Fleet World October 2018

EVERYTHING FLEETS NEED TO KNOW October 2018 • fleetworld.co.uk

CONNECT & SERVE Our jargon-free guide to carmakers’ connected services for fleets

ZONING IN UK cities’ clean air zone plans revealed

MAKING IT EASY How head of fleet, Peter McDonald is streamlining Seat UK’s fleet offer

DRIVEN Jeep Renegade Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Mini Clubman City

CEL EBR

ATI NG

EVERYTHING FLEETS NEED TO KNOW October 2018 • fleetworld.co.uk

CEL EBR

INSIDE

ATI NG

October 2018 • fleetworld.co.uk

CONNECT & SERVE Our jargon-free guide to carmakers’ connected services for fleets

ZONING IN UK cities’ clean air zone plans revealed

MAKING IT EASY How head of fleet, Peter McDonald is streamlining Seat UK’s fleet offer

DRIVEN Jeep Renegade Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Mini Clubman City

CE L EBR

ATI NG

16 Tackling air pollution with Clean Air Zones

26 Essential fleet apps and gadgets

Director Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Content Editor Jonathan Musk jonathan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

28 All the important fleet cars from the 2018 Paris Motor Show

33 Profile: DS Automobiles

34 The latest road tests for fleets

40 Our expert panel casts its eye over the Peugeot 508

Editor Van Fleet World Dan Gilkes dan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Account Directors Claire Warman claire@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Yvonne Wright yvonne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Kevin Gregory Van Fleet World kevin@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Account Executive Darren Brett darren@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Circulation Manager Tracy Howell tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Head of Production Luke Wikner luke@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Designers Dan Bennett dan.bennett@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Tina Ries tina@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Victoria Arellano victoria@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

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

42 The fleet benefits of built-in connectivity

48 Save time and money with eco driver training

50 Tripling true fleet Seat’s rise to the top To subscribe to Fleet World visit: www.fleetworldsubscriptions.co.uk Certified circulation Jan – Dec 2017 18,001

55 The latest from our fleet

fleetworld.co.uk • 003

FROM THE

EDITOR Clarity at last?

There are some questions which can’t go unanswered any longer.

The wait is almost over. Casually announced via Twitter, Chancellor Philip Hammond will deliver this year’s budget earlier than usual, on the 29th October. And, at last, we’ll get to see whether the Government has taken note of the collective demands from fleet organisations and the specialist press while the numbers were being crunched.

Clearly there are some questions which can’t go unanswered any longer. For better, or for worse, the Chancellor must indicate how company car tax bands will shape up after April 2021, as there are already drivers on the road with no idea what they will be paying after that point. It would also be remiss not to offer some guidance as to how the previous year’s tax bands will account for CO2 rises under the new WLTP test regime. I would like to think we can expect both.

Since last year’s Budget the Government has offered a little clarity on its vision for decarbonising road transport, and pledged £100m funding to support ultra-low emission vehicle development taking place in the UK. Meanwhile, the European Union has set out a 20% CO2 emission cut by 2025, with a fifth of new vehicles to be sub-50g/km models by that point – targets which the Department for Transport has indicated it will aim to at least match. So the pathway to electric mobility is set out.

Now it’s the Chancellor’s turn to put the weight of the Treasury behind that transition. So we can cross fingers that, if the ongoing penalties against diesel engines are to continue, they will at least be countered by stronger tax incentives for the alternatives. Last year’s 4% diesel levy showed that changes can be rolled out quickly – so it makes no sense for the Chancellor not to bring April 2020’s ultra-low emission vehicle bands forward 12 months to give that sector a shot in the arm.

Sadly, it’s perhaps come too late for some operators. That perfect storm of rising compliance costs, rising tax costs, and the creeping rise of CO2 emissions as ‘NEDC Correlated’ figures are released has made 2018 a difficult, costly year, on top of WLTPrelated delays and order disruptions – reflected by a 22.4% drop in fleet registrations to the end of September. With clarity on the way at last, hopefully this period of waiting will be worthwhile.

Alex Grant editor

004 • fleetworld.co.uk

Ford NEWS Rugged Ford Fiesta Active

The benefits of Ford Mobile Service Fleets are appreciating the benefits of Ford Mobile Service, which ensures minimum disruption by reducing vehicle downtime, thanks to on-site multiple vehicle maintenance work.

With the message to fleets: “We’ll come to you,” more than 100 Ford Mobile Service vans are being operated by Transit Centres, Ford dealers and Ford authorised repairers, providing a nationwide service.

Operated by Ford-qualified technicians trained at the Henry Ford Academy, the vans are equipped to handle a wide range of servicing, maintenance and repairs including warranty and pre-delivery inspections, using only genuine Ford parts.

The on-board equipment supports the complete Ford range and is complemented by a 4G-enabled Ford diagnostic system.

Mark Woodworth, head of transport and logistics at Speedy Hire, who manages a fleet of 1,800 vehicles, says Ford Mobile Service saves him time and money: “Mobile Servicing means our vans can be kept on the road for longer. We can plan maintenance around drivers’ breaks or lunch times and at the start or end of the day, which means our vans are on the road when we want them to be on the road.”

Craig Redmond, of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, says Ford Mobile Service “has really helped us utilise our fleet, helped our customer service and put our vehicles on the road much quicker.”

For a full list of participating Ford Mobile Service dealers visit www.ford.co.uk/owner/service-and-maintenance/ford-mobile-service

Full Ford range available immediately Ford’s actions in testing its full range of cars to the new WLTP regulations in good time will enable stable supply across the range throughout the year.

The full Ford range is available for immediate supply with no delays resulting from the new global tests, which have been developed using real driving data. Information was made available to Ford customers and leasing companies in good time to ensure that everyone understands how the new test results impact tax.

All-New Focus was developed for the new WLTP test and when expressed in NEDC-equivalent values delivers CO2 from 91g for a hatchback and 96g for the estate.

WLTP was developed with the aim of producing fuel consumption, CO2 and pollutant figures which are more representative of real-world driving.

Customers will benefit from a reduction in the discrepancy between published fuel economy figures and what is attainable in the real-world.

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

The Ford Fiesta Active, the first in a new family of Active crossover models inspired by SUVs, combines rugged styling and enhanced versatility with fun-todrive dynamics, sophisticated comfort and driver assistance technologies.

The five-door Fiesta Active features ride height increased by 18 millimetres over the standard allnew Fiesta chassis, and track increased by 10 millimetres, delivering a more imposing stance alongside greater rough road capability and a confidence-inspiring driving position.

SUV-inspired exterior features include additional rugged bodykit, unique 17-inch alloy wheels, and roof rails. The interior features sports seats with exclusive materials and designs, standard SYNC 3 voice-activated connectivity and entertainment system, and available B&O PLAY premium audio.

Drive Mode technology enables drivers to choose between Normal, Eco and Slippery modes to match driving characteristics to the environment with the press of a button.

Sophisticated powertrain options include Ford’s multi-awardwinning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine offering up to 140 PS, and delivering from 113 g/km CO2 emissions and 56.5 mpg fuel efficiency, and 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine offering CO2 emissions from 103 g/km, and from 70.6 mpg.

Available technologies include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, Auto High Beam, Cross Traffic Alert, Driver Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Keeping Alert and Forward Collision Warning.

THIS MONTH IN FLEET www.fleetworld.co.uk

IN BRIEF EU to probe German carmakers’ alleged emissions collusion The European Commission has launched a formal investigation to find out whether BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen on the development of emission control technology. It follows a report last year alleging that the carmakers formed a secret cartel which had “denied consumers the opportunity to buy less polluting cars.”

Fuel duty remains frozen The Treasury is to freeze fuel duty for the ninth consecutive year as part of the 2018 Budget, according to Prime Minister, Theresa May, ending rumours that a rise was being considered to fund NHS spending. The freeze is said to have cost the Exchequer £46bn in lost revenues to the end of 2017/18.

-6.3% Year-on-year decline in the BVRLA's business contract hire and finance leasing fleet, at the end of Q2 2018. (Source: BVRLA Quarterly Leasing Statistics)

Early end for Severn Tolls Tolls for the Severn Crossings will be abolished on 17 December after 52 years – two weeks earlier than the original deadline, and just in time for the festive getaway. Removing the tolls is expected to boost the Welsh economy by £100m each year, while saving drivers more than £1,000 annually.

010 • fleetworld.co.uk

BVRLA membership opens to end-user fleets Fleet operators will be eligible to join the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) from January 2019, aimed at enabling end-users to have a “louder voice of influence”.

The BVRLA counts 950 organisations in its membership, collectively responsible for almost five million UK vehicles, accounting for half of new vehicle sales and 83% of British built vehicles sold here each year.

Chief executive, Gerry Keaney (pictured) said it was a “natural organic evolution” to invite operators to join. “We are in a unique position to strengthen our industry representation, provide deeper industry insights and be a louder voice of influence when protecting the interests of the fleet sector,” he commented.

However, ACFO chairman, John Pryor, said the organisation was “surprised and disappointed” at the announcement, expressing concern about how different members would be managed. “ACFO can see that, at times, there is bound to be conflict when an organisation attempts to represent both suppliers and customers in the same industry,” he said. The two organisations will continue to work together on fleet issues, Pryor added.

Black Horse MD extends role to Lex Autolease Lloyds Banking Group is bringing its Black Horse and Lex Autolease motoring businesses under a combined leadership structure from November, overseen by a newlycreated role of managing director of motor and leasing.

It follows news that Lex Autolease managing director, Tim Porter, is to retire in October after five years in the role, during which the company’s fleet has grown from 100,000 to 380,000 vehicles. Richard Jones, currently managing director of Black Horse, will head up both companies, working closely with Porter until he steps down.

Jones has more than 20 years’ experience at the Group, including senior positions within the insurance division before his move to Black Horse in 2015. He is credited with helping drive the growth of Black Horse through investing significantly in dealer training, dealer support and digital and self-serve optionality.

“The automotive industry is going through a period of transformation, and we have an important role to play in helping fleets and individual drivers to get the right vehicle, for the right job with the financial support that best meets their needs,” said Jones.

PERFORMANCE YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH.

ALFA ROMEO STELVIO BIK from 30%

P11D from £34,035

CO2 from 139g/km

ALFA ROMEO GIULIA BIK from 30%

P11D from £29,880

CO2 from 129g/km

Created and crafted in Italy, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Alfa Romeo Giulia are true masterpieces. They couple the most exciting driving dynamics with elegant Italian design. The technology behind Alfa Romeo is created to enhance performance and to give great driving sensations. Both models feature all the latest cutting-edge technology in safety and infotainment including Alfa™ D.N.A. driving mode selector, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and 8.8” Connect 3D Nav with DAB radio. All this combined with exceptional fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

For more information, call our Business Centre free on 0808 168 7146 or email alfaromeo.fleet@alfaromeo.com

RANGE OF OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE ALFA ROMEO STELVIO RANGE: URBAN CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 23.0 (12.3) – 47.1(6.0), EXTRA-URBAN CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 33.6 (8.4) – 58.8 (4.8), COMBINED CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 28.8 (9.8) – 53.3 (5.3). EMISSIONS 227 – 139 G/KM. OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE ALFA ROMEO GIULIA RANGE: URBAN CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 23.7 (11.9) – 46.3 (6.1), EXTRA-URBAN CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 37.2 (7.6) – 67.3 (4.2), COMBINED CYCLE MPG (L/100KM) 30.7 (9.2) – 57.7 (4.9). EMISSIONS 212 – 129 G/KM. FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 VALUES ARE OBTAINED FOR COMPARATIVE PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH EC DIRECTIVES/REGULATIONS AND MAY NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF REAL LIFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. FACTORS SUCH AS DRIVING STYLE, WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS MAY ALSO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON FUEL CONSUMPTION.

ELECTRIC & MORE

1

A FUSION OF ELECTRIC & PETROL TECHNOLOGY GIVING THE REMARKABLE EFFICIENCY OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE & ALL THE BENEFITS OF A 4WD SUV. ELECTRIC & MORE. FROM

£34,255 - £39,1002 3

INCLUDING £2,500 GOVERNMENT PLUG-IN CAR GRANT

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is an electric vehicle & so much more. Delivering a remarkable 159mpg6, an electric range of up to 33 miles and a combined electric and petrol range of up to 532 miles7, the Outlander PHEV comes with a unique set of benefits that you wouldn’t expect. Featuring a petrol engine and twin electric motors, it also qualifies for a Government Plug-in Car Grant of £2,5002. And with ultra-low CO2 emissions of just 40g/km (NEDC) or 46g/km (WLTP) there are substantial reductions in Benefit in Kind taxation8, it’s the UK’s best selling plug-in hybrid and so much more.

Test the best | Visit mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find your nearest dealer

Compare the corporation tax savings of a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV against a typical company car.

PROFIT BEFORE TAX (PBT) TAX RATE LIST PRICE OF VEHICLE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

TYPICAL VEHICLE

OUTLANDER PHEV

£100,000

£100,000

19%

19%

£37,000

£36,945

8%

4

100%

CAPITAL ALLOWANCE (£)

£2,960

£36,945

TAXABLE PROFIT (ON £100,000 PBT)

£97,040

£63,055

CORPORATION TAX (NO VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£19,000

£19,000

CORPORATION TAX (WITH VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£18,438

£11,980

£562

£7,020

SAVING DUE TO CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

BUYING AN OUTLANDER PHEV WILL SAVE YOU A TOTAL OF £6,457 IN CORPORATION TAX (year 1)

Compare the tax savings of running a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as your company car against these market leaders.

OUTLANDER PHEV 4h

HONDA CR-V EX AUTO

BMW X3 XDRIVE 30D SE AUTO

AUDI Q5 S-LINE PLUS AUTO

MERCEDES E220D AMG LINE AUTO SALOON

COST OF THE CAR P11D VALUE5

£39,445

£34,695

£45,170

£41,555

£39,775

GOVERNMENT GRANT REDUCTION

£2,500

£0

£0

£0

£0

£36,9452

£34,695

£45,170

£41,555

£39,775

CO2 EMISSIONS G/KM

40

179

154

133

127

BENEFIT IN KIND RATE

13%

36%

34%

31%

30%

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITHOUT FUEL PROVIDED

£2,051

£4,996

£6,143

£5,153

£4,773

THE EXTRA TAX YOU PAY VS PHEV (40% TAXPAYER)

–

£2,945

£4,092

£3,102

£2,722

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITH FUEL PROVIDED

£3,268

£8,366

£9,326

£8,054

£7,581

THE EXTRA TAX YOU PAY VS PHEV (40% TAXPAYER)

–

£5,098

£6,058

£4,786

£4,313

ADJUSTED FINAL PRICE

Outlander PHEV range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Full Battery Charge: no fuel used, depleted Battery Charge: 50.4mpg (5.6), Weighted Average: 159.5mpg (1.8), CO2 emissions: 40.3 g/km.

1. Terms and conditions apply. For more information, please visit www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/24hour. 2. On The Road prices shown include the Government Plug-in Car Grant and VAT (at 20%) and First Registration Fee. Model shown is a 19MY Outlander PHEV 4h with pearlescent paint at £37,550 including the Government Plug-in Car Grant. On The Road prices for an Outlander PHEV range from £34,255 to £39,100 and include VED, First Registration Fee and the Government Plug-in Car Grant. Metallic/pearlescent paint extra. Prices correct at time of going to print. 3. For more information about the Government Plug-in Car Grant please visit www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants. The Government Plug-in Car Grant is subject to change at any time, without prior notice. Fuel figures shown are official EU test figures, to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. 4. Outlander PHEV qualifies as low CO2 emissions vehicle for the purpose of Capital Allowances. 8% write down allowance used for comparison. 5. Cost of the car shown in this row include the Government Plug-in Car Grant (where applicable) and VAT (at 20%) but do not include First Registration Fee. Metallic/pearlescent paint extra.

6. This figure is NEDC equivalent and based on the official EU test (WLTP). To be used as a guide for comparative purposes only with other WLTP tested vehicles. Based on the vehicle being charged from mains electricity. This may not reflect real driving results. 7. Up to 33 mile EV range achieved with full battery charge. 532 miles achieved with combined full battery and petrol tank. Actual range will vary depending on driving style and road conditions.

8. 13% BIK compared to the average rate of 30% for the other vehicles shown. 13% BIK rate for the 2018/19 tax year.

THIS MONTH IN FLEET www.fleetworld.co.uk

APPOINTMENTS Mercedes-Benz head of fleet stands down Mercedes-Benz head of fleet, Rob East, has left the company after almost ten years. Previously national fleet sales manager, East’s departure follows a Fleet Manufacturer of the Year win at the 2018 Fleet World Honours.

There is no confirmation of his new role, or a successor at Mercedes-Benz, as we go to press.

Senior hire at Wex Europe Services Fuel card provider, Wex Europe Services, has appointed Jason Stanton to the newly created role of customer services director, aimed at enhancing its fleet management solutions. Stanton brings extensive experience of leading multi-site operations throughout the UK, Europe and India, and will manage a team of 80 staff.

Fleet focus for National Tyres and Autocare National Tyres and Autocare has appointed Jonathan Quinn as its new national account director as the company looks to further drive its fleet business. Reporting to fleet sales director, Mike Daniels, Quinn will take a strategic role aimed at building new business and supporting existing customers. His CV includes roles at Leasys UK, Lex Autolease and Arval.

FCA GROUP TO LAUNCH FLEET TELEMATICS SYSTEM Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is launching a telematics service for fleets, utilising vehicles’ on-board data connections.

Introduced part of updates to the Jeep Cherokee, Renegade and Fiat 500X, Mopar Connect Fleet builds on the consumer-focused system launched earlier this year, which enables remote status and location checking via a smartphone app.

Mopar Connect Fleet offers the ability to monitor multiple vehicles at once, enabling operators to remotely check and schedule maintenance,

locate and geofence vehicles, optimise routes and see how efficiently they are being driven on any given journey. This data can be integrated with FCA’s own fleet management service, or to third party systems.

MEPs vote for 20% CO2 cut, mandatory ULEV sales share The European Parliament has voted in favour of a 20% targeted reduction in new car and van CO2 emissions between 2021 and 2025, with sub50g/km vehicles to account for at least a fifth of all registrations by that point.

Adopted with 389 votes to 239, the draft law sets out the next phase in average CO2 emissions reductions for carmakers, who are currently working towards 2021 limits of 95g/km for cars and 147g/km for vans. It means manufacturers will need to achieve a 20% reduction (versus the 2021 limits) by 2025, and 40% by 2030, with fines for non-compliance.

The plans set out much stricter

Clean Air Zone Event

targets to reach. By 2025, 20% of all vehicles sold must emit 50g/km or less, rising to 35% by 2030. The European Commission will also launch on-road CO2 testing in 2023, proposals for standardised efficiency and pollutant labelling next year, and lifecycle CO2 emissions must be reported from 2025 onwards.

Although these regulations won’t directly apply to the UK, the Department for Transport has said it will introduce regulations which are “at least as ambitious” as the EU’s after Brexit. EU decisions will also steer research and development of new models, indirectly affecting vehicles sold here.

#GetFutureReady

In association with

Join us and learn more about the government’s plans for removing conventional petrol and diesel vehicles from UK roads by 2040, and how local authorities are developing their own Clean Air action plans.

Register here: alduk.events/caz

Tuesday 6th November, Bristol Our Event Partners

014 • fleetworld.co.uk

aldautomotive.co.uk

THE NEW

PAY LESS BiK. GET MORE SUV.

NEW GRANDLAND X TECH LINE NAV BiK FROM 25% | P11D FROM £22,535 CO2 FROM 109G/KM | UP TO 67.3MPG Imagine an SUV with more, that costs you less. New Grandland X has more smart infotainment technology, more enhanced safety features and a more elevated ride. Yet it combines these with low CO2 and BiK. All of which makes every journey just a little more… grand.

Book your Grandland X 3 Day Test Drive today.

Visit threedaytestdrive.co.uk Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. Grandland X range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 46.3 (6.1) – 64.2 (4.4), Extra-urban: 57.7 (4.9) – 74.3 (3.8), Combined: 53.3 (5.3) – 68.9 (4.1). CO2 emissions: 128 – 108g/km.

Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. 2018/19 tax year. Vauxhall Motors Limited does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their own tax position. Grandland X Elite Nav 1.2 (130PS) Turbo Start/Stop model illustrated (P11D of £26,885) features Topaz Blue two-coat metallic paint (£565), silver-effect roof rails (£150), Premium LED Adaptive Forward Lighting Pack (£1,100) and black roof and door mirrors (£320), 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. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (September 2018).

A N A LY S I S CLEAN AIR

ZONING IN ON CLEAN AIR With only a year to go until the UK’s first clean air zones go live, Natalie Middleton looks at how different cities are tackling urban air pollution.

A

lthough the UK’s air quality problems are nothing new, it’s taken until recently for the topic to reach the top of the political agenda. Yet, three years forward from the Government mandating clean air zones in five cities, research shows four out of ten SMEs are unaware of their imminent launch, and there’s no sign that the rules will be aligned between them.

Political Pressure Government plans have changed; Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton were originally ordered to bring in such zones, which charge the most polluting vehicles to enter areas with poor air quality, in the 2015 Air Quality Plan. The UK is one of six EU Member States which have been referred to the European Court of Justice for failing to take action to tackle illegal levels of nitrogen dioxide.

Despite continued legal action from environmental lawyers, ClientEarth, the Government backtracked on making these zones mandatory in last year’s updated plans. This placed a focus on local authorities to make their own decisions, and

016 • fleetworld.co.uk

called for 23 additional areas to take measures to curb their illegal NOx levels.

Earlier this year, that was extended to 33 local authorities, with a deadline for plans set by the end of September 2018.

All of which means clean air zones in one form or another could be on their way to a city near you soon.

How do clean air zones work?

According to the Government’s framework, there are two types: charging and noncharging. Non-charging zones put the focus on a range of measures to improve air quality – such as access restrictions which are already used in places such as Oxford for buses and incentivizing ULEV take-up – but don’t charge non-compliant vehicles for entering the zone. Charging clean air zones also use a range of measures, but also include financial penalties for more polluting vehicles to enter.

Although the latest air quality plans means the five cities are not required to include a charging zone in their plans, the measure is believed to be the quickest way to achieve statutory NO2 limit values in towns and cities in the shortest possible time.

However, the Government has said that if a local authority can identify measures other than charging zones that are at least as effective at reducing NO2, those measures should be preferred – a move that’s been seen as backtracking.

What types of vehicles are being targeted?

Last year’s Clean Air Zone framework, published by the DfT and Defra, sets out four classes: Class A: Buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles Class B: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) Class C: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs and light goods vehicles (LGVs) Class D: Buses, coaches, taxis, PHVs, HGVs, LGVs and cars To avoid charges or restrictions, cars, vans and taxis must be Euro 6-compliant (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol). Effectively, this means most diesels registered since September 2015 (and all since September 2016) and all petrols since January 2006 (a year later for vans).

A N A LY S I S CLEAN AIR

Fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will not face charges while the document also says ultra low emission vehicles with significant zero emission range will never be charged for entering or moving through a clean air zone.

The good news is, according to the latest BVRLA quarterly leasing data, 87% of car fleets are already Euro 6 compliant.

However, businesses also need to factor in grey fleet drivers who are very likely to be driving older vehicles – 8.2 years, according to the BVRLA. The picture for vans – typically run for longer cycles – is bleaker; Freight Transport Association estimates suggest only 22% of the vans on the road in 2019 would be able to access CAZs; a key factor in the BVRLA’s call for a carefully managed transition to enable individuals and businesses to change to greener vehicles that will not be penalised.

G Southampton’s preferred option is a Class B scheme, but it is looking a Class A for the city centre and non-charging measures for buses and taxis. Its 12-week consultation finished on 13 September, but it didn’t get back to us with final details.

What approaches are councils taking?

All five local authorities were due to submit preferred option business cases to Defra by 15 September for approval following local consultations this summer – such plans show the very different approaches being taken and the need for businesses to start looking now at how their fleet may be affected:

G Nottingham has existing measures in place which will bring it in line with legal NOx limits by 2020. It has no plans to introduce a charging clean air zone, but it is seeking further funding for a ULEV transition support package for taxi drivers. Plans are also underway to revise the Clear Zone, which restricts access to the city centre.

G Birmingham’s preference is a Class D scheme, introducing charges for all noncompliant vehicles by 2020.

G Derby’s consultation finished on 24 September, and final plans have not been published. Its preferred option is re-routing traffic away from its area of exceedance, supported by incentives to get people to change vehicles, and initiatives to implement charging infrastructure and sustainable travel. But it is also considering a Class D scheme, either to the inner ring road or outer ring road.

G Leeds is opting for a Class B scheme, which would exclude cars and vans (apart from private hire vehicles). It has also revised the charging zone to lessen the impact on businesses, and proposed a ‘sunset’ period for private hire vehicles.

Explore the options for low and zero-emission vehicles on your fleet.

Councils can bid for funding to implement such schemes through a central £255m Implementation Fund while the Government has also created a £220m Clean Air Fund to enable councils to implement additional measures that minimise the adverse effects of local air quality plans on individuals and businesses, such as installing EV charge points.

Funding is available to support alternatives to cars and vans

Time for action Although the piecemeal approach taken to clean air zones mean the actions required by fleets are varied, it’s important to put plans in place now. This includes investigating your current vehicles, and keeping up to date with the latest initiatives where they operate. And make drivers are aware of such zones, which have the potential to cause widespread confusion. ACFO and the BVRLA have called for a common framework for signage, charging and restrictions to help avoid non-compliance.

Overall, it’s worth using this as an opportunity to explore the options for low and zero-emission vehicles on your fleet, including checking out home and workplace charging.

Clean air zones are by far not the only incentive for choosing greener cars. As well as avoiding a wealth of pain from clean air zones, getting ahead of the game on going green could help save your company finances – and the earth – too.

Three of the four classes of clean air zone apply to private hire vehicles

018 • fleetworld.co.uk

YOUR CLIENTS ARE LOOKING FOR FRESH THINKING. WHY NOT SHOW UP IN SOME?

The Honda Civic

Class-leading boot space, SENSINGTM safety technology (including Lane Departure Warning), plus impressively low CO2 emissions (93g/km) and excellent fuel economy (80.7mpg). Just a few of the great ideas that make the new Civic a smart addition to your eet.

Request your 48 hour demo at Honda today.

Call us on 0345 200 8000 or visit honda.co.uk/civic eet Fuel consumption figures for the 17YM Civic Diesel in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle 78.5 (3.6), Extra Urban 83.1 (3.4), Combined 80.7 (3.5). CO 2 emissions: 93g/km. Fuel consumption figures sourced from official EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving experiences.

evfleetworld.co.uk

IN BRIEF Porsche drops diesel to focus on plug-ins Porsche will not re-introduce diesel engines having halted production in February, claiming the fuel had a ‘secondary role’ and that it will prioritise development of plug-ins. By 2022, Porsche will have invested €6bn (£5.4bn) in electric mobility, with a view to being able to offer hybrid or fully electric drivetrains in every model line by 2025.

Extended Outlander PHEV test drives Mitsubishi is offering 24-hour test drives of the Outlander PHEV, aiming to let drivers find out how the updated version fits their lives. Test drives can be booked from more than 100 dealers nationwide, including the new Lakeside retail store. To read our first drive review of the updated Outlander PHEV, see page 35 of this issue.

Hydrogen refuelling station opens in Swindon ITM Power has opened a new public hydrogen refuelling station on the M4 corridor in Swindon. The firm’s seventh public access station is located near the offices of fuel cell component manufacturer Johnson Matthey, and ITM is working with local stakeholders to help get fuel cell vehicles into fleets nearby.

For greener, more flexible, future fleets...

Ford to launch first hybrid Mondeo Estate Ford will launch a petrol hybrid version of the Mondeo estate, as part of an ‘enhanced range’ due next year.

The Mondeo hybrid, which uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine, continuously variable transmission and 1.4kWh battery under the rear bench, has so far only been available as a saloon – arguably limiting its uptake, as this is the slowest-selling bodystyle for the car in the UK. Launching it as an estate enables Ford to offer an alternative to diesel for the 30% of British customers – private and business – who opt for this bodystyle. It follows an increased fleet sales forecast for the hybrid this year, because of rising sales inquiries in 2017, according to head of fleet, Owen Gregory. Pricing was also aligned with the equivalent diesel at the start of the year.

Roelant de Waard, European marketing, sales and service vice president, said: “Electrified powertrains will continue to play a key role in our European product lineup. Ford is investing $11bn and plans to deliver 16 fully electric vehicles within a global portfolio of 40 electrified vehicles by 2022.”

BMW i3 drops range extender

Scottish towns get funding to drive EV take-up The Scottish Government has identified the first ten ‘electric towns or cities’, with funding allocated to drive take-up of ultra-low emission vehicles. Funding is delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, and follows Government-announced plans to deliver 20 such towns by 2025, with a £15m investment in charging infrastructure, aimed at phasing out combustion engine cars by 2032.

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BMW has fitted a bigger battery to the i3, with the resulting 200-mile range enabling the petrol rangeextender version to be dropped.

The 42.2kWh (120Ah) battery is twice the capacity of the original i3, offering a WLTP-rated range of 192 miles. BMW says both the i3 and sportier i3S offer a 160-mile

real-world range, equating to a 30% increase over the outgoing version.

The increased battery capacity, means charging time is slightly longer with 0-80% charge taking around five hours using a 7.4kW wallbox, or 42 minutes on a 50kW rapid charger.

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MOBILITY

BMW and Daimler to form urban mobility joint venture

True mobility management requires access to central data, experts say Having a centralised bank of fleet and travel data is “business-critical” for organisations introducing mobility management, according to ACFO chairman John Pryor.

Speaking for a recent ACFO webinar on the topic of ‘Mobility Today’, Mr Pryor, fleet and travel manager at high street fashion retailer Arcadia Group, said fleets need full access to data to know the total cost of a journey.

He said: “Having access to all information is important, but companies keep it in different silos. If information is sitting in different parts of the business then it is unmanageable.”

His comments were echoed by David Oliver, ACFO member and procurement manager at Red Bull, who said it was “essential” to have access to “high-quality and meaningful” information and data from partner companies for manipulation and analysis in the switch to mobility management.

Oliver, who is leading Red Bull UK’s move to integrate fleet and travel management, said the company was seeing employee concern over the increasing burden of company car BiK taxation. He commented: “We are being curious and understanding. Most organisations would be mad to keep fleet and travel expenditure apart.”

Alphabet (GB) principal consultant David Bushnell also spoke at the webinar and said that it is absolutely critical for decisionmakers to engage with all key stakeholders to ensure data is collected and leveraged.

“Traditional fleet managers must wear many hats and transition into a mobility manager outsourcing data and taking advantage of technology.”

Most organisations would be mad to keep fleet and travel expenditure apart.

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The BMW Group and Daimler AG have formed a 50/50 joint venture to establish a standalone mobility services company, set to operate across Europe.

Set to be headquartered in Berlin, the two companies are aiming to bring a portfolio of urban mobility solutions under one banner. This would create a seamless multi-modal transport system, including car sharing, ride hailing, ticketless parking and multi-network electric vehicle charging, available via a single app.

ALD Clean Air Zone day to spotlight city mobility options ALD Automotive is to hold an event to shed light on clean air zones (CAZs) and the knock-on effects for city centre mobility for fleets.

Free to attend, the event on Tuesday 6 November in Bristol is designed to inform on measures that can be taken now, as well as to dispel some of the myths surrounding the use of alternatively fuelled vehicles.

This will be supported by research being carried out by ALD in association with the University of the West of England (UWE) to examine the travel habits of company car drivers commuting into Bristol. The event will also include the Energy Saving Trust and Chargemaster while Ford and Kia will share their developments in low-emission vehicles.

OPINION

Curtis Hutchinson motor industry guru

Tell it like it is What do dealers think of their car manufacturer partners and why should this matter to fleet managers? wice a year the National Franchised Dealers Association asks its members what they think about the brands they represent. The results are anonymous and, therefore, an opportunity for retailers to extol the virtues or tell a few home truths about the brand name above their doors.

The results can make for uncomfortable reading in car manufacturer board rooms around the country and further afield, as UK bosses find themselves heaped with praise (not to mention bonus payments) or asked to account for themselves.

Fleets don’t tend to get sight of the survey, as the opinions of dealers can be seen as perhaps too far removed from the views of fleet managers. However, you might find it useful to know exactly how the dealers supplying and maintaining your cars feel about the brands they represent; especially if they’re unhappy!

Rankings shift frequently, with dealers’ views on their brand partners often reflected by the rollout of new product and hence marketing support. However, the newly published NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey Summer 2018 differs from previous reports as the level of movement, up and down, appears higher than normal, reflecting the current ebb and flow of manufacturer–retailer fortunes. It appears a lot has happened since the winter survey was published in January.

This survey polled the views of 1,715 respondents and was expanded to 30 brands with the debut of Dacia. Dealers are asked a number of questions and asked to rate their car maker partners from one to 10.

The key question in the survey is: How would you rate your manufacturer overall?

Kia retained the top position, scoring an impressive 9.1, against an average of 5.7. It performed strongly across the board in

T

024 • fleetworld.co.uk

terms of profitability, the setting of targets, the ability to do business with on a day-today basis and the setting of fair and reasonable showroom standards.

Paul Philpott, president and chief executive, commented: “I am immensely proud to see this response from our dealers and to take the number one spot in the NFDA survey for the second summer in a row. To maintain the top spot highlights that we pride ourselves in building sustainable, profitable partnerships with our dealers.

NFDA DEALER ATTITUDE SURVEY WINTER 2018 TOP 5 CAR BRANDS 1 Kia (9.1) 2 Toyota (9.0) 3 Lexus (8.7) 4= Mazda (7.5) 4= Mini (7.5)

BOTTOM 5 CAR BRANDS 1 Alfa Romeo (2.1) 2 Jeep (3.4) 2= Citroën (3.4) 4+ Jaguar (3.6) 4= Fiat (3.6) Source: NFDA “We shall do all in our power to build on this and justify our dealers’ confidence.

Avoiding short-term actions that undermine a dealer’s ability to make a realistic profit and seeking to work together in a way that delivers sustainable growth is clearly the right way forward,” he added.

So, it’s all about team work. Views no doubt echoed by second-placed Toyota (9.0), followed by Lexus (8.7), Mini (7.5) and Mazda (7.5). All of whom saw their ratings rise since the winter survey apart from Mazda, down slightly from 7.6 but climbing from number 7 to a joint 4th, alongside Mini.

Languishing at the bottom of the table, once again, was Alfa Romeo, scoring just 2.1 points, a slight improvement on the 1.4 it mustered in last time, but hardly cause for celebration. Rounding off the bottom five were Jeep (3.4), Citroën (3.4), Jaguar (3.6) and Fiat (3.6); not a happy showing for the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles network with Abarth scoring 4.7 in 23rd place.

Other notable under-achievers were Vauxhall (4.1) at number 25, hardly surprising for a brand bedding in after its acquisition by the PSA Group. More surprisingly though was Volvo (4.4) at 24, down eight places since the last survey, despite apparently enjoying a product-led revival after some years in the doldrums.

Of the brands on the rise, Mitsubishi (6.2) was the most improved, rising from 21st to 10th, with an impressive 98% response rate from its dealers. Honda (6.4) jumped from 16 to 9; Renault (5.9) from 23 to 12. Those sliding multiple places include Mercedes (6.5), embarrassingly toppled from the joint top place it previously shared with Kia to 8th; Ford (5.5) down from 10th to 18th; Audi (5.4) down from 8th to 20th; Land Rover (5.4) down from 10th to 20th; and Škoda (5.3) down from 16th to 22nd.

Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA, said: “Positively, there has been a general increment in satisfaction levels across the key questions of the survey. Additionally, although some of the top performers had lower scores than six months ago, we are pleased to see that the majority of the bottom networks have experienced solid improvements.”

One thing’s for sure, there will be a number of car brands moving swiftly to better understand their dealers ahead of the next survey – and that could be welcome news for fleets.

Y O U R F L E E T ’S F I N A N C E S T O T A L L Y T R A N S F O R M E D To ke e p r u n n i n g co s t s at a m i n i m u m t h e All- N e w F o c u s r a n ge d eli v e r s h i g h ly co m p e ti ti ve low e m i s s i o n s f ro m 91g /k m CO 2 . Plus, yo u an d yo ur dri ver s w ill b e n ef i t f ro m a co m b i n e d f u e l e co n o my o f u p to 80.7m p g .

D i s cover m o re at fo r d .co.u k /n ew-fo cu s o r co nt ac t th e F o rd B usin e s s Ce ntre: 03457 2 3 2 3 2 3 | f li n f o r m@f o r d .co m

P11D

BIK

C0 2

COMBINED MPG

£28,630 - £17,730

28% - 22%

138- 91g/km

45.6- 80.7

Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Ford Focus range: urban 36.2-74.3 (7.8-3.8), extra urban 54.3-85.6 (5.2-3.3), combined 45.6-80.7 (6.2-3.5). Official CO 2 emissions 138-91g/km.

The mpg figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results (EU Regulation 715/2007 and 692/2008 as last amended), are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience. Information correct at time of going to print.

INNOVATION

APPS, GADGETS AND ESSENTIALS FOR PEOPLE ON THE MOVE...

WAZE Crowd-sourced navigation app Waze has been around for several years, but it is now compatible with Apple CarPlay as well as the Android Auto system. This enables users to warn other drivers, with a couple of taps of the screen, about hazards ahead, and receive live data showing average speeds on sections of road. It’s good enough not to need a built-in system.

PRICE: FREE FROM GOOGLE PLAY, iTUNES STORE

iPHONE XS

LG W7 SMARTWATCH

Apple’s flagship iPhone seems aimed at curing headaches with previous models featuring more durable glass surfaces, a larger battery and better splash resistance than the iPhone X. There are two versions, with 5.8 or 6.5-inch screens, both featuring stereo sound, Dual SIM capability and a larger battery. Processing power has improved, and the glass back is designed to improve wireless charging speeds.

LG’s first hybrid smartwatch combines the best of both worlds; Swiss-made mechanical movement with the customisation and digital add-ons of the latest wearables. Within a stainless steel body, the analogue hands can display information including altitude, barometric pressure, a compass and timer, and the battery lasts two days running the Wear OS by Google software, or up to 100 with the digital functions disabled.

PRICE: VARIES BY CONTRACT, SEE APPLE.COM/UK

PRICE: TBA, SEE LG.COM/UK FOR DETAILS

TECH SPOTLIGHT FORD POTHOLE DETECTION WHAT IS IT?

New technology introduced on the latest Focus, which enables the car to detect potholes and alter suspension settings to avoid discomfort for passengers.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Pothole detection is part of the Continuously Controlled Damping system, which also offers selectable driving modes. This monitors road conditions and driver behaviour every two milliseconds, Ford says, and make adjustments to suit.

So, no reliance on forward-facing cameras. If the system detects one of the front wheels has dropped suddenly, it can quickly change the damper response to stop the damper fully extending. In turn, this limits how far the wheel drops into the pothole, and how hard it then strikes the other side as it comes back out.

Responses are almost instantaneous, and the car can proactively set up the rear suspension to cope with what it’s about to go through.

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WHY FLEETS SHOULD TAKE NOTE?

Last year’s harsh winter has taken its toll on the UK road network. Figures from the Asphalt Industry Alliance suggest a pothole was repaired every 21 seconds in England and Wales during 2017/18, while a third of the 23,000 AA members surveyed at the start of this year said they had suffered damage from poor road surfaces.

This isn’t a problem that’s going away, and while pothole detection technology is largely a comfort

feature, it could lessen the severity of the impact and at least reduce the chance of damaged wheels and tyres.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Continuously Controlled Damping is a £650 ugprade on the ST-Line X, and £800 for Titanium X and Vignale models. However, it’s only available on cars with the multi-link rear axle – which means versions with engines of 125bhp or less will have to make do without.

ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES

THE NEW VOLVO V60 The decisions you make are felt right throughout your business. Which is why every aspect of the new Volvo V60 has been carefully considered. As innovative, intuitive and stylish as it is economical and practical, our new model will make its presence within your fleet felt immediately. And the consequences? More than acceptable.

World-leading safety technology

Class-leading residual values

Best-in-class load capacity of 529L

From 28% BIK

Seamless connectivity

CALL THE VOLVO CAR BUSINESS CENTRE ON 0345 600 4027 OR VISIT VOLVOCARS.CO.UK/V60FLEET

Official fuel consumption for the new Volvo V60 range in MPG (l/100km): Urban 32.1 (8.8) – 53.3 (5.3), Extra Urban 48.7 (5.8) – 72.4 (3.9), Combined 40.9 (6.9) – 64.2 (4.4). CO2 emissions 160 – 117g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results.

SPOTLIGHT Paris motor show

PARIS PLUGS IN Despite some notable absences, the 2018 Paris Motor Show marked public debuts of several significant future fleet cars. Alex Grant outlines the most important newcomers.

BMW SHAKES UP THE COMPACT EXECUTIVE CLASS Paris marked the debut of one of 2019’s most important fleet launches. The new 3 Series will be lighter and more aerodynamic than its predecessor, gaining infotainment and driver assistance features from the 5 and 7 Series.

There will be a line-up of three, four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, while the 330e plug-in hybrid will offer a 50-mile electric range - twice that of the outgoing car to improve real-world fuel economy. A quarter of fleet-bought 3 Series saloons had been PHEVs.

TESLA’S COMPETITION HEATS UP Hot on the heels of the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi and Mercedes-Benz showed production versions of their electric SUVs, both due to launch in 2019. Daimler’s EQ electric sub brand launches with the EQC, while the Audi E-Tron will be the first of 12 electric vehicles due in the near future. They’re closely matched, offering around 400bhp, four-wheel drive and a real-world range comfortably over 200 miles, plus ultra-fast charging capability. BMW will join the fray in 2020, with the electric iX3.

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SPOTLIGHT Paris motor show

CAMRY RETURNS TO EUROPE With a new Corolla and Camry breaking cover, Toyota’s stars of the show might sound like a nod to the Nineties, but the line-up couldn’t be more modern. Next year marks the end of the Auris and Avensis nameplates in Europe, and their replacements won’t be offered with diesel engines. The Camry shares a platform and 2.5-litre petrol hybrid system with the Lexus ES executive saloon, which is also due in 2019, offering (NEDC Correlated) CO2 emissions from 98g/km. The Corolla hatch and estate will get a choice of 120bhp and 178bhp hybrid versions, with CO2 starting at 76g/km.

AUDI’S SMALLEST THINKS BIG UK deliveries of the new A1 Sportback start in November; a fivedoor supermini that’s now almost as long as the original A3.

Production has moved to Seat’s factory near Barcelona, alongside the platform-shared Ibiza and Arona, to make room for production of electric vehicles at the plant in Belgium, and Audi is claiming class-above technology and long-distance comfort for its smallest model. Unlike its Spanish stablemates, there will be no diesel versions – the A1 will use petrol engines spanning from 95bhp to 197bhp, with (NEDC Correlated) CO2 emissions from 108g/km.

UX SUV IS A ‘GATEWAY’ TO LEXUS OWNERSHIP Lexus is aiming for conquest customers with the UX and, given that the CT hatchback and NX SUV account for almost two-thirds of its UK volume, this Audi Q3 and BMW X1 rival feels well placed to do so. The hybrid-only model range is a USP in what has become a crowded segment, and Lexus will offer two and four-wheel drive versions, with a simple three-trim model range augmented by five option packs. Prices range from £29,900 to £39,100, with (NEDC Correlated) CO2 from 96g/km.

PEUGEOT’S 49G/KM 3008 AND 508 PHEVS Peugeot’s first plug-in hybrids launch this autumn – three of the seven due across the PSA Group within the next two years. There will be two and four-wheel drive versions of the 3008, the latter reviving the Hybrid4 badge and combining a 197bhp petrol engine with 109bhp electric motors at each axle. The 3008's lowerpowered hybrid system, producing 221bhp, will be shared with the 508 fastback and SW and is front-wheel drive only. Peugeot is claiming 30 miles of range and, unusually the ability to charge at 32 amps/7.2kW, taking around two hours to fill the battery. CO2 emissions should be under 50g/km.

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SPOTLIGHT Paris motor show

KIA’S PROCEED ISN’T WHAT IT SEEMS The flagship of Kia’s new Ceed line-up is a new bodystyle for the brand. It offers almost as much luggage space as the new Sportswagon, which will still be available separately, but it features the sportier styling, re-tuned suspension and highperformance tyres to live up to its coupé namesake in the old model. There’s a 202bhp petrol GT version, mirroring the latest addition to the hatchback range, though the sports-styled GTLine trim (whichcan be paired with a diesel engine) is more likely to find favour with fleets.

SEAT TARRACO TARGETS CORPORATES It launches with two petrol and two diesel engines at equivalent 148bhp and 188bhp power outputs, and a two-trim model range – volume is expected to be weighted towards the top-spec version.

Four-wheel drive and a DSG automatic gearbox are standard on the high-power engines, and Seat has hinted that a plug-in hybrid might follow shortly after launch. To find out more, see our interview on page 50.

RENAULT KADJAR IS ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS Improved storage, higher-quality materials and a flush-fit infotainment display bring Renault’s Qashqai rival up to date, alongside more efficient, more powerful petrol and diesel engines with manual or dual-clutch automatic gearboxes. However, the midsize SUV hasn’t been earmarked for the brand’s new e-Tech hybrid technology. This ‘affordable’ new system will debut with the Clio, Captur and Megane in 2020, underpinning hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Kadjar customers might have to wait until the secondgeneration model to take advantage of the same technology.

DS 3 SUCCESSOR IS SUV-SHAPED, AND ELECTRIC Considering the rise and rise of SUV popularity in Europe, it’s no big surprise to see the replacement for the DS 3 has become an urban soft-roader. There will be 1.2-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel versions available from launch, and DS will introduce a fully electric version at the same time. This will offer a (WLTP) range of 200 miles from its 50kWh battery, with the ability to charge at up to 100kW – so 80% will be recoverable within about half an hour.

Styling is bold, with hints of its predecessor in the shark fin B-pillar and floating roof. For more information, see page 33.

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PROFILE DS Automobiles

BREAKING AWAY DS Automobiles intends to upset the apple cart with a new brand, fresh focus and chance to really shake up the premium market, discovers Jonathan Musk. aving broken away from Citroen in 2015, DS Automobiles (with DSbadged products) is now an independently operating premium arm of PSA Group. This makes sense, because 10% of the global overall market is premium cars that account for 34% of the profit.

Starting a new brand is hard work.

Launching with dual-branded products in 2009 was never the end-game. Now, DS products benefit from their own manufacturing and engineering and share core aspects of the all-new CMP (Common Modular Platform) and larger EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform) with improved variations to its sister brands. Sales have fallen since launch, but this was to be expected with an effectively ageing product line-up – with some 100,000 sold at launch, down to little more than 50,000 in 2017.

H

Renewed focus That’s not where this story ends, but rather begins. DS has begun its new secondgeneration product offensive and is capitalising on the latest cutting-edge platforms the Group has to offer. With a strong global appetite for premium SUVs, this began with the DS 7 Crossback launching into the premium C-SUV sector and serving as its European flagship, followed by the DS 3 Crossback that will

effectively supplement the popular hatchback with a premium B-SUV. Pioneering attitude Not only has DS launched these two new products in two years, but the brand will serve as premium flagship pioneer for the PSA Group as a whole, with characteristic features such as active LED lights and retracting door handles set to only appear on DS models, while other equipment including the latest autonomous tech and incar gadgetery. will first appear on DS cars.

Electric, of course DS has been a long-time supporter and team in the Formula E Championship. Like most carmakers, the brand has adopted an electrification strategy that will see all DS built from 2019 offered with a form of electrification, either plug-in hybrid or electric – skipping full and mild hybrids.

The first of the PHEVs will be the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 4x4, while the DS 3 Crossback will be proposed with an E-Tense full battery-electric version at launch. From 2025, the brand intends to only offer new designs with electrified models, dropping unassisted internal combustion power altogether. Powertrains are expectedly premium, with the PHEV models available all-wheel drive and high efficiency/

performance, while the battery-electric (BEV) models are aimed to be “no compromise” when compared to their petrol/diesel counterparts on packaging, space, spec and performance.

Future plans With the first two new DS models already enticing fleets towards its showrooms, DS has plans for a six model line-up. The company has also moved to a franchise separate from Citroën, with plans to expand these retail and fleet outlets in number almost exponentially, to an expected 500 worldwide by the end of 2018, rising to 800 between 2019-20. Similarly, the company is recruiting heavily, with its proprietary DS Academy training a small army of Expert Advisors to professionally assist premiumminded customers. It’s here that DS has really put a lot of effort into market studies and found that, for example, in Europe a premium customer spends 7.2 hours researching before buying and 80% watch videos about the product, whereas for a non-premium car it’s roughly half that. DS, therefore, is keen to capitalise on the latest technology including its ‘DS Virtual Vision’ that gives customers the chance to explore in minute detail the full range of DS products, with interior and exterior of their car in a life-size high-definition 3D world.

ONE TO WATCH The lasting impression is that DS is here to stay. Although its recent sales figures tell one story, the company was prepared for this and PSA knew launching a new brand into a highly competitive market wouldn’t be easy or quick. It was ready for this and has put into motion the steps to continue long into the future. Unlike other premium brands that have turned around of late (Jaguar, Volvo), or found almost accidental or haphazard fame (Tesla), DS benefits from starting afresh with a long-term plan, clear strategy and consequently should be high on fleets’ watch lists.

fleetworld.co.uk • 033

DRIVEN

Jeep Cherokee Can Jeep’s best-known nameplate further the brand's recent growth in fleet? Alex Grant finds out.

Jeep can credibly lay claim to coining the phrase ‘sport utility vehicle’ with the 1970s Cherokee. But, despite SUVs accounting for a third of Europe’s true fleet market, it’s taken until recently to capitalise on its rugged brand image to widen its appeal. So, while this isn’t an all-new Cherokee, it’s launching with an allnew focus.

There is fresh ground to break, but Jeep is already growing. Its true fleet volumes across Europe are up 60% year-on-year to the end of July, as the Qashqai-sized Compass builds on the popularity of the Renegade and puts the brand on more choice lists.

Jeep’s aim is to have products for all layers of a corporate fleet, so while the outgoing Cherokee had targeted SMEs, the newcomer is going after middle-management user-choosers.

This is a significant visual overhaul, mostly to tone down the old car’s styling and align it with the Compass and Grand Cherokee. Jeep hasn’t released UK pricing yet, but this will be positioned between large mainstream-brand SUVs such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan X-Trail, and mid-size premium rivals

including the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60. Optimised servicing and maintenance costs, and residual values, are aimed at giving it a competitive edge, Jeep says.

There’s equity in the brand, and the less divisive styling should help, but the Cherokee’s biggest challenge might be a limited engine line-up. In the UK, it launches with a 193bhp 2.2litre diesel equipped with four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox – the first ever two-wheel drive version and the 148bhp entrylevel diesel offered in other markets won’t be brought here. And, although there are plug-in hybrid and electric models on the way, it’s likely those will arrive with the next-generation Cherokee, due by 2022.

So, for now, CO2 emissions start at 175g/km, which isn’t mainstream fleet territory. The engine is a gutsy if never overly urgent performer, and plenty refined enough while cruising – though our test car was fitted with acoustic glass, which might be optional in the UK. Four-wheel drive only kicks in when it’s needed, and drivers get four modes to suit different surfaces when it is. We also drove the two-wheel drive 193bhp diesel and, despite the 50mm lower suspension and reduction in weight, it felt almost identical on the road.

SECTOR Large SUV PRICE £35,000-40,000 (est) FUEL 42.8mpg CO2 176g/km

034 • fleetworld.co.uk

Given its slightly more palatable 161g/km CO2, it seems a shame not to offer it in the UK. Otherwise, improvements comprise a more consistent set of cabin materials, and measures to increase the boot capacity – no doubt helped by the sliding rear bench. The new infotainment includes the prerequisite Android and Apple app streaming, as well as the ability to send data to third-party fleet management systems, or to FCA’s own. It’s as spacious inside as any other mid-size SUV, though the ride quality felt a little bouncy on Italian road surfaces. The original sport utility vehicle is a worthy alternative to the familiar names.

THE LOWDOWN KEY FLEET MODEL: JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED STRENGTHS OFF-ROAD ABILITY. FACTORY-FITTED TELEMATICS. WEAKNESSES LIMITED ENGINE RANGE. AWD-ONLY

THE VERDICT A familiar product and brand, but – without low-CO2 engines – it’s likely to appeal most to optout drivers.

RATING

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Most Improved Manufacturer SEAT

FOUR-DAY TEST DRIVE IN YOUR OWN TIME...

TARRACO Launching early in 2019, Tarraco is SEAT’s flagship SUV. It offers space for seven and high levels of equipment across the range, with optional fourwheel drive and a line-up of petrol and diesel engines for easy long-distance cruising. “It’s a halo for the range,” says SEAT UK head of fleet and business sales, Peter McDonald. “We believe it’s the natural extension above Ateca.”

Don’t just take our word for it. SEAT’s unique four-day test drive programme means company car drivers can put our latest models through their paces over a longer, more representative period. And with 200 vehicles available, booked over the phone or via our website and delivered to an address of their choice, it’s easy to get the full picture.

“We recognised that company car drivers found it hard to get a test drive from a dealer, and we felt the best thing to do was to take away that frustration,” explains McDonald.

“Customers say a company car doesn’t just get them to and from work – they use it out of hours and at weekends, so it has to fit their kids, their sporting equipment. Unless you provide a car for a meaningful period of time, they don’t get that experience.”

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...LESS OF WHAT YOU DON’T Choosing a company car should be enjoyable. It also doesn’t have to be difficult. SEAT UK’s revolutionary Easy Move purchasing process takes all the complexity out of that decision-making process, replacing endless options, packs and trim levels with a streamlined three-step process that’s much easier for drivers to understand.

Easy Move The Easy Move concept is simple. Drivers choose one of our stylish new models, add one of our six generously-appointed trim levels, then pick a colour. Metallic and (where available) bi-colour paint options are included within the price, and there are no options. It offers drivers a no-compromise choice of variants to suit their budget and requirements, without the complexity that comes with it.

“Arona has been very successful for us and we believe part of that is down to the easy customer journey,” McDonald explains. “Following strong feedback from dealers, customers and leasing companies, we are rolling this out across the range. It should make it easier for customers to choose the right car for them, to test drive that particular version, and buy from stock, offering reduced lead times.”

How Easy Move works...

Easy Move simplifies the ordering process by introducing three standardised trim levels across the SEAT model range, each with a version that bundles common options for those who need them.

High-value SE Simply upgrade to SE Technology

Dynamic FR Simply upgrade to FR Sport

Comfort-focused XCELLENCE Simply upgrade to XCELLENCE Lux

The benefits...

Easy for drivers – Popular options are included as standard, while metallic paint is included free of charge. It means drivers needn’t take time looking through over-complicated brochures, or worry that they’ve missed essential add-ons after they’ve ordered.

Easy for fleets – SEAT’s streamlined model ranges mean it’s possible to keep most versions in stock, helping to reduce lead times for fleets. Without the myriad permutations and options, Easy Move also makes it easier to set residual values and offer affordable monthly rates too.

Easy for everyone – With options potentially affecting fuel economy under the new Worldwide Harmonised light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) regime, Easy Move offers predictable pricing without the risk of moving up a Benefit-inKind band or exceeding a CO2 cap.

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AWARD WINNING SUPPORT

SEAT’s acclaimed model range is supported by first-rate service levels from our multi award-winning fleet offer. We’re not only confident that we can provide vehicles which are a great fit for your fleet, but that you’ll be able to get the support you need, right from the start.

Our dedicated web portal puts vital information at your fingertips, with specific sections enabling drivers and small or large business operators to discover SEAT’s latest products, quickly calculate total cost of ownership for different users and book four-day test drivers. It’s backed up by a fleet team with over 250 years of combined industry experience, to answer any queries you might have.

In turn, that’s supported by expertise located throughout the dealer network. SEAT’s Business Fleet Centres offer a tailored service for small fleets, with specialist staff and competitive funding options. We also

work with managers of some of the UK’s largest fleets, with a nationwide network of Fleet Excellence dealers geared up for business users with on-site expertise and fast, convenient service options.

With the right products and one of the best fleet offers in the country, it’s no surprise that SEAT is growing quickly. A 50% increase in ‘true fleet’ volumes during 2017 contributed to a record year, and that momentum hasn’t slowed during 2018 as the wider range helps reach new customers.

“Over a five-year span we will have tripled our volume in true fleet, and we’ve played a strategy to reduce our short cycle mix and maximise our residual values,” says McDonald. “Our aspiration is to stay in the top ten – our sales this year have been good, and our order take has been strong, so we believe we can maintain that.”

“Over a five-year span we will have tripled our volume in true fleet.”

Peter McDonald, head of fleet and business sales, SEAT UK

To discover how SEAT can fit your fleet, see www.seat.co.uk/fleet, call 0800 975 7844 or email businesscentre@seatfleet.co.uk

DRIVEN

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Does Mitsubishi’s latest reworking of the popular plug-in make it any better? Jonathan Musk finds out…

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the UK’s best-selling plug-in vehicle – hybrid or electric – it has been since its release in 2014 and continues to be, year-to-date. A fleet favourite for its fuel-sipping credentials; despite its size, weight and space, Mitsubishi sells almost half to fleets.

Key amongst the changes are a 15% larger battery (now 13.8kWh), a 10% more powerful electric motor and larger-capacity 2.4-litre petrol engine, which is able to switch between Otto and Atkinson-cycles depending on demand, making it even more frugal than the 2.0-litre petrol unit it replaces.

The headlines: 139mpg and 46g/km CO2 – and that's 'full' WLTP data. EV driving range is 28-miles WLTP, or 35 miles in a city – and it really does this, during our time with the car, we managed 30 miles with ease.

Mitsubishi reckons people can save a lot of money, depending on their driving circumstances and current car. A useful online calculator can be used to calculate the savings. The combination of these changes means Mitsubishi claim tax savings of £12k are estimated over three years for company car drivers over diesel SUVs. Yet, if you do

above average miles, the company will pragmatically point you in the direction of the diesel Outlander.

Out and about, the car feels more at ease than the outgoing MY18, especially thanks to the more powerful electric motors that allow greater acceleration and top speed, negating any petrol power. When fuel is burnt, however, the new engine does so smoothly without any transfer noise. With a power increase from 119 to 133bhp and 140 to 156lb.ft torque, it’s a modest improvement on paper but feels more suited to the car.

Economy facts and figures have suffered minutely in the switch from NEDC to WLTP, but in reality the longer electric range allows for more economical results – seeing 364.7mpg on the trip computer after a 40-mile journey says it all, while doing a similar journey in the outgoing model offered around 161.8mpg – both impressive, but clearly if doing fewer than 40 miles per day there are significant savings to be had.

Subtle changes have been made inside which are largely cosmetic, though there’s a new reliance on a smart phone for sat nav via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, with no integrated solution, and an electronic hand brake replaces the old manual one.

The base model Juro, starting at

SECTOR Large SUV PRICE £34,255-£43,100 (inc. PICG) FUEL 139mpg CO2 46g/km

£34,255, is equipped with sensible EV-friendly options, that make the car more usable in electric mode, including a heated windscreen and seats, as well as an electric pre-heater. In practice these should make a significant difference during winter months as the car can be pre-conditioned using grid rather than battery power.

Mitsubishi has made sensible changes to enhance its already appealing plug-in package. With a realworld electric range in the 30’s, it’s genuinely usable as an EV, yet its quiet and reasonably refined petrol unit doesn’t break the bank when it takes over. With keen pricing, this is maximum bang-for-buck motoring and should remain a top fleet pick.

THE LOWDOWN KEY FLEET MODEL MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV JURO STRENGTHS ELECTRIC RANGE, LOW CO2, PRACTICAL INTERIOR WEAKNESSES SOME IFFY CABIN PLASTICS, UNINVOLVED DRIVE

THE VERDICT How plug-in hybrids should be: practical to live with and economical to run. The Outlander PHEV continues to tick a lot of boxes.

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DRIVEN

Hyundai i30 N-Line

FROM START TO FINISH You could be liable for risks and costs if your employees are driving their privately-owned cars for work.

Our Mobility Audit can help identify these and make your fleet more efficient.

The i30 gets its first sportsstyled trim level, and Alex Grant reckons there’s plenty to like.

Hyundai has some new-found brand equity to play with. Not only does the blistering i30 N offer a credible hot hatch – no mean feat, these days – but it’s the start of a wider range of performance-focused products.

Including some half-way house models, like this one.

The N-Line bridges a gap between the most potent i30 and the rest of the range. So, while it looks the part with its 18-inch wheels, aggressive bodykit and

those fantastic figure-hugging sports seats, it makes do with a more modest 138bhp, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine to keep running costs down. It’s a niche that’s proved popular with rival products.

While it hasn’t had the level of re-engineering as the i30 N, this isn’t just a styling package. Instead, it’s making the most of its available power via re-tuned, sharper throttle responses, upgraded suspension, larger brakes and high-performance Michelin Pilot PS4 tyres. It’s good fun; brisk off the mark, with precise steering

Mazda CX-3 Can a larger-capacity diesel engine make sense today?

Mazda thinks so with its latest CX-3 update, finds Jonathan Musk.

Launched in 2015, Mazda’s CX-3 B-segment SUV has established itself as a volume seller for the brand, having sold 58,627 units in Europe in the last year, contributing 24% of Mazda’s 242,000 European sales.

New for the refreshed car are revised looks, suspension and a SECTOR Compact SUV PRICE £19,785-£25,785 FUEL 40.4-64.2mpg CO2 114-160g/km

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more premium interior. Cars are well equipped as standard with middle-spec SE-L Nav+ representing the best all-round option with dusk-sensing headlamps, climate control and smart city braking. UK-spec cars, however, won’t get Mazda’s latest radar cruise control, unlike European models.

Bucking the norm, a larger 1.8-litre Skyactiv-D replaces the outgoing 1.5-litre and offers a respectable 113bhp and 199lb.ft torque, with a combined fuel

RATING

and plenty of grip, yet also lacking the skittishness that can come from big wheels and ‘sporty’ suspension.

The N-Line offer is concise.

This won’t be offered with the 136bhp diesel available in other markets, and there won’t be an estate version, which is disappointing. Keyless entry and a push-button start are standard, and so is the 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while built-

in navigation comes in on N-Line+, which also gets electrically-adjustable leather and suede seats and LED headlights. Both versions can be paired with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which ups the price but takes the car down one BiK band.

As an affordable taster session for Hyundai’s deservedly highly-praised first hot hatch, this half-way house stacks up rather well.

SECTOR Lower Medium PRICE £21,255-£24,255 FUEL 48.7-49.6mpg CO2 129-133g/km

economy of 64.2mpg and emissions from 114g/km CO2, in the frontwheel drive model. It’s an interesting update that fairs better on the WLTP test cycle. Petrols include a 119 or 148bhp 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G providing 40.4-46.3mpg and CO2 of 140-160g/km. Each is available with manual or six-speed auto (refreshing in a world of eight-speeds), while all-wheel drive is an option on the diesel or the most powerful petrol.

With a more compliant suspension setup than its competitors the Mazda allows for modest ‘sporting’ joy, but not at the expense of cornering confidence. The diesel’s refinement is aided by a clever Natural Sound

Smoother system that debuted in the Mazda CX-5 and Mazda6.

Petrol power offers a modicum of additional refinement over the diesel, though beware of the lower power version if hauling large loads regularly due to a lack of torque that will eat into fuel economy. High milers and those who need to tow should opt for the diesel with allwheel drive.

Mazda’s CX-3 remains top of the class and the latest refinements only strengthen that position. Whether the new diesel will win hearts over the more refined petrol engines is debatable, but there’s no doubting it will appeal to the mind.

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OUR MOBILITY AUDIT REVEALS ALL For more information visit LEXAUTOLEASE.CO.UK/ GREY-FLEET

DRIVEN

Vauxhall Combo Life The answer to small families’ mobility woes isn’t always SUV-shaped, explains Alex Grant.

Parenthood is, to an extent, about survival. It’s taking steps to simplify a life that’s become more complicated with kids and their space-hungry paraphernalia in tow. The solution is often perceived to be SUV-shaped but, on purely pragmatic terms, that’s not necessarily true.

The Combo Life certainly isn’t SUV-shaped, but it is a good alternative. It’s a van-derived MPV, shared for the most part with Peugeot and Citroën’s sister products. That’s a good place to start; PSA accounts for around half of this segment’s 12,000 annual UK sales and, with former Zafira Tourer customers to target, Vauxhall is hoping to find homes for around 3,000 per year.

Granted, it lacks the kerb appeal of an SUV, but it’s infinitely more spaceefficient. This is no bigger than a Grandland X, with which it shares a platform, but it offers a boot large and low enough for an unfolded double buggy and sliding doors to make it easier to load in tight spaces.

It even has the rare talent of accommodating three booster seats across the rear bench, each with

ISOFIX, and a third row of seats is optional. However, families expecting to regularly use the third row are better off in the extended XL bodystyle.

Engines are shared with the Crossland X and Grandland X; 99bhp and 128bhp 1.5-litre diesels, and 109bhp and 128bhp 1.2-litre petrols, the latter only fitted to the shortwheelbase version. Hard cabin plastics and the tall driving position give away that it’s based on a van, but it drives much like a small hatchback – ride quality is good, it’s easy to manoeuvre in town and wind noise is the only real complaint at higher speeds. The entry-level diesel is impressively quiet, too, even without the sixth gear fitted to the equivalent petrol. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is available for the two 128bhp engines.

Equipment levels are similarly carlike. UK volumes are expected to be weighted towards the higher of the two trim levels, which gets niceties such as alloy wheels, chrome dashboard inserts and the touchscreen infotainment system to stop it feeling quite so utilitarian.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, offering app-based routeplanning for occasional users, but built-in navigation is a £450 option.

SECTOR Medium MPV PRICE £19,610-£23,240 FUEL 51.4-67.3mpg CO2 111-125g/km

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As are the electric rear windows, which are included on Peugeot Rifter’s mid-level trim – cruder popouts are standard on the Vauxhall.

That comparison is symptomatic of its biggest threat. The Combo Life is exceptionally clever, but it’s a newcomer facing two established rivals and it feels the most van-like of the three, lacking either the colourful interiors and flamboyant design of the Berlingo or the faux SUV styling of the Rifter. It’s good news for pragmatic parents seeking an easier life, but likely to be a tougher sell for those who would otherwise opt into something SUV-shaped.

THE LOWDOWN KEY FLEET MODEL VAUXHALL COMBO LIFE ENERGY 1.5 TURBO D. STRENGTHS GOOD VALUE, INCREDIBLY PRACTICAL. WEAKNESSES SO ARE PEUGEOT AND CITROËN’S RIVALS.

THE VERDICT It’s hard to fault the Combo Life’s talent for moving people and objects, but boxy MPVs are a tough sell in a market where the fashionable SUV is king.

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DRIVEN

Mini Clubman City Mini is best known as a retail brand, but with the City its aiming to open the Clubman's six doors to fleets…

Working closely with its business customers, the new Mini Clubman City is firmly aimed at fleets, with all the bells and whistles customers could wish for.

Powered by a choice of either 1.5litre three-cylinder petrol or diesel engines, Mini’s engineers have worked hard to keep emissions down, with the diesel emitting the lowest of any Clubman model at just 109g/km CO2, while the petrol offers 130g/km for the auto and 131g/km for the manual transmission. Interestingly, Mini is only offering the diesel with its auto box.

And, all figures stated are WLTP rated, well ahead of the deadline. Living up to the brand’s ethos, the Clubman is a sprightly and rewarding drive complemented by sharp handling and a taught, short-shift manual gearbox.

The big business incentive comes when looking at the equipment specification. 6.5-inch sat nav, realtime traffic info, eCall, rear parking distance control, Apple CarPlay, DAB and Bluetooth hands free are included in addition to the Clubman’s standard kit. 16-inch wheels are standard, but 17-inch alloys are available for no extra charge with a choice of two designs.

All this compares well to competing Golf and Focus models.

Where this car differs from its nearest competition is by way of quality inclusions like leather steering

SECTOR Lower medium PRICE £19,995-£23,855 FUEL 48.7-68.9mpg CO2 109-131g/km

wheel and useful split rear tailgate, unique to the Clubman.

Pricing starts from £19,995 for the Mini One Clubman City petrol with manual transmission, through to £23,855 for the diesel auto.

Has Mini managed to create a credible fleet offering? In City guise it matches or excels the competition in terms of specification, leaving the engine as the only choice left to make.

While diesel will remain appealing to high mileage drivers, it’s the petrol that stands out, offering both business sense, refinement and fun.

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Meet the future of mobility...

I

t’s time to face facts. ‘Fleet’, in the traditional sense, is changing. Today’s corporations and businesses are looking for better alternatives to vehicle utilisation and underpinning it all is increased efficiency. The desire for car ownership is diminishing, especially among tech-savvy business drivers who transact their lives around smartphones and apps and the increasingly punitive Benefit-in-Kind tax legislation is only accelerating this trend.

That is why today’s fleet operators have to address the concept of mobility, and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), as it is often referred, simply adds a new dynamic to the smooth, efficient operation of business travel. Bynx, as a leading fleet software and MaaS provider, believes that company assets such as vehicles, and particularly commercial vehicles, should be more accurately budgeted and charged for, based on actual usage, rather than traditional leasing methods.

Collaboration with third-party service providers is key for fleets to capture this wave of change within the industry...

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...And this is where Bynx comes in. Throughout this period of change, fleets will still need to be funded and managed, so Bynx provides the financial engine and platform to manage every asset of the fleet life cycle – from procurement to remarketing and everything in between.

Automating fleet compliance is a huge benefit for fleet operators, while Bynx’s data analytics and reporting for vehicles, drivers and customers across the board, helps create true control over total cost of ownership and smart decisionmaking. Control is important too for the next generation of ‘self-service’ employees – who can select a vehicle via smartphone, for example – and Bynx fully supports, and integrates with, the accelerating use of technology.

Find out why Bynx is the future of fleet mobility... t 01789 471600 e sales@bynx.com w bynx.com

SWOT Peugeot 508 Our expert panel analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing Peugeot's sportier new 508 fastback.

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

GA 508 takes Peugeot to the next level in this challenging sector. Styling and technology are drastically improved.

GA Historically Peugeot has not been particularly strong in this sector. There are competitive alternatives, both from the volume and premium brands.

GA 508 is an alternative to the usual core choices and works well on paper thanks to keen pricing. Economy is on par with the best non-hybrid competitors.

GA The brand needs to work hard to get ‘bums on seats’ and bring 508 to the forefront of ‘users’ minds’.

AC As a French D-segment saloon, the 508 is going to be a tough sell up against the traditional bread-and-butter German company cars that make up a high proportion of sales to reps and middle management. Historically the brand has not performed well in this segment, so it will be difficult even though the car itself is very worthy.

AC Opportunities are limited by Peugeot's lack of strength in this segment. But the excellent 3008 and 5008 SUVs mean the brand is held in better regard than it was. You have to start with a good product, and this is a good product.

AC All this has in common with the outgoing model is the name and segment it competes in.

The 2.0-litre diesel and eightspeed automatic gearbox are smooth and punchy, it’s quiet and the interior is up with the German brands on fit, feel and execution.

MJ Coupé-styled 508 has great looks without the expense of versatility, as the load space is large and accessible. Interior design is a PSA priority, and is distinctly different – GT Line gets a large touchscreen with switchgear for key functions.

MW The 508 really is all-new and looks the business. The interior is superb, and quality is up to a very high standard.

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MJ Some adults may find rear head room restricted. Not everyone loves the small steering wheel.

MW It will carry some baggage from the previous model. A shame, but that’s the way some people’s minds work.

MJ Good equipment levels, competitive emissions and economy mean low whole-life costs. The sector may have shrunk, but a strong proposition should bring good results.

MW 508 is a massive improvement. If it can overcome the name’s chequered history, then it could find new customers seeking a good-looking car with lots of French style.

AC This segment is everdecreasing as more people opt for SUVs, and increased Benefitin-Kind costs for diesel cars aren’t helping. This might force people into alternatives – alternatives without range anxiety, particularly PHEVs PHEVs. MJ The previous 508 was low volume, so there is a limited opportunity to target existing drivers, and SUVs are also a threat. But PSA has realistic goals, and alternatives with the 3008 and 5008 SUVs. Has it regained its past kudos? It is certainly getting there.

MW SUVs are a threat, and so are the German brands, who will not let others take over without a fight.

Martin Ward (MW) Manufacturer relationship manager, CAP

PEUGEOT 508 GT-LINE

Gavin Amos (GA) Global valuation director Global Analytic Services

Strengths GA Competitive on paper.

AC Builds on the excellent 3008 and 5008 SUVs. MJ Good whole-life costs.

MW Superb interior. Looks good.

Strengths

Volkswagen Arteon 2.0 TDI 150 R-Line DSG

Weaknesses GA Premium pricing.

AC Top-end pricing.

MJ Pricing close to A5 Sportback. Some hard plastics. Low awareness.

MW An unknown quantity. Is it a big Passat, or a small A8?

Strengths GA Competitively priced. Familiar product.

AC Very practical.

MJ Comfortable, well-equipped long-distance cruiser.

MW Short supply means strong used demand.

OTR: £35,690 P11D: £35,430 Fuel: 62.8mpg* CO2: 116g/km* RV*: £11,225 (32%) BiK: 28% SMR: £2,818 Fuel costs: £5,837 Insurance: £3,561 Finance: £4,783 NI: £4,449 VED: £485 Cost per month: £1,283

GA Not the cleanest.

AC High CO2 levels, not the best drive.

MJ Vignale not truly established. Not the newest.

MW Many still prefer a premium brand.

Strengths

Lexus IS 300h Sport

GA Hybrid benefits appeal to some.

AC Lowest BiK costs. Premium badge.

MJ BiK champion here, low CO2 emissions and bold looks.

MW Petrol power is now a big strength in fleet.

Weaknesses GA Tough premium competition.

AC Low spec level. Showing its age.

MJ Low awareness. Gearbox is unengaging.

MW Treated with caution from buyers.

Standard equipment: • DAB, BT, USB • Front/rear parking sensors, reversing camera • Heated seats • Dual-zone climate control • Sat nav with 10-inch screen • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto • LED headlights • Keyless entry and start Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £575 • Adaptive cruise control £400

Standard equipment: • DAB, BT, USB, aux, CD, SD • Adaptive cruise control • Front/rear parking sensors • Heated leather seats • Three-zone climate control • Sat nav with 8.0-inch screen • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto • LED headlights • Keyless start Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £595

Ford Mondeo Vignale 2.0 TDCi 180 PowerShift OTR: £30,445 P11D: £29,875 Fuel: 54.3mpg CO2: 138g/km RV*: £9,700 (32%) BiK: 32% SMR: £2,607 Fuel costs: £6,750 Insurance: £4,506 Finance: £4,033 NI: £4,246 VED: £795 Cost per month: £1,199

Weaknesses

LEXUS IS 300H SPORT

Peugeot 508 GT-Line 1.5 BlueHDI 160 EAT8

GA Plenty of competitive rivals, including premium brands.

AC French saloons are a tough sell next to the Germans.

MJ Some may find the rear headroom restrictive.

MW Links to the old 508.

GA Stylish. Badge appeal.

AC Stylish, better CO2 levels.

MJ Coupé styling, especially R-Line trim. Versatile and well-equipped.

MW Lots of technology. Great to drive.

FORD MONDEO VIGNALE

Andy Cutler (AC) UK car editor, Forecast Values Glass’s

OTR: £31,089 P11D: £30,829 Fuel: 62.8mpg CO2: 120g/km RV*: £11,100 (36%) BiK: 29% SMR: £2,560 Fuel costs: £5,837 Insurance: £4,653 Finance: £4,162 NI: £3,999 VED: £485 Cost per month: £1,152

Weaknesses

VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON R-LINE

Mark Jowsey (MJ) Director, KeeResources KWIKcarcost

OTR: £34,000 P11D: £33,810 Fuel: 65.7mpg CO2: 109g/km RV*: £12,725 (38%) BiK: 22% SMR: £2,556 Fuel costs: £5,810 Insurance: £4,266 Finance: £4,564 NI: £3,406 VED: £395 Cost per month: £1,170

Standard equipment: • DAB, BT, USB, CD • F/R sensors, reversing camera • Heated leather seats • Dual-zone climate control • Sat nav 8.0-inch screen • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto • LED headlights • Keyless entry and start Optional equipment: • Premium paint £280 • Adaptive cruise control £450

Standard equipment: • DAB, BT, USB, aux • Adaptive cruise control • F/R sensors, reversing camera • Heated seats • Dual-zone climate control • Sat nav with 7.0-inch screen • NO ACP/AA • LED headlights • Keyless entry and start Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £625

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CONNECTED CARS

TO CONNECT & SERVE FROM APP-BASED ‘DIGITAL KEYS’ TO BUILT-IN TELEMATICS HARDWARE, AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, HIGH-SPEED DATA CONNECTIONS ARE UNLOCKING NEW SERVICES FOR FLEETS. ALEX GRANT FINDS OUT WHAT’S AVAILABLE TODAY, AND WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON...

BMW All BMWs include a 4G SIM card and eCall, including telematics and app or web portal control of locking, charging and ventilation, and status and location checks active for life. Drivers can also upload routes and download previous journey data, but there is no option to integrate with third-party management software. Concierge services (via a call centre) are a £70 option, and tracking is separate. Digital keys arrive with the new 3 Series, X5 and 8 Series.

FCA Mopar Connect, a telematics box which can be retrofitted, is optional on all Fiat cars and vans, Alfa Romeos, the Jeep Renegade, Compass and Cherokee and the Abarth 595. It offers app-based checks of vehicle status and location, with the ability to add eCall and theft monitoring, as a yearly subscription. FCA is also launching multi-vehicle Mopar Connect Fleet management in Q4 2018.

FCA’s Mopar Connect offers app-based checks of vehicle location and status.

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AUDI From the A4 upwards, all Audis can be equipped with a data SIM. This enables eCall and remote checks of location, fuel levels, and theft notifications via the MyAudi app and web portal, as well as the ability to upload navigation routes and RSS news feeds to the car.

Multiple vehicles can be added to one MyAudi account, but a fleet portal is under development.

BMW includes a 4G SIM across the range

FORD The new Focus introduces the FordPass Connect modem, with two years of live infotainment features, plus health, status and location checks with remote starting via an app which can manage multiple vehicles. A fleet-targeted service will launch early next year, with Ford offering its own management portal or enabling businesses to integrate vehicle data into third-party software. Commercial vehicles will get this first, but passenger cars will follow and there will be a retro-fit option.

HONDA The new CR-V will be Honda’s first model with eCall, but a £255 diagnostic port dongle is also available to retro-fit features to older cars, with a three-year subscription. This enables drivers to download journey information and health checks, book servicing, monitor its location and access emergency assistance services.

HYUNDAI Hyundai’s BlueLink system, which offers emergency assistance, vehicle checks and remote control of selected functions, is not available in Europe yet. Connected navigation is available on most models.

INFINITI A data connection is standard on the Q30, QX30, Q50 and Q60, with remote health checks, assistance and (on the Q50 and Q60) control of vehicle functions. Tracking and immobilisation is £11.49 per month.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER A data connection and eCall are included range-wide, active for at least the warranty period of the vehicle, if not for life. The InControl Remote smartphone app can access vehicle health data, previous journeys, and enables drivers to send routes to the navigation, and it works with multiple vehicles – though this isn’t aimed at fleets. It can also unlock the car and start the engine, but does not permit it to be driven away. >>

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CONNECTED CARS

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Daimler has a fleet management suite, compatible with other marques via a dongle

which can recommend and book hotels, restaurants and events, and order gifts.

This data connection (which can be retrofitted) can also be integrated with third party software and Daimler’s own Connect Business fleet management suite, which adds driver behaviour monitoring and the ability for operators to send messages to the car. Digital key capability was introduced with the AClass, but doesn’t offer the ability to drive away yet.

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KIA Kia offers live traffic, weather and speed camera data for all vehicles with navigation, but no eCall or other connected services yet.

MAZDA Live traffic is included for three months, and Mazda offers media functions utilising a smartphone data connection.

MERCEDES-BENZ Since 2014, all Mercedes-Benz cars have eCall and a data connection. This underpins the ability to check the location and health of the car, download journey data and control selected features, via the Mercedes Me smartphone app and web portal. Selected models also offer app-controlled parking with nobody at the wheel, the ability to send and receive data from other cars and the road network, and a concierge service,

MINI A lifetime data connection is included range-wide, and so is eCall. But the 4G upgrade, with app-based vehicle access, health checks, ventilation and the ability to send route data to the car, is only standard on the Clubman and Countryman (optional elsewhere). MINI also offers a concierge service as part of the Navigation Plus package.

MITSUBISHI Mitsubishi doesn’t offer a data connection, but will benefit from the wider Alliance agreement with Google, with the first cars getting Android operating systems and apps from 2021. >>

ENABLING FLEXIBLE LEASING Aside from the benefits of better visibility over asset use, Daniel Layne, founder and CTO of Quotevine, believes connected cars could re-shape the way fleets are funded.

And, as acceptance of ‘car-as-a-service’ grows, finance companies will need to adapt quickly, he says. “[Connected cars] will provide a big opportunity, enabling lessors to use real-time vehicle and driver data to offer customers more refined packages suited to their driving habits, usage and budgets,” he explains.

“The future will see fleet leasing businesses assume more of a proactive advisory role, using the right mix of data to counsel enterprise customers on how to best optimise vehicle usage. Real-time visibility will be key, giving fleet managers visualisation dashboards and real-time notifications of driver behaviour, vehicle usage and maintenance requirements.”

“Customers will expect lessors to be responsive – if their situation changes, they don’t expect to be slapped with an early termination charge, but served new relevant options that fit their new circumstances. Regulation in this area regularly refers to treating the customer ‘fairly’. I’d argue that this won’t be enough in future – lessors need to show that they are treating both fleet and retail customers with excellence.”

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When you need to see what’s going on in the field at any moment in the day, you need Verizon Connect.

Our solutions give you total visibility in real time, so you don’t have to be somewhere to know what’s going on there.

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CONNECTED CARS

>>

NISSAN The Leaf and e-NV200 electric van are both compatible with NissanConnect EV, which offers remote monitoring of range and charging, and the ability to download previous journeys and energy data for multiple cars.

PEUGEOT, CITROËN AND DS DS will spearhead PSA Group’s connected features, but it’s adding eCall and the associated data connection as vehicles are refreshed or replaced. This will enable them to integrate with PSA’s multi-marque Free2Move Connect Fleet management software, or third-party systems, providing data directly from the vehicle’s CAN bus. Drivers can also download data via smartphone apps.

TOYOTA & LEXUS Connected navigation is standard in most Lexus and Toyota models. The Lexus ES gets eCall from January, to be rolled out to other models afterwards.

VAUXHALL PSA is phasing out the European arm of GM’s OnStar service, aiming to closing it down altogether at the end of 2020. This offers a suite of driver and fleet-targeted remote control, status and location, and telematics features, and a concierge service based out of Luton. A replacement, PSA-owned system will launch with the new Corsa next year, with details yet to be announced. >>

GM's European OnStar service will cease at the end of 2020

RENAULT Vehicles equipped with the R-Link infotainment system can download additional apps and updates for three years.

Renault also offers a concierge service in France, but not in the UK yet.

SEAT The Leon and Ateca, if fitted with navigation, feature an on-board data connection with WiFi, which also means drivers can interact with their Alexa device. Vehicle status can be downloaded via the Seat DriveApp. >>

SUZUKI Connectivity is coming, but Suzuki does not offer this on any models yet.

TESLA Tesla introduced a new ‘Premium Connectivity’ pack for new orders this summer, which unlocks the full suite of mobile data functions. This includes a mobile app for status and location checks, climate control settings and digital key functionality, with the ability to drive the car away, as well as overthe-air updates without relying on WiFi. Tesla claims 90% of problems can be diagnosed remotely, and they can usually be fixed over the air too.

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Volvo is developing a multivehicle fleet management solution, building on On Call connectivity

VOLKSWAGEN Car-Net is available on everything except the Up, including connected navigation functions with fuel prices, parking and EV charging information, as well as remote status checks. A larger suite of features, including location checking and geofencing, driving data and remote control of selected functions, as well as eCall, is also available. Cars built since 2008 can add some of that smartphone-controlled functionality via the Volkswagen Connect Box, which plugs into the diagnostic port. Volkswagen We, a ‘digital ecosystem’ of services for owners, is being extended and will be compatible with both systems.

VOLVO Volvo On Call is optional on the V40 and standard on all other models, with a three year subscription from new.

This includes eCall, and a smartphone app which enables drivers to unlock the car, control climate and other functions, send routes to the navigation, and download trip data and fuel use from the last 100 days. The app can work with multiple cars, but there’s a dedicated fleet management solution in the pipeline. Volvo is also working on digital keys – enabling car sharing – and an in-car delivery service developed with Amazon.

More than just vehicle tracking...

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DRIVER TRAINING

Following our eco driver training, we managed an mpg improvement of 12% in the MG3.

SAVING TIME DRIVER TRAINING CAN SAVE FLEETS A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM VERY LITTLE EFFORT, FINDS JONATHAN MUSK, WHO EMBARKS ON IAM ROADSMART’S ECO DRIVING COURSE.

SAVING MONEY veryone wants to save money and everyone wants to save time.

However, we tend not to want these to be at the expense of the way we’ve become accustomed. For instance, new cars offering fuel savings over their predecessor are, in all likelihood, only going to save pence if anything. Engines may be more efficient, but the outlay is considerable, and the car may be heavier, which can offset engine efficiency.

Downsizing is one option; driving around in a smaller and therefore lighter car is likely to reduce fuel bills, unless you’re

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opting for something lower than onemetre tall and with racing stripes.

Fleets can reach the holy grail of driving the cars they want while still saving time and money, however, by simply adopting eco safe driving techniques.

Taking a few hours out of our day to spend with Richard Gladman, one of IAM RoadSmart’s many driving instructors, the aim is for my colleague and I to drive a car as we normally would, while Richard observes our driving technique and style. Following feedback, the plan is to drive the same route a second time,

only this time around applying any new techniques learnt.

Richard’s background as an advanced and highly trained police driver reassures me he knows what he’s doing behind the wheel. As for the car, a fresh from the factory MG3 with 1.5-litre petrol and manual five-speed gearbox awaits.

IAM RoadSmart provides dedicated fixedfee eco driver training for £40 per driver, thanks to current government subsidies and up to five drivers per day. On average, drivers achieve a 12% mpg improvement on the day, and 6.2% long term.

ECODRIVING TECHNIQUES

FIRST DRIVE Behind the wheel of the MG3 for the first time, we’re given a briefing and we set off.

Naturally, no two runs will be the same, but the route is a variety of urban and country driving, with a small portion of dual carriageway. Our fuel consumption averages are 38.5 and 46mpg, while average speed was 24mph and 25mph respectively.

FEEDBACK While one of us clearly has some room for improvement, the aim of driver training isn’t to castigate bad driving practices but instead to improve them. We’re given pointers, such as to use block changing rather than sequentially going up and down each gear. And, when up to speed or slowing for traffic ahead, keeping in gear but backing off the throttle is more efficient. “There’s no point hurrying to wait”, says Richard. The advice is fairly obvious, but uneconomical habits can quickly creep in, with my colleague admitting to switching into neutral early when slowing to a halt – effectively idling the engine, which therefore requires fuel to keep it in that state, rather than using the fuel cut off if it had still been in gear.

The big lesson is in observation, however, as this is the single most important aspect of driving. You’re not just driving your car, but anticipating others on the road as well.

SECOND DRIVE Keen to impress and applying our individual feedback, the determination to improve fuel economy was strong.

Naturally, the temptation is to drive slower but in practice that’s not necessarily possible. Block changing gears is an acquired skill and is best practiced in a vehicle already known to the driver but it clearly saves fuel as the results below

demonstrate. In both cases, before hearing the results we felt our second runs would be worse than the first and slower too, as traffic was heavier. We were wrong.

THE RESULTS Without ever mentioning the word safety, eco driver training will improve safety and consequently save fleets. This isn’t about re-learning how to drive either, or driving unsafely in the name of fuel economy. It’s instead about learning new techniques, changing bad habits and ultimately making considerable long term savings.

If all drivers across a fleet employ eco safe driving techniques, they’d not only save fuel and time, but are also less likely to have an incident. The Carlsberg case study (see boxout) highlights this, as do countless other examples. It can also reduce their involvement in blameworthy accidents and improve involvement in non blame-worthy accidents by around 20%.

So, how did we do? My colleague’s 38.5mpg at an average speed of 24mph improved to 44mpg at an average of 26mph, while my 46mpg improved to 50.6mpg at 25mph average each time.

During our urban drive, we even managed to improve on the MG3’s official NEDC figures of 38.9mpg (urban) and 47.1mpg (combined).

Figures wise, this calculates to some significant savings. At 12,000 miles per year our figures equate to fuel savings of between £140 and £230 when compared to our first drive results.

Clearly, driving faster doesn’t save time, it’s driving more carefully that does and it’ll save your fleet money too. However, we’ll be putting that to the test as we put our techniques where our mouths are at the annual MPG Marathon.

Six steps to reducing fuel usage 1 • Drive smoothly Be observant of other road users and potential hazards, by looking as far ahead as possible.

2 • Keep your distance Clear vision is made easier if you’re not three centimetres behind the car in front. This also reduces risk of accidents.

3 • Step off the accelerator Remain in gear, but take your foot off the accelerator as early as possibleto benefit from the fuel cut-off switch, thus reducing consumption.

4 • Shift up early When accelerating, change into higher gears early. The higher the gear, the lower the engine revs at a given speed.

5 • Avoid excessive speed You can’t escape the laws of physics: acceleration costs and it will always take more energy to accelerate rapidly than slowly. Similarly, travelling at 70mph creates almost double the air resistance compared to travelling at 60mph.

6 • Uncommon sense Remove unnecessary clutter (and therefore weight) from the car, as well as roof racks and bike carriers that aren’t in use.

CASE STUDY CARLSBERG Covering some 8.5 million miles each year while delivering to around 13,000 accounts each week, Carlsberg wanted to reduce fuel cost and emissions associated with its 296-strong fleet, which it had identified as being a major contributor of the company’s overall emissions.

Three key points were identified as having room for improvement including vehicle choice, mileage management and driver performance.

To address each of these, Carlsberg installed Microlise telematics systems to monitor driver’s daily performance and provide an overall efficiency rating. Drivers were then provided with feedback on their driving and how they might improve, including reducing over-revving, harsh braking and speeding, as well as eliminate unnecessary idling.

The results are clear: In five years (2011-2016), Carlsberg saved more than half a million litres of fuel and more than half a million pounds.

Furthermore, the company reduced their loss ratio from 68 to 51%, which aided in the reduction of their insurance premiums.

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FACE TO FACE

Making it Easy In a challenging UK market, Seat’s focus on wider appeal and straightforward interactions is reaping rewards, according to head of fleet Peter McDonald. By Alex Grant.

eat, it seems, has found its place in the Volkswagen Group. Having struggled for its own identity at times, not helped by an often-inconsistent model range, it’s focused on growth areas of the market and has the freedom to do things its own way. This push to be in the ‘centre of the room’, as global president Luca De Meo calls it, has had a marked effect; record sales worldwide, and not only in expanding markets. It’s a brand on a roll.

So much so, that it’s weathering a UK market mired by faltering exchange rates, uncertainty about diesel and rising company car tax. Seat’s sales are booming; following a record 2017, the company recorded a 22% year-on-year rise during the first half of this year, to 35,896 units, and fleet has become a core component. In a market down 7%, Seat was up 27% at 20,595 units, driven by a surge in ‘true fleet’ volume. It’s now a top10 ‘true fleet’ brand, with a 45% year-onyear uplift to the end of June (10,987 units), and a 4% market share.

For head of fleet and business sales, Peter McDonald, there’s been a massive shift since he took the role in 2013: “Over about a five-year span we will have tripled the volume in true fleet,” he says.

“I think what makes us really relevant, in fleet, is we spent a lot of time developing end-user relationships. And, as we have more products available, we’re only more relevant to those business partners because we can service all their requirements.”

Still the backbone of its fleet offer, the catalyst was the latest Leon. Launched in 2013, this gave Seat a more credible hatchback and its first C-segment estate, which began broadening its appeal into fleet-relevant sectors. Slow sellers such as the Altea and Exeo have gone, and stylish SUVs have taken their place. It’s a brand focused on in-demand segments rather than filling every niche – choice is valuable, but there are no plans to over-diversify.

“The renaissance is the breadth we can offer, and these cars have been in very

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attractive segments of the market, for fleet in particular,” adds McDonald. “A decade ago you would have been remiss to say you didn’t have a Mondeo or Passatsized car. That’s been declining in the non-premium part [of the market], so the fact that we don’t have one hasn’t been a challenge. But having an SUV is perfect.

It’s broadening the range but with the right products.”

While the range is growing, the infrastructure behind it has reached maturity. The fleet team – a mix of new and long-serving members – is as McDonald wants it, and the dealer network has equally established programmes in place to serve operators of all sizes. Around 25 dealers are set up to

prospect and manage in-life relationships with small local fleets, while the ‘Fleet Excellence’ programme launched 18 months ago enables Seat to support dealers targeting larger customers.

So the mix has changed with it. While short-cycle volume has gone through a controlled reduction of around 30% per year, Seat has had the components in place to grow in every ‘true fleet’ channel.

Corporate orders are up 83% year on year, it’s growing its relationships with noncaptive leasing companies, and maximising the small car opportunities with salary sacrifice and public sector fleets. McDonald says the aim is to stay in the top 10 by the end of the year.

Just as significant, though, is Seat’s unique approach to market. Spotting an industry-wide problem that it is often difficult for company car drivers to access products, McDonald introduced a fourday test drive programme with the Ateca

last year, before rolling it out across the range a few months later. Booked via phone or the company’s fleet website, this now offers access to 200 test cars delivered to home or work, and racking up around 2,000 bookings per year. Not only does it offer a varied experience of the car, but it’s proved more efficient for all involved.

“A number of our major fleet customers now offer this to their staff through some sort of intranet. Rather than having someone administering test drives, the corporate can empower the staff member to make the call,” says McDonald. “The feedback has been very strong.

“The next step in the programme – because these are unaccompanied – is helping the customer have the best experience possible. We are in the process of putting some collateral, such as a tablet, in the car as a reference. We’ve been giving [drivers] the car, but not giving a lot to help [them] test it to its potential, so that’s the next step in that space.”

There’s more to come. Earlier this summer, Seat bundled the most popular equipment into six fixed trim levels, removing options and offering metallic and bi-colour paint at no extra cost to simplify the order process. It’s also looking at new ways to offer an effective handover process when the cars are delivered, giving drivers a clear view of the technology at their disposal. The hope is that the process, end-to-end, is as straightforward as possible, and for Seat to find its place with operators as much as it has within the Volkswagen Group.

“We have a real desire to make life for the customer easy,” says McDonald. “We want to make it really easy to transact from us, we want to make the test drive great, and the third thing is around making the first experience of the product when they take delivery better.

It’s recognising that many of our fleet customers get that experience off-site – it’s not done at a dealership. That’s the direction of travel.”

Over a five year span we will have tripled our volumes in true fleet DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY...

The right segments: Leon is by far Seat’s biggest-selling true fleet car, but its SUV line-up has helped raise awareness and drive volume. Ateca launched in 2016, catering for upsizing Leon customers and those coming out of the D-segment, while Arona launched late last year alongside the platformshared Ibiza supermini. The sevenseat Tarraco completes the range in 2019, aimed at user-choosers and with demand expected to be weighted towards the top trim level.

Easy ordering: Launched with the Arona, but now rolled out to the rest of the range, Easy Move is a three-stage ordering process unique to Seat. Drivers choose an engine, one of six trim levels, and metallic and bi-colour paint is a no-cost option. It’s aimed at maximising residual values, reducing confusion for buyers, and simplifying ordering under the WLTP regime – where some add-ons will affect CO2 emissions and tax bands.

New technology:

SUMMARY AIN plug-in hybrid Leon with a 31-mile electric range is due in 2020, with a “competitively priced” 310-mile electric car to follow. In the meantime, Seat is positioning itself as a technology pioneer; it’s rolling out Amazon Alexa assistance in the Leon and Ateca, digital instruments in the Arona and Ibiza, and tests are underway with smartphone-access car sharing in Barcelona.

fleetworld.co.uk • 051

Fleet Software

Don't just be compliant... prove it

An end to traditional fleet data entry

From IFRS16 and 9, to environmental legislation, Health & Safety and data protection, compliance is an increasingly important aspect for the fleet sector to get to grips with.

But being compliant is one thing, companies also need to prove it.

Compliance issues have an effect on the day-to-day operation and running of fleets. It also influences corporate governance and reporting, which is why it’s crucial to focus on data capture, plus ensuring completeness and consistency. The technology platform fleets use for this must provide flawless business rules management for maintaining governance; and helping turn this overhead into a business benefit.

Challenges concerned with documenting completed processes and maintaining a full audit trail remain, but this will be compounded by management of the touchpoints between all parties involved in fleet transactions in the future. Take the new WLTP measures, for example, which are being introduced to identify final values applicable to new registrations. This process will involve multiple steps and multiple stakeholders.

As a fleet management platform provider, our job is helping customers manage this risk on a global basis, especially as we treat market driven legal, fiscal and compliance-based enhancements as a priority. www.bynx.com

Fleet management software can eliminate most manual data entry tasks and other time-consuming back office administrative processes. The software stores information digitally and can then automate the transfer of data between integrated systems, as well as generating alerts on tasks that need actioning.

Chevin’s FleetWave software has the largest range of integrations available on the market. Having an open API enables it to integrate with vehicle specifications databases, transactions from fuel cards, report on fault codes and update odometer readings from telematics, pull costs from leasing providers and much more. Fleet managers can view all fleet information across one central platform, gaining visibility of all costs and performance.

A dedicated app, FleetWave Forms, permits drivers to capture data from the field, meaning an end to completing paper-based forms. It can remove the need to manually key in data, store paper receipts or use spreadsheets. FleetWave Forms can also capture images from accidents or for defect reporting processes and has geo-position capabilities to meet with compliance regulations.

Signatures for approval procedures, barcode scanning for stock management and of course text input fiends can be captured too. Problems such as illegible handwriting, missing or incomplete paperwork, s and the need for paper filing are all removed. www.chevinfleet.com

EVERYTHING FLEETS NEED TO KNOW W KNOW TO KNO NEED G FLEET NEEDS TO EVERYTHINETS RY HING FLE VERYT EV EVE E

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Our panel of leading suppliers helps you get the most out of your fleet...

Cutting-edge software systems critical to fleet decision-making

Using Total Cost of Ownership to optimise vehicle selection

Ensuring that fleet management software systems are at the cutting-edge of best driver & vehicle practices is critical for companies using vehicles for business purposes.

It is common practice for fleets to work with best-in-breed suppliers for individual fleet services, making a lot of sense from both a cost & quality of service perspective.

The challenge with having multiple suppliers is all management information can be fragmented. Customers typically use best-inbreed systems such as Jaama’s Key2 to collect appropriate data from individual suppliers & combine it into meaningful information giving a holistic picture of what is going on with their entire fleet of vehicles & drivers.

E.g. Jaama’s Key2 advanced driver risk profiling validates driving licences with the DVLA but Jaama recognise that there is more to understanding driver behaviour than just licence endorsements.

Key2 takes in data from accident management companies, fuel transactions, maintenance suppliers & telematics providers which combine to provide a holistic view of each driver and their driving behaviour.

MD Martin Evans said: “Much can be achieved with data to enable fleet managers to make informed decisions by understanding driver behaviour along with vehicle performance & utilisation. It is vital businesses have in place systems that take vehicle & driver information, digest it & produce meaningful strategic information. www.jaama.co.uk

According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), only 32% of companies offering company cars use Whole Life Cost (WLC) or Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculations to determine the true lifetime cost of the vehicles they select to add to their fleets. The reason is that most Small Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) find it prohibitively expensive to buy the annual fleet management software licenses they need to gain access to comprehensive TCO calculations.

ODO’s new TCO calculator changes that. For a highly-affordable monthly subscription our TCO calculator is able to factor in a vehicle’s total financing costs; maintenance costs (including tyre replacement); insurance and anticipated fuel usage.

The ODO TCO calculator also builds in the tax implications of new vehicle selections including true bottom-line cost due to Blocked VAT, Corporation Tax Relief etc. ODO has partnered with Cap hpi to give you access to the market’s most accurate and up-to-date used vehicles valuations when the time is right to offload fleet vehicles.

One estimate by Deloitte Consulting puts savings per vehicle across a typical three-year life of a company car at up to £1,200 if managers can make fleet vehicle selections based on accurate TCO estimates. That could amount to more than a £5,000 saving each year for SMB fleets of just 13 vehicles. Which SMB fleet manager plans to leave that kind of money on the table in 2019? www.ododrive.com

Need to keep an eye on your Assets? Send in the Ogre.

Digital transformation remains an illusion for the vehicle hire industry as the present offerings deliver only an element or two of the jigsaw leaving hire companies to manage multiple systems and constantly knit data together.

Ogre is an integrated business solution for vehicle hire companies.

Ogre encompasses sales, purchase, rental, leasing and service management with a technology framework rooted in mobility, telematics, social commerce and analytics.

Running on Cloud based Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform Ogre transforms business processes and helps you to truly HIT REFRESH and stay ahead. The solution keeps a constant eye on your assets, empowers the business and helps achieve the enterprise vision through internal and external collaboration.

Imagine a business solution that you can access anywhere, that is always up to date and gives you streamlined processes, actionable intelligence and decision-making capability across your business whether it is sales, procurement, contract hire, flexi hire, asset maintenance, asset disposal or finance. By empowering each business role and embedding analytics in processes, Ogre makes transparency and speedy data driven decision-making an integral part of your organisation DNA allowing your business to deliver exceptional customer service while growing revenue and margins.

Take control today and send in the Ogre. www.ogre365.co.uk // hello@ogre365.co.uk 0333 9390189

From fleet management to multi-modal mobility services.

Suppliers of fleet management services can play a broader role beyond leasing or asset financing, says Sofico. The contracted vehicle usage (the finance/leasing perspective) can be linked to user centric, value-added mobility and connected car services by means of digital self-serve channels to create an end-to-end online customer journey. This allows for a broader and more complex supply chain of multi-modal mobility services.

To support this evolution from a systems point of view, we expanded our Miles product with a cloud-native micro-services architecture and decision support framework, dubbed Miles.next.

This turns our existing Miles Core ERP application into a hybrid solution platform that can cover both automotive and multimodal mobility; integrate seamlessly with other systems (through APIs in the cloud); provide high available web and mobile front ends and connect third party apps, services and platforms.

Miles.next’s cloud-native micro-services architecture enables modular feature delivery, 24/7 availability and elastic on-demand scalability. Its real-time data integration paves the way for predictive analytics and smart contracts.

This puts our customers in a position to embrace the future and explore new business opportunities as true mobility aggregators with a strong focus on integration, customer self-serve and straight through processes. www.sofico.global

fleetworld.co.uk • 053

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ADVICE

Keeping it clean Matt Dale, Head of Consultancy at ALD Automotive UK examines the potential challenges of clean air zones faced by fleet managers... hey’re coming, but few people can offer clarity on their practical impact….Do fleet decision makers know what a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will mean to their business? As with every new government policy, the CAZ debate is a controversial topic that brings emotive debate amongst residents, businesses and commuters.

The confusion comes from the uncertainty as to the CAZ parameters within the 6 identified cites (Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby, Southampton and London) and their charges that will come into play over the coming years. Rather than a centralised approach, the government has given local authorities control over decision making. The aim of this is to ensure the participant cities have the option of providing action plans that are tailored to suit their individual needs; but this in turn leads to administration chaos as there is unlikely to be a unified national charging structure.

Given the regularity of three and four year fleet lease agreements, the CAZ plans should be at the forefront of the fleet decision making process today when setting out your fleet policy. For example, a CAZ may be introduced with 18 months of your lease agreement remaining, leaving you with the option of operating an inefficient fleet or potential early exit fees.

Selecting the wrong range of vehicles could result in thousands of pounds of charges every year for a vehicle operating within the newly established zone. It may also add hours of additional administration for the manager of a large fleet as more time is required processing payments. Consideration is also necessary for the possibility of fines for non-payment or delay.

Vehicle emissions have never been more crucial and even a 5g/km increase could push you out of the ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) bracket and instead make you liable for the new emission penalty. As illustrated by the current Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) situation, manufacturers are working to clarify emissions outputs, giving fleet professionals and drivers greater confidence, but this is taking time! In tandem, the focus on emissions has seen the introduction of

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Contact ALD Automotive:

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a wider range of hybrid vehicles, with some being penalised from a Benefit in Kind perspective (brought about by the new WLTP results). One way to guarantee you won’t fall foul of emission regulations would be to explore pure electric options - an expected range of 150 miles has become common in the market whilst manufactures are aiming for the 300 mile mark. Kia, for example are launching their fully electric Niro towards the end of 2018 offering a potential range of up to 280 miles.

If you aren’t ready for fully electric yet, ALD Automotive’s PHEV trial has demonstrated the suitability of making an alternatively fueled vehicle part of your fleet. In partnership with Bristol City Council and the University of the West of England (UWE), we’ll be sharing our experiences and demonstrating our research findings at our Bristol CAZ event in November 2018. We’ll also be discussing the introduction of a potential CAZ in a major city and how it will affect drivers and businesses. Industry experts will be in attendance to answer your questions around infrastructure, whilst manufacturers will provide insight to their upcoming model releases.

The future is just around the corner, and we’re committed to helping you. You’ll leave our event with the confidence to embrace clean air zones. Join us on the 6th November in Bristol for our CAZ event, register your attendance at alduk.events/caz and to find out more.

e contactus@aldautomotive.com

Vehicle emissions have never been more crucial

w www.aldautomotive.co.uk

FLEET

MERCEDES-BENZ E220D 4MATIC AMG Line Estate P11d/BiK: £43,400 (33%) MPG/CO2: 53.3mpg / 142g/km Test MPG: 44.7mpg

WE have a slight issue with our Mercedes in the Kirk household – my wife really can’t get comfortable in it.

Every time we have a family outing she huffs and puffs as we set off about how she can’t get comfortable in the front passenger seat, no matter how many ways she adjusts it.

Strangely, when I took her out in an E-Class cabriolet we had in for a short-term test, she said the seats were very comfortable! Now the seats look the same in both cars (although the cabriolet has full leather compared to our man-made coverings); the only thing I can think of is that you seem to sit a little higher in our estate compared to the cabriolet.

Whatever the reason, it does raise an important

issue – I’m lucky in that I will keep this car for six months, but as a company car driver this could be our family car for four years. This highlights the importance of taking a thorough test drive before choosing your next car. While Mercedes-Benz’s 48-hour test drive programme has now finished, you can still book in a car through your local dealership – well worth doing.

For the time being, Mrs Kirk is going to have to learn to live with it – or perhaps I can convince her that I’ll travel alone and she can take the kids in her car on future family trips.

Elsewhere, a few longer journeys have helped on the fuel economy front – we’ve gone from an average of 38.7mpg to nearly 45mpg at the time of writing.

Julian Kirk

VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF P11d/BiK: £32,675.00 (13%) MPG/CO2: 4.9mi/kWh (NEDC) / 0g/km Test Economy: 4.3mi/kWh

IT’S been an eye-opening month in the e-Golf, as I’ve started to get adventurous, making journeys beyond its range.

The pinnacle was a 400-mile round trip down the M4 to Llanelli to watch some rugby (I know: I’m a walking cliché of Welshness). However, it wasn’t exactly smooth going, as the Ecotricity chargers at Membury services in

Wiltshire and Cardiff Gate were both out of action. This necessitated a diversion to a Holiday Inn in Swindon and a nervous 20-mile run to Sarn Park.

The lesson? The e-Golf can make longer trips, but the charging infrastructure is currently unreliable, so always have a back-up plan.

Craig Thomas

Polar charging point, just off the motorway, proved a useful backup

fleetworld.co.uk • 055

FLEET ALPHACITY BMW 320D ED Bookings/Utilisation: 8/58% Mileage: 22,180 Test MPG: 46.9mpg

I fly a lot and the airport run can be a manic affair. It’s a worry just remembering my passport, let alone arriving on time to park miles away, wait for a transfer bus, check in, go through security and lug my case half a mile to a packed plane. It’s thirsty work, but remember you can’t take your water with you, unless it’s less than 100ml. Therefore, anything to ease the pain is a welcome bonus. Arriving at the Heathrow Sofitel, it was a pleasure to stumble upon AlphaCity-only parking in the underground car park, a stone’s throw from T5. And, if your AlphaCity car happens to be electric (ours isn’t) then there’s charging on hand too.

There are numerous other sites similar to this dotted around nationwide. After all, AlphaCity is all about being more efficient, while also reducing costs compared to rental cars, personal cars and taxis.

And, as we say farewell to our faithful 320d ED, our business use has certainly benefited from significant savings. In addition to a recently launched and everimproving app that aids swift booking and cancellation, staff have become accustomed to organising themselves around

the AlphaCity calendar, using the car for business meetings country-wide. Just glancing at our latest monthly report, which is handily sent by email in an easy-to-follow Excel spreadsheet, the car has been in use 58% of core working hours. That’s a lot more than the regular car average of 94% parked, that’s driven to work or home and sits

motionless most its life. And of course, it ensures we’re all covered by business insurance and a fully serviced car.

The 320d is soon to be replaced by a Vauxhall Astra, following AlphaCity’s move in June earlier this year to offer a multi-marque service beyond the BMW Group.

Jonathan Musk

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA SPORTS TOURER SRi VX-Line Nav P11d/BiK: £26,710 (28%)* MPG/CO2: 51.4mpg/144g/km Test MPG: 36.6mpg

AMAZING how cold air can change your opinion of a car! For our Insignia Sport Tourer it came just at the right time, with a family holiday just round the corner. Freshly washed and valeted after a week with Vauxhall, giving power to the non-functioning air-con compressor – it was time to load a week’s worth of luggage and toys into the Insignia’s massive 560-litre boot.

It didn’t even break a sweat, so then, with my wife and two children in tow, I pointed its sculpted nose towards Wiltshire. Despite those attractive and large 18-inch wheels, I can report that the ride is still supple and along with the

056 • fleetworld.co.uk

auto box, supportive seats, impressive interior space and decent shove from the 168bhp diesel engine, this Vauxhall makes an excellent long-distance companion. In fact, over the week away it proved to be the perfect family wagon.

Since then, with darker autumn nights drawing in, I’ve become very impressed by the dynamic lighting of the optionally-fitted IntelliLux headlights, plus the extra warmth of the heated seats front and rear. Shame then, that as I write it’s back at Vauxhall for good – it will be missed by me and my family.

Martyn Collins

AUDI Q5 S LINE 2.0 TDI Quattro P11d/BiK: £41,555 (32%) MPG/CO2: 54.3mpg / 136g/km Test MPG: 39.8mpg

I’M not the first person to comment about the quality of an Audi interior, but the comfort and technological elements of the Q5 came into their own recently following a late-night arrival into Heathrow. Faced with a 70mile trip home, I hopped in, only to find the meet and greet driver clearly

wanted to challenge my flexibility (he must’ve been about 5ft). A quick press of the seat preset button and I was back on the road in comfort into some of the finest car seats I’ve ever sat in.

Not long left with KU18 LPJ and it will be sorely missed.

John Challen

MAZDA6 2.2D 150 SE-L Nav Turbo D (136HP) P11d/BiK: £25,535 (28%)* MPG/CO2: 67.3mpg / 107g/km* Test MPG: 50.7mpg

AFTER more than 14,500 miles and 12 months, the Mazda6 has been collected, replaced by the latest CX-3. The car’s return was just in time, as a recent update update suddenly made ours the ‘old model’. That said, it would take a real Mazda aficionado to tell the difference, as the facelift was more evolution than revolution.

Which is hardly surprising, as there is little wrong with the big Mazda. The company’s decision to opt for ‘rightsizing’ rather than downsizing, provides an unstressed 2.2-litre diesel engine offering bags of torque for relaxed longdistance cruising, though it also has the power to make remarkably rapid crosscountry progress.

The 6 is a big car, though perhaps not as huge as a Škoda Superb and there was never a need to move my seat forwards for rear seat passengers. While not a fan of booted saloons, the ability to drop the rear seats means that you can carry a surprising amount in the back. It has proven equally capable as a building materials hauler, a tip-trip carrier and a university removals van.

Though still a slightly left-field choice in its sector, the big 6 should certainly be on your list if you are looking for an economical five-seater with driver appeal.

Dan Gilkes

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN ALLSPACE P11d/BiK: £31,435 (28%) MPG/CO2: 56.5/131g/km Test MPG: 56mpg

THIS starts with a bang and unfortunately not the good sort.

Driving the M25 and while sat stationary in traffic, the car behind failed to stop smashing into the back of the car. Unavoidable.

Fortunately, nobody was hurt, which is testament to advancements in crash safety. The rear ender saw the curtain drawn on the 2001 Volkswagen Beetle that had been lovingly cherished its whole life. The Tiguan, on the other hand, suffered what looked like only a scratch with a small part of lower bumper falling off. Of course, deformation and flexibility in the rear bumper had masked the true damage. A month and a half later, ‘Tiggy’ is back on the road once again.

After six months driving the Tiguan I’m left in a quandary. If you follow politics, it’s everything we shouldn’t like; a large diesel SUV. Yet, it somehow manages to better its on-paper figures (official true NEDC figures reckon 56.5mpg combined) with relative ease and 62mpg+ is not uncommon without really trying.

My preconceptions were wrong and the Tiguan has proved itself time and again, and while I had anticipated an empty wallet from fuel bills, the opposite has been true.

Jonathan Musk

*Figures relate to the recently updated Mazda6 SE-L Nav 150PS Manual

fleetworld.co.uk • 057

FLEET

BMW 7 SERIES 740Le xDrive M Sport Auto P11d/BiK: 83,350 (16%) MPG/CO2: 97.4mpg/65g/km Test MPG: 42.0mpg

WITH a sumptuous interior, hundreds of gadgets and a highly capable plug-in hybrid powertrain, the 740Le is a car that genuinely impresses. Yet, it doesn’t even get a second glance on the road. I like that.

Driving is both rewarding and relaxing. This isn’t a car to be hurried, but it doesn’t mind the odd straight-line sprint and it does have ample oomph to shove its two-tonne weight thanks largely to electric torque. Plugging in gives a nominal 14 miles or so electric range, but it’s well worth doing as the car is at its serene best in EV mode. Consumption was reasonably impressive too, averaging around 41mpg during my couple of weeks with the car. And the petrol motor is easily more refined than the diesel version though not quite so at ease.

And then there’s ferrying; sadly not something I was able to enjoy much in my role as chauffeur, but I made certain all my (willing) passengers sat in the rear, to feedback on the full limo experience – huge legroom, especially thanks to the long wheelbase, a massage, some telly.

However, a lack of tables for work was one fair criticism from a particularly studious passenger.

The 7-Series has offered small insight into the world of luxury driving and it’s fair to say the BMW has impressed us at Fleet World with its bewildering array of buttons. Only on the last day with the car, did I discover the armrests are heated in addition to the seat. Bliss.

Jonathan Musk

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

EV CONTRACT HIRE, LEASING & FINANCE Lex Autolease

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

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

FLEET INSURANCE insureFLEET Tel: 0333 202 3133 www.insurefleet.com

FINAL REPORT FORD FIESTA 1.0 (125PS) EcoBoost Titanium P11d/BiK: £17,465 (22%) MPG/CO2: 60.1mpg / 106g/km Test MPG: 56.2mpg

SO here it is, our last report on the FW Fleet Fiesta. Back in May, Ford’s finest supermini joined our fleet, just in time for the veritable heatwave we enjoyed. Too hot? No problem, just pop on the super-efficient air-con. Too stuffy? Again, no problem. Simply open the giant (optional) glazed double sunroof to bring the outside in. Fantastic.

One thing we never quite got used to was the three-door configuration. It’s subjective of course, but in our opinion, it neither helps the looks, nor the everyday

058 • fleetworld.co.uk

practicality of an otherwise very practical car.

All cars have a big R&D budget but Ford’s global selling - and still best-selling car in the UK - Fiesta has clearly had each component given the fine-tooth comb treatment. And it shows - accomplished dynamics, a spirited 1.0-litre turbo engine and a decent case for downsizing, if you are so inclined. It also makes you realise why diesel is struggling when new petrol models, across the board and particularly in this Fiesta, are so good.

Luke Wikner

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

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

Jaama Tel: 0844 8484 333 www.licence2check.co.uk

SUPPLIER DIRECTORY CONTRACT HIRE, LEASING & FINANCE

DAILY RENTAL

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com

Nexus Vehicle Rental 0871 984 1947 www.nexusrental.co.uk

0845 2172 608 daysfleet.com ALD Automotive Tel: 0370 00 111 81 www.aldautomotive.co.uk

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

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

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

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

sgfleet Tel: 0845 154 0721 www.sgfleet.com

Maxxia 020 7520 9450 www.maxxia.co.uk

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

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

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

RISK MANAGEMENT

Sofico NV Tel: +3292018040 Tel: 01905 887884 www.bespokedrivertraining.com help@bespokedrivertraining.com

www.soficoservices.com

DriveTech (UK) Ltd Tel: 01256 610907 www.drivetech.co.uk

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

Tel: 01484 551060 www.virtualriskmanager.net

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

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

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

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

FLEET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

TH THE CE H ACNHGA EN G YE O UY RO B U S I N E S SS UR B U S I ND EDSEESREVREV E S NESS ESS DES ERVE BUSI OUR S GE Y CHAN THE

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

FLEET MANAGEMENT

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

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

Fleet Operations Ltd Tel: 0844 567 8000 www.fleetoperations.co.uk

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Fleet World magazine Sign Up today... www.fleetworldsubscriptions.co.uk

ODO Drive Tel: 01438 317731 www.ododrive.com

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

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

PVS Ltd Tel: 01278 550270 www.puddyvsolutions.co.uk

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

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

fuelGenie

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

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

Tel: 0345 371 2490 www.fuelgenie.co.uk

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

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

SMR

www.quartix.net Tel: 0870 013 6663

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

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

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

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

Tel: 0345 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk Telogis Tel: 0203 005 8805 www.telogis.co.uk

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

VEHICLE CCTV & SAFETY Parksafe Automotive Tel: 01773 746591 www.parksafeautomotive.com fleetworld.co.uk • 059

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