Fleet World January 2017 by Fleet World Group

January 2017

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

Spotlight Challenges ahead

New BMW 5 Series

Highlights from the BVRLAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual conference

Driven Maserati Levante Renault ZOE Z.E. 40 Suzuki Ignis

Being human How Nissan is solving the autonomous car conundrum

FUTURE PLANS LeasePlan UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Matt Dyer discusses new opportunities for 2017

FLEETW RLD Comparator and calculator webtools for f leets

Want to know how much your fleet costs to run? Visit www.fleetworld.co.uk to gain greater control, with the all-new Fleet World Workshop webtools... fleetworld.co.uk

JAGUAR XE

SHOW THE WEATHER WHO’S BOSS

Little things like heavy snow, torrential rain and thick ice shouldn’t stop your business, and with Jaguar’s All Surface Progress Control (ASPC), they don’t have to. Unique in its class, ASPC gives added conﬁ dence in treacherous conditions with no reduction in efficiency. Like a low speed cruise control, it takes control of the acceleration in low traction situations, so you can concentrate on steering. Best of all, it’s standard on all XE automatics. Add the XE’s optional All Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) and you’ll continue to perform even in the most uncertain conditions. After all, isn’t that what all great businesses do? To ﬁnd out more, contact the Jaguar Fleet and Business Centre on 0845 600 2214. jaguar.co.uk/xe

Official fuel consumption for the Jaguar XE range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 24.4-64.2 (11.6-4.4); Extra Urban 46.3-83.1 (6.1-3.4); Combined 34.9-75.0 (8.1-3.8). CO 2 Emissions 194-99 (g/km). Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world ﬁgures may differ.

contents January 2017

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

Spotlight New BMW 5 Series

Challenges ahead Highlights from the BVRLA’s annual conference

Driven Maserati Levante Renault ZOE Z.E. 40 Suzuki Ignis

Being human How Nissan is solving the autonomous car conundrum

How BluePoint is delivering impressive EV charging results in the Capital.

SPOTLIGHT: New 5 Series

Nissan’s take on the driverless future.

32 Meet Maserati’s all-new first-ever SUV – the stylish Levante.

FUTURE PLANS LeasePlan UK’s Matt Dyer discusses new opportunities for 2017

FLEETW RLD Comparator and calculator webtools for f leets

Want to know how much your fleet costs to run? Visit www.fleetworld.co.uk to gain greater control, with the all-new Fleet World Workshop webtools... fleetworld.co.uk

Director Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Publisher Steve Moody steve@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Features Editor Katie Beck katie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk VFW Editor Dan Gilkes dan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Director Anne Dopson anne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

Sales Executives Darren Brett darren@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

What the BVRLA’s annual conference told us about the future for fleets.

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

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

46 Matt Dyer of LeasePlan discusses plans for 2017.

VAN FLEETW RLD

57 LCV News, plus... DRIVEN: VW Amarok, Renault Trafic, Daily 4x4, LDV V80. Contract Hire & Leasing.

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fleetworld.co.uk / 03

fleetreview Editor Alex Grant kicks off the new year with some unmissable diary dates for the Fleet World Honours next month and Fleet Show 2017 in May...

Dates for your diary... A few days into the January rush and the Christmas break already feels like an age ago; we’ve got plenty of news ahead this year and our calendars are already filling up. So while you’re planning your 2017, here are a couple of dates not to miss.

Fleet World Honours moves to February

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

Our prestigious annual awards event has moved; the Fleet World Honours will now be held on Tuesday 21 February, instead of its usual slot in the Spring. And the good news is, there’s still a little time to enter. Our Innovation awards recognise excellence in the fleet service sector for both cars and vans. If you’ve launched a new product since last February which has demonstrably improved your offering to fleets, we’d love to hear about it. The deadline for submissions is the 21st of January, and you can enter via our website: fleetworldhonours.co.uk The format will otherwise be familiar to anyone who’s attended before. Awards will be announced at our winners-only networking lunch at the Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall, with coverage often seen all over the globe. Good luck, and we hope to see you there!

Fleet Show 2017! Firmly established as the biggest event in the fleet calendar, the Fleet Show returns to the Silverstone Wing on the 10th May. Growing each year, it’s a chance to meet colleagues, make new contacts, find out about the latest products and services, and to sample the newest cars and vans against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic circuits. Last year’s event attracted an extensive line-up of service companies, vehicle manufacturers and the cream of the fleet industry, shown by well-attended debate sessions and always-busy networking areas. We’ve got plenty more in the pipeline for 2017, too. For more information, or to register for this year’s event, visit thefleetshow.co.uk.

FLEETW RLD Comparator and calculator webtools for f leets

Want to know how much your fleet costs to run? Visit www.fleetworld.co.uk to gain greater control, with the all-new Fleet World Workshop webtools...

BEAT THE VED CHANGES WITH THE VOLVO V40 Through its luxurious touches and cutting-edge innovations, the new Volvo V40 will drive a clear statement about your business. And if you register your V40 by 31 March 2017, you could also save up to £400 on VED over the next three years. Act now to beat the deadline. CONTACT THE VOLVO CAR BUSINESS CENTRE ON 0345 600 4027 OR VISIT VOLVOCARS.CO.UK/V40BUSINESS TO BOOK YOUR TEST DRIVE

94g/km CO2

84.1 MPG combined

18% BIK

£0 VED (until 31/03/17)

Official fuel consumption for the Volvo V40 D2 R-Design manual in MPG (l/100km): Urban 74.3 (3.8), Extra Urban 88.3 (3.2), Combined 84.1 (3.4). CO2 emissions 94g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results.

SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE. THE NEW MORE SPACIOUS MINI COUNTRYMAN. Premium in space, size and standard specification, the new MINI Countryman is our biggest, boldest model to date. Offering a longer wheelbase, more legroom and up to 220 litres of extra boot capacity, we’ve packed in an impressive range of standard features including MINI Navigation, MINI Connected, Bluetooth® and Emergency Call. What’s more, our first true Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) boasts MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system to maximise safety in tricky driving situations, plus new driver assistance features to make negotiating city streets easier than ever. To find out more, visit mini.co.uk/countryman

MINI Fleet & Business Sales Official Fuel Economy Figures for the new MINI Countryman range: Urban 31.4-58.9 mpg (9.0-4.8 l/100km). Extra Urban 47.1-70.6 mpg (6.0-4.0 l/100km). Combined 39.8-65.7 mpg (7.1-4.3 l/100km). CO2 emissions 113-162 g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions.

inbusiness

New cars

in brief Record new car registrations driven by fleet sales UK car registrations hit an all‐time high of 2,692,786 units in 2016, according to the SMMT, with leets responsible for much of the growth. Fleets accounted for 51.3% of the market share, compared to 50% in 2015, with a 4.8% year‐on year rise to 1.38 million units.

Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport

auxhall is to replace the Insignia this year with a new nameplate; the Insignia Grand Sport offering reduced weight, and more user‐chooser appeal under its coupe‐like styling. Longer, lower, wider and up to 175kg lighter than its predecessor, new technology includes the latest IntelliLux infotainment system with OnStar’s personal assistance service, plus a new eight‐speed transmission and four‐wheel drive system.

Councils could be handed new traffic offence powers Powers to ine motorists for ‘moving traf ic offences’ could switch from the police to local authorities under new plans. The Lib Dem proposal, backed by Labour in the House of Lords, could give councils unprecedented new powers under an amendment to the ‘Bus Services’ Bill. Currently, only London boroughs are able to ine motorists for similar offences.

Kia Picanto

ia’s larger and more technology‐rich Picanto city car will launch this Spring, following its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The newcomer features a longer wheelbase, offering more cabin space, with a ﬂoating touchscreen on the dashboard and the option of a sporty GT‐Line version for the ﬁrst time. Prices and engine options have not been announced yet.

Prestige to expand network Prestige Fleet Servicing is to expand its network of independent leet service centres by a third in the irst quarter of this year. The East Midlands‐based operation has a network of 315 independent outlets and is now looking to recruit a further 100 leet service centres.

New rental management consultancy service FleetEurope has launched a fully outsourced vehicle rental consultancy service as part of its vehicle rental management offering. The Managing Partner service is designed to provide cost savings and operational ef iciencies for organisations with signi icant inancial spend on short‐term car and van rental.

5 Series PHEV priced from £43,985 BMW’s irst plug‐in hybrid 5 Series, the 530e iPerformance Saloon, is available to order priced from £43,985 on the road. The newcomer features a 94bhp electric motor and 181bhp petrol engine, offering a 6.2‐second sprint to 62mph and 29‐mile electric range, with CO2 emissions of 46g/km.

08 / fleetworld.co.uk

Euro 6 HGVs 10 times better at reducing NOx than diesel cars, report says

in brief

BVRLA and parking operators work on PCN solutions

he latest diesel passenger cars are emitting twice as much NOx as heavy goods vehicles, despite the significant difference in fuel consumption, according to a briefing by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). Drawing on independent research, the report highlighted a stark difference between the ‘real‐world’ performance of emissions control systems on HGVs – which all use a urea‐based after‐treatment system to meet Euro 6 requirements – and passenger cars, many but not all of which still utilise a lean NOx trap. On average, the sample group of diesel passenger cars emitted 480‐560mg/km NOx; eight times over the limits set by Euro 6. The average NOx emission figure for the HGV group was 210mg/km, despite CO2 emissions being five times higher. As CO2 is related to fuel consumption, the ICCT said the results showed Euro 6 HGVs are 10 times more effective at removing NOx from exhaust emissions than Euro 6 passenger cars. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR), which is used in HGVs, is set to become more common among passenger cars once the latest Euro 6c stan‐ dard comes into force this September.

Prepare for a turbulent 2017, fleets told

leets are being warned to prepare for a challenging 2017, with falling car sales, economic uncertainty and changes to taxation, accounting standards and emis‐ sion testing on the horizon, according to automotive data provider KeeResources. Alan Henson, head of sales and customer services, said initial concerns about Brexit had receded, but added that UK GDP is expected to fall back to 1.2%, against a backdrop of lower consumer spending and rising inflation. Following a record 2016, the SMMT is forecasting a 5% retraction in new car registrations in 2017 and a further 1.3% in 2018. This year will also include the introduction of the new fuel economy test cycle, with a bearing on CO2 emissions, Benefit‐in‐Kind taxation and National Insurance Contributions. Fleets will also be affected by changes to salary sacrifice and cash‐or‐car schemes, which will become clearer once the HMRC’s consultation is complete in the first quarter. And Henson added that the forthcoming International Accounting Stan‐ dards Board requirement for companies to identify leased assets on their balance sheets, and incur a liability for future rental payments from 1 January 2019, is a major change impacting operating leases (contract hire) that will need to be care‐ fully managed and communicated.

The International Parking Community and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association have signed a new agreement aimed at streamlining the payment of penalty charge notices (PCNs). Building on an existing co‐operation, the agreement will develop joint initiatives providing additional information and guidance to parking operators, and vehicle rental and leasing companies.

New digital fines management system All Fleet Services has developed a new online ines management system to help leets save time and money. Said to be an industry irst, the ‘Fleet Fine Online’ system is designed to remove the admin‐ istration burden completely and has already been tested with the irm’s work on the Dart Charge.

Fleet Assist launches AdBlue offer Fleet Assist is offering leets access to a special AdBlue tank top‐up offer. The supply chain management specialist has negotiated a special offer with Halfords Autocentres for leets leasing company cars and vans from Fleet Assist customers. An AdBlue top‐up of up to 10 litres costs £9.99 including VAT; a £10 discount.

trading places

out

Jo Elms stands down at LeasePlan LeasePlan UK’s commercial director Jo Elms is to stand down after 10 years of service to the firm. She is succeeded by Stuart Houlston who joined the firm at the start of the year as technology & transformation director and now becomes both commercial and IT director.

Key senior appointments at Fleet Operations Fleet Operations has made a number of key senior appointments as it targets further growth while also enhancing its client offering. Brian James joins as head of operations while Quentin Jendrzewski has been brought in as lead developer and Rebecca Burnell becomes senior account manager.

Vauxhall’s Andy Savage moves to CV sales Vauxhall has appointed Andy Savage as national commercial vehicle and B2B sales manager. Savage brings 30 years’ experience within GM, covering financial services and fleet sales for the last 13 years. In his new role, Savage is responsible for driving commercial vehicle sales covering both retail and fleet markets.

fleetworld.co.uk / 09

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inbusiness

4MATIC four-wheel drive will be available on E-Class models including the All Terrain (pictured)

Tour de fours A new generation of economical four-wheel drive systems are finding a growing role outside the SUV sectors, including in fleet. Natalie Middleton looks at the market potential.

nce popular mainly in the snowiest and most moun‐ tainous regions of Europe, recent cold winters have heightened awareness of four‐wheel drive outside the traditional SUV sectors in the UK. Audi has long been synonymous with Quattro, and BMW’s xDrive system is also becoming established. With 4MATIC joining the four‐ cylinder E‐Class range this year, now Mercedes‐Benz is entering the fray. It’s a hint that there’s a growing market. Although Mercedes said it was too early to comment on proposed take‐ up of the technology, both BMW and Audi are reporting increased take‐up for their respective systems. How big is the market, and what’s driving demand? Intelligent traction Audi has offered its Quattro permanent all‐wheel drive since the Eighties, and is rolling out a new version across its model line‐up. The latest Quattro drive system with Ultra technology monitors driver behaviour and road conditions, only activating four‐wheel drive when needed. Audi claims enhanced efficiency, particularly in motorway use, with no perceptible difference from permanent systems in terms of traction and driving dynamics. The technology launched last year in the new A4 Allroad and is being rolled out across models including the Q5, A5 and Q7 models; according to national leet sales manager David Hanna, it’s helping to push take‐up of Quattro models in the leet sector. He explained: “These models are generally chosen due to location or job role. This hasn’t changed, but the uptake is higher due to the wider availability of AWD on non‐SUV models and the improved ef iciency of AWD systems, meaning less impact on fuel consumption and Bene it‐in‐Kind liability for the driver. Fleet policies are also now more likely to add AWD options not only in recognition of the obvious safety bene its

12 / fleetworld.co.uk

these systems offer but also in response to driver demand.” But Audi said its permanent Quattro technology is also seeing increased leet take‐up, in particular through its appli‐ cation on smaller engines, such as the 119g/km A3 1.6 TDI Quattro available since last year. “Audi’s Quattro mix is 32% in 2016 and we see this growing further in 2017,” said Hanna. “The SUV segments are experiencing strong growth at the moment, and fortunately the rise of AWD on non‐SUVs is happening alongside this growth and not to the detriment of SUV sales.” Wider availability BMW has offered four‐wheel drive since the 1980s, but with limited UK availability. Its Quatro rival is xDrive, and wide‐ spread availability is driving increase take‐up across leet and business sales, according to David Tuckett, national corporate sales manager. “By the end of 2016 we expect sales of approximately 13,000 units of XDrive products sold through the BMW leet and business channels which equates to a growth of approx‐ imately 20%,” he said. “Following the introduction of xDrive on BMW 5 Series, launching in February 2017, this should only result in continued growth in this area.” He added that take‐up varies across the product range for corporate customers. BMW xDrive models account for 14% of the total sales of the 3 Series range, rising to 24% of BMW 4 series sales, possibly due to the higher purchasing potential that BMW 4 Series customers have. The trend is widespread across all of the corporate sales channels, including SMEs and larger fleets: “Some models within the range such as BMW 420d Gran Coupe with XDrive are proving to be especially popular. Additional safety is the main reason for purchase as it provides peace of mind in inclement weather, particularly for drivers of more rural areas,” Tuckett added.

inbusiness

Stranger things There are times when fact is stranger than fiction. I just don’t understand why it all seems to happen in fleet, mostly my fleet says The Insider.

e ordered a car for a member of staff, and it was sourced through the normal channels. During the supply process the dealership transferred ownership to another chain, and became unrelated to our nominated leasing company. When delivery arrangements for the car went quiet, the leasing company enquired what happened. The dealership decided to sell our car to another punter, who paid a higher price, and we were left high and dry. I’m pleased to say the manufacturer stepped in, and resolved our issue with a replacement vehicle, pretty swiftly. Our insurance claims history is actually pretty enviable. So why is it that every single year, immediately prior to the renewal process, one of our vehicles gets written off? Two years ago there was a theft, last year it was floods, and this year a drunk driver in a stolen car slammed into our parked car, which then caught fire. Thinking about it, the stolen car was a Vauxhall Corsa, but the fire was a result of the crash, rather than self-ignition. One of our chaps, who frequently boasts about his mechanical knowledge, comprehensively wrecked a clutch and gearbox on his latest car. This, despite telling me that the clutch had been biting at the top of the range for some time and that, having heard a bang, he still drove several miles home. He is mistakenly quite proud of his exploits, for this is the latest in a chain of disasters spanning several years. I could cheerfully shoot him. Come to think of it, one of his earlier cars did come back with bullet holes in it. Clearly someone else felt the same way. Then there was the person who had a precontract vehicle, a hire car, for an extended period. Unfortunately I didn’t realise he was operating in Kent and Essex, travelling to and fro over the Dartford Crossing most days. We normally register all

our own cars, but this one slipped through the net. As it was some weeks before the first penalty charge notices arrived, that one proved expensive. Some events aren’t disasters, just a little challenging. A few weeks ago one of our secretaries announced her boss’s car had a puncture. He was on his way to catch the Eurostar for an important meeting in Brussels so he abandoned the car and asked her to get the tyre repaired before he returned to the UK late that night. Thoughtfully, he at least abandoned the car at a relative’s house and left them with the keys (miracles do happen), and so it wasn’t too difficult to track down the car. Less fortunately, it was the one car on our fleet which doesn’t have a spare wheel. However our amazing lease company sorted the rest, and all was well. A less than perfect bumper repair looked as though it had been pulled out by wrapping something around it and pulling hard. You might think that unlikely, but I once watched a seventeen year old neighbour doing exactly that using a large length of chain and a convenient lamppost, at midnight, outside our house. He was young enough not to know better; our driver wasn’t. Yes we did charge the driver the cost of making good with a proper repair. A van based at a sub contractor’s depot, but loosely within my remit, was racking up much bigger mileage than it should for the duties for which it was retained. This was quite a few years ago, before the days of telematics. The high mileage came to my notice when I also noted that tyres were being changed on an alarmingly frequent basis, and so I flagged it with the depot manager. The mileage dropped radically, immediately, but strangely the tyres kept on being replaced regularly! Wishing you a happy and uneventful fleet year.

fleetworld.co.uk / 13

inbusiness

Commercial gains New van sales are reaching record levels which has prompted some manufacturers to reassess the way they serve their local SME customers. Curtis Hutchinson, editor of Motor Trader, reports.

ne of the quieter success stories of last year was the resurgence of the light commercial vehicle market. Demand for new vans has been steadily building in recent years but shifted up a gear in 2016 with the market on course to achieve a record number of registrations. Demand for new commercials was pretty much across the board with growth particularly strong in the top-end 2.5-3.5T weight bracket as well as pick-ups. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader, said the high demand reflected ongoing business confidence, an achievement in itself when set against the backdrop of the uncertainty caused by the Brexit vote. "For this success to continue in 2017 and beyond, however, it is essential that the economic conditions that have kept this sector so buoyant in recent years are maintained," he said. It was a cautious comment which perhaps underplays the underlying need for small, medium and large businesses to renew and expand their van fleets. One of the biggest drivers for growth was the insatiable demand for delivery vehicles prompted by the online shopping channels. Last year saw significant investments by the supermarket chains in their van fleets, while the private delivery companies, serving the likes of Amazon, bought plenty of new vehicles to keep up with demand. The manufacturers have also reassessed their van operations. The Blue Oval has rolled out a network of super-size FordStores, displaying everything from the Fiesta to the Mustang, and all with dedicated Transit Centres to look after local van needs. While Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen have also moved to give their van operations separate identities to enable them to offer local businesses dedicated specialist facilities for sales and servicing. Mercedes’ moves have included a national pricing strategy for servicing which has removed regional variations. It has also acknowledged that some SMEs are also in the market for a good quality used van with the rollout of a revamped Approved Used scheme. The programme covers vans aged up to six years old and with a maximum mileage of 150,000 miles. The vehicles are presented with full service histories and meet a multi-point pre-sale check to qualify along with checks for outstanding finance, theft and

16 / fleetworld.co.uk

insurance write-offs. The vans come with 12 months of MoT and warranty cover and are serviced as required if there is less than 5,000 miles to the next service. A good solid business proposition. Meanwhile, VW moved to develop its van operations into a more standalone entity under the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles banner. Last year it expanded its nationwide network to 98 outlets, comprising 73 dedicated van centres offering sales and aftersales, plus a further 25 authorised repairers. The move saw the opening of some high investment flagship sites from big name dealer groups, including JCT600 and Robinson's. The message is clear; dealers are seeing the benefit of delivering specialist services to local businesses. Peugeot's also been busy. David Peel knows all about how to deliver at the point of sale. Before his appointment last year as the managing director of Peugeot he led Robins & Day, the brand's wholly owned dealer group. He has identified an opportunity to grow Peugeot's van business by increasing its appeal to SMEs. It currently has 50 dedicated van business centres a figure he plans to grow to 75 which would cover around one third of the total dealer network. Last summer he gathered dealers together for a special event to address how better to address the needs of SMEs, a move he believes is having a tangible impact. As a direct result of this meeting every Peugeot dealer now displays at least one van on its forecourt. "We're now working on the skills to allow every dealer in the UK to participate in the small business market,” he said. “There's no mystic science to selling vans. However, when we get to our larger customers, when it becomes a little more bespoke, we have our business centres who can deal with their specific needs." Peel 's move is not just about selling and servicing vans. He argues that if SME customers see a van on the forecourt it may prompt a conversation about their LCV requirements. It's a way to remind SME customers – and dealers – that Peugeot is in the commercial vehicle business. The message is clear. Manufacturers see the value of light commercials as a way to promote how they address the needs of SME fleets and this could be welcome news for your business.

We’ve done a lot of thinking too

Chances are, keeping running costs low and drivers happy are what occupy you most. Same goes for us. It’s why we redesigned the Civic’s rear wing. So now it not only looks sportier, but saves up to 5mpg. Great minds really do think alike. Discover more clever thinking at www.honda.co.uk/civicfleet

Fuel consumption ﬁ gures for the Civic range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 37.2 – 70.6 (7.6 – 4.0), Extra Urban 54.3 – 85.6 (5.2 – 3.3), Combined 46.3 – 78.5 (6.1 – 3.6). CO 2 emissions: 145 – 94 g/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. Model Shown: Civic 1.6 i-DTEC SR Manual in Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic.

Q &A Having taken over the notoriously unreliable Source London charging point network in 2014, BluePoint London’s investment in connectivity and reliability is delivering impressive results, explains PR & public affairs manager, Ben Bulmer. How was 2016? 2016 was a really positive year. We started with eight or nine [London boroughs] and we’ve reached agreements with 16, so we’ve really been using that to heavily invest in getting the network to a point where we felt it should be. We have an availability rate of about 90% across the network, which we’re really pleased with. That is a vast improvement on when we took over the network in 2014, when only 60% of the points were working. Our newly installed points are operating at 98‐99% availability, which is really strong. We feel we’ve made good progress bringing the network up to the standards a city like London deserves. How much has the air quality debate helped? It’s really pushed it up the agenda. There are a number of things that are out of boroughs’ control, but, when it comes to charge points, they can demonstrate that they’re taking the issue seriously and doing something about it. Certainly towards the end of the year you only had to open a paper to read something about air quality, so it’s really at the forefront of people’s minds. It’s been a good lever and catalyst when we talk to boroughs. Is the priority expansion or replacement? At the moment there are around 1,000 points on the network, and just over 300 are the new points that we’ve installed. We’re targeting 1,000‐1,200 additional points this year. A number of those may be replacements but the majority will be expanding to new locations. We want to be able to offer drivers a uniform experience. In the boroughs we’ve signed up already we’ve seen

fantastic uptake. The number of charges have gone up dramat‐ ically as people have the con idence that they’re going to work, that they’ll be able to charge and they’ve got live data on their smartphone or website. People don’t care whether they’re in Hackney or Fulham – the borough you’re in shouldn’t be a barrier and that’s what we’re trying to implement. How does that compare to the old network? When we took over, there were six or seven charge point types within the Source London network and not all of them were networked in. So you didn’t know if they were working or free to use. We are investing heavily in our technology to make sure that people have that availability and know they’ll be able to use it. Our points all have a BT connection, so we can repair a lot of faults remotely, and we’ll have teams of technicians to ix faults as quickly as possible. What’s in the pipeline for 2017? Source London is London’s network, and we’re looking to expand and consolidate that position. So we’re working with a number of other boroughs – we hope to be 20 plus by the end of the year – as well as a range of private partners to ensure that Londoners and people visiting have the option to use and charge their EVs when they need to regardless of where they are. We want to work as closely as possible with a range of different customers, whether that’s individuals or leets, to try and ensure that it’s as easy for them as possible to have an EV. We are also going to be slowing introducing 50 and 22kW chargers on the network. The primary focus is a dense network of 3kW and 7kW chargers on street, then to supple‐ ment that with a number of quicker charging options. We’re hoping to have our irst ones installed by mid this year.

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Smart EV charging for ﬂeet operators

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

Unreliable charging putting fleets off EVs, says Chago UK I

nconsistent quality of the vehicle charging experience is stopping leets from fully embracing electric vehicles, according to Chago UK. In 2016, the charging specialist began working directly with the public and private sector, following numerous calls from car park providers, corporates, trans‐ port groups and energy companies intent on growing the charging network. This, it said, it had shown the real state of the charging experience; poor quality components and a lack of pre‐emptive maintenance meant high numbers of chargers are out of service, adding that the network is growing too slowly. “Fleets carrying out their own due diligence into the current infrastructures are witnessing the inconsistencies of the charging experience, particularly in public areas. The experience for current EV users is often frustrating and will need to change if leets are going to fully embrace electric vehicles onto their choice lists,” explained James O’Neill, Chago UK director.

Ford confirms electric SUV, hybrid Transit and Mustang

ord will launch an electric SUV and hybrid versions of the Transit Custom, Mustang and F‐150 by the 2020 – part of a 13‐strong elec‐ tri ied vehicle line‐up arriving in the near future. The Transit Custom will be the brand’s irst electri ied commercial vehicle – tests of the plug‐in hybrid will begin in Europe this year, the company said, ahead of a 2019 launch date. North America will get hybrid versions of the Mustang and Ford F‐ 150 pickup, the former said to offer the performance of a V8 engine and the latter functioning as a mobile generator. By the end of the decade, a US‐built all‐electric crossover with a range of more than 300 miles will be available globally, it’s unclear whether this will be part of the Kuga or Edge line‐ups or a stand‐alone model. Wireless charging is also being tested on both sides of the Atlantic.

in brief Tesla Superchargers get ‘idle fee’ Tesla is introducing a leet‐wide idle fee at its Supercharger network to increase Supercharger availability. Vehicles left connected once fully charged will be subject to a $0.40 per‐minute fee, waived if it is moved within ive minutes. The carmaker said the fees are to improve customer happiness, not to raise revenue.

Rolec reveals street light with EV charging Rolec EV and street lighting specialists BEI Lighting and Fabrikat have developed a fast charging point integrated into a street light. The EV:Streetcharge is avail‐ able in free‐to‐use and keyswitch controlled versions and is data‐ connected for billing purposes. Units will be inished in bright green to help drivers locate their nearest charger.

Government to target inconsistent EV charging Overpriced EV charging will be tackled under new rules being planned by government ministers for introduction this year. According to The Times, minis‐ ters are considering setting common pricing between suppliers of electric car charging stations and allowing drivers to access multiple charge points without needing multiple memberships.

in numbers

50% Range increase for the updated Renault Kangoo Z.E. electric van – 168 miles under NEDC conditions.

Source: Renault

fleetworld.co.uk / 19

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Model Shown: The all-new Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo 510 hp Quadrifoglio. Range of official fuel consumption figures for the Alfa Giulia range: Urban 22.8 – 53.3 mpg (12.4 – 5.3 I/100km); Extra Urban 49.6 – 80.7 mpg (5.7 – 3.5 I/100km); Combined 34.4 – 67.3 mpg (8.2 – 4.2 I/100km).

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inbusiness

What I’ve learnt Peter Millichap, director of marketing at Teletrac Navman, discusses what he’s learnt during his career in the industry.

Rate of innovation Over the last decade, the telematics industry has grown rapidly, as fleet managers recognise the need for a core solution to their ongoing problems. The number of commercial vehicles fitted with telematics is roughly in the 30-40% range and that figure is always rising – this is because technology has evolved so much, even in just the last five years, that it is playing a much bigger role in fleet management than it ever has done before. People traditionally think of telematics as simply ‘track and trace’, but it is such a wider tool now; the software can help fleet operators meet regulatory compliance, it can offer Safety Analytics to monitor driver behaviour, and more. Whilst we’re seeing an increase in fleet operators moving in the right direction by investing in telematics, there’s still a way to go before everyone is up to speed with telemetry, but telematics has definitely established itself as an essential fleet solution provider in recent years. We predict the amount invested in it will continue to grow in coming years – it’s an exciting time for the industry! Good customer service Today we place our customers at the very centre of everything we do – we think about what they really need and we provide solutions to their problems. We are conscious that we are working in a young industry, so customer service is in its relative infancy, but that’s really given us the opportunity to be market leaders in getting it right, which already shows in our customer satisfaction ratings. We are constantly striving to perfect it. No matter what the size of your business, customers have to be at the heart of your business model, or you simply won’t succeed. Keep moving forwards I have over 12 years’ experience in the fleet-tracking industry and it’s been great to see how far the technology has evolved over time – and it’s always improving. For example, Teletrac Navman launched its Director product in 2015 – a fleet management platform which puts all the data a fleet manager needs in one place. The platform is a fully comprehensive, integrated solution

22 / fleetworld.co.uk

for businesses, which allows fleet managers to accurately track and manage their fleet in real time, on a second-by-second basis. It allows fleet managers to have a complete insight into their fleet’s activity which drives productivity, reduces operational costs and increases overall revenue. The installation of integrated dash cams has also been a vital development in the industry - they are an incredibly useful addition to any form of transport, especially fleets of commercial vehicles, striving to protect drivers and promote safer driving; offering ease of use and peace-of-mind for drivers. It's a really exciting time for Teletrac Navman and the industry as a whole - we’re looking forward to introducing more great products to the market in the coming years. Never stop learning Whether you’re looking at technology, customer service or marketing, you have to look towards the very best practitioners – not just in your space, in any space. We can always learn from mature market leaders and use those existing models to understand what works – if we then apply them to our industry, we’ll be trail blazers and lead the way. Constantly learning and evolving is so important in business. I’m always conscious about what I don’t know – like any good business, we are always thinking of how we can improve. We have to have foresight in this industry and learn as much as we can to get the right products. When we really understand our customers and our market, through research for example, we can then relay that back into the business with executable actions. It’s taking what you learn and feeding that into the business that works; a new idea could turn into a product, a compelling message or great piece of content that our customers want. Work should be fun I’ve always worked hard, but I’ve always enjoyed what I do in the process. It’s really important to enjoy your day-to-day work and have some fun with it, too. To have happy, satisfied customers you have to have happy, satisfied staff – we really believe in that at Teletrac Navman. If you are passionate and love what you do, you’ll be successful at it!

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All-New Renault Mégane Sport Tourer Dynamique Nav dCi 110 19% BIK Tax | 76.4mpg | 96g/km To book your test drive, call the Renault Business Hub on 0800 731 7066 today. The official fuel consumption ﬁgures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Renault Mégane Dynamique Nav dCi 110 are: Urban 68.9 (4.1); Extra Urban 80.7 (3.5); Combined 76.4 (3.7). The official CO2 emissions are 96g/km. Figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EU Legislation and may not reﬂect real life driving results.

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...

Mobile phone blocking

Source: Continental Tyres

The majority of drivers would support the use of technology to disable certain phone functions for the sake of safety, the results of an analysis by Continental Tyres suggests. Of the 1,000 motorists surveyed, 66% said the government should introduce technology to support a blanket ban of the use of mobile phones behind the wheel. However, the survey uncovered that 11.3 million road users admit to using a mobile phone illegally – with 31% saying they had done so in the last month. While 46% admitted they think it is acceptable to look at their phone when stopped or in slow moving traffic. 45% admitted that they struggle to be digitally disconnected, and 28% said so many people now check their mobile phone in traffic that it has become normalised.

Council parking charges New figures released by the RAC Foundation reveal that the surplus produced from council parking operations in England reached a record high in 2015/16.

Professor John Groeger, a specialist in driver psychology, commented: “It is really interesting that motorists want an enforced solution rather than to curb their own behaviour. The time it takes us to shift our concentration from a task like reading a text to again fully engaging in driving is so important in reducing accidents.”

Source: RAC Foundation

In the last financial year, the 353 local authorities in England generated a combined ‘profit’ of £756m from their on- and offstreet parking activities, up 9% on the 2014/15 figure, and 34% higher than in 2011/12. The RAC Foundation added that the overall rise in ‘profits’ is a combination of increasing income (+4%) and decreasing costs (-2%). It also noted that not all individual councils made a large surplus on their parking activities, with 49 (14%) reporting negative numbers. The figures – analysed for the RAC Foundation by transport consultant David Leibling – are calculated by taking income from parking charges and penalty notices and then deducting running costs. Cllr Judith Blake, transport spokesman at the Local Government Association, commented: “Councils do not make a profit from parking. Income from on-street parking charges is spent on running parking services and surpluses are spent on essential transport projects, such as tackling the £12bn roads repair backlog.”

24 / fleetworld.co.uk

'Acceptable' uses for driverless cars

Source: Citygate

Research conducted by car dealership Citygate has found a number of circumstances where drivers would welcome fully autonomous cars, but indicated areas where trust was still a concern. The survey of 1,000 drivers found that usage of driverless cars for long-distance travel was most popular, with 34% saying they’d welcome a break from driving. The technology’s role as ‘designated driver’ was also highlighted, with 29% admitting they would be most interested in using a driverless car while under the influence. 27% said they would be happy to hand over the morning commute, and 24% said they would be most likely to rely on a driverless car after dark. Yet only 15% said they would feel comfortable using a driverless car for the school run, and 6% revealed they wouldn’t use a driverless car under any circumstances.

Road congestion hotspots

Steven Crouch, Citygate marketing manager, said: “Whether it’s after a night out or a long journey, drivers want to look after themselves and others around them – but it appears that, when it comes to their kids, Brits would rather stay in the driver’s seat.”

Source: INRIX

The cost to drivers from time wasted in traffic could amount to £61.8bn in the UK by 2025 if congestion levels are not reduced, new research has found. Using Road Analytics software, traffic information firm INRIX surveyed 20,375 traffic hotspots in 21 cities in the UK. Unsurprisingly, London was found to have more traffic hotspots than any other city at 12,776, with an estimated cost impact on drivers of £42bn by 2025. Outside of the capital, the cities with the most traffic hotspots were Birmingham (872), Manchester (768), Leeds (712), Bristol (619) and Bradford (596). The UK’s worst traffic hotspot was on the M25 between junctions 15 (M4) and 16 (M40). Researchers added that congestion on these junctions will likely be improved by the planned Smart Motorway All Lane Running programme, covering 19 miles between Junctions 10-17 by 2021.

Graham Cookson, chief economist, INRIX, said: “Only by identifying traffic hotspots and analysing their root causes can we effectively combat congestion. Some of the most effective traffic improvement measures have benefited from this approach, like TFL’s traffic signal optimisation work, which is reducing delays by 13%.”

for the latest daily news from the fleet industry, visit fleetworld.co.uk fleetworld.co.uk / 25

inbusiness

Q &A

Desirable new products are driving a broader spectrum of fleet business to Skoda UK, and it’s investing heavily in its relationships to support that growth, explains head of fleet Henry Williams. How was 2016 for Skoda UK? Sales are going very well – up 10% year on year – and order take is even better than that. So it’s really accelerating and that’s really on the back of Superb. We did nearly double the volume that we did [in 2015] in true fleet, we have a strategy that puts it into true fleet customers which seems to be working very well for us. In terms of particular areas which are strong, our local business programme, which we’ve had on the market for three years, has seen growth year on year on year. We will be developing that further from January.

sure are changing, but if we don’t understand it we’re not going to be in a good place. We’ve come a long way as a brand in terms of sales numbers and attitudes in the fleet market, and want to continue that. True fleet is a pillar of that growth, so we need to ensure we stay competitive in that and exploit every one of our sales channels. We’re not going to drive sales through channels where we may be distressing the product or damaging RVs. We don’t chase volume for the sake of it, we grow in an organic way. It’s important we get the planning right.

What are you doing with it? The basis was a three-year run and we’d review it. It’s seen as one of the best in the market, we think it’s in good shape, and are making some changes. We want to have a larger number of local business centre development managers; at the moment we’ve got 23, we want 45 by the end of 2017. That’s the biggest area of the true fleet market, this sub-25 volume. It’s harder to get into as there are many more companies in there, but that’s where our programme works as you need more people on the ground to give the service we want to give. We’re in advanced discussions to see what that looks like, but it’ll be more support for our dealer network and helping them with recruitment. We want to have the right people on the ground getting to know customers and providing service on their terms. Then we’ll have a coaching and mentoring programme which we’ll be supporting. The market is there, we just need to resource up to service it well.

What sort of customers is the Superb attracting? We’re not actively targeting premium brands - it’s not our goal to take Skoda into a premium space - but we are conquesting premium drivers. We’ve also seen a much higher mix in top trim levels. Laurin & Klement takes 15% of the sales mix, which we never predicted, and we’ve also seen a mix change between hatch and estate. On the previous car we were 70% estate, but now we see the mix coming nearer to 50:50 hatch and estate. I think that’s testament to the design of the hatch. We want people not just taking Skoda because it makes sense and commercially works - all of that is good, and we don’t want to lose that - but we want this emotional appeal. Superb has started that and has been a huge success, Kodiaq is the next iteration. I don’t think it will be as big [in fleet as Superb] – Octavia and Superb are 75% of our true fleet sales, Kodiaq is more suited to user-chooser fleets, more on the smaller fleet size. We won’t put any into rental because we believe we can sell every one to a customer. It can only do good things for the brand.

And what about bigger fleets? Our overarching strategy in true fleet is growth in corporate sales and leasing companies. Growth in blue chip customers and getting onto those fleets. We’ve got a fantastic relationship with lease companies. It’s the relationships that make the difference, so one of my key objectives for 2017 is I’m investing in training my sales team. I want them to understand what their customers need and want - those needs may be changing, and I’m

26 / fleetworld.co.uk

READY TO BREAK WITH CONVENTION? The choice is yours from city cars, to SUVs, executive coupés and more. Put our world leading hybrids to the test and call 0344 701 6186 or visit toyotalexusﬂeet.co.uk/convention

inbusiness

Being Human As Nissan prepares to launch its first semi-autonomous technology in Europe, Alex Grant finds out how the carmaker is dealing with the challenges of a transition to driverless roads. The start of something This year, Nissan will add its ProPilot technology to the Qashqai - an assistance system which enables autonomous single-lane driving in heavy highway traffic. Seen as a core part of its future product plans, vehicles which can navigate urban roads and intersections are planned by 2020. Robots follow preset instructions, which should improve safety, but roads shared between humans and autonomous cars are a grey area with hurdles to overcome. Dr. Maarten Sierhuis, a former NASA scientist, now director of the Nissan Research Center in Silicon Valley, is leading development of the software to make this work.

through a series of interactions which communicate intent and maintain traffic flow. For occupants and for other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, to trust autonomous cars, the software will have to behave in as natural a way as possible to avoid being annoying. The car shouldn’t be too aggressive or too passive particularly while navigating junctions, as this affects traffic flow. That’s not straightforward. Road rules are country specific and this has to work outside a lab, where driver behaviour can vary even by local area. Seerhuis admits there won’t be a car by 2020 that can understand every possible behaviour, so they’ll need to work with their human counterparts. That’s the next step.

The basics of artificial intelligence At its core, autonomous driving is about using on-board sensors and map information to create a path around obstacles. It’s a similar decision process to humans, Seerhuis explains. For example, we sense that it’s dark, decide we want light, so we plot a path to the light switch and turn it on, almost without actively thinking about it. Autonomous cars do the same; they sense their environment, make decisions and then react. So, the base software has to model the sort of situations the car might encounter, such as different types of roads, junctions and driveways, then overlay sensor data to watch for other road users.

‘Socially acceptable’ But that’s only part of the problem. Driving is a sociable activity, explains Seerhuis, and humans work together

28 / fleetworld.co.uk

Communicating intent Nissan’s IDS concept car (pictured) offers a potential solution. Via a coloured light bar, the car can signal to pedestrians and cyclists that it’s seen them, and this could also be used to show that it’s intending to move. Enabling other road users to respond to the car is an easier route to trust than the car telling them to act, Seerhuis says. But connectivity will be essential. The software is a foundation for the cars to understand the world around them; as the machines learn, additional behaviours could be added via over-the-air updates to ensure older models can still interact. Or it could offer geofenced behaviours to suit local environments. In the meantime, the solution to machines interacting with unpredictable human behaviour might be for the car to just tell other drivers what it’s doing.

g fleet e k

Smarter iKettle Inspired by statistics that the average Briton spends up to two days a year waiting for the kettle to boil, iKettle can be activated from anywhere in the home or office using a WiFi connected smart device. Wake Up mode sets alarms and schedules the iKettle to boil at chosen times, such as first thing in the morning or when you walk through the door after work. Price: £94.99, from lakeland.co.uk

Nextbase 112 dash cam The 112 might be an entry-level camera, but it’s not short of features. Small enough to mount behind a rear-view mirror, it records a wideangle 720p video for up to four hours on a 32GB memory card and includes a photo mode and night vision. The built-in screen offers quick reviews of footage, and the magnetic mount is both secure and quick to remove if needed. Price: £49.99 from nextbase.co.uk

Rhino Shield Crash Guard Just 2.5mm thick and the same weight as a pencil, Crash Guard provides light-weight protection for even the clumsiest of iPhone users. The case absorbs impacts to a height of 20 feet, while the scratch-resistant matte finish enhances grip. The case is designed to cover as little of the handset as possible, leaving all controls fully accessible. For iPhone 6, 6S and 7. Price: From £19.99, see firebox.com

apps of the month

Like a Local

Clear

Drinkaware

A travel app aimed at encouraging users to venture off the beaten track and experience what locals really like to do, see and eat. Currently available in 55 cities worldwide, recommendations are curated by residents. A real-time stream shows places that are currently open for business, and the app functions offline for reduced roaming charges. Price: Free from Apple App Store, GooglePlay

A gesture-based task-management app that prides itself on ease of use. Users adjust items by pulling them down the screen, pinching them, and finally swiping them off the screen once they’re completed. Separate lists, schedules and reminders are used to organise daily tasks, and data syncs across all Mac devices. Price: £2.99 from Apple App Store, GooglePlay

A health and diet app designed to help users stay within their weekly recommended alcohol limit after an indulgent Christmas period. A nifty ‘weak spot’ feature highlights specific drinks or habits the user is struggling to cut down, and a cost-tracking features shows the added benefit of money being saved by cutting back. Price: Free from Apple Apple Store, GooglePlay

fleetworld.co.uk / 29

SPOTLIGHT BMW 5 Series

Hi, five BMW is bringing the latest autonomous and connected technologies to the executive class with the seventh-generation 5 Series saloon. By Alex Grant.

Less versions, more equipment

More economical

The 5 Series is launching with a simplified range comprising SE and M Sport versions, and all will feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox in line with 96% of the outgoing car’s buyers. Standard equipment includes leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control, LED headlights and a digital instrument cluster, while the M Sport adds larger wheels, sports styling and seats and a leather-trimmed dashboard. Connectivity is a key focus point, so all UK cars will also get a 10.2-inch Professional Navigation system, which can receive real-time parking and traffic information and includes a touchscreen as well as the usual iDrive controller.

BMW hasn’t increased the size significantly, but the new 5 Series is lighter and more aerodynamic than its predecessor, improving efficiency across the range. It’s no surprise that the 188bhp 520d will be the big seller, economy rises to 68.8mpg with CO2 at 108g/km and there’s a broader range to choose from. So there’s a 102g/km EfficienctDynamics version and, for the first time since the Seventies, four-wheel drive 520d xDrive at 119g/km expected to be selected by a third of this engine’s buyers. The range will also include the 530e plug-in hybrid, a 49g/km petrol-electric version of the saloon offering a 27-mile range and 248bhp performance. Pricing will be aligned to the 530d, and it’s expected to take some of the six-cylinder diesel’s usual sales volume.

FLEET FACT The 5 Series takes a fifth of BMW’s global sales volume . 30 / fleetworld.co.uk

Working with you Much of the 5 Series’s new technology was previewed in the 7 Series; dig into the options list and there’s a plethora of equipment for an easier life on the road. These include gesture controls for dashboard functions, and the display key which can remotely activate the cabin ventilation and show fuel levels and whether the doors and windows are closed. Partially-autonomous driving is becoming a segment norm, too. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control at up to 130mph, it can assist with lane changes and make proactive decisions about adjusting its speed based on upcoming limits. The display key enables it to drive in and out of tight spaces with nobody at the wheel, while navigation and sensor data is used to plan when to switch the engine on and off while stopped.

What we think... The UK is a core market for the 5 Series saloon – we take as many as the Germans – which means British buying habits are tailored into the latest version. It’s a technological showcase as ever, and up with the high standards set by the expanding executive product offering. Drivers picking a car in this class have a tough choice to make. AG

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Maserati Levante Maserati adds an SUV for broader appeal, but it’ll always be a bit-part player, says Kyle Fortune. SECTOR SUV PRICE £54,335 FUEL 39mpg CO2 189g/km

t the launch of the Quattroporte back in 2012, Maserati’s people said its 6,000 annual sales would increase nearly ten‐fold in the coming years. Since then, we’ve seen the Ghibli saloon enter the E‐Class and 5 Series marketplace to help that, but those ambitious ﬁgures are pinned on the Levante, Maserati’s ﬁrst ever SUV. Such is the dominance of SUVs in some market segments that Maserati’s general manager Northern Europe, Peter Denton, says that, without it, Maserati: “only has presence in 12% of the luxury marketplace, with the Levante that increases to 50%.” We’re still talking tiny numbers in comparison to the big German players, but, as Maserati itself admits, the Levante offers a unique alternative. It’s the only all‐Italian offering in the marketplace (at least until Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio arrives), one of its key strengths being that it’s not one of the Germanic or British default options. It’s a shame then that, grille and three vented wings aside, there’s a touch of the Mazda CX‐5 to its looks, the rear view in particular reminding us of the Japanese car. Bigger wheel much as 50% of the engine torque to the front axle. It’ll options and colour choices help, of course, and the options get you off‐road if you want it too, though just don’t list is as expansive as it is expensive. Pricing starts at expect to be chasing Range Rover Sports into the furthest £54,335 for the base diesel model, but the like‐ reaches of the wilderness. lihood is that most will be up and around the Hardly a complaint; and it’ll get you as far FLEET FACT £60,000 mark, pitching it into a varied and into the mire as you’ll ever need to. Our chief competitive marketplace. criticism of the Levante is that it doesn’t feel as Maserati is quick to point out that this is, quick as its numbers suggest it will. The V6 Maserati is 101 excuse the marketing‐speak, ‘the Maserati of turbodiesel’s 272bhp and 443lb/ft of torque years old, but SUVs’, with an emphasis on the driving expe‐ has to shift a not insubstantial 2,205kg, which only entered UK rience. Elsewhere it’ll be offered with blunts its performance, so 6.9 seconds to fleet in 2013. turbocharged Ferrari‐built V6 petrol engines, 62mph is not that alarming in an Audi SQ5, but the UK gets a single 275hp V6 turbod‐ Jaguar F‐Pace or Porsche Macan Diesel S world. iesel engine mated to an eight‐speed automatic trans‐ Emissions of 189g/km are high against such rivals, too. mission. The four‐wheel drive system sends most of its Sure, the Levante’s a bit bigger, but those driver‐focused drive to the rear, though it can, when required, send as alternatives are on the money price‐wise. Space is decent rather than generous, while that sloping rear window and lengthy bonnet make manoeuvring a touch tricky. You need to work that diesel too, the weight denying it the urgency that marks out the best of its performance competitors. Dynamically, the Maserati’s not quite up with the most adept of its rivals. Admirably agile, it doesn’t offer the sort of driver focus some might hope for, the standard air suspension doing its best to deliver a focused drive, but doing so sometimes at the expense of ride comfort. There’s some noise from that diesel engine too, and the interior, where it’s not covered in expensive optional leather, feels cheap to the touch. That’s an issue when even mainstream offerings offer more tactile feeling plastics, and a problem at this premium price point. That’s true across the range, though, and it’s not stopped Maserati increasing its sales as it has introduced new models. Thanks to the Levante that trend is only likely to grow, even if it’s only a middling offering in a very competitive market.

32 / fleetworld.co.uk

what we think Buyers will love the fact that the Levante is different. For those who dare itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not without appeal on difference alone, but otherwise itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult to make a logical case for it.

highlights Small volumes will ensure exclusivity for buyers. All Italian, even the diesel engine, which is built by VM Motori. Petrol engines for other markets built by Ferrari.

fleetworld.co.uk / 33

Suzuki Ignis Cute and clever, the Ignis plays perfectly to Suzuki’s strengths, says Alex Grant. SECTOR City car PRICE £9,999-£13,999 FUEL 60.1-65.7mpg CO2 97-106g/km

ith its strengths in city cars and compact SUVs, space inside. Head and leg room is enough to seat four adults, Suzuki seems well‐placed to take a bigger slice of and the rear bench slides on all except the entry‐level trim to a market where downsizing and crossovers are extend the boot. It’s a little plasticky inside, though the popular. With its low cost, high practicality and cute‐but‐ aluminium‐accented controls which look a bit like a Casio G‐ rugged styling, the Ignis should have the makings of a great Shock watch help stop it feeling cheap, and the expected big‐ urban company car. selling SZ‐T gets all the essentials including navigation, a Suzuki has realised it has potential. Record UK sales in rear‐view camera and smartphone connectivity. As that’s also 2016, helped by fleet and retail demand for the Vitara, has the point where alloy wheels and the wheel arch extensions given it new impetus to chase a bigger slice of the corporate become standard equipment, it’s worth the upgrade. market. Ambitious for a 70‐80% retail‐weighted brand, but There are two engine options; a 1.2‐litre petrol with an the plan is to play to its strengths. Doubling its B2B volumes, optional automated manual gearbox, both returning through incremental sales growth, will 61.4mpg and emitting 104g/km CO2, or come from targeting end‐users – Suzuki’s mild hybrid system based on the customers who shop like the retail same engine. The latter uses a small buyers it retains so well. motor‐generator to assist the engine; a The Ignis won’t play as large a role in low‐cost, low‐weight technology which that as the S‐Cross and Vitara, but it is a brings CO2 down to 97g/km, or 106g/km useful addition. It’s roughly the same size with the top‐spec SZ5’s part‐time four‐ as a Fiat Panda Cross, a more fashionable wheel drive system. replacement for the discontinued Splash It’s assistance you barely notice, seam‐ MPV, and Suzuki is reckoning on around lessly capturing otherwise wasted 6,000 UK sales in its first year. Boxy energy and giving sparkier acceleration Japanese city cars haven’t traditionally from a standstill than the rev‐hungry found many fans in the UK – this has just petrol engine usually provides. For a enough crossover DNA to change that. small car, it’s very quiet, really smooth It’s very cute; tall, narrow and seem‐ when the engine re‐engages, and the Crossover styling and ingly stretched over a chassis that’s combination of featherweight body, mini MPV practicality pushed the wheels out to the extremities quick steering and short overhangs adds in a cute, fuel-efficient of the car, its stubby bonnet and stocky up to a keen – though don’t read that as arches mean it looks more boxer dog than sporty – driving experience. package – the Ignis is a box‐on‐wheels. Crossovers tend to attract For now, at least, that’s a combination characterful and those wanting MPV flexibility without the of qualities that give the Ignis its own appealing addition frumpiness, and the Ignis delivers. spot in the crossover market. Purposeful, to the city car class. With most of the overall length taken up practical and stylish, it’s another useful by the wheelbase, there’s also plenty of tool in Suzuki’s fleet armoury.

what we think

34 / fleetworld.co.uk

Nissan X-Trail dCi 177 The X-Trail’s high-power diesel isn’t just an option for caravaners, explains Alex Grant. SECTOR SUV PRICE £27,645-£35,090 FUEL 647.1-50.5mpg CO2 148-158g/km

issan launched the latest X‐Trail to some lofty goals the Land Rover Discovery Sport and even the new Skoda in 2014. With crossover styling, two‐wheel drive Kodiaq, all include similar powertrains. Surprisingly, it’s options and a more efficient 1.6‐litre diesel engine, also the first time this generation has offered four‐wheel it was aiming for appeal beyond the utilitarian qualities of drive with an automatic transmission, though it is a stepped its predecessor with sights on more than quadrupling its continuously variable unit. Four‐wheel drive manual and retail‐weighted 2,500 UK sales to 11,000 units, almost half two‐wheel drive CVT versions will also be available. of which it hoped would go to fleets. Transmission choices have a big effect on the way it It’s delivered. Replacing not only the old X‐Trail but also feels. CVT‐equipped models felt noticeably more agricul‐ the seven‐seat Qashqai +2, which Nissan reasoned was tural on the launch event, the manuals better insulated bought more for load‐hauling than its extra seating, it’s on from the grumble and drone of the engine under load. It’s track to sell 16,500 units in the UK this year. But ongoing not significantly faster than the dCi 130 on paper, and it growth means re‐introducing a bit of its still can’t rival the old X‐Trail’s towing predecessor back into the range. capacity, but the increase in torque does The old X‐Trail was only ever available at least mean that there’s less need to with a 2.0‐litre diesel engine, producing hunt through the gears when the engine 147bhp or 170bhp. Now something simi‐ is under load. lar is coming back into the new car, a That said, it’s a large SUV with a 174bhp 2.0‐litre diesel, augmenting the convincingly car‐like drive. The X‐Trail 1.6‐litre diesel offered from launch and a is about as close as Nissan has to a rival response, in part, to customer complaints for a Mondeo Estate, which is a shrewd that downsizing had robbed the brand’s move. It rides well on big wheels, does‐ flagship SUV of its pulling power. n’t roll around while cornering and But the aim isn’t to re‐discover tradi‐ forward visibility is impressive from all tional retail buyers. Nissan reckons a three rows, which makes for a less quarter of X‐Trail customers will opt for claustrophobic journey in the back. A the high‐powered version, with a similar large load area with a similar luggage A welcome injection fleet mix to the rest of the range. It’s an board system to the Qashqai, for divid‐ of low-rev performance opportunity to net buyers out of ing up the boot floor, adding some MPV‐ for the capable but premium brands, turning the X‐Trail into like flexibility for those not adding the a potential high‐spec conquest car. Signif‐ £1,000 seven‐seat upgrade. lethargic X-Trail, which icantly, 60% of dCi 177 sales are expected So the big diesel adds a string to the X‐ should broaden its to be incremental growth. Trail’s bow, even if it’s no longer the cara‐ appeal. But others There’s certainly a market. The X‐ vaner’s workhorse in this segment. But, can now tow more. Trail’s rivals, which span large Korean given the success it’s had so far, that would SUVs, seven‐seat premium models like seem to be what the majority want.

what we think

36 / fleetworld.co.uk

Renault ZOE Z.E 40 Doubling the ZOE’s range takes it into the mainstream company car market, says Steve Moody. SECTOR Supermini PRICE £25,495 (after PiCG) FUEL 0mpg CO2 0g/km

n electric company car with no VED, minimal BiK range and packaging in the EV market, and while this tax, 100% write down allowances, NIC savings, longer‐range model has one notable, defining strength which saves more than £100 in fuel costs every over that car, some might conclude the extra cost and 1,000 miles over a conventionally powered car and can range isn’t necessary and stick with the cheaper model. easily do 45,000 miles a year. This is what the fleet of the Renault offers the option to lease the battery with the future will look like. car or separately, most fleets opt for the latter. There’s Except it isn’t – it is what a fleet running the new long not definitive costing out for this particular model yet, range Renault ZOE could look like now. The Z.E 40 is but using this method, 7,500 miles a year in a Dynamique Renault’s longest range electric car, traveling more than Nav would be £270 a month after a deposit of £1,995, 180 miles on one charge in warmer summer weather and although the pricing profile for all models changes 124 in colder winter conditions, so taking an extremely depending on how many miles a driver does and there‐ useful, engaging runabout into the fore how quickly the batteries would realms of seriously useful, cheap to run be degraded. mainstream car. Renault has also launched new apps That Renault has been able to offer to go with the car: the Z.E. Pass App this without major engineering changes being especially useful in that it lists all to the car’s structure is down to nearby chargers and availability, allow‐ improved chemistry and better packag‐ ing the driver to select one and send it ing within the batteries, which means to the navigation should they be they can store more energy and deliver running out of electricity. more power more efficiently. However, As for the driving experience, well it now takes six or seven hours to fully nothing has changed really. The ZOE charge on a 7kW socket, compared to still leaps off the line thanks to the four for the 100‐mile 22kWh battery, instant shove of the electric motor and still offered as an entry level option. feels as though it reaches 60mph far There’s also a rapid charge version quicker than the 13.2‐second official An EV with few of the (Q90) which takes eight or nine hours figure, while it steers with easy preci‐ drawbacks which might to fully charge, but gets to 80% in 65 sion and wooshes along in silence. By have put company car minutes, while the R90 takes one hour no means is it a performance car, but 40 minutes to reach 80%. Swings and driving enjoyment is gleaned in other drivers off. The old ZOE roundabouts. ways: the silence and simplicity of the was a market leader – Purchase cost will still be an issue; the experience is its strongest suit. The big the new one leads by an 40kWh battery is up to £4,000 pricier difference is, after nearly four hours of even greater distance. than the equivalent 22kWh version. The driving, I still had 80 miles of range ZOE was the best combination of price, left. Fantastic.

what we think

fleetworld.co.uk / 37

DIARY DATE

THE GREATEST SHOW IN FLEET

SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT

10TH MAY 2017

Find out more at thefleetshow.co.uk

THE GREATEST SHOW IN FLEET

SWOTTeam This month the SWOT Team analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the new Audi A5 Coupe against its closest rivals. Here is what they have to say...

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

GA Stunning coupe looks, modern interior, class-leading build quality - it's a hard act to follow. Class leading economy and emissions won’t put anyone off either!

GA Dynamically the 4 Series Coupe pips it, and some prefer the looks. The old car is plentiful, and the new one looks very similar. Some will fancy something different – that’s where the C-Class and RC strike.

GA Audi already has a very strong share of this sector. A5 appeals to both the rational and emotional aspects for the end user, the new car is welcome as the old interior particularly was starting to feel dated. It’s now up there with the best.

GA Plenty of strong competition, and competitive monthly rentals on the C-Class. End-user choice is normally down to personal preference rather than standout features or benefits.

AC Follows on neatly from the latest A4. Cabin quality and ergonomics are excellent and the MMI system is as easy to use as always. Much longer wheelbase than the old car, which increases interior space. MJ Stylish new coupe gets sharper lines, with newgeneration dash, heated leather Alcantara sports seats. All the latest technology options are available including the Virtual Cockpit. Very competent all round, it’s hard to find fault. MW Handsome and sensibly priced, much improved over the previous car.

40 / fleetworld.co.uk

AC Not the most exciting to drive – the steering feels a little vague, and dynamically it is still behind the BMW. It does everything you want it to do, but doesn’t set your pulse racing. MJ Styling is in-keeping with the latest Audi look, but is it as good looking as the prior model? To run from 2007 until 2016 with only a 2012 mild facelift says a great deal of the original car’s appeal. MW Practical cars were often bland, but the SUV has come on in leaps and bounds and people have tended to move away from coupes.

AC Plenty of people want a fairly practical family car yet still want something a little more exciting sitting on their driveway. A5 has been very popular since launch, I see no reason why this should change.

AC Increased pressure from the saloons; the excellent Jaguar XE and Alfa Romeo Giulia offer the added practicality of four doors but also a sleeker profile and sexier look than some of their predecessors.

MJ If you want something other than a D-sector saloon or estate, then A5 Coupe makes really good sense.

MJ It took until almost 2014 before BMW replaced the 3 Series Coupe with 4 Series. This plus new C-Class Coupe and Lexus RC mean that Audi now has some proper competition.

MW There will always be those who, at a certain time, can live with a coupe’s lack of flexibility. Which means there will always be an opportunity for this sector.

MW The biggest threat comes from SUVs, good looking estate cars, and some pretty cool hatches. All four of these manufacturers offer such vehicles in their ranges.

Martin Ward (MW) Manufacturer Relationship Manager, CAP

Audi A5

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

Mark Jowsey (MJ) Director, KeeResources KWIKcarcost

Strengths GA Desirable badge, styling, class-leading CO2 and MPG. AC Larger interior than old one. MJ Competent, hard to fault. MW Visually a big improvement over the old car.

GA BMW is better to drive. AC Not exciting visually, or to drive. MJ Long-lived old car perhaps better looking. MW SUVs are fashionable too.

Strengths

BMW 420d M Sport Coupe (Auto)

GA The choice for keen drivers. AC Still the one to beat. MJ Great to drive, spacious and wellequipped. MW Sought after new and used.

GA Plenty out there, some prefer the Audi interior. AC Interior not as impressive. MJ Interior needs differentiation from 3 Series. MW BMW’s own SUVs are a threat.

Strengths

Mercedes-Benz C 250 d AMG Line Coupe

GA Well built. Strong deals on monthly rentals. AC Sleek looks. MJ Desirable, and styling a big step forward. MW In demand with buyers.

GA Not seen as a driver’s car. AC A5 more practical, with bigger boot. MJ No leather, high insurance, noisy engine. MW Growing range of Merc SUVs.

OTR: £38,495 P11D: £38,440 Fuel: 61.4mpg CO2: 120g/km RV*: £14,425 (38%) BiK: 24% SMR: £2,801 Fuel costs: £5,168 Insurance: £4,998 Finance: £5,189 NI: £4,138 VED: £60 Cost per month: £1,290

Strengths

Lexus RC 300h F-Sport

Weaknesses

Lexus RC 300h

Standard equipment: • DAB/CD/SD/BT/USB/Aux-in • Sat nav with 7-inch screen • Cruise control, speed limiter • Three-zone climate control • Heated/electric leather/Alcantara seats • Auto parking, sensors, camera • 18-inch alloy wheels • LED Headlights • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £645

OTR: £37,185 P11D: £37,130 Fuel: 65.7mpg CO2: 114g/km RV*: £14,100 (38%) BiK: 22% SMR: £2,804 Fuel costs: £4,830 Insurance: £4,350 Finance: £5,013 NI: £3,689 VED: £60 Cost per month: £1,218

Weaknesses

Mercedes-Benz C 250 d

Audi A5 Coupe 2.0 TDI S-tronic ultra S line OTR: £38,130 P11D: £38,075 Fuel: 67.3mpg CO2: 111g/km RV*: £15,050 (40%) BiK: 22% SMR: £2,875 Fuel costs: £4,715 Insurance: £4,125 Finance: £5,140 NI: £3,783 VED: £60 Cost per month: £1,216

Weaknesses

BMW 420d

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

GA Exclusivity. Works on paper. AC Looks good, refined cabin. MJ Head-turning looks, quality cabin. MW Will appeal to the non-diesel believers.

Weaknesses GA Some buyers still faithful to diesel. AC Not as dynamic to drive. CVT gearbox. MJ No sat nav, small boot, CVT gearbox. Real-world MPG. MW Practicality an issue.

OTR: £38,495 P11D: £38,440 Fuel: 56.5mpg CO2: 116g/km RV*: £13,300 (36%) BiK: 20% SMR: £2,803 Fuel costs: £5,511 Insurance: £4,785 Finance: £5,189 NI: £3,501 VED: £40 Cost per month: £1,306

Standard equipment: • DAB/BT/USB/Aux-in • Sat nav with 6.5-inch screen • Cruise control • Dual-zone climate control • Heated/electric leather seats • Parking sensors • 18-inch alloy wheels • Xenon headlights Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £645 • Auto park, camera £545

Standard equipment: • DAB/CD/BT/USB • Sat nav with 7-inch screen • Cruise control with speed limiter • Dual-zone climate control • Electric/heated artificial leather seats • Auto park, sensors, camera • 18-inch alloy wheels • LED headlights Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £645 • Leather upholstery £795

Standard equipment: • DAB/CD/BT/USB/Aux-in • 7-inch display screen • Cruise control • Dual-zone climate control • Electric/heated/vented leather seats • Parking sensors and camera • 19-inch alloy wheels • LED headlights Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £625 • Sat nav £995

* 3yr/60k

fleetworld.co.uk / 41

FEATURE Contract Hire & Leasing

Challenges ahead The BVRLA's seventh annual end-of-year conference saw delegates from across the industry discuss topics as diverse as grey fleet management, future mobility, changing emissions regulations, and of course, Brexit. Katie Beck reports on some of the key expert presentations. Sustainable transport policy Andrew Ben ield, group director of transport for Energy Saving Trust (EST), presented a number of models to demonstrate how making simple trans‐ port policy changes can have a substan‐ tial impact on leet ef iciency. “With even the most basic changes to leet policy, such as encouraging differ‐ ent modes of transport where possible, we can see 10% savings, right through to 50% savings when complex adjustments such as reduced mileage allowances are implemented,” he said. “We are seeing some companies go even further and eradicate grey leet completely.” Good communication is vital to the successful implementation of a new leet policy. “We’ve spoken to a lot of different companies to ask them how they have brought in these changes, and

“With even the most basic changes to fleet policy, such as encouraging different modes of transport where possible, we can see 10% savings.”

42 / fleetworld.co.uk

achieved what is essentially a culture change in their organisation. Two of the key themes we hear again and again are ‘collaboration’ and ‘leadership’, and making sure that different parts of the organisation work together,” he added. Dale Eynon, head of Defra Group

Fleet Services (above), explained how the company is overhauling its grey leet management policy. The company supplies vehicles to a range of services including National Parks, Kew Gardens

and the Forestry Commission, and has a mixed leet of 9,000 vehicles. “There are some cases where a personal car is still the best option if the driver has particular needs, but it is important to be vigilant as people will try to pull the wool over your eyes and come up with all kinds of excuses – using a grey leet vehicle is often seen as being much more convenient and it’s important to explain the bene its of alternative options,” he advised. “Key bene its of using company vehi‐ cles or rentals include quick solutions in the event of vehicle damage, reduced insurance and improved safety as vehi‐ cles are generally younger and in better condition than grey leet.” Eynon revealed that most of the company’s drivers had come around to the bene its of moving away from grey

leet, but in some cases ‘stick’ rather than ‘carrot’ methods might be needed to bring more resistant employees on board. “Tactics could include implementing a 75 mile cut off, where if the driver is doing more miles than this, they must go into a rental vehicle. If they insist on using their own car, then mileage above 75 miles is not reimbursed. Especially at the beginning of a policy change, disin‐ centives for continued use of personal cars is as important as offering incen‐ tives for the use of alternative solu‐ tions,” he added.

Real-world emissions Nick Molden highlighted the difference between realworld and official figures.

Real-world emissions Nick Molden, CEO of testing and analytics specialist Emissions Analytics, used vehi‐ cle data to show that despite meeting UK legal requirements, vehicle tailpipe emis‐ sions of both cars and vans continue to consistently breach safe limits. “If I had to summarise in a nutshell what the problem is, it is that nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from cars and vans are four time times the safe limit, on average ‐whether that be to Euro 5 or Euro 6 standards,” he revealed. “Through our own test cycles, we have

fleetworld.co.uk / 43

→

FEATURE Contract Hire & Leasing

Challenges ahead... →

also found that fuel economy, on average, is about 29% below what of icial igures would lead you to believe, which in turn means that real‐world CO2 emissions are currently 41% higher than of icial igures claim. NOx emissions were also found to be dangerously high. “Over the last ive years, Emission Analytics has tested well over 1,200 vehicles,” Molden said. “For the highest‐ emitting vehicle we have come across, NOx is 23 times the of icial regulated level; and that is for a legally type‐ approved vehicle. It is clear that Euro 6 is not enough to reduce emission levels to the standards it needs to.” Molden highlighted that while welcome, forthcoming updates to regu‐ lations (including the introduction of the new WLTC testing cycle) won’t take full effect until 2020; and until that time enforcement will be very gentle. “We believe that the introduction of WLTC will halve that gap, so that is a posi‐ tive step. WLTC will help to address some concerns as the test cycles will be slightly more real‐world, with a test speed of 29mph, instead of 21mph, for example.” Molden revealed that while the company sells its database commercially, the top slice of data has been put into the public domain for anyone to use, in an attempt to help end users and compa‐ nies make more informed choices. “The advisory information will help drivers scrutinise between which vehi‐ cles are ‘clean’ and which are ‘dirty’, even though they have all passed regulation testing,” he said. “We use an A‐H scale, and A very simply means it meets regu‐ lations, and is consistent with real‐world driving. Interestingly, nine of the 12 diesel cars we’ve given ‘A’ ratings to are Volkswagen Group cars, and these were all launched before ‘Dieselgate’. Make of that what you will…”.

“WLTC will help to address some concerns as the test cycles will be slightly more real-world.”

44 / fleetworld.co.uk

Uncertain future Leon Dhaene explained the complex negotiations involved with Brexit.

Brexit and the road transport sector The controversial topic of Britain’s forth‐ coming exit from the European Union took centre stage in the afternoon sessions, with discussions focused on what Brexit could mean for the UK’s road transport sector. “Possible issues, not just for the indus‐ try but in general, will include complica‐ tions involved with the negations to exit EU treaties,” explained Leon Dhaene, director general of international leasing irm, LeaseEurope. “A country has never left the EU before, so these are totally untested procedures and we can not fully predict the outcomes. Trade agreements will need to be renegotiated, and this will not only be a huge logistical challenge, but there is real potential here for our sector to be impacted. “If this process is to be managed properly, I do not foresee a full Brexit before 2022 due to the complexity of these negotiations,” he added. “You can understand the concern of a lot of busi‐ nesses that uncertainty between the EU and the UK could last for such a long time, and uncertainty is not something that investors like. This could have a real impact on interest rates and how confident international businesses are in the UK market.” Duncan Price, freight, operator licensing and roadworthiness, Depart‐ ment for Transport, added that Brexit

will require substantial updates to industry regulations. “A lot of our current road transport laws come directly from European Union regulations, creating a big technical job to split out all references to Europe and repatriate the legislation,” he said. “Theoretically, when the UK is outside the EU there will be the opportunity for us to negotiate our own technical standards, but this could create issues with harmon‐ isation of international standards.” He added that a decision to enforce UK‐speci ic regulations should not be taken lightly, given the already complex legislative changes the industry will face when Aricle 50 is triggered.

Opportunity for change Duncan Price said Brexit could allow UK-specific regulations.

events Honourable mentions Event

Fleet World Honours 2017

Venue

RAC Club, Pall Mall, London

Fleet World Date Honours Tuesday 21 February 2017 The Fleet World Honours is the annual award ceremony celebrating best manufacturers, The best fleetthe managers, cars, vans andsuppliers, suppliersinnovations inand theďŹ&#x201A;eet industry will once again be celebrated managers in the industry. at our prestigious annual lunch. Held at a prestigious lunch in the iconic RAC Club, Pall Mall, Visit www.fleetworldhonours.co.uk to seethe who won London, it provides event partners with opportunity to in 2016, and the categories open for entry in 2017. network during the day to present and potential customers, and position themselves as an integral business within the ďŹ&#x201A;eet industry, and a brand which is engaged with and Have you got the best new offering in your sector? committed to Honours the sector. Then enter the Innovations on the website

SUPPLIERS!

www.fleetworldhonours.co.uk and tell us about Sponsorship packages your brilliant new productsfor and services.

awards are available.

There are awards available in: SMR Accident Management Risk Management Driver Management Remarketing Fuel Saving & Management Telematics Cost Reduction Customer Service Contract Hire & Leasing Mobile Communications Daily Rental

ENTER ONLINE NOW!

Entries must be in by 21 January 2017. Full details of how to enter are available on www.fleetworldhonours.co.uk fleetworld.co.uk / 45

INTERVIEW Matt Dyer, LeasePlan UK

Future plans Settling under its new owners, LeasePlan UK is setting out plans to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse fleet sector, as managing director Matt Dyer explains. By Alex Grant. t’s less than a year since LeasePlan’s acquisition by Dutch consortium LP Group BV yet, despite the potential disrup‐ tion of a number of management changes since, 2016 shaped up as a positive year for the UK business. After a strong 2015, it recorded 15% fleet growth across its portfolio; includ‐ ing solutions for SME, corporate, public sector and broker and franchisee customers. But, as UK managing director Matt Dyer explains, it’s seeing a shift in customer base: “It was very clear to me when I was here in the UK in late 2009 and 2010 that [the SME sector] came out of the recession far quicker than corporate,” he recalls. “I would say there’s a bit of uncertainty around from small business perspective, with the economic backdrop there’s lots of looking at certain results and trying to take some comfort and hope out of them, but SME has grown significantly. It’s over 50% of our business, and commercial vehicles are over a third. “We’ve got over 55,000 commercial vehicles on our fleet, we’ve probably added something in the region of 25‐30,000 in the last five years. I guess that shows you the shape of how the business is changing ‐ there’s a lot more about supporting customers for whom vehicles are business critical rather than the benefit‐driven schemes we might have seen in the past.” Dyer highlights figures from the Federation of Small Busi‐ ness, showing that SMEs employ 15.6 million people – over 60% of the private sector. That’s across 5.4 million organi‐ sations, of which 4.1m are owner‐operators, the sector

accounting for around 55% of the UK’s 4.5 million fleet vehicles, he adds. Supporting them during periods of uncer‐ tainty is critical. But stability is just as important elsewhere. As vice chair‐ man of the BVRLA and within LeasePlan UK, Dyer says consis‐ tency of information has been something he’s been eager to lobby for. Particularly since the 2015 Autumn Statement’s diesel surcharge announcement showed big changes aren’t always brought in with much notice. “We’ve had to do a lot of work to make the case for why company‐provided vehicles are really important to the health of business and economy in the UK. We keep working hard to do it but reverts back to HM Treasury seeing it as potential for revenue and that’s a shame,” he explains. “[The diesel surcharge] took a bit of momentum out of demand, because I think we were just starting to see the situ‐ ation where the number of Benefit‐in‐Kind taxpayers was starting to increase again. That has impacted people’s choice in this area, but I also think it’s probably impacted people who didn’t have a choice. People who have to take a vehicle for the job are hostage to the impact it’s made on them.” A lot of the frustration comes from mixed messages – Dyer says it’s not always clear about what tax changes are trying to achieve. Recently that includes potentially undermining salary sacrifice, which has been effective at getting drivers into effi‐ cient small cars, while aiming to encourage the uptake of ultra‐low emission vehicles with new Benefit‐in‐Kind bands.

2017 ambitions... The right team: Named as one of Britain’s top employers and holding the Investors in People Gold standard, Dyer takes pride in having a specialist team on board and continuing to develop them. It’s a core part of catering for an evolving industry: “Our sector is an interesting one as it’s part business services, part financial services and part automotive. The business services part of it tells you that the way you interact with your customers, through your people, is what differentiates you,” he says.

46 / fleetworld.co.uk

Being flexible: There’s no solution to fit every business need, and increasingly it’s helpful to offer a selection so customers can pick and choose. FlexiPlan launched in March 2016 to offer flexible contracts, while insurance and car sharing are on the company’s radar too. “It’s easy to look at all sorts of opportunities and think every one is the right answer,” Dyer says. “Actually what you’ve got to do is be led by your customers.”

SMEs: Supporting small businesses – for whom vehicles are business critical – is vital during economically uncertain periods. For LeasePlan UK, it’s been a growth area, but Dyer also sees it as a big opportunity over the coming years.

“There’s no solution to fit every business need and increasingly, it’s helpful to offer a selection.”

“If you look at this it’s difficult to know what’s impor‐ tant,” he says. “Is it revenue, or moving the quality and efficiency of fleets forward?” Customers’ needs and expectations are diversifying, too. Dyer says LeasePlan UK has invested heavily in Engage, its customer service programme, and it’s trying to offer the experience drivers expect – app and web portal based for those who want it, and the ability to talk to someone for those who don’t. With a growing appetite for car sharing and a blend of vehicle provision – leases and long‐term rentals – to suit particular needs, the need to offer a prod‐ uct portfolio and in‐house expertise to support evolving customer demands has never been more important. Ongoing support and investment of the company’s own team is aimed at backing that up. “It wasn’t much more than five or six years ago where large percentages of commercial vehicle operators were still buying rather than leasing. So this is around building the capability and trust with your customer

that you can look after their needs in that particular way. There’s definitely an appetite that there’s no one size that fits all – you take different types of vehicle provision to fit the circumstances.” So, despite the changes within, it’s the external factors which are the bigger chal‐ lenge; the uncertain political and economical landscape which shapes busi‐ nesses’ decisions. Dyer sees the fleet sector playing a pivotal role in what could be a bumpy few years, and he’s keen to make sure that importance is recognised outside the industry itself. “It doesn’t feel like people are willing to call out how important company provided vehicles are to a successful econ‐ omy,” he says. “We always talk about Bene‐ fit‐in‐Kind taxation, we never talk about how we get more company cars on the road. We’re trying to make sure we give all the right reasons as to why some of these things should be defended. If the health of the economy is crucial going forward, then of course company provided vehicles have a role to play in that.”

fleetworld.co.uk / 47

FEATURE Taxation & Funding

The future ain’t what it used to be It's like a storm that's never ending It's like a shadow on the land and the sea There's nothing so sad as a tomorrow gone bad The future ain't what it used to be.

hese are lyrics from the Meat Loaf track ‘The Future Ain't What It Used To Be’, and they provide a good point for us to start an article in which we will look at how fleet costs can be contained in a post‐Brexit Britain. The Brexit vote has already had a significant impact: infla‐ tion up, Office for Budget Responsibility 2017 growth fore‐ cast down (to 1.4% from 2.2%), government debt forecast up (by an extra £122bn by 2021 compared with the Spring Budget forecast), and on 29 December the Institute for Public Policy Research warned that Brexit and other changes will reshape the UK radically (they warn that the country is too nostalgic, institutionally conservative and unambitious, and that unless its economic model is transformed we will be ‘left defending sand castles against the tide of history’). There is some reluctance nowadays to believe facts, truth or experts but – regardless of your politics – it’s probably best to base business decisions on the combined brainpower within the likes of the Office for Budget Responsibility, the Bank of England and the Institute for Public Policy Research rather than the eternal optimists on Twitter or the headline writers of the Daily Mail and Sun. The fact is that those things that were certain are now much less certain, and uncertainty is bad for business. Once the Brexit negotiations get under way the press will deliver headlines bewailing the likely outcome of the negoti‐ ations. For some reasons, they always seem to prefer bad news to good news. In fact, for them, good news is bad news. It’s debateable – and unlikely – that the long‐term future will be as bleak as suggested by these lyrics or the prophets of doom (that’s an expression, not another rock band) but the consensus is that the short term economic outlook is signifi‐ cantly less rosy than it was six months ago. So, as someone responsible for managing your vehicle fleet, what can you do now to ensure that your fleet costs don’t start to rise? Even if your company view is that Brexit

48 / fleetworld.co.uk

will be good for your business it’s still wise to plan for any possible downsides. Let’s first assume that you lease your cars on contract hire. Get any two people from the fleet leasing industry together for more than 10 minutes and it's likely they'll start talking about used vehicle prices. Contract hire is by far the most popular form of fleet finance and the leasing company doesn’t know how much profit it has made on a lease until the vehicle has been returned and sold. Every quote they issue includes a predic‐ tion of the future value of the vehicles. If they get that predic‐ tion wrong it can cost them dearly. Typically, the car will be sold at auction. Auction values fluctuate, as can be seen by this chart, kindly supplied by KeeResources (right). If you lease your cars this is important to you because your leasing company will start reducing the projected used vehi‐ cle sales prices ‐ ‘residual values’ ‐ they build into your new leases, and therefore increasing their rentals, if they think used vehicle prices are likely to fall. And this is exactly what has been happening in recent months – many leasing compa‐ nies have been marking down their residual values. If you buy your cars, the performance of the used car market is still important to you because price reductions add to your business costs, through either loss on disposal of fixed assets or additional depreciation. So, what's the current prognosis for used car values? Well, actually, it's not looking too rosy. Used car prices re lect the willingness of consumers to put their hands in their pockets to replace their ageing cars with newer ones. If people are worried about their jobs, their salaries not keeping pace with in lation or the 15% hike in the price of next year’s foreign holiday they may well decide to defer buying that three year old car, or to buy an older one. On

AVERAGE DISPOSAL VALUES - TOP 100 FLEET CARS 36 months - 60,000miles £12,000

£11,000

£10,000

£9,000

£8,000

.12 .20 06 01 .0 4. 20 07 01 .0 8. 20 07 01 .12 . 20 01 07 .0 4. 20 0 01 8 .0 8. 20 0 01 8 .12 .2 01 008 .0 4. 20 09 01 .0 8. 20 09 01 .12 .20 09 01 .0 4. 20 10 01 .0 8. 20 10 01 .12 . 20 10 01 .0 4. 20 11 01 .0 8. 20 11 01 .12 .20 01 11 .0 4. 20 12 01 .0 8. 20 12 01 .12 .20 12 01 .0 4. 20 13 01 .0 8. 20 13 01 .12 .20 13 01 .0 4. 20 14 01 .0 8. 20 14 01 .12 .20 14 01 .0 4. 20 15 01 .0 8. 20 15 01 .12 .20 01 15 .0 4. 20 16 01 .0 8. 20 16 01 .1 2 .20 16

£7,000

the supply side, we are seeing a very large number of three and four year old cars coming onto the market, driven by record numbers of company car registrations and Personal Contract Purchase‐funded retail car sales three or four years ago. Against this background the smart money would be on used car prices falling. So, with leasing companies reducing their residual value forecasts (and increasing their rentals) and used vehicle values falling, what can you do to protect against your fleet costs rising? There are three good options: 1. If you haven’t reviewed your fleet policy and supply arrangements for a few years, now is probably a good time to do so. If you lease your cars, ask your leasing company for their cost‐saving recommendations. They may suggest a review of the financial product you are using, the mix of cars going onto your fleet and even the pence per mile you are paying your employees for driving business mileage. 2. If you don’t have a leasing company, go out and have a chat with a few, and with a couple of fleet management companies and brokers too. Give them the same challenge.

Keep an open mind because they may well be able to deliver significant savings simply by giving you the benefit of their buying power. 3. Start adopting an ‘intelligent mobility’ approach. It is likely that at any time, even during working hours, a signifi‐ cant number of your company vehicles will be sitting idle in a car park. They cost you money by the minute which you get no benefit from if the vehicles are stationary. Most company vehicles are supplied as ‘business use’ tools rather than as solely perks of the job. Is there a better way for your employ‐ ees to get from A to B other than using a company‐supplied vehicle? Do all those employees actually need company cars? Could some journeys be carried out using pool cars, shared cars, rental cars, public transport or company cars that would otherwise be sitting idle all day in the car park? We are going to be hearing a lot more about these mobility solutions soon. Because things are changing. The future ain’t what it used to be. Professor Colin Tourick MSc FCA FCCA MICFM University of Buckingham

fleetworld.co.uk / 49

FLEETW RLD

How many charging points have you installed in the UK?

Do you operate a public charging network?

How many points are included?

Do you offer specific workplace charging solutions?

Can they be integrated with ﬂeet management software, to track usage?

Do they have RFID or appbased access?

Do your units offer remote maintenance and updates?

Can you lease your charging points?

How long are your warranties?

Do you offer DC rapid chargers?

MARKET OVERVIEW EV Infrastructure

Ensto Chago

10k

✔

Both

✔

4yrs

✔

EV Charging Solutions

2.5k

✔

Both

✔

3yrs

✔

POD Point

27k

✔

1.5k

✔

App

✔

3yrs

✔

Rolec EV

50k

✔

50+

✔

Both

✔

2yrs

Key to services

✔

Service provided

Service unavailable

Ensto Chago

EV Charging Solutions

Chago has been at the forefront of EV Charging since its infancy. We provide our customers the hardware and software that lasts! Reducing Operational costs is imperative to successful EV infrastructure; we make this happen together with our customers. 80% of Chargepoint costs come from operation, we minimize impact through the right product that is built to last and can evolve with your ﬂeet and/or demand. Achieved through using reliable parts, leading engineering and SLA’s that perform making your infrastructure ﬁnancially viable. Many charging stations will be redundant with EV evolving fast, make sure you are ready to evolve by working with us your SMART product is ready for Dynamic Load Management, Vehicle 2 Grid, Vehicle 2 Infrastructure and demand side response.

EV Charging Solutions are specialist installers of electrical vehicle charging systems based in the Midlands but working nationwide. As independent installers we are able to offer our clients an unbiased choice of charging systems. With over 2500 home and commercial charging systems installed to date and clients including Siemens, Vivienne Westwood, Nottingham City council and the environment agency it's clear to see why we are first choice for clients looking to take advantage of cleaner greener driving. For fleet operators our unique crowd charge back office system allows users total control over end users activities, energy use, CO2 savings, charger booking, pay as you go option and offers API services to link in to HR or payroll operations or utilisation reports that are downloadable as CSV/XLS format.

Contact: James O’Neill James.Oneill@ensto.com

Contact: Samuel Cutler Tel: 01159 664895 info@evchargingsolutions.co.uk www.evchargingsolutions.co.uk

Tel: 02037 500153 www.chago.com

POD Point POD Point have manufactured and sold nearly 30,000 charging points and developed one of the UK’s largest public networks. In 2016, a charge was started on the POD Point ecosystem every 42 seconds. Through our network of home, workplace and customer charging points we have already powered over 44 million miles of EV motoring. Pod Point's innovative cloud hosted software platform has the ability to monitor and maintain fleet charging units at user’s homes and workplace. Allowing you to report on tax in kind benefits, carbon offsetting and kW/h used. Future proof your business now with the most advanced platform in the industry.

Contact: Chris Cheetham Tel: 02038 179556 chris.cheetham@pod-point.com www.pod-point.com

50 / fleetworld.co.uk

Rolec EV Rolec EV, a division of Rolec Services, has specialised over the past eight years in the design, manufacture and supply of the largest range of electric vehicle charging pedestals, wall units and stations in Europe. Rolec’s EV charging products are compatible with all electric vehicles manufactured today and have been certiﬁcated by many of the world’s leading EV manufacturers. Rolec EV holds Europe’s largest stocks of EV charging equipment and accessories and has manufactured over 50,000 charging points to date, many of which have been branded to suit corporate client requirements. We have provided EV charging solutions for BMW, Porsche, Tesco, Sony, the NHS, DFS, Hilton Hotels, Gatwick Airport and McDonald’s to name but a few.

Contact: Gary Frost gary.frost@rolecserv.co.uk

Tel: 01205 724754 www.rolecserv.com

evfleetworld.co.uk

For all your fleet electric vehicle needs and to stay up to date with the latest news and developments, visit

evfleetworld.co.uk @EVFleetWorld

EV Fleet World

our fleet Audi Q2 S line 1.4 TFSI CoD S-tronic AUDI had a busy 2016 with model launches and, while you could argue that it’s evolutionary in its design, sales growth among the UK’s biggest brands is hard to argue with. The Q2 crossover, its only all-new nameplate last year, is a reminder that Ingolstadt can do ‘different’ when it wants to. Smaller than the A3, larger than the A1, and taller than both, with straight-edged boxiness that an original Quattro would envy (guess what its head designer has in the garage) and a range starting at just over £20,000, it’s an Audi aimed at a younger customer base than the brand’s average. Tech-savvy young urban families with a taste for bold colours and striking design. People like me, I guess. There are some interesting whole-life cost stories amongst the Q2 line-up, so we’ve not opted for the usual diesel engine. Ours has a 148bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol with a seven-speed S tronic transmission; at low loads it’ll shut off two of its cylinders, or ‘coast’ with the engine decoupled to save fuel. Factors which – at 123g/km – make this an interesting alternative to the equivalent 2.0-litre TDI, while undercutting 1.6-litre TDI. Early impressions are good; in S line spec and with a few options ticked, it hardly feels like a cut-down option, and it’s an agile, lively little car to drive. It’ll be interesting to see how it fares with familyhauling and motorway-cruising months ahead. Alex Grant

Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI S line 190 PS S tronic

IT’S early days for our AlphaCity car and, like a lot of businesses taking their first steps as customers, we’re getting used to the change in regime that it’s brought compared to grey fleet miles or hiring a car for ad-hoc meetings. Not everything has been plain sailing. For the most part, that’s been a case of familiarising ourselves with the way it works. Bookings are first come, first served, via a web portal. It’s relatively straightforward to use, and there’s no key to lose between trips as it unlocks via each driver’s key card and starts with a push button, costs are then charged to whichever part of the business is using the car. So the concept works well. Actually, the biggest problem we’ve faced so far has been

52 / fleetworld.co.uk

its popularity. We’ve got three editorial and commercial teams sharing the BMW and, as there is only one pool car at the office, the inevitable clashes have caused some rearranging of meetings. It’s an extra component to pre-plan. Some have also found the keyless access tricky. Alphabet offers a 24-hour call centre service and we can get advice whenever we want about it, but using the card is generally straightforward. It’s just the same as when keys changed from those you poke in the ignition to remote ones. Everyone, with years of experience of doing it one way, just got spooked by the new technology. So I think it won’t take too long before the process becomes ingrained and natural with the card system. Logan van der Poel-Treacy

Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4 HSE Luxury 180hp Auto

OUR long-term Discovery Sport has settled in well over the winter months. Its boot capacity of up to 1,698 litres has been put to good use over the festive season along with its seven-seater capabilities, which are much better than those of the Freelander. With the colder conditions seen in recent weeks, the heated front windscreen has proved a godsend although the wires can make it harder to see when driving straight into lower winter sun – this is few and far between though and the fast demisting is appreciated. So are the heated seats, which come with three temperature levels and the option of whether to heat the seat back, squabs or both – given the current weather conditions, I’m yet to try the cooling option though. I’m also really happy with the choice of the higher-powered 178bhp diesel for our test model – its moderately higher emissions and reduced fuel economy are worth the payoff in terms of performance. However, on the downside four-wheel drive is offered as standard on both engines; a fact that might deter some fleet buyers. Yet this is a highly refined and well performing engine with good low-down torque. It’s also notably quiet and smooth at speed. My only issue so far has been, as you would expect, a DFP filter warning after about 10 days of mainly urban driving but a quick trip along the dual carriageway soon dispelled that. One thing I’m yet to try though despite the favourable cold conditions is the Discovery Sport’s extensive offroad skills – and there’s plenty to report back on here. Natalie Middleton

Mazda CX-3 1.5d SE-L Nav

Skoda Superb SE L Executive Greenline III Estate IT is rare that I am as reluctant as I am to see a car return at the end of its time with us. After over 9,000 miles, I’m in no hurry to see the Superb estate go. Its comfort and space are practically unrivalled in a car at this price. As a long distance cruiser with space for five adults, it is hard to beat with one aboard, or filled with passengers and luggage. The last month has brought about a rare need – to lift the bonnet. First there was a warning displayed on the small screen in front of the driver, suggesting that I check the oil level. That’s a rare occurrence these days and I thought to myself that not every fleet driver would know how to do it. It took a little persuasion to unseat the dipstick, but it showed that oil was indeed needed. The warning has now disappeared, but was fairly quickly followed by another indicating that AdBlue, the additive needed for many Euro 6 compliant diesels, also needed replenishing. So far, I have yet to see an AdBlue dispenser on a fuel forecourt, other than those with commercial vehicle pumps. That means a trip to the dealer, garage shop or accessory shop. I bought a 10-litre top-up pack from Halfords, which comes with a screw-on spout designed to fit inside the AdBlue filler neck, located next to the fuel filler, to avoid spillage. It takes time and patience to complete as well as a little weight lifting, but does permit completely spill-free filling. Given my mileage, I managed to cover around 8,500 miles before the warning appeared. It’s one not to ignore too. If you let AdBlue reserves drop to very low levels, the car will eventually immobilise itself after further warnings. AdBlue is cheaper than the fix that would be needed. John Kendall

ABSENCE, I’m told, makes the heart grow fonder. I’ve come to appreciate that these last few weeks – a short break in Ireland and the use of another car has reminded me, late into our time with the CX-3, just how strong a product it is. Call me frivolous, but some of that is down to a pair of buttons on the dashboard. Some of the Fleet World team have argued that heated seats are a luxury, but I disagree. Plunging temperatures and those bracing few minutes before the blowers start moving warm air around the cabin sufficiently are the moments where anything without heated seats starts to feel a bit lacking. For someone like me, with a short trip to work, they’re a necessity. So kudos to Mazda for including them on a compact crossover. Also, I can totally understand the downsizing argument. Our CX-3 is a little shorter overall than a conventional C-segment hatch, but loses almost nothing. From the driver’s seat, it’s got the confidence and visibility of something bigger. And what it lacks in litre capacity – which isn’t much – it makes up for in terms of its versatile load space. It’s a hugely appealing all-rounder. Anne Dopson

fleetworld.co.uk / 53

our fleet SEAT Ateca SE 1.6 TDI Ecomotive WHEN we have a car on long-term loan, we do try and test every gadget and system. However I wasn’t expecting to trial SEAT’s Front Assist technology quite so rigorously. The system uses forward-facing radar to warn if you get too close to the car in front. However it has a secondary function. When you stop in traffic and the Ateca’s automatic handbrake engages to lock the rear wheels, Front Assist is still looking at the car in front. If the rear parking sensors recognise that the car behind you is not going to stop in time, but is in fact going to crash into you, Front Assist lights up the dash with a huge

red warning and locks all of the brakes, to prevent your car being shunted into the one in front. It works too, making the Ateca an immovable object that made quite a mess of the hatchback that decided to kiss its rear bumper. The SEAT received a few scratches in the bumper paintwork, but that was about it. SEAT took the car back to make good, so most of this month has been spent in a Leon ST. The good news is that the Ateca will be back this week. Dan Gilkes

SUPPLIER

DIRECTORY electric vehicle charging Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

accident management Selsia Vehicle Accident Centres Ltd

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

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

Renault Kadjar Dynamique S Nav dCi 110 I’VE swapped into the Kadjar for a few months and all is going pretty well in what is a very workmanlike crossover. The specification of the car we have isn’t especially high, so it feels like a vehicle able to take a lot of punishment, and take family life in its stride. It’s easy to drive, goes hundreds and hundreds of miles between fill-ups and is perfectly comfortable for long trips. As I said, it’s a car you feel happy carting the kids, dog and all their mess about in. One thing has annoyed me though. The Bluetoothed R-Link system and my iPhone have a rollercoaster of a relationship, like JR and Sue

54 / fleetworld.co.uk

Ellen. Some days they have raging rows, and I can’t get anything to play through it, which when you spend hours in a car every day and want to listen to music or podcasts, is incredibly annoying. On other days, for no reason I can fathom, they are sharing a hot tub and champagne together. Also, the sat nav comes up with some very random routes and traffic advice. My last long termer had dependable, beautiful Apple CarPlay, the Pamela Ewing of car audio, and I miss her, err, it, terribly for its elegant simplicity and ease of use. The sooner Renault updates its system, the better. Steve Moody

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

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

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

FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY contract hire, leasing & finance

daily rental

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

risk management

Thrifty Car & Van Rental Tel: 01494 751 550 www.thrifty.co.uk

Total Leasing Solutions for your business

Telephone 0113 250 0060

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

Drive Software Solutions Tel: 01438 317731

Tel: 01484 551060

www.drivesoftwaresolutions.com

www.virtualriskmanager.net

www.jct600vehicleleasingsolutions.co.uk

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

fleet management software

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

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

www.soficoservices.com

sgfleet Tel: 0845 154 0721 www.sgfleet.com

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

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

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

Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Tel: 01786 468 700

Cardinus Risk Management Tel: 01733 426015

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

www.cardinus.com

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

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

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

Maxxia 020 7520 9450 www.maxxia.co.uk

Sofico NV

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

Lex Autolease

Tel: 01792 222133 www.daysrental.co.uk

www.billplant.co.uk

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bill Plant Ltd Tel: 01765 645023

Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com

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

0845 2172 608

Tel:+3292018040

daysfleet.com

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk FLEETW RLD FLEETW RLD November 2014

November 2014

All that matters in

the world of fleet

All that matters in the world of fleet

interview

Michael O’Shea of

interview Michael O’Shea of Volkswagen

Volkswagen

stopping power

Why fleets should

stopping power Why fleets should check their brakes

check their brakes

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk MODE MODEL PUPIL LPUPIL Behind the wheel

of Tesla’s remarkable

Model S

Behind the wheel of Tesla’s remarkable Model S

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

misfuelling

contact

fuel management

AFF Tel: 0844 879 4770 www.autofuelfix.com

For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email

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

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 fleetworld.co.uk

tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

telematics & tracking Fleetmatics Tel: 0800 975 4566 www.fleetmatics.co.uk

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

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

Trakm8 Tel: 0330 333 4120 www.trakm8.com

www.quartix.net Tel: 0870 013 6663

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

BOX Telematics Tel: 0330 333 4118 www.boxtelematics.com CanTrack Global Ltd Tel: 01908 330385 www.cantrack.com

Tel: 0345 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

www.navmanwireless.co.uk

fleetworld.co.uk / 55

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Subscribe now! For all your fleet needs, visit fleetworldsubscriptions.co.uk to receive Fleet World magazine FREE every month. 6 December 201 December 2016 December 2016

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advice best practice for running your fleet

VAN

January 2017

FLEETW RLD

p59 New Volkswagen Amarok has taken pick-up power to a new level

at a glance driven... Volkswagen Amarok / Iveco Daily 4x4 / LDV V80 / Renault Trafic

plus... • Latest news from the LCV fleet world • LCV contract hire & leasing vanfleetworld.co.uk

inbusiness

Transit Custom to be plugged in

ord is to build a plug‐in hybrid version of the Transit Custom, which should be available by 2019. The news comes as part of a major EV push for the US auto‐ motive giant, which will also include a fully electric SUV, a high volume autonomous passenger vehicle, a hybrid version of the ever‐popular F150 pick‐up and a Mustang Hybrid. “Ford’s global EV strategy is to build on our strengths,” said Raj Nair, executive vice president, product development and chief technical of icer. “While some others seem to be focused on marketing claims and numbers, we’re focused on providing customers even more of what they love about their Ford vehicles. This means more capability for trucks, more productivity for commercial vehicles and more performance for sports cars, plus improved fuel economy.”

The company will begin trials of the hybrid Transit Custom in Europe later this year, along with a set of mobility services, telem‐ atic and connectivity solutions. Ford is also testing a leet of 20 Transit Connect hybrid taxis and vans in several major US cities. “Innovative services can be as important to customers as the electri ied vehicles them‐ selves,” said Hau Thai‐Tang, group vice pres‐ ident of purchasing and Ford’s EV champion. “We are investing in solutions to help private customers as well as commercial leet owners seamlessly incorporate these new vehicles and technologies into their lives.” Ford is also working with other auto manufacturers in Europe to create an ultra‐ fast charging network, with plans for an initial 400 sites across Europe. The company says that customers should have access to thousands of high‐power charg‐ ing points by 2020.

Mercedes-Benz shines at CES

ercedes‐Benz Vans was among a growing number of manufacturers taking part in this year’s Consumer Elec‐ tronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The company said that being part of CES under‐ pins its adVANce strategy, where it aims to transform from a vehicle supplier to a provider of “holistic system solutions for the transport sector”. Exhibits included the Vision Van study, irst seen at Hanover last year. In cooper‐ ation with Starship Technologies, the van was part of a Vans and Robots exhibit on the fringe of CES. Mercedes aims to trans‐ form the van into a mobile goods depot and distribution centre for last‐mile delivery systems. Using a racking system with a irst‐in, irst‐out loading principle, the racking is loaded with 54 load carriers for eight Starship robots.

58 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

An algorithm calculates the best route for the van with optimised stops to unload delivery robots and collect empty robots. The long‐term vision is an autonomous robot leet that coordinates and optimises its routes with vans from Mercedes‐Benz that are loaded automatically. “The transportation of goods and people has always been vital to global economic development. With digitisation and the Internet of Things we are currently once again experiencing an industrial and economic revolution,” said Volker Morn‐ hinweg, head of Mercedes‐Benz Vans. “In an era of booming online commerce, the interplay of transport and digitisation plays a vital role. Intelligent connectivity makes new services possi‐ ble, enhances convenience and lexibility for the end customer and boosts ef i‐ ciency in delivery operations.”

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

Kangoo Z.E. updated Renault is launching an updated Kangoo Z.E. electric van with a revised motor and battery pack, that will increase driving range by more than 50%. The new van should offer up to 168 miles of range under NEDC test conditions, which relates to around 124 miles in reallife operation.

More UK LCV growth The UK van market continues to grow, with 2016 another record year for van sales. Last year light commercial vehicle sales rose by 1% to finish the 12-month period on 375,687 vans sold, the fourth consecutive year of growth. Pick-ups drove much of that expansion, rising by 17.6% to a total of 47,715 vehicles. Overall LCV sales did fall by 10.4% in December, though it remained the second highest selling December on record. Ford remained the clear market leader, with its highest ever van sales of 118,000 vehicles in 2016 and its 51st year as the UK van market leader.

Hitachi installs RAC Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions is installing RAC Telematics into all of its commercial vehicles. The RAC Telematics solution will connect the RAC Accident Management and RAC Breakdown services already in place for Hitachi Capital’s customers and provide insight into vehicle condition. This should help to drive increased operating efficiency and lower costs for leasing customers.

Volkswagen Amarok Volkswagen’s updated Amarok takes pick-up power to a new level, says Dan Gilkes. SECTOR Pick-up PRICE £26,255-£31,995 + VAT POWER 163-224hp FUEL 36.2-36.5mpg CO2 203-204g/km

olkswagen took the pick‐up market by surprise with nal launch in Germany, UK Amaroks are limited to a trailer the launch of the irst generation Amarok, opting for a weighing 3.1‐tonnes, due apparently to gross weight rules 2.0‐litre four cylinder engine when the competition all that apply here. boasted at least a 2.5‐litre four‐cylinder or even a 3.0‐litre V6. Amarok’s external nip and tuck is re lected inside the cab, Now, as everyone else is downsizing, VW has once again with any hint of a curve replaced by straight vertical and hori‐ turned the market on its head by dropping a 3.0‐litre V6 in zontal lines. It’s a comfortable place to spend the day, with the big truck, as the only engine option. loads of space for front and rear seat passengers. The V6 is available with three power outputs, of 163hp, The truck will be available in three trim levels, though the 204hp and 224hp, though only the two most powerful will majority of buyers are expected to opt for the range‐topping be available initially. The 204hp and 224hp engines will only Highline. However even the most basic Startline Amarok comes be offered with an eight‐speed automatic transmission at with alloy wheels (16”) and six airbags as standard. You also launch, though the lower powered engine will get the option get electric windows and heated adjustable mirrors, plus height of a six‐speed manual later. When it arrives, the 163hp engine adjustable seating in the front and hard‐wearing materials. will be manual only. The mid‐range Trendline trim adds body‐coloured door The manual gearbox trucks use conventional 4Motion, which handles and mirror housings, the wheels go up an inch in is rear drive until the all‐wheel drive system is engaged by the diameter, while wheel arch extensions and fog lights make an driver. Automatic transmission trucks have permanent all‐wheel appearance. Inside there is part‐leather trim, Climatic air‐ drive. All bene it from an electronic differential lock, while a con, cruise control and three 12V power points. mechanical rear diff lock is available as an option. Stop/Start is The majority of buyers will go for Highline though, with up to standard across the range and this contributes to a reasonable 80% of previous UK customers opting for the most powerful 36mpg combined igure, with CO2 running around 204g/km. engine. Highline adds 18” wheels, bi‐xenon headlights with LED As if 224hp was not enough, there is an overboost function daytime lights, chrome accents, smoked rear lights and four 12V that provides an additional 20hp hit for up outlets in the cab. There’s more chrome to 10 seconds if you push the throttle past inside too, plus Bluetooth hands‐free 70% travel. This provides Amarok with connectivity and mobile services such as extremely rapid acceleration and an over‐ Car‐Net and App Connect. You also get a Amarok has taken pick-up taking ability more akin to a sports car reversing camera, front and rear parking than a heavyweight pick‐up. sensors and fully automatic climate control. power to a new level, at least A stump‐pulling 550Nm of torque also There are also 240 Aventura launch until Mercedes joins the market makes Amarok a supreme hauler and the models on offer, which get even bigger later in 2017. Despite the limited pick‐up can of course carry well over 1‐ wheels, a Durabed lining in the back, towing capacity, VW will have tonne, so VAT can be reclaimed by busi‐ Discover Media navigation, automatic little trouble beating its 2015 ness users. However, though a 3.5‐tonne Park Pilot parking and the Ravenna Blue sales record of 3,908 Amaroks. towing capacity was on offer at the origi‐ paint that you see in the photo.

what we think

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 59

Iveco Daily 4x4 Iveco’s all-terrain Daily 4x4 gets the latest more powerful Euro 6 driveline, says Dan Gilkes.

hen it comes to transporting people and goods across dif icult ground, there are plenty of all‐wheel drive vans and chassis cabs on offer. Some are very much road‐biased, with little outward sign of their occasional off‐road ability. Others ride high, demonstrating total disdain for chal‐ lenging terrain. Iveco has always been very much in the second camp with Daily 4x4, producing a light truck that bares comparison with smaller Unimogs when it comes to off‐road work. However the company now offers both a road‐ biased 4x4 and this high‐riding all‐terrain truck. The heavy‐duty all‐roader is available as a 3.5‐tonner, for those keen to remain under O‐ licence regulation, or in the far more usable 5.5‐ tonne model that we have here. Tipping the scales at 2,670kg in shorter 3,050mm wheel‐ base form, the 55S model offers a healthy 2,830kg allowance for body and payload. There is a longer 3.4m wheelbase on offer too and you can have Daily 4x4 with this single cab or a double crew cab if required. All versions are powered by Iveco’s Euro 6 compliant 3.0‐litre engine, now delivering a hefty 180hp and 430Nm of torque. This drives through a six speed manual gear‐ box, along with a transfer box with two ratios for on‐road work and two lower ratios for off‐ road driving. That means that you have a choice of 12 forward gears when off‐road, making it easy to climb the steepest of hills and offering greater control on the steepest of descents. The truck has permanent four‐wheel drive and comes with rear and longitudinal differen‐ tial locks as standard. A front axle lock is avail‐ able as an option. The big Iveco rides on some

60 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

what we think When it comes to real offroad capability Daily 4x4 remains in a very small group of vehicles with the ability to carry people and materials to the most inaccessible working sites.

specification MODEL Iveco Daily 55S 18H 4x4 chassis cab BASIC PRICE £58,325 ENGINE 4-cyl/2,998 cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 180PS @ 3,500rpm TORQUE 430Nm @ 1,500rpm Weights (kg) GVW 5,500 KERB WEIGHT 2,670 LOAD CAPACITY 2,830 MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 3,500 Dimensions (mm) APPROACH ANGLE 49° DEPARTURE ANGLE 31° RAMP ANGLE 149° FRONT OVERHANG 900 TURNING DIAMETER 12,200 WHEELBASE 3,050 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 398g/km/18.3 mpg WARRANTY 1 yr

mighty tyres, so on‐road performance is typi‐ cally bouncy. However few customers will buy a Daily 4x4 for its on‐highway comfort. It’s when you take the Daily off‐road that its performance is most noticeable. The truck boasts 255mm of ground clearance, a front approach angle of 49° and a rear departure angle of 31°. That combination means that the Daily 4x4 will simply roll over most obstacles. Its relatively short wheelbase and limited overhangs make the truck highly manoeu‐ vrable, while the powerful engine provides more than enough low down pulling power to crest the toughest climbs. All of which is perhaps unsurprising when you look at the Daily 4x4. What is less expected is the impressive level of comfort in the cab. Anyone who has driven the latest Euro 6 Daily will know that Iveco’s van cab interiors have come along in leaps and bounds of late. A very comfortable driver’s seat, that is mounted lower than in previous models for improved visibility, plus a fully adjustable steering column, makes it possible to ind the ideal driving position. Indeed good visibility all round makes it easy to place the Daily on and off‐road. Clear dials and chunky switches offer easy control of the vehicle’s secondary functions and there is plenty of storage for up to three occupants in the single cab. The centre of the middle seat backrest even folds down to form a desk, for the driver to carry out paperwork. This latest heavy‐duty Daily 4x4 doesn’t depart from Iveco’s normal off‐road script, offering incredible all‐terrain driving ability and plenty of carrying capacity. Recent upgrades simply make it a more pleasant experience for those inside the cab.

LDV V80 Unveiled at the CV Show last April, Dan Gilkes finally gets to drive LDV’s V80 van.

ow you approach the re‐launch of LDV, will probably depend on whether you ran the previous generation of Maxus vans or not. Low cost of ownership will certainly have been a factor in your choice, though the decision may not always have been quite so popular with drivers. LDV is back as part of SAIC, one of China’s (and the world’s) biggest automotive manu‐ facturers. Despite Chinese ownership and manufacture however LDV is keen to promote its previous UK market ties, hence the less than subtle Union flags all over the test van’s exterior. The V80 is available as a low roof short wheelbase van, this medium roof long wheelbase and as a high roof LWB, offering load volumes of 6.9, 10.2 and 11.4m3 respec‐ tively. The short van has a gross weight of 3.2‐tonnes, while the two larger models top out at 3.5‐tonnes, offering payloads of 1,419kg and 1,389kg. LDV is also offering two factory‐built drop‐ sides, a tipper and a Luton model, along with a chassis cab for conversion. All are powered by an Italian VM Motori 2.5‐litre diesel, deliv‐ ering 136hp and 330Nm of torque. At pres‐ ent, LDV is still selling Euro 5b vans that were built before the September 2016 intro‐ duction of Euro 6. The engine will have to be upgraded to Euro 6 power in 2017 however, which will also double the service intervals to 20,000 miles. It’s a fairly vocal engine at present, one that calls for adjustments to the stereo volume as speeds rise. There is enough power though and the van cruises quite

62 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

what we think If you are looking for a load hauler on a budget, LDV’s V80 could be worth a road-test. It is well equipped, comes with a comprehensive warranty and is backed by a growing dealer network.

specification MODEL LDV V80 Medium Roof LWB BASIC PRICE £14,184 ENGINE 4-cyl/2,499 cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 136hp @ 3,800rpm TORQUE 330Nm @ 1,800-3,600rpm Weights (kg) GVW 3,500 KERB WEIGHT 2,081 PAYLOAD 1,419 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 3,300 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,770 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,710 WIDTH BETWEEN W/ARCHES 1,380 LOAD HEIGHT (UNLADEN) 627 LOAD VOLUME 10.2m3 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 250g/km/30.0mpg OIL CHANGE 1 yr/10,000 miles WARRANTY 5 yr/125,000 miles

calmly. The drive is taken through a six‐ speed manual gearbox to the front wheels, the gearchange being somewhat rubbery, but light and easy to use. There is a single, generous specification available for the V80, that includes air conditioning, electric heated mirrors, reverse parking sensors, daytime running lamps, cruise control, electric windows and Bluetooth. There is also an eight‐way adjustable driver’s seat, which is welcome as the steering is non‐adjustable, with a wheel angle that makes the van feel a bit truck‐like to steer. As with the previous Maxus van, the V80 interior has been designed for both right and left hand drive by putting all of the dash dials and controls in a central console, between the driver and passengers. While this is okay for some of the oversized switchgear, it means that you have to take your eyes off the road to see the speed or engine rpm, both of which are hard to deci‐ pher in daylight, with rather faint white on black graphics. There are few concerns in the rear though, with a 10.2m3 load volume and a payload of over 1.4‐tonnes for this mid‐range model. There’s a large sliding side door with a step for easy access, while rear doors open around to the sides of the van. There is no step at the rear though, so you need long legs to gain access. Irish importer and distributor Harris Group has been steadily building a dealer network for the vans, which come with five year warranties and five‐years of roadside assistance.

Renault Trafic The addition of Euro 6 engines reminds Dan Gilkes just how good Renault’s Trafic is.

he mid‐weight van market is so com‐ petitive, with such a strong selection of vans being launched, that it is often easy to forget some of the more established players. Renault’s Trafic, which looked so futuristic when it first arrived, has been a benchmark for others to match or to beat for some years. That hasn’t stopped Renault updating and upgrading Tra ic though, the latest develop‐ ment being the adoption of Euro 6 engine technology. Here too, the changes have per‐ haps been overlooked, as the van is offered with pretty much the same 95 and 120hp out‐ puts with a single turbo, or 125 and 145hp with twin turbos. These 1.6‐litre ENERGY engines come with Stop & Start technology and regenerative braking, that help deliver up to 47.9mpg com‐ bined in this 125hp model. That’s not some pie‐in‐the‐sky igure either, during our time with the van it easily topped the low 40s with‐ out any attempt at economy driving. The Euro 6 engines use SCR to keep NOx levels low, so there is an AdBlue tank on board that will need occasional illing. All Tra ic models drive through a six‐speed manual gearbox to the front wheels. In line with other Renault models, Tra ic now comes in Business and Business+ trim levels. The company has also added a top spec Sport level, above Business+. This adds auto headlights and wipers, a MediaNav 7” touch‐ screen media system with DAB radio, Blue‐ tooth, USB and Aux inputs. You also get leather for the steering wheel, electric front windows, a premium dashboard with closable upper storage area, Java trim, metallic paint

what we think Recent additions to the sector have been so good that it is easy to forget the established players. Euro 6 engines and revised trim levels help to keep Trafic at the top of its game though.

specification MODEL

Renault Trafic SL27 ENERGY Sport Nav £25,995 4-cyl/1,598 cc Common-rail 125hp @ 3,500rpm 320Nm @ 1,500rpm

BASIC PRICE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION POWER TORQUE Weights (kg) GVW 2,820 KERB WEIGHT 1,743 PAYLOAD 1,077 MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 2,000 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 2,537 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,662 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,387 LOAD VOLUME 5.2m3 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 155g/km/47.9mpg OIL CHANGE 2 yr/25,000 miles WARRANTY 4 yr/100,000 miles

with body coloured mirror surrounds and a high gloss grille, plus 17” alloy wheels. Front fogs, cruise control and a speed limiter com‐ plete the package, which to be honest leaves very little in the optional extras box. That said, Renault still managed to add almost £2,500 of extra kit to this test van, including ply lining with a resin coated loor (£175), a tyre pressure monitoring system (£100), a 12V socket in the load area (£30), a right side loading door (£280), hands‐free key card (£95), front lateral, curtain and front passenger airbags (£660) and an upgrade from air‐con to full climate control (£200). The media system had been further boosted too, to include R‐Link Evolution with TomTom sat‐nav (£365) and European mapping (£90). In truth the regular Business van has pretty much everything you need, unless air‐ con is a priority, in which case switch up to Business+. Whatever the trim level, Trafic remains one of the best vans in the class to drive though, with secure handling and a smooth ride. The lower powered version of the twin‐ turbo engine is the perfect compromise point too, delivering enthusiastic performance without sacri icing economy. Indeed the 125hp engine is actually the best option for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Tra ic remains a strong performer in the back too, with the short wheelbase model offering 5.2m3 of volume and a payload well over 1 tonne. Longer loads can also be carried using a load‐through hatch in the bulkhead, that provides access to the space below the passenger seats.

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 63

MARKET OVERVIEW Contract Hire, Finance & Leasing

ALD Automotive The ALD Automotive group is the second largest vehicle leasing operation in Europe and manages over 1.3 million vehicles across more than 40 countries worldwide. Within the UK ALD is widely recognised as one of the industry’s leading service providers, with a proven portfolio of award winning products for major plc’s, small businesses and individual drivers alike. Our LCV team are able to support all elements of LCV acquisition, conversion and up time management regardless of fleet size. With innovations such as our award winning ProFleet2 telematics proposition, ALD can help manage LCV fleets and reduce cost. ALD holds both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations. Contact: Matt Dale matt.dale@aldautomotive.com www.aldautomotive.co.uk

Tel: 03700 011181

Vehicle Management

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management is a leading vehicle leasing and fleet management company. As a family-owned business, we have been providing impartial fleet management solutions to both public and private sector businesses for over 50 years. We provide flexible commercial vehicle solutions from a comprehensive range of manufacturers. Our dedicated account managers can also offer expert advice on everything from van specification and vehicle customisation to fleet technology and vehicle disposal. As part of the Arnold Clark Group, the largest privately owned automotive company in Europe, ACVM can add value to your business by providing fleet solutions specifically tailored to your individual requirements. Contact: Calum Ewart Calum.Ewart@arnoldclark.com

Tel: 01413 322626 www.acvm.com

Inchcape Fleet Solutions

Daysfleet Founded in 1988, Days Fleet offers a comprehensive range of solutions to private and public sector fleets across the UK. We have the flexibility and the desire to deliver an outstanding service to fleets of all sizes. With no affiliation to a bank or vehicle manufacturer, we are well placed to offer impartial advice and to recommend the optimum fleet solution tailored to you. We pride ourselves on our consultative approach by offering a flexible, yet comprehensive portfolio of products to suit our client’s ever-changing business needs. At the heart of all of our services are our experienced, dedicated team who work to meet all of your fleet requirements. Contact: Tim Johnson timjohnson@daysfleet.com

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

Inchcape Fleet Solutions has been providing flexible fleet management solutions to Corporate, Government and Non-profit sector clients throughout the UK for more than 50 years and has grown to become one of the UK’s leading fleet management companies. We currently manage in excess of 46,000 vehicles. IFS is a subsidiary of Inchcape plc, a leading global premium automotive group. Our customer centric fleet management solutions embrace simplicity to enable our customers to focus on their core business and we pride ourselves on the breadth of our services and the depth of our commitment to customers. info@ifs.inchcape.co.uk Tel: 03332 220966 www.inchcapefleetsolutions.co.uk

Tel: 08452 172608 www.daysfleet.com

Pendragon Vehicle Management Lex Autolease We are the UK’s leading specialist commercial vehicle provider with access to expert advice from within Lex Autolease and across the wider motor industry. Let our skilled consultants and engineers build the perfect commercial vehicle solution for your business and overcome your unique challenges in the process. By bringing together extensive expertise, innovative service and a comprehensive range of vehicle and funding options, Lex Autolease can keep your fleet running smoothly with unrivalled fleet management intelligence. enquiries@lexautolease.co.uk Tel: 03448 240115 www.lexautolease.co.uk/commercial-vehicles

64 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

Get a responsive and personable service along with the benefits that comes from being part of Europe’s Biggest Motor Group. We supply all brands of commercial vans and offer rental services on specialist vehicles such as tippers and dropsides. We provide expert vehicle and funding advice that’s tailored to fit your business needs, complimented with best-in-class technology and industry leading fleet management services. With over 33 years in the industry, we operate across a wide variety of business sectors, with services including Contract Hire. Talk to us for a free consultation. Contact: Jon Hilton Tel: 01332 267321 Jon.hilton@pendragon.uk.com www.pendragonvehiclemanagement.co.uk

VAN

Approximately how many commercial vehicles does your company operate?

Do you employ dedicated specialists to offer advice & guidance on LCV specification?

Do you offer non-maintenance contract hire on LCV’s?

Do you offer funding & maintenance for ancillary equipment fitted to the vehicle (tail lifts etc)?

Can you create bespoke return conditions for your LCV customers?

Do you offer pooling of excess and credit mileage?

Do you follow the BVRLA’s guidelines on Fair Wear & Tear for LCVs?

Do you offer packages that are based upon re-using bodywork or Interior equipment?

Do you offer guidance to clients on Duty of Care legislation?

Do you offer a design & build service for extensive bespoke conversions?

Do you offer and arrange long term vehicle evaluations (6 months duration)

FLEETW RLD

ALD Automotive

27k

✔

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

4.3k

✔

Daysfleet

2.18k

✔

Inchcape

13.5k

✔

Lex Autolease

90k

✔

Pendragon Vehicle Management

✔

Venson Automotive Solutions

5.5k

✔

Key to services

✔

Service provided

Service unavailable

Venson Automotive Solutions Venson is a hands-on fleet management specialist with a proven track record in reducing costs and increasing vehicle availability. It’s our level of experience, knowledge and service that allows us to give you the kind of impartial advice that has real financial returns whether your business is in the private, public, not-for-profit or emergency services sector. From sourcing the right commercial vehicles to funding, maintaining and delivering vehicle fit-outs, we handle every aspect and we don’t let our clients down. Get in touch and reserve a free fleet audit and drive your business in a new direction. Contact: Danielle Tilley sales@venson.com

Tel: 08003 280370 www.venson.com

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

FLEETW RLD Comparator and calculator webtools for f leets

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 65

VAN SUPPLIER DIRECTORY FLEETW RLD daily rental

contract hire, leasing & finance

racking systems

tail lifts

fleet management software

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

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

Sortimo Tel: 01925 831636 www.sortimo.co.uk

Penny Hydraulics Tel: 01246 811475 www.pennyhydraulics.com

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

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

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trakm8 Tel: 0330 333 4120 www.trakm8.com

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

Volkswagen Group Leasing Tel: 0870 333 2229

Tel: 01792 222133 www.daysrental.co.uk

www.volkswagengroupleasing.co.uk

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

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

Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Tel: 01786 468 700

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

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

telematics & tracking

Tel: 0345 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk Teletrac Navman Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletrac.co.uk www.navmanwireless.co.uk

Full listings online at

fleetworld.co.uk www.quartix.net Tel: 0870 013 6663

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

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

STEPS

conversions

AVS Steps Ltd

Tel: 01939 235900 www.avssteps.co.uk

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

fast-fits & tyres

vehicle CCTV

ATS Euromaster Tel: 0870 066 3624 www.atseuromaster.co.uk

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

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

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

fuel management

risk management

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

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

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

Bill Plant Ltd Tel: 01765 645023

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

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

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