Fleet World September 2015 by Fleet World Group

September 2015

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

The new executive favourite? We drive Jaguar’s 5 Series challenger

Inside H2 preview NEW!

Ask the Experts Our panel answers your fleet conundrums

What will happen to RVs, fuel costs and leasing in the second half of 2015/16?

Friday 23rd October 2015 ArenaMK

Lex report Leasco’s research shows major changes to fleet role ahead

Mercedes GLC Ford Galaxy Volvo XC90

FLEETW RLD

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contents

04/09/2015 11:24 Page 1

September 2015

The potential forthcoming wireless superhighway.

FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet

XF S? NY CAR A P M O C

The new executive favourite? We drive Jaguar’s 5 Series challenger

Inside

Lex Autolease’s report into the evolving world of fleet.

H2 preview NEW! Ask the Experts Our panel answers your fleet conundrums

What will happen to RVs, fuel costs and leasing in the second half of 2015/16?

Lex report Leasco’s research shows major changes to fleet role ahead

Friday 23rd October 2015 ArenaMK

Mercedes GLC Ford Galaxy Volvo XC90

FLEETW RLD

vanfleetworldlive.co.uk fleetworld.co.uk

30 Day in the life... of Lerato Barrett of Skoda UK.

Publisher Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Steve Moody steve@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Deputy Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Features Editor Katie Beck katie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Fleet Consultant Ross Durkin ross@fleetworldgroup.co.uk VFW Editor Dan Gilkes dan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Director Anne Dopson anne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Executives Darren Brett darren@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Claire Warman claire@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

Mercedes-Benz storms into the lucrative small SUV market with the New GLC.

Circulation Manager Tracy Howell tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Head of Production Luke Wikner luke@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Designers Tina Ries tina@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

54 The fleet industry discusses the trends for H2 2015/16...

Samantha King sam@ﬂeetworldgroup.co.uk

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

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77 Renault Alaskan. DRIVEN:

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Mercedes-Benz Vito, Iveco Daily, Dacia Duster. LCV Conversions.

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Future nology avoid what e mean

fleetreview This month, editor Steve Moody analyses the rude health of Mercedes-Benz in fleet, as well as the latest impressive offerings from Volvo, Jaguar and Mitsubishi.

Mercedes goes from strength to strength I went to Milton Keynes to see Nick Andrews, fleet and remarketing director at Mercedes-Benz recently. It’s a firm that has seen solid growth in fleet over the past few years, and the fact that this growth has come while Nick has been at the helm may or may not be a coincidence. I’ll let you decide. He’s too modest to say. All he’ll say is this: “It’s a combination of a lot of things: a consistent offering, regular communication to the leasing industry, investment in the field team, a strong and profitable dealer network and new models that fleets want.” Anyway, in true fleet so far this year, Mercedes is right in the mix in terms of sales numbers with Audi and BMW, helped by the impressive new C-Class, and new offerings in various niches that give the fleet customer more choice away from the staple, A, C, E and S core ranges. The model expansion will continue apace too, growing from 29 now to 40 by 2020 and Andrews is keen to ensure that the firm – once so heavily retail and perceived as a bit aloof – is no longer viewed that way. In fact fleet and retail are now neck and neck in terms of over-

all sales, while new markets, such as the public sector, are no longer off limits. Will that have an effect on the premium value of the three-pointed star? I don’t think so. The brand is probably as strong as it has ever been now, what with its success in F1 and its clever marketing use of an iconic back catalogue of vehicles. There seems little to stop its growth in the UK, which is now its fourth largest market in the world.

Changing perceptions I’ve had a run of cars this month that have blown me away. The new Volvo XC90 is a wonderful SUV: stylish, luxurious and just, well, really nice. Nobody could hate someone driving an XC90, as seems to happen a lot with other big SUVs. Then I had a new Jaguar XE, which was pretty much a bog standard version with small wheels, cloth seats and low power diesel engine. Such is the refinement and ride quality that it drives like a limousine. Very impressive. Next was the new Mitsubishi L200 pick-up, which might be a workhorse truck but drives incredibly smoothly, did 41mpg and was a relaxed joy over hundreds of motorway miles. Amazingly capable in all respects.

SIGN UP NOW Visit the website thempgmarathon.co.uk and register to drive in the UK’s premier economy driving event, for FREE!

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ALD Automotive • Fleet World

MPG marathon

MPG Marathon sponsored by

201 5

promoting smarter driving for better business 29-30th September 2015 • Cotswolds

Ford NEWS

inbrief Mondeo brings Ford hybrid tech to Europe

MAX family turns up the style FORD’S four-model MAX family of multi-activity vehicles offers the practicality and style prioritised by a growing number of buyers. The new five-seat Ford C-MAX, seven-seat Ford Grand C-MAX and allnew Ford S-MAX models are on sale alongside the Ford B-MAX, which now has the latest EU Stage 6 compliant powertrains including Ford’s new 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine. The new Ford C-MAX introduces advanced technology including Ford’s SYNC 2 voice-activated connectivity system, Perpendicular Parking and improved Active City Stop, first seen on the new Ford Focus. The new Ford Grand C-MAX continues to feature Ford’s innovative twin sliding doors and “walk-through” seat design for greater convenience, space and flexibility. Both the new Ford C-MAX and Ford Grand C-Max also now offer Hands-Free Tailgate, a segment first. Ford’s SYNC 2 connectivity system, capable of voice controlled navigation, in-car entertainment, climate control and linked mobiles, is standard on all series of the all-new Ford S-MAX range. As well as SYNC 2, all-new Ford S-MAX models have front and rear parking sensors, keyless start, sports seats and DAB radio. The Titanium series adds privacy glass, auto lights, rain-sensing wipers and technologies including Traffic Sign Recognition to remind the driver of the last speed sign passed, lane keeping aid, cruise control and LED running lights. The Titanium Sport model gains a full body styling kit, rear spoiler and sports suspension. Adding one of the Titanium X packs available for either Titanium models further enhances exterior looks and comfort, with Dynamic LED headlights, which adopt the optimum beam pattern for the road type and weather conditions, and 10-way power front seats.

Transit passes eight-million milestone SINCE it’s launch in August, 1965, almost eight million of the larger Ford Transit and Ford Transit Custom models have been built, as the Transit has grown from a single model to an entire family of commercial vehicles. Lined up end-to-end, 50 years of Transits would circle the globe, and on average a new Transit has been bought by a customer every three minutes during its lifetime, with 2.54 million sold in Britain alone. Durability and reliability have become Transit hallmarks, as have innovation and technology. Over the years it has introduced to the CV segment safety technologies and driver assistance features including ABS brakes as standard, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Alert. Today’s four-model Transit range – Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier – account for one in four van sales in Britain – which in the first seven months of this year totalled 60,149 Ford sales.

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 all-new four-door Ford Mondeo Hybrid combines a specially-developed 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery for 67.3mpg combined, reaching 100.9mpg for urban driving and 99 g/km CO2 emissions. Available in Titanium series with optional Titanium X Pack which adds LED headlamps, leather seat trim, 10-way power heated front seats, keyless entry and privacy glass, the Ford Mondeo Hybrid offers the enhanced efﬁciency and reduced emissions of electric power, and the range and performance of a traditional powertrain. It is the ﬁrst hybrid electric vehicle ever manufactured by Ford in Europe and follows the success in the U.S. of its sister vehicle, the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Ford is now the second largest producer of hybrid vehicles in U.S. Like the Fusion Hybrid, Mondeo Hybrid uses the thirdgeneration Ford petrol-electric hybrid system that delivers the efficiency and refinement benefits of an electric powertrain in many driving scenarios while maintaining the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional combustion engine. Drivers can use Ford’s Smartgauge interface to help monitor, manage and reduce fuel and energy consumption, with features including “Brake Coach” that encourages gradual braking to help return more energy to the battery.

The World of Fleet

Working to stand still Traffic congestion has risen in over threequarters of UK cities, with drivers wasting around 30 hours a year in gridlock, according to a new report by INRIX, a provider of real-time traffic information. The company said the rise in traffic is down to the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing economy, which grew by 2.8%.

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fleetworld.co.uk / 07

inbusiness

Company cars still highest value BiK to HMRC C

ars and car fuel remain the highest value Beneﬁts‐in‐Kind, according to latest data from HMRC, although take‐up marginally dwindled in the last three reportable tax years. Provisional HMRC data for 2013‐14 shows that the number of drivers paying BiK on a company car was 940,000 – the same as for 2012‐13 but a decline on the 950,000 in 2011‐12 and down 18% on the 1.14m drivers for 2005‐6. Meanwhile 200,000 people paid BiK on car fuel in 2013‐14 according to the provisional data, down from 220,000 in 2012‐ 13 and reduced by 47% from the 380,000 in 2005‐6. HMRC said the sharper reduction for car fuel beneﬁt is likely to

reflect rising fuel prices, causing employers and employees to look more carefully at whether the fuel benefit formula results in a tax charge commensurate with the true value of the benefit. The full HMRC data for 2012‐13 shows that company cars remain the highest value BiK, equating to a taxable value of £3.7bn or 50% of the taxable value of all Benefits‐in‐Kind. Car benefit and car fuel benefit together represented 60% of the total taxable value of all Benefits‐in‐Kind, considerably higher than the proportion of recipients who received these benefits. This was due to the higher average tax liability for these benefits.

Rugged fleet for Rugby World Cup

and Rover has supplied a fleet of 450 vehicles to support the Rugby World Cup 2015. The specially liveried Discovery Sport, Discovery, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models will provide transport for match officials, event support staff and VIPs over the 44‐day competition, covering an antici‐

pated total of 650,000 miles – enough to drive around the world 26 times. To mark the hand‐over of the ﬁnal vehicle and celebrate its support of the event, Land Rover created a unique instal‐ lation using 450 Land Rover keys – one for every vehicle on the ﬂeet – suspended in the shape of a rugby ball.

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

When it comes to vehicle leasing and ﬂeet management, we work hard to understand our customers’ business objectives. Our team has the knowledge and expertise to deliver a ﬁrst-class service to achieve those objectives. So whatever your requirements are, we’re here to help deliver a solution that best suits you.

Keeping you one step ahead

www.aldautomotive.co.uk

inbusiness

insight £43m FMG sale Fleet World reports on the acquisition of incident and claims management specialist FMG by Redde plc, one of the UK’s premier vehicle support service providers. What’s the background to the deal? Last month saw FMG, a leading Yorkshire-based incident and claims management specialist, announce that it had been acquired by Redde plc, which owns Helphire and Total Accident Management, for £43.2m. The move follows FMG’s management buyout earlier this year led by former executive chairman Andrew Cope, and sees the FMG management team invest a significant proportion of their equity into Redde plc shares, as part of that wider investment into the group’s future strategy and the ongoing development of its vehicle claims and support service solutions. The deal also sees venture capital firm Endless, which supported Cope’s buyout in April, exit after just four months, with partner Matthew Deering saying that they could not ignore the approach of the Redde board or the recommendation of the management shareholders to accept the offer. He added that the deal had delivered strong returns for its investors. What’s the rationale for the deal? In a statement, Redde said its existing businesses currently focus on accident management, legal services and the supply and administration of general insurance products, adding: “The purchase of the FMG Group will broaden Redde’s accident and fleet management capabilities and allow it to enter additional industry sectors. Redde will also be able to widen its appeal to the owners and managers of large vehicle fleets requiring accident management and legal services as part of a long-term customer development plan.” FMG added that it was “strongly attracted to the deal on a number of fronts; not least Redde plc’s ability to invest for the long term, further enhance the overall product and service offering to its customers and support FMG’s market-leading multi-product digital platform development”.

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Will there be any senior management changes? Andrew Cope will continue as a non-executive director, advising on strategy, supporting the management and developing the business. All FMG’s existing management team including John Catling, managing director of commercial, Mark Chessman, managing director of operations, and Rachael Nevins, CFO, will continue as FMG’s business leadership team. What are the implications of the deal? Martin Ward, chief executive of Redde, said: “The addition of FMG to the Redde group supports our strategic objective of growing earnings on a sustainable basis and broadening the scope of services we offer which are related to our core businesses. FMG is a quality business and has a strong reputation in its fields of business for serving its customers well. We have worked together in the legal services arena for a number of years and this acquisition is a further step in strengthening Redde's proposition to its customers as we build on our recent successes.” What will the deal mean for customers? FMG said the acquisition will see “increased Group resources combining with FMG’s continued innovation and reputation for quality of service; to deliver a solid platform to further develop our end-to-end claims management and specialist vehicle recovery services in the UK.” Andrew Cope added: “This is a truly exciting day in the long history of FMG. We strongly believe that marrying FMG’s people, knowledge and innovative capacity to Redde plc’s long-term investment and commitment to the vehicle claims market, will result in an outstanding service and technical proposition for our customers today, tomorrow and well into the future." The deal is now awaiting final regulatory approval before completion.

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

MASERATI GHIBLI. STARTING FROM £49,160

THE NEW MASERATI GHIBLI IS POWERED BY A RANGE OF ADVANCED 3.0 LITRE V6 ENGINES WITH 8-SPEED ZF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INCLUDING, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A V6 TURBODIESEL ENGINE. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NEW MASERATI GHIBLI, CALL 01943 871660 OR VISIT MASERATI.CO.UK Official fuel consumption figures for Maserati Ghibli range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 20.5 (13.8) – 37.2 (7.6), Extra Urban 39.8 (7.1) – 56.5 (5.0), Combined 29.4 (9.6) – 47.9 (5.9). CO2 emissions 223 – 158 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures are based on standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Model shown is a Maserati Ghibli S at £68,913 On The Road including optional pearlescent paint at £1,776, 20” machine polished Urano alloy wheels at £2,205 and Red brake callipers at £432. www.maserati.co.uk

inbusiness

Have you got the Power? Do the German car brands' dealers lead the way in delivering customer satisfaction? A new JD Power survey does not think so. Curtis Hutchinson, editor of Motor Trader, reports.

hen it comes to surveys there's one particular researcher that can strike fear or joy into carmakers. For over 40 years JD Power has held carmakers to account as the self appointed ‘Voice of the Customer’. Recent years have seen the research giant step up its activities in the UK with brands quick to either realise the benefits of including accolades in their marketing or move to address shortcomings ahead of the follow-up survey. This year sees a new JD Power survey which cuts to the heart of the ownership experience and is as relevant to fleet managers and company cars drivers as it is to private customers. The JD Power 2015 UK Customer Service Index (CSI) Study was published in August and identified which brands offer the best customer experience through their dealer networks. The methodology was robust, drawing upon an analytical template used around the world in 16 countries. The inaugural UK survey was based on a sample of 9,091 respondents who purchased a new vehicle between April 2012 and March 2014. The research was conducted between March and May 2015. The study measured customer's satisfaction with their service experience at franchised dealerships for both maintenance and repair work. It analysed this satisfaction by examining five measures, which it listed in order of importance as: service quality (26%); service initiation (23%); service advisor (19%); vehicle pick-up (17%); and service facility (16%). The overall satisfaction score was calculated on a 1,000-point scale. What is helpful for fleet managers is that the research was split into premium and volume brands: the results are revealing. It’s a given that the German brands know how to deliver top quality cars utilising the latest technology and presenting them in desirable packages but, according to the survey, their customer service was found wanting. The highest ranked premium brand was Volvo with a satisfaction score of 779. This is an impressive showing for a carmaker that was pretty much starved of new product during the period covered by the research as Geely, its Chinese owner since 2010, was still taking stock of its acquisition. Second was Land Rover with 767 points, a brand which has benefited

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from its ownership under Tata with the Range Rover Evoque attracting conquest customers since its 2011 debut. Third place went to Audi, the highest rated German brand with 762 points. With both Jaguar and Lexus included in the survey, but excluded from the rankings by JD Power because of their small sample size, the average score for premium brands was 761. This meant both Mercedes (756) and BMW (754) were found to be under par. A surprising result considering the high level of investment both brands expect its dealers to make in delivering the highest possible levels of customer satisfaction. There were plenty of surprises among the volume brands too. With 17 brands in contention and the likes of relatively low volume players such as Suzuki, Mazda and SEAT jostling with the accepted big boys, the overall average was 737. The top performer was Honda (768) an impressive achievement for a brand that had effectively put a hold on its launch activities as it grappled with Japan’s economic downturn and the impact of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The period also saw UK sales nosedive but Honda customers are a resilient and loyal breed and have clearly been looked after by dealers. Suzuki and Toyota were ranked joint second with a score of 759 and Kia and Skoda shared fourth place with 758. MINI took fifth place with 747 points. The worst performing volume brand was Fiat (704), followed by Renault (715) and SEAT (723). “The common perception is that the luxury brands are able to deliver a more satisfying customer experience, but the study shows this is not the case,” said Dr. Axel Sprenger, JD Power’s senior director of European automotive operations. “Any brand and any dealership can provide a consistently positive customer experience if they make it a priority and have the people and processes in place. When they do they will be able to build customer loyalty.” Choosing the right company car is a relatively straightforward process as it involves tangible factors such as emissions, fuel consumption, list price and whole life costs. However, with vehicles requiring regular servicing and maintenance, the ability of the brand’s dealers to deliver high levels of customer satisfaction is also an important consideration for you and your drivers.

inbusiness

Energy conversation The Insider is trying to finish his ESOS audit, but can’t work out why the public sector isn’t doing the same.

ow here’s a thing. We recently tackled our ESOS transport energy audit and, reading through all the preamble, I was pretty sure I’d got it taped. Our mileage capture system ensures we have auditable records of business and private mileage, and the cost of both, and I knew where to find the number of miles driven by the grey fleet. From our fuel card provider we know how many litres we purchase, and that it costs us a competitive price wherever we fill up, thanks to a Platts deal. We have good records detailing the company cars themselves, and copy documents for the grey fleet, which is mercifully small anyway. But the question which caught me out was “litres of fuel consumed by the grey fleet”. And I have no idea! We pay grey fleet drivers a rate per business mile, based on the published Advisory Fuel Rates. So, what should I do? I can make an educated guess about actual miles per gallon achieved, based on a percentage of manufacturer’s published figures, and from there it’s only a step to compute litres used for miles driven. But it won’t be strictly factual. Or I could ask the grey fleet drivers to regularly report the miles per gallon given by the on-board computer. They could tell me anything they like. I suspect I am in the majority on this one. I bet most of you don’t measure grey fleet litres either and I haven’t yet figured out how I am going to tackle it. I could ignore the issue altogether by claiming my grey fleet as the “de minimus” bit which I am allowed to exclude. But that somehow seems like avoiding the issue. The purpose of ESOS is defined as a “mandatory assessment and energy saving identification scheme”. And that’s just what is has done. It has identified the one thing I’m not measuring properly. And so although I’m confident that our grey fleet policy dictates cars below a certain age and mileage, which means they should generally look

16 / fleetworld.co.uk

nice and have the latest safety features – in theory the guys could all be driving around in vehicles which aren’t actually fuel efficient. Naming no specific marques, you’ll note. The deciding factor here is that drivers generally don’t want to finance business fuel and in the main will have chosen their vehicle with economy in mind and yes, we do scrutinise their trip reports for accuracy before paying out claims. It’s a good thing we have only a small grey fleet. So, think about some of the UK’s biggest fleets, both company and grey – that’ll be the public sector, who are excluded from the ESOS exercise. Their exclusion is a mystery to me and I’m surprised the collective ‘we’ haven’t made more fuss about this aspect; I guess we are all too busy getting to grips with our own audits, encroaching on an already overfilled working week, with the 5 December deadline fast-approaching. At least I hope you are on the journey – at the last count there was a ratio of about one lead assessor for every 2,000 companies requiring audit, meaning as time remaining reduces, the price may take a hike upwards. We could have a last minute rush for compliance, just like the recent Driver CPC training. On the basis that most of us got very lean in the still-recent recession, we already went for small-isbeautiful and fuel-efficient, got rid of vehicles we didn’t need, and reduced business travel wherever possible, habits that most of us will continue with since it also improves our profits. And in the main, we went through that pain in advance of the public sector, which appears to be still only part way through the exercise, if indeed it has been started at all in some areas. Surely if ESOS is really working towards a greener planet, we all need to be involved in saving it. Or is ESOS just jobs for the boys?

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW FORD GALAXY

ALL-NEW FORD GALAXY Intelligent Speed Limiter

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• Intelligent Speed Limiter that automatically adjusts the car’s speed limit to reflect the changing road speed limits.

• Easy fold-flat rear seats with Power raise third row seating. • Front split view camera provides greater confidence at difficult junctions. • Active Park Assist with Park-Out Assist makes tricky spaces easy to conquer. For more information please contact our Business Centre on 0345 723 2323.

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BIK

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23% - 31%

180-129g/km

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Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Galaxy range: urban 27.4-50.4 (10.3-5.6), extra urban 43.5-61.4 (6.5-4.6), combined 35.8-56.5 (7.9-5.0). Official C02 emissions 180-129g/km.

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

BAROMETER Making sense of the surveys

We’ve pulled together the pertinent points from the myriad of research done in the fleet industry this month to give you a clearer view of what’s really going on...

routine maintenance checks

Source: Lex Autolease

A large proportion of company drivers do not possess the basic knowledge required to detect problems or carry out straightforward checks on their vehicles, according to new research from Lex Autolease. The survey of 500 UK SMEs with company-owned cars and vans revealed that 45% of the drivers questioned were unable to change a tyre, and only 51% of drivers knew if the tyre treads on their current vehicle were legal. 44% of drivers surveyed said they did not know how to check oil levels, and 35% admitted that they did not know how to check tyre pressure. These results are perhaps not surprising, given that 53% of the fleet operators surveyed said that they do not offer employees any training to perform standard safety and maintenance checks on their vehicles. In addition, 48% admitted that they did not have a policy in place that required staff to make checks before driving for work purposes. Conducting regular vehicle checks can help to improve safety by identifying mechanical issues early, therefore reducing the risks of potential incidents and prosecutions.

toll roads Commenting on the findings, Richard Threlfall, head of infrastructure, building & construction at KPMG UK, said: “These issues create a significant financial risk for toll operators and are a potential barrier to the further spread of Open Road Tolling, which would be of benefit to motorists. It is clear authorities need to invest in the level of cooperation needed in the effective enforcement of non-payment by drivers of foreign vehicles.”

Source: KPMG

Enforcement of payment to use toll roads is becoming a major challenge for operators, in particular for foreign and rental cars, according to the KPMG Toll Benchmarking Study 2015: An Evolution of Tolling. Only 26% of operators from more than 40 road tolling entities worldwide said that they were “effective” or “very effective” at identifying the owners of out-of-jurisdiction vehicles in the event of a toll violation. While 61% of toll road operators surveyed admitted to struggling to recognise out-of-jurisdiction vehicles. A further 13% said that they would make no attempt at enforcement if a toll remained unpaid. The impact of technology was shown to have a significant effect in the sector, with 91% of respondents offering some form of Electronic Toll Collection and 43% using Open Road Tolling.

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global warming concerns

Source: Institution of Mechanical Engineers & ICM Unlimited

Although the majority of Britons are concerned about global warming, more than half of the population doesn’t think high-polluting, high-carbon products should attract higher tax, a new survey conducted by The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and ICM Unlimited has revealed. The poll of over 2,000 people found that 57% of respondents were concerned about global warming, with 14% claiming to be “very worried” about it. 64% said they believe it’s already a problem, with 70% saying it will be in 20 years. 63% of respondents were concerned about flooding and sea level rises, both of which the UK is susceptible to, while hurricanes and cyclones (60%) and droughts and water shortages (53%) were also popular issues. However, only 48% of those surveyed said there should be tax penalties on products which cause more pollution and carbon emissions. Of the 52% not in favour of tax penalties, half said the manufacturers of the products should pay, not the consumer. 25% said switching to low-carbon energy sources was the most effective way to combat man-made climate change, while encouraging public transport ranked as the least popular option, at 2% of the total.

ignored car alarms

Source: Flexed.co.uk

According to a recent survey carried out by car leasing company Flexed.co.uk, the car alarm is possibly the most ignored sound in Britain. 3,000 people were asked whether they would investigate a car alarm at certain times and locations. The results suggest a huge apathy toward the unrelenting horns, whistles and sirens: In a public car park, 98% said they would not investigate a car alarm. If they heard an alarm in their street at night, 99% of respondents said they would not bother to check for a break-in. Only 5% said they would check if a car alarm sounded in the car park at their workplace. And at home, and if they knew it was their own car, only 26% said they would go and check their vehicle was safe if an alarm was set off. “Most people now consider the sound of a vehicle alarm to be a false alarm," commented Mark Hall, a spokesperson for Flexed.co.uk. “Most owners say their most likely reaction would be to reset the device using the remote control and go back to bed.”

for the latest daily news from the fleet industry, visit fleetworld.co.uk fleetworld.co.uk / 19

inbusiness

Where next for company cars? Lex Autolease’s 2015 Report on Company Motoring sheds light on an evolving world for both drivers and ﬂeet managers. THE HIGH COST OF CONGESTION On average, among those who use their car for work, company car drivers spend nine hours a week on work related journeys, compared with five hours a week for those with privately owned cars. They estimate that 13% of this time is spent sitting in traffic jams. If this time is valued at £10 an hour to employers this equates to £4.5bn a year lost on work-related car journeys because of congestion*. DANGERS OF DRIVING DISTRACTIONS Drivers report that they find laptops and mobiles the most distracting things when they are driving. As a result of being distracted, 43% say they missed a turning, 14% say they got lost, and 8% say they were late for or missed an appointment in the last 12 months. 3% admit to colliding with another vehicle as a result of being distracted. ADMITTING TO BAD HABITS Many drivers admit to breaking driving laws in the last 12 months. 63% admit to breaking the speed limits on major roads or motorways. 20% admit to using a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving, and 5% admit to drink-driving. GROWTH OF THE MARKET The economic recovery has also resulted in growth in the company car market. 38% of fleet managers report an increase in the number of company cars in their fleet, while 26% saw a reduction, reflecting the mixed picture of growth across different sectors. THE CONNECTED COMPANY CAR Monitoring of fuel consumption (22%) and mileage (36%) is now common in company cars, whether by the use of telematics or less automated processes. But there are also some company car drivers who say they have ‘driver monitoring equipment’ in their car (9%), or cameras to record incidents in their car (2%). Many company car drivers now say they would be happy for such equipment to be installed in their car; 36% would have cameras in their cars and 23% are comfortable with telematics systems.

20 / fleetworld.co.uk

The changing role of the fleet manager While modern fleet managers no longer consider themselves to be technical experts on cars, they say they require a wide range of COMPANY C ARS? skills and knowledge in areas from finance to HR. Skills rated as important in their job by fleet managers were financial, negotiation and management of suppliers. These all relate, although not exclusively, to managing external providers of services. They are essential in such a complex role where there is often little human resource available inhouse. Fleet managers were asked which tasks they managed in-house and which were outsourced either completely or partially. The only task that a majority (54%) still do entirely in-house is planning and strategy – the setting of goals to be embedded within contracts with suppliers. Regulatory compliance is another area where a significant number (38%) do everything in-house, but in all other areas of administration and vehicle maintenance the vast majority outsource some or all of the work. There has been a rise in the tasks being outsourced, since the survey conducted for the 2014 Lex Autolease Report on Company Motoring, and 15% of fleet managers expect to outsource more in the future, while just 9% expect to do more in-house.

FIN fleet in numbers

Lex Report PiCG extension announced

£24.9 billion the vehicle leasing and rental industry’s contribution to the UK economy

64%

of company car drivers say the car would be an important factor in their decision to take a new job or not

of drivers admit to distractions causing a collision with another vehicle and 2% to colliding with a stationary object

4.5 billion the cost of congestion for work-related car journeys to the UK economy per year

56% 20%

of fleet managers never physically check grey fleet vehicles

of drivers admit to using a handheld mobile phone while driving

36%

would be happy to have cameras in their cars

say that company 43% ofcarsfleetaremanagers becoming more important in the recruitment and retention of staff

he Government has announced that the current Plug‐in Car Grant will continue until at least February 2016 with a longer‐term plan to be announced after the November spending review. The move is intended to boost electric vehicle take‐ up and will see motorists and business fleets continue to be offered up to £5,000 off the price of an electric car for all categories of vehicle. Previously the Government had announced that grant levels would be reviewed once 50,000 vehicles had been sold, with this milestone expected to be reached in November this year. Further details about how the plug‐in car grant will be structured beyond February are expected following the Government Spending Review in November. Transport Minister, Andrew Jones MP said: “I’m pleased to announce today that the Government is maintaining the current levels of grant, even as we move past the milestone of 50,000 vehicles. “The UK is now the fastest growing market for elec‐ tric vehicles in Europe. We will continue to invest to help make this technology affordable to everyone and to secure the UK’s position as a global leader.”

Brokers seeing strong growth

easing brokers are continuing to play an impor‐ tant role in the vehicle finance sector, latest figures from the BVRLA have revealed. The organisation’s poll of key funders found that combined broker volumes for car and van leasing grew to 179,935 units in the first six months of 2015 – up 10% from the end of 2014. Car contracts with leasing brokers grew 7% to 129,370 units, with van leasing up 16% to 50,565 contracts. Contract hire’s share of the car market now stands at 58% of the total fleet – some 75,059 vehicles. Personal contract hire accounts for 43,270 vehicles (33% of the fleet) and was responsible for 44% of new car contracts in the first half of 2015. In van leasing, all finance types showed healthy increases in volumes, with the proportions of new contracts remaining relatively stable – contract hire accounted for 71%, while finance lease made up 34%. Commenting on the figures, the BVRLA’s Leasing Broker Committee chairman Mike Potter, said: “The leasing broker sector continues to grow in both size and professional ability. It is great to see that BVRLA brokers are providing more and more small and medium‐sized businesses with access to affordable vehicle finance.”

inbusiness

What I’ve learnt Chris Thornton, managing director of Auto Windscreens, on how fortune favours the bold and why honesty is the best policy. Share your goals and dream big To really develop a business in a meaningful way, develop a clear vision and a strategy to get there, most importantly, then go public with it. If you share your passions and what you want to achieve with your employees, this will not only motivate them, it will allow them to feel part of the project. It will also help them to see and celebrate in the successes of the smaller steps that bring you closer to your goal. Staff can’t accompany you on your journey or help you deliver it unless you tell them where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. Never stop listening I find that customers and staff are always a great source of information and learning – and the key to continuous improvement. Taking time to listen to customers and staff is always time well spent, whether in ‘back to the floor’ sessions to gain insight into challenges experienced on the frontline or always having an ‘open door’ – you never know what you might find out from taking the time to lend an ear. It is also important to be able to solicit and take on board feedback from others, as an individual and as a senior team. No one is perfect, and I am the first to welcome opportunities for people to voice their opinions, good or bad, so I as well as the organisation can learn and become stronger. Act quickly If a problem arises, act quickly to fix it. Social media and online review sites leave no room today for error and companies delivering poor service or workmanship cannot hide from the consequences of the service they deliver – good or bad. I actually think this increased level of transparency is a very positive thing for busi-

FIN fleet in numbers

Forecasted residual value of new Hyundai Tucson 1.7 SE Nav CRDi compared to 40% for its closest competitor, according to CAP Automotive.

SOURCE: Hyundai

22 / fleetworld.co.uk

nesses as it provides more information than ever before with which to review strengths and shortcomings. At Auto Windscreens we want to exceed expectations at every turn and put total customer satisfaction at the heart of everything we do. So we listen to all sources of feedback and constantly review our operational procedures to ensure that we provide a superb service every time. Reach for the stars As Michelangelo said, the greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it. You must take calculated risks in order to make significant change and leave some kind of legacy. Our parent company Markerstudy actually has a mantra, which is ‘Fortes Fortuna Juvat: Fortune Favours the Bold’ – that encapsulates this well. Never be afraid to be different or think outside the box. Be creative, be daring – and have some fun while you do it. Honesty is always the best policy Perhaps an overused cliché but in my experience the truth will always come out so it’s best to be upfront with people from the start, whether that’s customers, suppliers, staff or shareholders. Be open and give people facts; if you are truthful from the beginning, you can be absolutely certain that everyone is on the same page. I find that behaving with integrity and transparency in all dealings with stakeholders helps unite the business in its wider sense as a team. Be yourself People respond to others who are genuine so let your true personality shine through. This will cement your relationships for years to come.

42%

11.2%

Drop in UK car production in July as seasonal upgrades and retooling recess kick in. SOURCE: SMMT

inbusiness trading places

New national fleet sales manager at Fiat Chrysler Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK has appointed Glenn McCulley to the role of national fleet sales manager. Reporting to fleet and business sales director Francis Bleasdale, McCulley takes over responsibility for the core fleet sales team, driving registrations to sub-500 vehicle fleets, UK-wide. The role also includes managing the business centre operation supporting the field team, and the design, delivery and administration of the Fleet Dealer Specialist Programme for the dealer network.

Michelin Tyre appoints new commercial director Guy Heywood has been appointed by Michelin Tyre plc as commercial director of its operations in the UK and Republic of Ireland in addition to his current position as head of Michelinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s truck and bus division. The expanded role will see Heywood join the senior leadership team of Michelin Tyre plc and he will represent the company commercially in the UK and Ireland. He will also co-ordinate with directors of each Michelin product line to represent the commercial side of the business at Michelinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters in Clermont-Ferrand, France. In addition, Heywood will oversee relationships with some of the largest customers in the UK and Ireland.

Motiva plans for new recruits Motiva Group has appointed a new business development manager and says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hoping to create a string of new jobs as part of an ambitious plan for expansion. Paula Holt, formerly regional fleet sales manager at a Yorkshire-based vehicle retail group, has taken on the new role and will focus solely on bringing in new business as the company presses ahead with a campaign to double in size. Peter Wright, sales and marketing director, said the company will likely be looking for another business development manager in the next six months and will make further additions to its back-end team.

! "

ARE YOU TIRED OF CHEAP UPFRONT DEALS WITH HIDDEN END OF CONTRACT RECHARGES?

"! ! "

g fleet e k

Leefi Bridge Expandable storage for the iPhone. Plugged into the charging socket, it offers between 16 and 256GB of additional memory, accessed via an app which enables photos and videos to be captured straight onto the drive. It also offers a chargethrough function, so you can top up the phone’s battery while accessing its data on a computer. Price: £38–£254 from leefco.com

Wistiki Like a more sophisticated whistleto-find-it keyring, Wistiki connects to your phone via Bluetooth and enables you to track your keys, bags or expensive items via the app. It can also page your phone, and the fob connects to others in the area, which means it can transmit its location through other users. Price: £19.90 from wistiki.co.uk

MHD 02 Watch Designed by former head of design at Morgan, Matthew Humphries, the MHD 02 is a British-made watch designed to complement classic car interiors. It’s based on a durable Seiko automatic movement, which is displayed through a window on the back of the case, and features a vegetable-tanned cowhide strap. Customised versions are also available. Price: £235 from matthewhumphriesdesignwatches.com

apps of the month

Flipboard

Slack

Flio

A digital magazine based around what you want to read. Follow a few topics and it’ll pull content together from newspapers and magazines all over the world, with the option to save and share them. New support for the Apple Watch means it’ll push the most interesting stories to your wrist for even easier viewing on the move. Price: Free from Google Play, iTunes Store

Take your project on the road, without leaving the discussion behind. Slack offers one-to-one and team-based conversations with real-time messaging and file sharing. It synchronises across handheld and desktop devices, includes a comprehensive search and archive function and integrates with social media and dropbox. Price: Free from Google Play, iTunes Store

A pocket survival tool for European airports, Flio offers a guide to the nearest amenities including restaurants and laptop charging points, with live departure boards and automatic connections to free WiFi services. As an added bonus, it’ll offer a range of discounts on food, drink and duty free based on your location. Price: Free from iTunes Store

26 / fleetworld.co.uk

The new Passat for business users

looks as good on the road,

as it does on your spreadsheet from £199 per month on contract hire *

The Volkswagen Passat is an all-new car for 2015 – raising the game from its already high-quality predecessor. It features advanced technologies and sophisticated assistance systems, providing new levels of comfort, luxury and performance.

A range of economical engines

The innovative lightweight design combined with sustainable engine technology reduces emissions, operating costs and fuel consumption to new low levels, benefiting both the environment and your pocket.

Auto Express award the new Passat 5 stars

★★★★★

“Refinement and comfort are class-leading, plus with tauter handling it’s more engaging than Passats of old.”

See, hear and feel the luxury

Find out how good the new Passat is 0870 333 2229 Email us vglenquiries@vwfs.co.uk Visit makingleasingsimple.co.uk/newpassat

State-of-the-art technology * Plus VAT and initial rental. Business users only. Based on a 36 month, 10,000 mile per annum non maintained Contract Hire agreement with an initial rental equal to 6 months rentals in advance. At the end of the agreement the vehicle and ownership rights will stay with Volkswagen Finance. 10.21p (plus VAT) excess mileage charges apply. ^ Offer available for vehicles ordered between 1st August and 31st December 2015. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Further charges may apply when vehicle is returned, subject to the contract fair wear and tear guidelines and mileage. VAT payable at the prevailing rate. Finance subject to status. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Accurate at time of publication [08/2015]. Freepost Volkswagen Finance. Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited, Brunswick Court, Yeomans Drive, Blakelands, Milton Keynes MK14 5LR. Registered in England and Wales. Company Number 2835230.

Model shown is the new Passat 1.6-litre TDI SE Business with optional metallic paint. Official fuel consumption in mpg (litre/100km) for the new Passat range: Urban 43.5 (6.5) - 62.8 (4.5); extra urban 60.1 (4.7) - 78.5 (3.6); combined 52.3 (5.4) - 70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions 140-103g/km.

inbusiness

Driving, Unwired Technology which could enable electric vehicles to charge is about to be trialled in the UK, and the benefits go beyond curing range anxiety, as Alex Grant explains. What is it? World-first trials of a wireless charging system which can top up electric vehicle batteries as they drive are about to begin in the UK. Led by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and Highways England, it’s hoped that this could eventually be rolled out on the Strategic Road Network, broadening the use of electric drive systems in cars, vans and HGVs.

How does it work? Wireless charging is already a household technology, most commonly used in electric toothbrushes where exposure to water would make a physical connection dangerous. But it’s also being adopted by the latest smartphones, and several vehicle manufacturers have indicated that they will use it in future vehicles. It relies on two main components. A charging pad, usually underground, takes an electrical current and passes it through a coil, which generates a magnetic field. Positioned above it, a second pad on the car is able to receive this magnetic field and convert it back to electricity, which is then supplied to the battery. Highways England is looking to install this on stretches of the UK’s Strategic Road Network. The plan is for 50-metre sections (a two-second gap at 55mph) of the inside lane to be equipped with hardware capable of supplying enough power to keep a vehicle driving at motorway speeds, with enough excess to top up the battery too.

The claims In its feasibility study, the TRL found that it would be possible to supply a 40kW charge to a car or van using a wireless charging system – almost as much as a rapid charger. It would enable EVs to travel longer distances, and PHEVs to cover more distance without using fuel,

28 / fleetworld.co.uk

without requiring significantly larger, more expensive batteries. In both cases, it makes a better business case for the additional cost of electromobility. Wireless charging suits all vehicle classes and TRL said it could reduce CO2 emissions by 45% over a 20-year period of rising ULEV uptake, while NOx and Particulate Matter (PM) emissions would decline by 35% and 40% respectively, despite only being fitted to a single lane.

How much would it cost? The benefits are largely on a whole-life basis as initial rollout costs are high, calculated to be between £350,000 and £425,000 per kilometre, including resurfacing the road and connecting the system to the grid. Whole-life cost savings for central government are achieved through improved air quality and reductions in CO2 emissions. Installation costs can also be partially offset by fitting traffic monitoring loops for Smart Motorways at the same time, said to save £4,900 per kilometre, and wireless charging coils have other uses. The required vehicle-to-infrastructure communication could enable live traffic monitoring, and the coils could be used to guide autonomous vehicles too.

The next steps: The 18-month off-road trial will examine the business case, energy transfer efficiency, implications on the grid and human health, as well as how the road surface performs after the coils have been installed. On-road testing on short sections of the SRN will follow.

THE ALL-NEW JEEP RENEGADE.

BUSINESS CONTRACT HIRE EXAMPLE JEEP RENEGADE 1.6 MULTIJET II 120 HP SPORT Excluding optional Omaha Orange paint at £500 OTR*

Monthly Payment

MPG Combined

CO2 Emissions

£169

Up to 64.2

115g/km

5" Touchscreen DAB Radio Security Alarm Tyre Pressure Monitoring 16" Alloy Wheels

All-New Jeep Renegade from only £169 per month on Business Contract Hire.** To book a test drive visit jeep.co.uk/fleet or contact our Business Centre on 01753 519442 or via email at fleet@jeep-comms.co.uk jeep.co.uk/fleet MODEL SHOWN JEEP RENEGADE 1.6 MULTIJET II 120 HP SPORT WITH OPTIONAL SPECIAL PAINT AT £500 OTR. OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR JEEP RENEGADE RANGE MPG (L/100KM): EXTRA URBAN 47.9 (5.9) – 70.6 (4.0), URBAN 32.5 (8.7) – 55.4 (5.1), COMBINED 40.9 (6.9) – 64.2 (4.4), CO2 EMISSIONS: 160 – 115 G/KM. Fuel consumption and CO figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance with EC directives/regulations and may not be representative of

Jeep with ®

real-life driving conditions. Factors such as driving style, weather and road conditions may also have a significant effect on fuel consumption. **Business users only. Rentals based on Jeep Renegade 1.6 MultiJet II 120 HP Sport (excluding optional Omaha Orange paint at £500 OTR) on Contract Hire profile of 6 rentals in advance (equivalent of £1014) followed by 35 rentals of £169, excluding VAT and maintenance. Based on 10,000 miles p.a, excess mileage charges apply. Vehicles must be registered with Jeep Financial Services before 30th September 2015. Offer subject to status, guarantee and/or indemnity may be required. At participating dealers only. Jeep Financial Services, PO Box 4465, Slough, SL1 0RW. Chrysler and CNH Industrial are Official Global Partners of the Expo Milano 2015. Jeep® is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC.

DAYIN THE LIFE...

Lerato Barrett > area fleet sales manager, Skoda UK

Lerato visits Ian Bass, group financial director for Gratte Brothers Group.

30 / fleetworld.co.uk

Tusker poised for strong growth Lerato Barrett, Skoda’s area fleet sales manager for the Home Counties and London, talks to Katie Beck about the day-today involvement of building, managing and maintaining relationships with existing and new corporate customers.

Meeting face-to-face

Catering to all

I have circa 90 customers to look after, and I am their main point of contact. Face‐to‐face discussion is key to building relationships. Here at Skoda we strive to be fully engaged with our customers and them with us, so making time to meet in person is central to what we do. I team this with regular follow‐up communication (telephone, email & ecomms) to really build strong long‐term relations.

The Skoda range offers plenty of choice to fleets big or small, and we have a great Local Business Programme to support and deliver to the SME fleets. The fleet range includes the new Skoda Fabia (launched Jan 2015) which is making moves in the salary sacrifice market with its low CO2, competitive P11d and technology; and in the highly competitive job‐need category, the Skoda Octavia continues to dominate with best‐in class whole‐life costs and space.

Finding the right fit Understanding the customer’s need and requirements plays an important role in selecting the correct vehicles for their needs. Rather than just benchmarking against what their drivers are currently using, I try to take the time to really understand the reasons why the current vehicle was selected. For example, if a certain option was required or if the boot‐space needed to be a specific size. Often this presents further insight and from there I can present the best vehicle solution.

Out on the road We have a fantastic mobility policy here at Skoda and as such I’m currently driving a Skoda Octavia vRS 2‐litre diesel hatchback which I will typically keep for three months. As I also look after the central London area, I use the trains and Underground a lot as it’s easier and faster to get around the capital this way. Typically, I do about 25,000 business miles each year on average. My colleague Alan who covers the North and Scotland will do a fair bit more!

Building a rapport I’m a people‐person at heart so for me getting customers engaged with our brand is the best part of my role. This includes meeting new and different people each week as well as hosting and staging some fantastic customer experiences which is always great fun – even more so when our customers get back in touch to say what a fantastic time they had with us.

Changing perceptions The only challenging aspect of my role would have to be those few (and I literally mean a few) customers who still have reservations about Skoda. I see this as a great opportunity to show them how far we have come as a brand and get them as excited as I am about what else is to come from Skoda HQ in the future.

“Face-to-face discussion is key to building relationships.”

Following the major investment of private equity group ECI in Tusker earlier in the year, the firm is now poised for further growth as businesses and employees understand the value of salary sacrifice schemes, CEO David Hosking reckons. The firm now has 230 schemes running and around 15,000 cars on its book, and expects that to grow significantly over the next few years. Having seen a large number of employees now hand back their first salary sacrifice car, Hosking said the rate that they reorder another car through the scheme is extremely high, suggesting that they have strong customer satisfaction, and understand the savings that can be made. As many as 70% of employees ordering a salary sacrifice car are choosing a new, more environmentally friendly, car for the first time too, and is one of the main reasons that will ensure HMRC allows car schemes to continue at a time when they are investigating some other salary sacrifice offers. Also the fact that BiK and NIC is paid means the Government still gets the revenue from a salary sacrifice car, Hosking said. Critics have claimed that some salary sacrifice schemes in other sectors are a way of avoiding paying tax, although Hosking, and no doubt investors ECI, are confident this will not happen in the car sector. Tusker’s Top 10 Salary Sacrifice Manufacturers (August 2014 YTD) 1. Nissan 2. Audi 3. Citroën 4. Peugeot 5. Toyota 6. Ford 7. Renault 8. Volkswagen 9. Mitsubishi 10. BMW Tusker’s Top 10 Salary Sacrifice Models (August 2014 YTD) 1. Nissan Juke 2. Ford Fiesta 3. Toyota Aygo 4. Audi A3 5. Peugeot 208 6. Renault Captur 7. Audi A1 8. Nissan Qashqai 9. Mitsubishi Outlander 10. Renault Clio

fleetworld.co.uk / 31

FEATURE Fleet advice

Ask the EXPERTS Our panel of experts answers your latest fleet conundrums...

Mark Jowsey

Andrew Leech

Director

KeeResources Kwikcarcost

Fleet Evolution

“Worried about the eﬀect of diesel on air quality, some of our employees have been asking for more petrol cars to be added to our choice list, but I’m concerned they will be too expensive to run. Is the disparity between the two narrowing?”

“I ﬁnd my employees are struggling to understand the concept of salary sacriﬁce. Is there a clear, easy way of communicating how it works?”

IM, ﬁnance director, cosmetics ﬁrm, Glasgow.

Salary sacrifice cars are a very alien concept to most employees and can be complex to explain. In most other areas of salary sacrifice the saving is simple, the income tax and NI saving the employee achieves, but with cars this is more complex for a couple of reasons. Firstly the savings are not restricted to the income tax and NI saving, the employee also starts to benefit from fleet buying discounts and has VAT savings. This can mean that salary sacrifice cars can be 50% cheaper than their retail equivalent but the ‘sting in the tail’ so to speak is the tax on the benefit. Most readers will be aware of P11d for cars and how this works but for non-company car users this is alien and confusing. Quite literally the CO2 can make the difference between a saving of 45% compared to retail or a car which can be more expensive than the retail equivalent. The key to educating employees is to firstly ensure that they understand whole-life costs. A salary sacrifice lease car can be cheaper than a five to seven year old alternative but the employee needs to be aware what they are paying and few have ever done the sums. Secondly the employee needs to understand the impact CO2 makes and lastly to understand that a demand for a clean low CO2 car no longer confines them to a Toyota Prius. Everything from super cars to family hatchbacks to 4x4s fit the bill – 3,000 models at our last count. Ultimately, however, you should demand your supplier or suppliers carries out this education piece – it’s their core business not yours.

In the past it would have been easy to dismiss many petrol cars on an operating cost basis, but there is no doubt the development of petrol engines has accelerated, after a period when diesel was the priority. The result is some new petrol engines such as Vauxhall’s latest ecoFLEX units, Ford’s EcoBoost range, plus Audi’s ‘Cylinder on Demand’ TFSI units and BMW’s modular 500cc per cylinder units are showing the way forward with reduced CO2 and improved MPG. Even with diesel currently averaging 2p a litre less than petrol, it may surprise you that even over 60,000 miles, some common fleet products lose the whole-life cost battle to their petrol equivalents. For example Vauxhall’s Astra 1.0i ecoFLEX 105 Design undercuts the 1.6CDTi 110 Design by almost £300 and a five door Audi A3 Sport with the 150PS 1.4 TFSI undercuts the 150PS 2.0 TDI by £653. Of course the savings in these examples come from a number of cost elements, with the typically lower P11D price of a petrol version reducing funding costs and employer’s National Insurance, together with slightly lower SMR costs and lower insurance costs as petrol versions are typically two to three insurance groups lower. So the answer is that petrol versions of some mainstream fleet cars are absolutely worth considering. Even when considering the improved NI costs due to the removal of the 3% band Benefit in Kind surcharge for diesels from 2016-17, and lower fuel costs, it is right for fleets with ‘diesel only’ policies to investigate whether that is still the correct decision – particularly for those users with an annual mileage lower than 20,000.

32 / fleetworld.co.uk

GF, logistics, Southampton.

in association with

nissan.co.uk/fleet

Mike Smith

Karl Anders

Director Fleet Assist

National EV Manager – Corporate sales Nissan Motor GB

“Should AdBlue top-ups be treated as consumables by leasing companies?”

“How are fleet demands for Electric Vehicles changing?”

DS, procurement oﬃcer, IT services, Colchester.

JM, fleet manager, oﬃce equipment supplier, Birmingham.

There is some debate as to whether AdBlue should be treated in the same way as other ‘consumables’. The general opinion at present amongst most leasing companies still seems to be that they will cover the costs of AdBlue as part of a service, but any tops ups between services will be treated the same as other consumables and be at the drivers expense. There is some concern over what damage could be caused to the vehicle if the driver runs the AdBlue tank dry, which is leading some to consider covering top-us as well. If a vehicle runs out of AdBlue, it will not start, so it is actually unlikely to cause any damage, just a bit of inconvenience to the driver. The additional costs that you are likely to incur if the car does run out of the fluid, is a recovery cost along with probably having to pay a high price for the AdBlue fluid if it is topped up by the recovery agent. The bigger issue is managing the costs from If a vehicle runs the garage. The AdBlue fluid out of AdBlue, can be purchased in bulk for it will not start, as little as 30p per litre but so it is actually we are seeing garages unlikely to cause charge anything up to £15 per litre and 0.5 hours any damage. labour to top up the tank. As a rough guide, it seems that somewhere between 800 and 1,200 miles per litre seems to be the rate of usage for the fluid, which means the total cost for AdBlue on a 60,000 mile contract, including labour it will probably be around £100. With the leasing companies paying for the fluid supplied during service, as long as the driver is not paying an inflated price, the cost to the driver for top ups over the life of the contract will be a few pounds.

The biggest change in fleet demand for EVs over the past year is the sheer increase in the market and expansion in interest in alternative fuelled vehicles. We expect this demand to continue as the number of available models increases and more manufacturers introduce EVs into their line-ups. Two years ago we were trying very hard to convince fleets that EVs were a viable option. This has now reversed and we find fleets are asking us to help them find the operational requirements that EVs fit. The market realises EVs will not meet every requirement, but where they do fit, they have huge cost and local air quality benefits. British Gas has procured a fleet of Nissan e-NV200 electric vans for its home-based engineers. After introducing the first 50 e-NV200s into service, they are about to deploy a further 63. The aim is for 10% of its 13,000 home service vans to be all-electric by 2017. One factor driving the increase in take up is the low cost of ownership of EVs – with running costs from as little as two pence per mile. The other major factor is continuing government support for EVs. OLEV recently announced the extension of the plug-in car grant into next year and the government has earmarked £500m to support the uptake of EVs to meet EU targets on carbon footprint reduction and improvement in air quality. The major advantage of 100% electric vehicles is that they have a much higher range compared to partial EV alternatives. The carbon footprint reduction and better air quality benefits of a full EV in actual use are therefore much higher. This is helping drive up sales of full EVs like the UKbuilt LEAF and e-NV200 to public sector organisations where real world local carbon output and air quality advantages are more important.

fleetworld.co.uk / 33

Jaguar XF The new XF offers the fleet-friendly power option its predecessor lacked and more, reckons John Kendall. SECTOR Premium saloon PRICE £32,300–£49,950 FUEL 34.0–70.6mpg CO2 104–198g/km

ncompetitive CO2 emissions from the outgoing Jaguar XF did not help fleet sales. The 2.2‐litre four‐ cylinder diesel was an afterthought; aimed at making it more fleet‐friendly for a car bought mostly by retail buyers, but its rivals offered lower CO2 emissions and the XF strug‐ gled to make an impression in fleet circles against its Audi A6, Mercedes E‐Class and BMW 5 Series competitors. Jaguar hopes this is about to change with the new model, now going on sale. It's shorter (‐7mm) and lower (‐3mm) on the outside, but a longer wheelbase (+51mm) and atten‐ tion to detail offers more head (+27mm) and rear seat legroom (+15mm), with knee room in the back a generous 24mm more than its predecessor. Jaguar Land Rover’s new 2.0‐litre Ingenium diesel is available from the start, initially in 163bhp and 180bhp forms, but with more power to come. There will also be variants of the Ingenium petrol engine based on the same architecture, but these are not available yet. The XF’s XE sibling suggests that there will be around 200bhp on tap from the 2.0‐litre petrol engine when it appears behind the combined fuel consumption of 4.0l/100km. These figures XF snout. As befits a car aimed at competing with its alone should be enough for many fleets that would not premium rivals, more powerful 380bhp 3.0‐litre super‐ have looked at the XF before to consider it as an option. charged V6 petrol and 3.0‐litre 300bhp Diesel That steps up to 114g/km CO2 for the 180bhp engines are available. The supercharged V6 is version and 65.7mpg. CO2 emissions for the FLEET FACT shared with the F‐type sports car and XE, but 380bhp supercharged V6 petrol are 198g/km take‐up is likely to be small in fleet circles. The with combined consumption 34.0mpg. New 2.0-litre V6 diesel is based on the same engine that also Comparable figures for the 300hp V6 diesel powered its predecessor, but with 25bhp are 144g/km CO2 and 51.4mpg combined. Ingenium diesel more and torque rising to 700Nm. Inside, Jaguar offers a 10.2‐inch touch‐ offers between Jaguar’s mostly aluminium construction screen in the centre of the dashboard and a 104 and 114g/km. (75%), partly using recycled material, cuts the 12.3‐inch virtual instrument cluster. In Jaguar weight of 2.0‐litre diesel manual models by language, this is called InControl Touch Pro. 190kg compared with its predecessor. This and an aero‐ It’s hard to tell the instruments are all virtual. All control dynamic drag factor of 0.26 help to bring emissions for the is from the screen which features gesture commands as on same 163bhp manual diesel down to 104g/km with a tablet computer. There’s a 60GB solid‐state drive to give rapid access to navigation and other apps. The virtual instrument cluster is configurable to suite the driver and the graphics give excellent definition. It’s easy to forget that these are not real instruments. There’s much more too including LED headlamps and electric power steering. The Ingenium diesel has the refinement that the 2.2‐litre diesel lacked with good performance to match. It makes the XF a worthy competitor to its German rivals. The V6 diesel is a model of refinement and performance whose effortless torque makes it preferable to the supercharged petrol engine. Sweet though the supercharged petrol engine is, the big diesel is better suited to the long distance touring aspirations of the XF and few V6 petrol models are going to find their way into fleet hands. And the chassis has impeccable behaviour, offering a fine ride/handling compromise. The launch in Spain took in motorways, twisty mountain roads and even a few hours on a race track. Nothing seemed to upset the car’s balance, impressive ride comfort or equally impressive handling.

34 / fleetworld.co.uk

what we think

highlights 51mm longer wheelbase gives more interior space Prices start from £32,300 163bhp diesel manual emits 104g/km C02 and returns 70.6mpg Up to 190kg lighter than outgoing XF

The new XF impresses with the competitive, fleet-friendly and refined 2.0-litre diesels and silky smooth V6 engines. The refined chassis, spacious interior and quality offer a genuine alternative to German rivals. And its CO2 is competitive this time too. The new design may be too subtle for some, but we echo designer Ian Callum’s words, “It’s a grown up, sophisticated sports car.”

key fleet model XF 2.0 diesel 163 R-Sport

fleetworld.co.uk / 35

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After much anticipation, the All-New Renault Kadjar is now available to order.

COST EFFICIENT With a range of fuel-efficient engines available, the Kadjar delivers optimum consumption and low CO2 emissions that are the best in their class. Impressively, four models from the range have a CO2 rating of less than 100g/km. As well as that, all versions but two exceeded 50mpg, while eight models comfortably exceeded 70mpg in the NEDC combined cycle test. The Kadjar is also best in class for TCO (Total Cost Ownership) and SMR (Service Maintenance Repair).

Thanks to Renault’s new R-Link 2 multimedia system, the Kadjar is available with a full menu of interactive driving aids to help city, highway and country drivers. Drivers can make use of:

• Traffic sign recognition • Blind spot warning • Lane departure warning • Automatic high/low beams All of these cutting-edge features are controlled via R-Link, streamlining the dashboard into an elegantly simple touchscreen.

EFFORTLESSLY ADAPTABLE Perfectly comfortable in an urban setting or when exploring the great outdoors, the Kadjar boasts highly tuned versatility, effortlessly switching between 4x2 and 4x4 modes, making it your ideal companion whatever the environment. That means you can rest assured it’ll be there for you in all aspects – from your next business meeting to your next great adventure.

Boasting category-leading efficiency in terms of performance and cost, it looks set to redefine the C-segment in more ways than one.

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Renault Kadjar EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption Model shown is the All-New Renault Kadjar Signature Nav dCi 110. Resale value of 43 per cent is average rate across the range.

The engines are the 1.2l turbocharged TCe 130hp four-cylinder direct-injection petrol unit, the 1.5l Energy dCi 110hp four-cylinder diesel and the 1.6l Energy dCi four-cylinder 130hp diesel. An efficient dual clutch (EDC) automatic gearbox is available with the dCi 110 engine, meanwhile the dCi 130 comes with intelligent four-wheel drive, with three operating modes. The trim lines will already be familiar to existing Renault drivers, with Expression+, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav and Signature Nav all available.

SUPERIOR DESIGN With its compact dimensions and high roofline, the Kadjar makes for an easily manoeuvrable town car, with a focus on driving enjoyment and comfort, all while keeping its sleek athletic profile. Maintaining its outstanding design throughout, the cabin also features high-quality materials plus the latest technology for advanced connectivity, combining superior luxury with a true sense of adventure.

With a predicted resale value of 43% after three years or 60,000 miles, the All-New Renault Kadjar holds its value. COMPREHENSIVE WARRANTY

EXTENSIVE CHOICE

As with all Renaults, customer peace of mind is reinforced by the comprehensive four-year warranty and roadside rescue package, which comes as standard.

This five-door C-segment crossover is being offered in an 18-version line-up, based on three engines, two gearboxes, two drive systems and four trim lines.

This provides a four-year/100,000-mile warranty (unlimited in the first two years) and four years roadside rescue cover, which includes three years of Europe-wide assistance.

To find out more about the All-New Renault Kadjar, visit renault.co.uk/business Or, call 0800 731 7066 to make an appointment with a Renault Account Manager

Signature Nav dCi 110 are: Urban 67.3 (4.2); Extra Urban 74.3 (3.8); Combined 72.4 (3.9). The official CO2 emissions are 103g/km. and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, road conditions and other factors.

Volvo S60/V60 Cross Country

In a crossover-saturated market, Alex Grant wonders if there’s still space for a rugged estate. SECTOR Upper medium PRICE £30,195–£38,025 FUEL 49.6–67.3mpg CO2 111–149g/km

olvo might seem like a late arrival to the cladded ally available with its latest automatic gearbox, which is D‐segment, but it pioneered this niche with the an excellent on‐road setup with strong performance, low V70 Cross Country in 1998. It’s a concept which noise and very competitive fuel economy. has spawned everything from plastic‐clad superminis to Four‐wheel drive comes paired with the old 2.4‐litre raised executive cars, but have prolific, economical five‐cylinder turbodiesel, albeit upgraded to 188bhp to crossovers made it irrelevant? match its successor, and a smooth but slightly lethargic Apparently not. The ’60 cluster’ shows how Volvo will automatic gearbox. There’s a useful increase in torque organise its three‐tier range over the coming years. SE over the new D4, but with the downside of a significant versions of the hatchbacks, estates and saloons will be drop in fuel economy and a £3,030 uplift in price. It’s offered alongside R‐Design and Cross Country models actually not far off the mark in this segment, but a regu‐ and an XC SUV. Around half of this pair’s customers are lar real‐world need for four‐wheel drive is the only way expected to be conquests, so it’s an to justify the outlay over the very effi‐ important niche to fill. cient four‐cylinder engines. In Cross Country guise, the S60 and The D3 engine, one of Volvo’s new‐ V60 get a 65mm increase in ride height, generation units, is only offered in the with added under‐body, wheel arch and V60 and is the only one available in the bumper protection. It’s perhaps most SE and SE Nav trim levels, which makes attractive as a style statement, but the the V60 the lead‐in model. Despite the option of four‐wheel drive is useful for drop in power to 148bhp, it feels the those who want soft‐roading ability most eager off the mark and is as without sizing up to an SUV. hushed as the D4 at speed. Regardless UK sales will be heavily tipped in of engine choice, both cars inherit that favour of the V60. A quarter of the familiar, solid Volvo driving experience, estate’s volume is expected to be the and there’s barely any extra roll from Cross Country, which equates to 850 the raised ride height. cars in the remainder of 2015. By Tastes aside, the V60 Cross Country The Cross Country comparison, the S60 Cross Country will is the more sensible option. It gets a models add a dash of be a rare sight, at 6% of the saloon’s broader range of engines and trims than off-road muscularity to total volume, but it’s really designed for the S60 but, like for like, it’s only £1,300 other regions. more expensive – a small increase for the V60’s versatility and Both cars get a choice of front and the large, versatile load space, especially long-distance comfort, all‐wheel drive D4 drivetrains, and as there’s no economy sacrifice from the and pricing and CO2 there’s a marked difference between larger body. If only the four‐wheel drive are competitive too. the two. The former uses Volvo’s new option was a bit more competitive with 2.0‐litre four‐cylinder engine, option‐ the latest crossovers.

what we think

38 / fleetworld.co.uk

Land Rover Discovery Sport 2.0 TD4

Two new diesel engines transform the Discovery Sport’s fleet prospects, says Alex Grant. SECTOR Compact SUV PRICE £30,695–£43,000 FUEL 53.3–57.7mpg CO2 129–139g/km

the head of the segment on CO2, it’s worth noting that the new ackaging family‐friendly versatility and genuine off‐ engine achieves those figures without requiring an expensive road ability with a large slice of Evoque style, the automatic gearbox, and it hasn’t sacrificed its four‐wheel drive Discovery Sport has launched to predictably strong capability. As so few customers opted for two‐wheel drive in demand in the UK. The trouble is, there’s always been a the Freelander, all Discovery Sports will have four‐wheel drive. ‘but’ for company car drivers. The E‐Capability engine wasn’t available on the launch, From launch, that fly in its soup was the 2.2‐litre diesel it but the 178bhp engine bodes well. Available with a six‐ inherited from the Freelander. With a relatively high 188bhp speed manual or nine‐speed automatic transmission, its and no two‐wheel drive option, its true fleet potential has variable turbocharger offers plenty of pulling power been a little hamstrung by range‐best fuel consumption of throughout the rev range, and it’s significantly quieter while 46.3mpg and 162g/km CO2 emissions. Accompanied by a dull cruising. With four overdrive gears, the automatic gearbox mechanical drone, this left the otherwise very capable and can be a little keen to shift up and down appealing newcomer feeling a bit old‐tech. on cross‐country roads, but the new But Jaguar Land Rover is investing in its engine finally makes the Discovery Sport own petrol and diesel engines, which are feel like a proper premium car. being built in a new plant near Wolver‐ Both engines are offered in SE and HSE hampton. It’s these which temporarily put trim levels, with SE Tech adding parking the Jaguar XE in a class‐leading CO2 posi‐ sensors, navigation and a powered tion and, before the end of the year, will tailgate. Demand so far has been 75% make the XF and Evoque a more viable weighted towards HSE, though, and with fleet option too. For the Discovery Sport, two fewer seats to wrap in leather the E‐ the new 2.0‐litre, four‐cylinder ‘Ingenium’ Capability brings the entry point for this diesel broadens the range to include two trim down by £2,200. HSE Lux versions outputs, and Land Rover has reconfigured are only offered with the 178bhp drive‐ the options for added corporate appeal. train, while the Black Pack has become a It’s the new 148bhp entry‐level version trim level in its own right, and only avail‐ which makes this most competitive for The Discovery Sport now able with the automatic gearbox. user‐choosers. This is the first E‐Capabil‐ has the refinement and There’s no question that a lack of four‐ ity model in the Land Rover line‐up, ownership costs it always wheel drive will be a barrier for a hand‐ offered without third‐row seating and ful of user‐choosers with very restricted featuring 18‐inch aerodynamic wheels to needed to be a contender choice lists. But, with higher fuel econ‐ contribute to a £1,700 price reduction. in the corporate market. omy, reduced tax, longer service intervals Fuel economy of 57.7mpg with 129g/km Stylish and versatile, it’s and high‐class refinement on its side, CO2 emissions have obvious running cost a legitimate threat. advantages, too. there’s no longer a ‘but’ attached to the Although that doesn’t put Land Rover at Discovery Sport.

what we think

40 / fleetworld.co.uk

Ford Galaxy

The versatile Galaxy continues to play to its strengths, reckons Alex Grant. SECTOR Large MPV PRICE £26,445–£36,760 FUEL 35.7–56.5mpg CO2 129–180g/km

ord once likened the Galaxy to first class air travel doesn’t feel van‐like on country roads and the steering – an ironic comparison for a car beloved of airport weight adds confidence too. Extra sound deadening mate‐ transfer fleets. But, with space to relax in comfort, rial and acoustic glass mean there’s little wind noise, and a cabin geared towards passengers rather than the driver the diesel engines are barely audible. and a multitude of high‐tech options, you can see the link. Reflecting a different customer base, almost half of UK Of course, this is a small sector now. C‐segment MPVs cars will get a PowerShift gearbox, and it suits the Galaxy now offer the interior modularity and occasional seven‐ perfectly. It’s quick to respond when pulling away from a seat abilities that were once the preserve of larger MPVs, standstill and fetches lower gears swiftly and smoothly and the Galaxy’s share has been eroded by the S‐Max. on the move, which makes this an effortless long‐distance Almost as versatile, but more stylish and better to drive, car for all on board. Ford judged that segment so well in 2007 that its 8,000 Its USPs compared to the S‐Max are mostly behind the annual sales outstrip the Galaxy more middle row. Third‐row occupants get than two‐fold. 38mm more headroom, 101mm more However, there’s still a market for hip room and 151mm more legroom, so highly functional large MPVs, and the adults can get comfortable, and the Galaxy has relatively few rivals now that middle row tips further forward for the PSA‐Fiat efforts are no longer and easier access. Load volume is identical Renault has pulled out of this sector in with the tonneau cover in place, but the UK. Ironically, Ford’s biggest rivals significantly larger when the car is are the Volkswagen Group models with stacked to its roofline and wider between which this once shared a platform, and the wheelarches too. the Galaxy puts up a good fight. However, as a purebred load‐hauler, The platform is based on the Mondeo’s, the Galaxy does without a couple of the car itself being slightly shorter overall useful features. The passenger seat but with most of that length taken by the doesn’t fold, so load length is capped at cabin. There are seven full‐size seats 2.06 metres, and a storage compart‐ Already a backbone inside with the usual ability to slide the ment for the tonneau cover would have of business travel in middle row individually or fold all except been useful too. Both are almost the UK, the Galaxy is the front seats flat. In the Galaxy, the default options for smaller MPVs. latter is possible via a panel inside the That said, there are few vehicles perfectly tailored to a tailgate, which is a neat touch. which offer the modularity, comfort segment defined by Ride quality, even on large wheels, is and interior space of the Galaxy with‐ practicality and comfort, excellent and the seats are very comfort‐ out starting life as a van. It’s short on and hard to beat. able with plenty of visibility from all rivals, but Ford’s biggest passenger car sides. It rolls more than an S‐Max, but is still a first‐class people mover.

what we think

42 / fleetworld.co.uk

Advance Payment

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• Uconnect™ Radio LIVE 5” Touchscreen with Bluetooth* • 4x2 with Traction+ or 4x4 • Cruise Control

NIL

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Up to 68.9

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Mercedes-Benz GLC

The new GLC paves the way for Mercedes in the lucrative medium SUV market. By Danny Cobbs. SECTOR SUV PRICE £34,950–£36,105 FUEL 56.5mpg CO2 129g/km

excellent body control – arguably better than the X3. f you add up all the vehicles Mercedes‐Benz currently A lot of its handling skills can be attributed to the GLC’s offer with an all‐wheel drive system it would total 88. 4Matic system which distributes power to the wheel(s) most And even though they cover nearly every sector of the in need of it. Which is the same principle it applies when marketplace, Mercedes has yet to make its presence felt in given an off‐road mission. Despite the GLC’s go anywhere the booming premium mid‐sized SUV market. appearance, it really doesn’t have the ground clearance or There was the boxy GLK which was only ever available approach angles to ever be considered a hardcore mud‐plug‐ with left‐hand drive, which meant UK buyers went look‐ ger, even when fitted with the optional Off‐Road package. ing elsewhere, mainly to the Audi and BMW camps – and It’s still worth considering this option as it also includes it was never in the same league as its German rivals either. a selectable air suspension system which makes the ride a The GLK, however, is finally being phased out, replaced lot more refined. Drivers will have to find another £495 instead with the new GLC, due here in October, and with right‐ though, in addition to the GLCs starting hand drive too. It also marks the start of price of £34,950. Mercedes launching a batch of brand‐new There is nothing especially ground‐ all‐wheel drive over the next 12 months. breaking about the interior of the GLC; it Mercedes is clearly taking this fight is as conservative as car design gets. very seriously and has positioned the Those in the front get figure‐hugging GLC to go head‐to‐head with the Audi Q5 seats, and a wide range of adjustments,, and BMW X3, which is a tough battle. while those seated in the rear benefit From launch there will be two diesel from the longer wheelbase and the extra engines to choose, the 220d and 250d, legroom it brings with it. mated to a new nine‐speed automatic The rear bench usefully splits and folds transmission. These are actually the flat to the floor to expand boot space same 2.1‐litre twin‐turbo units, just with from 550 litres to 1600 litre, which two different power outputs – 168bhp makes it one of the largest in its class. and 210bhp. Economy and emissions Offered in three trims – SE, Sport and ratings are identical, with both producing A beautifully crafted SUV, AMG Line – the GLC is surprisingly well 129g/km of CO2 and averaging 56.5mpg. intentionally designed to equipped. All cars feature a suite of A plug‐in hybrid will follow. appeal to those seeking safety equipment, touchscreen monitor, The GLC does make a case for itself as soon as it is driven. Since it shares many reversing cameras, powered tailgate, driveway kudos. Its of its mechanical components with the C‐ DAB radio and keyless entry. limited ground clearance With the GLC, Mercedes is throwing Class saloon, the two cars drive in a very will always dictate how down the gauntlet of intent. It may be similar way, which is nothing to complain far off-road it will travel. about. The steering is consistently the last to join the mid‐sized SUV party but it is not about to miss out. weighted and precise, and it displays

what we think

46 / fleetworld.co.uk

MY NAME IS PAUL AND I’M A

QUITTER Set to save over £500,000* and improve UK air quality by quitting a conventional fleet. By choosing petrol full hybrids over equivalent diesel models, Paul will save his company over half a million pounds in three years. Reduced BIK tax bills mean company car drivers will be on average £5,000 better off. Paul’s also said goodbye to a conventional fleet, improving the air we all breathe.

Read Paul’s story at: brilliantforbusiness.co.uk/paul

Paul James, Facilities Manager, Slimming World.

brilliant for business

*Saving based on switching existing Honda fl eet to Lexus hybrids.

SPOTLIGHT MINI Clubman

Club Class MINI is ditching the awkward Clubman for the broader appeal of a Golf-rivalling hatchback with even wider fleet aspirations. But is it all style over substance? Alex Grant finds out.

New customers Although it retains the Clubman name, the new car is no longer a B-segment estate and MINI isn’t expecting much of a customer crossover between the generations. Instead, this is targeting the premium C-Segment, against the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class, among others. So the exterior dimensions are almost identical to a Golf, over a wheelbase and track width which is close to the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer – which uses the same platform. Its cabin is completely redesigned, though still instantly recongisable MINI fare. There’s room for five adults, with a wider centre stack still featuring a central display screen of up to 8.8 inches, ringed with colour-changing LEDs. All cars get four full-size side doors, and the split ‘barn door’ rear is retained. Boot volume, at 360 litres, is on-par with the segment norms, and the Clubman has more space inside than a 1 Series with the rear bench folded.

All-Cooper range The Clubman launches with three engine options, with the Cooper D likely to be the most popular with fleets. Priced at £22,190, it’s the same 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel used in most of the BMW range, and returns 68.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 109g/km with either the six-speed manual or MINI-first eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. A Cooper SD is unconfirmed, but could rival the Golf GTD and use the 190bhp 2.0-litre diesel badged ‘20d’ in the BMW range. Petrol engines comprise the entry-level Cooper, which is the only version with one of the new three-cylinder turbocharged engines and returns 55.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 118g/km. The Cooper S uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and produces 190bhp, returning 48.7mpg with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. There are no plans for One or One D versions.

48 / fleetworld.co.uk

Equipment Recognising the different expectations of a larger segment, the Clubman gets a higher level of specification than the equivalent five-door MINI hatch. All versions get an infotainment system with satellite navigation and Bluetooth, as well as a sport steering wheel with media, telephony and cruise control functions. Over half of all customers are expected to take the ‘Chili Pack’, which is priced at £2,785. This adds part-leather sport seats, climate control air conditioning and rear parking sensors, as well as a Comfort Access feature which opens the rear barn doors electrically either via the keyfob or by waving a foot under the rear bumper. The Chili Pack also adds selectable driving modes for boosting economy or sharpening throttle responses.

What we think...

FLEET FACT Clubman’s split tailgate makes this the only six-door car in its class.

MINI has traditionally relied on the Countryman crossover as an option for brand-loyal user-choosers needing extra space, but the Clubman fills that need more effectively. This is a hotly-contested segment which sells in large volumes and the styling alone makes this a stand-out option, however, MINI sensibly isn’t seeking class dominance. Alongside the five-door hatch, which has helped grow sales from 6,000 in 2014 to an expected 10,000 this year, and investment in corporate-specialist sales and aftersales staff at dealers, the Clubman puts MINI in a good position to broaden its fleet appeal. AG

fleetworld.co.uk / 49

flashback a look back at the company cars of yesteryear

model Audi A3 (8L)

era 1996-2003

udi perhaps doesn’t get the recognition it deserves for the first A3. In 1996, this was an entirely new segment not only for Audi, but for the market in general. Taking a bet on buyers’ demands for big-car luxuries in a smaller, more accessible package, it had no direct rivals at launch. But it had an advantage compared to other German premium brands. BMW’s 3 Series Compact was basically a cut-down saloon, and the first A-Class was a huge investment for Mercedes-Benz. As part of the Volkswagen Group, the A3 was able to share the platform and running with the all-new Mk4 Golf which arrived shortly afterwards. So, ironically, while Auto Union had given Volkswagen the technology for the first Golf, that same platform layout was a big part of making the A3 a standalone model in the Audi range. Despite the smaller size, Audi was keen that it should feel every bit the premium-class model. High-class materials and softly-damped controls lined the cabin, and it launched with a single, sporty three-door bodyshell with design cues from the larger A4 and a windowline reminiscent of the Sport Quattro. Most importantly, it was a conventional hatchback shape rather than the liftback or MPV its rivals were offering. Early A3s were offered with SE and Sport trim levels over the entry-level model, and a choice of four engines. These included the 1.6-litre petrol shared with the Golf, available across all three trims, and Audi’s advanced 1.9litre ‘Pumpe Duse’ turbodiesel engine with 110bhp. The

50 / fleetworld.co.uk

UK sales 64,329

successor Audi A3 (8P)

A3 could also be equipped with the new-generation 1.8litre 20-valve engines, producing 125bhp without a turbocharger and a range-topping 150bhp with one. It found friends quickly. Audi recorded the strongest residual values in its sector and the premium badge meant people were prepared to overlook the practical disadvantages of not being able to opt for a five-door version. But the A3 followed C-segment norms in 1999 and, with five doors, gained another string in its bow against the unconventional new A-Class and the threedoor-only 3 Series Compact. Audi gave the A3 a light facelift for the 2001 model year, introducing one-piece headlights and subtly updating the styling to match new models. By that point it had paved the way for the 210bhp, later 225bhp, S3 super-hatch, as well as the first TT Coupe. Quattro fourwheel drive, redesigned to work with Audi’s only transverse-mounted engines, was available in both the 150bhp and 180bhp 1.8 20-valve turbo engines, and the 1.9 TDI was re-tuned to a sporty 128bhp. The diesel was also ready for 2002’s CO2-based tax system, emitting a best-in-class 138g/km. The A3 found almost 950,000 homes worldwide in its eight-year lifespan, and it’s proved to be the trend-setter in this segment. It gave Audi an eight-year advantage over the 1 Series, and another eight before the latest AClass was cut from the same cloth. The segment all premium manufacturers want a piece of is one Audi got right almost 20 years ago.

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Take your business further Big on space and rich in technology, the all-new Honda HR-V has the style, space and fuel efficiency to offer the best of all worlds for your ﬂeet.

Think big The all-new HR-V blends the dynamic personality of a coupé with the tough, solid stance of an SUV, creating a characterful look with emotional appeal. Its body shape and a rear window line that tapers at the rear result in a dynamic and sporty side profile, complemented by ‘hidden’ rear door handles. Combining the 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel paired with a newly-engineered six-speed manual transmission, the new Honda HR-V small SUV will return official combined fuel economy figures of up to 70.6mpg, with CO2 emissions as low as 104g/km. But company car drivers won’t find performance compromised by the car‘s frugality. With 120bhp powering the new HR-V from 0-62mph in 10.1 seconds, it has been engineered to deliver a saloon-like driving experience, achieved thanks to its low centre of gravity and its lightweight and highly-rigid body. This rigidity helps make the HR-V one of the most confidence-inspiring cars in the crossover segment to drive enthusiastically. The HR-V also brings class-leading aerodynamic performance to the crossover segment, benefitting not only fuel efficiency but also interior refinement.

Drive small The HR-V is a masterpiece of clever packaging, managing to be one of the most compact vehicles in its class despite its generous interior space and rugged design. Flowing bodylines and a coupe-like side profile not only offer a hint of its sure-footed agility on all roads, but also aerodynamics, in turn helping to maximise fuel economy. Nimble and fun to drive, the HR-V is also powered by Honda’s latest engines, including the acclaimed 120hp 1.6litre i-DTEC diesel. Developed for Europe and built in Britain, this offers up to 70.6mpg with tax-efficient fuel economy of 104g/km – on par with a conventional hatchback, rather than a crossover. With an ECON button, which optimises the engine performance and throttle responses to stretch every gallon of fuel as far as possible, the HR-V demands no economy sacrifice for its unrivalled practicality.

For more information visit honda.co.uk/cars/corporatesales

SWOTTeam This month the SWOT Team analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for the new Volvo XC90 against its closest rivals. Here is what they have to say...

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

GA Superb premium looks, very spacious, economical and the cleanest here. The new XC90 is well put together, drives great and does everything needed to conquer this sector.

GA The old XC90 was a little long in the tooth and Volvo isn’t as highly thought of as it should be. Marketing and dealer support and proactivity are required.

GA This is a huge opportunity. It’s down to them and the dealers to push people to drive and experience this car rather than sitting back and waiting for the phone to ring.

GA The level of dealer service for a company user needs to be up there with the Germans to maximise all enquiries.

AC The sat nav seemed a little on the user-unfriendly side; unless you select capital letters it doesn’t recognise post codes, and cancelling the current destination can be a challenge. But I’m sure I would get used to it after a short period. Some won’t consider a four-cylinder diesel, but I suggest they give it a try as it is better than they might think.

AC Although the vehicle is not going to be up there with Volvo’s biggest selling models it is a statement of what they are capable of and what to expect from future models. It certainly will make some of its rivals sit up and take notice and is an excellent offering and competitor.

AC A really good offering and gives the main players something to think about. The engine is relatively quiet unless under load (but most are), and wind noise is relatively low. Huge practicality – even the third row seats offer decent comfort for most adults. MJ All-new XC90 is an impressive replacement for the current car. Entry Momentum has good equipment for a price lowest in this group. MW Such an elegant looking car, looks good value and drives extremely well.

52 / fleetworld.co.uk

MJ With 223bhp, the fourcylinder diesel performs well but some may prefer a V6. MW The range and engines are a bit confusing, and could put potential customers off.

MJ Given that there seems no shortage of people with money, XC90 seems sure to find buyers, and will help Volvo continue to rebuild awareness. MW The good looks of the XC90 will attract new customers, it has high quality, and premium has overtaken safety for the Volvo Brand.

AC Apart from the main rivals, the other main threat is that non-Volvo customers do not overlook it and go straight to one of the German brands through habit. MJ Extended lifecycle of the prior car means some former drivers have moved to other brands – there is plenty of choice. This is quite a lot more money than the previous car. MW As the public continue more than ever to look for the best possible deal, and to many it doesn’t matter what badge it has on the front, the price is more important. This is not a large sector in percentage terms, so manufacturers have to be so competitive in so many areas.

Martin Ward (MW) Manufacturer Relationship Manager, CAP

Volvo XC90

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

Mark Jowsey (MJ) Director, KeeResources Kwikcarcost

Strengths GA Does everything needed to conquer this sector. AC Well equipped, genuine seven-seater. MJ Excellent value, with low BiK costs. MW Elegant, looks good value and drives extremely well.

GA Long lifecycle for the old car – marketing and dealer support required. AC No V6 diesel could be a barrier. MJ Some may prefer a V6 engine. MW Confusing range and engines.

Strengths

BMW X5 xDrive30d SE

GA Automatic choice for many – clean six-cylinder diesel engine, dynamic drive. AC Comfortable ride, nice looks. MJ The 255bhp 3.0-litre engine V6 outperforms the competition here. MW The most established option. GA Some of its ‘rugged’ looks have gone. AC Almost £1,500 for seven-seat option. MJ Wider choice of alternatives could tempt some drivers away. MW Could do with lower CO2 emissions.

Strengths

Audi Q7 SE 3.0 TDI quattro (218PS)

GA Strong residual values, does everything expected of an Audi. AC Excellent technology, good comfort. MJ Cheaper entry point, competitive. MW More stylish, and is now probably the nicest one to drive.

Standard equipment: • DAB radio, 10GB HDD, CD/DVD/SD/USB/aux-in • Sat nav with 8.3-inch screen • Front and rear parking sensors • Seven seats • Electric/heated front seats Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £675 • LED headlights £1,550 • Reversing camera £500 • Park assist with overhead view £1,150

GA Some are critical of its lack of flair. AC Not as good looking as its predecessor. MJ Still the biggest car. MW Known for looking far too big, new one isn’t much shorter.

OTR: £47,755 P11D: £47,555 Fuel: 48.7mpg CO2: 150g/km RV*: £17,475 (37%) BiK: 28% SMR: £3,327 Fuel costs: £6,480 Insurance: £5,325 Finance: £6,420 NI: £5,513 VED: £435 Cost per month: £1,601

Strengths

Mercedes-Benz GLE 250d 4MATIC Sport

Weaknesses

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Standard equipment: • DAB radio, 20GB HDD, Bluetooth, CD/USB • Sat nav with 10.2-inch screen • Front and rear parking sensors • Leather upholstery • Electric/heated front seats • Metallic paint • Powered tailgate Optional equipment: • LED headlights £1,495 • Reversing camera £375 • Seven seats £990

OTR: £49,365 P11D: £49,130 Fuel: 47.9mpg CO2: 156g/km RV*: £19,450 (40%) BiK: 29% SMR: £3,093 Fuel costs: £6,589 Insurance: £5,550 Finance: £6,633 NI: £5,899 VED: £540 Cost per month: £1,612

Weaknesses

Audi Q7

Volvo XC90 D5 AWD Momentum OTR: £45,750 Standard equipment: P11D: £45,550 • DAB radio, Bluetooth, USB, aux-in Fuel: 52.3mpg • Sat nav with 9-inch screen CO2: 149g/km • Rear parking sensors RV*: £17,450 (38%) • Seven seats BiK: 27% • Electric driver’s seat SMR: £2,899 • LED headlights Fuel costs: £6,480 • Powered tailgate Insurance: £5,445 Optional equipment: Finance: £6,149 • Metallic paint £700 NI: £5,092 • Auto parking system, camera, VED: £435 front sensors £650 Cost per month: £1,518 • Heated front seats £200

Weaknesses

BMW X5

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

GA GLE drives well, is built nicely. AC Roomy interior, nice styling. MJ Well equipped, nine-speed auto. MW Three-pointed star will ensure it doesn’t get forgotten.

Weaknesses

GA Four-cylinder diesel is no cleaner than Audi and BMW’s larger engines. AC Fussy interior, no seven-seat option. MJ Performance is behind rivals, plus kerb weight is higher. MW Lower CO2 would be a benefit.

OTR: £49,045 Standard equipment: P11D: £49,045 • DAB radio, 10GB HDD, Fuel: 47.9mpg DAB, BT/CD/DVD/SD/USB CO2: 155g/km • Sat nav with 8-inch RV*: £18,075 (37%) screen (standard) BiK: 29% • Park assist, front/rear sensors SMR: £4,066 and camera Fuel costs: £6,589 • Artificial leather upholstery Insurance: £5,445 • Electric/heated front seats Finance: £6,621 • Metallic paint NI: £5,888 • LED headlights VED: £540 • Powered tailgate Cost per month: £1,672 • Rear privacy glass

* 3yr/60k

fleetworld.co.uk / 53

FEATURE H2 Cost Trends

COST TREND ANALYSER - H2 2015/16 What cost trends are fleets likely to see in the next six months of the 2015/16 financial year? We asked the industry for their views.

RESIDUAL VALUES e have been closely watching used car market W supply and demand for many months anticipat‐ ing that the residual value bubble would burst. How‐ ever, despite the month‐on‐month rise in new vehicle registrations we continue to see strong used car val‐ ues. Therefore, it would seem, only the brake being put on the general health of the UK economy is likely to impact on new and used car demand and conse‐ quently residual values. We see nothing on the near horizon to impact nega‐ tively on the economy so we do not anticipate any major movements in residual values. The only likely headwind as far as rentals are concerned could be interest rates, which are surely going to creep up as the recovery continues, but this will be a slow process and the impact will be relatively minor. Ian Hill, managing director, Activa Contracts We saw average prices of used cars sold online remain steady during Q1 and Q2 2015 at just over £8,500. Typically the average age and mileage profile of our online stock is around 33 months and 21,000 miles, which explains the higher values. Demand has remained strong from our 2,000 active buyers over the summer for nearly new cars up to 12 months old and three to four‐year‐old cars and we believe this will continue for the remainder of the year. There have been brief periods where the age and quality of used stock available has fallen away in 2015 and this is set to continue as we experience ex‐fleet stock still feeding into the market where replacement cycles were extended after the recession. As with the last few plate changes the market won’t see the full extent of part exchanges reaching the mar‐ ket until October and even into November. The better quality part exchanges are likely to reignite demand from buyers to tide them over with sufficient stock until January, which may mean December is a season‐ ally quieter month. Jon Mitchell, sales director at Autorola UK

54 / fleetworld.co.uk

In most cases residuals will remain pretty much the same, for most popular models, as demand and supply on the used car market stays fairly stable. What could upset the apple‐cart is if the explosion in PCP’s continues, and more and more used car buyers turn to new cars, as they look ever‐so‐cheap, and these used car buyers disappear from the market, leaving many used cars without homes to go to. Martin Ward, manufacturer relationship manager, CAP The new car market is 6.5% up on the year and this is clearly good news. However, there are some clouds on the horizon. Notably, the volume of sub‐one‐year‐old cars is also up by 43%, indicating a huge rise in dealer and manufacturer pre‐ registrations. Pre‐regs are not a bad thing in themselves but they do create a growing distortion in the market. Customers need to see a sen‐ sible pricing difference between new cars, nearly new pre‐regs and older vehicles. The flood of pre‐regs creates substantial downward pressure on older vehicle values, which are falling. The more pre‐regs that enter the market, the stronger these distortions become, especially bearing in mind that many new vehicles are currently being sold at nowhere near their official list price in the first place. Rupert Pontin, head of valuations, Glass’s The outlook for residual values, which have an influence over leasing rates and daily rental, look to remain broadly stable in the short‐term. The normal seasonality factors will continue, with values generally sliding towards the end of the calendar year before recovering and increasing in the new calendar year. Tim Bowden, head of operations, Hitachi Capital Car Solutions

→

FEATURE H2 Cost Trends

£ →

FUNDING, FINANCE & LEASING RATES e anticipate a gentle rise in leasing rates, to reflect W some increases in model pricing from manufactur‐ ers, but these are likely to be small, as funders will look to maintain volumes in a competitive marketplace. Carlos Montero, commercial director, FleetEurope Wouldn’t be my chosen subject on Mastermind, but they seem to have settled down now and will remain so for some time, as interest rates are likely now to stay put for the foreseeable future. Banks have become more stable, and money more plentiful in the market, and funding, or finding cash to finance new and used cars for the lenders should be eas‐ ier. But the banks and finance companies need to remain vigilant in who they lend money to, and not to just every Tom, Dick and Harry who happens to want a new or used motor, but probably can’t afford the repayments. Martin Ward, manufacturer relationship manager, CAP The first half of the 2015 financial year has been positive; market confidence is improving and there is increased stability, largely supported by a decisive general election result in May. This has enabled individuals and compa‐ nies to look ahead with more certainty. We are not expecting any great changes for the second half of the 2015/16 financial year. Most pundits are expecting a bank base interest rate increase to occur in the early part of 2016 and have already keyed‐in this view to their expectations of the market. As such, a rate

change is unlikely to have an impact on vehicle leasing rates over the short‐term. Recent ripples in global markets as a result of revised expectations of economic growth in China demonstrates just how much we are all part of a global economy. Whilst this might impact domestic demand and consumer confi‐ dence in China, it’s unlikely to have a direct impact on the UK fleet sector in the short term. Tim Bowden, head of operations, Hitachi Capital Car Solutions RVs, leasing and funding are inextricably linked and our belief is that, at least in the short‐term, the status quo will remain. However, over the longer terms, residual values will reduce and that will trigger a marginal rise in leasing rates. We are happy with the prices our de‐fleeted vehicles are currently achieving at auction and, notwithstanding the strength of new car sales, see no impact on market demand for three and four‐year‐old quality cars in the next few months. However, into 2016/17, the residual value bubble may not be sustainable and that will result in a rise in monthly rentals. Meanwhile, lease rates are also influenced by funding costs and if the Bank of England’s official base rate (currently 0.5%) rises there will be a knock on effect on rental rates. However, any base rate increase in the next six months is likely to be marginal, perhaps a quarter of a per cent, so the impact on lease rates will be slight. Nick Hardy, sales and marketing director, Ogilvie Fleet

DAILY RENTAL as been such good value for so many years, not just in H the UK, but in many countries across Europe, but cost of rental does seem to be rising, and rightly so, as the rental companies could not have gone on much longer charging what they did. The cost of running and funding these organisations is massive, the investment is eye‐watering, and the quality and reliability they have to offer is very high. So as prices do rise, it will be a shock to the borrower, but in reality, prices are now where they should have been a few years ago. The bor‐ rowers have had it good for a long time, and now is the time to pay a realistic price, for a quality service. Martin Ward, manufacturer relationship manager, CAP There may be some pressure from daily rental fleets to increase rates and/or terms, especially for delivery and col‐ lection costs, as the minimum wage increases. Daily rental fleets may look to use this as an opportunity to bring their costs in line, especially as many providers have long‐claimed the amount charged for collection and delivery is not an accurate reflection of the true cost. Carlos Montero, commercial director, FleetEurope 56 / fleetworld.co.uk

→

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Call 0844 8911 964 or visit us on stand C4 at Van Fleet World on 23rd October 2015 *50% off RAC Onward Travel Cover terms and conditions. 1. The offer is for 50% off RAC Onward Travel Cover for the first 12 months of cover purchased on an annual basis. 2. Only valid to new & existing customers who buy or who have bought RAC Business Breakdown cover. 3. Existing Onward Travel customers are excluded unless eligible for renewal. 4. Valid for cars and vans (less than 3.5 tonnes) only. 5. Valid for a fleet size of 1-99 vehicles. 6. Valid from 17/09/2015 until 31/10/2015 and available on quotes given before 31/10/2015 and purchased within 30 days of the quote received date. 7. The offer price is based on the advertised web price of RAC Onward Travel Cover for cars and vans (£20). 8. No cash or other alternatives available. 9. Offer can be used in conjunction with other RAC Business offers advertised at the time. †Research conducted by Ford Retail and published in Fleet News November 2013. Calls cost 4p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Calls may be monitored and/or recorded. RAC Business Breakdown provided by RAC Motoring Services Registered No 01424399 and/or RAC Insurance Ltd Registered No 2355834. Registered in England; Registered Offices: RAC House, Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall WS5 4AW. RAC Motoring Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. RAC Insurance Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. B.VWRLD.AD.0815.3872

FEATURE H2 Cost Trends

SERVICE, MAINTENANCE & REPAIR →

ars are becoming ever‐more sophisticated with a wide C array of technology turning them into computers on wheels! The components are typically very reliable, but if they go wrong then both the cost of repair and related down‐ time can be significant. We have had a couple of de‐fleeted vehicles where the cost to fix a sophisticated satellite navi‐ gation system and repair faulty reversing cameras was deemed too costly so we simply took the hit – it is not as easy as changing a spark plug! While there may be no immediate impact on SMR costs, it is an issue that we are watching closely and may need to be factored in to maintenance costs as we build up historical evidence and analyse trends. Ian Hill, managing director, Activa Contracts Damage costs and claims will continue to be a hot topic for H2 and, no doubt, some time to come. What we are beginning to see is an increase in vehicle downtime, not because of unreliability, but because of the removal of the spare wheel in favour for tyre sealant kits. Although effective in some instances, there has been an increase in both the number of breakdown callouts as well as the time that vehicles are off the road, waiting for a replacement. It is also worth noting the increasing amount of technol‐ ogy fitted to vehicles, as this is also having an impact on costs and downtime. For example, we are seeing more vehicles on fleet (not just top end models) with sensors mounted in (or

to) the windscreen for automatic headlights and wipers. This again drives the costs of glass replacement up, and where parts are in short supply, this can increase vehicle downtime. This isn’t just a problem for new models, as mid‐life updates to models usually bring new options or improved standard specifications. Carlos Montero, commercial director, FleetEurope Whilst wage rates are on the increase after a number of years of suppression, we do not think this will have a significant impact on Service, Maintenance and Repair costs, especially as labour rates only represent part of the overall cost. Tim Bowden, head of operations, Hitachi Capital Car Solutions As new cars get more and more techy, more systems and more difficult to repair, then the cost of repairs and servicing is bound to rise. It is probably the unknown factor that will prevail here, and leasing companies are probably wise to ‘add a bit on, just in case’. Even the standard service items seem to be getting more expensive, and franchise dealers are finding it more difficult to get qualified mechanics – or technicians as they are known these days – and they are demanding higher and higher salaries to stay where they are working, so be prepared for increasing costs from the service department. Martin Ward, manufacturer relationship manager, CAP

FUEL he good times at the pump may be coming to an end T as OPEC – the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries which produces 40% of the world’s oil – has said it is willing to meet with other oil produc‐ ers to discuss a ‘fair’ price for oil. The barrel price has already rebounded and is continuing to trade up around $48 so we may not see a low of $41 a barrel again. Due to the global oil over‐supply situation we are in, pump prices look unlikely to return to the all‐time high levels of 142p for petrol and 147p for diesel experi‐ enced in April 2012 so the cost of driving should con‐ tinue to be cheaper for some time to come. Simon Williams, fuel spokesman, RAC

The current downward pump price trend will inevitably end, eventually. The unanswerable ques‐ tions is when? Overall fuel remains a very expensive commodity whether bought by businesses or private driv‐ ers, the recent round of price reductions simply means petrol and diesel is cheaper than it was. Oil producers only need to turn off the tap or we witness a rise in instability in the Middle East and prices will quickly rise. Nick Hardy, sales and marketing director, Ogilvie Fleet

The pricing scenario we are currently in will remain for some time. The Chinese economy is slowing down and, consequently, demand for raw materials such as oil is reducing. Therefore, there is a glut of oil for the rest of the world to consume and with no sign of the oil pro‐ ducers turning off the taps, UK pump prices are likely to remain at current levels. Ian Hill, managing director, Activa Contracts

Fuel is likely to stay roughly where it is for the foreseeable future, as there seems to be enough gas and oil to go around, and if fracking is to become more popular, then the old head‐ line of ‘fuel is running out, and we are all doomed’ is no longer true. Oil is being found deeper and deeper, but at a higher cost to the producer, but this extra cost doesn’t seem to be passed on to the end user. Martin Ward, manufacturer relationship manager, CAP

58 / fleetworld.co.uk

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Service Supplier of the Year

Leasing/Fleet Management

FEATURE Back to Basics

6 steps to better...

Contract Hire We talk to the experts about the potential economic, safety and time-saving benefits of contract hire, and why it is important to fully understand the terms before taking out a lease. By Katie Beck.

1... Understand the tax incentives Sourcing a fleet through contract hire can have significant economic advantages for a business over outright purchasing of assets. Vehicles under contract hire are classed as a business expense and as such are not currently required to appear on the company balance sheet. This means that the busi‐ ness can avoid having depreciating assets on its books that it has to write down each year, minimising payouts. Contract hire can also provide VAT and tax advantages for fleets that choose not to outright purchase; “For company cars with private use, contract hire provides the opportunity to recover up to 50% VAT on finance, whereas there is no VAT recovery under outright purchase,” explains Paul Lippitt, principle consult‐ ant for Lex Autolease.

2... Duty of care obligations Contract‐hired vehicles are typi‐ cally run for two or three years, meaning they are likely to be newer and better maintained than grey fleet vehicles, which are typically seven years old. Leased vehicles are also likely to be significantly more fuel effi‐ cent and offer improved safety equip‐ ment such as ABS and full airbag coverage that may be absent from older models. Selecting vehicles specced with modern safety features can help to demonstrate corporate social responsi‐ bility initiatives and ensure drivers feel supported out on the road. “Knowing that staff are in efficient, well maintained and appropriately

60 / fleetworld.co.uk

insured vehicles is crucial in meeting Health and Safety obligations as an employer,” comments Carlos Montero, commercial director at FleetEurope. “Provision of a company car on contract hire is preferable to grey fleet drivers running their own cars as risks can be reduced and costs controlled.”

3... Avoid unexpected charges There are lots of different types of lease, but in essence they tend to revolve around the same principle; that of a fixed monthly fee that ultimately equates to the value of the vehicle being leased, plus a little interest. “One key element for fleet managers to understand about leases is contract amendments and early terminations,” warns Matthew Gardiner, regional sales manager for Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solu‐ tions. “If something changes outside the terms of the agreed lease, for example the mileage goes beyond what was orig‐ inally agreed, there will be financial penalties. Therefore, fleet managers should make sure that any commercial implications of changes to the terms of the lease are clearly defined at the start of the contract. Of course, any reputable leasing company will want to work closely with its customers to ensure contracts operate in the most cost effi‐ cient way.”

4... Undertake a whole-life cost analysis Simon Staton, director of client management at Venson Automotive

Solutions, suggests that a whole‐life cost comparison be carried out as part of the decision making process when selecting a vehicle for contract hire: “Whole‐life costs reflect all the projected, vehicle‐ specific costs associated with operating a vehicle over its fleet life. If the vehicle is contract hired, then the rental will normally include the depreciation, fund‐ ing, service, maintenance and repairs and VED. Costs can be shown as per annum, per month, or per mile. “Two similarly priced cars from two distinct manufacturers may have an identical list price, but be hundreds of pounds apart in whole‐life costs over the benchmark three‐year/60,000 mile fleet operating cycle. Multiply that ‘wrong’ decision across a 100‐vehicle fleet and the costs will be huge.”

5... Decide whether to opt in for SMR coverage Including a service, maintenance and repair (SMR) element in a contract hire agreement can remove this admin‐ istrative burden from the fleet manager, and enables the provider to use its buying power and the promise of repeat business to negotiate the more cost‐ effective rates possible for its clients. Fleet managers who prefer to fulfil SMR requirements themselves will need to consider the scale of the task, dependent on the number of vehicles on their fleet. There can be advantages to dealing with SMR costs in‐house, as this can enable the fleet to monitor vehicle condition in real‐ time and larger fleets may even have their own workshops on‐site where vehicles can be maintained. If managed poorly,

“During the fleet life of a vehicle there are a number of opportunities to assess vehicle condition.” managed poorly, however, organisations could end up paying retail prices for SMR, and the operation may well prove more costly than outsourcing.

6... Educate staff to reduce charges The contentious issue of end‐of‐ contract vehicle damage charges could be improved by driver education and better communication between drivers and hire firms. So says Zenith Vehicle Solutions’ commercial director, Ian Hughes, speak‐ ing at a recent ACFO seminar: “During the fleet life of a vehicle there are a number of opportunities to assess vehicle condition, but there are too many times where that is compressed into the last four months of a contract. “There needs to be pro‐activity in management of vehicles and that means mid‐life notification of damage and pre‐ return inspections. Fleet managers and ourselves should perhaps carry out random condition checks in company car parks; employee workshops could be held to explain policy and procedures and an appraisal of vehicle condition should be part of an employee’s annual review.”

CASE STUDY > SPIE UK Reducing environmental impact

pecialist provider of electrical, mechan‐ ical and engineering services, SPIE UK, signed a sole supply partnership with ALD Automotive in June 2015 to cover a fleet of over 1,000 vehicles, comprising a third cars and two‐thirds LCVs. During implementation, ALD Automotive worked with SPIE UK to develop a new vehicle policy that offers increased vehicle choice along with a focus on a more cost‐effective proposition for drivers. This included a move to using total cost of ownership (TCO) for vehicle selection, which provides the group with a more detailed overview of vehicles’ costs across their lifetime on the fleet. Moving to a TCO‐based policy also enables SPIE UK to weigh up the benefits of ultra‐low emission vehicles. In line with the group’s eco focus, the new choice list includes CO2 caps on all vehicles as well as a number of hybrid models, the first of which will be three Mitsubishi Outlander Plug‐in Hybrids. The contract hire partnership with ALD incorporates a number of other services, including accident management as well as ALD’s PoolFleet Solutions product to offer a flexi‐lease programme for new starters and Rental Solutions to provide flex‐ ible short‐term rental. Commenting on the partnership, Pat Nolan, fleet manager at SPIE UK, said: “We are looking to deliver significant savings to the business, improve our driver road risk and reduce our fleet’s CO2 emissions. The timescales for this are challenging and ALD have helped develop our plans, supported us where we struggled and continue to drive through the changes into the business.”

fleetworld.co.uk / 61

EVENTS MPG Marathon

in association with

ALD Automotive ALD Automotive is one of the UK’s leading providers of vehicle funding and management solutions and manages over 115,000 vehicles. The ALD Automotive group is also the 2nd largest vehicle leasing operation in Europe and manages over 1.2 million vehicles across 37 countries worldwide. As such we are, once again, delighted to organise the 2015 MPG Marathon. The event has proved to be an ideal fit with our own business strategy as it focuses on cost reduction, health and safety and environmental issues. These are the core issues at the forefront of our own and our customers’ thinking. Our support reflects the great importance we place on safer, smarter driving and our award winning risk management solutions – for company car drivers and the grey fleet alike, such as DriveSafe Solutions and ProFleet2 in‐vehicle telematics – are testimony to this. Fin out more at: www.aldautomotive.co.uk

RAC Business RAC Business is proud to play a key role in supporting the 2015 MPG Marathon, with our re‐fuelling patrols on hand to ensure all participants keep on the move. Our comprehensive range of products and services will also ensure businesses across the UK stay on the move 24/7. From breakdown cover, commercial insurance and RAC Telematics to accident management, truck rescue and contact centres, RAC Business will rise to any challenge meeting the needs of fleets and busi‐ nesses now and in the future. For more information about how RAC Business can support your fleet, go to: www.rac.co.uk/business

TRACKER TRACKER is the UK’s number one supplier of vehicle tracking services, with over a million systems installed to date. Celebrating 20 years of market‐leading success, TRACKER’s award winning fleet tracking systems help companies meet the challenges facing them today. TRACKER Fleet incorporates groundbreaking, patented technology, providing important cost‐saving benefits, not just for the short‐term by identifying fuel inefficiency, but also longer‐term by providing valuable insights into driver and business behaviour. TRACKER remains committed to developing solu‐ tions that anticipate and respond to the changing dynamics of the marketplace. Our long history in supplying telematics means businesses can be assured we will be here tomorrow. For more information about TRACKER visit: www.tracker.co.uk 62 / fleetworld.co.uk

NOW Visit the website thempgmarathon.co.uk and register to drive in the UK’s premier economy driving event, for FREE!

MPG marathon

SPONSORED BY

201 5

sponsored by Barclaycard Fuel+ Barclaycard Fuel+, developed in association with The Miles Consultancy (TMC), is proud to be the lead sponsor of the MPG Marathon 2015. Barclaycard Fuel+ is the intelligent solution that helps reduce your business fuel costs. Our award‐ winning Mileage Capture and Audit System accurately records drivers’ mileage and fuel spend to separate business from personal use. It’s powered by Visa, meaning it’s accepted almost everywhere.* With no transaction charges and total visibility, you can take full control of your business fuel spend. To see how Barclaycard Fuel+ could make a difference to your business, visit barclaycard.co.uk/business/fuelplus or call 0844 822 2400.**

ALD Automotive • Fleet World

MPG marathon

MPG Marathon sponsored by

201 5 promoting smarter driving for better business

29-30th September 2015 • Cotswolds, UK *Please note that a few small fuel retailers with a shop may be classified by their Visa processing bank as a supermarket or convenience store and your card may therefore be declined. Only an outlet classified as a fuel retailer will accept your card. **For BT business customers, calls will cost no more than 5.5p per minute, minimum call charge 6p (current at August 2015). The price on non-BT phone lines may be different. Calls may be monitored and/or recorded.

fleetworld.co.uk / 63

MARKET OVERVIEW Risk Management

AA DriveTech

DriveTech Employers have a duty of care for staff who drive for work. As one of the UK leaders in road risk management and driver education, AA DriveTech works with you to deliver driver risk management solutions throughout the UK. This includes ‘driving for work’ programmes, action plans, licence validation, driver assessment (paper, on road and online) as well as in-vehicle and workshop training for all vehicle drivers including Driver CPC. Visit our website to find out what our customers have achieved from implementing occupational road risk strategies with us. Case studies include: • Becton Dickinson • Center Parcs • Cordek • Dow • Feedwater • Shred-it Contact: Sam Harris-Jones tellmemore@AAdrivetech.com www.AAdrivetech.com/fleetsafe

Tel: 01256 495732

ALD Automotive The ALD Automotive group is the second largest vehicle leasing operation in Europe and manages over 1 million vehicles across 40 countries worldwide. Within the UK ALD is widely recognised as one of the industry’s leading service providers, with a proven portfolio of award winning products for major plc’s, small businesses and individual drivers alike. An integral part of ALD’s product range is its award winning DriveSafe programme offering a straightforward, practical and cost effective solution to help establish a lasting road risk reduction programme for all employees who drive on business. Utilising the expertise of specialist partners DriveSafe provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated solution, all managed under ‘one roof’ and uniquely delivered via ALD’s threesixty online portal. Contact: Helen Fisk helen.fisk@aldautomotive.com www.aldautomotive.co.uk

Tel: 0870 00 111 81

Interactive Driving Systems

IAM Drive & Survive

Interactive Driving Systems provides researchled fleet risk management solutions. Our Virtual Risk Manager tool is proven – with 1,000,000+ car, heavy and light commercial, bus, two wheeler and lift-truck drivers registered across 90+ countries. Organisations of all types and sizes are supported to lead their drivers to safety. Participants in our Fleet Safety Benchmarking program saved £11+ million in direct collision costs over 3 years through claim rate and cost per vehicle reductions. Over 1,300 organisations have been engaged in work related road safety via our freely available 10 minute fleet safety gap analysis and benchmarking tool at www.fleetsafeybenchmarking.net

IAM Drive & Survive is one of the UK’s leading Driver Risk Management and Driver Training providers and is the commercial subsidiary of the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists), the UK’s largest independent road safety charity. Whether you need to mitigate the risks faced by your drivers, achieve duty of care or environmental objectives or simply reduce fleet costs, IAM Drive & Survive is THE organisation to talk to for: • Company drivers policies and procedures • Driving licence checking • Driver risk assessments • Driver seminars, workshops and talks • On-road driver training • Grey fleet management

Contact: Andy Cuerden Tel: + 44 (0) 1484 551070 andy.cuerden@virtualriskmanager.net www.virtualriskmanager.net

Contact: Rahma Hussein Tel: 020 8996 9663 rahma.hussein@iamdriveandsurvive.co.uk

ROADMARQUE® Mac GB Ltd Every company has a corporate responsibility and duty of care for employees who drive for work. As a leading UK provider of Occupational Road Risk (ORR) solutions, from online risk profiles to on road training, Mac know that a sustained campaign on ORR solutions, linked with the company’s health and safety policy, will have an immediate impact on: • Drivers attitude and behaviour • Reduction in incidents/related costs • Reduction in fuel consumption By using EX-POLICE INSTRUCTORS delivering INDEPENDENTLY ACCREDITED COURSES, you are guaranteed a quality assured service. COURSE FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE THROUGHT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ENERGY SAVING TRUST

Reduce risk, protect your people, save money. These are the benefits you can realise by using Roadmarque®. We understand that no two organisations’ requirements are the same. We focus on delivering the best return on investment for you, following an analysis of your objectives. Roadmarque® contains a number of elements: Compliance (licence check and grey fleet management), Mileage logs, communication, factual Driver Survey, Aptitude Assessment, Training recommendations / implementation. We don’t impose a fixed programme, but provide the flexibility for you to achieve your aims and comply with legislation. We work with organisations of all sizes delivering practical and effective solutions. As an independent provider working with many partners we guarantee that we won’t sell you what you do not need. Contact us now to find out more…

Contact: Richard Wilyman richard.wilyman@mac-hq.co.uk

Contact: Dr Gerhard Manogg hello@roadmarque.com

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Tel: 01745 828180 info@mac-hq.co.uk

Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

Do you offer on-line irsk Assesment?

Do you offer psychometric driver profiling?

Do you offer risk assessment as part of your programme?

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

Do you offer a classroom-based driver training programme?

Do your instructors provide a demonstration drive?

Do you offer a vehicle inspection service?

Do your instructors carry out a driver eyesight test?

Do you offer a licence checking facility?

Do you offer nationwide trainer coverage?

Do you offer training for all vehicle types?

Do you offer Post Accident investigations training?

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

FLEETW RLD

AA DriveTech

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ALD Automotive

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ARI

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Cardinus Risk Management

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IAM Drive & Survive Ltd

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Interactive Driving Systems

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Mac GB Ltd

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ROADMARQUE®

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RVM Assist Ltd

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Key to services

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Service provided

Service unavailable

ARI ARI is the largest privately held fleet management company in the world. With a workforce of 2,400 skilled professionals, it now manages over 1.1 million vehicles worldwide. ARI provides a wide-range of fleet solutions from its UK headquarters, including its award-winning driver management service Riskmaster. Riskmaster has delivered safe driving, lower accident costs and increased productivity for numerous clients. ARI’s experience in designing tailored solutions that combine driver assessment processes with flexible training programmes will lead to a quantifiable ROI. ARI is committed to developing innovative technologies that will continue to set the benchmark for driver management in the UK.

Cardinus Risk Management Driving for work introduces a high level of risk to your organisation. The many and varied risks posed by business drivers requires a diverse and flexible solution to reduce and manage that risk. Cardinus Risk Management is trusted by many blue chip, insurance, vehicle leasing companies and breakdown services and has built up an enviable reputation of being able to provide all types of fleet risk management products including: • Online driver training • Driver risk assessment • In-vehicle driver training • Licence checking • MOT and business insurance validation • Fleet risk management consultancy. All Cardinus fleet services can be used individually to meet specific requirements or combined to provide a complete managed service.

RVM Assist Ltd

Contact: Jason Chamberlain Tel: 0844 8000 700 jason.chamberlain@arifleet.co.uk www.arifleet.co.uk

Contact: Aden Deubert Tel: 0207 469 0200 info@cardinus.com www.cardinus.com

Contact: Angela Sorley Tel: 01132 248800 asorley@rvmuk.com www.rvmassist.co.uk

RVM Assist Ltd employ a service-focussed team with skills and systems designed to offer tailored solutions to our customers. Our mission is to reduce the frequency and cost of accidents using evidencebased techniques. We have created a series of alerts within our software to automatically highlight risks that exceed pre-agreed tolerances relating to accidents, training, driver assessments, licence checks or grey fleet data. This eliminates human error and ensures nonstandard risks receive appropriate remedial attention. This saves time for our customers, ensures consistency and accuracy as well as reduces accident frequency and cost. Call now to arrange a demonstration by RVM Assist Ltd-Driving Safety Home.

fleetworld.co.uk / 65

ontheroad Anthony Ffrench-Constant has been online to try and specify his new car, and has come away somewhat confused.

part from that bullseye of a line ‘Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough’, the verse of John Betjeman, deceased Poet Laureate, never really blew my frock up overmuch. I always had him pegged as an old fuddy-duddy tripping over a Toulouse Lautrec-length beard in a rose-tinted land of warm beer, thatched cottages and stripy Edwardian bathing suits whilst writing about clouds, nuns, the romance of soot, and suchlike. However, any man who, when asked towards the end of his life if he has any regrets, replies: “I haven’t had enough sex” can’t be all bad. And further research reveals that he did at least have his finger sufficiently on the pulse of modern life to come up with: “I am a young executive no cuffs than mine are cleaner, I have a slimline briefcase and I drive the firm’s Cortina.” Probably a good job the old boy’s not around today, though. Because, firstly, let’s face it; nothing rhymes with Mondeo. Or Insignia. And secondly, he’s highly unlikely to have had either the inclination – or the Mother Teresalevels of patience required – to specify a new company car online. I’ve just spent rather longer than I care to think about rummaging around various websites trying to choose, and configure, our next family car; the upshot being that I am, a) really none the wiser and, b) very much in need of a cup of tea and a bit of a lie down. The pitfalls inherent in such a process are legion and of bewildering variety, but, after this morning’s exertions, I have now nailed down several key areas of personal concern and rabid paracetamol consumption. Firstly, by the time you’ve dialled in so much as your preferred paint job (why is any colour you actually want always extra?) and alloy wheel size, plus one or two essentials for life on the road such as sat nav and DAB radio, it’s startling to discover just how quickly the total price has escalated to a cool five grand more than your budget allows. Secondly, it’s almost impossible to find out enough about how a particular option will brighten your motoring day to make a properly-informed decision as to whether or not you really want, or need, it. Naturally, by

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now, your quest for an explanation to yet another improbable safety-oriented acronym has left the onscreen configuration process so far behind you’ll probably have to start all over again. Thirdly, though many manufacturers thoughtfully group various options into ‘Packs’ to spare you some of the above misery (and, of course, make the whole ensemble look like terrific value for money), said Packs invariably include a raft of stuff you don’t actually want, or lack one vital ingredient you consider truly essential. So it’s back to the abacus for a total cost of the individual options you actually want versus the Pack price plus that single extra ingredient. By which time you have left the on-screen configuration process so far behind you’ll probably have to start all over again. Again. At which point you’ll make the sensible decision to simply talk to someone who is supposed to know their way round your chosen product. And I say ‘supposed to know’ because flogging your way down to the dealership may not always prove as illuminating an experience as you might hope... Take, for example, the Vauxhall ADAM; an entirely appealing small car made all the more so by a range of personalisation options sufficiently complex in their bewildering variety, as to instantly downgrade the Karma Sutra to the mere status of heavily-abridged introductory chapter to a far more definitive work. Great though the current trend for personalisation is, then, unless fully understood by all it’s clearly destined to achieve little more than an increase in paracetamol ingestion rates. Hence, one suspects, Toyota’s decision to reign in the clip ‘n’ go combinations available on its handsome little Aygo to the point where one feels almost let down by the ultimate lack of variety on offer. All of which leads me to conclude that, ostensibly an excellent idea, online car configuration currently walks the fine line between genuine asset and really can’t be arsed. It strikes me that an attendant, live chat service would seriously improve matters at a stroke, (hopefully) answering all my acronym and accessory queries and, ultimately, leaving my visit to the showroom to fulfil just the one all-important function; a test drive.

FLEETW RLD FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBER 2015 AWARDS DINNER THURSDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2015

MILTON KEYNES

PRE-REGISTER NOW ONLINE!

www.vanfleetworldlive.co.uk

FEATURE Taxation & Funding

Cost-cutting time Where are you going to find those savings for next year’s budget? Professor Colin Tourick investigates.

t’s September and the finance team are beavering away working on next year’s plans. The FD pops his head round your door and says: “We’re increasing headcount next year and we’ll be increasing the size of the essential user car fleet by 10%. Please find some cost savings because we don’t want to increase the fleet budget.” Having landed that bombshell they then walk away leav‐ ing you to ponder how on earth to do it. 10% more cars, no extra cost. Where are you going to start? There are in fact many ways to reduce fleet costs; • You could reconsider whether you are using the right financial product • Stop providing free private fuel to employees • Move to a fixed vehicle list rather than a user chooser policy • Start using total cost of ownership to select vehicles for your fleet list • Ensure cars are serviced regularly to maintain fuel efficiency and to identify vehicle problems before they become expensive • Consider hiring cars rather than paying employees a mileage allowance to use their own cars • Consider having pool cars available for occasional journeys, negotiate the best possible early termination clause in your contract hire agreement • Avoid early termination charges by redeploying leased vehi‐ cles within the business • Renegotiate contract hire agreements mid‐term rather than building up big excess mileage charges • Consider self‐insuring the comprehensive motor risk if your fleet is big enough to spread the risk • Consider introducing a cash‐for‐car or ECO scheme • Use journey‐planning tools – the list is endless. However in this article we will focus on one specific area: mileage claims.

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Most employers have long since moved away from paying for employees’ private fuel, having recognised that in many cases the only real beneficiary of the arrangement was the taxman. Therefore, rather than paying for all of the fuel that goes into the tank the employer has to reimburse the cost of business mileage. Typically an employee submits a mileage claim, their manager signs it off and the employee receives an amount per business mile, very often based on the HMRC Advisory Fuel Rates. ADVISORY FUEL RATES FROM 1 JUNE 2015 Engine size

Petrol – per mile

LPG – per mile

1400cc or less

11p

1401cc to 2000cc

14p

Over 2000cc

21p

14p

Engine size

Diesel – per mile

1400cc or less

1401cc to 2000cc

11p

Over 2000cc

13p

AFRs help HMRC identify whether an employee is receiv‐ ing so much that they are making a profit which should be subjected to income tax and National Insurance. The first think to notice about these rates is that they are based on engine size. Yet we know that two cars with the same engine size can have wildly different published mpg figures. And the actual mpg will differ again, based on how

the car is being used. A salesperson who cruises along the motorway at a steady 70mpg can get double the mpg of their colleague who spends much of their time doing stop‐start motoring in central London – even if they drive identical cars. And the cost of fuel varies widely across the country. So that’s somewhere to start if you’re looking for cost savings: fuel reimbursement rates. It is quite easy to work out whether any of your drivers are making a profit from your current reimbursement rates. In doing research for this article I spoke with The Miles Consultancy, who offer a service that captures and checks business mileage claims. (Please note, other mileage capture service providers are available.) TMC’s system processes 23 million business trips per year. TMC audits its drivers’ mileage claims, identifies anom‐ alies and then notifies the employer and phone the driver. When working with new clients it typically finds that around 85% of the trip distances in its drivers’ mileage claims end in a five or a zero. Obviously, given a normal distribution of trip lengths, only 20% should round out that way. Assuming an average rounding‐up of three miles per trip, this means these drivers are claiming £6 million per year more than they should be. TMC also finds that some drivers grossly exaggerate distances or claim for ‘ghost trips’. Busy managers just sign off mileage claims as a matter of routine and in most compa‐ nies no‐one ever checks these claims. A 2014 YouGov Survey found that less than 1% of employee expense claims are rejected by a manager. If employees know that no‐one will check their mileage they can become complacent. In a 2007 Travelodge survey 20% of workers said they would fiddle their expenses if there was little chance of being found out, especially if

money was tight at home. A similar result was reported in a survey by City‐based consultancy Project Brokers in 2012. In 2013 the National Fraud Authority estimated that expense fraud was costing employers £100 million a year. It may sound like some employers are committing gigantic frauds but the NFAS was actually referring to an average of just £10 extra being claimed on each expenses claim. If a fleet currently does nothing at all from a checking point of view, introducing a robust checking methodology can save 17.2‐25.0% of a company’s business mileage bill, according to TMC. There are other benefits of looking more closely at mileage. If you have accurate mileage records it can help you determine the mileage your leasing company should build into your contracts, and to decide when to swap cars between drivers to avoid excess mileage charges (or opti‐ mise mileage pools). Knocking 15‐20% off your fuel bill would be a good place to start when trying to cut your overall fleet costs. Once you start looking closely at mileage and fuel costs other benefits accrue: you start restricting car choice by mpg and start seeing how your drivers’ actual mpg matches the manufac‐ turer’s published figures. There are lots of reasons why the figures may not match but if you look closely at actual mpg and compare it with mpg achieved by other drivers in simi‐ lar cars, it may help you identify the driver who is driving too aggressively, giving you a chance to intervene before they have an accident. Bet you never thought that monitoring mileage could be so much fun! Colin Tourick Grant Thornton Professor, University of Buckingham

fleetworld.co.uk / 69

our fleet Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC SR

THE arrival of the Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC, the latest addition to our long-term fleet, couldn’t have been more ill-timed. Four hours after it was delivered I was boarding a flight to the Costas in search of some summer sun. Therefore, for nearly three weeks, while I was basking in a Mediterranean heat wave, the Civic remained parked up, untouched and unused. And even though I’ve been home for two days now, it still hasn’t really given me enough time to fully get up close and personal with this Civic. To date, the most I’ve managed to fathom out is how to tether my iPhone with the touchscreen infotainment system – and that needed the assistance of a daughter. I’ve also driven it. Not the epic maiden voyage I’d intended; the one where I’d test Honda’s claim of 817-miles on one tank of fuel, but simply to the local supermarket and back. Not quite the full and in-depth assessment I had first proposed, but

nonetheless, it now means I can say with a certain amount of authority that the cargo area is plenty big enough to swallow up a week’s worth groceries. I also found the ‘secret stowage’ compartment in the boot, which is now usefully employed to keep my Bags For Life in, and an umbrella. The aforementioned daughter also rode shotgun with me to Sainsbury’s, and she said the front passenger seat was more comfortable than her Volkswagen Up!. She liked the leather interior a lot – there’s praise for you (bit by bit I’m cobbling the Civic’s first test report together). My sun tan is fading, it’s raining outside, the summer seems a long time ago, and I feel I’m slightly short-changing you by having written such vague a report. Next month there’ll be more to say, that I promise. Danny Cobbs

OTR PRICE £24,340 POWER 118bhp @ 4,000rpm TORQUE 221lb.ft @ 2,000rpm 0-62mph 10.5 seconds TOP SPEED 121mph COMBINED MPG 72.4mpg CO2 103g/km (18% BiK)

the figures

Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI SE CoD 150hp S-tronic TYPICAL! The first time in years that I get to run a petrol car and the price of unleaded rises above that of diesel.

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Admittedly it won’t be a problem that is taxing many fleet managers, as diesel continues to be the fuel of choice for business users. It does, however, blunt the appeal of our Q3 somewhat, as high 30s don’t really cut it without a cost per litre advantage. Even if I could achieve the claimed 50.4mpg average, that would still be some way off the similarlypowered 2.0-litre diesel’s 61.4mpg. Which is a shame, as the 1.4-litre TFSI engine is a bit of a revelation. Whisper quiet, unless called upon for surprisingly

rapid and rorty acceleration, it is the perfect match for the compact crossover. It also offers drivers the best BiK, at 20%, with CO2 emissions of just 128g/km. The engine works well with the S-Tronic box too, though the combination of Stop/Start and the automatic handbrake feature can make for a slightly jerky launch, as both systems rely on the driver touching the throttle pedal to re-activate. The trick is a quick tap to restart the engine, then a gentle press to release the brake. Simples. Dan Gilkes

It… is raising the bar, and raising it again. ARI is known and trusted by fleet management decision-makers worldwide for setting industry standards and controlling costs. It is about people. Empowering them and rewarding performance. Finding new ways of helping customers to do a better job—with increased efficiency, productivity and safety. It is about fleet management success. Moving the needle, and the bottom line. Learn more about ARI’s professional fleet management services: 0844 8000 700 | www.arifleet.co.uk

our fleet Citroën C4 Cactus BlueHDI 100 Flair THE days of touchscreen infotainment being the preserve of top-spec models are rapidly coming to an end. Colour displays make a lot of sense, removing

the need for dashboard blanks and enabling additional features to be added via firmware updates. PSA’s screen, found in most of its new cars, is a big part of simplifying the C4 Cactus’s interior. It’s had mixed feedback from the press, but I’m not finding it too much of a struggle. From a user experience point of view, its main problem is the additional click to get at the climate control settings – Volvo and Tesla make this available from every sub-menu. Otherwise, it’s a system with a fairly comprehensive set of functions in top-

spec form, let down only by a tendency to lag slightly when entering postcodes. This sort of user interface is something we’re going to have to get used to, though, much as we’ve become acclimatised to the near button-free operation of modern smartphones. And, in the same way, these displays will evolve quickly as carmakers get used to offering familiar functions in digital form. For the lack of glowing buttons – the Cactus is blissfully unobtrusive on unlit roads with the screen off – I think it’s worth acclimatising. Alex Grant

Nissan Pulsar 1.5 dCi N-Tec I know that the Nissan Pulsar is not going to set many hearts racing, but view it as a practical, sensible addition to the fleet for job-need users and it makes a fair deal of sense. User-choosers won’t be seduced by the car but for those with less of an interest in image and who are more concerned with comfort, space and value for money (in general) then the Pulsar ticks many boxes. I say ‘value for money in general’ because the Pulsar does get a bit pricey as you go up the range from its £15,995 starting point and our test model – a diesel in fleety N-tec trim weighs in at a whisker under £21,000. However, it does come with some sporty styling addenda outside along with 17-inch black and silver alloy wheels, privacy glass and some neat looking carbon-fibre effect panels and honeycomb grille. The overall effect is smart, if just a bit uninspiring.

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the figures Inside is the excellent NissanConnect satellite navigation system with colour touchscreen (incorporating the reversing camera), Bluetooth, USB/Aux socket and DAB radio. Also standard is keyless entry and ignition, LED headlights, dualzone climate control and cruise control. But perhaps the Pulsar’s biggest talent is its ability to swallow people and their luggage. Simply put, the Pulsar is huge inside for a car in this class and puts similar lower-medium models to shame. Rear shoulder and leg space is excellent and none of this has been achieved by sacrificing luggage room – there’s 385 litres of boot space (increasing to 1,395 with the rear seats folded flat). Built quality inside appears to be very good too, with high quality materials used. It all looks and feels impressive – much more so than the tinny feel of the doors and fuel filler flap. Julian Kirk

OTR PRICE £20,895 POWER 108bhp @ 4,000rpm TORQUE 192lb.ft @ 2,500rpm 0-62mph 11.5 seconds TOP SPEED 118mph COMBINED MPG 78.5mpg CO2 94g/km (16% BiK)

Volvo V60 D3 Manual SE Lux Nav

Mazda CX-5 2.2d Sport Nav (2WD) MY packed diary has meant our CX-5 spent a lot of time travelling between airport car parks this summer. Flights are exhausting, particularly with the added chaos of travelling families moving through our already overcrowded transport hubs, but I think I’ve found the perfect travel companion. After a bus to a plane, then a walk, to a bus, to another walk across the car park, settling into the long-distance comfort and sublime high-speed refinement of the CX-5 is always welcome for that last part of the journey. Actually, just as welcome as its ability to take me from door to door. Anne Dopson

Renault Captur Dynamique dCi 90 LAST month, I mentioned about the seemingly growing popularity of Captur on UK roads, and it strikes me that Renault has tapped into a little mini-zeitgeist with this model and Clio. Taking the lead from Citroën and the infinitely customisable DS 3, I don’t think I’ve seen another Captur in the same spec as ours, and that has to be part of the core appeal. The comments about its Clio-onsteroids looks are almost always positive, and the fact that it packs quite a lot of interior space into a relatively small (and easy to park) footprint, have to work in its favour. Luke Wikner

WHAT better way to find out what a new car is like than to put five people plus luggage in it and head off for a two-week holiday? That was how it turned out with our Savile Grey V60. There were times when my rear seat passengers wished it had the luggage space of a V70, but it managed to surprise us with how much we were able to squeeze inside and how comfortable it remained, while its overall indicated fuel consumption of 51mpg over 1,882 miles, mostly loaded to the roof, was impressive. That is in large part due to it’s Drive-e 2.0-litre diesel, which replaced Volvo’s previous fivecylinder engines a year or two back and is now the largest engine in the company’s range. D3 means 148bhp giving reasonable performance for a car of its size, while its ability to swallow up the miles effortlessly continues to impress. It’s a very relaxing car to drive long distance. I was impressed with the V60’s handling last time I drove one and that is still the case. It’s very agile for a car of its size. Our car is fitted with a few extras, bringing the total price to £36,920. For this it gains the driver support pack with features including pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control and driver alert control with active high beam. Volvo’s Winter Pack adds heated front seats, heated front windscreen, headlight cleaners and heated washer nozzles. There’s more besides including park assist pilot. So far I have driven it in every kind of weather except snow and ice and it hasn’t failed to impress. About the only thing I don’t like is the height of the brake pedal relative to the accelerator; it’s just too high. Otherwise, I’m looking forward to my time with it very much. John Kendall

OTR PRICE £32,195 POWER 150bhp @ 3,750rpm TORQUE 236lb.ft @ 1,750rpm 0-62mph 9.1 seconds TOP SPEED 130mph COMBINED MPG 70.6mpg CO2 105g/km (22% BiK)

the figures fleetworld.co.uk / 73

our fleet Kia Carens 1.7 CRDi “2” Manual AFTER a year on our fleet, it’s time to hand the keys back to our Kia Carens. And actually although it’s been well and truly put to the test over the last 12 months, it’s the last few weeks of the summer holidays that have seen its legs stretched with both a couple of family holidays in the UK and as transportation for a ladies night out where its seven-seater capacity was put into effect. In both cases, the Carens reinforced its abilities as an unassuming, versatile MPV that offers great luggage space in five-seater mode as well as the ability to take on extra passengers, although access to the rear seats isn’t great and they’re best left to kids for longer-term use. That said, two drunken 30something females still managed ingress and egress with relative ease. The fold-down picnic tables on the back of the rear seats have also been put to good use along with the table on the reverse of the middle seat. And I’ve made plenty of use of the sliding functionality for the middle-row seats, either to increase boot space or legroom for more senior passengers. Our lower-powered diesel has been slightly put to the test at times – including with a full load up the rather vertiginous Telegraph Hill

on the A380 in Devon – but has generally proved up to the task, whilst delivering an overall 43.8mpg that’s in keeping with the conditions and rivals. And though it’s not the most dynamic to drive, overall, I’ve found the Carens to be decent enough to drive and certainly comfortable, with no problems over the year apart from an issue with the bonnet catch. And although it may sometimes be overlooked, it does well in filling a gap between bigger MPVs and more modish SUVs such as Kia’s own Sorento, whilst proving flexible, spacious and with the added bonus of a seven-year warranty. Natalie Middleton

SUPPLIER

DIRECTORY electric vehicle charging Ensto UK Ltd Tel: +44 7432 701524 ensto.com/chago

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

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

Lexus NX 300h Luxury Selsia Vehicle Accident Centres Ltd

FOR all its success in recent years, there are still those who question the purpose of the SUV ‘crossover’ sector which has seen the emergence of star cars like the allconquering Nissan Qashqai. It and its many contemporaries are cars with off-road looks and posture, but often without the 4x4 underpinnings of the traditional off-roader. For reasons of cost – both purchase price and BiK tax – many manufacturers even offer their crossover with two-wheel drive instead of four – an acknowledgement that many of these cars will never cross anything more challenging than the

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local supermarket car park. Compromise is indeed an art form in the motor industry and many have also questioned whether the addition of a hybrid drive system eats further into the available boot space than is really appropriate or acceptable. The several months of living with our NX 300h long-termer have not been without occasions when the rear parcel shelf has had to come out and the seats go down to accommodate two sets of golf clubs and trollies. But 475 litres with the rear seats up (and 1,520 with them folded) is enough for the most enthusiastic of shoppers, while the ease with which the rear seats are folded means that bigger loads can be accommodated without the loss of finger nails. If you regularly need to carry large loads the answer is simple. But if your preference is for something altogether more stylish than the traditional, expensive, large 4x4 then the small compromise required is well worthwhile. Ross Durkin

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

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

insureFLEET Tel: 0333 202 3133 www.insurefleet.com

Bond Lovis Insurance Brokers Tel: 08000 113 444 www.bondlovis.co.uk

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

FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY contract hire, leasing & finance Pendle Vehicle Contracts Tel: 08456 025697 www.pendlelease.co.uk

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

daily rental

risk management

fleet management software

Thrifty Car & Van Rental Tel: 01494 751 550

AA DriveTech Tel: 01256 495732

www.thrifty.co.uk

www.AAdrivetech.com/fleetsafe

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

DriveTech

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

Zenith Tel: 0844 848 9311 www.zenith.co.uk

sgfleet Tel: 0845 154 0721 www.sgfleet.com

Volkswagen Group Leasing Tel: 0870 333 2229

Maxxia 020 7520 9450 www.maxxia.co.uk

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

Interactive Driving Systems Tel: 01484 551060

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

www.virtualriskmanager.net

www.volkswagengroupleasing.co.uk

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

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

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

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

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental Tel: 01786 468 700 Tel: 0845 815 0018 www.dayscontracthire.co.uk

Cardinus Risk Management Tel: 01733 426015

www.arnoldclarkrental.com

www.cardinus.com

Lex Autolease

SMR

Bill Plant Ltd Tel: 01765 645023

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

Tel: 0344 824 0115 www.lexautolease.co.uk Total Leasing Solutions for your business

Telephone 0113 250 0060

www.jct600vehicleleasingsolutions.co.uk

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

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

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

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

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

FLEETW RLD FLEETW RLD November 2014

November 2014

All that matters in

the world of fleet

All that matters in the world of fleet

interview

Michael O’Shea of

Michael O’Shea of Volkswagen

Volkswagen

stopping power

Why fleets should

check their brakes

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

Sofico NV Tel:+3292018040

www.soficoservices.com

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

www.billplant.co.uk

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

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

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

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

Full listings online at fleetworld.co.uk

Why fleets should check their brakes

fuel management

misfuelling MODE MODELPUPIL LPUPIL Behind the wheel

of Tesla’s remarkable

Model S

Behind the wheel of Tesla’s remarkable Model S

2014

MPG Marathon

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

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

AFF Tel: 0844 879 4770 www.autofuelfix.com

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

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

fleetworld.co.uk fleetworld.co.uk

tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

telematics & tracking

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

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

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

BOX Telematics Tel: 0330 333 4118 www.boxtelematics.com Teletrac, a Trafficmaster company Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletrac.co.uk

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

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

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

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

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

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

Trakm8 Tel: 0330 333 4120 www.trakm8.com

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

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

fleetworld.co.uk / 75

fleet management

A catch-all solution Helen Fisk, AutoSolutions manager at ALD Automotive, on why leasing continues to make financial and operational sense for many fleets.

hilst it’s many years since US oil baron John Paul Getty is believed to have coined the phrase ‘If it appreciates buy it, if it depreciates lease it’, his words still ring true today, including for fleet vehicles. Regardless of the temperature of the economic climate, leasing can bring a vast array of benefits for fleets of any size – augmented by the fact that we have one of the most competitive and mature car leasing markets in the world. As a result, more than half of UK fleets choose to manage and run their vehicles using contract hire. There are a number of reasons why fleets continue to turn to contract hire to meet their needs. Although histori‐ cally ‘off balance sheet’ funding has been a contributory factor, more pertinent benefits especially relevant in the current economic climate include: • Freeing up capital • Improving cash flow • Fixing monthly budgeting, giving you the ability to forecast ahead • Fixing funding rates • Transferring the risk on residual values and SMR costs • Another credit line • Rentals offset against taxable income • Benefiting from the supplier’s economies of scale, especially with respect to the provision of additional services • And it’s cost effective too! It’s not all about the financial gains either and in fact there are a huge number of operational benefits to con‐ tract hire, with a growing range of specialised services and online applications being offered by providers such as ALD Automotive. These can enable businesses meet the ever‐ increasing demands of managing fleets and dramatically reduce the administration for the fleet manager. The key to all of this however is the need for regular funding reviews – as with all areas of the fleet operation –

Contact ALD Automotive:

76 / advertisement feature

t 087000 111 81

to ensure that current methods continue to fit the bill for your particular company. What may have been the best option over recent years may well prove to be less effective now, whether that be due to changes in the economy or your business or even new developments in products such as contract hire or salary sacrifice. One of the ways that ALD can help with this is through its AutoSolutions team. This specialist division comprises experienced analysts, experts in the fields of vehicle fund‐ ing and fleet choice lists, and the deployment of proven cost‐effective and practical car policies over many years. At the heart of the AutoSolutions service is its market‐lead‐ ing fleet analysis technology, which provides a unique insight into a company’s whole‐life running costs, allowing you to make informed decisions on the future direction of your fleet. This includes the FleetChoice module, which enables the AutoSolutions to identify the most cost‐effective funding mechanisms for the fleet and car benefits package – allow‐ ing companies to make informed decisions on the future direction of your fleet. Once the optimum funding package has been chosen, the AutoSolutions team can also work with fleets to assess whole‐life costs from all manufacturers, models and deriv‐ atives as part of the CarSelector software module. This pro‐ vides a conclusive picture of company and employee tax implications during vehicle selection, helping fleets to avoid making costly mistakes as a result of current and forthcoming taxation changes. And AutoSolutions can also bring its specialism to bear upon other fleet variables that affect day‐to‐day opera‐ tions, such as daily hire and vehicle breakdown, using the ServicesSelector module. This provides companies with a holistic view of their full fleet whole‐life costs, enabling them to make informed decisions on the future direction of their strategy. For more details of how the AutoSolutions team can help review your fleet funding needs, please email autosolutions@aldautomotive.com or phone 0870 00 111 81.

e ukinfo@aldautomotive.com

w www.aldautomotive.co.uk

VAN

September 2015

FLEETW RLD

at a glance driven... Mercedes-Benz Vito, Iveco Daily, Dacia Duster Commercial

p84 “This show truck is very close to the actual production vehicle. It paves the way for a new global pickup for Renault.”

plus... Conversion news & the latest pick-up from Renault

23rd October 2015 ArenaMK

FLEETW RLD

vanfleetworldlive.co.uk vanfleetworld.co.uk

inbusiness

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

Compact Mercedes for Scottish Fire

Nissan unwraps new Navara

issan will unveil the latest NP300 Navara pick‐up at the Frankfurt motor show this month. Powered by the Nissan‐Renault Alliance 2.3‐litre dCi engine, the Navara will get 160hp with a single turbo and 190hp in twin turbo form. The 2.3‐litre engine is said to be up to 24% more efficient than the previous 2.5 and 3.0‐litre powerplants, delivering improved fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Drive will be transmitted through six‐speed manual and seven‐ speed automatic gearboxes, in two and four‐wheel drive models. Load capacities have been improved, with Navara now capable of towing a 3.5 tonne trailer. Double cab models also get a 67mm longer load bed at 1,578mm, while the king cab has a 1,788mm bed. Nissan has designed a five‐link rear suspension set‐up for double cab models to give the Navara a more car‐like ride

and handling. The revised suspension also contributes to a 20kg weight saving over the previous model. King cab models will benefit from an updated leaf spring design, also cutting weight, but improving rear wheel approach angles off road. New safety features include an Around View Monitor and Forward Emergency Braking, both already proven on Nissan’s crossover cars but new to the pick‐up sector. The trucks will also come with cruise control, Hill Descent and Hill Start Assist, plus keyless entry, rear view cameras and parking sensors. Nissan will offer the NP300 Navara with a five‐year/100,000 mile warranty for the first time. Next year the Navara will have competition from closer to home, as both Renault and then Mercedes‐Benz will launch pick‐ups based on the Spanish‐built truck.

Isuzu and Volkswagen add specials

suzu and Volkswagen have announced special editions of their D‐Max and Amarok pick‐ups. Based on the Eiger double‐cab, the D‐Max Fury comes in Magma Red metallic with grey 17‐inch alloys and a host of styling touches. Inside there will be optional black and red Fury leather trim, while drivers will also benefit from a rear parking camera. Power is unchanged at 163hp with a solid 400Nm of torque from the current 2.5‐litre twin‐turbo diesel engine and prices start at £19,999. At closer to £26,850, the Amarok Atacama is powered by the 180hp bi‐turbo 2.0‐litre diesel engine with a choice of two transmissions. Customers can opt for the six‐speed

78 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

manual with selectable 4Motion all‐ wheel drive, or an eight‐speed automatic transmission with permanent 4Motion. Available in Candy White, Horizon Blue and Deep Black, the truck has bi‐xenon headlights, black styling bars, bumper and step and 19‐inch alloy wheels. Inside the cab drivers can relax in Vienna leather upholstery, with a new multi‐ function steering wheel, Bluetooth, sat nav and two‐zone air conditioning.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has added 17 Mercedes-Benz Citan vans to its fleet. The long wheelbase vans will be used by fire officers carrying out risk assessments of commercial and public buildings and to undertake door-todoor smoke alarm inspections in residential areas.

FTA deliver driver CPC for vans The FTA has held its first Van Excellence Certificate of Driver Competence (CPC) course, developed to provide van operators with validation for the role of their van drivers. There are two elements offered by the FTA CPC. The Association will provide inhouse van driver competence training and train-the-trainer, using the Community Driver CPC model through computer-based training. In addition van drivers can be assessed at recognised centres.

BVRLA approves PiV Grant extension The BVRLA has welcomed the Government’s decision to continue with the Plug-in Van Grant indefinitely. “It is great that the government has provided more certainty about the lifespan of this vital incentive and the nine-month lead time limit for qualifying vehicles to be delivered and registered,” said BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney.

inbusiness

Combi shows Euro 6 engines

inshort

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

auxhall has announced Euro 6 engine availability for its Vivaro and Movano‐based people carrying vehicles. Though not required for panel vans until next September, the Euro 6 Vivaro Combi, Movano Combi and Movano Minibus, show the direction that the firm will take with its LCV line‐up. The Vivaro Combi will be available with an entry‐level 1.6CDTi diesel engine producing 95hp and 260Nm of torque and a BiTurbo version delivering 125hp and 320Nm. Both engines come with Start/Stop along with BlueInjection SCR selective catalytic reduction, which will require AdBlue exhaust fluid. The 2.3‐litre BiTurbo engines

available in Movano models will also use the BlueInjection SCR exhaust after‐treatment system to meet Euro 6. The Combi will be available with a 145hp version with 360Nm of torque and a 170hp model offering 380Nm. The Movano Minibus will also be offered with the 145hp motor. Vauxhall is also improving the spec‐ ification of the vehicles. Vivaro Combi will be offered with Keyless Open and Start, a tablet holder and the firm’s IntelliLink infotainment system Navi 50 with DAB radio as standard. Movano models will be offered with a driver assistance package including high beam assist, lane departure warning, fog lights and an on‐board computer.

Rentals due to merge van sites Enterprise and Burnt Tree have joined forces to create one of the largest commercial vehicle rental businesses in the UK, under the Enterprise Flex-E-Rent banner. Enterprise acquired Burnt Tree a year ago and since then has implemented an integration programme to create this single business. All 21 Burnt Tree locations in England, Scotland and Wales will be rebranded as Enterprise FlexE-Rent sites and a selection of vans and trucks have already been liveried in the new entity’s colours.

Assistance for older Volkswagen vans Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering customers with vans that are between three and 10 years old, a year’s Volkswagen Roadside Assistance, following a full or interim service. Customers will have access to a team of 90 Volkswagen Group technicians in addition to the full AA support service.

Anniversary model for Mercedes-Benz

ercedes‐Benz is celebrating 20 years of the Sprinter van with a limited edition model. The Sprinter 20 will include £2,000 worth of air condi‐ tioning, sat nav, a driver’s comfort seat with arm rest, wheel trims, a chrome grille and a badge on the front wing, for the additional price of £750. Just 1,200 of the anniversary models will be avail‐ able to UK customers. Since its launch in the UK in April 1995, Mercedes has sold more than 327,201 of the vans here. More than 250,000 have been panel vans, with almost 72,000 chassis cabs registered. In

80 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

Supply and demand in balance

the first month of sales, Mercedes‐Benz UK sold 56 Sprinters. The company expects to hit a monthly record of more than 4,217 this September.

Shoreham Vehicle Auctions reports that a period of stability in the UK LCV market looks set to continue throughout 2015. Minimal price fluctuations for LCVs in all age brackets throughout the first six months of the year has been driven by a good balance of supply and demand, with an influx of exutility vehicles being met by strong demand for high quality used vans.

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Renault Alaskan

Renault shows new LCV direction with Alaskan show truck, reports Dan Gilkes.

enault is to enter the global 1‐tonne pick‐up market by mid‐2016, with the launch of Alaskan. Based on Alliance partner Nissan’s NP300 Navara, the truck will be powered by Renault’s twin‐turbo 2.3‐litre diesel engine, with a choice of manual and automatic transmissions. A van market leader in Europe and South America, Renault is keen to build its global LCV business and sees pick‐ups as a way into previously untapped sectors. These include the 500kg pick‐up market in South America, which is now being served by Dacia’s recently launched Duster‐ based Oroch double‐cab, and the global 1‐tonne sector will be next with Alaskan. For now at least, there will be no full size pick‐up for the North American market in which Nissan competes but Renault is not present. Dubbed a show truck, rather than a concept, Nissan’s global head of LCV business Ashwani Gupta said the Alaskan is representative of what will be offered to customers. “This show truck is very close to the actual production vehicle,” he said. “It paves the way for a new global pick‐ up for Renault.” With striking styling, including an integrated Renault grille and logo, the Alaskan manages to look better than the Navara on which it is based. Don’t expect to see those 21‐inch wheels or LED headlights on production models however. “The styling of the Alaskan sticks to the rules of the pick‐ up segment, including impressive dimensions and a visual sense of power and robustness,” said Laurens van den Acker, senior vice‐president of corporate design.

“At the same time, we have dialed in specific Renault cues in the form of an attractive, status‐enhancing front‐ end design.” Though the emphasis with the show truck is more on leisure than hard work, Mr Gupta said that Renault’s pick‐ups will be produced in a range of versions, body types and trim levels. “We will have different variants depending on the market,” he said. “We will have all of the possible models to suit customer needs.” Renault claims that pick‐ups account for one third of all LCV sales worldwide, totalling more than 5 million trucks, so the introduction of the two models will boost the firm’s posi‐ tion in both established territories and in new market areas. Mr Gupta has big plans for Renault LCV going forwards. “We have decided to become a top global player,” he said. “We have an industrial presence on three continents, selling in 112 countries. We are LCV leader in Europe and in the top three in South America since 2010. “But our position is not satisfactory, as we are still a regional player. To move from a multi‐regional player to a top global brand, we need to have a pick‐up. “To become a top global player we have planted the right seeds, by moving into new markets, introducing new products, striking up new partnerships and provid‐ ing our customers with an upgraded experience. We are now ready to roll out this strategy via our new Renault Pro+ expert brand.”

Euro 6 engine upgrades for Kangoo Renault has announced that it will offer Euro 6 engines in Kangoo in the coming months, alongside existing Euro 5 vans. The Euro 6 Kangoo achieves the emissions level without the use of SCR or an exhaust additive. With that in mind the vans will carry a £400 premium in the UK, to pay for the NOx trap. The company will also bring Kangoo’s trim levels in line with the Trafic and Master lines, offering the van in Business and Business Plus specifications.

84 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

Iveco Daily

The carrying capacity of a truck in the body of a van. Dan Gilkes tries Iveco’s 7.0 tonne Daily. SECTOR Large van LOAD VOLUME 10.8–19.6m3 GVW 3.5 –7.0 tonnes POWER 106–205hp

he home delivery boom has seen a massive increase in the number of 3.5‐tonne vans on our roads, bridging the gap between high street store, distribution warehouse and domestic driveway. There are plenty of good reasons to use a 3.5‐tonne van, not least that almost anyone with a car licence can get behind the wheel. There are however plenty of times when the 3.5‐tonner’s rather limited payload, as little as 1,100kg in some cases, makes it less efficient transport. Historically this has been the playground of the 7.5‐ tonne truck, but few companies want to be seen in urban areas with trucks. The answer it seems could be the face of a van, with the carrying capacity of a larger vehicle. Enter Iveco’s largest Daily, with a 7.0‐tonne gross weight. Even with the firm’s biggest integral van body, offering an incredible 19.6m3 of volume, the 7.0‐tonne Daily tips the scales at little more than 3,027kg, leaving almost 4.0 tonnes of available payload. In a vehicle that takes up no more road space than a large 3.5‐tonner, that is impressive indeed. Unsurprisingly the biggest Daily relies on the firm’s larger 3.0‐litre diesel engine for motive power, available with 146hp, 170hp or 205hp in Euro 5b+ form or with 146hp and 170hp in Euro 6 trim. You can even order the

iPad

big Daily with a 136hp natural gas engine at Euro 6. All engines can be ordered with a six‐speed manual gearbox, while the diesels can also be had with the new Hi‐Matic eight‐speed automatic transmission tested last month. Even with the manual gearbox the big Daily is as easy to drive as a regular 3.5‐tonne van. Apart from the tachograph and limited top speed, there is little to indicate the higher weight from inside the cab. It is not diﬃcult to see why larger vans like Daily are becoming increasingly popular.

Dacia Duster

Creating a commercial version of the Duster gives Dacia entry into the UK LCV market, says Dan Gilkes.

aking the back seats out of a compact SUV and blanking out the rear side windows to create a van is not rocket science, the likes of Mitsubishi, Land Rover and SsangYong have been doing it for some time. For Dacia, the Duster Commer‐ cial was an obvious extension to the line‐up, giving the firm a toe‐hold in the LCV mar‐ ket. It also extends parent company Renault’s van offering, without stepping on any French toes. Plus, while both Land Rover and Mit‐ subishi’s 4x4 vans carry a fairly heavy price tag, the Dacia makes a direct challenge to SsangYong’s economy claims. The Duster Commercial comes in both two‐ and four‐wheel drive versions, in both Ambiance and higher Laureate trims. The base 4x2 Ambiance will set you back just £9,595 plus on the road costs, if you are in a position to reclaim the VAT. Even the top spec Laureate with all‐wheel drive that we have here, only costs £12,545. Being part of the Renault business, the Duster uses much of its parent company’s running gear, including the well‐proven 1.5‐ litre diesel engine. This puts out 107hp and 240Nm of torque and drives through a six‐ speed manual transmission. That is more than enough for fairly rapid travel and Dacia claims up to 54.3mpg should be possible, with a CO2 rating of just 137g/km. If you venture off road then selecting all‐wheel drive is simple, using a rotary dial similar to that found in fellow group company Nissan’s off‐roaders. This gives you the opportunity to allow the vehicle to decide when to engage all four

86 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

what we think A well-equipped compact van with the option of allwheel drive. Proven components and a low entry price should prove popular with construction, forestry and agricultural users.

specification MODEL

Dacia Duster Commercial dCi 110 4x4 BASIC PRICE £12,545 ENGINE 4-cyl/1,461cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 107hp @ 4,000rpm TORQUE 240Nm @ 1,750rpm Weights (kg) GVW 1,879 KERB WEIGHT 1,329 PAYLOAD 550 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 1,400 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,440 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 870 LOAD VOLUME 1.1m3 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 137g/km/54.3 mpg OIL CHANGE 1 yr/12,000 miles WARRANTY 3 yr/60,000 miles

wheels in an auto setting or you can lock the drive between front and rear wheels for real off‐road use. Despite the price, there is no require‐ ment for a hair shirt for the driver. The standard van gets electric windows, front fog lights, a height adjustable driver’s seat, Bluetooth and a CD/MP3 playing stereo with steering column‐mounted controls. Laureate trim adds 16‐inch alloys, a host of satin chrome and piano black styling parts, a seven‐inch screen for the on‐board computer, cruise control and a speed lim‐ iter, manual air conditioning and electri‐ cally adjusted and heated door mirrors. Our test vehicle also had sat nav plumbed through that central screen (£250) and metallic paint (£412). However, the posi‐ tioning of the screen and its angle to the driver means that in strong sunlight it is almost impossible to see the map. Dacia has equipped the back of the van with a sturdy plastic load bed base and a choice of mesh or full steel bulkheads is available for £300 each. Few customers will buy the Duster for its ultimate carrying capacity, but 1.1m3 is competitive, as is its 550kg payload. Somewhat oddly, Dacia has yet to homologate the Duster Commercial for towing, but if it decides to do so, as surely it must, the car version of the Duster has a 1,500kg capacity. Service intervals are set at 12,000 miles/one‐year and the Duster comes with a three‐year/60,000 mile warranty, though this can be extended to five‐year/60,000 miles for £395 or seven‐year/100,000 miles for £850.

What practice makes.

The new generation Caddy and Transporter.

Mercedes-Benz Vito

With a choice of drivelines, Dan Gilkes takes the traditional rear-drive route.

hen Mercedes‐Benz first decided to compete in the mid‐weight van market with Vito, it followed the trend at the time and opted for front wheel drive. However by the second generation of Vito, it had returned to its roots and opted for rear‐drive, allowing at the same time the installation of V6 engines and auto trans‐ missions for the North American market. With the latest Vito, customers can make the choice themselves. Mercedes is offering the 109CDI and 111CDI models with a 1.6‐ litre Renault engine and front drive, or its own 2.2 litre diesel with rear drive in the 114 BlueTEC, 116 BlueTEC and 119 BlueTEC models. On the Continent there is also the possibility of an all‐wheel drive van, but that is not available in the UK. The 114 BlueTEC that we have here is expected to be among the most popular in the UK, as the lowest powered of the rear‐ driven models. However low is a somewhat relative term, as even this bottom rung of the rear drive ladder gets you a healthy 136hp and 330Nm of torque. It also boasts a surprisingly efficient 44.1mpg and 170g/km of CO2. That output will be more than enough for most and it certainly has no trouble moving the van along at pace. All Vitos bar the most powerful model come as standard with six‐ speed manual gearboxes. The rear drive vans can also be supplied with Merc’s seven‐speed 7G‐Tronic Plus automatic transmission, which is standard in the range‐topping 119 BlueTEC. Working the gears yourself is no hardship though, the stubby lever protruding from the

88 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

what we think Mercedes aims to please a wider audience with front and rear drive for the latest Vito. Impressive economy and a range of capacities should make it a popular fleet choice.

specification MODEL

Mercedes-Benz Vito 114 BlueTEC Long BASIC PRICE £20,860 ENGINE 4-cyl/2,143cc FUEL INJECTION Common-rail POWER 136hp @ 3,800rpm TORQUE 330Nm @ 1,500-2,500rpm Weights (kg) GVW 3,050 KERB WEIGHT 1,930 PAYLOAD 1,150 MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 2,000 Dimensions (mm) LOAD SPACE LENGTH 2,831 LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,685 LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,261 LOAD VOLUME 6.3m3 Cost considerations COMBINED CO2/MPG 170g/km/44.1 mpg OIL CHANGE 2 yr/24,000 miles WARRANTY 3 yr/unlimited miles

bottom of the dash has a nice short throw. Indeed the revised Vito’s cab is a good place to spend the day on many counts. A high level of standard kit includes the full rota of electronic driver aids, such as Adaptive ESP, EBD and BAS. You also get Crosswind Assist, driver and passenger airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, Hill Start Assist, adaptive brake lights and cruise con‐ trol with a speed limiter. While that is a commendable list of stan‐ dard safety equipment, it makes it even stranger that despite Bluetooth connectiv‐ ity and a multifunction steering wheel, the driver still has to wind down the windows and reach out of the van to adjust the wing mirrors. While you might not adjust the mirrors on every trip, it is impossible to move the nearside mirror from the driver’s seat without assistance. And yes, that means they are not heated either. Given the choice, I would far sooner see heated, electrically adjustable mirrors on a van with no rear window, than Attention Assist or Crosswind Assist. That aside, the latest Vito has much to recommend it, including a choice of three body lengths, though only one roof height this time around. The three bodies offer load volumes of 5.8, 6.3 and 6.8m3 as panel vans, or 3.1, 3.6 and 4.1m3 respectively in crew van layout, with a second row of seats. Impressive fuel economy from all five engine options certainly puts the mid‐ weight Merc on a par with the sector's best performers, and should also put Vito on the potential shopping lists for an increasing number of fleets.

Fiat Professional with

news conversions

Bevan adds tipper bodies

apidly expanding dry freight and curtainside conversion specialist Bevan Group has entered the tipper and traffic management markets, with the acquisition of Stag Bodies in Stone, Staffordshire. Bevan Specialist Products will offer a range of steel and alloy tipping bodies for vehicles from 3.5‐32 tonnes. The company will also produce a line of traffic management bodies and dropsides, including high‐sided vehi‐ cles for arboreal work. Bevan was already constructing dropsides for companies including Jewson, but the additional plant will allow for extra capacity and further growth. “This very exciting development takes us into a completely new market segment, and represents a perfect fit for our business,” said Bevan Group managing director Anthony Bevan.

“As well as giving us the opportunity to approach operators we have never worked with before, it allows us to offer an extended range of bodies and services to a number of established customers, with which we already enjoy excellent relationships.” The operation will be run by general manager Chris Wilkes, who has trans‐ ferred from Bevan’s Oldbury facility. He is backed by Stag’s sales engineer‐ ing manager Tony Tunnicliffe. The creation of Bevan Specialist Products follows the group’s acquisi‐ tion of drinks body manufacturer PG Reeves in 2010 and glass carrying specialist Supertrucks in 2013.

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

RSPCA opts for crafted carriers Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has provided the first of six converted Crafter vans to the RSPCA. The short wheelbase CR30 vans, which are fitted with nine bespoke cages of varying sizes, have a fully sealed loadspace with a spray-on waterproof liner, to allow the charity workers to easily wash the van out. Roof-mounted Flettner Ventilators provide a constant flow of fresh air and the vans have been wrapped in colourful winning designs, created by schoolchildren as part of a nationwide competition.

Isuzu tippers join Glendale fleet

CoolKit delivers testing solution

ancashire refrigerated vehicle special‐ ist CoolKit has won a tender to convert a fleet of 11 Ford vans for water company Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water). The tempera‐ ture controlled bodies ensure that Dwr Cymru conforms to the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2010 when taking, handling and transporting water samples for analysis. “The conversions have a partition, so that there is no common air between the compartments, to ensure that samples cannot be contaminated,” said Mark Beaton, sales executive at CoolKit. “The vehicles are also fitted with a refrig‐ eration unit with dual evaporators and a heating facility as well as cooling, so the samples can be kept at a constant temper‐ ature. A keyless running system that allows the vehicle to idle without keys in the igni‐ tion for vehicle safety was installed to

90 / vanfleetworld.co.uk

ensure that, when sampling at reservoirs, the refrigeration unit will keep running so samples are not affected when there is no electric standby power available.” To monitor the temperature of the samples for due‐diligence, CoolKit fitted Transcan2 temperature recorders with air and product probes, as air temperature sensing alone may not provide a meaning‐ ful indication of product temperature. This recorder can store temperature data for up to one year and print records of the temperature in each compartment. CoolKit also installed a high intensity LED work‐lamp to make it easier to see in low light conditions and a retractable shelf in each compartment which can be pulled out of the vehicle by 500mm whilst holding a load of up to 250kg per shelf to make loading and unloading safer for drivers.

National green services provider Glendale Managed Services has added two Isuzu 7.5 tonne trucks to its growing fleet for new contracts in north London. The N75.190 Forward chassis have been supplied with a compact tipping body and a secure storage/tool box behind the cab. The trucks are equipped to tow a chipper that feeds the high-sided tipper body with woodchip waste.

Mercedes fleet generates energy Sustainable energy provider Vital Energi is operating a renewed fleet of 30 Mercedes-Benz Citan vans and nine Sprinters on a range of projects around the country. The Sprinters have been equipped with On-Board Power Systems’ engine-driven generators, that power fusion welding equipment used by engineers to install heating and power systems.

VAN SUPPLIER DIRECTORY FLEETW RLD daily rental

contract hire, leasing & finance

racking systems

tail lifts

fleet management software

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zenith Tel: 0844 848 9311 www.zenith.co.uk

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

Penny Hydraulics Tel: 01246 811475 www.pennyhydraulics.com

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

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

Arnold Clark Vehicle Management

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

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

Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com

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

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

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

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

automatic transmissions Stephens Engineering Automatics Limited Tel: 01920 462530 www.stephensengineering.co.uk

UKVANLEASING

Tel: 01708 511071 www.ukvanleasing.com

Lex Autolease

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

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

telematics & tracking

Trakm8 Tel: 0330 333 4120 www.trakm8.com

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

fast-fits & tyres Tel: 0845 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk

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

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

vehicle data

Full listings online at

fleetworld.co.uk conversions Full listings online at

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

STEPS

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

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

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

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

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

fuel management

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

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

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

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

Roadmarque Tel: 01792 824438 www.roadmarque.com

AVS Steps Ltd

Tel: 01939 235900 www.avssteps.co.uk

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

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

Full listings online at

fleetworld.co.uk

vehicle ventilation

accident management

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

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

VAN FLEETW RLD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk vanfleetworld.co.uk / 91

True MPG R e po r ti ng C O2 A n a l y sis

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Manage Driv

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HAVE YOU SWITCHED ON TO THE BENEFITS OF TELEMATICS?

With more than a decade of experience in telematics, we know a thing or two about the benefits of fleet management technology. Whether you’re looking to reduce your costs, manage your risk, lower your carbon footprint or improve your fleet’s efficiency, with ProFleet2 telematics by your side, benchmarking performance becomes an effortless task. And with in-built driver consent you can rest assured your employees will be kept on-side too.

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