networks will consolidate. In terms of fees, we don’t think higher usage fees will encourage adoption of vehicles and have already seen a number of our customers use ‘Charging’ as an added service. In terms of location and types of charging this will be dependant on host locations and the rate of vehicle adoption.

What are the main challenges facing the industry?

Vehicle Adoption – there is an interdependency between the adoption rate of plug-in vehicles and the rollout rate of charging infrastructure; the more infrastructure, the more cars sold, which leads to increased infrastructure demand, which helps sell more cars. In the early market this cyclical relationship acts as a drag on the growth of both markets but as the market matures we will see it become a virtuous circle that leverages laws of accelerating returns. We see that we are entering this acceleration point now. Once we have a 200-mile range vehicle on the market the adoption

How are you future-proofing your network?

We have just released a new platform for Home Charge users and Public (coming soon) where we have upgraded the connection type to WiFi enabled. This enables us to send over the air updates, support users remotely and allow them to access their charge data within the POD Point app. The Open Charge Network is setting the standard in terms of how charging networks need to operate. We did away with RFID cards and moved towards the Mobile App experience to provide a simple, fast charging experience without the need for network membership.

We make EV charging smart business

Your people want electric vehicles But, how will you manage charging points, electricity, maintenance? How will you secure your investment?

We can help cut your costs We make reliable fleet hardware, like the dual Chago Wallbox. And our EV infrastructure solutions will drive down your costs.

For more on our products and services, contact Chago UK sales.

www.chago.com

Smart EV charging for fleet operators

EVNEWS_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 14:31 Page 2

For the latest EV news, visit evfleetworld.co.uk

in brief

Free upgrades as Source East network closes F

ormer Plugged-in Places charging scheme, Source East, closed at the end of March with unit suppliers Chargemaster and Chargepoint Services offering hosts complimentary upgrades to join their respective networks.

Set up in 2011, Source East was one of eight government-funded ‘Plugged-in Places’ schemes nationwide, offering free charging for drivers. It had carried on operating beyond the four-year funding programme and, despite transferring some of the more modern units to the GeniePoint network last year, the operators had faced increasing, unsustainable costs.

As of the 1st April, GeniePoint sites will be available to its own members, while Chargemaster will add its units to its own POLAR network. Source East said the remaining Charge Your Car and POD Point units might be accessible through their respective networks, and advised hosts and drivers to contact suppliers for more information.

Chargemaster is also providing a complimentary upgrade, maintenance and communication package for hosts, as well as free rapid charging points, for those who join the POLAR network. POLAR already includes units from the North East, Greater Manchester and Scotland-based Plugged-in Places schemes.

Skoda previews electric crossover

£23m boost for UK’s hydrogen infrastructure The Government has announced a £23m fund to build more hydrogen refuelling stations and accelerate the take-up of hydrogen vehicles. Public organisations, businesses and hydrogen operators will be able to bid for the funds from this summer, with the Government to provide match funding for successful bidders.

Charging station advertising screen to offset running costs Ensto has launched a single or twin-port fast charger with a 55-inch advertising screen, to help businesses offset the running costs. The company said it is liaising with several outdoor advertising specialists to explore further possibilities for the solution.

Citroën launches electric MPV Citroën is to launch an electric Berlingo Multispace this autumn, offering a range of up to 106 miles with space for five, and the ability to rapid charge – similar to the van on which it is based. It also includes remote checking of charge levels and cabin heating via a smartphone app. koda has provided an insight into its forthcoming electric vehicle by unveiling a five-door crossover coupe concept named Vision E. Making its debut at April’s Shanghai Motor Show, the Vision E is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform for electric vehicles, shared with Volkswagen’s ID Concept. It’s similar in size to the Skoda Kodiaq, but with a profile more like BMW’s X4 and X6, and powered by two electric engines with a total system output of 302bhp and a top speed of 110mph. Range is up to 311 miles on the NEDC cycle.

Skoda will launch five pure electric vehicles in various segments in 2025, with the first model due in 2020. This will follow the launch of the plug-in hybrid Superb in 2019.

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Harrods deploys electric delivery van The Harrods fleet now includes a Nissan e-NV200, deployed 100 years after the company launched its first electric van.

Specially adapted with a refrigerated load space and shelving, it will be charged weekly, making up to 50 deliveries and travelling 150 miles across London between trips to the charger.

in numbers

Source: National Grid

34g/km CO2 emissions for the Kia Optima SW plug-in hybrid.

112%

Increase in PHEVs on the National Grid fleet in Warwick (to 375) since installing charging points last April.

Source: Kia

fleetworld.co.uk / 15

THE HEAD SAYS YES THE HEART SAYS DEFINITELY, YES

MASERATI GHIBLI. STARTING FROM £50,175 The Maserati Ghibli is powered by a range of advanced 3.0 Litre V6 engines with 8-speed ZF automatic transmission including, a V6 turbodiesel engine. www.maserati.co.uk Official fuel consumption figures for Maserati Ghibli MY17 range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 20.5 (13.8) – 36.7 Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not optional mica paint at £660 and 20 inch machine polished Urano alloy wheels at £2,205.

(7.7), Extra Urban 39.8 (7.1) – 57.6 (4.9), Combined 29.4 (9.6) – 47.9 (5.9). CO2 emissions 223 – 158 g/km. reflect real driving results. Model shown is a Maserati Ghibli Diesel MY17 at £53,040 On The Road including

BUSINESS_News Analysis_FW_Apr17_PSA-GM_Layout 1 05/04/2017 14:00 Page 1

inbusiness

A platform for success?

The combined GM Europe and PSA business will become the second largest automotive company in Europe, with the potential for significant cost-savings thanks to platform and technology sharing. Julian Kirk looks at what the future may bring for the new business.

When PSA Group chairman Carlos Tavares announced the acquisition of GM Europe, he said he expects to generate substantial economies of scale in areas of purchasing, manufacturing and R&D. The new group, the second largest automotive company in Europe, is expected to return annual synergies of €1.7bn by 2026 – of which a significant part is expected to be delivered by 2020 as cost-saving measures are applied at Vauxhall/Opel.

Many experts in the industry believe consolidation and synergies are the only way the merger can work, especially as both groups inhabit the same lower-margin, mass volume market and neither can be argued to have aspirational brand appeal or a USP in one particular area.

While both parties currently have collaborations or product legacies with other manufacturers (the Vauxhall Corsa, for instance, is

PSA CEO Carlos Tavares (centre) with Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann (left) and Vauxhall MD Rory Harvey (right)

18 / fleetworld.co.uk

based on a Fiat platform), the process now begins of moving all of Vauxhall/Opel’s vehicles on to PSA Group platforms. The Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland X crossovers are the first fruits of the PSA/GM Europe tie-up - work on these began during a brief period of co-operation back in 2012 (see boxout) – but industry analysts predict it will take several years to fully integrate the two groups.

A spokesman for IHS Markit said: “There appears to be plenty of scope for consolidations and synergies between PSA and Opel/Vauxhall given the one million additional vehicles it will add to its European production footprint.

“However, the expected phasing out of GM-Opel/Vauxhall technology is not necessarily good news for some of the five component sites in Europe that will be part of the acquisition. However, the new organisation is likely to need some additional capacity to produce the new requirement.”

It is likely that the B-segment will be the first market area to move to PSA’s new small car platform. It is thought this could happen in 2019 to avoid the expense of redeveloping the ageing Corsa in the meantime (and getting it to meet Euro 6d emissions regulations). Not only would new Corsa be built on a PSA platform, it would also be powered by the group’s range of three-cylinder engines in both turbocharged and naturally aspirated guises.

Next up would be the Astra moving to PSA’s C-segment platform from 2021 (coincidentally when Ellesmere Port’s Astra production contract expires). Further down the line (around 2024) will be vehicles in the D-segment – these will be last in line of the core volume models because Insignia Grand Sport has only just been released and the second generation Peugeot 508 is waiting in the wings.

But it will not just be in terms of vehicle hardware where there will be savings to be made – the new group’s scale will also create a better negotiating position when dealing with technology providers such as Apple and Microsoft over incar technology and connectivity.

CAP HPI Consulting’s managing consultant, Matt Freeman, said: “The potential benefits of this deal will come from the longer-term consolidation of the two businesses. While efficiencies will be found from the better use of plant capacity to a consolidation of the supplier base, it will be the integration of model development programmes around common component sets that drives real change.

“The greater scale the combined PSA-Opel will have for technology investment will see a step-change in vehicle development, which requires not only investment in new powertrain technology, but also the development of a winddown strategy for internal combustion engines.”

BUSINESS_News Analysis_FW_Apr17_PSA-GM_Layout 1 05/04/2017 14:02 Page 2

GM/PSA COLLABORATION Prior to their merger, GM Europe and PSA have worked together on a number of projects.

Back in 2012 GM bought 7% of the French group with the aim of collaborating on platform sharing, creating a common purchasing platform and making other cost savings through greater economies of scale.

While this proved to be an ill-fated engagement (political issues such as PSA’s presence in Iran and nose-diving sales and profits in Europe saw GM sell up a year later) it laid the foundations for their forthcoming marriage.

A result of this brief union was the decision to fast-track development of SUVs and crossovers – the first results of this co-operation are the Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland X twins which have just gone on sale.

There will also be a move to collaborate on LCV development – GM Europe currently has a tie-up with PSA’s fierce rival, Renault, which involves building the Vivaro vans in Luton. With the Renault-Nissan Alliance recently announcing its own plans for a new business unit and closer FrancoJapanese collaboration on vans and SUVs, this suggests the GM-Renault/Nissan deal is on borrowed time.

And even though GM has sold its European division, it expects to collaborate with PSA in the field of electric vehicles, while in a reciprocal arrangement PSA may source the supply of fuel cell systems from the GM/Honda joint venture.

The Peugeot 3008’s platform is already being shared with the forthcoming Vauxhall Crossland X

GM EUROPE HISTORY 1899 Opel begins car production.

1903 Vauxhall begins car production.

1925 GM buys Vauxhall.

1921 GM buys 80% of Opel, buying the remaining 20% a decade later.

Early 1970s GM begins to merge the Vauxhall/Opel offerings.

1986 GM Europe created.

1988 Opel, billed as a ‘premium’ brand, is dropped in Britain, while Vauxhall is dropped in the Republic of Ireland in favour of Opel.

1989 GM buys 50% of Saab - the brand is eventually sold to Spyker in 2010. In the same year it acquires 50% of Lotus – eventually selling it in 1993.

2000 GM embarks on partnership with Fiat, later dissolved in 2005.

2002 Car production at Luton ends. The plant continues building LCVs. 2009 GM files for bankrupty in the US and seeks to sell Opel/Vauxhall to Magna. However, GM executives pull the plug at the last minute, citing GM Europe’s importance to its global strategy.

First car off the line at Ellesmere Port (HA Viva)

2012 GM takes a 7% share in PSA, selling the stake a year later.

2014 Dongfeng Motors and the French government each take a 13% stake in PSA as part of a rescue deal.

2017 GM sells Vauxhall/Opel, having failed to make a profit in Europe since 1999.

fleetworld.co.uk / 19

BUSINESS_Tech_FW_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 15:57 Page 1

inbusiness

The next automotive revolutions New research by creative agency Six and major leasing firms looks at the key trends in digital connectivity and connected vehicles. Natalie Middleton highlights some of the findings.

Telematics could become portable Many questions remain about how connected and autonomous cars will be operated everyday, including on data protection. But data can be used to help change driver behaviour for the better and help people drive more safely, for example through deploying ‘gamification’ to gather valuable voluntary telematics data, which could then be used to deliver savings for both the driver and the leasing business.

The report foresees that telematics data will eventually be integrated into smart apps on wearable devices and smart phones, which can provide information about the user’s lifestyle. It also says other possible opportunities include syncing calendars to vehicles to enable more effective planning of maintenance and servicing.

increase, the number of younger people passing their driving test has gone down.

However, LeasePlan research shows that people’s mindset on driving can change as they get older. Matt Dyer says: “Some of the research we have done has pointed to the fact that you can have people who are very generation Y or millennial in their outlook until they have children but once this happens things change and they start to present more traditional buying behaviour.”

Meanwhile Lauren Pamma, head of fleet consultancy at Lex Autolease, says that this is where leasing will have a real advantage as drivers will be able to switch vehicles to accommodate changing needs.

New mobility trends not suitable for all SMEs to benefit from autonomous cars Deploying autonomous vehicles could transform the fleet industry, in particular increasing productivity – which the report says is a key challenge in the UK. Matt Dyer, managing director of LeasePlan, explains: “In SME businesses that use vehicles heavily for example, the driver is often the critical path, it’s all about how much you can expect of them. But imagine what you could do if you took them out of the equation. If they could already be planning their future stops while the vehicle is getting them to the next destination. It could offer an entirely different productivity model for British businesses.”

Millenials still open to cars Although the number of vehicles in the UK continues to

20 / fleetworld.co.uk

While the concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is becoming more widely known, the switch to business mobility may not be feasible for rural-based companies.

For urban businesses, a flexible mix of mobility solutions and payment methods will be needed although the report says that even in a post-autonomous vehicle world, ondemand services in cities might need to be supplemented with ownership or leasing in suburban areas.

In contrast, provision of public transport in more rural areas is restricted and as such mobility needs are often more critical and personalised.

As a result, the report says that major investment in infrastructure will be needed to reduce emphasis on car usership, but also suggests the leasing industry can help with digital solutions that could be used to pay for all mobility needs.

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BUSINESS_CURTIS_FW_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 12:54 Page 1

inbusiness

Complex relationships The NFDA's newly published Dealer Attitude Survey sheds light on the relationship between car manufacturers and their dealers. Motor Trader editor Curtis Hutchinson reports. wice a year we get to hear exactly what dealers think of the brands they represent. The National Franchised Dealers Association polls the views of main dealers from across the UK to see who's happy with the brands they represent and who's not. The ramifications for customers, especially businesses running cars, is significant - after all this is where they will have their vehicles serviced and repaired even if they sourced them from a fleet management company. As a fleet manager it's handy to know what sort of relationship your local dealers have with their carmaker partners.

The Winter 2017 Dealer Attitude Survey has just been published and its findings have already been built into the metrics by which the car brands judge themselves in the UK and how they are judged by their European, Asian of US parents. It's a big deal as no car brand can expect to achieve its unit sales and customer retention targets if it does not have its retailers on side.

The results are based on the responses from 1,704 dealers, out of a total universe of around 4,700, and feature 29 brands. Dealers are invited to rate their brands out of 10 across a myriad of questions ranging from their profitability potential and sales targets to the pressure they are under to self-register cars and, more broadly, their day to day relationships. It makes for compelling reading as there is nowhere to hide.

However, the question every car brand goes straight to is: How would you rate your manufacturer overall?

There were no surprises at the top of the rankings where the top five remained unchanged since the summer survey six months ago. Mercedes-Benz topped the leader board with an almost faultless rating of 9.6, followed by Kia (9.3), Lexus (9.0), Suzuki (8.6) and BMW (8.2).

All five brands experienced increased year-on-year sales in 2016 and in the case of Kia and Suzuki are benefitting from expanded model line-ups enabling dealers to conquest new customers.

Rounding out the top 10 were sixth placed Mazda (8.0) followed by Peugeot (7.7), MINI (7.5), Ford (7.2) and Subaru (7.1). The average score across all brands was 6.1.

Mazda in particular was delighted with its position with UK managing director Jeremy Thomson, saying: “We have worked hard to build mutually-beneficial relationships with our dealer network, so it is gratifying to see that our efforts are appreciated in the NFDA

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22 / fleetworld.co.uk

survey. We will continue to listen to our dealers and, building on this positive feedback, will redouble our efforts to be an easy to do business with manufacturer.”

Meanwhile at the other end of the rankings were bottom placed Citroën retaining the position it held last summer and scoring just 3.8 points, alongside Mitsubishi (3.9), Volkswagen (3.9), Nissan (4.0), Alfa Romeo (4.5) and Fiat (4.5).

Citroën's woes are easily explained. The brand announced a couple of years ago that it would hive off its DS badge into a standalone premium marque and last year told its 182-strong dealer network that only half of them would be selling it from June 2018. Those chosen to represent DS were selected according to size, location and customer demographics, with accredited dealers either operating standalone DS Stores or designated DS Salons within Citroën showrooms.

This has caused some ill-feeling in the network.

Many dealers are irritated that they have been excluded from an incremental business opportunity which could have boosted their bottom lines; premium brands attract premium margins and can be very lucrative for retailers.

Talking about the network split Bek Hassan, Citroën and DS UK managing director said: “We are going through a transition. We have to acknowledge that. It’s really important for us to work with our dealer partners as they are the backbone of what we do. Our dealers are critical to our success, they always have been and always will be.”

Volkswagen's troubles are well documented with dealers clearly still aggrieved by the diesel emissions scandal. It's easy to see why as they found themselves in the firing line when it came to disgruntled customers, especially fleets, complaining about how they had been misled and then had to go through the inconvenience of recalls to correct the dodgy software programmed to register lower emissions when tested.

For Nissan it was a case of a brand growing at a rapid rate, notably on the back of the phenomenally successful Qashqai and Juke models, and not necessarily having sufficient aftersales capacity in its network to process the volume of cars coming in for service and repair jobs, especially from fleet customers.

One thing's for certain, brands across the survey will make sure they have measures in place in time for the next Dealer Attitude Survey in the summer.

FW Barometer_Apr17 05/04/2017 14:36 Page 1

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...

Lack of ADAS maintenance

Source: Autoglass

According to the results of a recent Autoglass survey, there are severe gaps in fleet knowledge of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

A survey of 250 fleet managers found that 34% of vehicles have some ADAS-enabled safety features, such as autonomous emergency braking and lane deviation warnings.

However, 20% of ADAS-enabled car fleets and 15% of van fleets admitted that they do not include ADAS calibration as part of vehicle checks.

This is despite findings that if a camera in an ADAS system is misaligned by as little as one degree, the technology can falter.

27% of fleet managers acknowledged a lack of awareness about how the technology works.

While 16% said their drivers regularly switch off ADAS-enabled features.

UK manufacturing in demand

Autoglass’ Jeremy Rochfort said: “Our findings that many fleet managers are not building ADAS into their SMR schedule is worrying enough, but we believe this figure is probably higher in reality due to assumptions that it is included in standard checks, which is not the case. We have been working with partners to raise awareness.”

Source: SMMT

New figures show that production rose 8.0% year-on-year to 153,041 units in February.

Output was driven by overseas demand, with exports up 13.4% to 118,898 units, offsetting falling home production, which was down -7.4%.

Year-to-date production was over 300,000 units for the first time since 2002.

Growth was again driven by exports of UK-made cars, which grew 12.1%, with 236,834 units shipped abroad, offsetting a decline in domestic demand of -5.6% to 64,170 units.

Overseas demand helped deliver the biggest February for UK car production in 17 years, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the figures illustrate the export-led nature of the industry and continued to highlight the risks of potential tariffs for UK firms following Brexit.

“With eight out of every 10 cars we produce destined for international markets – and half of those for customers in the EU – we must avoid barriers to trade at all costs. To do otherwise would damage our competitiveness and threaten the continued success of UK automotive manufacturing,” he commented.

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

24 / fleetworld.co.uk

FW Barometer_Apr17 05/04/2017 14:36 Page 2

Expectations of technology

Source: Deloitte

According to the results of a global survey conducted by Deloitte, UK drivers increasingly expect advanced safety technology in vehicles as standard.

Vehicle technologies that recognise objects on the road, avoid collisions, inform the driver of dangerous driving situations and take steps in medical emergencies were most popular.

59% of drivers questioned were interested in advanced automation technology such as adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping technology, up from 51% in 2014.

However, they increasingly expect such technology as standard. On average, consumers said they were willing to spend up to £375 for advanced technologies, down from £677 in the 2014 survey.

68% of respondents said they would readily share their personal information with manufacturers in return for significant benefits.

This was despite 63% of drivers expressing concern over car hacking of connected vehicles.

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These concerns were backed up by a new study carried out by Satrak Plant Security, which found that 59% of the public believe vehicle hacking will soon be a problem for connected vehicles, with 15% saying they were “very worried” about the issue.

BUSINESS_Insider_FW_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 13:40 Page 1

inbusiness

Jumping the gun This month, The Insider is caught off-guard by updates to VED and questions the speed of changes. ell I definitely took my eye off the ball this time. Despite prior warning in the news, I failed to calculate the actual impact of the amended vehicle excise duty rates (VED). I know, because I’ve been told, that I’m not the only one. It was only when the phone started ringing, with employees telling me such and such a car had dropped off the choice list, that the impact fully dawned. And I thought I’d better do my homework.

Since we lease, the most practical way was to compare old and new rate lists. From which I discovered that the lowest emission cars suffered the biggest increase. Cars with a CO 2 of 82 have increased anywhere between three and five per cent; whilst those above 132g/km a mere 0.62%. A popular, sensible fleet car like an Insignia rises from £120 VED over four years to £580, or around £12 per month, which, multiplied across a large fleet is a significant increase in costs, with no benefit whatsoever. So how does that encourage take up of lower emission vehicles then? What it also means is that the annual rate increase can’t simply be uniform across all our grades.

But this year is bound to see a significant shake up in terms of choice list anyway. Thanks to fudged emissions, when we start using real-world consumption figures CO2 levels must surely rise? The ongoing Brexit negotiations must have some effect on currency fluctuations and thus pricing. In other words, uncertainty all round. We may have to change our rates and emissions grading more than once this coming year. The icing on the cake is Government announcing that they will be doing “something” about diesel later this year.

With 38 out of 43 UK air quality zones breaching limits for air pollution, yes we have to improve air quality, but trying to make an informed and workable decision by later this month is just plain ridiculous.

We can applaud MPs from four major committees (environment, food and rural affairs, health and

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26 / fleetworld.co.uk

transport) trying to reach a joined up solution but they would be superhuman to reach one in so short a timescale. I get the distinct impression that in car terms, they are not sure where to head, and there is a real danger that well-intentioned but misinformed people with loud voices in high places could cause fleets a real headache in the short term.

I’m presuming diesel cars will be sufficiently punished that we are drawn back to petrol in quantities, and can only hope that manufacturers are ramping up production accordingly, and that the oil companies are gearing up for the switch. I remember being told, and it could have been eyewash, that it takes around two years to accommodate a large swing in petrol/diesel production. One has to wonder at the timescale envisaged. Due to lengthy cycles of expensive assets, fleets have long asked for sufficient notice of future taxation so we can plan ahead. Just at the moment we are being subjected to not so bright ideas being rushed through, seemingly on a whim.

Whilst Britain mulls over the fairness or otherwise of scrappage schemes, and Government seem prepared to let individual cities make their own rules on clean air zones, even the French are ahead of us on this one. The new Crit-Air initiative requires one to purchase coloured stickers according to your vehicle’s European emissions standard category. There’s a sliding scale, with a green badge for electric and hydrogen cars falling into the lowest category, and a rainbow selection of colour and pricing for the rest. Anything that doesn’t meet the required standards, as well as any vehicle built before 1997, is banned from entering Paris between 8am and 8pm on weekdays, after 31 March. And it’s not just Paris, for Grenoble and Lyon have been operative since January this year, with 23 other towns – including Dunkirk and Arras closest for us Brits – due to follow suit. That’ll be another item for the driving-abroad checklist then.

GEEK_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 14:52 Page 1

g fleet e k

Duronic portable luggage scales Travel scales help to save time and money by ensuring adherence to luggage allowances. The digital display measures in both lbs and kgs, and is located at the top of the scales for easy reading. The strap is made from metal clips and woven nylon, and can support up to 50kg.

Batteries are included, and an on/off switch helps to conserve charge.

Price: £7.49 from amazon.co.uk

Just Mobile laptop cooling bar This slender baton raises a laptop to a more comfortable typing level and helps to keep the fan cool. Crafted from aluminium for portability, the bar also has a cable slot and a rubberised base to hold the laptop securely. There are three rings on either side to cushion the device and protect it from scratches.

Price: £25, from bhphotovideo.com

Cubii Smart under-desk elliptical This compact elliptical is designed to provide unconscious exercise while you work. The ergonomic design ensures optimal posture and leg movement, with no bumped knees, and can be connected via Bluetooth to a mobile app to track progress. Eight levels of resistance allow for a varied workout, and wheel stoppers are included for use with wheeled office chairs.

Price: £240, from mycubii.com

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FWFS 2017_Preview_FW_Apr17_v2_Layout 1 05/04/2017 13:29 Page 1

EVENT PREVIEW Fleet Show 2017

SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

10TH MAY 2017 THE GREATEST SHOW IN FLEET

FINDING YOUR FLEET Meet, make decisions, and experience the latest products and innovations from the biggest names in the industry.

FWFS 2017_Preview_FW_Apr17_v2_Layout 1 05/04/2017 13:30 Page 2

*Correct at time of going to press

DISCOVER

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*Here’s who you’ll get to see...

→

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FWFS 2017_Preview_FW_Apr17_v2_Layout 1 05/04/2017 13:30 Page 3

EVENT PREVIEW Fleet Show 2017

→

DRIVE

at Fleet Show 2017

Get to grips with the latest cars and vans in the Paddock area; an unrivalled opportunity to experience 300 new models from more than 20 manufacturers on a choice of road and track routes. Exclusive test drives include the new Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport, with bespoke areas to get to grips with cutting-edge connectivity, safety and autonomous driving technology, guided by representatives from the manufacturers. With an increasingly diverse selection of vehicles for fleets, there’s a solution to suit all needs.

FWFS 2017_Preview_FW_Apr17_v2_Layout 1 05/04/2017 18:37 Page 4

NETWORK

at Fleet Show 2017

Time is valuable. By bringing the industry together, Fleet Show 2017 offers an incredibly time-efficient way to have all the conversations you need under one roof. There’s space throughout the Wing to organise your own meetings, share best practice and thrash out plans over a coffee, while a packed schedule of seminars, briefings and working lunches add value for attendees.

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Five years that will change an industry – an insight

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LOW EMISSION ZONE sponsored by Go Ultra Low Learn everything you need to deploy ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) on your fleet, with our dedicated Low Emission Zone. Presented by Go Ultra Low, this ‘university of ULEVs’ will offer interactive displays and short seminar sessions to understand the vehicles available, how to charge them, and highlight how they can fit your fleet’s needs.

Representatives from Go Ultra Low, the Energy Saving Trust and vehicle manufacturers, as well as fleets with their own experience running ULEVs, will all be available to help alleviate anxieties and answer questions.

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ROAD_FW_LR_Discovery_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:10 Page 1

Land Rover Discovery Alex Grant finds out if small engines and fashionable styling blunt the Discovery’s rugged usability.

SECTOR Large SUV PRICE £43,495-£65,695 FUEL 26.0-43.5mpg CO2 171-254g/km

ombining luxury, versatility and pulling power, the big-seller at launch, which only has a small power advanDiscovery might not have been a mainstream fleet tage but offers a wider spread of pulling power and less car, but its diverse appeal made it just as at home thrum under load. with highway patrols as it was on the driveways of execIt’s no soft-roader. All versions get an eight-speed autoutives. So Land Rover may have softened its edges, shed matic gearbox, four-wheel drive and high and low-ratio weight and introduced smaller engines, but the first allgears for off-roading. Wading depth has increased to new Discovery since 2004 has many boxes to tick.

900mm – any deeper and it would float – and the extremFor all the crossover-esque styling, it occupies as much ities are no more vulnerable over rocks than the old car. space as a Range Rover, only looking tall and boxy when Not that you need to be Bear Grylls to get the most out of you’re following it in traffic, if you can distract yourself from it – the Discovery can maintain a pre-set speed and crawl the offset number plate long enough to notice. And Range over rough or slippery surfaces with no need to touch Rover similarities don’t stop there. pedals, and can alter drive modes autoThe size increase is offset by widematically based on weather conditions, spread use of aluminium, cutting weight axle articulation and grip.

300kg between equivalent versions and Versatility goes beyond the driving enabling Land Rover to fit a four-cylinexperience, too. It seats seven adults, der diesel engine without affecting with three rows banked like a cinema performance. The 236bhp 2.0-litre so everyone can see out of the winddiesel, similar to the Discovery Sport's, screen, five of them fold flat, and there makes less power than the old TDV6, are cubby holes and USB ports throughbut it's 400kg lighter, so offers more out. However, there’s not a huge horsepower per tonne and can still tow amount of elbow room in the third row up to 3.5 tonnes. and a fold-out picnic bench has This makes a huge difference. It’s lost replaced the split tailgate. Load height the feeling of rolling momentum that and capacity has reduced slightly the old Discovery had while slowing or behind the second row, but it’s got all Genuine all-round cornering, and the small diesel engine the space and practicality most drivers capability with added doesn’t feel underpowered in what is a could need. efficiency and driver very large SUV. Good news as it’s the Not everyone, though. There won’t be expected game-changer in fleet; the a Commercial version from launch, and, appeal, the Discovery reduced entry price, BiK-friendly with no Defender to direct those has all the right 171g/km CO2 and claimed 48.7mpg customers towards, that’s a niche it ingredients to widen motorway economy helping keep tax could do with filling sooner rather than its presence in fleet. bills down. But the weight loss also later. But, otherwise, the Discovery’s makes more of the TDV6, the expected appeal is broader than ever.

C

what we think

32 / fleetworld.co.uk

ROAD_FW_Mazda_CX5_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:14 Page 1

Mazda CX-5 Refinement and technology improvements are at the heart of Mazda's revisions, says Dan Gilkes.

SECTOR Crossover PRICE £23,695-£33,195 FUEL 34.5-47mpg CO2 132-159g/km

azda has updated the CX-5 crossover, focusing on a premium cabin environment and upgraded technology. Though visually similar to its predecessor, the new CX-5 is 10mm longer and 35mm lower. The bonnet is 100mm longer and the A-pillar has been pulled back by 35mm to improve visibility. A far more structural front end, with thinner LED headlights, that highlight the 3D look of the grille and Mazda badging, complete the look.

There is far more change inside, where the smooth dash stretches the full width of the car, only interrupted by a new 7-inch multi-information display that sits at the top. A new steering wheel design and revised switchgear complete the look, while both driver and passengers benefit from updated heated seating front and rear.

A new Active Driving Display head-up system projects speed and navigation information directly onto the windscreen, rather than onto the fold-up screen of the previous generation car, while the glass itself now features heating elements beneath the wipers. At the rear the CX-5 is available with a powered tailgate for the first time. and 66% opted for two-wheel drive.

There are three engines, including a SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre The CX-5’s body shell torsional rigidity has been petrol engine that develops 163bhp (158bhp with all-wheel improved by 15% which, in combination with revised drive) and returns a best of 44mpg with steering and suspension, plus the adoption of 149g/km of CO2. Around 84% of UK buyers will Mazda’s G-Vectoring Control system, lead to FLEET FACT however choose between the two SkyActiv-D improved handling and ride comfort. G-Vector2.2-litre engines, available with 148bhp or ing Control monitors the steering and throttle 173bhp. The lower powered motor offers The 148bhp petrol position when entering a corner under power, 56mpg and 132g/km in two-wheel drive momentarily reducing torque to increase grip engine delivers manual form, while the 173bhp engine returns and steering precision.

56mpg with a best of 52mpg and 142g/km of CO2.

Increased body rigidity also plays a part in 132g/km of CO2.

All come with a choice of six-speed manual reducing noise, vibration and harshness in the or automatic transmissions and the two lower cabin, making the CX-5 a considerably quieter powered motors can be specified with front or all-wheel place to spend the day, though the diesel engines still make drive. The 173bhp engine is AWD only. In the previous their presence felt under hard acceleration. model, 78% of UK buyers went with the manual gearbox Mazda UK has simplified the CX-5 offer, with just SE-L Nav and the slightly more popular Sport Nav trim levels.

The only options are paint colour and a safety pack.

Mazda’s MZD Connect system expands on the mobile connectivity already present in other Mazda cars, including Bluetooth, e-mail and SMS integration with the navigation and audio system. Optional connected services will make additional live features available, such as traffic updates and access to fuel pricing on route.

The Mazda Radar Cruise Control system has been upgraded and will now bring the car to a halt, rather than cutting out at 30km/h, so the system can be used in stop/start traffic. Traffic Sign recognition is available for the first time on the CX-5, along with Smart City Brake Support.

Launched in 2012, the CX-5 has been a big success, with more than 32,000 sold in the UK, of which 44% went to fleets. Emissions aren’t the lowest in the class, but with considerable upgrades in terms of equipment and interior ambiance the CX-5 should remain a popular choice with crossover buyers.

M

34 / fleetworld.co.uk

ROAD_FW_Mazda_CX5_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:14 Page 2

what we think Mazda may not be following the general trend to downsize engines, but the focus on reďŹ nement and equipment has certainly made the CX-5 a more desirable car.

highlights Body rigidity is up by 15%, leading to improved handling and a reduction in NVH. Around 56% of UK buyers will go for the 148bhp engine, with 78% of customers taking the manual gearbox and 66% opting for two-wheel drive.

Though mechanically similar, changes to the bodywork to reduce turbulence should see a slight drop in fuel consumption of around 4%.

fleetworld.co.uk / 35

ROAD_FW_Kia_Rio_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:07 Page 1

Kia Rio The Rio feels suitably tailored to European tastes considering its global roots, says Alex Grant.

SECTOR Supermini PRICE £11,995-£17,445 FUEL 46.3-80.7mpg CO2 92-140g/km

or a carmaker once known for cheap and cheerful ously sized boot with a wide tailgate aperture. small cars, it’s a sign of recent changes at Kia that the Engine options vary depending on trim level, but it’s likely Rio – competing in Europe’s largest-volume superthat fleets will opt for the tax-efficient 1.4-litre diesel mini segment – is outsold within its own range by the engines. These produce 76bhp or 89bhp, the former replacSportage and Cee’d in the UK. ing the old Rio’s 1.1-litre three-cylinder diesel with a Sales are less anomalous globally. This is still the world's smoother, less hard-working four-cylinder which should best selling Kia - half a million were sold last year, making make the claimed 80.7mpg easier to achieve. For a small car, this new version a significant launch. refinement is very impressive.

Though it looks more like a heavy facelift, it’s all-new There are some appealing petrol alternatives. The 1.0underneath, based on a more rigid structure which aids litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol offers the sort of cornering stability without requiring stiff suspension. Don’t sparky throttle response that once sold diesel engines in expect Fiesta-esque sportiness, but it droves, with the 102g/km CO 2 emishandles neatly and rides with the sophissions to match, but it’s also £700 tication of a bigger car. It feels more cheaper. It feels like the right engine for substantial, more like a European superthe car, one that’s only likely to make mini, than the outgoing Rio. increasing financial sense in the That’s also true of the way it looks – coming years. there will only be a five-door version, Thankfully, both are available in the matching customer demand, and Kia has mid-spec ‘2’ trim, which Kia expects to toned down the styling to something account for 70% of UK customer orders. that’s with Polo-esque sensibilities, This gets the widest selection of engines though it’s arguably also a little too close – the 1.0-litre turbo, 1.25 and 1.4-litre to the Hyundai i20. But the silver lining petrols, and the lower-powered diesel, of being slightly more conservative is it’s but also includes digital radio, less prone to looking under-wheeled in autonomous emergency braking and its pared-back trim levels. lane departure warnings. Unfortunately A competent, if not The big changes are inside. It’s not up it doesn’t get the biggest touchscreen, class-leading, superto the soft-touch, perfectly-damped cabin with its internet-enabled navigation, mini with plenty in its of the Polo, but the dashboard’s hints of and Android and Apple connectivity. downsized Optima are a big improveSo the Rio shapes up to be a competifavour, the Rio feels ment let down only by an over-use of tive supermini, in a segment which can better suited to its black plastic which can make it feel a bit be hard to rival in Europe with a prodsmall petrol engines drab. But it’s very functional, with uct developed for global tastes. Behind than the default diesel. reshaped seatbacks offering plenty of spotlight-stealing crossovers, Kia hasn’t room for rear-seat adults, and a generlost its talent for thinking small.

F

what we think

36 / fleetworld.co.uk

ROAD_FW_Toyota_Prius_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:16 Page 1

Toyota Prius PHV It’s unquestionably clever, but the Prius PHV has a major sticking point, explains Alex Grant.

SECTOR Upper Medium PRICE £29,195-£31,395 FUEL 283mpg CO2 22g/km

s a pioneer of hybrids, Toyota knows better than physically two thirds larger than in its predecessor and most that arriving early isn’t easy. Launched back takes up a fifth of the boot volume, leaving a shallow load in 2012, the old Prius Plug-In Hybrid perhaps area behind. Toyota’s colour displays showing trip data arrived too early to take advantage of growing market and what’s happening under the bodyshell are useful, but acceptance of PHEVs. And there’s a chance that this second the infotainment system feels dated and – though there’s generation could be on track to do something similar, but a wireless phone charger – Apple CarPlay and Android for different reasons.

Auto aren’t available.

That’s not due to bad technology. Far from it. As an early It’s also relatively slow to charge, 65% taking two hours adopter, Toyota is blazing a trail, and the new Prius with its from a wallbox and with no rapid charging option to uncompromising focus on efficiency works brilliantly. It maximise efficiency on longer trips. There’s now a mode to drives well, makes better use of its electric power even at charge the battery using the engine, with an obvious effect motorway speeds, and returns staggeron fuel economy, but enabling drivers to ingly high fuel economy without relying save electric miles for inner-city use. on being plugged in.

That’s a far more useful feature than the Which makes a good base for a PHEV, solar roof, which, at 400 miles of extra particularly as some of the old car’s range per year in the UK, is unlikely to issues have been resolved. The battery make financial sense in a typical fleet capacity has doubled, to 8.8kWh or just lifecycle. Both trim levels – Business under a third of the Nissan LEAF’s capacEdition Plus and the leather-trimmed ity, doubling the range to 31 mails. Once Excel – include navigation and a suite of that range is exhausted, it reverts back to safety systems as standard. being a conventional Prius, albeit with an But the big problem is what it’s up additional 150kg or so on board. against. Though it’s an entirely differThat driving experience will be familent proposition, the Prius is likely to be iar to anyone who’s driven the latest compared to other similarly-priced Prius. Lower, wider and significantly PHEVs, which makes this a rival for Brilliant technology, longer than the old one, it gliding lazily more user-chooser friendly tax-effirightly focused on around like a big family car, with minimal cient performance hybrids like the minimising fuel interruption from the petrol engine BMW 330e. This is unquestionably the except under heavy loads. Drive it gently, right way to use plug-in technology, consumption. But at use the Eco mode, and over 70mpg is particularly with forthcoming lowthis price, and with relatively easy to achieve – anything else emission zones in cities, but Toyota today's buyers habits, is missing the point anyway. could have an uphill struggle against it's ahead of its time.

There are compromises. Interior the more flexible, less outlandishlyspace is plentiful, but the battery is styled alternatives.

A

what we think

fleetworld.co.uk / 37

SWOT_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:19 Page 1

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

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

GA A beautiful car, with that Alfa Romeo charm that nobody seems to be able to replicate. It stacks up on paper, it’s different and will appeal for that reason alone.

GA It’s an Alfa… not up there with rivals’ reputations; particularly with build quality and reliability. That stigma is difficult to shrug off.

GA There’s no doubt Alfa will win market share. Many will be in their third or fourth model within the same brand - this will bring a welcome alternative.

GA A competitive sector with some great alternatives. If any build quality or reliability issues raise their head in the coming months, it could cause Alfa some headaches.

AC The infotainment system is much better than previous Alfas, but not quite as intuitive as the German rivals. Historical brand issues are a weakness – many think you have to be an enthusiast to take an Alfa, rather than it being a sensible choice.

AC Giulia is a major opportunity to take on a segment dominated

by German premium brands, as the XE has done for Jaguar.

There will be plenty of drivers willing to give it a go. It’s a strong offering and deserves to do well.

AC BiK is competitive against peers. RVs should be quite good, as there will be far fewer available than the German rivals.

MJ After years of domination by the German brands, the XE has opened up this sector, so Giulia’s timing couldn’t be better. It’s correctly configured to compete, with a simple trim line-up. It also performs and handles well, with good ridequality, and looks great.

MW Giulia looks good from every angle, drives really well, and fuel consumption is better than expected in real life driving.

38 / fleetworld.co.uk

MJ Interior materials are good but may not equal the German brands, and the sat nav is disappointingly small.

Some may think that not offering a manual gearbox is an issue – but not myself.

MJ Alfa needs Giulia to pick up corporate business – it does not feature on all choice lists, as Giulietta and MiTO did not provide enough coverage. But, with the Stelvio SUV arriving later this year, the opportunity is certainly there for FCA’s Fleet Team and dealers.

MW Reliability and RVs have not been great historically this is all-new but has some baggage to carry.

MW Alfa Romeo’s first real competitor in this sector; it has tried many times before and never really pulled it off.

AC Many will overlook it because it’s an Alfa. The brand has to tempt drivers from making the “safe” choice of just selecting yet another German rival.

MJ The Quadrifoglio could do with a little less press in favour of the diesel derivatives! This sector offers the challenging combination of reducing demand and heavyweight competition, but is really important for corporate sales, and rebuilding credibility.

MW This sector is under constant threat from the evergrowing SUV sector - even Alfa is about to go into the SUV market for the first time.

SWOT_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:19 Page 2

Martin Ward (MW) Manufacturer Relationship Manager, CAP

Alfa Romeo Giulia

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

Mark Jowsey (MJ) Director, KeeResources KWIKcarcost

Strengths GA Stacks up on paper - ‘different’ appeals.

AC Great driving position, fun to drive, plenty of space.

MJ Competitive spec.

MW Oozes Italian flair and design.

GA Historic reputation for poor quality.

AC Alfa Romeo isn’t always seen as a sensible choice.

MJ Small navigation screen.

MW Has a bad RV and reliability reputation to shake off.

Strengths

BMW 320d M Sport Auto

GA Popular for good reason.

AC A great driver’s car, but looking a bit bland now.

MJ Well built, engaging to drive.

MW The sector benchmark; a well-built car for sensible money.

GA There’s likely to already be one parked on your street.

AC Too many about now.

MJ CO2 and MPG no longer quite the best.

MW Being popular might be its weakness.

Strengths

Jaguar XE R-Sport 2.0d 180PS

GA Works on paper, is well-built and drives well.

AC A great driver’s car, stylish looks.

MJ A conquest champion; great looks, handling and safety equipment.

MW Lots of badge appeal.

GA Some still see Jaguar as being for the older driver.

AC I have heard of a few reliability issues.

MJ Boot space is not the best.

MW Still relatively unknown in fleet.

OTR: £35,285 P11D: £35,070 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 111g/km RV*: £14,150 (40%) BiK: 22% SMR: £2,631 Fuel costs: £4,956 Insurance: £4,215 Finance: £4,734 NI: £3,824 VED: £440 Cost per month: £1,160

Strengths

Lexus IS 300h Advance

Weaknesses

Lexus IS

Standard equipment: • DAB, Bluetooth, USB, aux-in • Satellite navigation • Cruise control • Rear parking sensors • Heated/electric leather seats.

• Dual-zone climate control • 18-inch alloy wheels • Bi-xenon headlights Optional equipment: • Reversing camera, front sensors £550 • Metallic paint £695

OTR: £34,880 P11D: £34,825 Fuel: 64.2mpg CO2: 116g/km RV*: £12,575 (36%) BiK: 23% SMR: £2,737 Fuel costs: £5,195 Insurance: £3,990 Finance: £4,701 NI: £3,941 VED: £440 Cost per month: £1,203

Weaknesses

Jaguar XE

Alfa Romeo Giulia Speciale 2.2d 180PS OTR: £35,050 P11D: £34,995 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 109g/km RV*: £11,700 (33%) BiK: 21% SMR: £3,329 Fuel costs: £4,956 Insurance: £3,750 Finance: £4,724 NI: £3,670 VED: £420 Cost per month: £1,228

Weaknesses

BMW 320d

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

GA Well built and ultra-reliable.

AC Great if all that matters to you is the BIK bill each month.

MJ Low price, low BiK. Quiet and relaxing.

MW Changing attitudes to diesel could help Lexus in future.

Weaknesses GA Hybrid still puts many people off.

AC Not dynamic to drive, CVT gearbox.

MJ CVT gearbox unengaging. Not a plugin hybrid. Below average loadspace.

MW No diesel could hurt sales, for now?

OTR: £33,695 P11D: £33,640 Fuel: 65.7mpg CO2: 101g/km RV*: £11,850 (35%) BiK: 17% SMR: £2,273 Fuel costs: £4,989 Insurance: £3,990 Finance: £4,541 NI: £2,971 VED: £390 Cost per month: £1,139

Standard equipment: • DAB, Bluetooth, USB • Satellite navigation • Cruise control • Rear parking sensors • Leather upholstery • Dual-zone climate control • 18-inch alloy wheels • LED headlights Optional equipment: • Reversing camera, front sensors £895 • Metallic paint £645

Standard equipment: • DAB, Bluetooth, USB, aux-in • Satellite navigation • Cruise control with speed limiter • Rear parking sensors • Heated leather upholstery • Dual-zone climate control • 18-inch alloy wheels • Bi-xenon headlights Optional equipment: • Reversing camera, front sensors £560 • Metallic paint £650

Standard equipment: • DAB, CD, Bluetooth, aux-in • Satellite navigation • Adaptive cruise control • Reversing camera • Heated/cooled leather upholstery • Dual-zone climate control • 18-inch alloy wheels • LED headlights Optional equipment: • Rear parking sensors £350 • Metallic paint £610

* 3yr/60k

fleetworld.co.uk / 39

FEATURE_Accident_FW_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 10:10 Page 1

FEATURE Accident Management

E H T

M E A G L A B

M E

The arrival of autonomous vehicles on UK roads raises plenty of questions – the main one being: who’s to blame in an accident?

Julian Kirk looks into an increasingly complex near-future.

40 / fleetworld.co.uk

FEATURE_Accident_FW_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 10:12 Page 2

t’s often said that the most dangerous part of a vehicle is the nut behind the wheel, and figures bear this out – in excess of 90% of road traffic accidents are the result of human error. But within the next few years technology will be available which will ultimately lead to humans being taken out of the equation.

Government and the automotive industry are working towards driverless vehicles being on UK roads within the next five to 10 years, but there is still uncertainty surrounding the minutae of the insurance model which will be needed to ensure all parties are covered (as well as addressing issues including vehicles being hacked and operators not updating the required software regularly).

The Government is consulting on how autonomous vehicles (AVs) will be introduced and it is favouring a single insurer model whereby the insurer covers not only the driver’s use of the vehicle (the staple of insurance cover in the UK) but also the autonomous technology. If there is an incident, it will be down to the insurer to reclaim any costs from the vehicle manufacturer. To date, Volvo is the only car company to have said that the manufacturer should be liable once the driver has handed control to the vehicle.

I

The Government is also proposing to publish a list that will classify vehicles which are to be regarded as AVs and are therefore subject to the new insurance requirement.

What remains to be seen is if this new technology will make insurance claims easier to manage. Sean Morris, automotive business unit director at Trakm8, explains: “As always with new technologies, there are use cases we haven’t thought of which are likely to be a problem until they are discovered and fixed.

This will increase claims in the first instance. For example, when ABS braking came out everyone thought it would reduce accidents but at first it increased because only a few cars had ABS so could stop quicker than everyone else.

This resulted in the number of rear-end collisions rising. With autonomous cars, this is likely to be the case too.

“As driverless vehicles will be recording everything there will be more data, including video in most cases, to prove or disprove who was at fault so in that way it will make claims easier to manage. The downside is that all accidents are likely to be recorded so the small supermarket bumps will also find their way into the insurance companies which may clog up their systems with small claims that otherwise would be settled without their involvement.”

VIEWPOINT Ben Howarth senior adviser for motor and liability at the Association of British Insurers

FLEET INDUSTRY WILL BE THE BIG WINNER...

Ben Howarth at the ABI believes the fleet industry has much to gain from the advent of autonomous vehicles: “The Government has adopted our proposal for a simple insurance system where a single policy will cover both automated and manual driving in the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill, which should receive royal assent by the end of this year.

“We expect to see the technology rolled out into top-end private cars first, and insurers will be able to gain a lot of practical experience from this before the technology becomes mass market. But, it is likely that commercial fleets will be the first to adopt automated driving in significant numbers.

“Fleets which want to make use of automated driving can be assured that the insurance system we have developed will cover them. It is the insurer, not the fleet manager, who will then be responsible for recovering any costs from a manufacturer if the vehicle causes a crash.

“Automated driving technology will be a great opportunity for fleets to work more closely with insurers to reduce the risks associated with driving for work, develop tailored products and manage claims more efficiently to reduce costs. Ultimately, the fleet industry will be one of the biggest winners from a technology that takes away the biggest risk factor facing all road users – human error.”

“We expect to see the technology rolled out into top-end private cars first.”

→ fleetworld.co.uk / 41

FEATURE_Accident_FW_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 10:12 Page 3

FEATURE Accident Management

→

SMR IMPACT The extra calibration involved with autonomous driving systems (and ADAS technology such as night vision, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and emergency braking) is making vehicles more expensive to repair as well as keeping them off the road for longer.

But the extra cost must be weighed against the increased safety benefits of the systems, and the probability of fewer accidents and resulting lower insurance premiums.

ACFO chairman John Pryor says: “We are already seeing repair costs rise with, for example, the cost of recalibrating camera and radar-based driver assist systems after windscreen replacement.

Additionally, with Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems now mandatory on all new cars there is an added inconvenience for drivers in responding to warning lights. It may be that tyres require more air, in which case the issue is quickly resolved, but sometimes the dashboard warning light remains lit and that requires drivers to have the car checked at a garage. That can also increase vehi-

cle downtime. As more technology is added to vehicles there is the potential for more to go wrong.”

Ashley Sowerby, managing director at Chevin Fleet Solutions, adds: “While there may be additional costs associated with the repair of ADAS-fitted vehicles due to calibration requirements, it is worth noting that these vehicles can also provide a great number of benefits - such as the potential to help reduce consumption, accident rates, speeding fines and wear and tear.”

And it is not just businesses that may feel the pinch in terms of increased costs – the SMR industry is also facing a massive investment in new technology to deal

with the new systems being introduced.

Thomas Hudd, operations manager at Thatcham’s Repair Technology Centre, says that calibration for semi-autonomous vehicles can be a ‘hit-or-miss’ process, depending on the vehicle and the equipment invested in for recalibration.

He explains: “If you only deal with one manufacturer, the chances are that you can cope with recalibration and it will not impact on workflow or overall costs to any great degree. However, many will repair for a variety of brands and this creates a need to invest in several diagnostic solutions to cover as much of the car parc as it is currently possible to do (there is no solution for 100% coverage at this time). Add to this the various target boards for ADAS and having the appropriate space and lighting, and it will become prohibitively expensive, while the triage also becomes more complex. By triaging effectively and detecting that a vehicle requires calibration prior to repair or upon estimate, it is possible to streamline off-the-road time and enable tighter associated cost control.”

DATA BLACKSPOTS No mobile data network is 100% secure – most cars will lose mobile phone or DAB radio signal at some point or other. But could this loss of data streaming affect the claims process?

Most experts believe that on-board data storage will mitigate against any network outage. Nick Reed, director of the TRL Academy, says: “Blackspots shouldn’t be an issue, as on-board systems should be robust enough to deal with any potential dropouts. In the event of a claim, the on-board systems will need to record sufficient data to determine liability.”

Reed also points to the advent of 5G communications systems which, he says, will greatly increase bandwidth and reduce latency for connected vehicles. He adds: “We are studying how 5G will enable new services and new functionality in the transport sector.”

Chris Davies, head of technical superiority at Autoglass, explains: “One way the industry is working to combat this is data logging within the vehicle. The infrastructure for an alternative radio based system called DSRC is also being researched - this would allow for information to be shared with other vehicles in these instances. This direct vehicle-to-vehicle communication would mean that in the event of a data blackspot, the connected group of vehicles will be able to communicate via a decentralised network, with the assumption that at least one would be connected to the wider infrastructure.”

42 / fleetworld.co.uk

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TAXATION_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:22 Page 1

FEATURE Taxation & Funding

The Finance Bill a seismic shift for fleet managers Professor Colin Tourick explains some of the key changes presented by the new Bill, and how it could affect fleets.

ormally, when the government publishes the draft wording of a Finance Bill, the fleet press and commentators rush to give their thoughts, but that didn’t happen on 20 March when the government published Finance (No. 2) Bill 2016-17, the legislation that enacts the chancellor’s spring budget. They had good reason to hesitate, because the government’s proposals are complex and farreaching and it seems that everyone has needed to take a little longer to work out what it all means. The key areas fleet managers need to be aware of are that the draft puts flesh on the bones of the new approach to salary sacrifice that was announced in the Autumn Statement and introduces a very different approach to cash allowances.

At least one major accounting firm has suggested that the new rules will also affect Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS) but at the time of writing this is unclear, as is the position when an employee who has the right to a cash allowance instead of a company car selects a company car below their entitlement level, i.e. they ‘trade down’. Trading up was referred to in the draft legislation but not trading down.

This article ignores these uncertainties and concentrates on the things we definitely know.

As the government had already announced, from 6 April 2017 any tax and national insurance contributions (NICs) advantages under salary sacrifice arrangements will be withdrawn.

Just to recap, under a salary sacrifice arrangement an employee gives up the right to some salary and receives a benefit instead.

When salary sacrifice is used for cars, the employee saves tax and employees’ NIC, and the employer saves employers’ NIC. The employee pays Benefit-in-Kind tax under the normal rules for company cars. Historically, if an employee chose a relatively low cost, low-CO2 car they could make savings. Salary sacrifice schemes have predominantly been used to provide cars for employees who would not otherwise be entitled to a company car, most of whom have been basic rate taxpayers.

N

44 / fleetworld.co.uk

The draft legislation describes these arrangements as ‘optional remuneration arrangements’ (OpRAs). The industry knew that salary sacrifice schemes were being reviewed in 2016, but before last November they had no idea that the government would include cash allowances in the rule changes.

This has been confirmed in the wording of the draft bill.

If your company operates a salary sacrifice arrangement or offers benefits such as company cars or the option to take a cash allowance in lieu of those benefits, you need to understand the new rules. Even employers that have never offered salary sacrifice but offer employees the choice between a cash allowance and a company car are caught by the new rules. An awful lot of companies, tens of thousands and maybe more, now have to consider how these changes affect them.

The draft legislation describes two types of OpRA, both of which will now be regarded as conferring a benefit on the employee.

• Under Type A arrangements the employee foregoes earnings in return for the benefit (e.g. a salary sacrifice car) • Under Type B the employee receives a benefit rather than some earnings (e.g. takes a company car rather than a cash allowance).

And here is the key piece of information: if an employee choses to take a benefit instead of an amount of salary, they will be taxed on the greater of the salary given up and the taxable value of the Benefit-in-Kind.

The legislation includes provisions designed to stop people claiming that a particular type of benefit or form of salary reduction falls outside the scope of the rules.

There are transitional arrangements. If someone took a car on a salary sacrifice scheme before 6 April 2017 they will be taxed under the old rules (the normal company car BiK rules) until the earlier of 6 April 2018 or the date when they modify or renew the deal, unless the car emits less than 75g CO2/km in which case the new rules will apply from 6 April 2021.

If an employee changes or renews the OpRA on after 6 April 2017 the new rules will apply from the date of the

TAXATION_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:24 Page 2

renewal or change. Amendments that arise because of matters that are not within the control of the employer or employee – e.g. the car is written off and replaced, or the employee is allowed to vary the arrangement because they are on extended sick leave or maternity leave – are not regarded as changes for this purpose.

If a car emits more than 75 grams CO 2/km and the employee has sacrificed salary, they will be taxed either on the normal basis for a company car (which is broadly; list price multiplied by a percentage based on the CO2 emissions of the car) or on the amount of salary they sacrificed, whichever value is the higher. To determine whether the Benefit-in-Kind or the salary sacrifice delivers the higher value, any capital contribution made by the employee towards the purchase of the car or payments for private use are ignored in the initial calculation (called the “modified cash equivalent”).

Once the appropriate amount has been calculated the employee gets credit for any capital contribution (capital contribution [max £5,000] x the appropriate percentage).

Credit is then given for any private use contribution.

Fortunately, HMRC has provided an example of how this will work in practice. Assume an employee has a car for the whole of 2017-18, for which they sacrificed £300 salary per month, and they also paid £1,500 to get a higher spec car than their limit allowed. The car’s list price is £20,000 and it has an appropriate percentage of 17%. The normal cash equivalent value of the vehicle would be: • £20,000 less capital contribution £1,500 = £18,500 x 17% = £3,145 The modified cash equivalent is: • £20,000 x 17% = £3,400 (the capital contribution is ignored).

The sacrificed salary exceeds the modified cash equivalent, so the sacrificed salary will be used to calculate the additional amount to be treated as earnings and taxed.

Therefore the taxable amount is £3,600 less £255 (capital contribution of £1,500x 17%) = £3,345.

This approach also extends to free fuel supplied to an employee who gives up salary for the right to receive free private fuel paid for by their employer. They will be taxed on either the cash equivalent value of the fuel (calculated on the normal basis where the fuel multiplier of £22,600 is multi-

plied by the appropriate percentage based on the car’s CO2) or the amount of salary sacrificed by the employee for the benefit of the fuel, whichever is the greater.

So if an employee sacrifices £400 per month and their employer pays for private fuel for a company car with an appropriate percentage of 20%, the cash equivalent of the fuel benefit will be £4,520, the sacrificed salary will be £4,800, and as the sacrificed salary exceeds the cash equivalent value of the fuel, the employee will be taxed on £4,800 not £4,520.

A similar calculation needs to be made if salary is sacrificed in return for being given a company van or free private fuel for such a van.

It’s going to take some while for fleet managers and the fleet industry to get their minds around this sort of logic and there are a lot of consequences of these new regulations.

• When choosing their company cars, employees need to know how much tax they are going to pay. Currently this is normally shown on the leasing company’s quotation screen.

In future, these screens will have to be modified to provide the correct figures, and the systems will have to hold information about cash allowances, capital contributions, personal contributions, etc.

• Employers are going to have to decide whether to keep cash allowances at current levels or reduce them. If the company offers a generous cash allowance scheme many employees will find that they are being taxed on a cash allowance they haven’t received.

• The new rules may reduce the incentive for employees to choose low CO2 cars. Employers have to decide how they wish to manage this, or indeed whether this is important to them.

• Salary sacrifice schemes still work, but the interplay between salary sacrifice, cash allowances and ‘normal’ company-car based Benefit-in-Kind tax mean that leasing companies are going to ensure that their quoting system provide the employee with all necessary information on which to base a decision about whether to enter into the salary sacrifice arrangement.

Professor Colin Tourick MSc FCA FCCA MICFM University of Buckingham

fleetworld.co.uk / 45

MKT_FW_Software_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:02 Page 1

Is it smartphone and/ or tablet compatible?

Do you offer a KPI dashboard?

Does your system integrate with external telematics systems?

Does your system use exception reporting?

Does your system allow users to design their own reports?

Does your system include a fuel management module?

Does your fleet software provide on-line grey fleet management?

Does your system include a vehicle order tracking function?

Service unavailable

Does your fleet software provide electronic supplier invoice reconciliation?

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Does your system permit electronic download of data from suppliers?

Service provided

Do you provide on-line P11D submissions to HMRC?

✔

Is your system suitable for multiple-user networking?

Key to services

Do you offer software that calculates EV wholelife costs (inc work/home charging) ?

FLEETW RLD

Chevin Fleet Solutions

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Drive Software Solutions Limited

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Jaama

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Sofico NV

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Chevin Fleet Solutions

Chevin Fleet Solutions is the leading global provider of dedicated fleet management software. Their multi-award winning software, Chevin FleetWave®, is a web-based system used by fleet operations across the globe, proven to help businesses measure and reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and ensure compliance & risk requirements are met.

FleetWave is designed to meet the demands of any type of operation from any sector, by providing extremely flexible software configurations. The system manages the whole lifecycle of a fleet, from initial acquisition of a vehicle, through to the deployment, operating expenses, incidents, work orders, maintenance, legal requirements and finally disposal. This includes businesses with cars, vans, commercial vehicles, heavy machinery, plant and associated assets. Covering nearly every aspects of managing the vehicles, assets, drivers, workforce and even workshops that make up the operation.

Contact: David Gladding sales@chevinfleet.co.uk

Tel: 01773 821992 www.chevinfleet.co.uk

Drive Software Solutions Limited

DRIVE Fleet Management and Leasing software is a single generic product applicable to vehicle management requirements worldwide and which represents over 150 man-years of development by our software experts.

DRIVE is a proven product our policy of continuous product enhancements and DRIVE’s modular structure enables it to be configured to meet the precise and unique needs of each of our clients. This has been enhanced with our managed service host offering DRIVE-Direct.

DRIVE is used throughout the world by leading vehicle leasing companies, major vehicle manufacturers, and other operators of large fleets to whom we continue to provide additional services and on-going 24/7 support.

Contact: Simon West-Oliver Tel: 01438 317731 simon.west-oliver@drivesoftwaresolutions.com www.drivesoftwaresolutions.com

Jaama

For almost 30 years, our customers have relied on our know-how and expertise to help them manage their contracts more efficiently. Some 40 customers across 18 countries are supported by our 200 experts based in five offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Australia and Japan.

Through continuous strategic investment in innovation and technological leadership, we ensure our solution evolves with the market, both in terms of technology and functionality. Our systems now help manage over 1.5 million vehicles worldwide.

Jaama’s market leading, multi award winning Key2 system is a totally integrated vehicle, asset and driver management solution covering everything from owning to disposing of vehicles, plant and asset related equipment. Recent enhancements include: Key2 online inspection sheets – moving fleet operators closer to a paperless environment; Driver CPC and Tacho checking with the DVLA; eConsent – remote, paperless authorisation for licence checking and Key2 Today - customisable, real-time visual reporting dashboard. Jaama - a Microsoft Gold Development Partner continue to invest heavily to ensure the worlds only web based fleet system to use next generation .Net Microsoft ‘Smart Client’ technology – Key2 – remains visibly and functionally years ahead of the market. Designed for all fleet sizes and budgets, Jaama links users live to data providers, customers, suppliers, vehicle telematics and the DVLA.

Contact: Jan Bouckaert jan.bouckaert@sofico.be

Contact: Roy Baynham enquiries@jaama.co.uk

Sofico NV

46 / fleetworld.co.uk

Tel: +32 9 210 80 40 www.sofico.be

Tel: 08448 484333 www.jaama.co.uk

ADVERTS_FWFS_2017_v2_Layout 1 03/03/2017 18:19 Page 2

Crowds go wild as Johnny Herbert wins in 1995 in a Benetton A first lap crash in the 1973 British Grand Prix sees 11 cars retire Henry Leach finds a ULEV for his employee mobility solution, at Fleet Show 2017 What will be your memorable moment at Silverstone this year?

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LTT_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 18:16 Page 1

our fleet Audi Q2 S line 1.4 TFSI CoD S-tronic i’Ve always thought the measure of a good car is its ability to be so easy to live with that, even after an early start and a day full of meetings and public transport, you’re always relieved to be back behind the wheel for the journey home. over the course of a busy six weeks, the Q2 has repeatedly proved an easy companion.

That’s high praise for a relatively small car. Though it loses boot space and rear legroom compared to an A3, it’s as grown up to drive. The s line’s bucket seats are excellent, the driving position is very comfortable, and there’s barely any noise from the petrol engine. i’ve also got adaptive cruise control and an s tronic dual-clutch transmission, which takes the effort out of crawling traffic.

Plus it’s got Apple CarPlay, which is so intuitive to use that i’d class it as a must-have, placing hands-free calling and very accurate traffic data in easy reach.

Unfortunately, in this case, that’s all controlled via the rotary knob on the centre instead of the touchscreen, which doesn’t make much sense. it’d be good to have both options – but nobody’s perfect, and i’m wanting little else.

Alex Grant

Alphacity BMW 116d Confession time; i’m not a car enthusiast. i’m much keener on two wheels than four, and i’m not a fan of driving unless i absolutely have to. As i’m familiar with my own car, that’s tended to be what i’ve used when meetings have required me to drive. All of which probably puts me into the same bracket as many of AlphaCity’s customers. it’s a fairly straightforward system to use; book online, pick the slots you need the car for, and it stops other departments from running off with the keys. That latter point is a potential downside to having a traditional pool car with a key that can get lost somewhere in the office, or taken home accidentally. it also sends you a text message, 15 minutes before the loan starts, to remind you that you’ve booked the car.

But it’s also very strict. There’s a window at the start of the booking where you can collect the car, after which it lapses and becomes available again, and you have to get it back to base before the end of the loan too. Given how unpredictable the traffic is around the office in st Albans, i’ve had to plan an earlierthan-usual trip to collect the car for meetings to avoid losing my slot. A necessary evil for businesses with AlphaCity cars which are always on the move, but it’s a behaviour adjustment for people like me who are used to a car – or bike – on demand.

Mark Sutton, editor, Cycling Industry News

MINI Clubman One D A feW months into our tenure and i still think this is probably the most complete car in the Mini range... large enough to be comfortable (there’s masses of headroom) and small enough to be nimble and practical around urban streets and the inevitable urban parking headaches.

Hopping out of the Clubman and into the Mazda CX-3 on our fleet, reveals quite a difference in character between two cars that probably have similar potential customers. The Mazda feels incredibly refined and brilliantly built. The Mini by contrast, although equally well put together, feels a little less like it’s trying to divorce you from the outside world. The engine idles quite audibly and the low-slung driving position adds to the impression that Mini would like its customers to have fun. That those driving dynamics also come with 60+mpg and low BiK levels is a bonus.

Luke Wikner

48 / fleetworld.co.uk

LTT_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 18:17 Page 2

Mazda CX-3 1.5d SE-L Nav aFTer a year at the Fleet World office, our Mazda CX-3 has departed, leaving a compact crossover-shaped hole on the Dopson driveway. i’m really sorry to see it go. i admit i had some reservations about downsizing from the CX-5 when it arrived last year – particularly as ours was a high-spec model. But they’re concerns i let go of almost instantly because, while it’s not as big as its sibling, it’s got all the space, comfort and performance i need. it also has heated seats, though wrapped in cloth rather than the CX-5’s lovely cream leather. it continued to impress. Fuel economy shaped up to be between 55 and 60mpg on the motorway, with a little effort, and it feels as sure-footed as a bigger hatchback or crossover once it’s up to speed. The controls are logically laid out, the plastics are high quality, and i’ve had no problems with Mazda’s infotainment screen – it’s really easy to use, and i’ve had no need to consult the instruction manual to get my head around it.

This is becoming a part of the market where most manufacturers are scrabbling to have an offering, and with all the right ingredients to suit small or large families, urban drivers or those with motorway needs, i can see why. With the CX-3, Mazda has done a great job stealing a march on this segment, and two years into its life cycle it’s still a very appealing offer.

Anne Dopson

Fiat Tipo Station Wagon 1.6 MultiJet II 120 Lounge FiaT is enjoying a renaissance in the UK, with a raft of new products and a renewed focus on fleet.

We’ve just named FCa as Most improved Fleet Manufacturer at the Fleet World Honours thanks to the improved back office support and range of products, including the core Tipo lowermedium challenger. and to see if the vehicles can match up to the improved service offering from FCa, we’re running a Tipo Station Wagon in top-spec Lounge trim powered by the familiar 1.6 MultiJet diesel engine.

First impressions are good – the Tipo is a solid looking car, although the hatchback styling probably works a little better than the estate. However, that extra 20cm of bodywork aft of the rear wheels does create a big boot area – at 550 litres it has 110 more than the hatchback. Fold the seats down and you can carry loads of up to 1.8 metres long and there’s a low sill to ease loading. Useful for job-need drivers.

This is not at the expense of rear seat room either, with plenty of room for three adults across the rear seat bench. it all adds up to a practical proposition.

Where the Tipo really scores is in terms of value for money – at just shy of £19,350 our test car comes with pretty much everything a travelling businessperson could need. Standard on Lounge trim is climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear view camera and auto lights and wipers, while the satellite navigation system employs TomTom Live services such as HD Traffic and the clever average speed function when in speed camera

zones. The only option fitted to our test car is a coat of metallic grey paint at £550.

Fiat is sensible enough to know that it won’t be competing for the hearts of user-choosers with the Tipo – instead concentrating on the car’s efficiency and practicality virtues. On first impression it seems that Fiat has got the practicality box ticked, and on paper the diesel’s 98g/km CO2 emissions and claimed 76.3mpg fuel economy impress.

Julian Kirk

fleetworld.co.uk / 49

LTT_FW_Apr17 05/04/2017 16:54 Page 3

our fleet SEAT Ateca SE 1.6 TDI Ecomotive

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY electric vehicle charging

MUCH as I like the Ateca and have enjoyed driving the Samoa Orange SEAT over the last six months, there is no denying that its 1.6-litre TDI Ecomotive engine is not the quietest motor around. The compact diesel produces a reasonable 113bhp between 3,250-4,000rpm, backed up by a healthy 184bhp of torque from 1,5003,250rpm. Unfortunately, it also produces a bit of a drone, particularly at motorway speeds.

It’s certainly not a deal-breaker and I have been heartily recommending the SEAT to anyone that will listen. Yet, if I were putting my money down, I would be taking a close look at the relevant mileage calculations, especially with the government’s changing emphasis on emissions.

The thing is, the Ateca can also be had with the VW Group’s excellent 1.4TSI petrol engine, a motor that scored very highly when we ran one in an Audi Q3 a couple of years ago. It may be something of a stranger to fleets, but that

petrol engine produces a more powerful 148bhp with an identical 148bhp of torque, also from 1,500-3,500rpm. It’s also whisper quiet until called upon for healthy acceleration, at which point it emits a very fruity roar.

While the 1.6TDI offers a claimed combined figure of 65.7mpg with a manual gearbox, the 1.4TSI counters with a still frugal 53.3mpg. The petrol version also has a P11D value some £885 lower than the diesel, while the TSI commands a slightly reduced BiK rate of 21% versus the 22% of the TDI. There is little doubt that the diesel engine is the right choice for my 20,000+ annual mileage.

But if it was much less than that, I would be sorely tempted to try the petrol version before signing. The fact that you can choose the TSI with the excellent DSG automated transmission, an option not available with the smaller diesel in Ateca, might just be the clincher.

Dan Gilkes

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

accident management Selsia

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

For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

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

Renault Kadjar Dynamique S Nav dCi110 WE’VE just moved to the country, and bought a puppy at the same time, because obviously life wasn’t complicated enough before. So the hardwearing rubber boot mat in the Kadjar has been a life saver for muddy boots, our already pretty muddy old dog, and the new rather excitable one.

The great thing about it is that it can be lifted out, hosed off, given a quick scrub and placed back in the boot, keeping the rear of the car nice and clean, as well as protecting it from naughty little puppy teeth.

It’s that sort of car, the Kadjar.

Eminently practical for every occasion.

Steve Moody

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

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

TMC Tel: 01270 525 218 www.themilesconsultancy.co.uk

50 / fleetworld.co.uk

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_Apr17_SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_Aug'07 04/04/2017 17:31 Page 2

FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY contract hire, leasing & finance Maxxia 020 7520 9450 www.maxxia.co.uk

0845 2172 608

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com

ALD Automotive Tel: 0370 00 111 81 www.aldautomotive.co.uk

daysfleet.com

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

daily rental

risk management

fleet management software

Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Tel: 01786 468 700

Cardinus Risk Management Tel: 01733 426015

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

www.cardinus.com

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

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

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

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

Civica UK Ltd Tel: 0117 924 2703 www.civica.co.uk/tranman

Tel: 01484 551060

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

Tel: 01792 222133 www.daysrental.co.uk

Alphabet (GB) Limited Tel: 0370 50 50 100 www.alphabet.co.uk

Fourways Vehicle Solutions Tel: 0344 8000 385 www.fvsl.co.uk

Venson Automotive Solutions Tel: 08444 991402 www.venson.com

Nexus Vehicle Rental 0808 256 7223 www.nexusrental.co.uk

Total Leasing Solutions for your business

Telephone 0113 250 0060

www.virtualriskmanager.net

www.jct600vehicleleasingsolutions.co.uk

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

Tel: 0344 824 0115 www.lexautolease.co.uk

Zenith Tel: 0344 848 9327 www.zenith.co.uk

sgfleet Tel: 0845 154 0721 www.sgfleet.com

Lex Autolease

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_

_

3/11/14

14:14

www.thrifty.co.uk

SHB Hire Ltd Tel: 01794 511458 www.shb.co.uk

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk F _

Thrifty Car & Van Rental Tel: 01494 751 550

Europcar Tel: 0871 384 0201 www.europcar.co.uk

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

Sofico NV

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

Tel:+3292018040

www.soficoservices.com

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

misfuelling AFF Tel: 0844 879 4770 www.autofuelfix.com

Page 1

November 2014

fuel management

IAM RoadSmart Tel: 020 8996 9600 www.iamroadsmart.com

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

interview Michael O’Shea of Volkswagen

stopping power Why fleets should check their brakes

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

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

BP Oil UK Ltd Tel: 0845 603 0723 www.bpplus.co.uk MODELPUPIL Behind the wheel of Tesla’s remarkable Model S

contact 2014 MPG Marathon 100mpg in real-world driving from a C-segment estate? The UK’s premier economy event sees if it’s possible...

euroShell Card Tel: 0800 915 6021 www.shell.co.uk/euroshell

fleetworld.co.uk

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

telematics & tracking

www.quartix.net

TRACKER Network (UK) Limited Tel: 0845 604 6091 www.TRACKER.co.uk

Tel: 0870 013 6663

TMC Tel: 01270 525 218 www.themilesconsultancy.co.uk

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

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

Airmax Remote Limited Tel: 0333 358 3488 www.airmaxremote.com

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

Trakm8 Tel: 0330 333 4120 www.trakm8.com

For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Teletrac Navman Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletrac.co.uk Tel: 0345 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk

BOX Telematics Tel: 0330 333 4118 www.boxtelematics.com

CanTrack Global Ltd Tel: 01908 330385 www.cantrack.com

www.navmanwireless.co.uk

AMBER CONNECT Tel: 01789 774413 www.amberconnect.co.uk

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

fleetworld.co.uk / 51

ADVTL_ALD_FW_Apr17 04/04/2017 17:26 Page 1

fleet finance

Why Hammond’s “quiet” Budget should spring business fleets into action Matt Dale, Consultancy Services Manager at ALD Automotive UK examines what the outcome of the Spring Budget means for companies managing a fleet operation. hose who were anticipating the final Spring Budget to go out with a bang can breathe a sigh of relief following Philip Hammond’s, fairly innocuous announcement last month. Fortunately, the transport industry faces only minor adjustments for now.

T

A few headlines: • The government announced additional funding to tackle congestion in the UK which includes a £690m competition for local transport projects. This is a positive move and one that will hopefully encourage local authorities to find new and innovative ways to address the growing problem of congestion in our major cities.

• There were no changes to the planned Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates rise which increased in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) on 1 April 2017. The Chancellor chose not to defer the rise despite calls from many, including the BVRLA, who claim that the planned changes will discourage the uptake of “cleaner vehicles”.

• Whilst a well-speculated Diesel Scrappage Scheme didn’t materialise, emphasis on the government’s commitment to improving air quality and the comment that it will “continue to explore the tax treatment for diesel vehicles”, suggests that the conversation around vehicle emissions is far from over.

Rather than provide a reactive position to recent debate around diesel emissions, it seems that the government is planning to use its time between now and the Autumn Statement to formulate a more robust plan for the treatment of diesel vehicles.

What that plan looks like exactly, we’ll have to wait and see. But, while many may be tempted to sit tight until the government unveils its proposal, for me this “quiet” time signals the perfect opportunity for you to review your fleet policy ahead of any future changes, putting you a step ahead of the game.

Contact ALD Automotive:

52 / advertisement feature

t 037000 111 81

So, where to start?

A review should look at solutions which are right for your business and will meet your objectives in the context of a wider push towards environmentally conscious transport solutions.

Very simply, this may involve reviewing how you currently monitor CO2 emissions across your fleet.

Are there tools out there in the market which could help you manage this better, such as telematics software for instance?

At the other end of the scale, you may want to consider the possibility of introducing Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles (AFVs) into your fleet. This might entail examining case studies of companies that have successfully implemented AFVs or Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) for advice and tips on best practice.

Whatever your goal, ALD Automotive can help you take those first steps to reviewing your fleet policy.

Our Consultancy Services team will work with you to identify pinch points and areas for improvement, whilst our suite of fleet management tools will help get your fleet to where you want it to be.

“This ‘quiet’ time signals the perfect opportunity for you to review your fleet policy ahead of any future changes.”

e ukinfo@aldautomotive.com

w www.aldautomotive.co.uk

VFW_LEAD_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 18:57 Page 1

VAN

April 2017

FLEETW RLD

p58 Isuzu D-Max offers improved economy with no AdBlue.

at a glance show review...

We take a look at some of the potential highlights of this month's show at the NEC.

plus...

Electric Mercedes-Benz vans in demand in Germany and closer ties for Nissan and Renault LCVs

vanfleetworld.co.uk

MOVANO LOADS BETTER

Movano offers a wide choice of load length, roof height and even front or rear wheel drive. And with a range of four gross vehicle weights with truly impressive payloads, it’s a great choice for your business.

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VFW_NEWS_Mar17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 15:44 Page 1

inbusiness Hermes goes electric with Mercedes ercedes-Benz Vans has entered into a strategic partnership with courier business Hermes, that will eventually build to a fleet of 1,500 electric Vito and Sprinter vans. A pilot project early in 2018 will take place in Hamburg and Stuttgart. By the end of 2020, the company hopes to have 1,500 electric vans in operation across Germany.

“Electric drive is a key technology for urban transport, especially in commercial use,” said Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

“Last mile deliveries must become more efficient and in specific applications emission-free. Last year we announced that we will put an electric

M

van into series production again and we are proud that we can already announce that Hermes will be our first customer.”

By the year 2025 Hermes Germany plans to carry out deliveries in the innercity areas of all major German cities completely emissions-free. The company will only use electricity from regenerative sources to charge the batteries, to maintain a neutral effect on the climate.

The strategic partnership will also implement a range of connected services, to optimise route planning to work with the available range of the van’s batteries. Mercedes is also looking at intelligent cargo space solutions for the vehicles.

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

Musso towing increase

Having raised the towing capacity of its Musso pick-up from 2.7 to 3.0tonnes last year, SsangYong has responded to customer demand once again, by lifting the truck’s towing capacity to a full 3.5-tonnes.

The Musso pick-up is one of the few trucks on the market with multi-link independent rear suspension, providing a comfortable ride even when unladen.

Drivers take to two wheels

Alliance partners stregthen LCV ties he Renault-Nissan Alliance is aiming to increase its van market presence by combining the LCV divisions of both companies in a single operation. The Renault-Nissan LCV Business Unit will pull together Renault’s van expertise with Nissan’s truck experience across many key markets.

The objective is to create improved synergies, maximising cross-development and technology sharing to reduce cost. The Business Unit will be run by Ashwani Gupta, as Alliance senior vice president, who will answer directly to Alliance chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn.

“The combination of Renault, Nissan and the early collaboration with Mitsubishi Motors in a single Alliance LCV Business Unit will boost sales and deliver greater synergies,” said Ghosn.

T

56 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

“With this move we plan to expand our market leadership by accelerating our performance in current and new highgrowth markets, based on each company’s core products and market knowledge and driven by customer needs.”

Nissan already uses Renault’s Trafic and Master vans as a base for its NV300 and NV400, while Renault in turn has built its new Alaskan pick-up on a Nissan Navara base.

Builders merchant Travis Perkins has developed a Safe Urban Driving course with Transport for London (TfL). As part of the initiative, the company’s 4,000 van and truck drivers will all attend a one-day course, that includes taking to the streets on a bicycle.

“The on-road cycle element gives drivers a cyclist’s perspective of riding on London’s roads,” said Graham Bellman, group fleet director. “Having this insight into the behaviour of other road users is invaluable in making our communities and streets safer, not only in London but across the UK.”

Vauxhall teams up with BSB Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles has become the official LCV partner for the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship (BSB). Six vans, including four Movanos and two Vivaros, will be used to provide track and off-site support throughout the season.

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VFW_SPOTLIGHT_D-Max_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 18:56 Page 1

VFW SPOTLIGHT Isuzu D-Max driver focus

MAX

All D-Max models now come with Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. Utility models get Bluetooth, power windows and air-conditioning, while Eiger trim adds a reversing camera, alloys, body coloured bumpers and an improved audio system.

Move to Yukon for 18” alloys, a 7” multi-function screen, cruise control and LED rear lights. Utah then adds keyless entry and start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav, DAB, leather and auto climate control.

The range-topping Blade also gets tinted windows, a 9” touchscreen, remote locking tailgate, Blade puddle lamps, front and rear parking sensors and a canopy or roller cover.

POWER Isuzu has finally launched the Euro 6 D-Max pick-up range, with a downsized 1.9-litre engine and no requirement for AdBlue, says Dan Gilkes.

carrying capacity Thanks to the smaller 1.9-litre engine and revised transmission, D-Max has increased carrying capacity across the range. The biggest gain is in the single cab 4x2 model, which can handle an extra 154kg, taking payload to a total 1,282kg. Even the specification-laden Blade automatic model gets an additional 26kg of load-lugging ability.

Despite being lighter, with all models under the 2,040kg unladen point that restricts some heavier pick-ups to 60mph on dual carriageways, all D-Max trucks can still pull a 3.5-tonne trailer.

market coverage Isuzu is a strong player in the growing UK pick-up market, selling around 6,000 D-Max trucks a year to buyers primarily in agriculture, forestry and utility fleets. The company also competes in the leisure market, with higher specification models including the range-topping Blade.

The UK pick-up sector has grown rapidly from 20,000 vehicles in 2010 to a record 47,688 trucks in 2016. Isuzu is anticipating over 50,000 pick-up sales this year.

To grab a bigger share, the firm’s new D-Max is lighter, boosting payload, yet can still haul a 3.5tonne trailer. D-Max promises increased fuel economy with reduced emissions and meets the Euro 6 standard without having to resort to AdBlue.

58 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

VFW_SPOTLIGHT_D-Max_Apr17_Layout 1 05/04/2017 17:28 Page 2

power and performance The EU6 D-Max is all-new under the skin. The twin-turbo 2.5-litre diesel engine has been dropped in favour of a 1.9-litre single turbo. Though smaller in capacity, the 1.9-litre produces a powerful 164hp, though torque takes a dip from 400Nm to 360Nm, some way off the class best.

However a new gearbox with shorter first and second gears makes it easier to pull away when fully laden. Differential ratios have also been altered, to better match the new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

This results in strong pulling ability and improved economy. The 4x4 truck with a manual gearbox offers 40.4mpg with 183g/km, an improvement on the previous 38.7mpg and 192g/km. It’s a similar story with the auto box, the 4x4 truck delivering a claimed 36.2mpg, up from 33.6mpg and 205g/km, down from 220g/km. The biggest gains are in the 4x2 single cab truck, which sees an 8.4% improvement taking economy to 45.6mpg, with emissions dropping to just 163g/km.

As mentioned this is all achieved without SCR, so there is no need for AdBlue. Service intervals are set at two-years/12,000 miles and the D-Max continues to come with Isuzu’s five-year/125,000mile warranty.

FLEET FACT what we think...

Popular 4x4 doublecab models with a manual gearbox should return up to 40.4mpg and 183g/km

Isuzu knows that it will have to convince some hardworking buyers that the 1.9-litre engine will do the job.

Once drivers get behind the wheel however, they will soon discover that it is more than capable. DG

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VFW_CV SHOW_VFW_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:31 Page 1

show preview

CV Show preview The Commercial Vehicle Show returns to the NEC in Birmingham, from 25-27 April this year, with a host of new and updated vans, components and support services on offer. With more than 21,000 visitors expected over the three days, fleet managers will have the chance to catch up on the latest innovations and technologies in the LCV market. These are some of the attractions on offer to visitors.

Ford The vans might all look familiar on the Ford stand at this year’s show, but there is plenty of news going on beneath the bodywork. The SelectShift automatic transmission will be available for the first time on both full size front wheel drive Transit and on Transit Custom. This six-speed box features a new torque converter and casing to handle torque outputs of up to 415Nm. Auto-Start-Stop will be standard on all automatic variants and prices for the Custom Auto will start at £24,980.

Full size Transit Auto panel vans will start at £26,605, with chassis cabs from £27,955.

All-wheel drive makes a welcome return to the Transit line-up too, with a re-engineered version of the AWD driveline to work with the new 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine. The four-wheel drive system, which carries a £4,000 premium, will be offered with both 130hp and 170hp engine variants and Ford is promising up to 11% better fuel consumption compared to the previous Transit AWD model.

There is some big news for One-Stop-Shop customers, as Ford will launch front wheel drive tippers and Luton-bodied chassis at the show. The front drive tipper is 100kg lighter than a single rear wheel driven Transit and up to 200kg lighter than a rear drive model with twin rear wheels. At a time when AdBlue and various comfort systems are taking increasing amounts of payload away from vans, these

savings are thought to be a major selling point.

As mentioned, the automatic transmission will also be available on front wheel drive Transit, so will be offered on these conversions too. There will be a front wheel drive double cab chassis on offer for the first time too, again saving around 200kg over a twin wheel rear drive model.

Ford’s popular Transit Custom Sport Van will make a return at the show, with the usual beefed up body, 18” alloys and twin bonnet stripes. Inside the vans come with part leather trim, a rear view camera and lane keeping alert.

The Sport Van will be offered with the powerful 170hp engine in short wheelbase 290 Trend models only, with manual or auto transmission. However, for the first time the Sport Van will also be available in doublecab-in-van layout, with a second row of seating in both L1 and L2 van lengths.

There will also be a limited run of 400 Transit Custom Colour Edition vans on offer, in Race Red, Deep Impact Blue, Frozen White. All have contrasting colour detailing and benefit from the enhanced chassis specification of the Sport Van. Ford is also introducing a Transit Courier Sport Van, with a styling kit and body stripes plus 16” black alloy wheels. Customers can choose either the 100hp EcoBoost petrol engine or the 95hp 1.5-litre TDCi diesel.

→ 60 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

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MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on the road driving conditions. Model shown is new PEUGEOT Expert Panel Van Professional Plus Compact. Data and information correct at time of going to print. ^Standard on Professional and Professional Plus models. *Available as a cost option on certain models. **Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Call charges to this number from landline and mobile network may vary. For information about charges, please contact your network provider.

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VFW_CV SHOW_VFW_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:32 Page 2

show preview

→ Peugeot

Volkswagen Volkswagen will have one of the biggest launches at the show this year, with the UK introduction of the new Crafter. Available initially with front wheel drive, the van will eventually offer rear and all-wheel drive too, with both manual and 8-speed automatic transmissions available in all models.

One of the new Crafters on show will be converted into a Mobile Service Clinic van, a new service offered by VW’s Van Centre network that provides on-site service and repair of vehicles at a customer’s own premises.

Slightly left field, or left-hand drive at least, will be an e-load up! electric van. There are no plans to sell this model in the UK yet, but with Ford ending production of Fiesta Van, there is certainly an opening for a compact urban run-about in the LCV market. With 990 litres of cargo volume and a 360kg payload, the electric van would make an ideal delivery model or service van for inner city work. The van’s lithium-ion battery pack offers a theoretical 99-mile range for the 82hp motor.

There will be few surprises at the Peugeot stand, as the French firm also offers up a second electric version of Partner, in L2 form. As with its Citroën sibling, Partner Electric gets the upgraded charging cable and retains the same 67hp motor with 200Nm of torque. Expect up to 106 miles of range on a full charge and an 80% recharge in just 30 minutes with the high-powered charging cable.

Peugeot will also show an Expert Compact van with Grip Control and a standard length Expert in police livery. Topping off the Expert line-up will be a Long model in Professional trim. This largest expert offers up to 6.1m3 of load volume and a payload of up to 1,447kg.

There will also be an Expert Crew Van on show, with a second row of three seats. This can be ordered on the Standard or Long body versions.

Citroën The big news for Citroën this year is the launch of a second electric van, as the Berlingo Electric line-up is extended to include the longer L2 body. Though not offering any additional payload than the current L1 model, the L2 does deliver improved load volume, with up to 3.7m3 available compared to 3.3m3 for the shorter van. This can be extended to 4.1m3 with the Extenso folding passenger seat and hinged bulkhead.

Both L1 and L2 Berlingo Electric models now come with a 16A Type 2 charging cable, compatible with the majority of public charging points. The vans are eligible for the Government’s Plug-in-Van-Grant, bringing the cost of the L2 550LX van down to £22,022 on the road.

Citroen will also show the longer Dispatch XL at this year’s show, alongside the latest Relay Ready-To-Run KFS car transporter and Plant+Go conversions. The company will be celebrating 70 years of its iconic H van this year too, with an anniversary model on the stand.

Toyota Having launched both the latest Hilux pick-up and the Proace van at last year’s event, Toyota is looking to show customers how it has updated its dealer network to meet the needs of CV customers this year. The company will unveil a new converter programme for both vans and trucks, plus an approved racking kit for Proace.

The show will also give customers who need to carry people as well as goods the first chance to see the Proace Verso VIP grade people-carrier. Vehicles on display will demonstrate the range of conversions on offer through Toyota’s revised 22-strong specialist LCV network.

62 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

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VFW_CV SHOW_VFW_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:34 Page 3

show preview

→

Isuzu

VFS

Another debut at the show will be Isuzu’s latest D-Max pick-up. The firm has dropped the truck’s 2.5-litre engine in favour of a Euro 6 compliant 1.9-litre motor. Despite the downsizing, the new engine produces more power and torque, with 164hp and 360Nm on tap, yet promises increased efficiency. The 1.9-litre engine also manages to meet Euro 6 without having to use SCR or AdBlue.

D-Max also retains its 3.5-tonne towing capability and a payload in excess of 1-tonne. The truck has a shift-on-thefly 4x4 system and comes with a five-year/125,000-mile warranty and two-year/12,000-mile service intervals.

Conversion specialist VFS (Southampton) will be launching an aluminium tipper body for 3.5-tonne chassis. The all-alloy body is said to be up to 140-160kg lighter than a steel body, depending on size. The firm has also developed a lightweight tipper cage, with a nylon mesh replacing the traditional steel mesh.

For those operators less concerned about payload, but more worried about cost, VFS will also be unveiling its Excalibur steel entry-level tipper body. The tipper is said to be around 50kg heavier than the firm’s high-strength steel body.

TEVO

MAN There will be a new name in the van market this year, as VW Group truck company MAN launches the TGE van and chassis cab range in the UK. TGE is of course based on sister company Volkswagen’s new Crafter and like the VW will arrive first in front wheel drive. This will be joined by all-wheel drive and rear drive later in the year.

Given the firm’s truck business, it is likely that MAN will sell a higher percentage of rear driven TGE models than VW will Crafters. By the time vehicles start to arrive in dealers in September, the company also expects to be able to offer ready-bodied dropsides, tippers and Luton vans under the Vans To Go banner. Indeed one of the vehicles on show will be a TGE 3.180 crew cab tipper, using the 177hp version of the 2.0-litre engine and a six-speed manual gearbox.

Modul-System is to launch a lightweight floor, wall and roof lining for vans. The material is a sandwich construction, with high friction aluminium plates surrounding a lightweight core. Flooring sections can incorporate T-track rails for safe installation of racking systems and other fixed accessories.

The modular system uses a tongue and groove design to join sections for rapid installation and is glued into the van, so there is no drilling involved.

“Thanks to the smart design, we are able to offer a floor which including the integrated aluminium rails is lighter than a traditional 12mm wooden floor,” said vice president Thomas Johansson.

The company will also show a revised extendable load floor with a 250kg capacity, up from 200kg. Despite the additional strength, the floor is said to be 30% lighter, boosting payload. Modul-System is also launching a range of folding shelving for parcel delivery customers. The folding shelves can increase the load area by up to 50%, yet can be folded away to handle larger or heavier items.

Marshall Fleet Services Marshall Fleet Services is looking to spread the word about the range of services that it can provide to fleets in all sectors of the market. Traditionally known for its temperaturecontrolled expertise, as one of the UK’s largest independent refrigeration installation and support companies and a dealer for Thermo King, Marshall also specialises in tail lifts and commercial fleet support.

Indeed Marshall currently has more than 12,000 assets on contract across the UK, with 148 mobile service engineers on call 24/7. The company is keen to show customers that Marshall can provide a complete fleet engineering solution.

64 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

MKT_Risk management_VFW_Apr17 05/04/2017 15:05 Page 1

VAN

MARKET OVERVIEW Risk Management

Do you offer e-training as part of your programme?

Do you offer Post Accident Investigations training?

Are your training programmes Insurance Company approved?

Do you offer a licence checking facility?

Do your instructors carry out a driver eyesight test?

Do you offer Driver CPC Periodic Training?

Do you offer CPC Training?

Do you offer operator licence training?

Do your instructors provide a demonstration drive?

Service unavailable

Do you offer a classroom-based LCV driver training programme?

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Do you offer an on-the-road LCV driver training programme?

Service provided

Do you offer risk assessment for LCV’s as part of your programme?

✔

Do you offer on-line LCV driver appraisal?

Key to services

Do you offer psychometric driver profiling?

FLEETW RLD

ALD Automotive

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eDriving FLEET

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ALD Automotive

The ALD Automotive group is the second largest vehicle leasing operation in Europe and manages over 1.3 million vehicles across more than 40 countries worldwide. Within the UK ALD is widely recognised as one of the industry’s leading service providers, with a proven portfolio of award winning products for major plc’s, small businesses and individual drivers alike.

As an integral part of ALD’s product range, our award winning DriveSafe programme offers a straightforward, practical and cost effective solution to help establish a lasting road risk reduction programme for all employees who drive on business. Utilising the expertise of specialist partners, DriveSafe provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated solution, all managed under ‘one roof’ and uniquely delivered via ALD’s threesixty online portal.

Contact: Matt Dale matt.dale@aldautomotive.com www.aldautomotive.co.uk

Tel: 03700 011181

eDriving FLEET

eDriving FLEET provides researchled fleet risk management solutions.

Our Virtual Risk Manager tool is proven - with 1,000,000+ car, heavy and light commercial, bus, two wheeler and lift-truck drivers, riders and operators registered across 90+ countries.

Organisations of all types and sizes are supported to lead their people to safety, with reductions in collisions, costs and non-compliance.

The best way to experience our programs is via a live demonstration followed by a pilot study.

More information, including a number of highly successful fully validated and evaluated case studies from BT, Nestlé, Transport for London and ASDA are shown at www.virtualriskmanager.net

Contact: Andy Cuerden Tel: 01484 551070 andy.cuerden@virtualriskmanager.net www.virtualriskmanager.net

DriveTech

Driving for work involves risk but minimising it means you’re driving a better business. By implementing a comprehensive fleet risk management programme, you’ll achieve duty of care and legal compliance as well as tangible business benefits and savings.

DriveTech, part of the AA, work together with our corporate clients to reduce occupational road risk, business costs and risks to drivers by significantly improving driver ABC - Attitude, Behaviour and Competence. Our holistic approach covers fleet audit, licence validation, driver assessment and driver training supported by an online management system, giving you fleet and driver intelligence at your fingertips.

Contact: Sharon Dewey tellmemore@drivetech.co.uk www.drivetech.co.uk

Tel: 01256 495732

Visit www.fleetworld.co.uk to work out how much your lcv fleet costs to run, with the all-new Fleet World Workshop webtools...

FLEETW RLD Comparator and calculator webtools for f leets

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 65

VFW SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_Apr17_VFW SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_Aug'07 04/04/2017 17:33 Page 1

VAN SUPPLIER DIRECTORY FLEETW RLD daily rental

Tel: 01792 222133 www.daysrental.co.uk Nexus Vehicle Rental 0808 256 7223 www.nexusrental.co.uk

contract hire, leasing & finance

racking systems

tail lifts

fleet management software

Lex Autolease Tel: 0344 824 0115 www.lexautolease.co.uk

Bott Ltd Tel: 01530 410600 www.bottltd.co.uk

DEL Equipment (UK) Ltd Tel: 01993 708811 www.del-uk.com

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

Volkswagen Group Leasing Tel: 0870 333 2229

Full listings online at

fleetworld.co.uk

Penny Hydraulics Tel: 01246 811475 www.pennyhydraulics.com

Mycompanyfleet Tel: 0845 077 7760 www.mycompanyfleet.co.uk

Ratcliff Palfinger Ltd Tel: 01707 325571 www.ratcliffpalfinger.co.uk

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

Teletrac Navman Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletrac.co.uk www.navmanwireless.co.uk

Civica UK Ltd Tel: 0117 924 2703 www.civica.co.uk/tranman

TRACKER Network (UK) Limited Tel: 0845 604 6091 www.TRACKER.co.uk

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

www.volkswagengroupleasing.co.uk

accident management

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

Venson Automotive Solutions Tel: 08444 991402 www.venson.com

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

Alphabet (GB) Limited Tel: 0370 50 50 100 www.alphabet.co.uk

Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Tel: 01786 468 700

SHB Hire Ltd Tel: 01794 511458 www.shb.co.uk

Europcar Tel: 0871 384 0201 www.europcar.co.uk

Zenith Tel: 0344 848 9327 www.zenith.co.uk

ALD Automotive Tel: 0370 00 111 81 www.aldautomotive.co.uk

Selsia

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

telematics & tracking

Tel: 0345 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk AMBER CONNECT Tel: 01789 774413 www.amberconnect.co.uk

vehicle CCTV www.quartix.net Tel: 0870 013 6663

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

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

Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com

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

Trakm8 Tel: 0330 333 4120 www.trakm8.com

risk management

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk fuel management

STEPS AVS Steps Ltd

Tel: 01939 235900 www.avssteps.co.uk

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

euroShell Card Tel: 0800 915 6021 www.shell.co.uk/euroshell

Exeros Technologies Tel: 020 8303 1188 www.exeros-technologies.com

van liners United Vanliners Ltd Tel: 01778 561900 www.unitedvanliners.co.uk

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

driver licence checking TMC

IAM RoadSmart Tel: 020 8996 9600 www.iamroadsmart.com

Tel: 01270 525 218 www.themilesconsultancy.co.uk

VAN FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

TMC Tel: 01270 525 218 www.themilesconsultancy.co.uk

66 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

YOUR PERSONAL ASSISTANT With groundbreaking services like destination download and hotel bookings** at the touch of a button, New Insignia Grand Sport has connected car features designed to assist your drivers in ways you might never have imagined; all courtesy of Vauxhall OnStar.â€

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YOUR FREE 3 DAY TEST DRIVE AWAITS Be confident you’re making the right business choice by taking New Insignia Grand Sport on our free 3 Day Test Drive.* • We’ll deliver to your home or workplace • Insurance cover is included • There’s no mileage limit

Visit vauxhallfleet.co.uk/newinsigniatestdrive Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive.

New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 24.6 (11.5)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban: 40.4 (7.0)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km.

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. 2017/18 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their own tax position. New Insignia Elite Nav 2.0 (260PS) Turbo 4X4 auto model illustrated (P11D of £27,155) features Dark Moon Blue two-coat metallic paint (£555), VXR Styling Pack (£850), glass sunroof (£705) and Driving Assistance Pack Four (£595), optional at extra cost. * = Terms and conditions apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please call 0330 587 8221 for full details. ** = Via booking.com. E-mail address and credit card required. Minimum age of reservation owner is 21 years. † = Includes 12 months of OnStar services from date of first registration and a 3 month/3 GB Wi-Fi free trial period (whichever comes first) effective from the date the customer accepts the nominated network operator Wi-Fi Ts&Cs. OnStar services and 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot require activation and are subject to mobile network coverage and availability. Wi-Fi Hotspot service requires account with nominated mobile network operator. Charges apply after free trial period. The OnStar subscription packages could be different from the services included in the free trial package.

Terms and conditions apply. Check vauxhall.co.uk/OnStar for details of availability, coverage and charges. Vehicles purchased without OnStar cannot have the required technology retro-fitted. Destination download only available on vehicles with factory installed navigation systems. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (April 2017).

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