Fleet World July 2017

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July 2017

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

One careful owner Why used car PCPs could be a viable alternative for fleets

Driven BMW 5 Series PHEV Jeep Compass Audi Q5

Interview Duncan Chumley discusses PSA’s Free2Move initiative

NEW FIESTA Britain’s best-seller resets the segment benchmarks

fleetworld.co.uk

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contents July 2017

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FLEETW RLD

Why the writing could be on the wall for salary sacrifice schemes.

All that matters in the world of fleet

One careful owner Why used car PCPs could be a viable alternative for fleets

Driven BMW 5 Series PHEV Jeep Compass Audi Q5

Interview Duncan Chumley discusses PSA’s Free2Move initiative

22 Is manufacturer-sourced sat-nav set to be replaced by apps?

NEW FIESTA Britain’s best-seller resets the segment benchmarks

fleetworld.co.uk

Director Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

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Publisher Steve Moody steve@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT: Forthcoming Volkswagen Polo makes a strong case for downsizing.

Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Content Editor Katie Beck katie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk VFW Editor Dan Gilkes dan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Director Anne Dopson anne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Executives Darren Brett darren@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Claire Warman claire@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

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Duncan Chumley on PSA’s Free2Move Lease initiative.

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

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Fleet Show 2017 – the fleet suppliers’ story...

VAN FLEETW RLD

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48 The new vs used cash-for-car debate.

DRIVEN: Berlingo/Expert Electric, Toyota Hilux Tipper INTERVIEW: Ricky McFarland of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

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fleetreview Editor Alex Grant tries to get a bit of clarity on the AdBlue situation and looks at how the end-user experience will be affected in the future...

Bread, milk, AdBlue Discovery of the month – my local supermarket sells AdBlue. OK, I accept it’s probably not a brand new addition, but it’s not the first place I’d expect to look for it. That you can pick up a large bottle of NOx-reducing exhaust additive for a diesel engine as part of your weekly shop speaks volumes. It’s not so long ago that you’d have only found it at truck stops – yet here it is, commonplace enough to have shelf space opposite kitchen cleaning products.

Knowledge among end-users seems poles apart. Considering this is something that could be as much a part of ownership as topping up screenwash in winter, I wonder how many people have no idea what AdBlue is until they’re faced with a warning on the dashboard which they have to look up online. Even then, the location of the filler neck isn’t always easy to find, nor is it obvious that you can get what you need without going to a motor factor. How many drivers, or even operators, take that additional cost and potential confusion into account when choosing a vehicle?

Manufacturers don’t make this clear. I had a run-in with this near-total lack of information recently while trying to find out which of a group of diesel cars have an AdBlue tank. Even when you’re looking for it, it isn’t easy to find – hardly if ever mentioned in most brochures or websites, and not even featured on technical sheets. And it’s not as clear-cut as being a problem for all Euro 6 diesel cars. Different versions of the same model will or won’t have it, and some offer it as an option. What a headache for the second buyer, who won’t even get a dealer handover to explain this.

It’s the sort of non-standardised end-user experience that people often criticise plug-in vehicles for. So I was interested to note that, while we’re moving towards extra additives for diesel engines, and downsized turbocharged petrols which must at some point be due to need expensive super unleaded, the Queen’s Speech outlined some long-overdue streamlining for EVs and PHEVs. A wider network, which is easier to access and less variable when you do, can only be a good thing as the combustion engine becomes a little less user-friendly.

04 / fleetworld.co.uk

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Ford NEWS

inbrief Transit Courier packed with driver-friendly features

Ford Transit Courier: the obvious choice FLEETS looking to replace their Ford Fiesta Vans have an obvious choice – the Ford Transit Courier, which carries a greater payload in a load area more than twice the size of Fiesta’s, and costs less to run than not only Fiesta Van, but its major competition as well.

Independent whole life cost figures over 48 months at 20,000 miles a year also show strong residuals for Transit Courier – an excellent 16.81% on Transit Courier 1.5TDCi Trend series, for example.

Not only is the stylish Transit Courier low on price, but it is big on space, with a load volume of 2.3 cu.m, which is up to 10% more than other vehicles in its class. Fiesta Van load volume is 1cu m. It carries a gross payload of up to 663kg, against the Fiesta Van’s maximum 503kg.

Transit Courier is capable, reliable and highly fuel-efficient, like every Transit van, and it is comfortable, rewarding to drive and full of smart technology like a Ford car, making it truly driver-friendly.

The van’s compact size – an overall length of 4157mm - makes it highly manoeuvrable and, with one of the best turning circles in its class, drivers can negotiate busy, narrow streets and tight parking spaces with ease.

Transit Courier is available in three series: Base, Trend and newlylaunched Sport, which adds partial leather-trimmed sports seats and steering wheel, leather gear shift with red stitching on gaiter, body-coloured bumpers and side mouldings, colour-co-ordinated exterior stripes and Magnetic (dark grey) alloy wheels.

THE well-proven Ford Transit Courier is packed with driverfriendly features, together with standard safety and security features such as remote central locking, engine immobiliser and Ford Easy-Fuel.

Trend and Sports series both have the added safety feature of auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers and front fog lamps, together with driver-friendly power windows.

Air conditioning is standard on Transit Courier Sport and optional on Trend, as is a passenger airbag and Quickclear windscreen.

Transit Courier Base series is also available as a kombi, giving fleets even great choice in the vehicles they operate.

Compact appearance with extreme versatility Fleets should not be fooled by Transit Courier’s compact appearance; the optional folding bulkhead with ‘fold and dive’ passenger seat option gives a class-leading load length of 2.59m.

Loadspace length behind the bulkhead is 620mm, with a loadspace width of 148mm and height from roof to floor of 1244mm, and the added versatility of a side load door which is standard on Trend and Sport series and optional on Base series.

There is a choice of engines: the award-winning 1.0L

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

Ford News Feature // 05

EcoBoost petrol engine, and advanced 1.5L diesel engines, which deliver outstanding fuel economy along with low emissions: from 76.3 mpg and as little as 99g/km with the Transit Courier 1.5L TDCi with AutoStop-Start and speed limiter.

Advanced technological features including rear view camera, parking distance sensors and Hill Start Assist make every journey as safe, easy and stress-free as possible. While state-of-the-art Ford SYNC with voice control features on Trend and Sport series.

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inbusiness New cars BMW X3 MW’s third-generation X3 will bring new petrol engines as well as latest driver assistance and connectivity functionality when it launches this November.

Up to 55kg lighter than its processor, the latest X3 will offer two updated diesels at launch – the 187bhp 132g/km four-cylinder xDrive20d and straight-six 261bhp 149g/km xDrive30d, which will be followed soon after by a new xDrive20i engine variant, and the range-topping petrol model, the M40i – the first ever M Performance vehicle in the X3 line-up.

All engines come with an improved eight-speed Steptronic transmission and updated xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive.

Onboard tech includes the optional BMW Display Key seen on the 5 and 7 Series, which can notify the driver of fuel levels and any service or maintenance work due, operate the heating and let them know if the windows and sunroof are closed. Prices start from £38,800 OTR for the XDrive20, rising to £44,380 for the xDrive30d and £51,280 for the M40i.

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in brief 15.7% Rise in car insurance bills over the last year due to action by regulators to change the way personal injury compensation pay-outs are calculated.

Fleet Hero Awards 2017 entries open Companies at the forefront of sustainable fleet management are being urged to enter this year’s Fleet Hero Awards, which are now open for entries.

The awards – run by the Energy Saving Trust – cover nine titles this year including the new category of Ultra-low Emission Infrastructure. For more details, visit the Fleet Hero Awards website.

Amazon explores UK car market Amazon is said to be eyeing up the car sales market in Europe, with plans to run a trial in the UK first.

According to German trade publication Automobilwoche, auto industry specialist Christoph Moeller has been put in charge of Amazon’s European business with carmakers and is already recruiting car sales executives.

SEAT Arona EAT’s model line-up is to gain another SUV as it pushes ahead with plans to swiftly develop a presence in this sector.

Although the brand may have been somewhat late in joining the SUV party, last year’s launch of the mid-size Ateca will be followed up this year by the Arona, which takes the fight to the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.

It will be joined in 2018 by an as-yet-unnamed flagship large SUV. As with the new Ibiza, the Arona is built on the group’s MQB A0 platform and is slightly shorter than both the Juke and Captur but longer and taller than the Ibiza, with suspension raised by 15mm and a higher driving position. Boot space stands at 400 litres – compared to 354 litres for the Nissan and 455 litres for the Renault. Engine line-up – shared with the Ibiza – will cover three and four-cylinder petrols and four-cylinder diesels.

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Government’s air quality plans ‘unfairly shift burden on local authorities’ The Government has abdicated its responsibility in its recently announced air quality plans and unfairly shifted the burden for solving the problem to local authorities.

So says the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), which believes that local authorities are being set up for failure if the proposed Defra plans – due to be published in their final form at the end of July – go ahead.

Instead the CIEH says the Government should reduce the number of vehicles on the road or take action to remove vehicles that do not comply with Euro 6 or petrol Euro 3 standards as a minimum.

The BVRLA has also outlined its strategy for tackling air quality, saying the government plans should take a balanced approach to incentives and restrictions and not punish fleets and drivers for decisions based on previous policies.

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inbusiness

Next iPhone update to block distractions while driving

in brief MBO at Aston Barclay

pple’s new iOS 11 update for the iPhone will bring a new feature to help fleets cut down on driver distraction.

The Do Not Disturb While Driving functionality will enable the iPhone to detect when users are driving and automatically silence notifications. Drivers will also be able to activate an auto reply feature for contacts listed in Favourites to let them know they are driving and cannot respond until they arrive at their destination.

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An MBO at Aston Barclay has injected a multi-million pound investment from Rutland Partners.

Led by new CEO Neil Hodson, the MBO will see a new 18-acre Super Centre open at Donington Park in Q4 2017 as a central hub for all remarketing and the home for a new buyer services and account management team.

London Mayor to explore pay-per-mile road pricing

Surge pricing to ‘blow smoke screen’ over true cost of fuel upermarkets such as Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury’s are looking at introducing new technology that could enable ‘e-pricing’ of both fuel and instore goods to change in line with demand, according to reports.

Although the RAC said the advent of the technology “blows a smokescreen over the true cost of fuel”, Paul Hollick, managing director of TMC and chair of the ICFM, said that fleets would adopt tools that allow them monitor time-based pricing patterns and take steps to encourage their drivers to buy when prices are lower.

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Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is to look at measures including road pricing in a move to drive down car use and ensure London’s entire transport system is zero emission by 2050. It forms part of the draft Transport Strategy, out for consultation until 2 October, which aims to reduce the capital’s traffic by 10-15% by 2051.

New mini lease service Intended to bridge the gap between daily rental and leasing, a new mini lease service has launched from FleetEurope.

Dubbed SelectPlus, the service offers a range of vehicles to rent for 90 days or longer and brings rates starting at £6.35 per day, including free delivery & collection, flexible mileage options, maintenance and 24-hour breakdown. Vehicle choices cover small cars, estates, SUVs, executive models, plug-in hybrids and LCVs.

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Vauxhall CEO steps down ahead of PSA purchase Vauxhall/Opel CEO Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann has stepped down from his position and will leave the company once its sale to PSA Group has completed.

Dr Neumann will remain a board member in the interim, while the role of speaker of the management board and CEO passes to Michael Lohscheller with immediate effect.

Selwyn Cooper moves to new role at Volvo Volvo head of business sales Selwyn Cooper has moved to the role of head of financial services at the carmaker.

A company spokesperson said that a replacement for Selwyn is currently being recruited, with further changes to the business fleet sales team to be announced in due course.

New fleet sales director at Nissan Nissan has appointed Iker Lazzari as its UK fleet sales director, following the departure of Mark Wheeler to the role of fleet acquisition director at Hertz UK. Lazzari was previously head of sales & marketing at VW Financial Services, where he focused on fleet marketing, contract hire and leasing, tactical planning and corporate financial services.

08 / fleetworld.co.uk

BUSINESS_NEWS_FW_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 18:21 Page 3

FLEET ESSENTIALS Paul Holmes, director of FMF (Fleet Managers’ Friend), Horizon Vehicle Management and Dawes Highway Safety, outlines his work-life essentials.

Smartphone The role and development of the smartphone has created a faster and more connected community which everyone needs to be part of to ensure they succeed in today’s world. I am no exception to this as I ‘live’ on my mobile. I do however draw the line when it comes to using the phone when driving. It annoys me beyond belief, when I continue to see each day drivers making calls and texting on handheld devices whilst at the wheel. Is anything that important to risk someone’s life!

Telema cs

Hire

Calendar reminders Businesspeople lead such hectic lives and, unlike in days gone by, many, like me, ‘hot desk’ with no single office to call their own and no PA to keep them on the straight and narrow. That’s what makes auto reminder within a calendar on my laptop and smartphone vital. Like most businessmen and women I am so busy with client and supplier meetings that it would be very easy for one to ‘slip through the net’. Auto reminder keeps me on the front foot.

Satellite navigation Where would we be without in-vehicle satellite navigation? I’ve been in business long enough to remember the old pre-satellite navigation and internet days of telephoning a contact ahead of a meeting asking for directions to be faxed through – and stopping to check the road atlas on route. High quality in-vehicle satellite navigation makes all that redundant.

What’s more, with so many visits to customers and suppliers in new locations coupled with the volume of traffic on the roads the information delivered by satellite navigation devices is not only vital from a direction viewpoint, but also in terms of being able to estimate time of arrival and phone ahead if delayed. I have changed cars based on the quality and accuracy of the in-vehicle technology.

We’ll look after your fleet, you look after your customers.

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Service, Maintenance and Repair

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inbusiness

Q &A Jeremy Rochfort, national sales manager at Autoglass, on EU regulation, ADAS calibration and the potential impact of Brexit on the aftermarket.

How has EU regulation shaped the UK aftermarket sector?

EU Commission Regulation 461/2010 has the effect that vehicles do not need to go to one designated manufacturer for aftermarket servicing or maintenance requirements. Maintenance can be undertaken by any dealer or body shop, so it encourages vehicle manufacturers to work with the aftermarket to ensure all parties can deliver a consistent service to their customers.

Crucially, it ensures that an OEM cannot invalidate a warranty if work is conducted outside their network. For a warranty to be invalidated, the manufacturer would have to prove that work must be carried out by their electrical engineering team to protect their IP. This will rarely, if ever, be the case.

In fact, the application of Regulation 461/201 through Britain’s membership of the EU is what many aftermarket business models are predicated on, including our own vehicle glass repair and replacement service, and more pertinently to today’s hot topics, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibration.

What does it mean for ADAS calibration, and how does this benefit fleets?

A recent survey of 250 British fleet managers found that over a third of the fleet vehicles already have ADASenabled safety features, such as AEB and lane deviation warnings, compared to an estimated 6% of all vehicles currently on the roads.

In recent months, there has been confusion in relation to ADAS calibration due to a misconception that it can only be conducted safely by vehicle manufacturers. That is simply not the case. To remain compliant with the regulation, VMs may not say that after-market ADAS calibration work will invalidate warranties.

For the aftermarket to be able to work safely on vehicles, manufacturers are required to make their know-how available to technology companies like Hella Gutmann, who we work with at Autoglass, using their diagnostic tools and software as part of our calibration solution.

With the growth of ADAS, how will industry behaviour change over the coming five years?

For fleets, Regulation 461/2010 creates choice and convenience. It means that fleets and drivers are not ‘tied’ to one 12 / fleetworld.co.uk

manufacturer or dealership for repairs or maintenance.

This allows fleet managers to find more mobile and costeffective options. This is particularly important in relation to ADAS calibration, due to relatively high adoption rates of ADAS in newer fleet vehicles and the need to keep downtime to a minimum.

The rapid increase in ADAS technology within car fleets, together with the level of fleet manager and driver knowledge - understanding how the technology should be correctly used and maintained - poses real challenges to the fleet industry. The pace of change in 2017, alone, has been significant, and we have needed to be agile. At Autoglass, ADAS calibration is part of our core business, meaning our 2,500-strong team has had rapid, immersive and extensive training.

We expect that fleets will continue to appraise the ADAS features available and start to adopt more functionality to support drivers. Knowledge will also continue to rise. For example, many fleet managers think that calibration is part of a normal service. This is not actually the case; a separate calibration is needed. There has also been much debate as to whether ADAS calibration should form part of the MOT test in future, which emphasises its growing importance and necessity in maintaining standards.

Regardless of whether the U.K.’s departure from the EU impacts the regulation, the same attention needs to be paid to ADAS systems to ensure that a strong focus is placed on calibration and educating drivers about the technology. Reinforcing the importance of education in relation to ADAS will go a long way to achieving this – which is why the vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket need to work closely together.

What difficulties could arise post-Brexit if there are cross-border differences in regulation?

As Regulation 461/2010 is an EU directive, after the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union it will be interesting to see if the regulation is upheld and what long-term implications it has on the aftercare market.

While we fully expect the regulation to be kept, as it has now been adopted as an accepted UK standard for nearly a decade, and has grown an entire automotive-service industry around it. We will follow closely any changes and how they may impact our business and further afield.

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inbusiness

A certain sacrifice?

Following this year’s implementation of long-feared tax changes, is the writing on the wall for salary sacrifice and cash allowance schemes? Natalie Middleton asks the fleet industry specialists where the market is heading.

What’s the history?

With the Government having made no secret of the fact that it’s had tax-efficient salary sacrifice schemes in its crosshairs for some years now, it was scant surprise to hear Chancellor Phillip Hammond announce in the 2016 Autumn Statement that changes were afoot.

Following a consultation by HM Treasury last autumn, Mr Hammond revealed that from 6 April 2017, most salary sacrifice schemes would be subject to the same taxation as cash income, with the exemption of ultra-low emission vehicles (sub-75g/km), pensions and cycle-to-work schemes, where it would be business as usual.

For many in the fleet industry, the rules – and their longer lead-in time for existing schemes – were actually a relief compared to the prospect of the changes being applied to all cars, ultra-low emission or not, but it has caused some controversy over the future of salary sacrifice.

However, what has since caused more of a seismic shock is the confirmation in the Finance Bill that cash allowances would be included in the rule changes. Using the term, ‘optional remuneration arrangements’ (OpRAs), the Finance Bill sets out that not only do the tax rules apply to Type A arrangements when an employee choses to take a benefit instead of an amount of salary but also to Type B arrangements, when they are provided with a benefit instead of a cash allowance. In both cases, they will be taxed on the greater of the salary given up and the taxable value of the Benefit-in-Kind – and it’s this that has really shaken up the fleet sector.

financial impact of the changes has been minimal.

Although it was originally thought that, ULEVs exempted, only around half of all salary sacrifice drivers would be affected at all, the reality, following the publication of the Finance Bill, is that even fewer cars are impacted and the firm says that for most salary sacrifice drivers there are still significant savings to be made through a scheme, not just through the National Insurance and pension savings but also from using Tusker’s buying power and the discounts it passes on.

Paul Gilshan, chief marketing officer at Tusker, also points out the wider benefits of the schemes, which from a fleet perspective can be used to attract and retain staff, while employees benefit from a brand-new, all-inclusive, hassle-free car, for a fixed monthly amount that includes maintenance, MOTs and servicing.

You might argue that Tusker would say that, with them being a salary sacrifice firm, but their comments have been supported by a number of other industry specialists. This includes Ian Hill, managing director of Activa Contracts, who backs up the points that the previous tax advantages of such schemes have only been eroded for certain employees/cars, and adds that for standard rate taxpayers the impact is minimal and for sub-75 g/km cars there is no affect at all. He also reiterates the view that all the operational benefits of such schemes form an attractive reward package. And industry expert Colin Tourick, professor of automotive management at the University of Buckingham, has said the new rules will help the salary sacrifice sector grow by clarifying the rules.

What about cash allowances?

What’s the impact on salary sacrifice?

According to salary sacrifice specialist Tusker, there’s actually been little impact on such schemes – the tax changes are not denting interest in salary sacrifice and it says the

14 / fleetworld.co.uk

Prospects may look good for salary sacrifice still but the picture doesn’t seem so rosy for cash allowances, with a number of industry experts saying that these are likely to be withdrawn by a number of fleets.

BUSINESS_News Analysis_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 11:52 Page 2

This includes Colin Tourick, who is advising fleets offering cash allowances that it might be a good time now to review whether they should continue, and, if so, the amounts that should be on offer. He adds that it could well be the case that fleets find that for a whole group of drivers, particularly those who are only allowed to choose from a small range of cars, it might be worthwhile withdrawing the cash option completely.

And David Bushnell, product manager – mobility, Alphabet, has warned that the Finance Bill announcements have now led to discussions over ‘cash versus car’ as companies weigh up which one they choose to offer.

Will there be a rise in affinity?

Some in the industry have said that the moves could lead to a revival in affinity schemes, which enable employees to purchase discounted cars through their organisation or a leasing company. By taking the employee right outside the company car regime and therefore the BiK regime, such schemes could bypass the rules – although they do need to be structured correctly to avoid falling foul of HMRC – while they can also be set up to control duty of care problems with grey fleet and cash allowance drivers.

Already this summer has seen fleet management company Total Motion announce that it is to launch an HMRCapproved affinity scheme, with MD Simon Hill commenting: “While salary sacrifice has some benefits, now that it is on the HMRC radar, it will always be a target. This combined with the pace of change in the industry potentially makes it risky and a hassle to maintain when you compare this to an affinity scheme that is properly structured with the right products and services. Additionally, there is no cost, no risk and no hassle and in the case of the Total Motion offering to deal with the increase in grey fleet, employers can opt for an option to have this managed.”

Simon Hill added: “The current HMRC position and the demand for shorter replacement cycles means that many employers will end up dispensing with the company car, cash allowance and salary sacrifice giving increases in salary and then using an affinity scheme to deal with the issue.

“When we recently spoke to our top 20 clients over this and carried out with research from a leading university business school, we found that there is a real desire in over 80% of employers not to have the cost or hassle.”

Meanwhile fleet tax consultancy BCF Wessex says it’s working with several clients on developing a personal contract hire-based affinity scheme with several clients.

What about ECO schemes?

Although there has also been talk of a resurrection of ECO (employee car ownership) schemes as a result of the OpRA changes, a number of tax experts we spoke to warned that such schemes are also impacted by the same rules – with the problem lying not in the provision of a car as such but in the mechanism used to provide it. As a result, one of the big four accountancy firms is said to be advising to discontinue such schemes immediately.

When asked about the future for ECO schemes, Sharon

Gilkes, tax director, Grant Thornton UK LLP, commented: “HMRC have confirmed that ECO arrangements will be caught under the tax changes to optional remuneration arrangements, when they operate under the typical model of maximising mileage payments and exchanging cash remuneration. At the moment, there is no simple solution to this but clearly companies need to prepare for a big change.”

Mike Moore, who leads Deloitte’s car consultancy team, added that it is possible to structure ECOS arrangements so that they fall outside the OpRA rules but most current schemes are caught, while Christian Verri, PwC tax director, said that it’s also worth reflecting that there are potentially other ways to deliver tax relief to employees on their business mileage which would not fall foul of the HMRC interpretation.

And Colin Ben-Nathan, partner at KPMG, commented that it’s understood that HMRC is very shortly to issue expanded guidance on OPRA, following its publication of draft guidance towards the end of March – with the anticipation that the expand guidance will be more comprehensive – particularly around HMRC’s view on ECO and similar arrangements.

What's the outlook for traditional company car programmes?

Overall the general viewpoint of the industry seems to be that although companies do need to urgently review their fleet provision, knee-jerk reactions are not a good move and that companies also need to factor in the overriding simplicity, functionality and attractiveness of a company car scheme.

With many companies reportedly seriously questioning whether to go down the apparently simplified route of offering solely a cash option, David Bushnell of Alphabet highlights the duty of care risks involved with cash allowances and adds: “It would be easy for fleet decision makers to think that company car programmes as ‘more hassle than they’re worth’. But this takes for granted the huge benefits such schemes provide to an organisation, not just to their employees. The visibility, control and ability to deliver against duty of care that such schemes provide are invaluable. Aside from the significant benefits for recruitment and retention, the value of a company car programme to an organisation is only truly understood when it is not there or something goes wrong.”

And Jeff Whitcombe of BCF Wessex says: “Instead of focusing on increasing company car tax I believe greater emphasis should be placed on the value of company cars, such as the VW Golf TDi Match which a basic rate tax payer can drive, fully maintained and insured, for just £76 per month.”

Ian Hill of Activa Contracts adds: “The reality is that the company car can be both an essential tool for the job and a valuable component of the reward package. It is well established, the tax rules are easily understood and duty of care compliance ticks all the boxes.

“When new rules come into play, such as OpRA, some people are always prepared to shoot from the hip, which is not always helpful. Businesses will mix and match funding options according to circumstances and salary sacrifice, cash allowance and affinity schemes will have a place on the menu, but the company car will retain dominance."

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inbusiness

Second Sight The Insider finds out first hand that drivers and suppliers aren't always aware of the pitfalls of new safety technology. y temperature went into the red zone the other day, and it had nothing to do with the recent bout of hot weather. I was contacted by our lease company who said a driver had refused to sign a disclaimer provided by their windscreen service, stating the replacement screen needed recalibration – and the driver had refused to get it done.

This is wrong on so many levels and although it was the first time I’d become aware of the problem happening – bearing in mind as fleet managers we’ve been warned it would as screens got more complicated – I now know it’s at least the second such incident on my own fleet.

The driver – any driver, not just company car users - is frequently the weakest link in the repair chain because the car is viewed as a means of getting them from where they are now to where they should have been ten minutes ago. They don’t necessarily see it as a tool which needs maintenance, nor driving a function for which they particularly need to concentrate. It’s just a different seat to sit in which handily helps them carry out their job.

As someone said to me 20 years or so ago: “if I had wanted to mess around with cars all day, I’d have trained as a mechanic”.

So as usual this particular driver had several good reasons, in his own mind, why he wouldn’t bother with recalibration. Turns out the subcontracted glass fitter asked him to confirm details of the screen, by looking at it. There were four variants available and even to me, the descriptions were confusing. Surely it would have been more sensible for the fitting company to take the chassis number of the vehicle, and gain the correct part number via a dealer or manufacturer listing? I presume that manufacturer part numbers are available to the fast-fits and that the former are obliged to release to the latter? To me that seems a nobrainer. Anyway, the wrong glass was ordered twice, before being correctly replaced at the third

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18 / fleetworld.co.uk

attempt, which meant three appointments and a lot of wasted time for us, and you know how I bang on about that. In addition, how much productivity are the windscreen companies losing by getting the wrong glass in stock multiple times?

Screen fitted, we get to the recalibration part of the deal. It obviously takes time and substantial investment for the fast-fits to get up to speed with the ability to fix new technology, such as screens which have cameras in. I get that. Meanwhile they are linking up with subcontractors to perform that duty for them. Unfortunately it wasn’t seamlessly booked in by the windscreen company to take place at the same time. Oh no, they told the driver to take the car somewhere else; and he refused.

This irritated me no end because the particular company had advertised a ‘seamless service’ where they booked recalibration and got it done before the car was returned to us. It was, no doubt, one of the selling points which made the lease company select them in the first place.

The driver’s reasoning was different; so far as he was concerned, he didn’t even have a camera. He reasonably took camera to mean kit which took photos of vehicles and developing situations, to be used in evidence hopefully for rather than against him. But the word camera used in this situation actually meant the kit sensing rain, darkening skies, and white lines, in order to operate all the auto functions present on the car. So if we want drivers to understand the necessity for recalibration, there’s definitely some education warranted, both in terms of terminology and what additional functions are hidden in the screen.

My major concern with the whole scenario is whether our fleet insurance policy will be invalidated if there is an accident and it is found recalibration hasn’t been completed. Which is, no doubt, why the driver was asked to sign a disclaimer in the first place? Time for another all staff email then.

BUSINESS_CURTIS_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 11:58 Page 1

inbusiness

Business Suited Peugeot is rolling out a new programme to show fleet customers its dealer network is more than capable of looking after their van needs.

Curtis Hutchinson, editor of Motor Trader, reports. hings are changing at Peugeot. Since the arrival of David Peel as managing director last year, the brand's UK operations seems to have adopted a new vigour as it moves to get its UK volumes back up to where they once were.

Peel is a Peugeot man through and through but comes from the retailing side of the business as the former boss of the brand's Robins & Day dealer group and more recently the combined PSA Peugeot Citroën Retail Group.

This has seen the brand recently move into online new car sales, launch an internet approved used car service and overhaul the way it distributes parts across the country.

It has also rethought the way it runs its van business and is keen to be recognised as a major player in the light commercial sector with its sights set on addressing the needs of small to large businesses through its dealer network.

The programme is being led by Louise Nielsen, Peugeot's head of business sales, who, like Peel, also joined from the PSA Peugeot Citroën dealer group, with a brief to refocus and grow the brand's commercial operations.

Pivotal to getting closer to local fleets was the expansion of its business centre network. She joined in January when the brand had just 50 business centres and has already grown it to 70 sites giving it the scalable coverage it needs to start getting in front of more fleet managers.

That number will grow from next year but in the meantime Nielsen is making sure each centre establishes itself in the local community with designated van specialists undergoing training before engaging with local businesses.

The newly appointed business centres are following a structured programme aimed at getting them up and running as efficiently as possible, although Nielsen acknowledges this is not a fast process.

"Working in the dealership environment I know this will take time. It takes 12-18 months for a business centre to get really bedded into their local business market it’s not as straightforward as retail.

"Van customers also need a different level of knowledge from a dealer as there's different tax issues and different carrying abilities; it’s a completely different way of using vehicles and it does take time to address this.

"We pick the key spots geographically and then say we’ll support the dealer in the first year. We’ve had a massive take-up but it has to have the hearts and minds

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20 / fleetworld.co.uk

of the dealer staff to make it work. They’ve all come to us, rather than us going to them. The key is they’ve seen the opportunity with B2B." The business centres specialise in 1-49 vehicle fleets with Peugeot expecting interest from both existing and new customers.

"If someone is looking at a van then chances are they have a car on the fleet as well, having our expanded range of cars now gives us a very strong business proposition."

The business centres will also be expected to deliver a compelling servicing proposition to keep vehicle downtime to a minimum and that means dedicated ramps and flexible approach to servicing hours.

"Business centres don’t have to offer an out of hours service but they will extend their hours for customers who want it; they will accommodate them. Dealers are flexible; they tend to start early for customers who want to come in, have a coffee and wait. Often their vehicles are racked out to their requirement s so they want it back as soon as possible."

In tandem with this programme, non-business centres are also being encouraged to grow their local fleet business with every dealer in the Peugeot network expected to display at least one van as a visual reminder that they too can serve the light commercial needs of customers.

"We have a new Van Essentials initiative that we’re rolling out this year so if a business customer comes into a non business centre then we want them to be able to talk to someone in the showroom; 93% of our whole network now sells vans."

Central to this part of the programme is having dealer sales staff who can talk with authority to any business customers, although, unlike business centres, they will not be expected to prospect for new customers.

"Non business centres will need to have one or two people in the showroom who will understand how to provide a quotation if a business customer wants finance. We need to be able to show that everyone is welcome and when they come into a showroom they'll be looked after.

"A nominated person in a non business centre will be trained from product and tax perspectives and will be able to provide finance quotations as well. These dealers will not be going out to visit businesses but they will be able to speak to a business customer professionally when they come into the showroom."

Peugeot's new approach to selling vans is well thought out and could resonate with small businesses looking for a local supplier who can satisfy their car and van needs.

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ADVTL_VW Cars_FW_July17_v2.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 10:20 Page 1

A PLUG-IN HYBRID FoR THE HEAD AND HEART With the style and performance of a hot hatchback, but the ability to travel up to 31 miles with zero emissions, the new Volkswagen Golf GTE offers company car drivers the best of both words.

THIS new addition to the recently revised Golf range brings performance, style and desirability to the plug-in hybrid market, especially important for user-choosers looking for a costeffective yet desirable company car.

And with a price reduction of around £3,000 for this new model (plus the availability of the Government’s Plug-In Car Grant), allied to ever tightening company car tax bands, the Golf GTE makes a strong business case for itself – annual benefit-inkind tax is just £550 for a base rate tax payer.

With styling borrowed from the legendary Golf GTI, the Golf GTE has some serious on-paper performance to back up its onroad entertainment factor:

• Combined petrol-electric range of up to 514 miles • 166mpg projected average fuel economy • 38g/km Co2 emissions – translating into a 9% benefit-in-kind tax liability for 2017/18

• Up to 31 miles of zero-emission driving in full electric mode • Access to electric vehicle parking bays • Fast battery charging – 3.45 hours from a home socket or 2.15 hours from a wallbox.

But the on-paper performance is not the only impressive aspect of this new model – it’s not until you get behind the wheel that you appreciate that the Golf GTE is a car with a difference.

Rather than being focused solely on economy at the expense of fun, like most plug-in hybrids, the Golf GTE also delivers driving enjoyment – an essential element for user-choosers.

This means company car drivers don’t have to compromise – with the Golf GTE they now have a plug-in hybrid that saves money but also delivers real driving thrills. This is evident when the driver deploys ‘GTE mode’ – one of five operating modes offered.

Selecting this mode harnesses the power of both engines simultaneously – delivering a 101bhp power boost to a combined 201bhp from the electric motor and the 1.4-litre petrol engine, enough for 0-62mph acceleration in just 7.6 seconds. So as well as looking like a hot hatch, the GTE also delivers similar performance and thrills.

But despite the performance and style on offer, the Golf GTE can also revert to an ultra-frugal mode – ‘e-mode’ uses only the electric motor, meaning zero emissions while the car is in motion and offering a range of up to 31 miles on a single charge. And as a compromise between frugality and performance, selecting ‘Hybrid mode’ switches between the electric motor and petrol engine to deliver a combined range of up to 514 miles and projected average fuel economy figure of 166mpg.

Discover more at www.volkswagen.co.uk/gte For more information on the Golf GTE contact your local Volkswagen Retailer.

To arrange a test drive contact our Business Centre team on 0800 0093 397.

BUSINESS_Tech_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 20:28 Page 1

inbusiness

Navigating the future Is manufacturer-sourced mapping and satellite navigation set to be replaced by apps?

Craig Thomas spoke to Waze UK country manager Finlay Clark about our future nav needs.

Bye bye sat nav?

More than maps

The recent announcement in the US that General Motors isn’t offering a built-in satellite navigation system in its new Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle has prompted speculation about the future of manufacturer-installed sat navs.

Does this open the way for tech giants such as Google and Apple, and app developers such as Waze (also owned by Google) to stake a claim in the dashboards of the future?

“The future of navigation within cars will be apps built into the main computer in the car,” Finlay Clark, UK country manager for Waze told us. “You’re going to see more screens in cars, but what’s interesting here is that GM is saying we’re not going to be the ones providing the maps – because maps are expensive to do: they’re very difficult to keep updated.

“People are realising that if you’re not an expert in something, it’s better to make sure that your system can display the maps that the user might want to use.”

Apps won’t just offer maps and navigation, though: there’s a lot more that smartphone integration can offer.

“The really interesting thing is that all the data from the car itself will start feeding back into apps.

“An example would be cars of the near future are going to be full of loads of sensors. They’re not going to just know when you’re low on fuel: they’re going to know where the nearest petrol station is and how cheap the fuel is. They’re going to have cameras all around them, they’re going to know if there’s ice on the roads. And when you start feeding all that into apps, we begin to use the power of all our crowdsourced information. In a few years’ time we’ll be able to almost create a form of assisted driving.”

Appy to change So despite mapping company Here being bought by a consortium of BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen at the end of 2015, it seems that carmakers are more likely to be doing deals with tech companies and apps for customers to use their products.

Waze, for example has already announced deals with Renault and Ford – and that might just be the start.

“We want to partner with all of the OEMs so that Waze is available in your car. If you’re a user, you want it on the main screen in your car,” added Clark.

22 / fleetworld.co.uk

Screen time The next evolution, as Clark sees it, is for us all to move beyond just using a smartphone as a the centre of an incar tech ecosystem.

We’re entering the era of the screen.

“The next phase of computing is there’s going to be screens all around you and they’re going to be very contextualised to the moment that you’re in,” said Clark. “An example is the Nest smart thermostat: you walk up to it and the screen turns on and it comes alive. You’re going to see that type of thing. There are going to be more screens and you’re going to have more immersive experiences with them. The screen in the car is going to be a really important one.

“That’s why users can be quite loyal to maps: they’re going to want the map they use to be available to them.

Ultimately, the user’s in control.”

INTRODUCING

ALL- NEW FORD FIESTA

MOVING YOUR FLEET FORWARD WITH THE UK’S MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED SMALL CAR

TO FIND OUT MORE SEARCH: ALL-NEW FORD FIESTA Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Ford Fiesta range: urban 40.9 - 80.7 (6.9 - 3.5), extra urban 67.3 - 94.2 (4.2- 3.0), combined 54.3 - 88.3 (5.2 - 3.2). Official CO 2 emissions 118 - 82g/km.

The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

EVNEWS_FW_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 12:17 Page 1

Q &A

With the first of a network of its 200 easily-upgradable ultrafast charging points about to be deployed in a partnership with InstaVolt, Simon Lonsdale, vice president, business development at Californian manufacturer ChargePoint explains the changing needs of long-range EVs. How many charging points does ChargePoint have in the United States?

There are more than 36,100 ChargePoint charging spots (and growing daily) in North America, with more than 32,000 in the US alone.

Where will the 200 charging points you're installing with InstaVolt be located? Will all of them be at service stations?

The locations are chosen by InstaVolt, and are designed to help facilitate long distance EV travel across the UK. The routes will be determined based on existing travel patterns to enable EV drivers to travel longer distances along popular corridors and to prevalent destinations.

How do your Express Plus chargers differ from others on the market?

Express Plus was designed with the next decade of mobility in mind. The system offers up to 400kW of charging, far exceeding that of existing EV models on the market today, with only a few car companies expected to hit the market with future EV models offering more than 300kW within the next five-10 years.

The Express Plus platform is modular in design which will allow operators and station owners to scale as demand grows without removing station hardware nor running additional electrical supply. The Power Cube also allows station operators to add power modules as more power is needed, while dynamic charging enables chargers to share power dynamically to meet growing charging needs.

How soon could we need this sort of high-speed charging, and how does your technology make it easier to upgrade?

The first ChargePoint Express Plus units will be installed later this year, ramping up in 2018 and beyond. They will offer a

modular and flexible 400kW solution to allow station owners to future proof their charging setups by accommodating the charging of EV models today and over the next decade. Express Plus technology enables maximum charging rates for existing electric vehicles and will allow approximately 80% charge in 15 minutes for future EV models.

Will you offer remote booking of points, via an app or web portal for example?

Currently, the ChargePoint app will allow drivers to monitor station availability, track energy usage, start charging sessions as well as additional features. Where drivers have access to the app, they can add themselves to the ‘waitlist’ to be notified once occupied charging spots become available. We expect many of the same features and more to make their way to Europe.

Is the aim to have a network of slower charging points too, or will the focus be on faster en-route charging?

For ChargePoint, our focus is on the entire charging ecosystem and we offer solutions for all potential locations where an EV chargers may be needed, including Level 2 charging solutions for work and home, where around 80% of charging currently takes place, Level 2 and fast charge around town and rapid charging for longer distance travel.

Will the UK charging points form part of a pan-European network?

We are currently expanding into several parts of Europe with the goal of having a presence throughout Continental Europe in the future. We will focus on several key markets initially, including but not limited to Germany and the UK, with plans for growth beyond the target markets in the months and years to come.

t : ++44 (0)1205 724754

THE FLEET MANAGERS’ CHOICE We manufacture the UK’s largest range of EV charge points specifically suited to the fleet and vehicle leasing industries AT HOME

ü

ü

: rolec@rolecserv.co.uk Website : www.rolecserv.com AT WORK

Our charging points are compatible with all current EVs/ PHEVs and have been tested and certified by many of the leading vehicle manufacturers, including: Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Kia, Hyundai, etc.

Nationwide installation service covering all areas of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Grant-assisted home EV charge point installations for your fleet drivers

Claim up to £600 (+VAT) discount per charging unit with the Workplace Charging Scheme

EVNEWS_FW_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 12:20 Page 2

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

Queen’s Speech mandates charging points at fuel stations otorway service stations and large fuel retailers will be required to install EV charge points under legislation planned for in the Queen’s Speech.

The Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill sets out a number of measures including moving towards a set of common technical and operational standards for EV charging. This could include common connectors and accessibility to streamline installation and make charging easier for drivers, in line with government plans for “almost every car and van to be zero-emission by 2050.”

In response, RAC chief engineer, David Bizley said: “While more electric vehicle charging points are welcome, the proposals are rather unambitious and do not include plans for more charging points in places where, arguably, motorists would benefit most from them – the car parks of major shopping centres and supermarkets. Future legislation should include compelling private parking operators and perhaps also major property developers to install charging points.”

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BlueCity EV sharing launches in London he BlueCity electric car sharing scheme has officially launched in London following a pilot in Hammersmith and Fulham. Operated by BluepointLondon, part of the Bolloré Group, the scheme mirrors the Autolib service in Paris. Vehicles are booked via the BlueCity app and can be returned to any location, aimed at providing convenience similar to car ownership. Charging is provided via BluepointLondon’s own network, and these can also be reserved through the app.

The pilot launched last December with 10 cars, its official launch takes the fleet to 30 and extends its coverage into Merton and Hounslow with plans to have 50 in operation by the end of the summer.

Membership costs £5 per year, and usage is billed at 17p per minute with a minimum charge of 20 minutes. Autolib, which launched in 2011, claims 15,000 journeys per day are made using the service.

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in numbers

Source: Renault/Qualcomm/Vedecom

in brief Volvo to launch high-performance EV sub-brand Polestar, the performance arm of Volvo Cars, is to be repositioned as a standalone manufacturer of high-performance electric vehicles, which will feature none of its parent company’s branding. Product plans will be announced in the autumn, though it’s likely that the range will have Tesla, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche in its sights as they launch similar models.

Heathrow adds to EV fleet

Heathrow Airport has deployed 17 Nissan LEAFs on its fleet, taking further steps towards electrifying all of its own cars and light vans by the end of the decade. Of the newcomers, 12 will be used airside by teams including security and baggage. The airport has 8,000 vehicles licensed to operate airside, and also aims to have ultra-low emission standards in place for all of them by 2025.

Scotland confirms £8.2m EV funding boost Businesses and individuals in Scotland can now access an extra £8.2m funding for electric and low carbon vehicles under the second phase of the country’s Switched On Scotland Plug-In Vehicle Roadmap. The funding will offer interest-free loans for low-carbon vehicles, including motorbikes, scooters and heavy-goods vehicles for the first time.

Source: Department for Transport

91%

155

Increase in Q1 ULEV registrations between 2015 and 2017, to 43,819 units.

Production run planned for Aston Martin’s first electric vehicle, launching in 2019.

Source: Aston Martin

fleetworld.co.uk / 25

All-New

Renault KOLEOS Crossover by Renault

Leather upholstery with front heated seats* Opening panoramic sunroof Rear parking camera with front and rear sensors 8.7� integrated touchscreen navigation To book your test drive, call the Renault Business Hub on 0800 731 7066 The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Renault Koleos The official CO2 emissions are 128g/km. Figures are obtained for comparative purposes *Part leather, synthetic leather on the sides.

Signature Nav dCi 130 are: Urban 52.3 (5.4); Extra Urban 62.8 (4.5); Combined 74.3 (3.8). in accordance with EU Legislation and may not reflect real life driving results.

SPOTLIGHT-FW-VW Polo-July17.qxp 03/07/2017 12:46 Page 1

SPOTLIGHT Volkswagen Polo

Polo Nation Launching late this year, the sixth-generation Polo could make drivers question the need to move up to a Golf. By Alex Grant.

The not-so-mini supermini Underpinned by a completely new platform, which is shared with the latest SEAT Ibiza, the Polo becomes one of the biggest cars in its class.

It’s wider and over a longer wheelbase than the Mk4 Golf launched in 1997, measuring just over four metres from bumper to bumper, and the new range will only be offered as a five-door hatchback.

The result is a predictable improvement in interior space; more headroom in the front and back than the Mk4 Golf, let alone the old Polo, while the boot capacity has grown by 25% between generations.

Drivers looking for even more space can move up to the forthcoming T-Roc crossover, which will be positioned between the Polo and Golf, which means there’s no need to offer an estate bodystyle.

Gadget Show New technology is a given; autonomous emergency braking and at least a 6.5-inch glass-fronted touchscreen are included across the range, while the Polo will also be offered with a new-generation digital instrument cluster similar to Audi’s virtual cockpit, as well as wireless smartphone charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

A nod to equipment featured on larger models, optional assistance features include a more advanced Park Assist hands-free parking and adaptive cruise control which can bring the car to a complete stop in heavy traffic.

28 / fleetworld.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT-FW-VW Polo-July17.qxp 03/07/2017 12:47 Page 2

Versions to suit all needs Volkswagen has so far only revealed the German product range, but it’s a hint of what we can expect in the UK. From launch, this will include the sportylooking R-Line and a high-performance GTI, as well as the Beats version, with upgraded audio, mirroring a trim level which was introduced towards the end of the outgoing car’s life. Expect a price rise over entry-level versions of the old car, in part owing to the lack of a three-door version but also due to the higher equipment levels.

There’s a new selection of engines, too; two versions of the 1.0-litre petrol with 65 or 75bhp, the turbocharged TSI version of the same engine with 94 or 113bhp, the new 1.5-litre TSI EVO with 148bhp and the ability to run on two cylinders at low loads, and the GTI’s 197bhp 2.0-litre engine. Two 1.6-litre diesel versions, both with Selective Catalytic Reduction, will be available, producing 80bhp or 90bhp. All engines above 80bhp will also be offered with DSG.

FLEET FACT The first Polo was based on the Audi 50, a precursor to the A1.

What we think...

Early drives of the new SEAT Ibiza bode well for its Volkswagen cousin, with class-above ride, handling and technology likely to make upsizing to the Golf less necessary. But, with an all-new Ford Fiesta about to arrive in the UK, the Polo faces some very stiff competition from its long-running rival. AG

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UNDER ONE ROOF With packed seminar sessions and a smorgasbord of leading suppliers, Fleet Show 2017 offered an unrivalled opportunity to swap ideas and discuss opportunities for the year ahead.

ABAX ABAX returned to the show to spotlight its Triplog GPSpowered vehicle tracking and mileage claim system and says it saw huge interest from car fleets looking for digital solutions.

Aimed at both company and grey fleet cars, Triplog provides a means to electronic mileage logs and comes with a free mobile app to generate tax compliant, accurate digital mileage claims generated from drivers’ smartphones.

ACFO The UK’s leading fleet operator organisation ACFO is looking ahead to its State of the Nation Seminar in September. Topics for discussion will include real-life fuel testing, the possible effects of Brexit and the General Election, BiK and Salary Sacrifice. The meeting, to be held in the Midlands, will be open to members and non-members.

ACTIVA Activa Contracts was presenting a range of funding options and fleet management solutions for both cars and LCVs at the show. The company was keen to meet with fleets, to demonstrate how businesses can achieve more cost effective, tax efficient fleet management, reducing operating costs while enhancing vehicle choice for drivers.

AUTOGEM INVICTA Established in the 1950s, Autogem supplies products including sensors and workshop consumables to firms including fastfits and vehicle manufacturers.

The business is also looking at moving into supplier fleet operators, including organisations running workshops, and used its presence at the Fleet Show to highlight its solutions.

30 / fleetworld.co.uk

FWFS_Suppliers_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 20:35 Page 2

BP OIL AUTOSERVE Autoserve announced plans for growth in a number of areas at the show, building on a 50% increase in numbers across all sectors in the last year.

The company offers products ranging from accident and risk management to vehicle rental and guaranteed maintenance and already deals closely with contract hire and leasing firms. At the Fleet Show, managing director Ron Sutton explained that it’s also looking to break into the main dealer market, enabling both car and van dealers to sell its maintenance contracts, as well as fleets with multi funding, which tend to prefer having maintenance in one place.

The company is also relaunching its AutoClub service.

Described by Sutton as a “Groupon for motoring”, the club is aimed at sub-50 fleets plus the grey fleet market and gives members access to discount terms and service level agreements with garages and a range of motoring and travel offers nationwide. Sutton adds, “It’s big fleet deals for small fleet owners.”

BP Oil was once again the most popular stand on arrival at the show, providing visitors with muffins and pastries to start the day. There was a more serious side to the firm’s presence at the Fleet Show however, demonstrating how companies can reduce fuel costs and simplify accounting through the use of fuel cards.

CANTRACK CanTrack continues to fight vehicle theft with the introduction of CanTrack Asset. This compact tracking unit has no installation or maintenance costs and can be easily hidden within the vehicle. With up to a five-year battery life, the unit is incredibly strong and includes a range of sensors to deliver vital information to fleet managers.

The CanTrack Asset sells for £200 per unit and has a £67/year subscription. In the event of a vehicle theft CanTrack traces the vehicle and then calls the police to recover the stolen asset.

BT FLEET With a giant remote-control racing game taking centre stage on the stand, BT Fleet continued to attract companies keen to make use of the firm’s many fleet management services. While BT Fleet is perhaps best known as a provider to utility and specialist fleets, the company is broadening its appeal to meet any fleet requirement, from cars and LCVs to heavy trucks and plant.

CHARGEMASTER Chargemaster returned to the Fleet Show this year and put the focus on its full range of products to suit customer needs, whether it is charging at home, charging at work or charging on the go.

The firm also displayed an Ultracharge unit, said to be not only the smallest rapid charger on today’s market but also the only one to be manufactured here in the UK.

→

NEW INSIGNIA

THIS IS NOT A CAR. THIS IS YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL. With forward collision alert and lane assist.

Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 25.2 (11.2)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban: 39.8 (7.1)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km.

FWFS_Suppliers_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 15:51 Page 3

→ CHEVIN FLEET SOLUTIONS The fleet software software supplier had two roles at the show – one being an exhibitor but another running the licence checking service which allowed visitors to head out on track at Silverstone.

While some of its team dealt with the hundreds of drivers coming to the show, on its stand the firm was talking about its latest software developments.

The main focus was the new mobile app called FleetWave Forms. This is integrated into the main FleetWave software and allows mobile inputs for driver checks, car inspections, accident forms, risk assessments and receipt collation, among many others.

CITYEV For chargepoint specialists CityEV, the show marked the first time the company has targeted end-user fleets.

Already used by manufacturers and OEMs as well as local authorities and domestic users, the company has a range of new charge points and says it’s focused on lowering the cost and hassle of installation by offering British design and manufacture, using a platform designed to be future proofed.

A particular focus at the show was on the new OLEVapproved Cityline 100 Managed Lamp Post EVSE. Also able to be wall-mounted, the Type 2 charging station is fully capable of delivering 32A (7kW charging) and makes use of the existing infrastructure to reduce the cost and work involved with implementation.

CRYSTAL BALL Award-winning telematics company Crystal Ball showcased its SmartCam device – winner of the 2017 Fleet World Honour for ‘Innovation in Telematics’ – which combines fleet tracking and a 3G dashcam and enables fleet managers to assess and improve driver behaviour. Future developments are to follow, the company has announced, with specific details yet to be confirmed.

Crystal Ball also highlighted its lone worker solution, which utilises smartphone technology in a simple app, including a discrete panic alarm button, timed ‘welfare sessions’ for a worker to check-in, and live location updates to head office.

ENSTO Ensto’s main focus at the event was on introducing its work with local authorities in terms of specification and EV charging and on demystifying the installation of an EV structure for fleets.

This also includes introducing visitors to the firm’s next generation of product, the EVC Chago Premium – which includes protective automated lock release shutters to ensure units are protected – and its ability to offer secure cloud-based remote management of charging stations.

FLEETCHECK Although FleetCheck used its presence at the show to highlight its full range of fleet management solutions, Peter Golding, founder and managing director, said the main interest was in the new Walkaround Check App. He added that the app’s USP is that it links to a fully robust fleet management software rather than just a standalone solution to provide a solution for busy fleet operators. When a defect comes through from the app, it populates with the rest of the maintenance challenges that the transport manager needs to deal with rather than bombarding them with emails.

Golding also commented: “We deal a lot with people we call ‘reluctant fleet managers – they happen to be in the wrong pace and wrong time and end up in fleet. I think what is now recognised is that technology is there to help fleet managers with the issues they have. I think in a lot of cases they didn’t realise that help is there.”

32 / fleetworld.co.uk

FLEET EVOLUTION The launch of its Olympic Fleet Management service and a child’s toy car filled with jelly beans were the two features of Fleet Evolution’s stand.

Olympic offers a multi-tiered but bespoke service to fleets, according to managing director Andrew Leech, who added: “The big ‘so what?’ with Olympic is that fleets don’t have to pay until they see a return on investment.”

Leech was also offering a BMW child’s toy pedal car (or a £250 Red Letter Day voucher) to the person who correctly guessed the number of jelly beans contained in the toy car on show.

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FOURWAYS VEHICLE SOLUTIONS

JAAMA

First-time exhibitor Fourways used the show to demonstrate its new Foursky rental management system. This allows customers to book and manage their entire vehicle rental process online as well as having access to up-to-date billing and management information. A spokeswoman said their show debut was aimed at “promoting ourselves and capturing new business”.

Jaama showcased new modules introduced to its Key2 software solution, including the recent introduction of vehicle inspection sheets within the Workshop job sheets touchscreen module. The touchscreen application allows technicians to view their work allocation and record their time against each vehicle work item.

A further development by Jaama is its new ‘My Vehicle App’, which offers ‘auto-triggering’ as well as simplifying tasks for drivers. Crucially, information uploaded by drivers via the app automatically updates records held within Jaama’s Key2 asset management system.

FUELMATE / JOURNEYTRACK JourneyTrack was back at the Fleet Show to demonstrate its mileage capture and fuel expense app and management dashboard in its full production form, after showcasing the development version last year.

The solution can integrate to all fuel card networks, with sister company Fuelmate able to offer a partnership that provides solutions across all the major networks.

MILEAGECOUNT The MileageCount stand focused on the firm’s ability to save fleets time, money and hassle on mileage expenses, using the company’s automated system for recording and reporting every mile of every journey in any vehicle, including grey fleet vehicles.

This includes the MileageCount app, which is available for both Android and Apple smartphones, and is automatically triggered by an iBeacon device so drivers no longer have to remember to switch it on.

→ NEW INSIGNIA

THIS IS NOT A CAR. THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL ASSISTANT. With destination download and hotel bookings.

Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 25.2 (11.2)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban: 39.8 (7.1)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km.

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→

Fleet 2022 Seminars New for the 2017 event, a morning drop-in seminar session looked at the many challenges facing fleets over the coming five years as new technology, an unprecedented political and legal landscape, and changing customer attitudes come to the fore.

With a line-up of expert speakers from KMPG, cap hpi, Emissions Analytics, the Association of British Insurers and ACFO, the hour-long session proved incredibly popular, attracting a large audience for its duration and with lively debate between presentations. A turnout reflecting the high quality of decisionmakers in attendance.

HUBIO

ICFM

Hubio Fleet continues to build upon its upgraded platform that now incorporates an integral 3G camera. This provides fleet managers with video footage within minutes of an incident occurring, assisting with immediate claim intervention and first notification of loss.

ICFM, the independent not-forprofit organisation dedicated to furthering the education of fleet professionals, has launched a series of one-day masterclasses.

The first class looked at salary sacrifice and benefits, while the second day will focus on operational road risk. The organisation is also putting together plans to celebrate its 25th Anniversary in November of this year.

POD POINT

NEXUS

Just two weeks after its launch, the new Nexus HGV rental solution was demonstrated at the show. This gives transport managers access to over 50,000 HGVs in addition to over half a million other vehicles, via dashboard technology.

Sales and marketing director Roger Evans said: “We exist to drive down avoidable costs in rentals and we have access to more vehicles and more locations than anyone and we cover the entire spectrum. Everyone knows we are in cars and vans but we are targeting commercial fleets as well.�

OPUS Opus Claims Solutions is promoting its accident management offer, under the Opus Autoroute banner. From initial notification to deployment of repair, Opus is aiming its service at SME fleets of 500-1,000 vehicles.

34 / fleetworld.co.uk

EV charging company POD Point continues to grow, with more than 30,000 customers in the UK and Norway. The company has 1,500 public charging bays across the UK and has decided to give each site a name, to make things a little more personal. A new smartphone app provides information on available charging points and delivers a range of reports, showing energy used, cost and CO2 saved through the POD Point Management Information System.

ROLEC Electric vehicle charging provider Rolec is putting control literally in the hands of its customers, with its smartphone app.

With no annual membership fees, monthly subscription or connection fees, EV drivers can simply top up a credit account on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Rolec currently has more than 240 pedestals in operation, including commercial sites, but claims that number is growing rapidly. The charging sites provide all-makes charging capability.

FWFS_Suppliers_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 20:38 Page 6

SELSIA Selsia has unveiled a nationwide, centrally-managed mobile repair service for cars, vans and heavy trucks. Included within this additional offering, the company can deliver on-site, menu priced bodywork repairs for small areas of damage to cars and LCVs.

GO ULTRA LOW The move towards electric vehicles is likely to be transformative for the fleet sector. It’s a technology no business can ignore, but one with an entirely new way of operating vehicles; from range considerations to charging, taxation and even residual values.

The Fleet Show offered visitors a head start, with free, one-on-one, expert consultations being offered in a dedicated area run by Go Ultra Low and the Energy Saving Trust. The Go Ultra Low Zone also hosted an engaging panel discussion, offering those with questions about the technology an opportunity to put them to experts in the field.

WEX WEX Europe Services was not only promoting the fact that customers can now access Esso Petroleum and BP Oil forecourts with a single fuel card. The company was also launching WEX Telematics, providing customers with integrated vehicle and fuel card data.

NEW INSIGNIA

THIS IS NOT A CAR. THIS IS YOUR EXECUTIVE DECISION. The ultimate blend of efficiency, safety and connectivity.

Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 25.2 (11.2)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban: 39.8 (7.1)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km.

NEW INSIGNIA

THIS IS NOT A CAR. THIS IS YOUR COMPLETE PACKAGE.

P11D FROM £16,930

BiK FROM 23% | CO2 FROM 105G/KM | UP TO 70.6MPG New Insignia Grand Sport combines intelligent technology with impressively low Whole Life Costs and Benefit-in-Kind tax savings. It’s the ultimate blend of efficiency, safety and connectivity that makes New Insignia Grand Sport the perfect business choice.

Isn’t life brilliant.

Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 25.2 (11.2)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban: 39.8 (7.1)-78.5 (3.6), Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. 2017/18 tax year. tax position. New Insignia Elite Nav 2.0 (260PS) Turbo 4X4 auto model illustrated (P11D of £27,155) features Darkmoon Blue two-coat metallic paint (£555), VXR Styling Pack (£850) and Includes 12 months of OnStar services from date of first registration and a 3 month/3 GB Wi-Fi free trial period (whichever comes first) effective from the date the customer accepts the requires account with nominated mobile network operator. Charges apply after free trial period. The OnStar subscription packages could be different from the services included in the technology retro-fitted. Destination download only available on vehicles with factory installed navigation systems. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (June 2017).

VFL8869.006-New Insignia DPS for Fleet World AW.indd 1

03/07/2017 11:26

Pre-book your New Insignia 3 Day Test Drive.

Visit vauxhallfleet.co.uk/newinsigniatestdrive accordance with the relevant EU directive. New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km.

General Motors UK Limited, trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their own Driving Assistance Pack Four (ÂŁ595), optional at extra cost. 3 Day Test Drive terms and conditions apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please call 0330 587 8221 for full details. nominated network operator Wi-Fi Ts&Cs. OnStar services and 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot require activation and are subject to mobile network coverage and availability. Wi-Fi Hotspot service free trial package. Terms and conditions apply. Check vauxhall.co.uk/OnStar for details of availability, coverage and charges. Vehicles purchased without OnStar cannot have the required

VFL8869.006-New Insignia DPS for Fleet World AW.indd 2

03/07/2017 11:26

ROAD_FW_Ford_Fiesta_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 13:02 Page 1

Ford Fiesta The UK’s best-selling car sets high standards for its ever-growing list of rivals, says Alex Grant.

SECTOR Supermini PRICE £12,715-£19,275 FUEL 54.3-88.3mpg CO2 82-118g/km

onceived as a fuel-efficient solution to the oil crisis of the 1970s, the Fiesta has become a staple part of the British motoring diet. Helped by good looks, peerless driving dynamics and high value, not to mention hard-earned familiarity, the outgoing car has topped the UK charts since it launched, with over a million sold here since 2008. Generation eight has a tough act to follow.

Popular enough to outsell some manufacturers’ entire product ranges, the Fiesta has to be a one-size-fits all car to suit a wide spectrum of tastes and needs, and this one is the broadest line-up yet. Style, Zetec and Titanium versions form the core of the range, with the mid-spec Zetec the likely big-seller. Those with more choice can opt into the sporty ST-Line or luxuriously-equipped, but arguably less range-appropriate Vignale. Both are available with the full engine line-up, while a 197bhp ST hot hatch, and the faux-SUV Active will follow next year.

Most UK Fiestas are petrol-powered, there are five available from launch. All are three-cylinder engines; a pair of new 1.1-litre non-turbo units with 70 or 85bhp, and three arching feeling is one of big-car confidence and small-car versions of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost with 99bhp, 123bhp and playfulness – it’s good fun. Prior experience of the old car 138bhp - as in the outgoing car - which are expected to be suggests that should be the case even with the least the volume sellers. The 1.5-litre diesel is also powerful engines. available, with 85bhp or 118bhp and CO2 from Of course, connectivity is just as important FLEET FACT 82g/km, though with the price disadvantage, in this segment now, and it’s an area where low average mileage in this segment, and lowthe outgoing car had been lacking for several CO2 petrols it’s a harder case to make. years. Ford has moved to three systems Ford sold 120,525 Ford had a limited selection at the launch running on a tablet-like upright panel on the Fiestas last year – event; just the two most powerful engines, but dashtop, and it’s only the entry model that almost 5% of the with a wide choice of trim versions to try them doesn’t get a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay UK market. in. The Fiesta has long set the class benchor Android Auto. Built-in navigation with a mark as a driver’s car and it’s hard to fault larger screen is a £300 option where it’s not here, managing to feel incredibly precise and agile when fitted as standard equipment, and it’s included on the Titayou want it to, without also compromising on ride quality. nium, Vignale and up-specced ST-Line X. Opt into the £850While it’s not necessarily a priority for end-users, the overextra B&O Play versions of the Zetec or Titanium, and you also get metallic paint and Ford’s fantastic B&O audio system, capable of bringing everything from death metal to acoustic jazz to life in incredibly high definition.

But it’s not quite a clean sweep. The cabin has neither the plushness of the outgoing Polo, nor the design flair of the C3. Hard plastics are a given in this segment, but more obvious when they’re used in areas hands often touch – they’re almost incongruous in the Vignale with its aspirations to lure drivers out of premium brand products. And, while this is one of the few in this class still available with three or five doors, the former sacrifices boot space and both have limited rear headroom, particularly with the panoramic roof.

Ford was an early arrival in this segment back in the mid Seventies, and agility, practicality and low running costs are still at the core of what makes the Fiesta sell in droves – even in the outgoing car’s twilight years. With an emphasis on curing its predecessor’s shortcomings, the segment benchmark has never been in better shape.

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ROAD_FW_Ford_Fiesta_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 20:44 Page 2

what we think The outgoing Fiesta deservedly maintained strong demand throughout a long lifespan – this isn’t as radical a step forward as that car was in 2008, but it’s got all the right boxes ticked to hold its own at the top of the sales charts.

highlights 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol returns 65.7mpg, emits 97g/km CO2 Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on most UK cars Sporty ST-Line and luxury Vignale versions from launch

key fleet model Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.0 EcoBoost (100bhp) fleetworld.co.uk / 39

ROAD_FW_Nissan_Qashqai_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 13:06 Page 1

Nissan Qashqai The segment-defining crossover is back at the head of the pack, says Craig Thomas.

SECTOR Crossover PRICE £19,295-£32,530 FUEL 48.7-74.3mpg CO2 99-134g/km

hen Nissan first launched the Qashqai in 2007, ‘premium’ nature of the changes in the cabin, which is so it's fair to say that it broke the mould. Widely often a harbinger of disappointment. And, while the seen as the first of the new trend for crossovers, introduction of soft-touch materials (especially those on it combined the best qualities of the popular hatchback the higher trims we tested), more supportive (but thinwith those of the SUVs that had won a great deal of new ner) front seats, new headlinings and stitching, plus a fans in the early noughties. multifunction, flat-bottomed steering wheel are all It was an immediate hit, regularly appearing in the top welcome upgrades, yet again the p-word has been illfive best-selling cars in the UK in the years since. The used by a mainstream manufacturer. second-generation model that went on sale in 2013 What is true, though, is that Nissan has managed to create didn’t dampen its appeal, either: last year, for example, more space inside. Those slimmer front seats increase rear Nissan shifted 62,682 examples to British customers. legroom, while boot capacity with the 60:40 split rear bench The second-gen car was a classic folded has also grown slightly. example of how a carmaker can In terms of the engine range, there’s successful evolve a successful model, nothing to write home about. Indeed, developing it without losing its core there’s nothing at all to write about, as values. The same is true for the revised it remains unchanged, with the 1.2 and Qashqai that goes on sale this summer.

1.6 DIG-T petrol units and 1.5 and 1.6 In terms of the exterior design, for dCi diesels still providing the power. example, there are a number of tweaks However, Nissan has changed the all around to further sharpen its image dynamic characteristics, with an and keep it looking contemporary. So, adjustment to the steering set-up for example, there’s a new front prompted by feedback from owners, to bumper that uses more of the car’s help make it more direct and precise, body colour, blending it with glosswith less vibration reaching the finish black elements; new headlights driver’s hands. The handling is indeed with greater differentiation between ever-so-slightly improved and consisThe Qashqai is the halogen and LED units; a redesigned tent, but it’s still not the most engaging leader in the highly clamshell bonnet with sharp creases; car to drive. The ride has also been popular crossover new rear bumpers and lighting units; upgraded with a retuned suspension, new alloy wheels; and a flatter, so it’s comfortably compliant, though market – and nothing redesigned badge on the grille that bodyroll could be better controlled. here suggests that it will facilitates and hides a radar unit Also new is the Tekna+ rangelose any ground to its behind, for use with the autonomous topping trim level, which adds features (now numerous) rivals. emergency braking system. such as nappa leather upholstery and a Nissan talked a lot about the Bose sound system.

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what we think

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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

TOYOTA Powder Explosion Break Convention Fleet World Full Page with voting slip.indd 1

31/05/2017 08:48

ROAD_FW_Audi Q5_Skoda Octavia-July17.qxp 03/07/2017 13:10 Page 1

Skoda Octavia The versatile Octavia has a solution to suit most business needs, says Alex Grant.

SECTOR Lower Medium PRICE £17,195-£30,245 FUEL 42.8-72.4mpg CO2 106-149g/km he Octavia might not have been Skoda’s first launch under the Volkswagen Group, but as the first to dip into its new owner’s parts bin, it’s been a vital part of the brand’s transformation since. Big on space and value, without feeling cheap, it’s been Skoda’s best-seller since its 1996 launch, and a backbone of its fleet presence too.

In part, that’s because it straddles two key segments; larger than a Golf, smaller than a Passat, and priced under either, it’s catered for everyone from job-need drivers all the way to vRS versions for user-choosers. A great allround package which has hardly changed, save for its distinctive new quad-lamp headlights and some updated technology on board.

At its core, the line-up has hardly changed, with 113bhp 1.6-litre and 148bhp 2.0-litre diesels, and equivalent petrol engines notable because they offer near-identical CO2 emissions. SE Tech, which includes navigation and full-LED headlights, is likely to be the big fleet seller, while those with more flexibility can opt into luxurious Laurin & Klement, sporty petrol or diesel vRS and off-road-tuned Scout.

All engines are offered with DSG, but there’s no sub100g/km Greenline version at the moment.

Even with the smallest petrol engine, this feels a class above; quiet, sure-footed and with more boot volume than

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the equivalent Vauxhall Insignia, easily extended over a the folded rear seats and with under-floor storage too. All UK cars get at least an 8.0-inch touchscreen and a new-generation infotainment setup, with Apple and Android connectivity and intuitive, quick-to-respond pinch and swipe inputs, while data-connected versions offer live weather, traffic and parking information.

The Octavia might once have looked like an outsider in this segment, but, with solutions for fleets of all shapes and sizes, Skoda’s fastest-selling product has become the one to beat.

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI S line The new Q5 is a huge step forward in all except Audi’s evolutionary styling, explains Alex Grant.

SECTOR SUV PRICE £40,220 FUEL 55.4mpg CO2 133g/km ike the new A4 and A5, the biggest change between this second-generation Q5 and its predecessor isn’t the way it looks, but the way it drives. But the knock-on of those changes are likely to make it more popular for fleets, too.

It’s an evolutionary design update, but what’s underneath is all-new. The Q5 is longer, 90kg lighter in this expected best-seller spec, and more aerodynamic too.

Despite dropping the entry-level 148bhp engine and manual gearboxes, the 188bhp 2.0-litre TDI has come down from 157g/km to 133g/km.

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42 / fleetworld.co.uk

Audi’s latest-generation quattro technology helps. It’s only four-wheel drive when the car anticipates, via driver behaviour or weather conditions, that its extra traction is required. On a dry motorway it can separately decouple the propshaft and rear wheels to save fuel, while Dynamic mode shifts more torque to the rear wheels to give more neutral handling.

You get no sense that this is happening. The Q5 has a newfound sense of agility despite much better low-speed ride quality than its predecessor, yet it can also average 50mpg while cruising. An impressive figure for a large, automatic, four-wheel drive SUV. In line with the A4 and A5, cabin materials and switchgear quality are first-rate, and there’s almost no diesel rumble even under load.

It’s good enough that the compromises are minor. The rear bench slides forward to extend the boot capacity, but even then there’s barely any more room than in a Golf Estate, and though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment, they’re a little counter-intuitive operated through a rotary switch instead of a touchscreen.

But the Q5 has matured as significantly between generations as its stablemates; better to drive, more economical and with the latest technology, it’s equipped to take on a decade of new challengers.

ROAD-FW-Jeep Compass-July17.qxp 03/07/2017 13:16 Page 1

Jeep Compass The Compass could be the car to establish Jeep in fleet, explains Alex Grant.

SECTOR Crossover PRICE £27-£36,000 (est) FUEL 49.6-64.2mpg CO2 117-150g/km

emember the old Jeep Compass? For most fleets, or 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine, though it’s only the you’d be forgiven for not paying it too much attenformer that’s offered with a manual gearbox as well as the tion – this might be one of the world’s most familiar nine-speed auto. Neither are particularly fuel-efficient, at brands, but until recently it’s been a bit of an unknown in 55.4mpg for the manual, or 49.6mpg for the automatic. the corporate sphere. The quirky Renegade has gone some They’re almost unnecessary. Unless you need four-wheel way towards getting it there, but, with its sights on the drive, the pick of the line-up is the 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel lucrative Qashqai segment, the new Compass is the car Jeep engine – it’s smoother and quieter, especially under load, hopes will really get its feet under the table. and almost as punchy to drive as the 2.0-litre engines, while The opportunity is huge; almost 80% of Jeep’s UK sales fuel consumption and CO2 are competitive with all except last year were Renegades, and this newcomer is expected to the Renault-Nissan crossovers. Ride quality is good, body be even bigger – set to nearly double its volumes overall. roll is limited and it handles much like a big hatchback. The And, with a more fleet-weighted sales mix exception, predictably, is the Trailhawk than the Renegade, backed up by specialwith its off-road tyres and raised ride ist dealers and a central team working height. It’s excellent off-road, but across all the FCA brands, it will have a big compromised on it. role to play when the first right-hand Awareness aside, Jeep’s biggest potendrive versions arrive next January. tial problem is perceived cabin quality With Jeep and Alfa Romeo sharing next to the impeccable Tiguan – it’s a dealerships, the Compass will be a semistep up compared to the Renegade, but premium offering – think of this as an still a mismatch of plastics, chrome and Italian-American rival to the Jaguar Land silver bits inside. That said, it’s well laid Rover line-up – and pricing will reflect out, and the new-generation infotainthat. There’s no UK data yet, but expect it ment system is feature-packed, near lagto straddle mainstream and premiumfree and reasonably intuitive to use, brand products, similar to the Volkswaincluding Android Auto and Apple gen Tiguan. And while it’s on an CarPlay. There’s plenty of headroom in A competent, if not extended Renegade platform, the delibthe back, and boot space is competitive if class-leading newcomer, erately more conservative shrunken not class-leading. with an opportunity Grand Cherokee styling is aimed at findArguably, this is a segment that an offing it broader appeal. road focused brand like Jeep should have among drivers who Where the old Compass had a limited been able to get right years ago. By capiwant a change. But line-up, its replacement feels well-tuned talising on FCA’s growing fleet presence, Jeep has awarenessto class norms. Demand is expected to be affection for the brand and the continubuilding to do. weighted towards four-wheel drive, ing demand for crossovers, the Compass which is available with either a 138bhp could be about to find its place.

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ROAD_FW_Volkswagen_Arteon_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 20:45 Page 1

Volkswagen Arteon A new sports saloon with badge appeal – which it will need in a competitive sector, says Craig Thomas.

SECTOR Compact Executive PRICE £TBC FUEL 38.7-47.9mpg CO2 152-164g/km

six-footers can sit in the back in relative comfort. Add ith the decline of the D segment, the traditional into the mix a class-leading boot capacity of 563 litres four-door executive saloon has lost some of its and the Arteon proves itself to be a practical, as well as desirability in the fleet market. After all, if you stylish, proposition. can have an on-trend SUV, why bother with a boring barge?

The choice of engine is straightforward, with just two But carmakers are unwilling to consign the saloon to the powerplants at launch. But as one is a 2.0-litre TSI unit parts bin of history quite yet, so they've decided to make producing 277bhp, which returns just 38.7mpg and emisthem sportier and, therefore, more appealing. The Mercedessions of 164g/km, the choice for fleet users is essentially Benz CLS, BMW’s 4 and 6 Series Gran Coupe, and the Audi reduced to the 235bhp twin-turbocharged 2.0 TDI. The A5 have all been successful in snaring buyers among official fuel consumption figure is 47.9mpg and CO2 emiscompany car drivers, so Volkswagen has decided that it too sions are 152g/km. It performs in the same consistent, wants a piece of that action, with the all-new Arteon. unfussy way as 2.0-litre diesels in other First impressions are always imporVolkswagen Group cars, with extra urge tant – especially in this area of the from the additional turbo. It can be market – so VW is already in the game slightly gruff under heavy load, but the with the Arteon's exterior styling, which overall effect is one of relaxed progress. is sleekly unfussy, even going beyond the It's a similar story with the Arteon's brand's usual conservatism with ride and handling, which isn’t entirely elements such as the grille that flows engaging, and even the Dynamic driving seamlessly into LED headlight units. mode is not particularly involving. True, The cabin is what we've come to most drivers will be relatively unconexpect from Volkswagens, albeit with cerned with this, but it's hard to overslightly higher-quality materials than look when rivals offer something in, for example, the Golf, reflecting the significantly better.

Arteon’s status: leather and Alcantara The ride is equally not as good as it seats with tactile, soft-touch materials could be, thanks to standard-fit 20-inch on the dashboard and doors to create a An attractive enough wheels, which add an element of disturcosseting effect. The 9.2-inch glass proposition. However, in bance that isn’t intrusive, but it is palpable. touchscreen with gesture control then the context of what else Prices and specs are yet to be adds a futuristic functionality to the published, but there are indications that infotainment system, which also is on offer, Volkswagen Volkswagen will also keep things simple includes a range of the latest connecmight struggle to make here, too, with just two highly equipped tivity features. any real headway in trim levels: the comfort-oriented The interior is also spacious, with this segment.

Elegance and the sportier R-Line. Prices the sloping roof not having too much of are expected to start at around £38,000. an impact on headroom in the rear, so

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ROAD_FW_BMW 530e-MINI S E_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 13:12 Page 1

BMW 530e iPerformance It’s no niche car, but the 5 Series plug-in hybrid isn’t quite mainstream either, explains Alex Grant.

SECTOR Executive PRICE £43,985-£47,285 (excluding £2,500 Plug-in Car Grant) FUEL 141.2mpg CO2 46g/km ow quickly times change. A plug-in hybrid 5 Series would have looked like a niche oddity when the last-generation model launched in 2010, but BMW is so confident about demand for the 530e in the new car, that it’s expecting it to account for a third of the saloon’s volume – around 5,000 per year in the UK. It has every reason to be confident. The C-Class PHEV outsold the Nissan LEAF last year, and the equivalent 3 Series wasn’t far behind. While the ActiveHybrid 5 never really muscled in on diesel demand in Britain, the 530e’s blend of premium badge, performance and 46g/km CO2 emissions are likely to change that. Offered in SE and M Sport, with pricing and power in line with the 530d, its only direct rivals are the E-Class and S90, though plug-in hybrid SUVs are also a threat, as there’s no 530e Touring.

The drivetrain augments the 520i’s 184bhp petrol engine with a 95bhp electric motor, this time with a mainsrechargeable battery offering a 29-mile electric range, or around 20-25 miles in real-world use. A combined 249bhp with electric motor torque gives it the muscle of classic sixcylinder executive cars; blistering straight-line acceleration, yet slipping seamlessly into electric drive when battery charge allows. When it does, it takes a heavy prod of the

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throttle before the petrol engine kicks in, and it can use driving modes and detailed navigation data to meter out the remaining charge.

Plus it’s better packaged than the ActiveHybrid 5, still losing a fifth of its boot capacity but not the ability to fold the rear bench, though a 46-litre fuel tank and limited battery capacity aren’t ideal for longer journeys. A part-electric five is no longer a niche seller but, without a longer EV range, the real-world use case beyond the tax advantages is still rare.

MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 Combining crossover cachet and low CO2, MINI’s first plug-in can’t go far wrong, reckons Alex Grant.

SECTOR Crossover PRICE £31,585 (excluding £2,500 Plug-in Car Grant) FUEL 134.5mpg CO2 49g/km or a brand built around upmarket small cars, the first plug-in MINI feels a long time coming. It’s eight years since public trials of the MINI E prototype hinted at what was on the horizon, but that car’s closest descendent is a very different proposition. A full-size family car, a plugin hybrid with a 25-mile electric range, positioned in a segment where short-distance usage is realistic.

The MINI E had been a test bed for BMW’s EV technology, and that’s come full circle here. Platform-shared with the new BMW X1 and MPV derivatives of the 2 Series, the Countryman’s drivetrain is similar to that of the 225xe Active

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Tourer. There’s a 134bhp petrol engine and six-speed automatic gearbox up front, and a 65Kw electric motor driving the rear wheels.

It’s a good system, albeit with some of the familiar plugin hybrid stumbling blocks. Relying on a petrol engine for long journeys means high-mileage drivers are likely to get better economy from a Cooper SD Countryman. Regular long trips aren’t this car’s forte anyway – it takes at least two hours to charge, and finding space for the battery meant downsizing to a 36-litre tank, so you can’t go far between fuel or charge stops.

But you can tailor it to suit different journeys, with driving modes prioritising EV driving, saving battery power for urban roads, or leaving the car to pre-plan energy usage out over a longer route, based on information from the navigation system. The motor is powerful enough to make electric driving effortless, and the 223bhp available with both power sources working together means it’ll out-accelerate every Countryman apart from the John Cooper Works.

Economy aside, it's good fun.

MINI might have stopped short of fully-electric motoring – though an electric Hatch is on the way – but the Countryman feels well-tuned to market tastes, and has few direct rivals.

fleetworld.co.uk / 45

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INTERVIEW Duncan Chumley, Free2Move Lease

An overall solution PSA’s contract hire division is being transformed to deliver total mobility solutions, Free2Move Lease managing director, Duncan Chumley, tells Dan Gilkes. t the start of this year, Peugeot Contract Hire and Citroën Contract Motoring joined forces, to become Free2Move Lease. Given that the two PSA manufacturers now share the same UK head office site in Coventry, there is perhaps little surprise in that, as many of the group’s business sectors have been brought together over the last few years to reduce cost and improve efficiency.

However, there is more to the move than a streamlining of back office functions. Free2Move was announced in France last September to bring together all of the PSA Group’s mobility solutions under a single banner. This includes car sharing, connected services, fleet sharing and fleet management, as well as leasing and financial solutions.

The UK is spearheading Free2Move Lease in Europe, along with France, Germany and Spain. However PSA has global ambitions for the brand, with the recent launch of Free2Move as a car sharing provider in North America, in partnership with Travelcar.

“It’s no longer just about our cars and vans, but about mobility solutions,” said UK Free2Move Lease managing director Duncan Chumley. “Before, we were focused on providing a vehicle. What we want to do now, is provide an overall solution.”

Bringing Peugeot, Citroën and DS leasing activities into a single business has given Free2Move Lease a fleet of more than 65,000 vehicles in the UK, of which 35% are vans. That puts the company at number seven in the UK leasing league, according to Chumley. “We have B2B and B2C customers and we will have two distinct offers. A lot of our customers are operating one to five vehicles. Our shortest term is currently 18 months, up to four years. However we will offer 12 months to five years if required, following individual discussions. The focus is very much on providing our customers with the best quality of service over all parts of the business.”

Existing leasing customers will see little initial change, other than the name of their provider. However the Free2Move business will be expanding rapidly, to offer a far wider range of services going forwards.

As an example, Free2Move has recently launched a car-sharing app for London. This app will be expanded to show all possible transport solutions in the area.

A

“The fleet sharing element will become an increasingly important part of the business in the future,” said Chumley.

“Also pool cars, that can be under-utilised. Companies could rent them to staff at weekends.

“We’re talking to our customers about all of our product ranges, from Citroën, Peugeot and DS. We’ll be offering a multi-marque solution as well. My target this year is to do about 1,000 non-PSA vehicles.”

The company is working to create a fleet management solution, based on telematic data from a PSA box that is being installed on a growing number of its vehicles.

“On our Citroën vans we already have a Teletrac box, but we will move across to a PSA box on all models,” said Chumley.

“It’s already in new models like the 3008 and high specification DS models and will be available as an option in all of our products by 2019/20. The key benefit this gives is that it provides us with geolocation and fault code information directly from the vehicle’s CanBUS network. We will use this to offer our own fleet management solution.

“We recognise that some fleets have other providers, so the data will also be made available to them. We will also have a retro-fit box that can be fitted to non-PSA vehicles, or the manufacturer may have already equipped the vehicle with a box and we can buy the data from them.”

Free2Move will deliver a range of compliance services by July, ensuring that customers meet legal requirements with regard to their fleet.

“We will make sure that vehicles are serviced and maintained, so that customers can say with confidence that all of their vehicles are compliant. We could offer driving licence checks and if a company wanted us to take on an Operator’s licence then yes, we would, if that delivered what they needed,” said Chumley.

Free2Move has been training staff within the Peugeot, Citroën and DS business centre and dealer networks and has taken on new SMR and residual value teams in Coventry.

“We have a fantastic dealer network and we want to enhance that. Our first job this year though is to consolidate the business,” said Chumley. “We are going through a year of change.”

2017/18 ambitions...

Fleet management: The Free2Move fleet management solution will be available to customers with vehicles up to 5-tonnes gross weight. Free2Move has appointed a specialist vehicle manager to look at vehicles above 3.5tonne gross weight.

“We want to get our fleet management product offered across the board, so we can supply all of our customers with a solution,” said Chumley.

46 / fleetworld.co.uk

Support services: Bringing two major leasing businesses together has provided Free2Move with a strong team of experienced staff.

However, Chumley recognises that the newly-formed company will have to build its infrastructure to support its expansion plans.

“We need to have the back-up services that support the business, to create a multi-marque solution,” he said.

Service provider: With car sharing, both private and fleet, connected services and fleet management among a growing portfolio of products and services on offer, Free2Move will unveil a new website in June that will point the way forward.

“We must look at the service that we deliver to our customers, take the key successes of the past and see how we can improve on these going forwards.”

IVIEW_DChumley_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 13:20 Page 2

“The fleet sharing element will become an increasingly important part of the business in future.”

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FEATURE_Used_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 13:22 Page 1

FEATURE Used Cars

SECOND HAND SECOND RATE? With tightening BIK tax bands and the growth in used car PCP deals, should companies be worried about cash-for-car drivers taking the used route for their next company car? Julian Kirk reports. or many employees, a company car is not only a vital part of a remuneration package, it also helps define where they stand in the company hierarchy. Parking your EClass next to a colleague’s Focus suggests one is much further up the career ladder than the other.

However, the growth in used car PCP options is opening up new avenues for image conscious employees who decide to opt out of a company car scheme and take the cash instead. Armed with a monthly allowance in their pay packet, they are financing much higher-spec cars than their traditional car banding would allow, helped by a push from manufacturers to shift used models from their forecourts.

And with ever-tightening benefit-inkind tax bandings spelling increased

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48 / fleetworld.co.uk

personal taxation costs, more people are looking at ways to minimise their donations to the Treasury.

Gerry Keaney, chief executive of the BVRLA, warns that the Government’s ‘over zealous taxation of motorists, particularly company car drivers’ could bring an end to the long-standing trend of falling average car CO2 emission.

He said: “Policymakers need to remember that motoring and business car taxation is more than just a revenue stream. It provides a powerful incentive for people and businesses to choose low-emission cars.

“The Government has said it will introduce a new, more granulated range of company car tax bandings from April 2020 that will provide some attractive incentives for people choosing the cleanest pure electric and hybrid cars.

Company car drivers make pragmatic, cost-conscious decisions and we believe that many of them will defer their move to low-emission motoring until the incentives come into effect.

“Company car tax rates are due to rise significantly between now and 2019 and many drivers will end up choosing cheaper, higher-emission company cars. Others could abandon the traditional company car altogether and use their cash allowances to fund a PCP or PCH contract on a new or used car. Others might just pocket the money and rely on an existing household car for their work journeys.

“Whatever happens, we could end up seeing more older, high-emission and inappropriate vehicles being driven for business.”

But should companies be concerned

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“Virtually all businesses will have in place constraints, aligned to the company car policy, that govern the make, model, age and mileage of a vehicle that an employee can select with their cash allowance.”

about the move, and what Keaney calls ‘inappropriate’ vehicles being driven for business? While buying approved used models means vehicles which have passed multiple checks to make sure they are roadworthy, some may stray from the approved forecourts and into the independent arena, where some vehicles may not be prepared to the standard of the franchised dealers.

Ian Hill, managing director at Activa Contracts, said: “If businesses were to introduce used car PCPs, the risk management and work-related road safety ramifications would be signifi-

parallel standards with the company car policy will be in place.”

ACFO chairman John Pryor agrees, citing a trend of an increased uptake in cash-for-car as a result of tightening tax bands. He said: “I have heard of fleets that are seeing drivers taking the cash and thinking the private PCP is a better deal. But there has to be caution in what the deposit is, what is the insurance, what is the mileage. In the finance industry there are rumours that these PCPs will be the next PPI mis-selling scandal.

“While anecdotal evidence suggests

cant. Businesses are legally responsible for all vehicles driven on work-related journeys irrespective of ownership; therefore, any move to a used PCP proposition results in significant risk exposure. It is a risk that most companies would not be prepared to take.

“Virtually all businesses will have in place constraints, aligned to the company car policy, that govern the make, model, age and mileage of a vehicle that an employee can select with their cash allowance. Even if business mileage is extremely limited,

some companies have said they will move away from company cars, businesses have come to recognise that they need employees to be mobile and the fact that you cannot outsource your responsibility if employees are travelling on business.

But some are looking at wider mobility where the private car is used and have polices in place.

“As a result, companies need to have a clear policy for drivers who have opted out. It is about having a clearly defined mobility programme – not just company cars but a wider ground

fleetworld.co.uk / 49

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FEATURE_Used_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 16:01 Page 3

FEATURE Used Cars

SECOND HAND SECOND RATE? →

transportation proposition in getting an employee from A to C via B. You need to look at the whole picture to try and get joined up mobility – cost, practicality and the environment are all involved in the process.”

It is these constraints that are essential for any business which offers a cash for car scheme. According to Richard Hipkiss, managing director of Fleet Operations, it is easy for companies to police opt-out drivers. He said: “We have seen an increase in people opting out, with company car tax bands becoming more stringent. There is a shift in people wanting a more ‘lifestyle’ car, plus there’s a bit of ‘keeping up with the Joneses next door. By opting out, employees can get a significantly better car on a PCP deal.”

“From a company perspective, it is easy to police opt-out drivers as you can introduce the same sort of restrictions as you do for company cars, such as restrictions on emissions, engine size, number of doors, etc.

“You can restrict it, but most firms don’t – I heard of someone in a BMW 318d company car who opted out and bought a two-year old 7 Series for a lower monthly cost – that was a £60,000 car when new. You rely on people being sensible and not getting something inappropriate.”

Hipkiss says that opting out is generally only the preserve of low mileage user-choosers and not the essential need employees. He added: “Opt out drivers will generally be the perk/status drivers – in general it is financially prohibitive for essential need drivers doing up to 40,000 miles a year to opt out and run their own car.

“But perk/status drivers want more desirable vehicles – and in the last six to seven years we have seen some businesses’ choice lists move from two to three/four or five-year replacement cycles – five years tied into a car scheme is a long time for some people – this is where an opt-out scheme gives flexibility.”

“There is a shift in people wanting a more ‘lifestyle’ car, plus there’s a bit of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ next door. By opting out, employees can get a significantly better car on a PCP deal.”

Richard Hipkiss, managing director of Fleet Operations

SMEs switching to used vehicles Expanding smaller companies are investing in used vans rather than buying new.

According to market analysis from Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (SVA), SMEs are spending £10,000£15,000 on a good quality used van rather than buying or financing £25,000-£30,000 to buy a new one.

The result is a 5% drop in new LCV sales (up to 3.5 tonnes) which spells good news for the used market as the demand for one to three-year-old used LCVs is set to grow over the coming two years until the true results of Brexit are realised.

SVA managing director Alex Wright said: “The light commercial market is well tuned to the current economy such as low interest rates, low unemployment figures, higher inflation and a falling Sterling. These current economic factors plus Brexit are all enough for an SME to switch from a new to a used purchase for the time simply to manage their risk.

“Cashflow is king and they are able to change their purchasing decisions swiftly to protect their cash in the bank but not preventing them growing their businesses.”

50 / fleetworld.co.uk

FEATURE_Used_FW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 13:24 Page 4

OpRA implications The introduction of the Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OpRA) rules in April is changing the way some companies deal with company car provision.

Activa Contracts is reporting that some of its clients are removing the cash allowance option in certain employee scenarios.

Managing director Ian Hill said: “They are effectively looking at the circumstances of every individual member of staff and explaining the new rules to them and then together making a decision. We continue to highlight the taxefficient benefits of company cars and specifically ultra-low emission vehicles.”

Fleet Operations’ Richard Hipkiss added: “The challenge is with the tax changes, specifically the impact on cash equivalent/salary sacrifice schemes.

“Some of these changes went under the radar, specifically for the 400,000 people who take cash in lieu of a company car. If you look at an example of an employee in a BMW 316d company car emitting 99g/km and an opt-out driver in a higher spec and more powerful model emitting 130g/km, there will be little in it once all the relevant tax has been deducted.

So a driver can be paying the same amount of tax but opt for a more expensive car. The differences are marginal.”

The manufacturer view Bruce Greenwood – used car manager, Volvo Car UK

olvo Car UK’s approved used programme Selekt has grown 14% yearon-year and its dealers use used PCP as a way of retailing ex-demonstrators and PCP returns.

Bruce Greenwood, Volvo Car UK’s used car manager, said: “Many of our vehicles will certainly fall into the category of a typical £200-£500 monthly allowance that a user-chooser would receive. PCP payments also offer more flexibility as the user is even able to alter the annual mileage or deposit level on the car they are reviewing to better fit their particular requirements.

“If a fleet operator is going to provide its drivers with a cash allowance and then let them convert it into a used PCP, they’d need to provide quite rigid rules of a car’s age, mileage and vehicle type, however, dependent on the needs of the driver.

“Purchasing a used vehicle for use as a company car through a manufacturer’s used car scheme will offer reassurance to business owners and drivers that the vehicle has been through a stringent inspection and checklist process. Opting for a used vehicle on a PCP payment remains a safe and cost-effective option as they are some of the best prepared and most thoroughly checked cars on the market – in the case of Volvo Selekt, every car goes through more than 100 checks and receives any necessary software upgrades direct from the manufacturer.

“Generally, OEM schemes only offer cars with a full service history and all the relevant supporting documents to further offer peace of mind for the fleet operator that their driver is at the wheel of a roadworthy car to be used on company business.”

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FEATURE Taxation & Funding

A few things to ponder Professor Colin Tourick reckons it’s time to reassess your approach to cash allowances. he Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ international automotive conference is an impressive affair that brings together very senior people from motor manufacturers, dealer groups, government, trade bodies and others who are interested in the future of the automotive sector.

This year’s conference on 20 June included several sessions covering topics that were relevant to fleet managers, such as how Brexit is likely to affect the automotive sector and the overall UK economy, the rise of mobility solutions and how buyers and sellers in the sector are likely to operate in future (the long term outlook for motor dealerships in a world where people are increasingly buying things online).

Whilst different people had different views on the effect of Brexit on the economy and the sector, it was notable that these ranged from the cautious ("it’s going to be difficult to get a good deal, particularly given the short time available"), to the pessimistic ("the country has shot itself in the foot and we shouldn’t expect any good news in the short to medium term, and maybe not even in the long term".) So the level of optimism ranged from perhaps two to six out of 10. No-one was expecting Brexit would be a roaring economic success and most spoke of the hurdles ahead, especially given the need to keep the EU together and discourage others to follow the UK through the exit door.

One presenter pointed out that one of the big challenges the sector faces when it tries to adapt to customer needs is that it operates in such deep silos. If you want to buy a fridge you can go to one retailer where you will see many brands. In most cases you can’t do that with cars. That fridge retailer might have a website where you can select what you want according to your own specification. You want a white, 90cm wide, 120cm high unit split 50/50 between freezer and fridge sections and an A efficiency rating? No problem; with a few clicks you’ll get a list of fridges meeting your requirements, across all manufacturers.

But if your company car driver is searching for a car costing no more than £350 per month (their allowance); with CO2 less than 110g/km (in accordance with your company policy); and any engine other than diesel (because they are worried about the possibility of HMRC knocking on the door to charge BiK tax, ERNIC and EENIC based on NOx emissions

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[and also because it gave me the chance to squeeze a ridiculous number of acronyms into one phrase]); with five doors and a low rear sill (to allow for easy loading of their child’s pushchair); a maximum length of four metres (to fit in their garage) and wing mirrors that fold in electronically (because there is a width restriction in their road), they will very quickly find that their leasing company’s ‘car configurator’ will only get them so far – they will have to start digging around manufacturers’ websites to find the car they require.

One day someone will come up with a website that can do this, and when they do fleet managers and their drivers will rejoice because it will make selecting a vehicle so much easier. Way too much time is currently wasted by userchooser drivers carrying out research on which car to choose, or by fleet managers trying to work out which cars to add to fleet allocation lists.

Rant over.

This silo approach was also apparent when the presenters discussed mobility solutions. Manufacturers have committed billions of pounds over many decades to developing and manufacturing new cars, and they want people to buy them from dealerships that have invested heavily in their brand and then drive them away. However, people who grew up in the internet age really don’t get the idea of owning a car and prefer to use public transport, Uber or a shared car, and are waiting for a new operating model to emerge that will allow them to have a car when they need it and to hand it back when they don’t. A car club on steroids, integrated with other services.

This then is another challenge to the fleet industry, and one to which, to be fair, they are rising. It won’t be long before we see much more flexible solutions on offer, but it remains to be

Choices, choices…

Picking options on a car configurator can be time-consuming

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Work and play Drivers can have a myriad of requirements for their company car.

seen whether those will come from manufacturers or new entrants who will arrive and disrupt the market. My money is on the disruptors, though leasing companies should be well placed to pick up a lot of this ‘mobility management’ business soon, if they can find ways to marshal vast amounts of data gleaned from multiple sources (public transport operators, rental companies, car clubs, company fleets, etc[and maybe one day the actual cars themselves]) and turn these into solutions that deliver the optimum journey solution for each journey and each trip – lowest cost, shortest time, least CO2 – in real time. No mean feat, but companies that crack this problem will see their fortunes soar.

Talking of CO2, the BVRLA has produced its quarterly survey of members’ fleets and it makes interesting reading. The Association has been rightly proud that its members’ fleets have much lower levels of CO2 than the UK national average. The stats for the last few years show that emissions for new vehicles added BVRLA members’ fleets fell from 119.1g/km in late 2013 to 110.8g/km today, whilst the average CO2 for all UK new cars registered fell from 127.4g/km to 120.5g/km.

However, the emission levels of new cars added to BVRLA members’ fleets have stayed fairly static now in the 110.7111.0g/km range for 15 months, which makes one ask the question – why?

In truth, it’s hard to tell. Part of the answer can be found in the growth of PCH contracts being written by BVRLA members. PCH has become increasingly important for them.

Whilst new contract hire contracts grew by 21% in the last 12 months, PCH increased by 55% in the same period and PCH now accounts for 18% of BVRLA members’ fleets, up from 14% a year ago. PCH contracts have average CO2 levels of around 118g/km compared with 112g/km for contract hire.

BVRLA members write PCH contracts with small businesses (often sourced online or via brokers) but also through schemes set up with employers for employees who want to take a cash allowance rather than a company car. Do any of your employees use their cash allowance to buy a PCH contract? If so, and your company policy says you try to

minimise CO2 emissions, it might be worthwhile for you to have a look at the emissions levels of the cars these employees are choosing. They are not subject to Benefit-in-Kind tax so the employee may think that they can choose a higher CO2 car because it will not affect their income tax bills. Whilst that’s true, it’s also true that higher-CO2 cars attract higher levels of vehicle excise duty, tend to be more expensive to insure and have poorer fuel economy, something you might like to bring to the attention of employees who use their cash allowances to fund PCH deals. Or it might be easier simply to introduce a cap and say that if a car is acquired using a cash allowance, and used on company business, it must have the same maximum CO2 limit you specify for company cars.

Another reason employees might now be choosing higher CO2 company cars is because of the Optional Remuneration rules introduced in this year’s Finance Bill. We looked at these in depth a few months ago so we won’t cover them in depth now. However, one of the changes – the ‘Type B’ arrangement – charges an employee to tax on whichever option generates the most tax; BiK tax on their company car or the cash allowance they might otherwise have taken. If your cash allowances tend to be pitched generously, an employee could easily find they are paying a lot of tax (on the cash allowance) even if they choose a car with a modest CO2 output. There is therefore little incentive for them to choose a low-CO2 car. They’ll choose the one they fancy up to the maximum value of their allowance, regardless of CO2 levels.

This was the unintended consequence of this legislation.

These changes were only introduced for vehicles delivered from 1 April 2017, so they will not yet have sown up in the BVRLA’s stats but they are likely to have an impact soon. Now might be a good time to have a look at the cash allowances you are offering – the amounts and whether indeed you should be offering them at all – particularly if only a small proportion of your drivers actually opt for the cash allowance.

Professor Colin Tourick MSc FCA FCCA MICFM University of Buckingham

fleetworld.co.uk / 53

A SMARTER CIVIC FOR A SMARTER FLEET THE NEW HONDA CIVIC R E Q U E S T Y O U R 4 8 H O U R D E M O AT HONDA.CO.UK O R C O N TA C T O U R B U S I N E S S CENTRE ON 0800 975 7846

CIVIC SR 129PS VTEC TURBO

CONTRACT MILEAGE 10,000 MILES PER ANNUM

F R O M O N LY £ 1 9 9 * A M O N T H ( P L U S V AT ) ON BUSINESS CONTRACT HIRE

CONTRACT TERM 36MONTHS

F R O M £ 1 ,1 9 4 A DVA N C E PAY M E N T ( P L U S VAT ) *

EXCESS MILEAGE CHARGE 3 . 7 P P E R M I L E + VAT

Prices for the model pictured C i v i c S p o r t 1 8 2 P S V T E C Tu r b o £ 2 4 1 + VAT p e r m o n t h p l u s an advanced payment of £ 1 , 4 4 6 + VAT. e x c e s s m i l e a g e c h a r g e 4 . 0 p p e r m i l e + VAT

Important information: *Contract Hire available to Business Users only, subject to status. Information correct at July 2017. Vehicles must be ordered between 1st July 2017 and 30th September 2017 with registration and delivery by 31st December 2017. Rentals exclude optional maintenance. Excess mileage and other charges may apply dependent on the mileage and return condition of the vehicle at the end of the contract. Contract Hire is provided by Arval UK Limited trading as Honda Contract Hire, Whitehill House, Windmill Hill, Swindon, SN5 6PE. All figures are correct at time of publication but may be subject to change. Offer applicable at participating Honda Dealers and is at the promoter’s absolute discretion. Subject to status, model and colour availability

HONK282_CIVIC_P3_PRESS_AD_210x297mm_v2_AW.indd 1

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LTT_FW_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 21:35 Page 1

our fleet Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo SR

Modern sport is all about the aggregation of marginal gains; a theory that posits that if you improve every area related to sporting performance by just 1%, those small gains add up to a greater overall improvement.

Assessing the qualities of a new car relies on a similar theory.

It's received wisdom in the industry that most cars are all pretty much reliable and do the job they’re supposed to. So when considering a new model, it’s the small differences that elevate one against a class rival.

Marginal gains aren’t working in favour of the new Civic, unfortunately. While I like the punchy, easy-revving 129PS 1.0-litre,

three-cylinder engine and its overall on-road performance, there are a few niggles.

The biggest is the inconsistent performance of the USB connection. These days, you expect to plug your phone into a car, choose it in the audio source list and hear music. In the Civic, that only happens sometimes, and randomly, which is really irritating.

However, so far I’m relatively unconcerned by my fuel consumption: almost wholly urban use to date has resulted in just 35.2mpg, but I’m expecting that to improve as the engine loosens up and I make a few longer runs.

Craig Thomas

BMW 520d M Sport In a world of SUVs, MPVs, SAVs and MAVs, it’s easy to forget the capabilities of a regular three box saloon. They may not be the height of fashion – to a casual observer, the latest version of the 5 Series could easily be taken for its predecessor – but the old adage of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ comes to mind.

The BMW carries five people with ease; it manages to transport precious cargos – multi-tiered birthday cakes, most recently – and the space in the boot is more than enough to not leave you tempted by an estate – sorry, ‘Touring’.

While BMW continues to raise its niche vehicle game, long may the 5 Series continue to prosper.

John Challen

Fiat Tipo Station Wagon 1.6 MultiJet II Lounge IT might sound like false praise, but there’s a refreshing simplicity to our Tipo. A pleasing lack of complexities and unusual features to get in the way of, well, just using it. Lounge versions come in at the top of the range, and I’ve got all the usual tools at my disposal for a life often spent on the motorways, but nothing frivolous. Instead, Fiat seems to have put time into good seats, supple ride quality and an engine which has a delightfully low thirst for fuel. Perfect for fuss-free business use.

Anne Dopson

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our fleet Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.2 PureTech 130

the figures OTR PRICE £24,295 POWER 131bhp@5,500rpm TORQUE 167lbs-ft@1,750rpm 0-62mph 10.8 seconds TOP SPEED 117mph COMBINED MPG 55.4mpg CO2 117g/km

“This is one of the best cars I have driven in years...”

THERE were a number of concerns I had about running our new Peugeot 3008. One was its tiny petrol engine, another was that it might not be big enough for the Moody family and associated dogs and also, as the mid spec Allure version, would it be a bit bare spec-wise?

Usually you would tease the answers to these questions out over a number of months, having put the car through very thorough, rigorous testing. But I’m not going to.

That’s because within a day or so of taking delivery of the 3008, the results were patently obvious: this is one of the best cars I have driven in years. The 3008 has exceeded my expectations more than almost any car I can think of in recent history, irrespective of price or brand.

For a car that costs less than £25,000 (the only options on this test car are metallic paint (£525) and Panoramic Opening Glass Roof (£990), it is remarkable value for money. It looks incredibly stylish, the cabin quality is at a level no other manu-

facturers at this price point (and plenty considerably more expensive) are operating at, and while it is not a massive car, there is plenty of space for the Moody brood. There is also lots of equipment as standard, and the addition of Apple CarPlay enhances that.

The 130bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine is just – just – about powerful enough, and you have to make sure you are in the perfect gear to ensure this. Fortunately, the wonderfully snicky, short-throw gear lever ensures this is not a chore.

Over time, I am sure that some foibles will present themselves, and they might calm my enthusiasm down a bit, but unless they are surprisingly drastic and currently unforeseen there can be no doubt in my mind already that the 3008 is one of the best cars on sale today. Peugeot cars have been steadily improving for some time, but the 3008 proves that everyone else now has some serious catching up to do.

Steve Moody

Alphacity BMW 320d EVEN without the press demos, the staff car park at Fleet World is pretty diverse. Our potential ‘grey fleet’ spans everything from nearly-new family cars to hot hatches and convertibles, the oldest of which are almost 30 years old. Not totally unsuitable for work use, but not ideal for it either.

I’m on the road a lot at the moment, and until recently that’s meant using my own car when (as was often the case) there hasn’t been something else available. As an end-user there are plenty of advantages to doing this – it’s familiar to drive, I don’t have to worry about someone else having the keys, and I don’t have to pick it up from the office. Moving to our AlphaCity car had a lot to live up to.

56 / fleetworld.co.uk

How have I found it? For the most part, fairly straightforward. It’s easy to book and simple to get into the car using my membership card, which also means I don’t have to unlock the office and switch off an alarm to collect a key. That said, not having a key can be a headache at times, as the back doors unlock separately and the whole car locks itself when you get out.

Otherwise, the user experience is no more complicated than borrowing a standard 3 Series – great to drive, spacious, quiet, fuel-efficient and a well-rounded alternative to putting business miles on one of our own, diverse fleet of cars.

Darren Brett

LTT_FW_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 21:36 Page 3

Kia Optima Sportswagon 1.7 CRDi GT-Line S auto

I’VE been spending a few days driving one of the Kia’s newest rivals – the perfect opportunity to see how our Optima stands up to the challenge of the new Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer.

Both are the product of a new approach by their respective makers – their cars have got to look good and be crammed with kit if they are to fight back against the dominance of the German premium brands in the fleet sector.

Both the Optima and the Insignia have adopted that pared back styling which marks the premium brands out – sleek, lacking in ostentation and almost under the radar in their approach. It’s the same story inside – both the volume players here have raised their game significantly in terms of the cabin layout and ambience, use of materials and the level of equipment fitted.

And this is where the two volume cars make their

mark – in top-spec Elite Nav auto trim, the Vauxhall matches our Kia in GT-Line S specification with pretty much every comfort and convenience factor you could want –heated seats all round, DAB radio, sat-nav… the list goes on (although I would have thought that parking sensors would be fitted as standard on a car as long as the Vauxhall – they’re a £460 optional extra).

Both are also big cars, the Insignia being slightly longer and offering a little extra boot space – 560 litres with the rear seats in place compared to 540 in the Kia. However, with the rear seats folded down, the Kia has the edge – 1,686 litres compared to 1,665. The Insignia has a fraction more rear legroom, but the Kia has more than enough space to ensure adults sit comfortably in the back.

As a family car, both have plenty to recommend, but for me the styling of the Kia just sneaks things in its favour.

Julian Kirk

SEAT Leon ST FR Technology 1.4 TFSi AS a singer in a band you tend to travel fairly light. All you really need is a microphone after all, though my wife might question why I also haul around a PA, mic stands and a tonematch mixer. Either way, singers don’t usually require roadie assistance.

Recently though I ended up looking after the drummer’s performance kit for a few days, as of course I had a van on test. However by the time the drums were needed again, the van had gone back. Not a problem I thought, I’ve got an estate car at my disposal.

I must confess to being slightly disappointed the first time I lifted the tailgate on the Leon, at least until I realised there was a lower setting for the boot floor, that comes as part of the £205 Storage Pack. The SEAT’s rear seats are equally easy to drop, with catches in the boot walls, raising the available capacity from 687 litres to a much more voluminous 1,470 litres.

The ST is definitely more Sports Tourer than Serious Truck, but it can haul a surprising amount of luggage when required, taking the full drum kit with ease. There was even room for my mic.

Dan Gilkes

fleetworld.co.uk / 57

LTT_FW_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 21:37 Page 4

our fleet Skoda Kodiaq 1.4 TSI Edition

the figures OTR PRICE £30,900 POWER 148bhp @ 5,000rpm TORQUE 184lb.ft @ 1,500rpm 0-62mph 9.6 seconds TOP SPEED 117mph COMBINED MPG 44.8mpg CO2 143g/km (27%)

OUR latest long-termer model may not be the first large SUV on our fleet, but it’s the first for Skoda, as well as its inaugural seven-seater. It makes for interesting times, not least when it comes to fleet decision-makers choosing between an ever-increasing SUV line-up.

Based on the same MQB platform as the Superb, the Kodiaq brings the same robust construction, high quality and extensive storage space – in the case of the Kodiaq, boot space ranges from 720 to a whopping 2,065 litres.

It also comes with a choice of two or four-wheel drive, a wide range of engines – including the 148bhp 1.4 TSI with ACT (Active Cylinder Technology) that we’re testing with 2WD and DSG – and a trim line-up ranging from the basic S, which comes solely in five-seat format and with a single, lower-powered 1.4 TSI engine, to the top-of-the-range Edition model that we’re testing.

Priced at £30,900 OTR, the Edition comes with a truly impressive list of kit, including the top-spec Columbus sat nav with 8.0-inch touchscreen, cornering LED front fog lights, wireless phone charging, leather upholstery and driver assistance features such as blind spot detection, lane assist and front assist.

But since the Kodiaq was first launched, Skoda has added a new SE Technology trim aimed at businesses. Available exclusively with the 131g/km 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel and a choice of front and four-wheel drive and manual/DSG gearboxes, this brings fleet-focused equipment including Infotainment Online providing satellite navigation, traffic reports and calendar updates, as well as front and rear parking sensors while Adaptive Cruise Control is also available.

It’s a highly practical choice for fleets but I have to say that I’m looking forward to the next six months trying out the 1.4 TSI and the wealth of equipment that the Edition model has to offer.

Natalie Middleton

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

accident management Selsia

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

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

fleet insurance

FINAL REPORT MINI Clubman One D

insureFLEET Tel: 0333 202 3133 www.insurefleet.com

THE curtain has now fallen on a most enjoyable six months of MINI Clubman custodianship, giving us a chance to reflect on the good, the very good and the not-so-good.

One of the not-so-goods in our opinion is the fact that the One D Clubman was quietly dropped from the MINI range halfway through our tenure – motivated by sales popularity and fleets’ perferences – as we thought it was just about the best MINI compromise you could ask for; space, economy, comfort, decent specification and enough performance.

Sure, the engine perhaps lacked the refinement of rival premium manufacturer’s diesel units, particularly at idle, but this seemed to suit the car’s sporty character and its appeal to younger drivers perhaps underlines why more Cooper models were being chosen.

Everything else about the car exuded premium though. Build quality proved excellent, the sat-nav and the cabin ergonomics were 58 / fleetworld.co.uk

about as good and as intuitive as it gets, and the Clubman always felt as though it was a little bit of a personal statement – a slightly funky quasi hatch/estate. Long live the Clubman One D. Luke Wikner

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

driver licence checking TMC Tel: 01270 525 218 www.themilesconsultancy.co.uk

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

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_July17.qxp_SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_Aug'07 03/07/2017 13:26 Page 2

FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY contract hire, leasing & finance

daily rental

Lex Autolease

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

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

Total Leasing Solutions for your business

Telephone 0113 250 0060

risk management

fleet management software

Tel: 01484 551060

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

www.virtualriskmanager.net

www.jct600vehicleleasingsolutions.co.uk

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

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

Maxxia 020 7520 9450 www.maxxia.co.uk

0845 2172 608

sgfleet Tel: 0845 154 0721 www.sgfleet.com

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

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

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

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

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

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

Sofico NV

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

Tel:+3292018040

www.soficoservices.com

Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Tel: 01786 468 700

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

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

daysfleet.com

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

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk fuel management TMC

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

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

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

Tel: 01792 222133 www.daysrental.co.uk Fourways Vehicle Solutions Tel: 0344 8000 385 www.fvsl.co.uk

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

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

FLEET

November 2014

All that

FLEETW RLD

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world of flee

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All that matters in the world of fleet

interview

ber 2014

Why fleets

stopping power

MODE L PUP IL

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Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

Novem

intervi Michael O’Shea of Volks ew wagen stoppi ng pow should er check their brake s

Michael O’Shea of Volkswagen

Why fleets should check their brakes

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Behind the wheel of Tesla’s remarkable Model S

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

fleetw orld.c o.uk

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

www.quartix.net

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

Tel: 0870 013 6663 euroShell Card Tel: 0800 915 6021 www.shell.co.uk/euroshell

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

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

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

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

www.navmanwireless.co.uk

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

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

fleetworld.co.uk / 59

MKT_FW_Fuel Management_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 15:37 Page 1

Barclaycard in Association with The Miles Consultancy

Do you offer a non-pump price agreement?

Do you offer a facility for splitting business and private mileage?

Do you provide data download into PC-based fleet management systems

Do you offer a chip and pin security system?

What types of vehicles does your cards cover?

Do you offer rebates to major fleet customers?

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

Does your card offer pan-European coverage?

Service unavailable

Do you offer account and database management via the Internet

-

Do you provide management reporting?

Service provided

Is your card single-branded or multi-branded?

✔

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

Key to services

Do you charge a card fee?

FLEETW RLD

MARKET OVERVIEW Fuel Management

8.45k

Multi

✔

✔

✔

✔

-

All

✔

✔

✔

✔

-

3k

Both

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

All

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

Fuelmate Ltd

7.2k

Both

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

All

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

WEX Europe Services

4.8k

Both

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

All

-

✔

✔

✔

✔

BP

Barclaycard in Association with The Miles Consultancy

TMC and Barclaycard provide a total fuel solution via Barclaycard Fuel+ in Association with TMC. The exciting Fuel+ card gives you the power of integrated audited mileage capture and telematics data analysis with the ability to purchase fuel at 98% of UK filling stations, including all supermarkets. It’s the single, powerful, secure solution for consolidated corporate vehicle fuel purchasing and mileage expense management. There are NO transaction charges (although card fees may apply) and customers love our service. Winner of the 2017 Fleet World Honours Innovation in Cost Reduction, Fuel+ offers multiple opportunities to control fuel and mileage expenses.

Contact: Adam Pendergast Tel: 01270 525218 reply@themilesconsultancy.co.uk www.themilesconsultancy.com

WEX Europe Services

As the supplier of Esso CardTM, WEX Europe Services offers access to over 50% of the filling stations in the UK. Drivers can fill up at Esso, Shell, BP and UK Fuels sites through the company’s multi-card offering that is a combination of the Esso CardTM and the UK Fuels card. By using a combination of the two cards, customers can choose from more than 4,800 strategically located filling stations nationwide.

This extensive network, together with competitive pricing, easy invoicing and advanced online account management tools, sets WEX Europe Services apart from its competitors.

Tel: 08006 26672 newaccounts@wexeuropeservices.com www.wexeuropeservices.com

BP Fuelmate Ltd

Whether you operate locally, nationally or within Europe, Fuelmate can provide your business with the perfect solution to your fuel card needs. Sitting within a 5th generation, family owned business we proudly deliver over 30 years of fuel card expertise to our valued customers.

Fuelmate offers a wide variety of different cards from the leading networks including; Shell, BP, UK Fuels, Keyfuels, Esso and Texaco. We also offer an innovative fuel card solution designed specifically for Fleets, the Fleetmate deal offers a fixed price deal across all networks.

Contact: Andy Smith enquiries@fuelmate.co.uk

60 / fleetworld.co.uk

Tel: 0800 158 3582 www.fuelmate.co.uk

BP Fuel Cards offer a host of industryleading benefits – including competitive pricing, an extensive network, enhanced security and easy control of fleet admin and management information. BP offers three fuel cards, tailored towards different types of fleets and different fleet needs: BP PLUS, BP PLUS Bunker and BP Supercharge.

Our Fuel Cards already provide over 40,000 UK customers with competitive pricing, an extensive network, enhanced security and easy control of fleet admin and management information.

Tel: 0845 603 0723 andrew.allen@uk.bp.com www.bp.com/en_gb/bp-plus/uk/our-cards/bp-plus

VFW_LEAD_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 15:21 Page 1

VAN

July 2017

FLEETW RLD

at a glance Van plans Mercede-Benz Vans’ Ricky McFarland on the company’s plans for the future.

driven...

Berlingo / Expert Electric Toyota Hilux Tipper

p66 “The growth just keeps going in the UK.”

vanfleetworld.co.uk

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NEW PEUGEOT EXPERT Official Fuel Consumption in MPG (l/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km) for the new PEUGEOT Expert Van range are:

MPG figures are achieved under official EU test conditions, intended as a guide for comparative purposes only, and may not reflect actual on the road driving conditions. Model shown is on certain models. **Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Call charges to this number from landline and mobile network may vary. For information about charges, please contact

Untitled-1 1

23/06/2017 09:37

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VERSATILITY Urban 39.8 – 51.4 (7.1 – 5.5), Extra Urban 44.1 – 57.6 (6.4 – 4.9), Combined 42.2 – 55.4 (6.7 – 5.1) and CO2 176 – 133g/km.

new PEUGEOT Expert Panel Van Professional Plus Compact. Data and information correct at time of going to print. ^Standard on Professional and Professional Plus models. *Available as a cost option your network provider.

Untitled-3 1

23/06/2017 12:00

DAN_VFW_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 13:38 Page 1

review VFW editor Dan Gilkes examines how increased autonomy is affecting the van industry and gets behind the wheel of Volkswagen’s impressive compressed natural gas-powered Caddy...

Driverless vans There has been plenty of talk about autonomous cars over the last year, but less is being said about self-driving vans. Having attended a trial of autonomous grocery deliveries in Greenwich, South London recently, it would appear that we are still some way away from the day when your weekly shop will arrive without a delivery driver knocking on your door.

We’ll report in full on the project next month, however the most interesting statistics on the day weren’t strictly vehicle related, though they involved Ocado’s delivery operation. The company has two large warehouses including 25 miles of conveyor belt, that fulfil 230,000 orders of around 50 items each, every week. They achieve 99% accuracy and availability.

To meet growing demand, Ocado is building two more warehouses that will be increasingly automated, with robot picking and packing. To achieve this Ocado Technology employs 950 software engineers and has developed its own 4.5G wireless network to communicate with robots in the warehouses.

Perhaps the most mind-boggling number of the day though involves Ocado’s ‘swarm computer’ calculations that control its distribution fleet. They currently make three million routing decisions per second, to satisfy 580,000 active customers. Little wonder that the firm is achieving £1.25bn in retail sales.

Don’t miss out on all the latest daily LCV news!

Visit our website vanfleetworld.co.uk

It’s a gas We’ve also been to Germany this month to drive Volkswagen’s latest Caddy TGI. That’s compressed natural gas or CNG to you and me. I drove an earlier generation Caddy CNG van some years ago. Based on a wheezy old normally-aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine the gas van had limited appeal. The new one however uses the rather excellent 1.4TSI petrol engine as a base and will move to the new 1.5litre motor next year. With 110hp on tap it was an altogether more spirited drive.

We won’t be getting this generation of gas-powered Caddy here yet. However with VG Group now offering no less than 19 car and van models running on gas, it can only be a question of time.

Pothole priority Recent research by Mercedes-Benz Vans shows that of 2,000 van drivers questioned, two thirds have had to pay for van repairs as a result of pothole damage in the last year. Having recently dropped a wheel of my long-term SEAT into the pothole from hell, causing a ding in the alloy wheel and a rip in the sidewall of the tyre, I can wholeheartedly agree that repairing our roads should be higher up the list of priorities for local authorities.

FLEETW RLD Want to know how much your fleet costs to run?

Visit www.fleetworld.co.uk to gain greater control, with the interactive Fleet World Workshop webtools...

Comparator and calculator webtools for f leets

IVIEW-VFW-McFarland-July17.qxp 03/07/2017 14:31 Page 1

INTERVIEW Ricky McFarland, Mercedes-Benz Vans

Holistic approach Mercedes-Benz Vans’ head of fleet Ricky McFarland talks Dan Gilkes through some of the company’s plans for the future.

66 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

IVIEW-VFW-McFarland-July17.qxp 03/07/2017 15:20 Page 2

ercedes-Benz Vans will introduce mobile servicing, fleet management, connected apps and ready-bodied LCVs in the coming year. With the launch of the XClass pick-up in 2018 and a revised Sprinter in 2019 – to include front-wheel drive versions for the first time – plus the possibility of various electric vans like e-Sprinter on the horizon, the company certainly has plenty to be getting on with.

First to arrive will be the Mercedes PRO Connect app later this year, which will allow customers and fleet managers to connect directly to vehicles, to show fluid levels and a wide range of operating data. A group of connected apps will deliver maintenance management, theft and asset management, vehicle management and fleet communication.

It’s not all about the fleet manager though, there will also be driver apps, for safety coaching and monitoring, eco coaching and monitoring and digital driver’s logs. The aim of PRO Connect is to bring together drivers, management and the vans, to minimise downtime through more effective preventative maintenance.

Using the data from PRO Connect, combined with the increasing popularity of fixed service and R&M deals, Mercedes will then offer to actually manage fleets for customers. The company already provides a fleet management solution to DPD and Asda, with guaranteed uptime clauses. The new service will be run through a central facility at the firm’s Wentworth Park vehicle preparation centre near Barnsley.

“Once we release PRO Connect we will be able to see the vehicles live,” said Ricky McFarland, head of fleet at MercedesBenz Vans.

“Our service contracts have increased 400% from 2013 to 2016 and now we are looking at fleet management. When you put fleet management together with R&M, you maximise uptime. When you take all of the services that we offer as a brand, it all adds up to a complete vehicle solution.”

M

Continued growth Mercedes-Benz Vans sold over 35,000 LCVs in the UK in 2016, along with around 2,000 V-class people carriers, in its seventh consecutive year of growth. Managing director Steve Bridge is looking for up to 42,000 registrations in 2017. Sprinter remains the big seller of course, but Citan and Vito are building their market shares and X-class will join them next year.

“The growth just keeps going,” said McFarland. “The biggest opportunity is in the Vito sector. That particular sector is the biggest in the UK.” There is certainly plenty of fleet opportunity for the firm’s

mid-weight van. Where 80% of Sprinter vans are sold to fleets, along with 90% of Sprinter chassis cabs, the figure drops to 65% of Citan sales and just 57% of Vito vans. That’s despite a 14% increase in Vito fleet sales in the last year and the fact that Vito is the only van in the sector to be offered in both front and rear-wheel drive.

Mercedes is not taking its eye off the Sprinter line-up though.

With many of the firm’s competitors offering an off-the-shelf, ready-bodied range of vehicles to meet customer demand, Mercedes is responding with the launch of its own singlesource programme.

“We are working on a Drive Away Solutions project, that will include a tipper, dropside and Luton,” said McFarland.

The company hopes to have the programme running by the end of the year and is currently looking at how it will offer the single-point warranty that many customers want.

Dealer progress Work continues on the development of the Mercedes’ Van ProCentre network. Currently 40 of the firm’s 64 van sales outlets meet the Van ProCentre standard and a further three dealer partners are going through the process this year.

“The ambition is to get all of our dealers into Van ProCentres,” said McFarland.

One bonus for those dealers that do enter the programme, is that the upcoming X-class pick-up will only be sold through the Van ProCentre network. Although X-class will initially be offered as a luxury premium truck, there will be more basic working models to follow.

Merc’s van dealers are also set to offer mobile servicing, at the customer’s premises. Already launched by Ford and Volkswagen, and available from specialists like BT Fleet, mobile servicing helps to reduce downtime and cut costs for fleet operators.

“There are pilots happening right now,” said McFarland.

While mobile servicing is growing in popularity, it’s worth remembering that as most of the Van ProCentres are also truck dealers, so they offer extended service hours way beyond those of most van dealers. This means that customers already have the opportunity of overnight servicing, reducing downtime.

At the time of writing, Mercedes-Benz Vans was well into the first of two weeks at Millbrook, where it had invited around 3,000 van customers to attend Van Experience Live. With so much going on, it is hardly surprising that so many guests were keen to attend.

vanfleetworld.co.uk / 67

NO JOB TOO BIG. MOVANO FACTORY CONVERSIONS Whatever your trade demands, no job is too big for the Vauxhall Movano.

With tipper, dropside and Luton models available, the Movano is big on choice.

And because every Movano comes with a full 3 years/100,000 mile warranty, whichever model you choose, it will be fit for purpose.

For more information call 0345 740 0777 or visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/vans

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ROAD-VFW-Partner-Berlingo electric-July17.qxp 03/07/2017 14:58 Page 1

Peugeot Partner Electric / Citroën Berlingo Electric L2 More choice and improved charging ability are central to the Partner and Berlingo Electric updates, says Dan Gilkes.

The All-New Crafter.

It gives your fleet the power to work anywhere.

You told us that sometimes a 12v charging point just isn’t up to the job. So we’ve worked with you to introduce an optional 3-pin, 230v socket to all new Crafters. This allows your fleet to be more productive wherever they are. Search ‘New Crafter’ or visit your local Van Centre to experience this game-changing van for yourself.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Working with you.

ROAD-VFW-Partner-Berlingo electric-July17.qxp 03/07/2017 14:59 Page 2

here seems little doubt that electric vans will become an important sector of the LCV market over the coming years, as city-based companies look for alternatives to diesel. While Peugeot and Citroën may not be the most high-profile electric LCV builders, the French duo has been offering the Partner Electric and Berlingo Electric for some time.

Indeed both vans were available with electric drive as far back as the 90s, though their Nickel Cadmium batteries offered a fairly limited 50 mile range.

The current Partner and Berlingo Electric, now with Lithium-ion power, have been available in the shorter L1 body for a couple of years and have now been joined by an L2 model, using the longer body. This raises load volume from 3.3m3 to 3.7m3, or 4.1m3 with the folding Extenso passenger seat.

However, as the longer body sits on the same wheelbase, the L2 actually delivers a reduced payload compared to the smaller van, offering 552kg of load-hauling ability, versus 636kg for the L1 models.

The vans have 22.5kWh battery packs beneath the load floor that offer up to 106 miles of range on the NEDC cycle. Realistically customers will be looking at 80-90 miles of range, depending on the operation and the ambient temperature.

However, both L1 and L2 vans now come with a 16A Type 2 DC charging cable as standard, as well as the regular AC charging point in the front wing. While the AC

T

charger takes 8-10 hours at 3kW to fully charge the batteries, the DC ChAdeMO port delivers a 50kW boost, providing an 80% battery charge in just 30 minutes. This would be enough for a delivery vehicle to recharge over a lunch break and almost double the available range over a full shift.

The Peugeot and Citroën electric vans come in mid-range SE/LX trim with air conditioning added as standard. They also get seating for three, giving the French vans a USP in this sector of the market.

The vans are simple to drive, just turn the key to ‘start’ the motor, select drive and move away. Acceleration is typically brisk and the Partner and Berlingo happily keep pace with urban and even country traffic.

Regenerative braking slows the vans sufficiently that you rarely need the foot brake in slower traffic, though there is no way to adjust the amount of retardation to suit differing road conditions. The fact that you rarely need to use the brake will however contribute to reduced running costs.

Talking of which, the vans start at £22,180 including the batteries, though it is possible to get a Plug-in Van Grant for up to £5,323 to offset some of that.

There is no VED and no London Congestion Charge to be paid.

PSA claims that there were less than 1,000 electric vans of all makes sold in the UK last year. But those numbers look set to rise, rapidly. Peugeot and Citroën are hoping to grab a growing slice of that market.

what we think The L2 body certainly offers additional volume and load length, if you value space over payload.

specification MODEL

Peugeot Partner Electric/ Citroën Berlingo Electric L2

BASIC PRICE £22,180 (before PiVG) ENGINE Permanent magnet sychronous motor POWER 67bhp TORQUE 200Nm Weights (kg) GVW 2,180 KERB WEIGHT 1,628 PAYLOAD 552 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 2,050 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,380 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,250 LOAD VOLUME 3.7 m3 Cost considerations BATTERY CAPACITY 22.5kWh RANGE 106 miles (NEDC) CONSUMPTION 4.5 mile/kWh VEHICLE WARRANTY 3yr/100,000 miles D’TRAIN WARRANTY 5yr/40,000 miles BATTERY WARRANTY 8yr/60,000 miles

volkswagen-vans.co.uk/craftedbyyou

VFW_MKT_Contract Hire_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 13:35 Page 1

MARKET OVERVIEW Contract Hire, Finance & Leasing

ALD Automotive

The ALD Automotive group is the second largest vehicle leasing operation in Europe and manages over 1.4 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 ProFleet telematics proposition, ALD can help manage LCV fleets and reduce cost. ALD holds both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations.

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

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

Contact: Calum Ewart Calum.Ewart@arnoldclark.com

Tel: 03700 011181

ACVM provides an end-to-end LCV service, which means our experts can help build a unique solution that meets the exact requirements of your business.

We’re one of the UK’s top vehicle leasing and management companies and benefit from of being part of the largest privately owned automotive company in Europe. On top of ACVM’s 50 years of experience, we offer an extensive range of manufacturers and funding options, a daily rental service, inhouse coachbuilders and digital print facility. Our consultants work with you to understand your business and develop a flexible solution, making it easy to get your fleet on the road and keep it running smoothly.

Tel: 01413 322626 www.acvm.com

JCT600 VLS Ltd Days Fleet

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: Neil Vaughan neilvaughan@daysfleet.com

Tel: 08452 172608 www.daysfleet.com

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 www.lexautolease.co.uk

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Tel: 08003 893690

JCT600 has been providing quality services to commercial vehicle operators for over 25 years. Part of the JCT600 Motor Group we are uniquely placed to have a true understanding of our customers’ needs and of the UK vehicle industry. We are experts in providing commercials from the standard panel van to more complex crew buses, dropsiders, tippers, healthcare minibuses and other specialist vehicles and can include ply lining, tail lifts, ramps, refrigerator units as well as other conversions.

JCT600 will deliver a knowledgeable, personal, flexible and customer focused service. “We don’t want to be the biggest, just the best”.

Contact: Kerry Clark Tel: 01132 500060 kerry.clark@jct600.co.uk www.jct600vehicleleasingsolutions.co.uk

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

4 Service provided

Service unavailable

Key to services

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

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

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

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

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

Do you offer pooling of excess and credit mileage?

Can you create bespoke return conditions for your LCV customers?

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

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

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

Approximately how many commercial vehicles does your company operate?

VFW_MKT_Contract Hire_July17.qxp 03/07/2017 13:36 Page 2

VAN FLEETW RLD

ALD Automotive 29k 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management 4.2k 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Days Fleet 2.18k 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

JCT600 VLS Ltd 1.3k 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Lex Autolease 100k 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Venson Automotive Solutions 5.5k 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Want to know how much your commercial vehicle fleet costs to run?

Visit www.fleetworld.co.uk to gain greater control, with the all-new Fleet World Workshop webtools...

FLEETW RLD

Comparator and calculator webtools for f leets

VFW_ROAD_Toyota_Hilux_July17.qxp_Layout 1 03/07/2017 15:42 Page 1

Toyota Hilux Toyota’s Trade Plus tipper is a useful addition to the firm's pick-up range, says Dan Gilkes.

ith so many manufacturers keen to raise the bar on pick-up trim and specification, it’s easy to forget that for many, a pick-up is a working truck. Being able to carry people and materials across difficult terrain is an essential requirement for some buyers, while luxury interiors and alloy wheels are an unnecessary expense.

Indeed there are pick-up users for whom their truck really is just that, a compact haulage vehicle. To meet the needs of these hard working trades, Toyota has launched tipper and dropside versions of its latest Hilux 4x4.

Available under the recently created Toyota Trade Plus banner, which also offers fridge and freezer versions of the Proace van and a range of racking solutions as ready-built models, the tipper and dropside can both be ordered on single or extra cab chassis.

The two extra cab models are capable of handling 1 tonne of payload, so VAT should still be reclaimable. However the big advantage over the standard pick-up bed is the load area. Even with the extra cab there is 1,850mm of load length, while the bed width of 1,800mm is unaffected by wheel arch intrusion.

Both dropside and tipper beds have aluminium sides and tailboards that can be lowered to make it easy to load the bed with a forklift. The tipper also uses a two-way tailboard, to make it easy to tip loose material on site. The tipper uses an electro-hydraulic power pack to lift the body, with a wander lead allowing the driver to stand outside the truck and accurately place the load.

W

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what we think With the same five-year warranty as the base vehicle, the Trade Plus Hilux tipper should prove popular with working customers.

specification MODEL

Toyota Hilux Active Extra Cab Tipper BASIC PRICE £24,644 ENGINE 4-cyl/2,393 cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 148PS @ 3,400rpm TORQUE 400Nm @ 1,600-2,000rpm Weights (kg) GVW 3,150 KERB WEIGHT 2,150 PAYLOAD 1,000 MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 3,500 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 1,850 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,800 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 300 LOAD AREA 3.3m2 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 36.2mpg OIL CHANGE 1 year/10,000 miles WARRANTY 5 yr/100,000 miles

There is a substantial powder-coated ladder rack at the front of the body, with steel mesh infill to protect the back window.

While certainly a sturdy structure, the front pillars of the gantry are the only bit of the body that slightly block the driver’s view in the truck’s standard mirrors.

Other than that, the Toyota’s relaxed drive is unaffected, despite the body sitting slightly higher. Admittedly we didn’t get to carry a full load, but stability and handling appear more than up to the task.

While the single cab tipper offers a slightly longer bed, at 2,350mm, the additional occasional seating in the extra cab should make it by far the favourite model.

Indeed Toyota is expecting up to 70% of tipper sales to be the longer cab model.

Likewise the company is predicting that the versatility of the tipper is likely to outstrip demand for the fixed–bodied dropside models.

The tipper body adds £3,795 to the price of a single or extra cab Hilux, while the dropside will set you back £2,695. Both conversions, which are carried out by TGS, are built on the entry-level Active trim Hilux.

However, this starter model comes with manual air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, heated door mirrors, a cooler box and the combination of Vehicle Stability Control, Trailer Sway Control and Hill-start Assist Control. A rear differential lock is also standard for added traction on the rough.

You also get exactly the same 2.4-litre diesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox as the more luxurious models higher up the trim line.

VFW SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_July17.qxp_VFW SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_Aug'07 03/07/2017 13:28 Page 1

VAN SUPPLIER DIRECTORY FLEETW RLD daily rental

contract hire, leasing & finance

racking systems

tail lifts

fleet management software

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full listings online at

fleetworld.co.uk

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

Drive Software Solutions Tel: 01438 317731

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

www.drivesoftwaresolutions.com

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

Tel: 01792 222133 www.daysrental.co.uk Fourways Vehicle Solutions Tel: 0344 8000 385 www.fvsl.co.uk

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

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

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com

Selsia

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

telematics & tracking

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

Penny Hydraulics Tel: 01246 811475 www.pennyhydraulics.com

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

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

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

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

www.quartix.net Tel: 0870 013 6663

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

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

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

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

Full listings online at

fleetworld.co.uk vehicle CCTV

Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Tel: 01786 468 700

Volkswagen Group Leasing Tel: 0870 333 2229

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

www.volkswagengroupleasing.co.uk

Trakm8 Tel: 0330 333 4120 www.trakm8.com

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

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

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk fuel management

STEPS

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

Tel: 01939 235900 www.avssteps.co.uk

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

AVS Steps Ltd

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

driver licence checking TMC

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

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

VAN FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

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

For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk vanfleetworld.co.uk / 75

HIT TARGETS

BUT NOT PROBLEMS

T H E N E W V O LV O S 9 0 W I T H R E A L T I M E T R A F F I C I N F O R M AT I O N Finding success in today’s business world means navigating an ever-changing landscape. Real Time Traffic Information shows you the bigger picture, setting you free to make the right decisions.

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

Fuel consumption and CO2 figures for the Volvo S90 range in MPG (I/100 km): Urban 49.6 (5.7) – 53.3 (5.3), Extra Urban 65.7 (4.3) – 72.4 (3.9), Combined 58.9 (4.8) – 64.2 (4.4). CO2 emissions 127 – 116g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results.

EB1028728_VCUK_Connected_Car_HT_FleetWorld_A4P.indd 1

22/06/2017 14:58