Fleet World February 2015

February 2015

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

Can JLR do an Audi?

How the British firm could become a major force in fleet

New XE driven The verdict

Bad business

Are fleet-specific models worth the money?

We investigate.

Tuesday 12th May 2015 Silverstone

Driven

Peugeot 308 GT Honda CR-V

Fuel control

Use less, spend less...

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

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fleetworld.co.uk

contents February 2015

30

16

Behind the wheel of Honda’s revised CR-V.

What I’ve learnt in fleet: Andrew Mann of JCT600 Vehicle Leasing Solutions.

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

Can JLR do an Audi?

How the British firm could become a major force in fleet

New XE driven The verdict

Bad business

Are fleet-specific models worth the money?

We investigate.

Tuesday 12th May 2015 Silverstone

Driven

Peugeot 308 GT Honda CR-V

Fuel control

Use less, spend less...

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

SPONSORED BY

fleetworld.co.uk

Publisher Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Steve Moody steve@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Deputy Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Features Editor Katie Beck katie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Fleet Consultant Ross Durkin ross@fleetworldgroup.co.uk VFW Editor Dan Gilkes dan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

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Sales Director Anne Dopson anne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Executives Darren Brett darren@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

Built for business: we look at the fleetspecific trim options.

Claire Warman claire@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Circulation Manager Tracy Howell tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

52

Pre-register for the Silverstone Fleet Show on 12th May 2015!!

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

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

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How Jaguar Land Rover can thrive in fleet.

54

Back to basics tips for reducing fleet fuel costs.

VAN FLEETW RLD

69 Iveco Daily, VW Crafter, Sebastiano Fedrigo of Fiat Professional.

STAG Publications

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To subscribe to Fleet World visit: www.fleetworldsubscriptions.co.uk Certified circulation Jan – Dec 2013 17,985

fleetworld.co.uk / 03

fleetreview This month, editor Steve Moody looks to set the record straight on diesel and the role of the fleet industry...

Is diesel the new moral panic?

I’m getting very worried about diesel. All the talk seems to be about how dirty diesel cars are, how they are polluting our cities, and damaging our children’s health. If you saw the recent Dispatches documentary on Channel 4 then the case is seemingly irrefutable, and the fleet industry, with its heavy prevalence of diesel-engined vehicles, is one of the most polluting sectors in British business.

Of course, as always, most of what is being said is utter rubbish and has all the makings of one of those public panics, like Orson Welles’ alien invasion, and has the added danger of hitting RVs for diesel cars. Yes, diesel engines are more polluting if lorries, buses (have a look at London’s air quality during the recent strike), vans, and even Euro 6 cars sit in urban traffic jams for hours on end.

That’s actually an infrastructure issue though, as much as it is an engine one.

But to claim that somehow we have all been duped by the car industry, as Channel 4 did, is wrong. Ever since the “dash to diesel” started, carmakers have said to anyone that will listen: if you have high mileage motorway work to do, buy diesel. If it’s urban journeys, buy petrol, EV or hybrid.

The CO2-based tax system is not perfect but it has done a great service to the car industry, at a time when it needed to address that particular environmental issue. Drivers are more aware of emissions than ever before. It stopped people driving about aimlessly trying to get into more advantageous tax bands. Carmakers redoubled their effort to make cars more economical. 15 years ago, a car that had CO2 emissions of 180g/km was seen as efficient…

04 / fleetworld.co.uk

The result is that while there is still work to do on NOx and other particulates, and a more realistic testing regime would be of benefit – if anyone can work out how to do it – the fact is the UK car fleet is cleaner by a factor almost unimaginable at the turn of the millennium. You want environmentallyfriendly? Think of the amount of oil not burned in that time as a result.

Unfortunately, the programme sought to highlight the “con” by showing a mother ferrying her kids to school in a diesel Alhambra and how inefficient it was on those short runs. As a committed green, she was shocked by the results. As a committed green, I would suggest she should have done her research beforehand, and bought a petrol Alhambra.

Fortunately the fleet industry understands the issues more thoroughly and dispassionately, and has made huge strides in helping make the UK car market more efficient. But it was avoided by documentary makers, because it is too positive, and not sensationalist enough, a story.

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

Ross retires...

It’s amazing the lengths some people will go to lower their golf handicap: after 30 years in the fleet business, founder of Fleet World Group, Ross Durkin, has decided to retire. We all wish him the very best, although we’ll be seeing him about from time to time at events such as the Fleet Show, for which he continues as a consultant. His business partner Jerry Ramsdale has taken full control of the company, so it’s business as usual here. With a record-breaking year for the group in 2014, and 2015 set to exceed it, Ross leaves on the crest of a wave.

Now, all he has to do is get down to scratch...

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Turn to page 52 for how to register...

inbusiness

More fleets need ISO fix, says IAM

B

usinesses whose employees drive for work should look to gain official ISO accreditation in order to improve their safety, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has claimed.

Although the accreditation has been in place for two years, awareness of the professional international standard is not high throughout the fleet sector, unlike other ISO certifications for sectors such as quality and environment. Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and research, reckons that increased take-up of the ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety Management accreditation would help fleets ensure their drivers are meeting the highest safety standards, and has called on drivers to hold their employers to account.

Greig said: ‘Employers, and those awarding any contracts which put vehicles on the road, have a duty of care to all other road users to ensure that road safety is a top priority 24/7. ISO 39001 and driver risk management programmes are the best way of ensuring this has happened.

‘Therefore, anyone using drivers for any official purpose

should insist their employer holds this accreditation or can demonstrate clearly they have addressed the risks their drivers face on the road. It is the simplest way of knowing those individuals are safer and their vehicles are fit for the road.’

However, Neil Hawley, IAM group sales director, acknowledged that such a move may not possible for all fleets, due to the time, effort and the cost involved.

He added: ‘Achieving something as notable as an ISO accreditation has a time and cost implication and some firms, possibly due to their size or resources, may find the task too daunting despite it being achievable for any company fleet.

The IAM isn’t the largest organisation in the world and runs a relatively small fleet but with a focused approach, was able to satisfy the demands of assessors.’

Hawley said that it was likely that the ISO accreditation would eventually be seen as a vital qualification for fleets: ‘ISO 39001 is only going to grow in stature, as has been the case with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, and the extra admin will be seen as a necessity.’

Renault Kadjar C-segment crossover revealed

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enault has unveiled its new Kadjar, which goes on sale from the autumn and will be the brand’s first C-segment crossover, rivalling models such as the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga.

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

When it comes to vehicle leasing and fleet management, we work hard to understand our customers’ business objectives. Our team has the knowledge and expertise to deliver a first-class service to achieve those objectives.

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

Keeping you one step ahead 06 / fleetworld.co.uk

www.aldautomotive.co.uk

renault.co.uk

RENAULT CAPTUR CAPTURE LIFE

Renault Captur Dynamique MediaNav ENERGY dCi 90 S&S Multimedia Touchscreen with Integrated Navigation With only 95g/km CO2, 78.5 combined mpg and 15% BIK P11D price £16,540

Visit renault.co.uk/business or call the Renault Business Team on 0800 040 7344.

DRIVE THE CHANGE

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Renault Captur Dynamique MediaNav ENERGY dCi 90 S&S are: Urban 67.3 (4.2); Extra Urban 83.1 (3.4); Combined 78.5 (3.6). The official CO2 emissions are 95g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors.

Car shown has optional metallic paint, available at an additional £495 (or £595 for i.d. paint), plus £300 for painted roof. All information correct at time of going to print.

inbusiness

ESOS and the grey fleet The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme may make many businesses aware of the costs of grey fleet. Is rental the answer, asks Roger Hancock, managing director of Thrifty Car & Van Rental.

M

any companies will believe they operate their transportation in a cost-effective manner.

However, depending on the specific journey undertaken, the cost could be significantly reduced by having a policy in place to review the method of transport used.

During the course of 2015, qualifying companies for the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme will be undertaking mandatory energy assessments to establish their energy usage, and part of this assessment will obviously entail the assessment of the companies’ transport policies. It is here that the some anomalous costs may well present themselves, the scheme organisers believe.

One of the simplest ways for a company to reduce its energy consumption is to have a complete review of its grey fleet policy. There are three good reasons to reduce the use of grey fleet:

DUTY OF CARE Employers have a duty of care for the health, safety and welfare of their employees and this includes driving whilst on company business. While it is possible to manage grey fleet vehicles many employers find it difficult to do so for various reasons. Grey fleet tends to be older than a rental or leased fleet and therefore may have considerably less safety features.

COST Mileage reimbursements for grey fleet users are generally significantly higher in cost than other modes of transport that could be undertaken for the same journey e.g: 400 mile roundtrip between London and Manchester Grey fleet

Rail

Hire car

£0.45 per mile

Standard booked in advance

Standard vehicle, two day hire with delivery/collection

£180

£62.50

£72

08 / fleetworld.co.uk

CO 2 EMISSIONS Grey fleet vehicles are on average between six and seven years old, and last year the average UK business mileage was around 700 miles (1,120km); a standard petrol Ford Focus built in 2007 had CO2 emissions of 161g/km, so the average business driver emitted 180,320g of CO2.

Manufacturers have worked tirelessly to provide cleaner vehicles and are achieving phenomenal success in reducing emissions in not only their economy and standard family saloons but also in their prestige and luxury ranges.

Due to the efforts made by the manufacturers, rental and leasing companies benefit by being in a position of operating “cleaner” fleets with an average age of just 12–18 months. Using the same example, a standard petrol Ford Focus built in 2014 has CO2 emissions of just 105g/km reducing the average business emissions to 117,600g CO2 or by some 35%!

It’s difficult to quantify the total number of grey fleet vehicles within the UK, but the accepted figure is around four million, which is more than three times that of company cars. Putting this into context, if companies reduced their grey fleet by just 10% the energy savings are enormous, and would equate to 25,000 tonnes of carbon.

The ESOS provides all companies with a terrific opportunity to evaluate their current transportation policies with a view to reducing costs, CO2 emissions and improving health & safety practices in the workplace with just four simple steps: 1. Agree achievable targets in CO 2 reductions and cost savings.

2. Promote health and safety benefits by moving employees to newer rental/leasing vehicles with greater safety features and NCAP ratings.

3. Review travel options for all journeys.

4. Limit journeys where grey fleet can be used reliably and effectively e.g. for journeys under 100 miles.

inbusiness trading places

in

in

out

Ian Tillbrook becomes interim fleet director at VWFS Ian Tilbrook has been appointed as interim fleet director at Volkswagen Financial Services UK (VWFS).

Tillbrook is the former managing director of Glass’s and brings extensive experience of the vehicle leasing sector, previously as managing director of ING Car Lease, integration director of Alphabet and with LeasePlan as international sales director and UK sales director.

His appointment comes as VWFS embarks upon a significant programme to reshape and evolve its fleet business, improving its multi-marque offering and developing first-class customerfocused solutions.

David Raponi joins Ogilvie With a wealth of big fleet experience at a UK and European level, David Raponi has joined Ogilvie Fleet as business development director to lead its growth in to the UK’s larger fleet market.

Raponi joins from Fleet Logistics where as business development director he was responsible for large national and international sales.

He said: ‘Larger fleets will view the Ogilvie Fleet way of doing business as a breath of fresh air compared with what they have been used to. Ogilvie Fleet is very much open for large fleet business and I am confident that the company will achieve its growth objectives over the coming years.’

Phil Hollins leaves Ford fleet role Ford has announced the appointment of Nick Themistocleous as director of fleet operations, succeeding Phil Hollins (pictured) who becomes commercial vehicle director, Ford of Europe.

‘Nick is ideally suited to this position and will be a great addition to our team,' commented Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director.

'He will bring a fresh perspective to the role with his extensive knowledge of our Ford dealer network and background in both Ford of Britain and Ford of Europe fleet sales.’

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inbusiness

Independent thinking A new co-operative of independent dealers is looking to shake-up the way servicing and repair work is offered to SMEs. Curtis Hutchinson, editor of Motor Trader, reports.

T

rue or false? A company car can only be repaired and serviced by the main dealer representing that particular brand otherwise the warranty will be invalidated.

False. Indeed that particular misconception has not been true since EU regulations, aimed at improving competition and customer choice, came into force in October 2003.

When the rules came in the Earth, despite predictions to the contrary, did not shake on its axis. In fact it was pretty much business as usual for fleet and private owners who continued to see the perceived value of having that reassuring main dealer stamp in their logbooks, even though they did not need it.

In truth the changes were not widely broadcast outside of the automotive sector. Carmakers were certainly not going to champion independent alternatives to their franchised dealer networks, while independent garage businesses lacked the marketing clout to get their voice heard.

As the rules stand your fleet cars can be serviced and repaired by the workshop of your choice so long as Original Equipment Matching Parts are used, which should be itemised on invoices, and carmaker servicing interval schedules are followed.

Now there’s a convincing argument on why franchised dealers should still be used. After all they benefit from up to date carmaker training, the heads-up on any software fixes and they use the latest diagnostic equipment. The best ones will also make sure your drivers are kept mobile with a courtesy car or are picked up or dropped off to accommodate their work schedules.

Franchised sites, however, can be expensive.

According to research undertaken last year by Warranty Direct, franchised sites charged 44.9% more than independents with an average hourly rate of £92.11, compared with £63.56.

Interestingly the rate has actually closed over the years because independents have become more expensive. Also what you pay is largely determined by geographical factors with the South East being the most expensive place in the UK to service your car.

Non-franchised workshops have upped their game in recent years with many offering highly professional local fleet services to SMEs. This has prompted the launch of the Independent Garage Cooperative (IGC), a national network of over 120 non-franchised workshops with a plan to grow to up to 200 by the summer.

A sure sign that it has hit the ground running.

The Cooperative’s management credentials are impressive. The business is led by chief executive

12 / fleetworld.co.uk

Steve Wadlow, who for more than 30 years has owned independent garage AME in Shenstone, Staffordshire; the operations director is Dave Poole, who has run independent garage Autolube in Letchworth for more than 20 years; and the national network manager Phil Todd has more than 30 years’ experience of the independent sector.

They are supported by an 11-strong team of business development partners, all successful garage owners in their own right, each of whom looks after a designated region which collectively cover the UK. A more familiar name to the fleet sector is honorary president Geoffrey Bray, who founded Fleet Support Group (FSG). A major part of its success was based on the utilisation of independent garages for fleet repair and servicing jobs.

IGC reckons it is bringing something new to the table as the business is collectively owned and dispenses with middlemen driving down garages rates and adding margins.

‘Each individual garage is a shareholder with common aims and objectives relating to standards and service levels,’ said Wadlow.

‘Above all they have an absolute desire and commitment to deliver direct to the end-user a genuinely high value for money vehicle maintenance service. It means fleet customers always deal directly with the garage owners who deliver the service. IGC is a national brand that promotes high quality leading-edge service.’

IGC members must comply with a strict vetting procedure, a quality standard focused on ethics and competence and a code of conduct. Furthermore it has the backing of the Institute of the Motor Industry, the automotive standards and training accreditation body.

At the core of the IGC proposition is its ServiceLink maintenance programme which, significantly, includes national rates for labour, parts and oil. Also all work is covered by a country-wide guarantee and every site will offer free vehicle collection and delivery, free vehicle wash and vacuum and free top-ups between services as well as complimentary tyre and vehicle winter and safety checks.

Furthermore, fleet customers can arrange bookings either online using the IGC website (www.igcltd.co.uk) or by contacting the cooperative's call centre which also manages centralised invoicing.

In short, this new service appears to cover many of the functions typically associated with franchised dealers and fleet management companies, which makes for a compelling proposition for SMEs looking to drive down their SMR costs while retaining top notch workshop care.

What’s not to like?

inbusiness

Air dreams The Insider wonders whether the air quality debate is getting out of control and will cost fleets dear.

A

s a child were you, like me, brought up on family tales of city fogs, including the Great Smog of 1952 which was blamed for causing 4,000 deaths in London? Tales of the days when coal fires burned in every grate, and smoke poured from every chimney. When specific weather conditions prevailed a smog developed, so thick that it was said you could get lost just walking around the block.

The Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 demanded the use of smokeless fuels and that, together with tougher pollution controls on industrial factories, improved the situation greatly.

Motor forward a decade and a half to a time when I commuted daily into central London by motorcycle from the Home Counties. Even in those days there was a discernable difference in air quality between the outer and inner London Boroughs.

The air really did smell cleaner and fresher the further out one rode. But by this time it was increasing amounts of road traffic contributing to higher levels of pollution.

Now that the environment and air quality have moved higher up everyone’s agenda, we are all much more aware of the facts, and we understand tough action is required in order to avoid an escalation in respiratory problems. Boris plans a Central London Ultra Low Emission Zone by 2020, but some others are not prepared to wait that long.

Effective from April this year, Islington Council has already voted to impose a £96 a year diesel surcharge on resident parking permits purchased in the Borough. That doesn’t give residents much time to change their vehicle, even if they could afford to do so. And if they are driving your company vehicles and you have a diesel-only policy, you may be forced into rushing through amended policy quicker than you had anticipated.

Other London boroughs are also arguing that their residents should benefit from lower emissions across the capital, not just in central areas, and perhaps they will follow Islington’s lead. Further afield, Bristol City Council has begun a whole raft of emissions and

14 / fleetworld.co.uk

congestion-reducing measures across its fleet.

Scotland is considering plans to clear up its cities’ air from 2017 with the creation of low emission zones, enforcing a strategy so stringent that diesel cars which are only two years old could be banned from the streets, as well as many even newer commercial vehicles. Concerns about air quality are gathering momentum fast.

Forcing through such a tight timetable as is proposed in Scotland could spell financial disaster for commercial vehicle operators unable to realign their fleets in time, and potentially price hikes for the end user, as food and other goods still need to get to their destinations.

I can see a future where it will be normal for large commercial vehicles to make deliveries to a series of transport hubs located on the outskirts of our cities (not sure quite where yet, mind, given people’s understandable “not in my back yard” objections), which are then transferred onto more emissionsfriendly means’ of transport for onward transfer to our shops. But I reckon that’s probably still seven to ten years away and these proposed low emission zones are arriving on our doorsteps now.

The thing I find slightly scary is that all these communities appear to be running off proposing their own thing, with no cohesive approach being forced upon them by Government. Before too long we will end up with a situation where diverse rules apply in different areas of the country, be that relating to simple CO2 targets, or a complete prohibition of commercial vehicles from town and city centres.

Fleet managers have to set policies which satisfy our company’s business strategy for the next three to five years, also guided by tax initiatives now helpfully provided for a similar period into the future. Company vehicles working the length and breadth of the land need clear emissions regulations which are standard across the country, and a sensible timescale during which they can be adopted. Sadly, that doesn’t seem to be the way we are going at present.

inbusiness

What I’ve learnt Andrew Mann, managing director of recently rebranded JCT600 Vehicle Leasing Solutions, on what makes leasing customers tick and the importance of loyalty.

Learn how to be a good salesman My wife, children and colleagues would probably say I’ve learnt very little but in 35 years in the leasing industry – I started with Avis Car Leasing in Wrexham Road, Slough in February 1979 (incidentally that’s where I met Fleet World’s Ross Durkin in about 1980) – I’ve picked up the odd bit of knowledge and tricks of the trade.

Firstly, I learned how to be a salesman as Avis’ first sales trainee. Admittedly I wasn’t much cop but I certainly got to know some British geography as my patch stretched from South Wales to Cambridgeshire and included the West and East Midlands. I also discovered that you can meet your partner at work and make it stick.

Be flexible in your approach Customers and prospects alike taught me that you have to be flexible in your approach and do your best to understand what they want and work out how to meet their requirements. Above all you have to deliver on your promises, which is why I’m careful to this day about making them.

Loyalty is everything As for the technicalities of running a small leasing company I’ve become aware that what we do and how we do it can make up for pricing issues, which we all face every day. I’m a great believer in

loyalty to suppliers, team members and customers.

Whilst we, and I in particular, strive not to make mistakes, an open and honest admission of failure or misjudgement allows correction – where possible – and often strengthens relationships.

Try to make complicated things simple What leasing companies do is essentially simple: we buy, finance, maintain and dispose of vehicles usually at a fixed price by way of contract hire.

However, this is complicated by the sheer volume of data in terms of manufacturers, funders, legislation and economics, which all have to be managed, together with customers’ expectations, in order to produce a profit several years after the bargain was first struck. I have realised that for sheer intellectual effort and design & marketing flair, the vehicle manufacturers carry all before them. The rest of us – dealers, leasing companies, service providers, publishers like Fleet World, the BVRLA, politicians and legislators all largely follow in their wake.

There’s always room for improvement Mobility matters in our economy but it has to be responsible and not do harm. We are getting there in terms of doing things better and more cost effectively but there’s vast room for improvement everywhere. Maybe that’s the most important lesson I have learnt?

SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

12TH MAY 2015

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inbusiness

A positive outlook Behind booming new car sales, used vehicle prices enjoyed a second year of growth in 2014, according to BCA’s latest Pulse report, with strong demand for ex-fleet and leasing stock.

RECORD VALUES IN 2014

Annual values for ex fleet and lease stock £10,000

£9,500

£9,000

£8,500

£8,000

£7,500

£7,000 2012

2011

2010

2014

2013

Monthly values for ex fleet and lease stock 2012 2011

2014 2013

2010

£10,000 £9,500 £9,000

£8,500 £8,000

£7,500 £7,000 £6,500 Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

Jun

May

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Market-wide values climbed £566 (8.0%) to an average of £7,622, the highest on BCA’s record. This was matched by vehicles from the fleet and leasing sector, which averaged £9,455 during 2014 (+6.4%). Monthly averages have continued to rise since late 2012, and comfortably outstripped the previous year’s figures every month except for December.

Performance against CAP has fallen slightly each year since the 2012 peak of 96.93%, averaging 96.55% in 2014, however the value versus new increased last year. BCA reports an average 42.39%, up on the 42.13% recorded in 2013.

BCA’s UK operations director, Simon Henstock, commented: ‘The relative shortage of stock – a result of low new car sales over several years following the onset of recession – has helped keep values high. However new car volumes have improved notably in 2013 and 2014.’

MONTHLY MILEAGE DROPS

Average age and mileage for ex fleet and lease stock

The average age of fleet and leasing stock was almost level with 2013 figures, and still higher than 2010’s 38.17 months.

However, BCA’s figures suggest vehicles are covering fewer miles in their lifespan than they were four years ago. Despite spending an average of nearly two months extra on fleet, and a 2.27% increase in 2014, average mileage is 1,700 lower (3.47%) than it was in 2010.

Henstock believes the 2011 peak reflects extended contracts, with subsequent reports of company car drivers being asked to limit mileage: ‘As the benefits of economic recovery have been more widely felt over the past 24 months or so, both numbers have since settled at around 40 months and 46,000 miles.

‘If current market conditions prevail, it is likely that average age and mileage parameters for fleet cars will remain relatively stable as they have over the past two years.’

Age (months)

Mileage

Age (months)

Average mileage

41

50,000

49,000

40

48,000

47,000

39

46,000

45,000

38

44,000

37

43,000

2010

2011

2012

18 / fleetworld.co.uk

2013

2014

PREDICTIONS FOR 2015

Consumer Confidence Ongoing stability of jobs and the economy, plus low interest rates and inflation, have given the new and used markets a boost, said Henstock: ‘While we have that feel good factor and well balanced supply and demand, we can expect wholesale values to remain relatively strong.

‘However, we may see some changing dynamics on the supply side as rising numbers of nearly-new cars and returning PCP volumes add to the mix of fleet/lease vehicles and dealer part-exchange cars.’

The General Election BCA is predicting the forthcoming General Election could cause uncertainty in the new and used markets, but Henstock believes it’s too early to predict how this will affect the wider economy.

‘History tells us there can be some initial uncertainty in the marketplace whoever prevails,’ he said. ‘But this soon settles down and it is business as usual. What might be more worrying is if there is no clear cut decision from the electorate and we end up with a hung parliament.’

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...

duty of care

Source: Specsavers Corporate Eyecare

According to Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, many employers are still confused about the areas that come under duty of care regulations with regards to driver safety.

Of the 120 heads of companies surveyed, 82% knew that it is a duty of care obligation to check that drivers have full and current driving licences.

79% knew ensuring all company cars are taxed, insured and maintained also comes under duty of care.

While only 70% were aware that they are responsible for ensuring employees’ own cars used for work purposes are fully taxed, insured and maintained.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, “requires employers to take appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities when at work. This includes the time when they are driving or riding at work, whether this is in a company or hired vehicle, or in the employee’s own vehicle.”

Just 74% of respondents knew that ensuring employees have adequate eyesight for driving is also part of their duty of care as an employer.

public sector fleets

Source: Alphabet

Alphabet has published the results of its latest research, which was conducted by iGov, into the use of grey fleet vehicles in the public sector and access to alternative approaches to travel.

55% of public sector fleets surveyed said that the majority of business travel is undertaken by drivers in grey fleet vehicles.

Just 18% of organisations surveyed now offer employees access to a corporate car sharing or car club service.

The survey revealed that concerns around mileage costs (39%), administration (36%), environmental impact (34%) and health and safety (33%), are stimulating organisations to explore a range of alternative mobility solutions. iGov found that 18% of organisations currently use EVs, with 30% of those businesses planning to increase the number of EVs on their corporate fleet within the next 12-18 months.

‘While the grey fleet remains significant within public sector organisations, the hidden financial and environmental costs, combined with concerns around duty of care, are causing more organisations to re-examine how to reduce their grey fleets and focus on vehicles that are appropriate and fit for purpose,’ commented Dean Hedger, head of public sector at Alphabet.

20 / fleetworld.co.uk

car parking damage

Source: Citroën UK

Citroën has released its latest #ParkingHero survey data, which was collected during the busy shopping period of December 2014.

25% of drivers surveyed admitted to bumping another car when parking, with half of those saying they had driven off, leaving the innocent party to foot the repair bill.

Almost 50% of drivers said that they felt they were more likely to have their car damaged in a supermarket car park than anywhere else.

Next in line was the multi-storey car park, with 28% of the public fearing their car will sustain scrapes in this type of location. On-street parking came in third place at 17%.

63% of respondents said they tend to look for spaces that don't have any other cars nearby to minimise damage, rather than utilising the first space available.

measuring fuel efficiency

Interestingly, the survey found that the highest percentage of “careful” parkers were in the 18-24 year-old age bracket, which includes new drivers.

The#ParkingHero campaign aims to highlight the issues UK drivers face on a daily basis when parking. It demonstrates the growing importance of parking-aid technology, which is available on the latest models in the Citroën range – including Airbump panels on the C4 Cactus.

Source: RAC Business

Fleet drivers are more likely to take actions to adapt their driving style than private drivers in a bid to reduce fuel bill, according to research by RAC Business.

The survey, conducted as part of the RAC’s annual Report on Motoring, found that 40% of company car drivers actively changed their driving behaviour to keep their MPG figure low.

This compares to just 27% of private vehicle owners.

66% of company car drivers said they monitored the fuel consumption of their vehicle, compared to 44% of private vehicle owners.

90% of company car drivers said they used their vehicle’s built-in dashboard or computer to monitor fuel efficiency, compared with 68% of private vehicle owners.

‘It’s encouraging to see that company car drivers are being proactive about fuel efficiency and MPG. In order to break even on their fuel allowances many company car drivers have become used to driving as efficiently as possible to maximise their allowance. Until recently, fuel prices have been consistently high, so this inevitably will have put efficiency front of mind,’ commented RAC business services director, David Aldridge.

for the latest daily news from the fleet industry, visit fleetworld.co.uk fleetworld.co.uk / 21

g fleet e k

Cafflano Klassik Stacked like Russian dolls within this stylish flask is everything needed to brew fresh coffee on the move. There’s a ceramic mill with a fold-out handle which feeds ground beans into a reusable stainless filter over the tumbler at the bottom, and the top section holds and precisely pours the hot water as you brew.

Price: £60 from cafflano.com

Keepod Breathing life into old computers, Keepod puts an Android-based operating system onto a memory stick and enables users to get fast performance and their own desktop on almost any machine with a USB port. It’s designed for developing markets, but could be a cost-effective way to take your digital desktop on the road.

Price: £4.60 from keepod.org

Lucidream eXo-Skeleton A minimalist stainless steel case for the iPhone 6 is designed to protect its most vulnerable areas while adding only a small amount of weight.

There’s a range of quick-connecting accessories such as money or belt clips and a universal camera mount, yet it’s only 3mm thick at its most substantial and won’t trap dirt like larger cases, so it won’t scratch the back of the phone or add needless bulk.

Price: £46 from lucidream.com

Montblanc TimeWalker eStrap For the first time, the design of a mechanical luxury watch can be combined with the digital functions of a smartwatch. The e-Strap pairs with Android and Apple smartphones via lowenergy Bluetooth connection, offering email, text message, call and social media notifications on the wrist, plus remote control of media and camera functions and an activity tracker via its touch screen.

Price: £270 see montblanc.com for details

apps of the month

TomTom Speed Cameras

Infolio

Driver Feedback

A cost-effective way to avoid speeding fines, TomTom is offering a free three-month trial of its new Android app.

It uses information from the company’s huge database of fixed camera locations as well as live updates from 3.4 million drivers, refreshed every minute directly to your phone.

Price: Free from Google Play, £1.99 per month, £15.49 per year

With the ONS claiming record numbers now work from home, apps like this are likely to become more prevalent over the coming years. Infolio puts relevant cloudbased and social media data, from the many places which now store it, into one workspace for easy access, annotation and sharing, combined with useful weblinks and content to help move projects forward.

Price: Free from iTunes Store

Concept Online’s in-vehicle tracking device can now feed data to the driver’s smartphone or tablet for instant feedback. Sensitivity from the three-way accelerometer and the warnings it issues are set by the fleet manager and based on the vehicle type, reflected in the app by a simple traffic light colouring system with day-by-day reports to help the driver improve.

Price: Free from Google Play and iTunes Store

22 / fleetworld.co.uk

G H I B L I

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

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

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

Official fuel consumption figures for Maserati Ghibli range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 18.0 (15.7) – 37.2 (7.6), Extra Urban 38.7 (7.3) – 56.5 (5.0), Combined 27.2 (10.4) – 47.9 (5.9). CO2 emissions 242 – 158 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Model shown is a Maserati Ghibli S at £70,598 On The Road including optional pearlescent paint at £1,776, 21” Titano design alloy wheels at £3,670 and Red brake callipers at £432.

www.maserati.co.uk

inbusiness

In Touch Unveiled at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Volkswagen Golf R Touch concept gives a near-future vision of a more intuitive cabin based on smartphone know-how.

What is it?

Volkswagen’s concept of an almost button-free interior f or i ts fu ture v ehicles, r eplaced b y c ontrols which are closer to a smartphone or tablet. The aim is to allow drivers to control the myriad functions now being built into cars, but without overloading or distracting them.

How it works Most of the car can be controlled through the 12.8inch touch screen in th e centre of th e dashboard.

This o perates like a tabl et, enablin g th e driver t o organise media, navigation, and weather settings as movable and r esizable tiles, or set th em to run in the background. Vehicle settings are changed via a detailed, in teractive thr ee-dimensional r otating rendering of the car.

A second 8.0-inch touch screen, called the Control Centre, offers further functions i ncluding climate control, ambient lighting and sound settings.

Unlike the larger display, the buttons on this have haptic feedback to help drivers find buttons without taking their eyes off the road, and it can sense fingertip pressure too.

Traditional instruments in front of the driver are replaced b y a full y cus tomisable 12. 3-inch Active Information Display. It can show engine revs and vehicle speed with a small multi-function display in the middle, or priori tise al bum artwork and a full navigation display with driving data at the bottom.

24 / fleetworld.co.uk

Despite being called the Golf R Touch, it’s touchless gesture control which is perhaps the most revolutionary feature. A camera behind the rear-view mirror monitors for intuitive touch-free gestures, such as waving towards the rear seats to open the sunroof or swi ping fr om si de t o si de t o ad just media, navigation or telephone volumes.

Numerous other touchpads are dotted around the cabin, bringing electric window, seats and lighting settings onto the main displa y, while an LEDilluminated bar abo ve th e Con trol Cen tre all ows media, temperature and ambient lighting to be set using a di gitised slider, which varies its response depending how many fingers it detects.

When will it be available?

Volkswagen is already using gesture controls on the latest Golf, which brings up additional navigation and media controls when its proximity sensor detects a hand is a pproaching the screen. The concept shows that all-digital dashboards are likely to become a reality in the not-too-distant future.

THE NEW BMW 1 SE

Cutting an even more sporty appearance, the bumpers, front and rear, have been redesigned along with new-look headlights, rear LED lights and kidney grille.

Under the flowing bonnet, enhanced engines deliver class-leading performance and even greater efficiency across the range. The result is CO2 emissions from only 89g/km and up to 83.1mpg (combined).

Inside, the impressive level of standard equipment includes 6.5" colour screen with iDrive controller and BluetoothÂŽ with audio streaming.

To find out more visit www.bmw.co.uk/New1Series5Door or call 08081 280034.

Official fuel economy figures for the new BMW 1 Series Sports Hatch: Urban 25.9-72.4mpg (10.9-3.9l/100km).

Extra Urban 44.1-91.1mpg (6.4-3.1l/100km). Combined 35.3-83.1mpg (8.0-3.4l/100km). CO2 emissions 188-89g/km.

Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

RIES.

BMW Fleet & Business Sales

bmwcorporate.co.uk

The Ultimate Driving Machine

flashback a look back at the company cars of yesteryear

model Rover 75

D

sector compact-executive

eveloped with a no-cost-spared budget under new owners BMW, the 75 had the potential to make Rover a genuine contender in the executive sector. But its lifespan was marred by financial difficulties and ownership changes which arguably prevented it ever making its mark.

This was a marked step forward in quality compared to the cars built under British Leyland ownership, reflecting the high benchmarks set by Rover’s new parent. Stiff yet lightweight high-strength steels resulted in rigid bodywork, enabling luxurious ride quality and taut handling, while the double bulkhead between the engine bay and cabin, plus 40% thicker glass than anything else in the range meant it was incredibly refined.

The retro styling, a subtle nod to the P5 with its chrome strips down each side, twin headlights and real wood across the dashboard, was aimed at differentiating it from the sportier BMW range. Line up an early Rover 75 with one of the first “new” MINIs, and it’s obvious that the two were cut from a similar pattern despite never actually being sold together.

But its time in the spotlight was overcast by BMW hinting at a loss of confidence in its subsidiary during the unveiling at the 1998 British Motor Show. Within a year of production starting at Cowley, BMW sold Rover and MG to Phoenix Venture Holdings. Cowley became BMW Oxford, which still produces the MINI, and the 75 joined its Rover siblings in Longbridge.

Investment was ongoing under new ownership. The

28 / fleetworld.co.uk

UK sales 106,754

successor Roewe 750

Tourer launched in 2001, and was as high-tech as the saloon with its optional self-levelling suspension, clever load restraint system in the boot and tailgate glass which could open independently.

Carbon tax from 2002 re-shaped the engine line-up, which had included BMW-sourced diesels and 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of the Rover V6 petrol engine from launch. From 2002, the smaller V6 was swapped for a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder offering a 20% improvement in fuel economy.

The 1.8 and 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrols gained a factory-fitted LPG conversion option in the same year, and Rover even built a small volume of rear-wheel drive cars with a 260bhp 4.6-litre Ford V8 from 2003.

However, behind the scenes, the over-engineering was quietly being slimmed down. Phoenix gradually shed cost from the production process ranging from small details like nut covers and badges to more blatant cheapening like deleting seat piping and embossed leather and replacing the wood dashboard panel with plastic. A heavy facelift in 2004 removed most of the exterior chrome.

Production halted in 2005 as MG Rover went into administration, by which point the 75 looked and felt very different to its launch namesake. It was the last of its line in Europe, overshadowed by poor timing, but the overt Britishness has helped it live on. Under SAIC ownership, it’s still on sale as the long wheelbase Roewe 750 in China and South America, almost 20 years after it left the drawing boards in the UK.

bigger picture Real time telematics fleet information for a

A small box that could mean big savings for your fleet Our Telematics system allows you to track your fleet using advanced black-box technology, enabling you to control costs, monitor driver behaviour and increase productivity. Accessed through an easy-to-use internet based fleet manager portal, you can monitor your drivers in real time or through our comprehensive suite of management reports and dashboards from any PC, tablet or internet enabled phone anywhere in the world 24/7.

Whether you lease your fleet through us or not, our monthly charges are fully inclusive*, highly competitive and totally transparent. The ‘Plug and Play’ units are guaranteed for the duration of the agreement or contract term. *All prices exclude VAT.

Find out more about a free Telematics trial call 0870 333 2229 or visit makingleasingsimple.co.uk/telematics

Honda CR-V CR-V tweaks help to improve Honda’s game, reckons John Kendall.

SECTOR Medium SUV PRICE TBA FUEL 36.7–64.2mpg CO2 115–179g/km

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in April, pushing the diesel tax rate up to 23% for the new ore than 750,000 Honda CR-Vs have been sold engine. Even the new nine-speed automatic is rated at in Europe since the original model was launched 134g/km with 17-inch wheels. To be really competitive in in 1997, reckons Honda. The current model has fleets, this higher-powered engine could do with a twobeen with us since 2011 and the last major upgrade saw wheel drive option as offered on the 118bhp version. the introduction of the 118bhp 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel Honda has also worked on noise suppression and the engine to power two-wheel-drive models in late 2013. new engine not only delivers brisk performance, but Now Honda has taken the engine a stage further, introdoes so with little mechanical fuss. Because the car has ducing a bi-turbo version producing 158bhp, which will shed 65kg compared with its predecessor it also feels replace the 148bhp 2.2-litre diesel. Not surprisingly, more nimble, particularly for a four-wheel-drive SUV. given that the CR-V will be four years old this year, Honda Lots of gears means lots of gear changing for the ninehas also introduced a facelift with a range of enhancespeed auto, but it’s done smoothly, ments to go with it. while the lower fuel consumption and The 158bhp diesel is only available emissions will make it an attractive with four-wheel-drive. In addition to choice for some. the standard six-speed manual transEquipment includes the Honda mission, Honda has introduced a nineConnect infotainment system, which speed automatic, co-developed with ZF. will be standard with all trim grades This introduces a wider spread of above the entry level SE. It includes a ratios, so the CR-V can offer lower gears seven-inch display screen, connectivity at the bottom of the gearbox, useful for for a range of smartphones, with Mirthose who tow, as well as higher top rorlink to replicate the phone screen on ratios, helping to reduce fuel consumpthe car display. DAB digital radio is part tion at motorway speeds. of the package too.

The big advantage of the new 1.6-litre Honda has also added a range of i-DTEC motor is that while it offers more driver assist options based around campower than the outgoing 2.2-litre diesel, The new engine offers a era and radar sensing systems, offering torque remains the same and combined better drive than its 2.2an improved collision mitigation brakfuel consumption is reduced, down from litre predecessor, but ing system that can now recognise 50.4mpg for manual models to 57.6mpg pedestrians and oncoming cars. There for the 1.6-litre 158bhp engine with the two-wheel drive on both is also an intelligent adaptive cruise car on 17-inch wheels. For CO2 emisversions of the 1.6-litre sions, this means a drop from 144g/km control designed to anticipate cars diesel would furthern ahead cutting across during motorway to 129g/km, which represents a drop in broaden its fleet appeal. lane changing manoeuvres. Honda BiK tax rate from 24% to 21%, before the more punitive diesel tax rates take effect claims a “world first” for the system.

what we think

30 / fleetworld.co.uk

Kia Sorento The new Sorento is a far more accomplished SUV than its predecessor, says Danny Cobbs.

SECTOR Medium SUV PRICE £31,000–£40,000 (approx.) FUEL 42.2–49.5mpg CO2 149–157g/km

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he Kia Sorento has always ticked a lot of boxes, and The interior further underlines Kia’s determination and done it to the best of its ability. Yes, it could be commitment to prove this car isn’t following the pack anyargued Kia followed the trend, hopping onto the more. It comes complete with a compelling list of state-ofSUV bandwagon when it was safe to do so with a compathe-art standard equipment and a cabin trimmed in rable, better value vehicle, and with the added enticement high-quality, soft touch materials – it’s as if Kia had looked of a seven-year warranty. But it has always been led, at the all premium brands and said ‘we can do that, only rather than leading, and because its identity hasn’t been better’, and they have. as robust as others in the same segment Kia has struggled Kia hasn’t overcomplicated the buying process either: to find sales easy. one engine, two transmissions and four trims; with all However, Kia hopes the third-generation Sorento when cars receiving the third row of seats and a four-wheel it arrives in Q2 of this year will do much to change the attidrive system as standard. tudes of those who believe Kia can only Although economy figures have yet to produce second-rate facsimiles rather be confirmed (along with prices and than original and exciting cars. exact trim specifications), Kia has Apart from the name there’s revealed that the 2.2-litre CRDi 197bhp absolutely nothing recognisable in this turbodiesel engine mated to the sixlatest version from the last one: It has speed manual transmission will return been completely redesigned, inside and 49.5mpg with 149g/km of CO2, or 42.2mpg and 157g/km when fitted with out, and grown, both in width and in the optional six-speed automatic, which length (93mm longer and 5mm wider). shows an improvement of up to 2.6%.

The seating arrangement has also been It’s not just the Sorento’s aesthetics reconfigured, so it can now include a which exudes this sense of newly-found third row of seats, and there is much sophistication; the way it drives is infimore leg and headroom, and a bigger nitely more refined than its predecessor, boot too, with a loading area which will too. The electromechanical steering gobble up to 1,662 litres of cargo.

All the practicalities does numb the experience a little, but, The exterior styling was handled by a of a seven-seat MPV nonetheless the overall package is equal new design studio in Namyang, Korea, packaged in a wellto that of the new Land Rover Discovery while the responsibility for the interior Sport, and better by half than most of fell to a European design team based in designed SUV that now the Japanese offerings in its same class.

Frankfurt, and the finished article delivhas a more distinct Prices have yet to be announced but ers on all counts. They’ve smoothed out character and a more early indications suggest they will range its metalwork, so it has broader and involving drive too. from about £31,000 to £40,000 for the more global appeal, and is also less likely top-spec KX-4 model. to date as quickly as its predecessor.

what we think

32 / fleetworld.co.uk

Jeep with ®

It’s not business as usual.

So you think you know Jeep? Think again. The all-new Cherokee doesn’t just offer outstanding performance off-road, it’s also guaranteed to stand out in the office car park. Its efficiency figures catch the eye too, returning 53.3mpg on the combined cycle with CO2 from only 139g/km.* New Cherokee models are also available with a range of fantastic features such as our award-winning 8.4” touch screen entertainment system, unique in-car wireless charging pad for mobile devices and adaptive cruise control. Hardly your average nine-to-five runaround, wouldn’t you say?

To book a test drive call our Business Centre on 01753 519442 or email us at fleet@jeep-comms.co.uk The all-new Jeep® Cherokee from only £279 per month† The all-new Jeep® Cherokee. Built Free.

jeep.co.uk/fleet Model shown is Cherokee 2.0 140 4x2 Longitude at £25,495 OTR excluding optional True Blue special paint at £625 OTR. FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE NEW JEEP® CHEROKEE DIESEL RANGE IN MPG (L/100KM): EXTRA URBAN 55.4 (5.1) – 61.4 (4.6), URBAN 39.8 (7.1) – 44.1 (6.4), COMBINED 48.7 (5.8) – 53.3 (5.3), CO2 EMISSIONS: 154 – 139 G/KM.

Fuel consumption and CO2 figures based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. *Figures based on 2.0 140 4x2 versions. †Business users only. Rentals based on Cherokee 2.0 140 FWD Longitude Plus on Contract Hire profile of 6 rentals in advance (equivalent of £1674) followed by 35 rentals of £279, excluding VAT and maintenance. Based on 10,000 miles p.a., excess mileage charges apply. Vehicles must be registered with Jeep Financial Services before 31st March 2015. Offer subject to status, guarantee and/or indemnity may be required. At participating dealers only. Jeep Financial Services, PO Box 4465, Slough, SL1 0RW. Chrysler and CNH Industrial are Official Global Partners of the Expo Milano 2015. Jeep® is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.

Peugeot 308 GT BlueHDI 180 The range-topping diesel is a convincing warm hatch for fleet users, but it’s not cheap. By Mark Nichol.

SECTOR Lower medium PRICE £25,945 FUEL 70.6mpg CO2 103g/km

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hat we have in the 308 GT is, on the one hand, more conventionally appealing than the Peugeot. a sort of warm up act for the full-blown 308 But being slightly unconventional is a positive for the GTI hot hatch that will utilise the drivetrain of 308. Put that down to a cabin that’s the neatest and one the Peugeot RCZ R to create a 270bhp tearaway. On the of the best looking in the class, but also carries a little other hand, and of more interest for fleets, it’s a way of personality by way of its tiny steering wheel and high rationalising the trim levels of the 308 range and upselling instrument binnacle placement. user choosers from mid-range versions into a newly In this, a sporty variant, the small, distinctly moulded created “GT Line” range. wheel contributes to a real feeling of agility when turning GT Line replaces the “Feline” specification and gives into lower speed corners. The ride height has been lowlesser-powered three-cylinder PureTech petrol and fourered (10mm at the back, 7mm the front), but Peugeot cylinder turbo diesel models an obviously sporty enhancehasn’t poured concrete into the dampers, so it retains a ment: bigger wheels, body kit and supple quality that keeps it composed aluminium-effect trim parts. on the motorway. The 308 GT looks the The GT proper comes in a choice of part, with its fake tailpipes, gloss black just three. There are two five-door hatchdetailing and sequential sweeping LED backs, one with a 1.6-litre, 202bhp turbo indicator lights – but it’s still not a hot petrol engine and a six-speed manual hatch at heart. gearbox, returning 50.4mpg, and the When it tries to be a hot hatch it other a 2.0-litre turbo diesel BlueHDI, begins to fall apart – hit the standardwhich is automatic only (six-speed) but fit Sport button, for example, and a still returns 70.6mpg and 103g/km. sound emulator is activated, filling the We’re looking at that one here. cabin with a brilliantly silly V8-style Finally, the SW (estate) version of the howl that’s at complete odds with the GT is diesel-auto only, which for £900 car’s natural clattering diesel noise. more than the hatchback comes with a Sport mode also makes the steering boot worthy of the class above, at a masheavier, sharpens the throttle and tells Potent and well specified, sive 610 litres stretching to 1,660. the gearshift robots to hold onto the but smart money goes To deal with the cost first then, revs longer. on a lesser powered, £25,945 is a hefty P11D declaration for But that last quality is unnecessary, a Peugeot hatchback, and it will because the best thing about this 2.0more cost-effective GT undoubtedly be a deciding factor litre engine is its massive 400Nm Line version, which looks against the 308 GT that it’s in Golf GTD (300lb.ft) torque peak, making the GT the part and is slightly territory, costing more than both a feel a lot quicker than its 8.4 second more comfortable.

SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 184 and a Skoda 0-62mph time – pretty much the only Fabia vRS 2.0 TDI DSG. They are, all, quality that’s truly sporty about this GT.

what we think

34 / fleetworld.co.uk

GE T MORE BANG FOR YOUR BIK

Class-leading boot space 15% Benefit In Kind Low CO 2 emissions: 99g/km Sat Nav finds your way Stay connected with Bluetooth Made in Britain

Civic Tourer 1.6 SE Plus from just £215* a month (plus VAT) on Business Contract Hire £ 1,290 Advance payment (plus VAT)* Contract mileage: 10,000 miles per annum † Contract term: 36 months † Excess mileage charges of 10.05 pence per mile + VAT Prices for model pictured (which include optional metallic paint) start from £222.24 + VAT per month plus an advance payment of £1,333.44 + VAT. VAT may be payable at a rate of 20%.

Fuel consumption figures for Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC SE Plus in mpg (l/100km): Urban 67.3 (4.2), Extra Urban 78.5 (3.6), Combined 74.3 (3.8). CO2 emissions: 99g/km. Fuel consumption figures sourced from official EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving experience.

Contract Hire Terms and Conditions: Vehicles must be ordered between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2015 with registration and delivery by 30 June 2015. Excess mileage and other charges may apply dependent on the mileage and return condition of the vehicle at the end of the contract. Contract hire is provided by Lex Autolease Limited, trading as Honda Contract Hire, Heathside Park, Stockport SK3 0RB. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Offer applicable at participating Honda Dealers and is at the promoter’s absolute discretion. Subject to status, model and colour availability.

NISSAN LEAF / e-NV200 / e-NV200 COMBI

CHARGING AHEAD With a range of three models, Nissan’s industry-leading 100% electric vehicle technology delivers significantly reduced running costs for drivers, while contributing to improved sustainability for operators.

LEAF Comfortable, practical, quiet and fun to drive, the Nissan LEAF is the world’s best-selling 100% electric vehicle, proven with public and private sector fleets all over the globe.

Its 100% electric drivetrain offers a range of up to 124 miles on one charge, with zero CO2 and 5% Benefit in Kind for drivers, from April 2015. Eligibility for the £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant and running costs from just 2p per mile mean it’s as cost-effective for operators as it is good for their fleet’s environmental credentials. advertisement feature

To find out more about how Nissan’s industry-leading EV range can benefit your business, or to book a demonstrator, visit www.nissan.co.uk/leaffleet or call us on 0800 294 0579.

e-NV200 COMBI

CLEVER TECHNOLOGY Nissan is the global leader in 100% electric vehicles with almost 150,000 sold worldwide, and its technology makes zeroemission driving easy. The LEAF and e-NV200 can fully charge in four hours, or regain 80% of that capacity in 30 minutes at rapid chargers located across the UK. Both cars also feature CARWINGS, Nissan’s advanced telematics system, which offers detailed remote monitoring of your fleet’s mileage and energy usage, as well as smartphone control of charging and cabin temperature settings. For ease of use, the British Gas Home Charge Offer, provides a fully installed wallbox for £115, at the driver’s home address.

e-NV200 Within the footprint of a hatchback, the Nissan e-NV200 combines the manoeuvrability and cargo capacity of the NV200 with a 100% electric drivetrain derived from the LEAF. It offers a 106-mile range with zero tailpipe emissions, helping to improve urban air quality, while eligibility for the Plug-in Car and Van grants and running costs lower than any petrol or diesel vans, mean it makes sound financial sense for fleets, too.

As the battery is packaged under the body, it’s as versatile as its diesel-powered counterpart. The panel van includes a parking camera for urban use and can accommodate two Euro pallets in its 4.2m3 cargo area, as well a 703kg payload.

Combi drivers can enjoy 5% Benefit in Kind from April 2015, with space for five occupants and a capacious boot.

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®

ALL-NEW JEEP RENEGADE With best-in-class interior roominess and excellent driving dynamics combined with high levels of equipment and low pricing, the all-new Jeep® Renegade has much to recommend itself to fleets. ith over 70 years’ experience of providing iconic and legendary 4x4 sport utility vehicles, the Jeep brand is known and revered across the globe.

And while it may not previously have been a brand foremost in fleet managers’ minds, this is rapidly changing thanks to the current product offensive that now sees the Jeep Renegade SUV join its recently launched bigger brothers – the Grand Cherokee and the recently launched Cherokee.

All three models have been launched following huge investment by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and mark its clear intention to become not only a serious player in the UK retail market but also within fleet, helped by leading-edge off-road capabilities, state-of-the-art features and impressively low company car taxation.

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A GAME CHANGER The all-new Renegade stands out within the fast growing compact SUV segment in a number of ways, including its benchmark levels of efficiency and driving dynamics along with the best-inclass 4x4 capability that customers expect from the Jeep brand.

Importantly, although two-wheel drive models are expected to dominate fleet

take-up, those opting for four-wheel drive Renegade models will see little impact on fuel consumption and exhaust emissions thanks to the torque-sensing 4x4 system.

This incorporates a category-exclusive rear axle disconnect that improves fuel efficiency by only using four-wheel drive when necessary.

The Renegade is also marked out for its distinctive design, which introduces the iconic Jeep styling to the sector, including signature features such as round headlamps, seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches.

This is further accentuated by the option of two open-air roof systems: a large electric sliding glass roof or the uniqueto-segment ‘My Sky®’, which features two removable panels that can be stowed in the boot – fitting in perfectly with the Jeep ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’® slogan that’s recognised all over the world.

The cabin also sets new standards in its attention to detail with innovative colour combinations, high-quality materials, advanced technological contents and clever and functional storage areas – backed up by best-in-class roominess.

TRUE FLEET APPEAL The Renegade’s practical proposition is

further accentuated in a number of areas that make it highly practical for fleets.

This includes low running costs for fleets thanks to a range of efficient engines that offer fuel economy from 61.4mpg and CO2 emissions below 120g/km.

Equipment levels are also extremely comprehensive. In the UK, the Renegade range will comprise four different trim levels – Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk – with exceptionally generous standard equipment from entry level onwards that also sees higher specification models equipped way beyond the nearest competitor.

Safety and security were also at the forefront in the development of the all-new Jeep Renegade, which offers an array of advanced safety features, including six standard airbags, ESC with Electronic Rollover Mitigation (ERM), ParkView rear camera, Forward Collision Warning-Plus, with Mitigation, and LaneSense Departure Warning-Plus.

Finally, the Renegade also sets the benchmark for value for money. OTR prices start from £16,995 for the front-wheel drive 1.6-litre eTorq Evo 110hp Sport, giving fleets an opportunity to own an iconic brand with legendary capability for much less than ever previously possible.

To find out more about ALL-NEW JEEP® RENEGADE contact our Business Centre on 01753 519442, email fleet@jeep-comms.co.uk or visit www.jeep.co.uk/renegade

Kia Soul EV Kia’s flexible and characterful crossover makes a lot of sense as an EV, reckons Alex Grant.

SECTOR Crossover PRICE £24,995 (after government grant) RANGE 132 miles CO2 0g/km

E

uropean buyers may not have embraced the Kia Soul as openly as in North America but, with an electric drivetrain, it thoroughly deserves a big share of the UK’s plug-in market. The Kia Soul EV might just be one of the best electric vehicles available in the UK. The styling remains a moot point, and the EV’s aerodynamic alterations won’t sway opinions, but this is a clever car which works brilliantly in cities. It’s similar in length to a Nissan Juke, but the boxy roofline creates a roomy interior, and cabin aesthetics have advanced markedly in the latest car, lifted further by the digital instruments and large touch screen which are unique to the EV. The under-floor battery has reduced the depth of the rear footwells, but the boot volume is unaffected. There are rivals with more volume, but few can match the upright loading capacity of the Soul, and the EV retains the flat load floor and wide-opening boot of its petrol and diesel counterparts. For urban families needing versatility in a small footprint, this all works well.

As will the drivetrain, which comprises a 109bhp motor and a larger-than-normal 27kWh battery, offering a range

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Eco-warrior † – from only 85g/km CO2

Warm bums, with heated seats

S Hey good looking

of up to 132 miles. Performance is typically brisk off the mark, even in Eco mode, and ride quality is excellent on its small aerodynamic wheels. On a busy London test route, the display was indicating a range of around 100 miles.

Kia is bundling cables to suit domestic plugs and for public charging points and wallboxes, which offer a quicker charge. Soul EV customers will also get a free upgrade over the government-funded home wallbox grant, offering a full charge in four and a half hours, and uniquely that offer extends to company car drivers as well as retail buyers.

As an added string to its bow, Kia and Nissan use the same charging system, which means it can take an 80% charge in 30 minutes on a network spanning city centres and major routes nationwide and, in turn, it’s capable of occasional long-distance trips.

With pricing in line with key electric rivals, the Soul EV actually makes a better case for itself in the UK than the diesel versions. Sales predictions may be cautious, at less than 200 in its first year, and dealer support stands at 13 sites nationwide, but urban drivers seeking a versatile electric car have plenty of reasons to investigate further.

Streaming.

Bluetooth® audio streaming with IntelliLink infotainment

THE A-Z OF NEW

CORSA

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). New Corsa range: Urban 36.2 (7.8) – 76.3 (3.7), Extra-urban 57.6 (4.9) – 94.2 (3.0), Combined 47.1 (6.0) – 88.3 (3.2). CO2 emissions 140 – 85g/km. † = 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. All figures quoted correct at time of publication (February 2015).

FEATURE Business Trim

Built for business An ever-increasing number of manufacturers are now offering specific trims catering for company car drivers. But do they really offer value for end-users? Alex Grant finds out.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Business Edition What you get: Based on the Distinctive trim, adding: 6.5-inch UConnect system with sat nav • Auto lights, wipers and rearview dimmer • Electric lumbar support on front seats • Front parking sensors • No-cost metallic paint Which engines? 103bhp 1.6-litre and 148bhp 2.0-litre diesels (manual on ly), 1 68bhp 1.4-litre turbo petr ol and 1 73bhp 2.0-litre diesel (TCT only) How much? £1,900 of extra equipment (£2,410 with metallic paint), £1,430 lower P11d Monthly costs*: £719 (1.6 JTDM-2 Business Edition) vs £776 (1.6 JDTM-2 Distinctive) Notes: The Business Edition’s lower monthly costs are helped by a h igher residual value than the equivalent Distinctive version. Its two TCT -equipped drivetrains are also usually only available for the Executive trim.

Audi A4 SE Technik What you get: Based on S E trim, add ing: Mi lano lea ther • MMI N avigation Syst em Plus wi th Audi Mus ic In terface • Audi Parking System Plus • M etallic paint • 1 8-inch alloy wheels (not on Ultra or TDIe versions) Which engines? 2.0 TDIe (136bhp), 2.0 TDI (148bhp/177bhp, 148bhp Ultra), 1.8 TFSI (118/168bhp) and 2.0 TFSI (223bhp) How much? £4,025 of ex tra equipment (including 18-inch wheels), £1,000 higher P11d Monthly costs*: £999 (2.0 TDIe SE Technik saloon) vs £980 (2.0 TDIe SE saloon) Notes: SE Technik accounts for 46.4% of A4 sales and is also available on the A3 and A5 Sport back. The entry-level SE is only available with the 2.0 TDIe engine, and attracts a lower residual value, which offsets the SE Technik's higher P11d.

40 / fleetworld.co.uk

* data source: KWIKCarCost 3yrs/60,000 miles

Lexus IS 300h Executive Edition What you get:Based on the SE trim, adding: Sat nav • Leather upholstery • Heated front seats • Keyless entry/start • Front and r ear pa rking s ensors • A uto head lights, wiper s a nd rear-view dimmer • Cruise control • Dual-zone climate control • 17-inch alloy wheels.

Which engines? Only on the IS 300h How much? £4,490 of extra equipment, £500 higher P11d Monthly costs*: £1,011 (Executive Edition) vs £1,016 (SE) Notes: Larger wheels than the SE mean fuel economy drops from 65. 7 to 64 .2mpg, wi th 1 03g/km inst ead of 9 9g/km.

However, the SE loses an additional £500 through depreciation over a three-year/60,000-mile life cycle.

Skoda Octavia SE Business What you get: Based on the SE trim, adding: Sat nav • Bluetooth • Cruise control • Leather multi-function steering wheel Which engines? 103bhp 1.6 TDI a nd 148bhp 2.0 TDI wi th optional DSG, 108bhp 1.6 TDI Greenline III (manual only) How much? £1,330 of extra equipment, £150 lower P11d Monthly costs*: £757 (2.0 TDI SE Business) vs £766 (2.0 TDI SE) Notes: Also available on 1.6 and 2.0 TDI versions of the Yeti and Superb, SE Business offers the most-desired feature of the big-selling Elegance trim – navigation – at a lower price point. Popularity is ex pected to gr ow in 2015, i ts first full year on sale.

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Connected.

Sync up and phone home

U want one

V Value for money – from only £8,995

U THE A-Z OF NEW

CORSA I can see clearly now, with the heated screen

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). New Corsa range: Urban 36.2 (7.8) – 76.3 (3.7), Extra-urban 57.6 (4.9) – 94.2 (3.0), Combined 47.1 (6.0) – 88.3 (3.2). CO2 emissions 140 – 85g/km. † = 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. All figures quoted correct at time of publication (February 2015).

FEATURE Business Trim

¡

Toyota RAV4 Business Edition What you get:Based on the Active trim, adding: Toyota Touch 2 with sat nav, DAB and rear camera • Leather steering wheel • Cruise control • Dual-zone climate control • Auto wipers and headlights, rear-view dimmer • Chrome front bumper trim Which engines? 124bhp 2.0 D-4D, 2WD, manual only How much? £2,000 of extra equipment, £1,500 higher P11d Monthly costs*: £910 (Business Edition) vs £855 (Active) Notes: Introduced in January 2015, the Business Edition offers the bus iness-focused speci fication fr om t he I con trim for a £1,000 lower P11d. Insurance ratings are the lowest in the range, and there’s an RV uplift, but this loses £700 extra over three years.

Vauxhall Insignia Tech Line What you get: Based on the SE trim, adding: Navi 900 with IntelliLink and touch pad Which engines ? 118bhp, 138b hp a nd 1 68bhp 2. 0 CD Ti (manual), 161bhp 2.0 CDTi (auto), 138bhp 1.4 petrol turbo How much? £1,300 of extra equipment, £850 higher P11d Monthly costs*: £790 (2.0 CDTi 138bhp Tech Line) vs £769 (2.0 CDTi 138bhp SE) Notes: The r efreshed Ins ignia is good v alue, a nd w ellequipped even in the job-need tailored Design and Design Nav trims. The latter includes sat nav, Bluetooth and cruise control for around £60 less per month (with the 138bhp diesel engine) than the user-chooser tailored Tech Line, bu t does wi thout some convenience and cosmetic upgrades. Worth a look.

Volkswagen Passat SE Business What you get: Based on the SE trim, adding: Discover Navigation wi th C ar-Net Guide a nd In form • Fr ont fo g l ights • Tinted rear glass • Electrically folding wing mirrors Which engines? 118bhp 1.6 TDI a nd 148bhp 2.0 TDI, bo th with manual or DSG How much? £1,275 of extra equipment, £700 higher P11d Monthly costs*: £814 (1.6 TDI SE Business) vs £797 (1.6 TDI SE) Notes: With 80% of UK Passa ts expected to go to fleets, the SE Business offers the internet-connected Discover navigation from the GT trim plus a few convenience functions for the price of just the infotainment upgrade on an SE. Monthly costs are comparable.

42 / fleetworld.co.uk

* data source: KWIKCarCost 3yrs/60,000 miles

Volvo S60/V60 Business Edition What you get: Based on the ES trim, adding: Sensus Connect with High Performance Sound • Sat nav Which engines ? 113bhp D2, 134b hp D3 a nd 1 79bhp D4 diesels, 148bhp T3 petrol How mu ch? £5,000 lo wer P11d ( than S E N av), £ 1,180 less equipment Monthly costs*: £875 (V60 D3 Business Edition) Notes: Business Editions replaced the entry-level ES trims on the S60, V60 and V70, carrying the upgraded audio system and navigation from the significantly more expensive SE Nav trim. It accounts for 45% of fleet sales.

GOOD VALUE, BUT CHECK THOROUGHLY Although widely accepted to be a growing area of the market, only a handful of manufacturers offer trim levels which specifically target business users. Those with models in corporate-heavy sectors typically have a version which provides business-relevant equipment – Bluetooth, satellite navigation and cruise control – at a mid-level price point instead.

Others offer this as a pac k, such as the Executive Package on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class SE, or SEAT’s popular Technology Pack on the Leon, or t he T versions in Honda’s range which add a touc hscreen navigation system. Interestingly, though, BMW reported that the alterations to the rest of its range have made its business trims an increasingly small-seller.

Business trim levels have been welcomed by the leasing industry, who reported that most offer good value for drivers and have been popular as a result. But, they added, it’s worth the driver checking that these are available for the drivetrain they want, and checking that they don’t remove cosmetic upgrades such as larger wheels which may also be desirable.

Mark Jowsey, director, manufacturer liaison, KeeResources, says the growth in manufacturer interest show they are sustainable: ‘As a derivative in its own right, the car will have a forecast residual value that to some extent will reflect the additional equipment levels, providing the specific items are considered likely to have broad appeal on a used car.

‘For the company car driver it often provides a car which includes the equipment they would really like, at a cost within their budget and at a P11d price that saves them money on BiK tax. For the company it could mean a better equipped car for little additional cost, or in some cases no additional cost at all.’

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Gloves?

Who needs gloves with the heated steering wheel?

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Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights

P Flaunt it

Pay less P11D

X THE A-Z OF NEW

CORSA National Insurance Contributions down

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). New Corsa range: Urban 36.2 (7.8) – 76.3 (3.7), Extra-urban 57.6 (4.9) – 94.2 (3.0), Combined 47.1 (6.0) – 88.3 (3.2). CO2 emissions 140 – 85g/km. † = 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. All figures quoted correct at time of publication (February 2015).

FEATURE Jaguar Land Rover

Can JLR do an Audi...?

D DAB – never a dull moment

T Turbocharged engines

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J Just keeps going...

Up to 88.3mpg.†

Mine

Q Quids in for Whole Life Costs

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

Jeremy Hicks, Jaguar Land Rover UK managing director, discusses the XE’s position in the fleet market with Anthony Ffrench-Constant.

‘

companies that supply so many of the cars in the sector, and the There is space in the market for the XE’ considers JLR MD message is clear; it’s got to have car park credibility.’

Jeremy Hicks. ‘I think of it as a bit like the new kid going to ‘And that’s why the XE is so important to us. Go back to 2008 school, coming across the three big kids terrorising the playwhen the company had a near-death experience... The thing that ground, and lumping them on the nose.’ wasn’t cut was the product development budget. And that means ‘The big thing with leet is whole-life costs; running costs, cost we now have consistent new model availability; XF, F-Type, new XE of funding and residual values,’ he continues. ‘And we know we’re and the F-Pace coming...’ in a really good place with all of those...’

Jaguar dealers have also been gearing up for the XE launch.

‘Running costs? 75mpg. 99g/km. CO2? Great for Benefit in Kind. Funding costs? Properly competitive through our own in‘Truth is, we’ve had a job to do with our network,’ admits Hicks.

‘But we’ve been working hard with house financial services. Residual values? CAP gives us 45% over three them now for the past 18 months, ‘The XE completely preparing for growth, preparing years or 30,000 miles; that’s best-intransforms our business.’ class and 8% better than the BMW 3 them for leet corporate business. We Series. Done. now have 30 leet specialists (out of 90 dealerships) across the country...

‘We don’t have a smaller compact in the Jaguar range,’ he admits. ‘But very ‘They have to have a leet department, a leet manager, leet demos. few leet lists now are made up of just one manufacturer’s model range. They We lay out our requirements very offer multiple brand choice these days. clearly: respond to any enquiry Likewise, gone are the days when within two hours, service a car within ive days of a booking call, leets would tip up to a manufacturer and say “We’ll buy all our cars from provide courtesy cars, a collection and delivery service, wash and you; what are your terms?”’

‘Today, the driver has a lot more vacuum every car serviced... We power. He’s saying “It used to be a genuine perk wherein the taxamystery shop every retailer every month to check.’

‘We’ve got the car. We’ve got the brand. We’ll do it,’ says Hicks. ‘The tion never really represented the true bene it. It does now, so I’m XE completely transforms our business.’ With Jaguar currently sellgoing to choose, and I want that car.”’ ing 18,000 cars per annum in the UK, and 83,000 globally, Hicks ‘Moreover, badge and driving experience do still carry considwon’t put a igure against that transformation. But it does very much erable kudos in the leet market,’ considers Hicks. ‘We’ve spent a look as if the company is gearing up to double its annual production. lot of time talking to not only the drivers but also the leasing

K

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

Kind on BiK – from just 13%*

Z Zero VED

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

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

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

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FEATURE Jaguar Land Rover

XE ¡

Anthony Ffrench-Constant tries out a prototype of the new XE. Are first impressions good?

S

o keen is Jaguar to stress that the XE I’m driving – the company’s long-awaited riposte to the all-conquering Teutonic triumvirate of mid-sized premium executives from BMW, Mercedes and Audi- is not quite inished, that they’ve plastered the word “Prototype” all over it.

Though this smacks somewhat of pre-match nerves, Jaguar may be forgiven such jitters in the context of a car that probably boasts more all-new content than anything else we’ve driven in an age; new, 75% aluminium platform, new “Ingenium” 2.0 litre diesel from a new engine factory, new electric steering, new integrated multi-link rear suspension, all bolted together on a new production line.

Indeed, perhaps the least new element of the XE is its looks. It is a handsome enough machine, particularly in the bow department, where pop-up bonnet pyrotechnics satisfy pedestrian impact legislation whilst keeping the pro ile pleasingly low. But, in terms of a handsome frontage backed up by a sub-royal wedding

46 / fleetworld.co.uk

bridesmaid standard rump, it has more in common with the XF than the eye-catching XJ. On board, a clean, straightforward dashboard design boasts some nice details, such as the way the outer air vents cut deep into the door panels. But, to this eye, the centre console styling lacks showmanship, reminding me more of the paddle used to remove your Veneziana with extra pepperoni and anchovies from the wood-ir ed oven than a high-tech nerve centre.

Happily, however, the new multimedia touch screen is a vast improvement on its clunky predecessor (though still lagging behind class-leaders) and, though I personally dislike the angular steering wheel switchgear ergonomics, all other instrumentation is clear and functional.

The driving position isn’t quite ideal for this somewhat hastily constructed individual. The seat – as in all JLR vehicles – remains an area for improvement. Though streets better than an F-Type in the comfort stakes, it’s still not good enough to assuage my desire

to shoehorn a Mercedes-sourced alternative into place. Lob into the equation a steering wheel that doesn’t adjust low or far back enough, and it all feels just a whiff compromised. This is something a highmileage leet driver might well be put off by.

Rear seat accommodation is adequate rather than lavish, but competitive with the class average, unlike the boot capacity, which gives away some 25 litres to both the 3 Series and C-Class.

There are, though, no such issues with the driving experience.

Returning an average fuel consumption of 67.3mpg and generating CO2 emissions of 109g/km, the new 2.0 litre turbodiesel delivers a healthy 178bhp and 317 lb ft of torque (fuel and CO2 igur es for the lesser, 163bhp alternative dip to 75mpg and just 99g/km), delivered to the rear wheels with all the oleaginous ef iciency you’d expect of an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. This equates to 062mph in a lively 7.4 seconds, and a top speed of 142mph.

Power delivery is appropriately smooth, eager and effortless, though I should mention a tad more noise from the engine bay in the cruise than is strictly seemly; an issue which will, hopefully, be addressed before the car goes on sale in May. Jaguar’s irst outing with electric power-assisted steering feels a little elastic in top dead centre driving, but performs remarkably well when called into action, delivering all the effortless consistency, smoothness and accuracy we’ve come to expect from a Jaguar helm.

Saving the best until last, both the XE’s ride and handling are rather marvellous. Even in the stiffer R-Sport guise I sampled, the front double wishbone and expensive rear integrated multi-link suspension systems gang up with a bodyshell 20% stiffer than that of the XF to deliver a delightfully luent, stable and comfortable high speed cruise allied to truly engaging handling.

The undercarriage’s ability to wash away even quite nasty looking road surface imperfections whilst still delivering crisp turn-in, stacks of grip and grin-generating agility remains one of Jaguar’s strongest suits. Class-leading dynamics? Well, a back-to-back comparison is called for, but don’t be surprised to hear the sounds of Teutonic perch toppling in the near future...

Armed with the hapless X-Type, Jaguar’s irst excursion into this keenly contested segment was an unwholesome foray at best. At the second time of asking, the company has at least given itself the tools with which to do the job properly.

How JLR can thrive Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious growth plans, but can it match the spectacular fleet growth the German premium brands have managed over the past decade.

Steve Moody assesses it chances, and what it needs to do.

JLR needs more production flexibility Huge investment at the Solihull plant and a new engine building factory at Wolverhampton should allow JLR to tailor its production to market needs more speci ically, cut lead times and end its reliance on engines from other manufacturers.

400,000 new Ingenium engines will be built annually in Wolverhampton, and control of the production of its own petrol and diesel engines, rather than relying on supply from BMW and PSA, allows JLR to grow without being capacity constrained.

In Solihull, traditionally the home of Land Rover, huge industrial expansion has taken place to house XE, including a 54,000 square metre body-in-white production facility, as well as a inal trim and assembly plant too.

Also, an unprecedented £4 billion will be ploughed into research and development annually to bring new products and technology to market, while new factories in Brazil and China will take some of the pressure of feeding global growth off the local UK production, by allowing more lexibility and shorter lead times.

Jaguar XE 2.0 Diesel 180 R-Sport Sector: Mid-sized Premium Executive Price: £33,025 Range Price: £26,995 to £44,870 MPG: 67.3 (combined) CO2: 109g/km Tax Band: 17%

¡ fleetworld.co.uk / 47

FEATURE Jaguar Land Rover

Land Rover Discovery Sport

new nationwide fleet team ¡ AHistorically JLR had a relatively small leet team compared to

the other premium brands, although this has changed dramatically. A 25-strong local leet and business team has been appointed, for a start. The retailer-based team will mean that small businesses and user choosers – who are often neglected by manufacturers – ind they are treated in just the same way as retail customers.

As part of a major global investment made in leet and business, four senior-level managers have been appointed across both brands at head of ice, while the UK ield-based sales team has grown from 16 to 22, implementing a new direct sales approach for large leets.

Less retail

JLR has always been a strong retail brand, but to grow the focus will have to shift. Chris Newitt, Jaguar Land Rover UK sales director, says: ‘For the irst couple of years we expect to see 45% leet for total XE sales, and in the UK, we will have a cap on XE of 20% within group registrations and short cycle business.

‘We want to rebalance our over-reliance on retail and want to keep pushing retail but in a considered, sustainable way.’

One of the reasons for the attractiveness of more corporate sales is that in economically tough time, retail sales tend to fall much faster than business sales. Fleet gives the business greater stability.

Change market perceptions

Fleets need to see that Jaguar cars have extremely competitive whole-life costs, and this has not always been the case.

Ken Forbes, Jaguar Land Rover global leet and business director, explains: ‘Jaguar Land Rover has been seen as too expensive and lacking the cars that get us into the user chooser market. It’s not true, but perception is all so we need to break that down. We need to let leets understand that we have products that compete from 3 Series through SUVs to luxury.

‘Total cost of ownership has to be embedded in the DNA of the cars. It is fundamental to leet and it now sits at the heart of our product planning.’

48 / fleetworld.co.uk

Jaguar F-Pace

Sort out the dealer network While Land Rover’s dealer network has been fairly swimming in money in the past decade, Jaguar’s has been less well-served, and will need to significantly upgrade if it is to handle a flood of new fleet business.

Chris Newitt, Jaguar Land Rover UK sales director says: ‘We have got the network on ive and 10 year capacity plans to 2020, looking at what is the requirement of their sites, people and funding lines. When you enter into leet and business you need to know how you fund the business in terms of stock low, which is an issue the German brands had to face as they grew. Those plans are in place and have been worked on.

‘I don’t believe the size of the facilities is an issue as they used to sell more cars, but getting staff is important. We have taken people from BMW, Audi and other leet businesses, and I think that JLR is a very desirable place to work at the moment.’

‘If XE and Discovery Sport are indications of the strength of future products, then significant growth is surely likely.’

New Defender

It still needs more product

JLR says there will be around 50 new launches of product and engines over the next ive years, and even with the likes of new Defender, Jaguar F-Pace and Convertible Evoque in the next year or so, JLR still has Convertible Evoque some way to go if it is to match the portfolio of products the German brands can offer leet , not just in what drivers can choose, but in the way it allows business to spread residual value risk across a wide range of vehicles.

But if XE and Discovery Sport are indications of the strength of future products, then signi icant growth is surely likely.

Advertisement Feature

Is your fleet spend solution fuelling fraud?

Fuel card crime has risen sharply in recent years. It’s the fleet manager’s responsibility to ensure that their fuel card scheme is sufficiently secure to prevent fraud from costing their company serious money.

Third-party threats

The secure solution

Card theft by third parties can happen to anyone, with outright theft most common when cards are kept in vehicles.

Magnetic stripe cards are susceptible to opportunistic theft and, once stolen, are difficult to block. But the method currently favoured by organised fraudsters is to enlist cashiers to quickly ‘skim’ cards under the counter. Card details are cloned and sold on as prepaid fuel cards, which can run up huge costs before discovery.

Barclaycard Fuel+, in association with The Miles Consultancy, is designed to address fraud head on†. A Chip and PIN card, Fuel+ features real-time authorisation of every transaction – not just those over £50 – meaning cards can be blocked the minute a problem is flagged. What’s more, it includes Merchant Category Code blocking so the card cannot be used anywhere other than filling stations*.

More modern card schemes rely on Chip and PIN and real-time authorisation instead.

PIN usage prevents almost all third-party misuse and chip-powered cards can be blocked as soon as anything unusual is spotted. Chip and PIN also means that cards are not handed to third parties, effectively eliminating the chance of cloning.

Fraud closer to home You would think it would be easy to spot drivers misusing a card to fill unauthorised vehicles or jerry cans, but a determined thief can cover their tracks so well that it takes close analysis to uncover the truth – a level of audit that most fuel cards severely lack.

There’s a perception that low-level expense ‘fiddles’ like adding personal mileage onto business trips or claiming the wrong pence-per-mile rates aren’t worth the trouble of tackling. In actuality, such behaviour cumulatively costs hundreds of millions of pounds a year – far greater than more blatant forms of theft. Uncovering such misuse requires a sophisticated mileage audit system, so for many it goes unnoticed for years.

Experience gained from issuing millions of cards for over 40 years has allowed us to perfect our fraud management tools and systems. And because it’s a Visa card, Fuel+ offers both third-party fraud protection and cardholder misuse indemnity as standard.

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Put the brakes on rising fuel costs Chip and PIN enabled Fully accurate cost- per-mile reporting Global Visa acceptance Visibility of spend Dedicated customer service

Geared up to reduce your fuel costs It’s a system that puts the responsibility for accurate recording on your drivers, rather than cashiers in filling stations. Often the latter results in inaccurate mileage figures, due to input errors or drivers forgetting odometer readings whilst queuing. It’s by focusing on these often ignored ‘fiddles’ – the biggest area of abuse in terms of costs – that Fuel+ delivers an average fleet fuel cost saving of 25% in its first year**.

Barclaycard Fuel+. Miles ahead.

To take your fuel card security to the next level, go to barclaycard.co.uk/business/fuel or call 0844 822 2400*** †

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

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

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

SWOTTeam This month the SWOT Team analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the new Fiat 500X Cross against its closest rivals. Here is what they have to say...

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

GA Riding on the back of the hugely successful “500” badge can only be a positive.

GA In anything other than the supermini, other members of the 500 family don’t seem to have that same cheeky appeal. Price and non class-leading CO2 don’t help.

GA There’s no doubt that 500X can have a bite of the cherry in this sector but the question is how big and how much discount needs to be applied in order to increase its share of the market.

GA This is a competitive sector with well-established competitors already dominating.

AC Boot space is the lowest here, particularly with the seats down, although access is good. Quite high list price compared with the others, and this may count against it when it comes down to a monthly rental figure.

AC The opportunities are certainly very good for this vehicle; I can see many migrating from the 500 up to the 500X when they need a bigger vehicle but want to keep the style.

AC The Fiat 500X looks to build on the 500, and does a far better job of it than the 500L. The “Cross” is the better looking version, with its more rugged styling.

Expect decent residual values so long as it is looked after by the manufacturer with regards to short cycle volume etc.

MJ A good mix of petrol, diesel, two and four-wheel drive, with off-road or city styling. All crossover benefits apply with good visibility and versatility. Good looking, particularly the Cross, and should attract buyers.

MW The new kid on the block, and a very handsome car it is too. Well built.

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MJ In many ways the 500 has put Fiat back on the map in the UK, but the full customer experience has to be good – alongside good build quality – in order for it to gain mainstream credibility.

MW The 500X looks a bit expensive, and there are still many out there who won’t buy a Fiat on past experiences.

MJ This will help provide a broader mix of customers and a better profit opportunity for Fiat and its dealers. It targets a new sector so introduces new customers to the brand.

MW This sector is certainly the one to be in, as it is becoming more and more popular.

The 500X will hit the market at exactly the right time, as sales continue to grow for this sort of vehicle.

AC The MINI Countryman seems to be gaining popularity and the Juke still has a large following. Then you have the Mokka, Captur as well as sister brand Jeep’s Renegade.

MJ The sector continues to grow, with other new products due in 2015 including Honda HRV and Mazda CX3. Sister product Jeep Renegade may also offer some challenge.

MW Prices seem to have crept up, and many will think that buying the cheaper B-segment hatch will offer better value for money, without losing too much interior space. Manufacturers seem to have jumped on the bandwagon, charging a premium for the good looks and image that these vehicles offer.

Martin Ward (MW) Manufacturer Relationship Manager, CAP

Fiat 500X Cross

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

Mark Jowsey (MJ) Commercial Director, KeeResources KwikCarCost

Strengths GA 500 badge has been hugely successful, which should help.

AC Cuter styling than the 500L. MJ Good mix of drivetrains, 4x4 styling.

MW Handsome, well built, good features.

Strengths

MINI Cooper D Countryman

GA Drives well, MINI means strong RVs. AC Strong residual values.

MJ Wide choice of drivetrains and personalisation.

MW Those all-important MINI badges always help with sales.

GA Not the “cleanest” in terms of CO2.

AC Opinion-splitting looks.

MJ Five-door hatch has newer engines, could it hurt sales?

MW Assumed to be the most expensive.

OTR: £19,740 P11D: £19,685 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 111g/km RV*: £7,200 (37%) BiK: 18% SMR: £1,956 Fuel costs: £4,812 Insurance: £2,550 Finance: £2,657 NI: £1,548 VED: £60 Cost per month: £726

Strengths

Nissan Juke Tekna dCi 110

GA Stacks up well, has a good following.

AC Good value, plenty of equipment.

MJ 40,000 buyers last year – the 10th best-selling car in the UK. MW A huge success for Nissan, probably better than even they expected.

Standard equipment: • DAB Radio/CD with Bluetooth • Manual air conditioning • Rear parking sensors • 16-inch alloy wheels Optional equipment: • USB, multi-function steering wheel, armrest £495 • Metallic paint £480 • Satellite navigation £1,345 • Leather sports upholstery £1,280 • Auto lights, wipers, rear-view dimmer £210

GA Not the best looking.

AC Poor rear seat space.

MJ Engine refinement, boot space.

MW The amount of used cars reaching the market could affect values.

OTR: £19,165 P11D: £19,110 Fuel: 70.6mpg CO2: 104g/km RV*: £7,450 (39%) BiK: 16% SMR: £2,119 Fuel costs: £4,587 Insurance: £2,205 Finance: £2,580 NI: £1,345 VED: £40 Cost per month: £683

Strengths

Vauxhall Mokka 1.7 CDTi Tech Line

Weaknesses

Vauxhall Mokka

Standard equipment: • Uconnect with radio/ USB/Aux-in/Bluetooth • Cruise control with speed limiter • Climate control • Rear parking sensors • 17-inch alloy wheels • Traction Plus Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £500 • Sat nav, 6.5-inch screen £1,000 • Auto lights, wipers, rear-view dimmer £200

GA Will market share mean discounts?

AC Low boot space, high list price.

MJ Customer experience has to match improved build quality.

MW Looks a bit expensive, legacy of poor Fiat quality.

Weaknesses

Nissan Juke

Fiat 500X Cross 1.6 MultiJet-2 (120hp) OTR: £20,095 P11D: £20,040 Fuel: 68.9mpg CO2: 109g/km RV*: TBC BiK: 17% SMR: TBC Fuel costs: £4,701 Insurance: TBC Finance: TBC NI: TBC VED: £40 Cost per month: TBC

Weaknesses

MINI Cooper D

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

GA Huge discounts make it a safe bet.

AC Cheap price and low emissions = good BiK. MJ Bigger than the segment average, quality cabin.

MW A good seller, competitively priced.

Weaknesses GA Ageing and unrefined engine.

AC Poor to drive.

MJ More refined new 1.6 diesel is a better choice.

MW A bit of an unknown commodity.

OTR: £17,949 P11D: £17,894 Fuel: 62.8mpg CO2: 102g/km RV*: £6,600 (37%) BiK: 20% SMR: £2,544 Fuel costs: £5,157 Insurance: £2,205 Finance: £2,416 NI: £1,556 VED: £60 Cost per month: £702

Standard equipment: • DAB Radio/CD with USB/ Aux-in/Bluetooth • Sat nav • Cruise control with speed limiter • Climate control • Around View Monitor with blind spot/moving object warning • Heated leather upholstery • 17-inch alloy wheels • Auto lights, wipers Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £500

Standard equipment: • DAB Radio/CD with USB/ Aux/Bluetooth • Sat nav • Dual-zone climate control • Cruise control • Front and rear parking sensors • 18-inch alloy wheels • Auto lights, wipers, rear dimmer Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £545 • Auto park with f/r sensors £500 • Reversing camera £200

* 3yr/60k

fleetworld.co.uk / 51

WHY YOU NEED TO BE THERE! INDOOR EXHIBITION With over 60 exhibitors already signed up, the indoor exhibition area at Fleet Show 2015 promises to provide visitors with plenty of opportunities to discover new products, services and suppliers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

> INTERNATIONAL

> STOWE

VILLAGE CORNER THE LOOP

ABBEY COPSE CORNER WOODCOTE CORNER

NATIONAL PITS STRAIGHT

FARM CURVE INTERNATIONAL PITS STRAIGHT

CHAPEL CURVE

BROOKLANDS CORNER

WELLINGTON STRAIGHT

SPONSORED BY

HANGAR STRAIGHT

LUFFIELD CORNER MAGGOTTS CORNER

CLUB CORNER VALE

AINTREE CORNER

STOWE CORNER

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

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

SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

12TH MAY 2015

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

www.thefleetshow.co.uk

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

FEATURE Back to Basics

7 steps to better...

Fuel Management We talk to the experts about how to lower costs, improve fuel efficiency and gain greater insight into fuel spend. By Katie Beck.

Efficient vehicles One of the easiest and most 1 cost-effective ways to preserve assets, limit down-time, decrease road risk and reduce fuel consumption is to ensure all vehicles are regularly maintained. Vehicles that receive appropriate maintenance run more ef iciently and use less fuel, and regular checks to ensure vehicles are up to standard should be company policy for both business and grey leet vehicles.

Studies suggest that fuel economy can be improved hugely just by keeping tyres properly in lated. Encouraging all drivers to give a quick once-over of their tyres could result in signi icant fuel savings, as well as reducing the risk of a salesman inding himself at the side of the road with a lat instead of sitting down with a client.

2

Have an overview

Telematics technology, which is now increasingly used by businesses of all sizes, provides leet managers with real-time information about the location, movements, status and behaviour of a vehicle using GPS systems.

‘Telematics solutions are a proven approach to fuel management and provide leet managers the insight that is essential for them to manage the most ef icient leet of vehicles,’ comments John Cameron, general manager of Trimble Field Service Management. ‘Only this kind of understanding can give operators the ability to make truly informed business decisions.’

Organisations typically pay out almost a quarter more in fuel and mileage expenses than they need to, and telematics can offer in-depth analysis to make sure businesses don’t pay over the odds for fuel allowances.

54 / fleetworld.co.uk

3

Communicate with drivers

As well as providing an invaluable insight into the ef iciency of a leet operation, telematics can help educate drivers on the knock-on effects of their poor behaviour behind the wheel.

‘Telematics systems like Masternaut Connect can link fuel economy and safety to behaviour to deliver driver buyin,’ explains Alex Rothwell, chief technology of icer at Masternaut. ‘Once you have driver buy-in it provides an opportunity for “gamiication ”, by ranking drivers on their driver score and identifying areas where fuel economy could be improved.’

Using the information gathered, leet operators are well-equipped to educate business drivers on how making small changes such as accelerating and braking less sharply can help them drive more ef iciently.'

Alternative drivetrains For businesses that are determined to reduce fuel spend and have the capital to support the higher initial purchase price, electric and hybrid vehicles can offer a viable solution.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, to fully charge an electric car costs approximately £2-£3 and will give a typical range of 100 miles. Driving 100 miles in a petrol or diesel car will cost around £12-£18 in fuel. The cost savings will be even higher for drivers with access to an overnight low-rate electricity tariff.

Electric vehicle users can now apply for funding from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles to install a home charger for their vehicle, and British Gas and fleet leasing partner Hitachi Capital offer advice and support for installing office charging points.

5

Consider fuel cards

Driver training

driver training, such 4 Specialist as IAM’s Drive & Survive’s “Ecolution” training course, can reinforce the correct driving style for drivers who have been identi ied as inef icient or careless behind the wheel.

‘The art of eco driving is all about being smooth,’ says IAM’s head of technical policy, Tim Shallcross. ‘Keeping a fairly constant speed through all kinds of traf ic involves looking way ahead, anticipating what's going to happen and making small adjustments early. Most of us do the opposite; we focus on other things, never look beyond the car in front and stop when it does. Smooth, planned driving saves fuel and stress.’

Targeted driver training can also have signi icant safety bene its by encouraging drivers to be more observant and aware of their behaviour on the road.

While businesses are currently reaping the benefits of falling fuel prices, it is important that both operators and drivers are not complacent about fuel costs.

‘In most cases company car drivers have to reimburse fuel usage for journeys classi ied as private, which will encourage them to keep costs down by illing up at the cheapest retailers such as supermarkets,’ says Jenny Powley, sales director corporate at RAC Business.

‘This bene its the driver as they obviously have less to reimburse, as well as the business as they are using the cheapest possible fuel, which keeps costs down. Using fuel cards, which are mainly only used at supermarkets, also gives leet managers much more reliable information about fuel consumption across their group of vehicles.’

6

Avoid misfuelling The AA rescued 150,000 misfuelled vehicles in 2011, and according to Bruce Compton, managing director of Auto Fuel Fix (AFF), the rise of diesel has exacerbated the issue: ‘Modern diesels are quieter and less “diesel-like”, therefore it’s become far harder to distinguish between petrol and diesel engines. In many case the larger iller neck in diesel cars can easily accept both nozzles, and other factors such as tiredness and distraction can cause problems.’

As well as litres of wasted fuel, misfuelling can lead to expensive repair bills and vehicle downtime. While roadside drainage services, such as those offered by AFF, can help to limit damage when a vehicle is misfuelled, prevention is always better than cure. Misfuelling caps can be a low-cost way to reduce risk, and driver education about the correct fueltype to use is essential.

7

CASE STUDY: eco driving Commercial Group, one of the UK’s largest of ice suppliers, invested in IAM Drive & Survive’s Ecolution training in 2009. IAM Drive & Survive partnered with Commercial Group to identify elements of concern, and in addition, assess its need for on-going fuel savings across the leet.

Training took place off and on road, with each driver completing a three part circuit. The irst allowed the driver to complete an observed run, the second involved instructor training and the third was performed by the driver, using their newly acquired skills and techniques.

According to Commercial Group, all drivers experienced between 20% and 40% improvement in environmental driving in the six months following their Ecolution training, resulting in an average fuel cost saving of over £750 per driver.

CASE STUDY: using telematics Trimble’s Fleet Management and Driver Safety solution was recently deployed across Indesit UK’s leet, resulting in a claimed increase in miles per gallon of over 18%.

According to the domestic appliances distributor, improvements are owed to ongoing support from Trimble’s professional services team and its analytics technology offering, which resulted into a reduction in vehicle idling and RPM as well as an increase in more ef icient driving across the leet, indicated by improved Driver Safety scores.

In addition, Trimble’s Fleet Management solution has enabled Atlantic Tower Services (ATS) to decrease fuel consumption by almost 30%. Every month, the operations manager receives Fleet Management-generated reports from ATS headquarters on fuel station stops and fuel consumption, allowing better understanding of fuel utilisation at an individual level.

fleetworld.co.uk / 55

FEATURE Taxation & Funding

Part 1

Compare & contrast The difference between ECOS and salary sacrifice.

Professor Colin Tourick explains.

I

t sounds like the start of an exam paper doesn’t it?

‘Compare and contrast the reigns of Henry VIII and George III’. But “compare and contrast” was the expression that came to mind when we began to get some feedback on last month’s article.

If you didn’t read that article (you didn’t? why not?!) here is a brief recap.

Last month we discussed Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS). These are not particularly popular nowadays though they still have a small loyal following and can deliver significant savings. ECOS were developed to solve the problem that in some circumstances a conventional leased car could cost more to run than if the employee used a privately owned vehicle. So some employers changed their funding method from contract hire to ECOS. However, in solving one problem ECOS created another: some employers realised that by changing from contract hire to ECOS their costs had risen for some cars.

ECOS don’t always deliver tax savings for every car and every driver, so there were indeed situations where it would have been better to continue leasing.

To solve this problem the industry then developed “blended” solutions, offering both contract hire and an ECOS to the same employer at the same time, with individual cars being inanced using whichever product delivered the lowest after-tax price.

Last month one reader said that he thought that his company already uses such an employee car ownership scheme.

‘I think we call it salary sacrifice. Is an ECO scheme the same as salary sacrifice?’

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The answer to the question is no, there is no relationship between an ECO scheme and a salary sacrifice arrangement, though his question prompted the thought that perhaps it would be worthwhile writing an article that explained the distinction between these arrangements. So here goes: ‘Compare and contrast contract hire, employee car ownership and salary sacrifice.’

First, let’s deal with the things that these arrangements have in common. Under all three arrangements the car is ordered from a leasing company, the agreement is signed, the car arrives and you make a monthly payment for the life of the agreement. The leasing company pays for the annual vehicle excise duty and (at your option) for all servicing and maintenance. So long as you don’t exceed the agreed mileage and you return the vehicle in fair condition at the end of the contract, you don’t incur any additional costs.

Now for the differences, most of which arise because of tax and national insurance.

A contract hire agreement is a long term rental arrangement. You pay for the use of the vehicle and hand it back at the end. The employer gets tax relief (income tax for a sole trader or partnership, corporation tax for a company) on the rentals.

85% of the rental is tax-deductible if the car emits more than 130g/km of CO2 and 100% if it has lower emissions.

For the employee this is a company car so they pay Benefit-in-Kind tax based on list price of the car and its emissions (with some adjustments; e.g. if the car is unavailable for part of the year or the employee contributes to the cost of the car or if it is a classic car). The employer also pays Class 1A

SALARY SACRIFICE MATHEMATICS EMPLOYER

EMPLOYEE

Pays less gross pay

Foregoes some gross pay

Gets tax relief on the lease rental (100% or 85%)

Saves income tax on gross pay

Saves Class 1A national insurance

Saves Class 1 national insurance Pays Bene it-in-Kind tax

Pays the lease rental

national insurance contributions on this benefit.

A salary sacrifice arrangement is identical in almost all respects to contract hire, for both the employer and the employee. And for good reason: contract hire is the financial product underlying all salary sacrifice arrangements. The difference is that under a regular contract hire arrangement, where the employer is leasing a company car, the employer bears the cost of the rentals. However, under a salary sacrifice arrangement the employee agrees to forego part of their gross salary and the employer agrees to lease a car for the employee’s use.

By giving up a part of their gross salary the employee saves some income tax (at their marginal rate) and Class 1 national insurance but has to pay Benefit-in-Kind tax, and the employer saves paying some salary but has to pay the contract hire rental and Class 1A national insurance.

The upshot of all of this is that if the employee chooses a relatively cheap, relatively low-CO2 car, they will pay only a modest amount of Benefit-in-Kind tax and the employer will pay only a modest amount of Class 1A national insurance. By giving up the benefit of salary on which they would have been taxed at their marginal rate and replacing this with a low CO2/low list price car on which they will pay only a modest amount of tax, the employee can generate a tax saving.

The employer is happy to go along with this arrangement because it delivers a staff benefit to employees and also because they have the comfort of knowing that if the employee drives any business mileage they are doing so in a reliable, relatively new and relatively low CO 2 car – which is

often not otherwise the case when employees drive their personal cars for business purposes.

As salary sacrifice only delivers savings with relatively low CO2/low list price cars it is not typically marketed as a replacement for a traditional company car. Instead it is sold as a staff benefit for employees who would otherwise not qualify for a company car, and this is then funded by the employee through deduction from gross salary. But it is important to remember that in all other respects – employer and employee tax and national insurance, operationally, etc – a salary sacrifice car is identical to a conventional company car supplied on contract hire.

So, having described the differences between contract hire and salary sacrifice we now need to see how Employee Car Ownership Schemes differ. We will do so next month.

INDUSTRY VIEWPOINT A salary sa crifice arr angement is identical in almost all respects to contract hire, for both the employer and the employee.

fleetworld.co.uk / 57

MANAGEMENT UK Fleet Forum

UK connecting the UK’s fleet community

Join the

~ Formerly Fleet Academy

Fuel’s Gold?

Martin Wedge, Managing Director, OVL Group

Fleet World magazine’s UK Fleet Forum – formerly Fleet Academy – provides a forum where fleet industry experts can exchange views on a wide range of topics, from taxation to speeding fines.

At the heart of the UK Fleet Forum is a team of fleet professionals who play a key role in the industry, either as fleet managers, consultants or fleet suppliers. These fleet experts provide a regular feed of information that is posted on the website forum in the form of discussion topics.

Typical areas of interest include, but are not limited to: taxation, finance and accounting, legislation, environmental issues, fleet safety, insurance, fleet management, supply issues and security.

Fleet suppliers are permitted to respond to queries if it is felt that their response represents honest and impartial advice. This aspect of the service is strictly moderated in order to ensure that the quality of information provided remains of the highest standard.

We have already attracted a strong network of fleet professionals, and our expert contributors have submitted a number of thought provoking discussion topics, a few of which are previewed to the right.

We hope you will consider joining us in this exciting new venture into the world of fleet.

To find out more about the UK Fleet Forum and request membership, please visit:

theukfleetforum.co.uk

58 / fleetworld.co.uk

Fleet managers and finance directors may have great news for their businesses in terms of lower expense claims as fuel costs – so long the bane of their lives – continue to head south.

Currently, the average unleaded price across the UK is 109.8p a litre, according to the information group Experian Catalist. The last time it dipped below 110p was five years ago, on 3 January 2010.

However fuel prices are determined more by taxes than by the cost of oil. According to the RAC, if a tank of petrol costs £61, VAT and fuel duty account for £41, but with falling treasury revenues in recent years there will be no appetite in Number 11 Downing Street to cut the duty that it has already frozen for the last three years.

Indeed, in a General Election year, it could even be a recipe for increasing the duty as Government and Opposition try and out-manoeuvre each other to increase funding for the NHS, for example, which is still regarded as the political golden fleece.

But, we also cannot return to the old ways of “pump profligacy”. In the climate of adversity, we have learned so much about cutting costs and carbon and making the most of less.

Fleet managers have understandably imposed journey moratoriums and businesses are using technology more to stay in touch including video-conferencing and Skype, for example. I see this trend continuing, irrespective of the price of Brent Crude. We simply cannot go back to testosterone travel trends, the notching up of business miles to boost egos and expenses, no matter how low a barrel of Brent falls.

Tim Crighton, Director, County Insurance replied…

Pressure has been put on energy companies by the Government to pass on savings to their customers as oil prices decrease, so to then take any fuel savings from consumers by increasing taxation would be a politically risky move, in my opinion. People have been complaining about fuel prices for years as they went past £1 a litre and way beyond – increasing fuel duty would be a political hot potato.

debate...

Driver training vs the Black Box Mike Rees, Managing Director, Drive Alive UK Ltd A worrying trend has developed in the way that fleets are approaching driver risk management. Fleet managers, dazzled by technology, have, in some cases, been blinded to good old-fashioned common sense – and this is preventing them from maximising reductions in accidents and associated costs.

This can be blamed on an increasing inclination to choose just one approach to risk management, monitoring driver behaviour through telematics, when other approaches can work better and a combination of approaches works best.

It’s true that the presence of a telematics device in a vehicle can bring improvements in fuel consumption and some reductions in accident rates (despite the presence, with many telematics systems, of a dashboard-mounted box with a row of flashing lights that can distract the driver). But it’s all too easy to be dazzled by the disco lights and trend-setting technologies and forget one simple but inescapable truth: there’s little point in monitoring a driver’s behaviour if the driver hasn’t been taught how to drive more safely in the first place!

The fact is, high-quality instruction in the police system of driving will result in much higher levels of on-the-road concentration, observation and anticipation. Defensive driving instruction can result in significant savings in fuel consumption, greater reductions in vehicle wear-and-tear costs, and greater reductions in insurance and accident costs.

In my opinion, the most effective way to make a driver safer is through real-world on-the-road training with an expert instructor. By analysing the individual driver’s habits, the instructor can tailor advice, explaining and encouraging practice in techniques that will actually make a difference to that individual.

Training will reduce the numbers of driving “incidents” flagged-up by a telematics system, and if “problem” drivers are identified, the effective way of fixing the problem is not through questioning or criticism from a manager, but through training intervention.

Meet the experts...

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director, European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) Antonio is currently executive director of the ETSC, where he has been working since 2001. Founded in 1993, the ETSC is a non-profit organisation based in Brussels and dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by road accidents in Europe. Within the ETSC, he has managed several international research projects and road safety programs.

Natalie Middleton, Business Editor, Fleet World Group Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for 12 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World Group in 2006.

Prior to this, she worked on a range of titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.

Dean Bowkett, Technical Director and Chief Editor, Eurotax Glass’s Group Dean is responsible for the consistency and quality of residual values across the Eurotax Glass’s Group. He has also been a keen advocate for the closer integration of data and information across markets to provide a more rounded view of the industry and thus enable better informed decisions to be made. He is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and has over 23 years’ experience within the automotive industry.

fleetworld.co.uk / 59

MARKET OVERVIEW Telematics and Tracking

Ctrack

Box Telematics

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

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

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

Box Telematics provide market leading solutions to help Fleet Operators reduce costs and manage fleets efficiently. All solutions are powered by innovative telematics devices which are developed and manufactured at the in-house manufacturing facility based in the West Midlands. BOX Telematics’ web based portal provides an accurate view of real time locations of a fleet as well as advanced mapping overlays such as live traffic events, road speed and weather conditions.

Through their extensive Dealer network, BOX Telematics offers a variety of Fleet Management solutions based around any sized fleet. From real time vehicle tracking, to activity reporting, to monitoring of driving behaviour or reducing maintenance costs, BOX Telematics has the solution.

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

Contact: Sales Support Team sales@boxtelematics.com www.boxtelematics.com

Tel: 01675 434000

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

Motrak Fleetmatics Fleetmatics is a leading global provider of fleet management solutions for businesses of all sizes delivered as software-as-a-service (SaaS). Our solutions enable businesses to meet the challenges associated with managing local fleets, and improve the productivity of their mobile workforces, by extracting actionable business intelligence from real-time and historical vehicle and driver behavioural data.

Fleetmatics’ intuitive, cost-effective web-based solutions provide fleet operators with visibility into vehicle location, fuel usage, speed and mileage, and other insights into their mobile workforce, enabling them to reduce operating and capital costs, as well as increase revenue. Fleetmatics serves more than 24,000 customers, with over 523,000 subscribed vehicles worldwide.

Contact: Chris Morrell Tel: +44 (0) 7808 248 991 chris.morrell@fleetmatics.com www.fleetmatics.co.uk

The addition of fuel card technology helps make Motrak, a new next-generation telematics system, stand out from the crowd.

Devised by vehicle solutions business Motiva Group, Motrak can now integrate fuel card data to give fleet managers precise costs per mile.

Innovative internet-based software also features mileage capture, route overlay, driver league tables, traffic warnings and excess mileage alerts that can each be tailored to individual customers.

Motrak helps reduce costs, mitigate risk and increase efficiency with flexible pricing plans, free installation and exceptional levels of service.

Contact: Paul.Holdcroft paul.holdcroft@motivagroup.co.uk www.motrak.co.uk

Tel: 07836 228050

Seven Telematics

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

Join the debate... theukfleetforum.co.uk

60 / fleetworld.co.uk

At Seven Telematics we manufacture the world leading Transcan® temperature and data recording equipment.

Transcan® provides the standard in monitoring critical cargo conditions whilst in transit.

Other telematics companies profess to offer real time temperature monitoring, in short they don’t!

We connect our GPS tracking device directly into your existing or new Transcan® temperature recorder and provide live temperature monitoring with alarm alerts deliverable by SMS and/or e-mail to designated recipients, this in addition to all of your usual vehicle and driver management data including fuel economy analysis, digital tachograph interface, KPI reporting, fuel tank level, axle load monitoring, etc.

Contact: Sales Team sales@seventelematics.co.uk www.seventelematics.co.uk

Tel: 01636 550320

FLEETW RLD Navman Wireless

Phantom Ltd

Navman Wireless is one of the world's largest fleet management providers monitoring more than 220,000 vehicles owned by over 17,000 organizations worldwide.

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

Phantom Fleet tracking is the perfect solution for your fleet management; we provide both standard and bespoke services to suit any type and size of fleet.

After more than a decade of development our software has been optimised to help you reduce costs, risk and emissions while increasing productivity. Not only will you know who, what, where and when, but how.

Once you have taken all the available savings with the 4w’s (including, late starts, early finishes, speeding and unauthorised use) you can take even more by addressing “How”.

Give us a call to discuss “How”.

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

Teletrac, a Trafficmaster Company

With tracking experience based on over 150,000 units installed in the fleet and insurance sectors, Quartix has established itself as one of the most respected vehicle tracking suppliers since its inception in 2001. The award-winning system’s wide range of telematics-based features gives fleet managers the tools to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Ginsters, one of the country’s premier makers and distributors of savoury pasties, is using Quartix vehicle tracking to greatly reduce outgoing fuel costs throughout their fleet of vehicles.

In just a six-week period, the system reduced the company’s fuel consumption by a substantial 18%.

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

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

Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletrac.co.uk

Tel: 0870 0136663 www.quartix.net

TomTom Telematics

Telogis Telogis provides a cloudbased location intelligence software platform for global companies that require route optimisation, real-time work order management, telematics and mobile integration solutions for their mobile workforces.

Telogis is dedicated to enhancing the value of its customers’ businesses through intelligent integration of location technology, information and services. Telogis was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, with offices in Europe and Latin America as well as development centers in Austin, Texas; Toronto; and Christchurch, New Zealand.

Telogis’ products and services are used and distributed in more than 100 countries worldwide. To learn more about Telogis, visit www.telogis.co.uk or call: +44 (0) 203 005 8805.

Contact: Anthony O’ Halloran Anthony.ohalloran@telogis.com

Tel: 0161 476 4050 www.fleet-track.co.uk

Tel: 0845 521 1133

Quartix Ltd

Contact: Dan Catterall dan.catterall@quartix.net

Contact: Steve Cherry Steve@phantom.uk.net

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

TomTom Telematics is a world leading telematics solution provider with over 450,000 subscriptions worldwide. Our WEBFLEET platform is a Software-as-a-Service solution – used by businesses to improve vehicle performance, save fuel, support drivers and increase overall fleet efficiency. With 3 APIs – one in the back office, one around the vehicle and one on the driver terminal, WEBFLEET is extremely well connected.

More than 32,000 customers benefit every day from the highest level of security, quality and availability of our ISO 27001 certified service.

Our name has changed over time (TomTom WORK, TomTom Business Solutions) but our commitment to innovation and quality remains.

Contact: Giles Margerison uk.business@tomtom.com www.tomtom.com/telematics

Tel: 0208 8223605

fleetworld.co.uk / 61

Is your system internet based?

Is there any software or mapping required on the customers PC?

Does your system allow the geographical “ring fencing” of particular locations?

Does your system have the facility to send alerts by text message in the event of a security alert?

Does the system accept inputs from ancillary equipment such as panic alarms?

Can the system recognise and report on different drivers of the vehicle?

Does your system have a stolen vehicle location facility?

Can the police locate the stolen vehicle using your system?

Is it possible to export data from your system to other back office systems?

Can the device installed in the vehicle be updated ‘over the air’?

Do you provide web services for third party integration?

What is the minimum lease/ contract period for the device installed in the vehicle? (in months)

What is the minimum airtime/communications period? (in months)

MARKET OVERVIEW Telematics and Tracking

Ctrack

Flexible

Flexible

Box Telematics

–

12

12

Fleetmatics

–

36

36

Motrak

–

Non contract

3

Navman Wireless

12

12

Phantom Ltd

–

1

1

Quartix Ltd

–

3

1

Seven Telematics

–

0

0

Teletrac, a Trafficmaster Company

–

–

12

1

Telogis

–

36

36

TomTom Telematics

6

6

TRACKER Network UK Limited

–

3

3

Trakm8

–

12

12

Key to services

Service provided

-

Service unavailable

TRACKER Network UK Limited

Trakm8

TRACKER is the UK’s number one supplier of vehicle tracking services, with over a million systems installed to date. Award winning TRACKER Fleet uses groundbreaking patented technology to allow businesses to operate at maximum efficiency.

Cost savings are provided as TRACKER Fleet highlights fuel inefficiencies and reduces overtime claims. In fact, so confident is TRACKER it offers a ‘Fuel Savings Guarantee’ which provides customers with a refund to their subscription if they do not achieve savings of at least 10% in their first year. Customer service levels are improved as fleets are routed effectively, ensuring deliveries and collections are made on time.

Additionally, driving styles can be monitored to ensure best practices and compliance with duty of care.

Contact: TRACKER Sales enquiries@TRACKER.co.uk

62 / fleetworld.co.uk

Tel: 0500 090909 www.TRACKER.co.uk

Trakm8 is a leading M2M telematics company, analysing Big Data to design, develop and manufacture Fleet Management Solutions and innovative telematics devices. With an in house team of Big Data analysts monitoring the 2 billion miles of data collected per year, Trakm8 enhances their Fleet Management solutions to improve fuel economy, decrease accident risk and shorten serviceability downtime.

A number of blue-chip companies including Direct Line Group, The AA and Saint Gobain Group have partnered with Trakm8 and benefit from the range of Fleet Management Solutions and innovative telematics devices Trakm8 has to offer.

Contact: Nathan Piper info@trakm8.com www.trakm8.com

Tel: 03303 334 120

our fleet Kia Carens 1.7 CRDi “2” Manual FEELING a bit like Miranda in a hotel room, I’m working my way through all the goodies to test in the Carens. And I’ve spent the last couple of days trying out the Flex Steer function on the steering. This comes as standard and gives drivers a choice of a Comfort – with greater assistance for parking – Sport or a default Normal setting.

It sounds like a great idea but the changes are barely perceptible and I’m wondering a bit about why it’s been included in a vehicle segment that’s not really chosen for driving dynamics and on a vehicle that, whilst perfectly competent, is not the class leader for outright driving enjoyment.

That said, I think the “2” trim level features on our test model comes with the right level of kit. There’s family-friendly features such as the rear “conversation” mirror – handy for checking up on the kids – plus privacy glass and roof rails, along with nice touches such as the torch in the boot. And driver-friendly features include dual-zone air con, cruise control with speeder limiter, steering wheel-mounted controls, reversing sensors, automatic headlights/wipers and Bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming.

There’s a few things that I feel I’m missing out on from the “3” grade, notably panoramic sunroof, heated seats/steering

wheel, reversing camera and the rather intriguing aero blade-type front wipers with a de-icing system – which would be really appreciated at the moment – but I think our test model strikes the right chord for fleet driver needs.

Natalie Middleton

Peugeot 308 SW Allure BlueHDI 120 WHILE the white bodywork and relatively small alloy wheels on our 308 definitely add to the illusion of size, there’s a real sense that the SW represents an impressive amount of load-hauling estate car for less than £21,000.

The 308 range, subtly divided by slimmer allLED headlights from Allure upwards, is a stylish and upmarket addition to the C-segment in ways its predecessor never quite managed. The upside of this is, even in the lower trim levels such as this one, it’s still an attractive car.

Peugeot doesn’t have a fleet-specific trim for the 308, but Active versions feels incredibly well tailored to job-need users. Those for whom the enor-

mous 1,600-litre boot space (with the seats folded), combined with the ever-efficient 1.6-litre BlueHDI 120 diesel engine will make this a great workhorse.

Actually, from that point of view, top marks to Peugeot for including a stowage compartment for the load cover, and designing the rear seats to fold flush with the floor with small handles just inside the tailgate. Why don’t all estate cars include these?

The equipment here plays right into that, too. It’s far from poorly equipped, getting the 9.7-inch navigation, driver’s side lumbar support plus useful rear parking sensors and automatic lights and wipers to make long miles that bit easier.

Luke Wikner

the figures OTR PRICE £20,195 POWER 120bhp @ 3,500rpm TORQUE 221lb.ft @ 1,750rpm 0-62mph 10.1 seconds TOP SPEED 121mph COMBINED MPG 88.3mpg CO2 85g/km (14% BiK)

fleetworld.co.uk / 63

our fleet Volvo V40 D4 R-Design Lux Nav

IT’S fair to say that there is no chance of me ever losing our new long termer in a car park.

Painted in vibrant rebel blue, its light powder blue colour sticks out easily among a sea of black and grey cars.

The colour certainly suits the V40 though, contrasting well with the black tailgate and silver capped wing mirrors. It lends the V40 a sporty air, especially when fitted with the R-Design sports trim pack which adds a subtle bodykit and 18-inch charcoal alloy wheels.

As a standard package, the R-Design looks the business and offers user-choosers another avenue to pursue other than a Mercedes-Benz

A-Class, BMW 1-Series or Audi A3.

Inside it’s a match for all of them too, with a well-crafted cabin with an excellent multimedia system controlling everything from navigation and stereo to interior lighting ambience.

However, it should tick all the boxes considering its £28,220 pricetag – and even more so when you consider the choice options fitted to our car take the total price up to a fairly unrealistic £35,000.

Not that I’m complaining – all these goodies means I’ve got a lot of exploring to do with our V40’s features.

Julian Kirk

OTR PRICE £28,420 POWER 190bhp @ 3,500rpm TORQUE 295lb.ft @ 1,750rpm 0-62mph 7.4 seconds TOP SPEED 143mph COMBINED MPG 74.3mpg CO2 99g/km (15% BiK)

the figures

BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Touring WITH the Jaguar XE making large prelaunch PR waves and the new Mercedes C-Class looking a very capable thing, BMW has given me a few 3 Series’ to drive over the next few months, probably

64 / fleetworld.co.uk

to just gently remind me (and you) what a very marvellous thing it is.

So for the first couple of months I’m driving a 320d EfficientDynamics Touring auto, and I think its plan is working. It really is a superb car, managing to be effortless and comfortable, with a first class cabin (especially the infotainment system which is the best there is).

The boot is bigger than I remember, but that may be because my children don’t require a task force of pushchairs, clothes and changing bags as they did

the last time I ran one of these. I also think the hatch rear window that you can open rather than the full boot is amazingly useful for throwing things in or filling the boot right up without all that pushing, shoving, and slamming. Why doesn’t every estate car have this feature?

It’s also returning excellent fuel economy in the early 50s mpg (it is full of family most of the time), while official CO2 emissions of 112g/km mean you get a lot of car for not a lot of tax. An impressive start.

Steve Moody

Mazda3 2.2D SE-L Nav

Renault ZOE Dynamique Zen

NEW products have been a real asset to Mazda in the last couple of years, and the importance of a strong proposition in the competitive C-segment has been outlined by this car’s sales performance across Europe during 2014.

Launched at the start of the year, it’s become the carmaker’s second biggest-seller across Europe and the most popular part of the UK line-up in that time.

Mazda sold just less than 50,000 Europe-wide and 9,174 in the UK last year, up 82% and 68% respectively on 2013’s figures.

Significantly, this means the CX-5 crossover and Mazda3 – the core of its C-segment range – accounted for a combined 45% of UK sales and 60% of European sales in 2014.

Its time with the Fleet World team has left us in no doubt as to why. Beyond its styling, I’ve found it’s exceedingly fuel efficient and a confident long-distance car which might actually make you question moving up to something larger. Plus, by staying relatively small, it’s making the most of that now fully run-in 2.2-litre diesel engine.

Inside, everything is clearly laid out, solidly built and wrapped around the driver. I’m finding the heated seats on our SE-L version are usually the first buttons I’m reaching for now temperatures have dropped. Other staffers have also remarked that the driving position is excellent; it’s certainly not a car which leaves you aching after a long drive.

Cars such as the Focus, Golf and Astra have traditionally set the benchmarks for this segment, but the market is broadening and it’s getting harder to pull a shortlist together these days. So it speaks volumes that despite flexible small MPVs, high-riding crossovers or the plethora of newcomers (including competitive premium brands) to the C-segment, the Mazda3 remains a convincing choice.

Anne Dopson

THE SMMT reported 6,697 EV registrations in 2014, which means thousands of new owners are now experiencing their first winter with their new cars.

Batteries suffer in really cold weather, and like me I guess they’re noticing a difference. In freezing conditions the ZOE offers less than 65 miles to a charge, a 20% reduction, not helped by needing to keep the windows demisted.

That’s still plenty for urban use, but it’s made motorways challenging. The ZOE can still get between rapid chargers on 80-85% capacity, but only just, and the knock-on effect is a longer stop each time.

Frustrating, but bearable.

Alex Grant

Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC SE-T

OTR PRICE £21,345 POWER 148bhp @ 4,500rpm TORQUE 280lb.ft @ 1,800rpm 0-62mph 8.1 seconds TOP SPEED 130mph COMBINED MPG 68.9mpg CO2 107g/km (17% BiK)

CONTRARY to popular belief journalists don’t simply ask for a new car once the current one gets dirty. Long termers get the same cleaning treatment as my own cars.

It’s when you get so up close and personal that you realise quite how well the Honda has been put together. Some of the panel gaps are so tight that they would make line workers in Ingolstadt weep. Go Swindon!

The CR-V has experienced a slight quality wobble however, showing a low tyre pressure warning twice now for no reason.

I’m betting the sensor is not a Honda part.

Dan Gilkes

the figures fleetworld.co.uk / 65

our fleet Volkswagen Golf GTD

SUPPLIER

DIRECTORY electric vehicle charging

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

ONCE a month, on the Jeremy Vine midday Radio 2 show, he invites leading thinkers and writers from religion, philosophy, entertainment and sport to the studio to discuss their thoughts on the very essence of human existence, and what makes us human.

Anyway, I only mention it because I happened to stumble across this feature while recently driving our long-termer Golf GTD, and it got me thinking; why is everyone in the office so reticent about giving up the right to drive this particular car? What does make this car so special?

We’ve got bigger, more expensive and

better equipped cars on the fleet, but yet, for anyone who has driven it, this Golf can stir up the emotions like no other.

And then, after this question had been gnawing away at me for a while (a gridlocked M25 can play strange things to the mind), the penny finally dropped; it’s better to have a little of something that’s precious than to have a lot of mediocrity.

But here’s the thing; there’s absolutely nothing mediocre about this car, and that’s why the next person who wants to drive this Golf will have to wrestle the key out of my rigor mortis clenched fist.

Danny Cobbs

accident management Selsia Vehicle Accident Centres Ltd

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

Total Accident Management Tel: 0845 078 4157 www.totalaccman.co.uk

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

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

THE Insignia continues to impress, having settled down to an indicated overall average of 54mpg on the car’s trip computer, a major advantage for a large estate car.

Comfortable and spacious accommodation is another attraction.

There are a couple of curiosities too. I plug in my iPad for music when on the road and controlling it from the touch screen is an

66 / fleetworld.co.uk

art I haven’t mastered. Whatever track I choose can result in a completely random selection of music and I can’t work out why. I will have to investigate further.

Last week I was driving a Jeep Cherokee, powered by the same basic 1,956cc engine but with Fiat’s development of it with 136hp (you might remember that the engine was jointly developed by Fiat and GM in its original form). The refinement was impressive, while the Vauxhall installation develops more of the diesel rumble. The Cherokee’s refinement would suit the Insignia very well and perhaps it’s the result of the Insignia’s older design. It settles down to a peaceful hum on the motorway, but is more vocal under acceleration.

Otherwise the Country Tourer is a pleasure to travel in, offering the driver a range of comfort and performance settings.

John Kendall

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

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

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

FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY contract hire, leasing & finance Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

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

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

daily rental

risk management

fleet management software

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

AA DriveTech Tel: 01256 495732

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

DriveTech

Vehicle Management

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

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

Arnold Clark Car and Van Rental Tel: 0845 702 3946

sgfleet Tel: 0845 154 0721 www.sgfleet.com

Volkswagen Group Leasing Tel: 0870 333 2229

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

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

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

Roadmarque Tel: 0845 053 0331 www.roadmarque.com

Drive Software Solutions Tel: 01438 317731

www.volkswagengroupleasing.co.uk

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

www.drivesoftwaresolutions.com

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

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

Cardinus Risk Management Tel: 01733 426015

Tel:0121 288 5935/07815 601622

www.cardinus.com

www.soficoservices.com

Maxxia 020 7520 9450 www.maxxia.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

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

Lex Autolease

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

Total Leasing Solutions for your business

www.AAdrivetech.com/fleetsafe

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

Sofico

Telephone 0113 250 0060

www.jct600vehicleleasingsolutions.co.uk

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

November 2014

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

interview Michael O’Shea of Volkswagen

stopping power Why fleets should check their brakes

car valeting MODELPUPIL Behind the wheel of Tesla’s remarkable Model S

Val-Tech Solutions Ltd Tel: 0333 011 6540 www.val-techsolutions.co.uk

2014

MPG Marathon

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

telematics & tracking

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

misfuelling

fuel management

AFF Tel: 0844 879 4770 www.autofuelfix.com

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

Trakm8 Tel: 01747 858 444 www.trakm8.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

fleetworld.co.uk / 67

fuel management

The next big thing Since the advent of CO 2-based taxation some 13 years ago, the diesel car has been top dog for fleet drivers. But could stringent Euro 6 emissions standard requirements spell the end of diesel’s domination, asks Greg Taylor, Operations Director at ALD Automotive.

W

hen the current Benefit in Kind company car tax system was introduced on 6 April 2002, it was a monumental day for diesels. By switching to a carbon-based system, the then Government gave dieselengined cars a massive boost, with fleets quick to recognise the benefits of switching away from petrol.

But since then diesel has faced criticism as its ill effects on air quality have come under focus and concerns mount over the perceived failure of Euro vehicle emission standards for diesel vehicles to deliver anticipated reductions in NOx emissions – a cause of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses and even premature death.

As increasingly tightening Euro 6 vehicle emissions standards take their toll too, one of the most pressing questions for both the fleet industry and the automotive sector at large is still what will be the next major fuel for cars.

The last decade or so has not been all bad news for diesels though. Certainly if you look at CO2 emissions – which of course is a major cause of climate change – the widespread switch to diesels has played a major role in reducing these.

This is borne out by the average emissions for new cars added to the ALD Automotive fleet. Back in 2004, this figure stood at 168g/km, dropping steadily over the next 10 years to 122g/km. But since then it has stabilised at around the 121-122g/km level, perhaps indicating that – for diesels anyway – the biggest reductions are now behind us. So the pressing question on everyone’s lips is what will drive the next reduction in CO2.

Certainly if you look at the situation for diesel vehicles, it has become increasingly complicated following the introduction of the Euro 6 emissions standard, which has prompted many car manufacturers to turn to Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to comply with the new, far more stringent NOx levels.

The problem for fleets is that SCR engines require a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), which has led many carmakers to adopt AdBlue. Whilst this means that NOx levels are reduced to near-zero levels without compromising perContact ALD Automotive:

68 / advertisement feature

t 0870 0011181

formance, it does also force fleets to get to grips with all the attendant issues of the AdBlue system – from the actual costs involved with buying the additive itself to the issue of dealing with breakdowns and fleet downtime caused by vehicles running out of the fluid. Further adding to the confusion are the varying capacities in AdBlue tanks, actual day-to-day consumption of AdBlue and the wide discrepancies between different manufacturers’/vehicles’ service intervals, which could leave drivers stranded by the roadside.

Could this even see fleets revert to petrol as fuel prices decline and more efficient petrol models are launched without the need for any complicated exhaust fluids to be added? In 2014, our vehicle registration fuel types were 30.5% petrol, 69.0% diesel and 0.5% alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs), but this will likely be subject to change for 2015.

And on the subject of AFVs, the rise of increasingly practical and well-priced vehicles could further complicate the matter. Just weeks into 2015, there has been a large number of announcements about forthcoming plug-in hybrids, such as the newly launched Volkswagen Golf GTE, and this year is fast shaping up to be the tipping point for fleet take-up. In fact the BVRLA has said that it predicts the extra £200m in plug-in car grant funding allocated by the Government last year – which will cover up to 50,000 more plug-in car grants – could be exhausted

by July 2016.

2015 will also see the launch of the Toyota Mirai, the UK’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell car, with more models set to follow. And as the UK hydrogen infrastructure expands, it is likely that a growing number of drivers will start to appreciate the easy of refuelling hydrogen fuel cell cars compared to electric vehicles.

Perhaps the only thing that is certain for 2015 is that fleets will need to take a good hard look at their operations and requirements to ascertain what will be the best vehicle solution/s for them going forwards, helped by consultancy services such as ALD Automotive’s AutoSolutions specialist division.

To find out more about how ALD Automotive can help you review and, if necessary, reconsider your fleet policy, contact ukinfo@aldautomotive.com or phone 0870 00 111 81.

e ukinfo@aldautomotive.com

w www.aldautomotive.co.uk

VAN

February 2015

FLEETW RLD

p79 Iveco has every base covered with the new Daily and the improvements to the driving experience are impressive.

at a glance driven...

Volkswagen Crafter and Iveco Daily

plus...

Fuel management INTERVIEW: Sebastiano Fedrigo, director, Fiat Professional vanfleetworld.co.uk

inbusiness

Corsavan debuts at CV show

V

auxhall is set to debut the latest Corsavan range at this year’s CV Show in April. Based on the three-door compact car, Corsavan will be offered with a 1.2litre petrol engine delivering 70hp, or a choice of 1.3-litre CDTi diesel engines offering 75hp and 95hp.

The Euro 6 compliant diesel engines will come as standard with Start/Stop, taking maximum fuel consumption to 83.1mpg and helping to cut emissions to just 90g/km on the 95hp version.

Driver ergonomics have been improved with new supportive seats and reduced levels of noise and harshness in the cab.

A host of options allow customers to tailor the van to their operation, including Vauxhall’s IntelliLink infotainment smartphone integration through a seven-inch touchscreen.

New extras include a Winter Pack that incorporates heated seats and a heated steering wheel,

while a Technical Pack adds forward collision alert, lane departure warning, a rear facing camera, traf ic sign recognition and following distance indicator.

A Corsavan Sportive will be offered with standard air conditioning, metallic paint, alloy wheels, heated windscreen, sports seats, cruise control, auto wipers and front fog lights.

Service intervals have been stretched to one year/20,000 miles and Vauxhall is offering the van with four years’ 0% finance, four years’ servicing, four years’ roadside assistance and a four year warranty. Prices start at just £11,858.

veco is looking to open 10-15 new van outlets this year across the UK and Ireland, in an attempt to boost retail and SME sales.

‘We as Iveco have struggled as a retail brand,’ admitted new managing director Bob Lowden.

‘Our bedrock is solid commercial fleet business. We will be focussing our efforts on those operators in 2015 of course, but we need to do more in the retail sector. For that we need to be more visible with a wider dealer footprint.’

70 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

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

Van Excellence on the road again in 2015 The FTA is once again holding Van Excellence Operational Briefings, in association with Mercedes-Benz, on March 24 at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey a nd on Ma rch 27 a t t he National M otorcycle M useum, Birmingham. Speakers will include Adrian Long, director of policy and stakeholder ma nagement a t t he DVSA, chief inspector Paul Keasey of West Mid lands Po lice a nd T im Ridyard of Woodfines Solicitors.

UK CV manufacturing on the rise in 2015

Iveco targets retail and SME growth

I

inshort

He said that for many potential retail customers, existing dealers are simply too far away from their operating base.

However with a new Daily range now arriving in the UK he is keen to boost van sales across the UK. ‘We will be looking to extend the current network with Daily specialists and through scouting new businesses that want to sell Daily,’ said Mr Lowden.

That doesn’t necessarily mean vehicle dealers either, van or truck. As part of CNH Industrial now, Mr Lowden is also considering whether there are opportunities for Daily to be sold through Case and New Holland agricultural and construction equipment dealers.

This could be a particularly useful outlet stream for the new Daily 4x4, which will now come in both traditional hardcore off-road form and as an occasional 4x4 on-road van.

UK c ommercial v ehicle ma nufacturing ou tput r ose by 1 2.6% in December, the first month of growth since July 2013.

‘The growth of c ommercial vehicle manufacturing output in December represents a turning point in the sector’s fortunes,’ said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.

‘A ramping up of new model production, as w ell as a t hriving home market, is expected to yield a stronger 2015, while the effects of restructuring in 2013 will no longer be felt.’

Outlander PHEV fuel correction In t he January issue of VFW we stated t hat i t w as no t poss ible t o achieve Mitsu bishi’s quot ed c ombined fue l c onsumption figure of 148mpg f or t he Ou tlander PHE V Commercial. It has been pointed out that this figure is indeed ac hievable and may even be exceeded if, in line with New European Drive Cycle test procedures, much of the journey is carried out on electric power.

NEW VIVARO BEST IN CLASS

NEW VIVARO BUILT TO TAKE IT ALL Welcome to a whole new van for a whole new world of work. The latest award-winning BiTurbo engines deliver more power, torque and economy. FlexCargo gives you class-leading load length.

And a new design means it’ll take any job in its stride. No wonder What Van? has awarded the New Vivaro Medium Van of the Year for 2015.

Call 0845 740 0777 or visit vauxhall.co.uk/newvivaro Model shown includes FlexCargo, not available on all models.

inbusiness

SsangYong hits VAT threshhold

S

sangYong has equipped its Korando Sports pick-up with revised rear springs that offer a payload increase to 1,050kg, and a 2.7-tonne towing capacity.

The pick-up does retain independent coil springs at the rear however, providing a far more comfortable ride than many of its leaf-sprung competitors.

By taking the load rating over 1.0-tonne, VAT registered customers will now be able to reclaim the tax on the truck. With prices starting at just £14,995 and the reassurance of a ive year/limitless mileage warranty, the Korando is looking even better value.

SsangYong sold around

200 Korando Sports trucks in the UK last year, but marketing director Steve Gray has high hopes for the revised truck in 2015.

‘I’d be very disappointed if we didn’t double sales this year,’ he said.

‘We also ought to do 10% of Rexton and Korando sales as commercials too.’

To help push this growing range of allwheel drive LCVs, SsangYong is hoping to increase its dealer network from 60 to around 75, though Mr Gray admits this might not all be this year. He is buoyant about the firm’s prospects however, as SsangYong doubled its overall sales in 2014 compared to the previous year.

Volkswagen to launch in-house telematic solution

V

olkswagen Commercial Vehicles is launching its own telematic system, to provide fleet managers with a cost-effective fleet monitoring solution from a single supplier. Produced in partnership with the RAC, the telematic system is a universal fit, using the vehicle’s on-board diagnostic port to provide real-time operating data.

This means that customers can use the telematic solution on older Volkswagen vehicles too and on non- Volkswagen vans.

The Volkswagen telematic portal can be accessed through a laptop, tablet or smartphone and the system will offer a Driverline concierge service, that allows customers to book in service and maintenance work at their local Volkswagen Van Centre.

Designed as an all-inclusive deal, with no additional options, the telematic system

74 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

is priced at £12.50 per month for each vehicle on a 36 month contract.

‘Our telematics system is a comprehensive solution, which can help companies to reduce fuel costs, extend the life span of parts and components and optimise vehicle efficiency,’ said Kevin Rendell, head of service and parts.

‘It is much more than just a method for tracking driver behaviour and vehicle locations.’

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

Fixed price service packs for Daily Iveco is la unching Servic e Pac k, a vehicle ma intenance pac kage f or vans on which the original warranty has expired. The Sma rt Pack allows three service visits with three oil and filter changes o ver three years, for a fixed price of £149. The Relax Pack will cost £299 and permits three service visits to include engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter and cab filter along with a full system brake diagnostic at each visit.

Single-source telematics for Fraikin Commercial vehicle provider Fraikin has joined forces with Masternaut to introduce mySmartFleet, a telematics package that aims to deliver costs savings and productivity improvements.

Using C ANbus ac quisition t echnology, monitoring equipment can be fitted to any vehicle provided by Fraikin.

COMING SOON...

8TH OCTOBER 2015 ArenaMK > Milton Keynes www.vanfleetworldlive.co.uk

Fiat Professional with Fiat Professional with

NEW DOBLÒ CARGO. EVERYTHING STARTS FROM YOU. MP3 RADIO & BLUETOOTH

NOISE REDUCTION

BEST IN CLASS CARGO CAPACITY BI-LINK REAR SUSPENSION

MORE FUNCTIONALITY with the best cargo capacity and payload in its category. MORE PERFORMANCE with exclusive bi-link suspension for best drivability, improved engine flexibility and higher torque response. MORE VALUE with up to 15% fuel consumption saving with EcoJet*.

Explore the full range at www.fiatprofessional.co.uk

NEW DOBLÒ CARGO. A BETTER WAY TO WORK. Fuel consumption figures for the Fiat Doblo Cargò 1.3 90 MultiJet II Euro 5+ in mpg (l/100km): Combined 56.5 (5.0) CO2 emissions 133g/km. Euro 5+ with start/stop: 58.9 (4.8), CO2 emissions 126g/km. *Fuel consumption figures for the model shown with EcoJet pack: Combined 64.2 (4.4) CO2 emissions 115g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Factors such as driving style, weather and road conditions may also have a significant effect on fuel consumption. CO2 figures are for comparative purposes in accordance with the VCA van CO2 & fuel consumption database.

INTERVIEW Sebastiano Fedrigo, Fiat Professional

Forte performance A strong set of results from Fiat Professional has seen growth in all sectors, with more to come in 2015, director Sebastiano Fedrigo tells Dan Gilkes. iat Professional is celebrating record UK sales of F almost 15,000 vans in 2014 and looking forward to further growth this year. With the latest version of Ducato now up to speed and a revised Doblo Cargo set for launch in March, plus a growing presence in the corporate fleet sector, Fiat Professional director Sebastiano Fedrigo (pictured) is confident that 2015 will see the company building on last year’s success.

‘We still see tremendous growth possibilities this year,’ he said.

Fiat Professional is a stand-alone brand within Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, with its own design, manufacturing and sales operations. Mr Fedrigo claims that it is this independence that has allowed the company to build strong relationships with a wide range of customers.

‘It means that our total focus is on commercial vehicle users. It allows us some freedom in the way we want to structure our business.’

That is certainly true in terms of UK dealers, with almost 60% of the firm’s dealer network being heavy truck outlets and only 40% of vans sold through Fiat’s own car dealer family. This mix of outlets provides Fiat Professional with access to larger fleets mainly through the truck dealers, and to retail and SME customers through the car-based centres.

That said, the company’s top 10 dealers are a mix of both, with the top performer last year being a car dealership that has invested in a vanspecific showroom.

‘This combination is what has given us such strong growth,’ says Mr Fedrigo.

However, with plans for continued expansion, he is keen to see additions to the current 76 Fiat Professional dealer outlets going forwards.

‘We are planning to get to 80-85 dealers this year,’ says Mr Fedrigo.

Further positive news for Fiat Professional is that growth hasn’t just come from one sector. Retail sales are up by 45-50%, with SME sales also growing by 50%. Sales to the rental market have risen 17% and leasing deals have seen a 29% boost.

‘Growth has been filtering down from the major corporates to SME and retail sales. We haven’t maintained the volume in big corporates that we had in 2013, but we are growing in all channels to market,’ said Mr Fedrigo.

‘We really feel that we are a player on the shopping list in the fleet segment now.’

While Ducato is Fiat Professional’s top selling model across Europe, and the number one imported van in both Germany and France, it is still number two for the company in the UK. ‘Our best selling vehicle in fleet is Doblo Cargo, but we are seeing major corporates taking Ducato now,’ says Mr Fedrigo.

‘We are gaining a lot of market share at 3.5 tonnes. Our Ducato orders last year were 48% up and we have been able to convince some key users of tippers and dropsides to move into Ducato.’

As with all manufacturers, having a range of bodies available for Ducato has been an important consideration and is an area that will continue to develop in the future.

‘We do need to be doing more,’ said Mr Fedrigo.

‘We started with a tipper from VFS and we now have a three-way tipper from the factory and a crew van. We will have to develop box vans and Lutons and we need to come back into the minibus sector too. We will build momentum with the box and Luton bodies and then look at a fridge as well.’

The big news for 2015 will be Doblo Cargo, though the firm’s new product drive doesn’t stop there. ‘Doblo is the second step in a full Fiat Professional revamp over the next two years,’ said Mr Fedrigo.

The Scudo replacement will no longer be built in partnership with PSA, but will share running gear with mid-weight Renault vans. The van will make an appearance in late 2016, along with a new Fiorino and a 4x4 pick-up, to be built by Mitsubishi.

‘This is the beginning of a journey for Fiat Professional,’ said Mr Fedrigo.

‘We see a strong Q1 this year, before the end of the tax year, with a relatively strong Q2. There will be lower growth in the second half of the year, but there is growth in the market this year for sure.’

Fiat Professional director, Sebastiano Fedrigo, is confident 2015 will see the company building on last year’s success.

76 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

Volkswagen Crafter Volkswagen’s 114hp Crafter offers a taste of Euro 6 power for the early adopters, says Dan Gilkes.

A

ll large vans will have to comply with Euro 6 engine emissions regulations by the end of September 2016. However, for some time now, companies like Mercedes and Iveco have offered engines in both Euro 5b and Euro 6 trim.

Volkswagen has also been at the forefront of the delivery of Euro 6, now offering two choices for buyers of its Crafter van line-up.

While the range-topping BiTDI engine at 163hp can be ordered in either Euro 5 or Euro 6 format, the new mid-range 114hp TDI is offered solely as a Euro 6 engine.

It puts out the same 300Nm of torque as the lower powered 109hp 2.0-litre Euro 5 engine, but features Exhaust Gas recirculation (EGR), a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).

SCR uses ammonia-based Urea, commonly known as AdBlue, injected into the exhaust system to convert nitrogen oxides (NOx) into less harmful nitrogen. The AdBlue is stored in an 18-litre tank in the engine compartment and will mainly be topped up by service technicians. However, with almost all heavy trucks now using AdBlue, making it easily available at service stations, regular refilling will become an increasingly common part of running an LCV in the future.

The 114hp engine is for now only available on medium and long wheelbase Crafter models, adding £1,330 to the list price. However if you decide to go down that route, you can take the green agenda even further by opting for the BlueMotion Technology package (£360) as well, adding Start/Stop, low rolling resistance tyres and regenerative braking to the van’s specification.

78 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

what we think When Euro 6 arrives in vans next year, fleet managers will need to look at vehicle weight, as much as at emission levels and fuel consumption.

specification MODEL

Volkswagen Crafter CR35 BlueMotion Technology LWB BASIC PRICE £29,600 ENGINE 4-cyl/1,968cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 114hp @ 3,500rpm TORQUE 300Nm @ 1,500–2,250rpm Weights (kg) GVW 3,500 KERB WEIGHT 2,492 PAYLOAD 1,008 MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 2,000 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 4,300 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,780 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,940 LOAD VOLUME 14m3 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 210g/km/35.3mpg OIL CHANGE 2 yr/25,000 miles WARRANTY 3 yr/100,000 miles

According to Volkswagen’s figures, a CR35 long wheelbase van with the Euro 5 109hp engine delivers a combined fuel figure of 31.7mpg, rising to 34mpg when fitted with BMT. This Euro 6 114hp engine in the same body delivers a claimed 32.1mpg, rising to 35.3mpg with the BMT pack.

However, you will also have to purchase AdBlue occasionally, so the fuel savings will in part be offset by this additional outlay. CO2 emissions drop from 231g/km for the 114hp engine without BMT to 210g/km with. Again that compares favourably with the Euro 5 engine’s 234g/km and 218g/km respectively.

On the road of course you aren’t going to notice a 5hp difference in engine output with a van of this size, particularly as torque is unchanged. It is a very large van to haul along, though the 2.0-litre engine copes well with the size once you get it rolling.

The long wheelbase high roof van offers a massive 14m3 of load volume. However, all of that emissions technology, including the AdBlue tank, does take a toll when it comes to weight. The same van with the base 109hp engine tips the scales at 2,344kg, offering a 1,156kg payload. In Euro 6 114hp form with the BMT pack, it sits closer to 2,492kg, resulting in a maximum payload of just 1,008kg.

That’s ine if you require load volume over carrying capacity, but it’s worth reinforcing that limit with drivers to keep things legal.

Given the additional purchase and running costs involved, and the fairly minor fuel savings on offer, there won’t be many fleets taking the Euro 6 van until they have to. The good news is though, that when they do, there is no downside for the driver.

Iveco Daily The third generation Daily has taken a big step and should be highly productive, says Dan Gilkes.

3

8% of 3.5-tonne vans sold in Europe have a load volume of 9-11m3, while 35% are in the 11-14m3 class. It comes as little surprise therefore, to hear that Iveco sees its new 10.8m3 and 12m3 vans as pivotal models in the revised Daily line-up.

The firm has listened to customers and lengthened wheelbases, to reduce rear overhangs. This has also helped to optimise the balancing act between overall length, wheelbase and interior load length. The new 10.8m3 van in particular is said to offer the best load efficiency, when comparing van length with available cargo length, by offering 3,130mm of internal loadspace on a 3,520mm wheelbase.

That longer wheelbase also contributes to improved ride comfort, in combination with the van’s new QUADLE AF front suspension that has leaf springs mounted transversely across the van. Revised rear suspension, on single rear wheel vans, is also new, with geometry recalibrated to reduce the possibility of oversteer. The new set-up at the rear also saves 8kg and contributes to a welcome 55mm drop in load floor height.

There is a huge range of engines available for Daily, based on the firm’s 2.3-litre and 3.0-litre diesel and CNG motor families. At 3.5 tonnes, the most popular are likely to be the base 106hp version of the 2.3-litre or this more powerful 126hp engine. In 126hp trim the 2.3-litre delivers a healthy 320Nm of torque, enough to easily pull the fully laden van along.

The installation is remarkably smooth, with incredibly low levels of noise in the cab. Sixspeed manual gearboxes are standard, though

what we think Iveco has every base covered with Daily and the improvements to the driving experience are impressive. Equally positive are gains in productivity.

specification MODEL Iveco Daily 35S13V BASIC PRICE £21,500 ENGINE 4-cyl/2,287cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 126hp @ 3,600rpm TORQUE 320Nm @ 1,800rpm Weights (kg) GVW 3,500 KERB WEIGHT 2,080 PAYLOAD 1,420 MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 3,500 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 3,130 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,800 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,900 LOAD VOLUME 10.8m3 Cost considerations FUEL TANK CAPACITY 70 OIL CHANGE 2 yr/25,000 miles WARRANTY 5 yr/100,000 miles

all engines will be available with a ZF eightspeed automatic transmission, replacing the previous AGile automated manual box.

This Hi-Matic transmission will carry the same £1,500 premium as AGile, though Iveco says that it offers a 4.1% fuel consumption improvement and a 4kg weight saving over the previous box. That said, the irm is already claiming up to 5.5% fuel savings over the previous Daily van, thanks to improved aerodynamics, an Eco switch in the cab, low viscocity oils, a smart alternator that recovers kinetic energy and low rolling resistance tyres.

As well as the lower noise levels in the cab, drivers will welcome a new dashboard, seat and steering wheel. The seat is mounted lower in the new van, while the top of the windscreen has been raised, making it easier for taller drivers to have a clear view of the road ahead. This also makes the cab lighter and gives it a more spacious feel.

While the 10.8m3 van looks set to prove the most popular, Daily comes in a massive range of shapes and sizes. There are three wheelbases on offer, with five body lengths and three roof heights, taking maximum load volumes to class-leading 18m3 and 19.6m3. Maximum gross weights have also risen, now topping out at an equally classleading 7.2 tonnes.

There are also six wheelbases available for the chassis cab models, four of which can be had with single rear wheel drive. Added to that, Iveco will introduce two all-wheel drive Dailys later this year. These will include the traditional high-riding heavy-duty 4x4, plus an occasional use off-roader with part-time all-wheel drive.

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 79

MARKET OVERVIEW Fuel Management

VAN

What is the number of filling stations at which the card is accepted?

Is your card single branded or multi-branded?

Do you provide management reporting?

Do you offer account and database management via the Internet?

Does your card offer pan-European coverage?

Do you offer a card to pay for non-fuel items?

Do you offer rebates to major fleet customers?

What types of vehicles does your cards cover?

Do you offer a chip and pin security system?

Do you charge a card fee?

Do you offer a non-pump price agreement?

Can your system accept data from own-pump transactions?

Do you offer a fuel bunkering facility?

Can customers pay for alternative fuels, such as natural gas or electric using your cards?

FLEETW RLD

Allstar Business Solutions Ltd

7.6k

Multi

-

All

-

-

-

-

Barclaycard and The Miles Consultancy

8.45k

Multi

-

All

-

-

-

3.5k

Both

All

Not *

always

-

-

Key to services

Service provided

-

Service unavailable

Shell U.K. Limited

* Card dependent

Allstar Business Solutions Ltd

Barclaycard in Association with The Miles Consultancy

The Allstar network covers sites which deliver 96% of the fuel drawn in the UK, including motorway sites and lower cost supermarkets.

With an Allstar fuel card, drivers enjoy the ease and convenience they need and don’t have to drive off route in order to fill up. This means businesses benefit from savings in not just fuel, but time and cost too.

Our consolidated invoice is HMRC compliant and ensures you can claim back up to 100% of your business fuel VAT. Allstar cards will soon have Visa chip & PIN technology to reduce the risk of fraud and streamline reporting.

TMC and Barclaycard provide a total fuel solution via Barclaycard Fuel+ in Association with TMC. The exciting new Fuel+ card gives you the power of integrated audited mileage capture with the ability to purchase fuel at nearly 99% of UK filling stations, including all supermarkets. It’s the single, powerful, secure solution for consolidated corporate vehicle fuel purchasing and mileage expense management. There are NO transaction charges (although card fees may apply) and you will love our customer service. Winner of the 2014 Fleet World Honours Best Fleet Service Award, Fuel+ offers multiple opportunities to control fuel and mileage expenses.

Tel: 0845 4852 119 www.allstarcard.co.uk fuelcardsales@allstarcard.co.uk

Contact: Giovanni Abbate reply@themilesconsultancy.co.uk www.tmcuk.co.uk/products/fuelcard

Shell U.K. Limited Whatever the type of fleet, you can trust Shell to meet your various needs and make the road ahead smoother.

We know that operating a fleet can be costly and it is important to constantly seek out new ways to stay efficient and effective. Here are some of the ways the euroShell Card can help you save time and money: • Access to an extensive network of sites in the UK which includes Shell, Esso, Texaco and Total • Online card management and reporting • Innovative fuels designed to help save on fuel at no additional cost.

Please give us a call to find out how easy it is to become a euroShell card customer and start saving now.

Tel: 0800 915 6021 info@euroshellcard.co.uk

80 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

www.euroshell.co.uk

Tel: 01270 525218

It… is raising the bar, and raising it again.

ARI is known and trusted by fleet management decision-makers worldwide for setting industry standards and controlling costs.

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Learn more about ARI’s professional fleet management services: 0844 8000 700 | www.arifleet.co.uk

ontheroad Anthony Ffrench-Constant wonders if speed cameras and variable limits are now becoming counter-productive...

T

he only thing that even faintly amuses me about Steve Harley (of popular beat combo Cockney Rebel fame) being fleeced to the tune of ÂŁ1,000 for driving at 70mph in a temporary 40mph restriction is news of his subsequent re-entry into the Top 40 charts.

For those of you who have been visiting distant relatives on another planet, his plight was mentioned on the Top Gear televisual feast recently, with the suggestion that we should all promptly download the song Come Up and See Me, each such action awarding Mr Harley 49p.

This duly happened. In spades. Assuming he doesn't have to share with the band, just 2,041 people needed to download the ditty to make him smile again. Last time I checked, the song was at number 25, and still rising. I know record sales aren't what they used to be, but I suspect a deal more than 2,000-odd people will have dug not particularly deep to effect such a strong second showing for the 63-year-old one-hit-wonder.

At every other level, and attendant to the news that more than 300 miles of our motorways will now marry stealth cameras to variable speed limits, this story merely highlights how far from the thin end we have already advanced up the speed camera ubiquity wedge...

Now, I know I'm not alone in revelling in quick driving when conditions allow, such as early on a summer morning on the A9 in Scotland. Indeed, Police Scotland's own figures suggest that, until lately, no less than one in three drivers of that glorious stretch of tarmac approached it with entirely the same attitude.

The expensive installation of average speed cameras has, of course, now closed off that little avenue of pleasure, as a colleague recently discovered. His brief foray into a suit and tie as a result of attaining over 120mph in a car entirely fit for purpose cost him a hefty fine, an 18 month ban, and his job. Clearly, only a remarkable

The theory behind limiting speeds at times of congestion is absolutely sound. Sadly, it relies entirely on drivers being able to make progress at a constant speed

82 / fleetworld.co.uk

degree of self-restraint prevented Police Scotland from tossing the key into the nearest loch.

Don't get me wrong; average speed cameras have their place, such as the outskirts of Northampton. But the problem with a camera (blatant, revenue-raising installation beside some windswept rural carriageway aside) is that it cannot discriminate between fast driving and bad driving, something at which our largely enlightened constabulary usually excels. Unless of course, you're on the receiving end of a police motorcycle moustache (What is it about nose voles with that lot? Are they mandatory?), in which case no amount of contrite shoe gazing will help.

Whilst my issue with average speed cameras, and indeed Gatsos, is largely in their location, then, the variable speed limit offerings such as that which momentarily wiped the smile of Mr Harley's face are another story.

The theory behind limiting speeds at times of congestion is absolutely sound. Sadly, it relies entirely on drivers being able to make progress at a constant speed, troubling neither brakes nor throttle once in the cruise.

And this, on an increasingly nationwide basis, we are utterly incapable of doing.

And Mercedes drivers are always the worst offenders.

What is it about that silky smooth automatic transmission that makes it impossible for you all to pick a chosen speed, and stick to it? Why must you lunge up behind the car in front like a randy rhino and then jam on the anchors as if surprised to find an obstruction in your path?

Thing is, over-braking behind each badly aimed Mercedes increases incrementally with each car further back in the queue until, inevitably, someone comes to a standstill. Which is why the system merely exacerbates the stop-start congestion it was installed to mitigate, making it all the more frustrating to sit stationary for 10 minutes under a gantry gaily posting a 40mph limit.

Especially on the outside lane of the M25, where you just know that the only genuine impediment to the next 117 miles of hassle-free motoring is mere idiocy. No wonder the hapless Mr Harley took that the rare opportunity to actually drive at a heady 70mph.

VAN SUPPLIER DIRECTORY FLEETW RLD daily rental

contract hire, leasing & finance

racking systems

tail lifts

fleet management software

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

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

Tevo Limited Tel: 01628 528034 www.tevo.eu.com

Ratcliff Palfinger Ltd Tel: 01707 382880 www.ratcliffpalfinger.co.uk

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

Bott Ltd Tel: 01530 410600 www.bott-group.com

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

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

Sortimo Central Tel: 0121 511 2303 www.sortimo-central.com

Penny Hydraulics Tel: 01246 811475 www.pennyhydraulics.com

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

Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.co.uk Vehicle Management

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

Tel: 01708 511071 www.ukvanleasing.com

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

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

Promote your company here and online for just £400/year.

UKVANLEASING

Lex Autolease

Volkswagen Group Leasing Tel: 0870 333 2229 www.volkswagengroupleasing.co.uk

telematics & tracking

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

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

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

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

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

Avis Rent A Car Budget Rent-a-Car Tel: 0844 5000 08701544 56 56 56 www.avis.co.uk www.budget.co.uk

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

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

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

conversions Full listings online at

Clarks Vehicle Conversions fleetworld.co.uk Tel: 0845 319 2787 www.van-conversion.co.uk

STEPS

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

Trakm8 Tel: 01747 858 444 www.trakm8.com

TomTom Business Solutions Tel: 020 7255 9774 www.tomtom.com/business

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

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

vehicle data International Decision Systems Tel: 01256 302 000 www.idsdata.co.uk

risk management LeasePlan UK Ltd Tel: 0844 493 5810 www.leaseplan.co.uk

fuel management

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

Roadmarque Tel: 0845 053 0331 www.roadmarque.com

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

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

AVS Steps Ltd

Tel: 01939 235900 www.avssteps.co.uk

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

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

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

Full listings online at

fleetworld.co.uk

vehicle ventilation

accident management

Flettner Ventilator Ltd Tel: 020 8200 2321 www.flettner.co.uk

Total Accident Management Tel: 0845 078 4157 www.totalaccman.co.uk

VAN FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk vanfleetworld.co.uk / 83

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

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When it comes to vehicle leasing and fleet management, we work hard to understand our customers’ business objectives. Our team has the knowledge and expertise to deliver a first-class service to achieve those objectives.

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

Keeping you one step ahead. www.aldautomotive.co.uk