International Fleet World April 2013

APRIL 2013

internationalfleetworld.com

INTERNATIONAL

FLEETW RLD

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INTERNATIONAL

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Publisher Ross Durkin ross@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor John Kendall john@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Deputy Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Motoring Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editorial Assistant Katie Beck katie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Director Anne Dopson anne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Executive Darren Brett darren@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Circulation Manager Tracy Howell tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Head of Production Luke Wikner luke@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Designers Tina Ries tina@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Samantha Hargreaves sam@fleetworldgroup.co.uk

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

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VIEWPOINT

CONTENTS

There was plenty to excite car enthusiasts at the Geneva Show. New cars, lighter cars and Geneva’s particular speciality; a broad spectrum of exotic cars, mostly from small manufacturers. It would be easy to dismiss them as being of little relevance to the mainstream cars that most of us will be driving, but I don’t agree.

The €1m McLaren P1 was bristling with technology, as you might hope from a car designed by a company with 50 years racing experience. Among the technical highlights were lightweight carbon fibre construction, active aerodynamics, an automated gearbox and hybrid power. Hybrids are more or less a mainstream technology now and affordable, if you choose the right car. PSA signalled a new hybrid design at the show opening up further lower priced possibilities beyond the electric too.

Automated gearboxes are also mainstream now and almost certainly the future for automatic transmissions. As emissions controls tighten, we can expect to see more of them.

Composite materials have been used on cars for many years and I would expect to see more of them in future as the pressure for reducing weight grows. Carbon fibre is not the rare and expensive material it once was and anyone signing up for a €60,000 Alfa Romeo 4C will be driving a car which makes much use of the material. Yes it’s still expensive, but not in the same league as the McLaren.

Expect to see it elsewhere in future. Active aerodynamics made their debut in racing, but again, expect to see more of it in future on road cars – BMW will be using active aerodynamics on the 3-Series GT unveiled at Geneva. And take a look at just about any truck on the road today and compare it with one from 10 years ago. Never have truck and trailer manufacturers paid so much attention to aerodynamics. Racing and highspeed car technologies are heading for fleet vehicles as never before.

04 News Analysis 10 EV news analysis 12 Fleet strategy

How technology is transforming daily rental for fleets.

18 Geneva Motor Show

We pick out the stars of the show.

26 Risk Management

How manufacturers are trying to sell safety options to fleets.

30 Strategy

European residual value confidence.

33 FOCUS ON...

RUSSIA.

36 Remarketing 37 FLEET WORLD FLEET SHOW 2013

Why you need to be at Silverstone in April.

38 FLEET PROFILE DAF Trucks

44 2013 fleet calendar 45 Launch Report

Fiat 500L / Hyundai Santa Fe / MINI Clubvan / Renault Clio.

50 Fleet in figures Analysing the latest ACEA sales charts.

12 26 38 46

®

To subscribe to Fleet World visit: fleetworldsubscriptions.co.uk

John Kendall Editor

IFW April 2013

03

news analysis

Toyota eyes profitable growth

Toyota Europe was profitable in its automotive business last year for the first time since 2007. ”In 2008 we lost hundreds of millions of euros and sold 1.143 million cars.

In 2012 we sold 838,000 cars and will be profitable,” said Didier Leroy, president of Toyota Europe.

Growth and profitability will be the way forward, not growth or profit, he said.

The European market, with the exception of the UK, is terrible, said Leroy. But the ‘fighting spirit' within the organization and the new models that have and will be launched will see Toyota sales grow. The target is one million sales by 2015.

And the company will be able to reach that target without increasing manufacturing capacity within Europe. ”By adjusting shifts we can build 700-750,000 cars in Europe so we don't have an overcapacity issue because we anticipated the downturn that was coming.”

The UK-built Auris Touring Sports, unveiled at the Geneva show in production form, has already been eagerly received by dealers across Europe, he said. ”The UK, Germany, France and Italy all want more of them.”

Leroy expects more than 40% of sales of the estate to be the hybrid version. ”Hybrids were criticised by our rivals when we launched them, now they are all building them,” he added, noting that around 90% of Lexus sales in Western Europe are hybrids.

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Hybrid air ready by 2016 Peugeot-Citroen's revolutionary hybrid-air technology will be in production by 2016 using the group's new EMP2 platform, which will make its debut on the new Citroen Picasso.

Although the idea of using compressed air to power cars dates from the late 1950s, the challenge is to prepare components that haven't previously been used in mass production in the car industry, said Dr Karim Mokaddem, hybrid-air project director. ”We are working with Bosch to industrialise the process,” he said.

Work on the project started only two years ago and first prototypes were very efficient in city driving but less efficient at higher speeds.

The company is now onto its fourth generation and is promising a 45% fuel reduction over the equivalent petrol engine and CO2 emissions down to 69g/km.

The other bonus is that the technology is more affordable at ”about half the cost of traditional hybrids,” he said.

Buy an exec car, get another one free Buy one get one free is the story behind Lancia's Tender for Thema offer to fleet customers in Italy. The brand is giving them an Ypsilon city car for three years as part of the deal on a Lancia Thema executive car - based on the Chrysler 300C. Paulo Gagliardo, head of Lancia/Chrysler operations in Europe, said that discussions over expanding the deal into other European countries were under way.

The deal is one of a number of marketing initiatives being undertaken by Lancia to boost sales across Europe. These include some colour and trim changes to the Ypsilon and Delta models to broaden their appeal to younger customers and those who live in the big European cities.

Gagliardo said: ”We want to give the brand a more easy going and modern tone of voice.”

While common opinion is that the Lancia brand is struggling, Gagliardo pointed out that sales were actually up last year over 2011, ahead by 0.3% in Italy and 0.1% across the rest of Europe.

Eco-chic was another buzzword introduced by Gagliardo to broaden Lancia's appeal. As well as new colours and trims to appeal to young urban dwellers, there will be more use of greener engines, such as the two-cylinder TwinAir, and fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG).

Since Fiat Group's alliance with Chrysler, there is a view that the Thema executive car is ‘too American’ to be a proper Lancia. Gagliardo said: ”The problem is that Lancia came into the development process to have a substantial input on this model, but as we develop new models together in the future there will be a much greater European influence on the cars we sell here with a Lancia badge.”

for the latest news, visit internationalfleetworld.com

GM reveals next step in all-new European powertrain strategy

Every Vauxhall, Opel and European-spec Chevrolet will be powered by one of three new engine ranges being rolled out by General Motors over a five-year period.

The only exceptions will be a few specialist models like the Chevy Stingray and commercial vehicles.

GM has started to roll out three new engine families, which will eventually amount to a total of 13 powertrains.

It began with the introduction of a new 1.6-litre petrol unit last year, and the second phase which began at Geneva sees the Zafira Tourer become the first recipient of a new 1.6-litre diesel. GM has made no secret of its intention to bring out a small-capacity engine to match Ford's acclaimed three-cylinder EcoBoost.

The engines will also feature in an increasing number of GM products in other markets and have the potential to significantly reduce the group's corporate carbon footprint. ”The 1.6 you are seeing today is the first of our new inhouse designed and developed mid-size diesels. We are also in-sourcing all the controls. A key element of this engine is that all the technology is ours to own and understand,” said GM Europe vice-president for powertrains, Michael Bly. ”It will have sisters and brothers of different sizes, displacements and power outputs and with different turbochargers and control units. The Cascada will be first to get the new petrol engine, and there will be smaller gas engines of three or four cylinders and with a turbo or not.

They will be introduced in Europe first, but are also for the US and China in future.”

Part of the plan will see GM introduce its first diesel passenger car in America for 25 years when it launches the Chevy Cruze with a 2.0-litre compression-ignition power unit. "There is still a reluctance towards diesels in the US, but things are starting to change," said Bly. The new engine families have been designed to fit in with GM's alternative fuel strategies, including hybridisation and stop-start and compressed natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.

Why the new Mondeo is still 18 months away Ford’s new Mondeo is being delayed by the ”need to address the business structure in Europe” – and in particular the future of the Genk plant in Belgium – says the company's vice-president of product development, Barb Samardzich.

The US Ford Fusion on which the new Mondeo is based was shown at the Detroit Show more than a year ago and is now well-established on the market, while the Mondeo was presented to dealers and press at a pre-Paris Show briefing last September – but kept well away from the company’s stand. It is hidden away at the back of the stand in Geneva too.

The reason it will be about 12 months behind schedule in making it to market is that delicate negotiations are going on over the future of the Genk plant as part of Ford's European restructuring plans. Ford needs to turn around its loss-making European operations, which were $1.5bn in the red last year. ”We are trying to reach a consensus which will allow us to establish our production capability,” said Samardzich. ”The delay is nothing to do with engineering. In fact, once we come to an agreement I have told the engineers they will be able to walk away. This is one of the most developed new cars we have ever created.”

If agreement can be reached with the unions, Genk will close and Mondeo production will probably move to Valencia, which is rapidly becoming Ford's most versatile European plant.

When Ford had to perform life-saving surgery on its US operations in the aftermath of the 2008 banking collapse it desperately needed a new product range as well as a better business plan, but in Europe the cars are in many cases already among the best in class.

Samardzich says that to help attract new customers there will be greater diversification, and Ford has announced plans to globalise the EcoSport compact SUV previously reserved for South America and to bring the larger Edge crossover and Mustang sports car over from the US, including right-hand drive.

IFW April 2013

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news analysis

Newcomer from China breaks cover There was a new kid on the block at the Geneva Motor Show, a brand that will be made in China but with distinctly European roots and styling.

Qoros is a joint venture between China’s Chery Automobile and Israel Corporation, an industrial investment company founded in 1968 to attract foreign investors to help develop Israel. It has been majority owned by the Ofer Group, originally a shipping company, since 1999.

At Geneva it unveiled a production version of the GQ3 compact family saloon along with some concept variants including a hatchback and a wagon.

All three were designed by former MINI styling supremo, Gert Volker Hildebrand, who joined Qoros in January 2012, which demonstrates how quickly this project is moving.

Director of sales and marketing for Europe, Christiano Carlutti, revealed that the company has some ambitious plans to roll out additional models at a rate of one every six months.

The GQ3, which will be built at a brand new factory in Shanghai, is set to debut in China in the second half of this year. Initial production plans are for 150,000 cars a year rising eventually to 450,000 annually.

Although it might be perceived as a Chinese brand, Carlutti was keen to emphasise that Qoros is truly international. He was formerly with Fiat and Tesla while deputy CEO, Volker Steinwascher, is the former head of Volkswagen in the US. Other experienced car company executives include the former head of vehicle engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, Peter Makin, who is executive director of the vehicle programme at Qoros, and the former chief engineer for vehicle performance and chassis at BMW, Klaus Schmidt.

The head of the plant in Shanghai formerly worked with BMW's factories in China.

Carlutti said that following the launch in China, the Q3 would be rolled out in Europe and the Middle East. He added: ”Right hand drive is under study but we have not made a final decision as yet. The important thing is that we get the roll out right in terms of quality and to establish a good network of importers and dealers.”

While the cars are made in China, engineering and design work is carried out in Munich, Germany. Carlutti said: ”We have a lot of experience with people from a number of European brands and we have very committed shareholders. They understand that this is an expensive project and the importance of getting it right first time. ”We are already talking to a number of interested importers and they have acknowledged that we are doing something innovative and that we are delivering on our promises.”

The Q3 is not based on any existing platform. Carlutti added: ”All the design and engineering has been carried out by us and we have full intellectual property rights.”

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Jeep sets new records America's Jeep brand continues to build sales and is on track to hit the target it set four years ago to achieve 800,000 vehicles a year by 2014.

Jeep chief executive officer, Mike Manley, said: ”Despite very difficult trading conditions last year we hit 700,000 sales worldwide and that beats our previous record set back in the late 1990s. I'm confident we can meet our target particularly with new products such as the latest generation Cherokee coming through.”

Sales were flying in the US and Asia last year, he said, although Europe was a struggle as the market slumped 10%. ”Our volumes in Europe are still quite small and we were slightly behind target there last year although if you adjust for the fall in the market we are where we want to be.”

Production of Jeeps in Europe at plants owned by alliance partner Fiat is on the cards, said Manley, particularly when the new 'small' Jeep is launched in 2014. This is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta B platform, and will be engineered for both two and four-wheel drive. ”The small SUV segment is becoming very competitive and I think our design will resonate. Although we are using an Alfa Romeo platform this can mean many things. It's all about sharing technologies, but a new small Jeep will have to be properly engineered for 4WD and be fully trail-rated.”

Like most of Jeep's current models, Manley expects sales of the new model to be split equally between two and four-wheel drive. He added: ”The B SUV is already important and very exciting in Europe and Asia, it is growing in the US and it is vital that Jeep is there.”

The new Cherokee, he said, goes into production in the US in the second quarter of the year and will reach Europe in the final quarter. He added: ”As well as a diesel we also think there's space in Europe for a competitive petrol engine and we have something that will deliver considerable improvements in fuel efficiency.”

for the latest news, visit internationalfleetworld.com

LeasePlan secures BBVA

Opel/Vauxhall sign Disney deal

LeasePlan Italy has now completed the acquisition of the Italian fleet and vehicle leasing activities of Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A (BBVA).

The total BBVA portfolio consists of approximately 20,000 vehicles and allows LeasePlan to further expand into the profitable Italian small and medium enterprise (SME) market.

LeasePlan Italy has acquired the entire share capital of two Italian entities, BBVA Renting S.p.A. and BBVA Autorenting S.p.A. LeasePlan will refinance the entire business with its own funding.

General Motors and Disney have signed a three-year solus vehicle supply deal covering the entire passenger Opel/Vauxhall car range.

Disney will take delivery of Vauxhall-badged vehicles in the UK and Opel-badged vehicles across Europe in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.

The agreement is expected to feature three key models, the Insignia, Astra and Zafira Tourer – as well the range extended Ampera electric vehicle.

Enterprise in Greece Enterprise Rent-A-Car has announced the appointment of its third European franchisee this year, the Sfakianakis Group of Greece.

This latest agreement will give the brand access to countries that together represent almost 90% of the European rental market.

With Sfakianakis Group receiving territorial franchise rights across other contiguous countries in South Eastern Europe, the relationship also opens the door to further expansion into a number of South Eastern European states.

Peugeot looks outside Europe Peugeot is on track to have 50% of its sales outside Europe by 2015 with the 208 and 301 doing particularly well, said Maxine Picat, director general of Automobiles Peugeot.

The 301 was unveiled at the Paris Show last year and is specifically aimed at overseas markets.

Unveiling the 2008 compact crossover at Geneva, Picat said that it had been designed in and for South America, China and Europe and would help Peugeot continue its overseas sales drive.

IFW April 2013

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CO²OL*

*The new A-Class¹ with CO₂ emissions as low as 92 g/km.

A Daimler Brand

In addition to the A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, Mercedes-Benz also offers the ultimate in matters of efficiency with the new A-Class BlueEFFICIENCY Edition. Thanks to the consumption of just 3.2 l/100 km, the new A 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Edition is one of the most efficient diesel vehicles in the compact car segment. And the reduced CO₂ value of just 92 g/km helps to decrease consumption by up to 5%. Incidentally, its cw value, which has been reduced to 0.26, is the very best in the hatchback segment. Find out more at www.mercedes-benz.com/fleet

¹Fuel consumption urban/extra-urban/combined: 8.4–4.2/5.1–3.2/6.4–3.6 l/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 148–92 g/km.

Figures do not relate to the specific emissions or fuel consumption of any individual vehicle, do not form part of any offer and are intended solely to aid comparison betwe Provider: Daimler AG, Mercedesstraße 137, 70327 Stuttgart

different types of vehicle. The vehicle shown features optional equipment.

EV news analysis

Mitsubishi readies hybrid commercial vehicle range Mitsubishi is preparing to launch its first part-electric commercial vehicles, unveiling a diesel-hybrid pickup concept said to preview the next L200 and with a commercial version of the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid due to launch in the UK shortly.

Commercial vehicles are a backbone of the carmaker’s European sales, particularly the L200. The GR-HEV concept pickup shown at the Geneva Motor Show is said to have a close resemblance to the production version of the nextgeneration of Mitsubishi’s big-selling model. It also previews a diesel-hybrid drivetrain with four-wheel drive and classleading CO2 emissions of under 149g/km.

By 2020, the carmaker aims to have 20% of its global production taken up by electric and plug-in hybrid models, so a diesel-electric L200 would be a logical addition to the range, a spokesperson said.

In the near future, UK importer the Colt Car Company will launch a commercial version of the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid later this year. Converted at the company’s facility near Bristol to add a flat load area, bulkhead and either covering or replacing the windows with metal panels, the parts used on the diesel version are also compatible with the plug-in hybrid.

The Outlander Plug-in Hybrid uses an electric motor at each axle, offering a four-wheel drive and a 52km range at up to 120km/h without using its petrol engine.

Once the battery is depleted, the engine can be used to power the front wheels and to drive a motor-generator. In passenger car form, it returns 1.9l/100km, while emitting 44g/km CO2 on the EU NEDC test cycle.

Like the passenger car, the commercial version will be positioned to offer a price parity with the diesel model, allowing fleets to choose their drivetrain based on which suits their duty cycles and environmental policies best. Two demonstrators are being sent to fleet decision makers in the UK, particularly targeting the leasing industry, ahead of the launch.

World-first EV charging network opens in Estonia Estonia has become the world’s first country with a nationwide electric vehicle fast charging network, opening access to 165 units spread no more than 65km apart on major routes and in urban locations across the entire Baltic state.

The units were supplied and installed within six months

by Swiss-Swedish power and automation group ABB, which also has a five-year agreement for technical support and back-room systems, which connect the internet-enabled posts. Billing will be handled by local third parties.

Estonians are already offered subsidies of up to 50% on the purchase of an electric vehicle. The network of ABB Terra 51 DC fast chargers, all of which comply with the CHAdeMO standard and can offer full charge in under half an hour, is aimed at offering further incentives to encourage adoption in the country.

Estonia’s minister of the environment, Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, said: ‘The fact that recharging is so easy is one of the main reasons more and more Estonians will decide in

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favour of electric cars in future. Our entire transport policy should be based on the notion that environmentally friendly travel is the cheapest and simplest option there is.’

for the latest news, visit evfleetworld.com

Funding boost for UK ultra-low carbon vehicles The UK government has announced a £37m (€42.4m) funding package, aimed at introducing thousands of new electric vehicle charging points across the country and helping fleets adopt the new technology.

Public sector organisations, such as the police, NHS and local government will be offered free installation of on-site charging points, while 75% subsidies will be offered for on-street units and those located at railway stations and homes.

An additional £280,000 (€333,000) is being provided to expand the Energy Saving Trust’s Plugged-in Fleets Initiative, which offers detailed advice to help fleets understand where ultra-low emission vehicles could work for them.

Available until 2015, the package covers up to £13.5m (€15.5m) for homeowners wishing to install charging points, up to £9m (€10.3m) for railway stations, £11m (€12.6m) for local authorities and up to £3m (€3.4m) for the installation on government and wider public estates.

Tesla moves European headquarters to Amsterdam Tesla Motors is to move its European headquarters from Maidenhead in the UK to Amsterdam this year, as part of ongoing expansion ahead of the launch of the Model S executive car and Model X SUV. The decision means the California-based electric vehicle manufacturer will have its entire European operations run from the Netherlands. Its European fleet team will be based in Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, while parts, servicing and final assembly will take place at its new facility in Tilburg, 114km away. The existing operation in Eindhoven will continue as before.

During 2013, Tesla will open retail stores throughout Europe, including new locations in London, Frankfurt, Brussels and Amsterdam, with more planned for 2014. Meanwhile, service centres will open in Geneva, Frankfurt, Brussels, Hamburg and Vienna, the manufacturer said. The first deliveries of the Model S in Europe are scheduled for July this year, followed by the Model X in 2014 or 2015.

Ampera begins UK emergency services trial The Vauxhall Ampera range-extended electric vehicle has begun trials with two emergency services in the United Kingdom, both aimed at testing how the technology can reduce their fleets’ environmental impact and running costs.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust will use the Ampera as a rapid response car in York, assessing roles for low-carbon drivetrains within its 900vehicle fleet as part of ongoing plans for a 30% reduction in its carbon footprint by 2015.

In Belfast, the car will be deployed as an incident response vehicle with the Police Service Northern Ireland, where it will be able to take advantage of an advanced recharging network with only 15km between each charging point.

in brief...

CO2 drop for Toyota Auris Hybrid Toyota has announced carbon emissions are to drop to 84g/km for the Auris Hybrid as of June 2013, down from the 91g/km figure at launch. The carmaker expects hybrids to account for 18% of its 850,000 total sales this year, representing a 35% increase over 2012, and the upgrades also apply to the new Auris Touring Sports, which will emit a class-leading 85g/km.

Renault wins 2,000-vehicle procurement contract Renault has won contracts to supply 2,000 Fluence Z.E. and ZOE electric vehicles to the French procurement group Union des Groupements d’Achats Publics (UGAP), following a four-month bidding process. Supplied to government and public authorities, the deal builds on an existing 15,000 vehicle contract with UGAP for the Kangoo Z.E., deliveries of which are already underway.

Zipcar rolls out Honda Fit EVs in Portland Car sharing network Zipcar has deployed a fleet of Honda Fit EVs at Portland State University, building on its preferred manufacturer partnership with the carmaker announced last year. The university was chosen for its environmental policies, including on-campus charging points, and each vehicle will be given access to Zipcar partner ECOtality’s network of recharging units in the region for the duration of the reservation.

Post Danmark to add 50 Mercedes EVs to fleet Post Danmark, the Danish postal service, has placed Europe’s largest order for the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL battery-electric panel van, adding 50 to its fleet. It follows a three-vehicle trial on the island of Bornholm in mid-2011, after which the company praised the Vito for its load capacity, driveability and above average performance figures.

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fleet strategy ast year saw the Daily Rental Group acquire 30 extended-range electric Opel Amperas and start offering them from locations in Brussels in Belgium and Frankfurt in Germany as well as in Amsterdam.

Nor is it the only self-drive-hire fleet to move into electrics. In the UK in London the Hertz on Demand car-sharing fleet – carsharing/pooling is increasing in significance – offers Amperas too (marketed under the Vauxhall brand-name in the UK) alongside Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV and Nissan’s LEAF. In the USA Hertz clients can hire a LEAF, a Chevrolet Volt or a smart fortwo electric.

Hertz is also making the last-named vehicle available to customers of Italian private high-speed train operator ItaloNTV from locations at two of Rome’s railway stations.

Europcar is offering the LEAF in both London and Paris, France. The number of electric cars available for rent worldwide is of course a fraction of the number of conven-

L

tionally powered cars that can be booked.

The former total is set to grow, but much will depend on driver acceptance and the willingness of government and the private sector to support provision of the necessary infrastructure. Until then rental fleets are unlikely to put huge numbers of batterypowered vehicles into service.

After all, they have been caught out by alternative fuels before, points out Andrew C Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of Enterprise Holdings: as well as Enterprise Rent-A-Car it embraces Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental.

Several years ago his company played its part in trying to encourage the adoption of E85 – ethanol – by ensuring that nearly 30% of its US fleet could run on it. Unfortunately the programme failed, he admits, partly due to a lack of response from customers, but partly too as a consequence of the limited number of E85 fuelling stations.

“For us, this pointed to the fact that if an

Technology transforms daily rental 12

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alternative product is brought to market without sufficient consumer interest or incentive to support it then it will fail under its own weight,” he observes.

“A network of charging stations to support usage is essential,” says Hertz International president, Michel Taride. “Cities need to have plans in place to develop electric vehicle networks, bringing together stakeholders including vehicle manufacturers, charging station providers and customers.”

He praises London for the steps it has taken towards the provision of charging facilities. Launched in May 2011 and run by Transport for London in partnership with Siemens, Source London should eventually boast 1,300 public charging points.

Hertz itself already operates 16 of them at six locations across Greater London including Heathrow Airport and London City Airport. Hertz data shows that the average electric vehicle rental in Britain’s capital is

Technology is helping to speed bookings and acceptance of EVs in the rental business, says Steve Banner.

six hours with an average journey of 27.1km.

“In addition to on-street charging however, companies should install charging stations in buildings and business campuses to support fleet cars as well as personal cars,” Taride states.

In Germany Hertz on Demand is supplying electric vehicles to the car share fleet used by IBM employees to drive between Stuttgart Airport and IBM’s campus at Ehningen some 30kms away. Intelligent charging facilities have been set up on the site controlled by IBM software that optimises the use of renewable energy.

Enterprise is working to foster support for electric cars through a number of collaborative projects in the USA involving, among other organisations, the Transportation Sustainability Research Center and the Electrification Coalition. In the USA it is also developing the Driving Futures Network: rental branches that will offer an expanded fleet of electric and

hybrid vehicles, including Volt and LEAF. “By providing and promoting these alternatives, the network will help consumers better understand and accept them,” Taylor says.

Rival Hertz agrees that education is the key to the wider adoption of electric vehicles. Speaking in Britain last year, Taride said that the UK government and the car rental industry should launch a joint marketing campaign to convince consumers of the benefits of battery power.

One example of the way in which Enterprise is working to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles is through its activities in southern California.

It is offering them there from almost a dozen locations and has been piloting a scheme from its Torrance branch in conjunction with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) that offers people who own electric cars a 15% discount if they need to rent something with a longer range.

They can charge up their own vehicles at Enterprise during the rental.

Back in 2010, Enterprise helped SBCCOG lease and prepare six electric vehicles to launch its Local Use Vehicle project to help it assess how they can help reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Furthermore, over the past seven years the Taylor family, which owns Enterprise, has given €26.85m ($35m) to the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St Louis, Missouri, USA and its Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels to support renewable fuels research.

Rental fleets are taking full advantage of the global communications explosion to improve their offer to both business and private customers.

In North America, Enterprise Holdings has been applying unique QR – Quick Response – codes to its entire rental fleet in the USA and Canada. Customers who scan them – they are to be found on vehicle

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fleet strategy

Technology transforms daily rental... ¡

windows and key tags – with their smart phones thereby gain access to Enterprise’s ONRAMP Concierge web site.

As well as being able to obtain information on the vehicle they have rented, they can connect to other sites such as Gas Buddy, which tells you where to find the cheapest fuel, and Yelp, which provides information on restaurants, shops and other services in whichever locality you happen to be in.

At selected locations in Germany and other markets Sixt is attempting to speed up the entire cumbersome process of picking up a hire car and claims to have reduced it to a few simple actions that can be completed in seconds.

Customers enter all the information needed to rent a vehicle on Sixt’s website or by using a Sixt smart phone app including their name, their driver licence number and their chosen method of payment. They are then assigned a barcode, either on their reservation confirmation or on their smart phone.

When they pick up their car keys all they need to do is place the bar code on a scanner and produce their licence. QR codes can be used in a similar manner.

Sixt has launched a series of smart phone apps including those for Android and Windows Phone 7.

Last November it incorporated Passbook into its iPhone app – it claims to be the first international car rental company to do so – allowing clients to create their own ‘passes’ for storing and managing all relevant information about their booking on their iPhone.

All customers need to do is reserve the car of their choice and the iPhone app will issue a collection pass. They can then use Passbook to look up the date and time of collection and the whereabouts of the rental office.

The app can tell if the client is in the vicinity of a Sixt rental desk on the day the booking starts and a notification displays the pass’s access feature on the iPhone’s lockscreen. Users are also given access to a QR code, which can be scanned at the rental counter, again reducing the time it takes to complete the transaction.

Avis, Thrifty and Europcar are among other rental fleets that have been busy launching smart phone apps. In another initiative, Hertz is now offering mobile wi-fi

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for an additional charge in a number of markets including Spain, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

While there is no denying that many of the global rental giants took a battering when recession engulfed various key markets in 2009, they have for the most part subsequently recovered.

Enterprise Holdings and its affiliate Enterprise Fleet Management enjoyed record revenues during their 2012 fiscal year. In 2011 Sixt Group saw its earnings before tax soar by 35.8% to €138.9m– a record for the company – resulting in a profit after tax of €97.5m: a 37.8% rise.

Sixt’s smart phone app makes rental easier

The first three quarters of 2012 saw the group’s rental revenue improve by 7.6% although leasing revenue was down by 4.6%.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group reported records earnings in 2011 with a net income of €119.56m ($159.6m) compared with €98.28m ($131.2m) in 2010.

The first three quarters of 2012 saw Europcar’s consolidated revenue decline by 2.8% to €1,505m compared with the €1,548m achieved during the first three quarters of 2011 although its EBITDA – Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation – grew from €87m to €108m.

Stronger revenue streams have propelled many of the rental companies down the expansion trail with Enterprise Holdings among those leading the charge.

November 2011 saw it acquire ailing PSA Peugeot Citroen’s Citer car rental subsidiary in France along with its Spanish rental subsidiary ATESA with a total fleet of some

Stronger revenue streams have propelled many of the rental companies down the expansion trail

30,000 vehicles. Both are now being rebranded as Enterprise.

With rather more long-term significance, last year saw Enterprise Holdings move into China and take a stake of approximately 15% in rental company eHi AutoServices.

Though a small operator in comparison with the former Citer/ATESA business with just 7,600 vehicles, it offers them 383 locations in 48 cities across the country. As a consequence it is well placed to grow further in one of the fastest-expanding rental markets in the world.

Through its Alamo and National brands Enterprise is expanding in South America too, and in Brazil and Uruguay in particular.

Budget Car Rental has opened 60 new locations in Spain in the first half of 2012 with more planned – in some respects a surprising move given the country’s economic travails – while Sixt is moving into Thailand with a dozen outlets.

It is also setting up a franchise network in the USA and reports that it has already been contacted by over 100 potential franchisees.

Some rental groups report that many customers are now renting cars that are rather more upmarket than the standard saloons and hatchbacks they might have hired previously. In the US, the Wall Street Journal reports that Enterprise Rent-a-Car has now expanded its Exotic Car Collection to 13 locations in six states, Hertz saw its luxury car rental business grow by 15% between 2011 and 2012 while a start-up company called Silvercar has just started offering nothing but silver Audi A4s at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.

“Customers see a Jaguar for $225 (€168.50) and they’d rather drive that than a Toyota Camry,” Adam Belsky, Enterprise’s group sales and marketing manager for the Exotic Car Collection in Los Angeles, is reported as saying.

The most popular car among his clients?

The Range Rover Sport, for $250 (€187) to $300 (€225) daily.

And the most expensive? A Bentley GTC convertible: for a mere $800 (€599) to $900 (€674) a day.

The new

Astra Sports Tourer

LOOKS GOOD ON TARMAC AND GREAT ON PAPER. With excellent TCO. Engineered to attract.

www.opel.com Fuel consumption combined 8,1–4,0 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 174–105 g/km (according to R (EC) No. 715/2007). Efficiency class D–A+.

INNOVATIONS KEEP YOUR BUSINESS RUNNING. AND DRIVING. A revolutionary concept: the all-new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo brings together head-turning aesthetics with the most spacious interior ever in a BMW 3 Series.

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4.6 l /100 km 105 kW (143 hp)

* BMW 318d Gran Turismo: EU fuel consumption: 4.6-4.5 l/100 km (combined), CO2 emission: 122-119 g/km (combined)

The all-new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

www.bmw-ics.com

Sheer Driving Pleasure

motor show review GENEVA SHOW

Geneva lines up the launches Geneva has always been a showcase for the desirable and exotic, and the show excelled itself this year with models such as the McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari and Rolls Royce Wraith. As the old Rolls Royce saying goes: ”If you need to ask the price, you can’t afford it.” Luckily there was no shortage of the affordable too, with much to interest fleet managers. And there was a mood of confidence despite the economic turmoil not far away across Switzerland’s borders. John Kendall reports from the halls at Palexpo.

> Audi A3 e-tron Audi unveiled no less than six cars at Geneva, with three of them based on the A3 Sportback in the shape of the A3 Sportback e-tron, g-tron and S3 Sportback. The S3 might be the model to excite drivers, but the e-tron grabbed our attention, adding the A3 to the growing number of plug-in hybrids coming to market. It’s powered by a modified 1.4TFSI 150hp petrol engine and a 75kW (100hp) electric motor. Audi claims a combined output of 204hp. The motor is integrated into a newly designed S tronic six-speed transmission. Audi claims 1.25l/100km and 35g/km of CO2.

Electric range is 50km at up to 130km/h.

> Alfa Romeo 4C Last seen at the NEC two years ago as a concept, Alfa unveiled the production reality at Geneva this year and little has changed for this two-seat, mid-engined, rear-wheeldrive coupe. The body is made from GRP and the structural parts from carbon fibre. Tipping the scales at 895kg, 240hp from its 1,750cc petrol engine should ensure strong performance. The 4C will launch Alfa’s return to the United States. 1,000 Launch Editions will be first to market – 400 for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, 500 in North America and 100 for the rest of the world at €60,000 each.

> BMW 3 Series BMW seems to have learned from the less than flattering rear of the 5 Series GT and the 3 Series Gran Turismo is a far better proportioned design from back and front. Equipment includes an active spoiler, which gives added down force on the drive axle at speed. Gaining 200mm in length and 81mm in height compared to the saloon, the wheelbase is extended 110mm and the seating position 59mm higher.

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> Citroën Technospace The Citroën stand was packed with innovative ideas, not least the HybridAir which stores energy by pressurising gas in a cylinder under the car to significantly reduce hybrid costs. Technospace gave a hint of how the next generation C4 Picasso might look when it’s launched later this year and brought some interesting interior features such as the large LCD screens in the dashboard to display information and the reclining front passenger seat with leg rest. Citroën says it wants to bring fresh ideas to the MPV sector. It boasts a 530-litre boot.

Production versions will get three rear seats instead of two.

> Honda Civic Wagon concept Honda has not had a Civic-based wagon since the late 1990s Civic Aero deck. Ahead of the launch of the Civic Tourer at the Frankfurt Show this September, the company showed a concept version at Geneva, based on the current Civic, which launched late in 2011. The production model is due to go on sale in early 2014 and will be built at the company’s Swindon plant in the UK, alongside the Civic hatchback.

> Ford Tourneo Courier Ford’s accent was on the Tourneo family of passenger models, derived from Ford’s new light CV model line.

Geneva was the first outing for the Tourneo Courier, based on Ford’s B-car platform and sharing the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine as well as Ford’s new 1.5-litre diesel and the 1.6-litre diesel. It is due on sale in mid-2014 and will also be the basis for the Transit Courier van. Ford’s B-car platform is also used for the EcoSport compact SUV which was launched in European form at the show.

> Kia pro_cee’d GT

> Hyundai Grand Santa Fe Hyundai unveiled the Grand Santa Fe for Europe, as well as a revised iX35. The Grand Santa Fe is 225mm longer than the Santa Fe, 5mm wider and 10mm taller, while the wheelbase is 100mm longer at 2,800mm. The second row seats slide and recline and there’s a 50/50 split rear seat. Hyundai claims best-in-class boot space with 634 litres, when the rear seats are folded. Hyundai says the second row gets 10mm more headroom and 50mm more legroom. Third row seats get 33mm more headroom and 35mm more legroom.

Kia showed its performance credentials with the global debut of both the cee’d (five-door) and pro_cee’d GT models at Geneva. Power comes from a 204hp variant of the company’s turbocharged 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine.

The models have been designed in Europe under the company’s chief design officer, Peter Schreyer. To distinguish them from other cee’d and pro_cee’d models they get new front grilles and lamp clusters, deeper bumpers, LED daytime running lights, new fog lights, dual exhaust pipes, larger alloys and a range of paint finishes. Inside there are Recaro sports seats, alloy pedals, and a seven-inch raceinspired TFT instrument cluster. Sales will begin mid-year.

IFW April 2013

¡ 19

Expect more. Get more.

Hyundai i40.

Isn’t it nice when you get more than you expected? With its outstanding design, award winning body structure and an impressive list of features that includes lane keeping and parking assistance, heated and ventilated seats, cornering headlights and one of the lowest CO2 emissions in its class, the Hyundai i40 is definitely a car with much more than meets the eye.

Take a test drive today. www.hyundai.com/eu Fuel consumption in MPG (l/100km) for i40 range: Urban 26.9-53.3 (10.5-5.3), Extra Urban 46.8-76.3 (6.1-3.7), Combined 36.7-65.7 (7.7-4.3), CO 2 Emissions 179-113g/km.

motor show review GENEVA SHOW

¡

> Peugeot 2008 Shown as a full size mock-up at the Paris Show last September, Peugeot’s entry into the compact SUV sector made its debut at Geneva. The 2008 will be on sale soon and offers the expected raised seating position, while PSA’s Grip Control system allows drivers to dial in different terrain modes and uses the ESP control electronics to improve traction with an electronic differential lock for the frontwheel-drive only car. There’s a wide choice of engines from the 98g/km CO2 3.8l/100km 1.6 e-HDi diesel, with an entry level 1.4-litre diesel option too. Peugeot will also introduce its range of 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engines, with CO2 emissions starting from 99g/km.

> Nissan Note Making its European debut on the Nissan stand is the new Note, due to replace the current model.

Nissan highlights the safety technology that the new car will have. The Nissan Safety Shield pack includes Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Moving Object Detection, all using imagery from the rear wide-angle view Around View Monitor camera. The car is expected on sale later in the year.

> Opel Cascada Opel’s new 1.6-litre diesel engine made its debut in the Za ira Sport Tourer, offering fuel consumption of 4.1l/100km and CO2 emissions of 109g/km. The Cascada was the eye-catcher on the stand, making its production debut. With production of 15,00020,000 a year, not many will make it on to leet lists. It’s powered by a direct injection 170hp turbo petrol engine, with 1.4-litre options to follow with 120 or 140hp. GM has raided its parts bins for Insignia HiPerStrut front suspension and other Astra based components.

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> Mercedes A45 AMG The new E-Class made its European debut at Geneva but it was a performance first for Mercedes that was the star of its display. The company has not produced an AMG performance branded compact model before and Geneva was the scene for the launch of the A45 AMG. Mercedes claims the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is the most powerful series production four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the world, with 360hp available. The car is equipped with the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. Despite the power output, the car returns around 5.8l/100km on the NEDC combined cycle and emits 161-165g/km of CO2.

> Qoros 3 Sedan A new name – Chinabased Qoros is a joint venture between Chery Automobile and Israel Corporation, with quality as the company’s priority.

Geneva saw the debut of the company and its irst product, the Qoros GQ3 Sedan, and two concepts – for a hybrid and estate car. Production will take place in China, where the GQ3 is set to launch in the second half of 2013. Models for left hand drive European markets are expected later in the year. Production will take place in China. Controls centre on the 8-inch touchscreen replacing some of the conventional switchgear.

> Volkswagen E-Co-Motion concept Was this a hint of what the next generation Volkswagen Transporter will look like? Volkswagen’s van concept showed what an electrically powered city delivery vehicle could look like. The rearmounted electric motor would allow a turning circle of 8.95m.

Volkswagen quotes a maximum power output of 115hp, with a continuous output of 68hp with maximum torque of 270Nm. Top speed is limited to 120km/h. Volkswagen proposes battery packs of different capacities from 20kW/h to 40kW/h to give a range between 100km and 200km.

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CO2 Emissions 163–135 g/km.

JAGUAR CORPORATE SALES EUROPE GERMANY

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Paolo Daniele: pdanie22@jaguarlandrover.com Boris Virfeu: bvirfeu@jaguarlandrover.com Guido Pot: gpot1@jaguarlandrover.com

motor show review GENEVA SHOW

> Renault Captur Captur was unveiled as a concept at the Geneva Show two years ago, as a Mini-SUV based on the Nissan Juke platform. Roll forward two years and the small crossover made its production debut at Geneva this year. Captur will be well equipped. Features include a sliding rear bench seat, 11litre ‘Easy Life’ glovebox, removable, washable seat covers, hill start assist, ESC and more. There’s a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, with CO2 emissions between 95g/km and 125g/km.

> Skoda Octavia Combi

> Rolls-Royce Wraith

Given the popularity of the previous Octavia Combi/Estate it is no surprise that a new model will join the Octavia range this summer, hot on the heels of the new saloon. It’s 90mm longer and 45mm wider than its predecessor. A low emission Greenline version will join the range later in 2013 with CO2 emissions of 87g/km. Boot space is 610 litres expanding to 1,740 litres with the rear seats folded. There’s more space for occupants front and rear than in the outgoing model.

Wraith is based on the Ghost, but equipped with an elegant twodoor fastback body in place of the Ghost’s four-door bodywork.

It’s the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever, using the BMW-derived 6.6-litre V12 from the Ghost, but with power raised from 563hp to 624hp. The ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox is satellite aided, using GPS data to pick the best gear for the road ahead.

1,340 ibre optic lamps are woven into the headlining so occupants can travel with their own starry sky at night.

> SsangYong Rodius The current Rodius was not pretty and SsangYong has clearly taken the criticism on board, launching a new model with more European styling appeal than its predecessor. It’s powered by SsangYong’s 2.0-litre 155hp diesel.

According to SsangYong, “The seven-seater All-Purpose Vehicle offers the lexibility of a recreational vehicle, the styling of an SUV and the ride comfort of a saloon.”

> Toyota i-Road Twizy has a rival! Toyota’s i-Road concept is described as a Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMV) offering a range of up to 50km from its battery electric drive with a 2kW electric motor in each front wheel. Like the Twizy it offers two seats in tandem.

It’s steered by the rear wheel, giving it a tight turning circle, helped by the ‘Active Lean’ system which moves the front wheels up and down to lean around corners. A model derived from it will be on trial in Grenoble, Switzerland next year.

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>Suzuki SX4 It’s based on the S-Cross shown at the Paris Show last September and will take the SX4 name, replacing the current model with a more dynamic looking car. It will have the choice of two and four-wheel drive with a revised 4WD system. Suzuki claims it will have the world’s first double sliding glass panoramic sunroof. Power will come from 1.6-litre diesel and petrol engines, with the option of a CVT automatic with the petrol engine, offered with both 2WD and 4WD models. Target emissions are from 110g/km for the diesel and from 125g/km for petrol models.

risk management

Assisted passage Can you sell safety options to hard-bitten commercial vehicle fleet operators? Ian Norwell reports from Boxberg, Germany. t is generally accepted that the take-up for safety options, on trucks in particular, but on vans too, is initially around 4% of sales at the most, until the legislators step in and make equipment mandatory. Environmental options suffer nearly the same treatment, with a small slice of operators playing the ‘green card’ to boost their pro ile with customers. The stance of the vast majority is that unless they can see a positive return on their investment - and adding extra safety devices can be expensive - they prefer to spend their cash on proven operational advantage.

Who can blame them, when margins are notoriously thin? But evidence from the van division at Mercedes-Benz is now available to satisfy these customers, and it was presented, along with some new safety innovations, at the Bosch test track in Boxberg, 65 miles north-east of Stuttgart.

I

ACCIDENT DATA Dr. Helmut Schittenhelm, responsible for van chassis systems research and development at the Mercedes driver assistance department, shared crash statistics gathered since 1999 by the German police in accidents that involved the brand’s Sprinter van. He says, “The effectiveness of ESP is especially apparent in reducing ‘loss of control’ accidents involving no other vehicle.” A database of just under 26,000 single-vehicle accidents (SVA) resulting in physical injury was used. There seems to be an undeniable correlation between the introduction dates of various safety innovations for the Sprinter, and a reduction in accidents involving it.

Police accident authorities are happy to provide this data, but only to the manufacturer of any speci ic brand. It has echoes of the work done by Volvo Trucks accident investigation department in the 1970s who, in co-operation with Swedish traf ic police,

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attended any Volvo truck accident within a set radius of Gothenberg, and gathered data to assist new product development.

Mercedes work is not as intrusive, but they can show that as safety innovations were introduced, a measurable effect can be seen. In particular, between 2002 and 2005, the involvement of the Sprinter in SVAs was reduced by 39%. Mercedes believes this is a direct result of the multi-stage introduction of electronic stability control (ESC).

They say that the introduction of Adaptive ESC in 2006, reduced the involvement of the Sprinter in accidents by another 28%. The cumulative effect leads Mercedes to claim that the share of SVAs in which the Sprinter was involved decreased by 64% from 1999 to 2008. No matter which way we sliced the igures, they looked impressive.

WEALTHY FAMILY So much for the history, what’s new? It undoubtedly helps Mercedes’ van and truck division that they can call on the technology that has been developed by their car colleagues, and it makes sound corporate sense to amortise the development costs over all their automotive products. In this instance, it allows them to provide levels of new safety equipment that other van makers will struggle to match.

We were shown no less than ive new safety systems at the Boxberg test track, with crosswind assist (CA) certainly the most innovative and probably the most impressive too. Bridges and speci ic vulnerable roads can be an unpleasant place to drive a large van in high winds, particularly unladen, and the new CA is a simple idea extending the abilities of ESC. If you are already on a road prone to cross-winds before a police closure for high-sided vehicles, and the winds are strong enough, you will still be blown over, CA itted or not. But if you are hit by a sud-

den gust from the side on an exposed stretch of road, it is very effective at keeping you in lane.

The simple track demonstration involved driving at 100km/h past a bank of industrial fans generating a 40km/h crosswind. The sudden blast was enough to push you across half a lane. With the CA system engaged, the deviation was probably less than 30cm (Mercedes claims 50cm max) and the lane discipline was preserved. It worked.

On our test, with the wind gust coming from the right, a distinct short buzz from the front right-hand wheel could be felt when the system was live. This is ESC selecting that individual wheel to momentarily brake when the sensors show a windinduced sudden deviation starting. The graphs and algorithms were complex, but in essence, that’s how it works.

The ESC sensors can determine the strength and low angle of steady and intensifying crosswinds, as well as of sudden gusts, and the response is also in luenced by speed, payload, cargo location and the driver’s steering behaviour. If the driver manually counteracts the force of the wind (a natural re lex), steering movements will automatically override CA. The system is speci ically adapted to each model. Surface area and a warning light noti ies the driver when CA is active, similar to an ESC alert.

This innovation is expected to be standard spec on the next generation Sprinter.

TRICKLE-DOWN TECHNOLOGY The four other safety systems that were premiered for the Sprinter at Boxberg were: collision prevention assist, blind spot assist, lane keeping assist and high beam assist.

While new to vans, some are recognisable as direct pilfering from the car and truck division’s giant parts bins (high beam assist from E-Class and lane keeping assist from

¡

IFW April 2013

27

risk management

Assisted passage... ¡

Actros), but others are new arrivals or extensions of existing ideas.

They are good examples of technology that ‘trickles down’ from more sophisticated vehicles. Blind spot assist does what it implies by covering the van driver’s blind areas behind the B pillar, where vehicles can occasionally lurk and be missed in the mirrors. Active above 30km/h, it uses four short-range radar sensors hidden in the van’s lateral rub strips, two on each side.

When a car or motorcycle is in the blind spot, a small red triangle illuminates at the top of the relevant mirror. If a driver still indicates to pull out, a buzzer will sound. It was dif icult to hide a small van in the Sprinter’s blind spot because the standard mirrors are pretty good, but we eventually manoeuvred it out of sight. A motorcycle would have been a lot easier.

Lane Assist is familiar to thousands of truck drivers alerting inadvertent drifting by detecting lane markings, and high beam assist detects oncoming headlights, street

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and other lights, automatically dipping the beam as necessary. Lastly, collision prevention assist is another radar-based device that monitors the relative speeds and distances of vehicles ahead and it will help prevent common rear end collisions. And for that “Oh God I’ve left it too late”, moment, brake assist pro delivers pinpoint emergency braking to set distances and closing speeds. Drivers will already be braking, but not irmly enough.

NANNY STATE So is all this technology de-skilling driving and protecting us from ourselves? Is it a recipe for creating a future generation of un-thinking drivers who blunder on regardless and expect their van, car or truck to look after them? In some ways maybe, but the accident statistics alone, more than justify the hours spent at Boxberg. Not only for blue light emergency teams, but also for leet managers and their budgets too. The only losers will be the repair workshops.

When a car or motorcycle is in the blind spot, a small red triangle illuminates at the top of the relevant mirror

500,000 cars: a growing success story.

Alphabet has achieved a significant milestone: we now have more than 500,000 cars under management. This number symbolises our growth and underlines the success of our Business Mobility strategy.

We are well positioned to meet future challenges and to pioneer innovative solutions that will satisfy the changing mobility needs of our customers.

For forward-looking answers: www.alphabet.com

fleet strategy

European RV and SMR costs settle down?

French servicing, maintenance and repair costs on the up, as budgets continue to rise, reports Experteye.

Servicing, maintenance and repair (SMR) budgets included in contract hire rentals in France are up +5.8% in the last quarter, after a year that has seen them climb by +5.2%.

Yet in Portugal, after a dramatic +8.8% annual increase in SMR budgets, recent quarterly data shows no change (0%).

The igures from the Experteye European Leasing index show SMR budgets rising in France (+5.8%), Italy (+1.3%) and Germany (+0.6%) since December 2012, with Portugal remaining static; the UK moving its budgets down by -0.4% and Italy by -4.9%.

Forecasted residual values (RVs) have remained relatively stable for the quarter after a year that brought dramatic shifts – particularly in Portugal, which reported a -10.7% downturn for the year.

Since December 2012, the UK has seen a +1.7% rise in its forecasted RVs with Spain also up +0.7%. The other countries surveyed

by Experteye, however, were more pessimistic about future used vehicle values with Italy reporting a -0.6% drop, France and Germany both seeing a -1.0% reduction and Portugal -2.8%.

The Experteye survey tracks forecasted RV and SMR costs as well as rental rates in six European countries using data supplied by major leasing companies.

decreased by -1.3%. The picture in Germany is reasonably stable, however, with only marginal movements in SMR budgets and forecasted RVs. In the year from March 2012, RVs have only shifted by -0.8% and SMR budgets by -0.3%. In the past quarter there has been a -1.0% RV reduction and +0.6% SMR increase.

ITALY: Italy has reported the second highest fall in forecasted RVs in the last year with a -2.5% reduction. In the recent quarter this has steadied to -0.6%. SMR budgets are on the up with a +4.9% annual increase and a +1.3% rise for the quarter. Yet Italian fleet operators have enjoyed seeing their rentals come down with a -1.2% drop for the year and -0.4% for the quarter.

PORTUGAL: After a -10.7% fall in forecasted RVs in the last 12 months, Portuguese RVs have only dropped by -2.8% in the last quarter, perhaps indicating a change of outlook towards the used vehicle market. SMR budgets, however, have seen an +8.8% rise since March 2012, but no movement in the last quarter (0%). Yet Portuguese fleet operators appear to be unaffected with a -0.5% reduction in rentals for the year and a -2.2% fall in the last quarter; the largest of all nations surveyed.

SPAIN: Spain’s budgeted SMR costs are down by -6.9% for the year, the largest reduction of all nations surveyed. This continues with a -4.9% decrease in the last quarter (also the largest fall). After a 12 month period that saw forecasted RVs fall by -1.9%, they recently rose with a +0.7% upward shift since December 2012. Spain is the only country in the Experteye survey reporting an annual increase in rentals (+0.6%) although they are down -0.4% in the quarter.

UK: The UK has shown most optimism in the future used vehicle market with a +1.7% increase in forecasted RVs for the year. This continues at +1.7% for the quarter. After a year that saw SMR budgets rise by +4.2%, they have fallen by -0.4% since December 2012. Rentals during the quarter remain unaffected (0% movement) after a -0.6% reduction for the year.

Market summaries – 3 and 12 months to February 2013 FRANCE: France has reported a +5.8% surge in SMR budgets in the last quarter, the highest of all nations surveyed. This follows a rising trend throughout the year, with a +5.2% rise since March 2012. Forecasted RVs remain stable, with a +0.3% increase during the last 12 months and a -1.0% fall in the latest quarter. French fleet operators may not be pleased, however, to see rental rates climb by +1.6% since December 2012 after a year when they had fallen by -2.5% (the biggest annual reduction in the survey).

GERMANY: German fleet customers continue to see rentals fall, with a -0.4% drop in the latest quarter, following a year when they

CHANGES IN RV FORECASTS, SMR COST FORECASTS AND LEASE RENTALS Forecast Residual Values

Forecast Service, Maintenance and Repair Costs

Current Rental Rates

3-month change 12-month change 3-month change 12-month change 3-month change 12-month change France Germany Italy Portugal Spain UK

-1.0% -1.0% -0.6% -2.8% +0.7% +1.7%

+0.3% -0.8% -2.5% -10.7% -1.9% +1.7%

Notes: • The comparisons are for vehicles with a contract duration of 36 months/90,000km.

• Twelve-month comparisons show change since March 2012.

• Three-month comparisons show change since December 2012.

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+5.8% +0.6% +1.3% +0.0% -4.9% -0.4%

+5.2% -0.3% +4.9% +8.8% -6.9% +4.2%

+1.6% -0.4% -0.4% -2.2% -0.4% +0.0%

-2.5% -1.3% -1.2% -0.5% +0.6% -0.6%

• Rental rate changes compare the rates in effect at the time of the survey with those in effect three or twelve months ago.

• RV and SMR changes show the change in participating leasing companies’ forecasts of residual values and maintenance costs over the period.

ix35 FCEV = no compromises Promising zero emissions, Hyundai’s latest looks set to redefine the rules ix35 FCEV is a zero emission vehicle representing more than a decade’s intensive research and testing. The car emits only water vapour, as it is powered by a compact fuel cell that generates the equivalent of 136 PS. Hyundai’s enormous commitment to fuel cell vehicles includes the opening of the world’s biggest research and development facility for the technology. Fuel cells operate by turning chemical energy from hydrogen into electromechanical energy, and in the ix35 FCEV, this energy is stored in a high-tech, 21 kW lithium-ion battery that drives the car’s wheels via electric motors.

The ix35 FCEV is a halo for Hyundai’s Blue Drive sub-brand, used by the manufacturer’s most efficient vehicles.

THE strength of the ix35 FCEV lies in its all-round abilities, delivering driving benefits as well as environmental benefits: capable of 160 km/h, it has a range of 560 kilometres, and yet because the fuel cell operates silently and the car is driven by electric motors, the ix35 FCEV provides a quiet drive. Inside, there is also no compromise on space, comfort or ability, retaining all the qualities of the ix35.

Production of the ix35 FCEV began in February at Hyundai’s factory in Ulsan, South Korea, alongside the conventionally-powered version on which it is based. By 2015, Hyundai is aiming to have 1,000 on the road, which will be leased to European private and public sector fleet customers.

A larger hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and a reduction in manufacturing costs by 2015 are expected to make the technology viable for a 10,000 unit production volume.

The strength of the ix35 FCEV lies in its all-round abilities, delivering driving benefits as well as environmental benefits

Production of the ix35 began in February 2013.

For more information on ix35 FCEV, visit www.hyundai.com advertisement feature

fleet focus RUSSIA

FROM RUSSIA WITH INTEREST The Russian market is growing, but finance is tight thanks to sky-high interest rates, reports John Kendall.

It’s the R in BRIC – Brazil, Russia, India and China and as in most of these countries, the motor industry in Russia is having a fairly good time at the moment, having experienced the effects of the global recession in 2008. According to JATO Dynamics, by 2012, the Russian car market had recovered to 2,950,000 units, with the help of a government supported scrappage scheme. The market had built up from 1,100,000 units in 2000 to 2,800,000 in 2008, followed by a 51% drop in sales in

2009, when the market fell to 1,372,000 units. According to JATO, the car market now tends to be dependent on the changes in oil prices rather than the stock market.

Russian manufacturer AvtoVAZ, which produces Lada cars, is the market leader, as it was in 2012. As explained later, the company is controlled by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The Lada Granta – launched in 2011 – a compact four-door saloon, is Russia’s best selling car so far in 2013.

Renault is also a strong performer in Rus-

sia, where it sells Dacia models branded Renault. The Duster seems to have been performing well – currently the sixth best selling car in the country, according to data from focus2move.com. Both Kia and Hyundai are performing well in the Russian market with the Hyundai Solaris the second best selling car in Russia and the Kia Rio compact five-door in fourth place.

To add further confusion, the Chevrolet Niva is a GM product – a compact SUV with permanent 4x4, based on the Lada Niva.

TOP SELLER Kia is one of the top three manufacturers in Russia, with the Kia Rio the fourth best selling car of 2012.

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From Russia with interest... ¡

RUSSIA NEW CAR SALES 2008 – 2012

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Where commercial vehicles are concerned, data from the Association of EuroYear Volume pean Businesses Russian Federation (AEB) shows that some 188,095 new light 2008 2,800,000 commercial vehicles were sold in Russia 2009 1,450,000 in 2012, with Russian manufacturer GAZ taking 48% of the market with 90,247 2010 1,900,000 sales. Of the top five sellers, three – Volk2011 2,450,000 swagen, Ford and Peugeot – are Western European brands.

2012 2,950,000 Hyundai led the market for midSource: JATO Dynamics dleweight trucks between 6.0 and 16.0-tonnes in 2012, despite a 20% drop in sales RUSSIA TOP 10 BRANDS FEBRUARY YTD 2013 from 2011. Overall the market rose 14% to 11,522 units.

Manufacturer YTD Sales YTD share % Heavy truck sales over 16tonnes GVW slowed by 12% Lada (AvtoVAZ) 66,947 18.0 in 2012 to 25,937, with the Renault 30,041 8.1 market led by MAN (7,620 units), up 6% on 2011, folKia 25,153 6.7 lowed by Scania with 5,823 Hyundai 24,795 6.7 units, down 14% and Russian truck maker URAL down 48% Volkswagen 24,468 6.6 in third place to 5,295. By Chevrolet 22,565 6.1 contrast Mercedes saw sales rise by 80% to 4,854 and Nissan 22,051 5.9 Renault Trucks also saw sales Toyota 15,197 4.1 rise 22% to secure fifth place with 1,642 sales.

Ford 13,415 3.6 As Kent Bjertrup, general Daewoo 12,490 3.4 manager of ALD Russia, told us, it is difficult to estimate Source: focus2move.com the size of the business car market: “We don’t have any RUSSIA TOP 10 MODELS FEBRUARY YTD 2013 official statistics that we can use as sources, so we work together with the AEB. We Model YTD Sales YTD share % consider that 195,000 new Lada Granta 22,796 6.1 cars were registered to legal entities in 2012. That repreHyundai Solaris 15,778 4.2 sents approximately 6% of Lada Kalina 13,167 3.5 the total new car market.”

JATO’s estimate is quite Kia Rio 11,512 3.1 similar. The organisation says Lada Priora 10,183 2.7 the approximate fleet size of passenger cars and LCVs Renault Duster 11,338 3.0 in Russia is about 650,000 VW Polo 9,687 2.6 vehicles. But if we take out town buses and taxis Ford Focus 9,295 2.5 from these figures (approx Chevrolet Niva 7,611 2.0 250,000) and around 150,000 delivery vans, that leaves Daewoo Nexia 7,421 2.0 around 100,000 in company Source: focus2move.com

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fleets and around 100,000 others.

Western European manufacturers enjoy a strong presence in the Russian car market. Among the most popular brands, JATO lists GAZ, a Russian manufacturer of light CVs, Ford, Renault, VW and Peugeot.

According to JATO, Hyundai is the market leader in passenger car sales.

Data from ALD paints a slightly different picture, but it may contain a mix of cars and light CVs. For business use, JATO identifies Csegment passenger cars and LCVs as the most popular vehicles. For ALD, the most popular car on their Russian fleet is the Ford Focus, with the Polo sedan in second place. Renault is third most popular with a Dacia Logan branded as the Renault Logan. The top 10 is completed with Skoda, Nissan, Chevrolet, Citroën, Mitsubishi, Volvo, and Audi. Altogether, ALD operates around 15,000 cars in Russia.

According to the data above, AvtoVAZ seems to be the Russian car market leader, although as already noted, JATO suggests that Hyundai leads the passenger car market. Without official data, it is not possible to confirm the position, but as we have pointed out, it could be a matter of how vehicles are defined.

INVESTMENT IN THE RUSSIAN CAR MARKET AvtoVAZ used to produce cars under the VAZ brand name and also produces Lada cars. Today Renault owns a significant stake, 25% until late last year. In December 2012 the Renault-Nissan Alliance and the State owned Russian Technologies created a joint venture to accelerate product launches and technology transfer to AvtoVAZ. Under the deal, Renault-Nissan has a majority stake in the joint venture, which is called Alliance Rostec Auto BV, which will control AvtoVAZ. Under the deal, Renault-Nissan will invest €567m. This will give the company a 67.13% stake in the joint venture by mid-2014, split 50.1% Renault and 17.03% Nissan. Russian Technologies will hold the remaining 32.87%. Nissan has not had a stake in AvtoVAZ before. By 2014, Alliance Rostec Auto BV will hold a 74.5% stake in AvtoVAZ. AvtoVAZ opened a new 350,000 unit

from 98,000 vehicles to 230,000. GM formed a partnerManufacturer 2012 2011 Change % ship with the Russian Federal Ministry GAZ 90,247 90,034 0% of Economic DevelUAZ 27,885 26,422 6% opment which will result in GM investVW 16,161 12,345 31% ing $US 1bn Ford 12,962 8,864 46% (€0.76bn) in its Peugeot 9,933 9,488 5% Russian operations by 2017. The investToyota 7,242 2,609 178% ment will also supFiat 5,959 12,942 -54% port GM’s joint Citroen 5,038 3,198 58% venture with AvtoVAZ at Togliatti, Mercedes-Benz 3,974 2,702 47% which GM says will Nissan 2,422 1,928 26% increase Russian Source: AEB capacity to a total of 350,000. When the expansion is comRUSSIAN LCV (6.0 – 16.0T GVW) MARKET 2011 AND 2012 plete, GM will increase the workManufacturer 2012 2011 Change % force at St Petersburg from 2,500 to Hyundai 4,208 5,239 -20% 4,000.

Chevrolet Mitsubishi Fuso 2,026 1,088 86% and Opel badged models will be proHino 1,779 1,105 61% duced for the RussFoton 1,694 802 111% ian market including URAL 502 412 22% the Opel Astra saloon, launched at Isuzu 491 901 -46% the Moscow Show BAW 334 0 – last August.

GM also has a deal MAN 308 460 -33% with the GAZ Group, Mercedes-Benz 180 112 61% which manufactures Total 11,522 10,119 14% the Chevrolet Aveo in Russia. GAZ also has Source: AEB contract manufacturing deals with the Volkswagen Group and capacity factory at Togliatti in Russia earDaimler. The company withdrew from loss lier in 2012. The Nissan Almera has been making car production operations after produced there since December 2012 and former GM vice president, Bo Andersson, the plant also produces the Lada Largus. was appointed president and CEO in 2009.

Five Renault, Lada and Nissan models Now it is focussed on contract manufacwill soon be built in the plant. By 2016 turing and light CV production.

Renault-Nissan and AvtoVAZ will have a Russian production capacity of 1.7m cars BUSINESS and by 2020, production is expected to CAR TAXATION have reached 1.0m cars.

Russia has recently changed the taxes GM has also been stepping up its prespayable by businesses, as ALD’s Kent ence in Russia. In June 2012, construction Bjertrup, explains: “Legal entities includbegan on expanding its facility in St ing the leasing business had to pay a Petersburg, which will more than double property tax on cars until 1 January 2013.

GM’s manufacturing capacity by 2015 RUSSIAN LCV (0 – 6.0T GVW) MARKET TOP 10 2011/2012

Today we pay some sort of usage or transport tax, calculated on the horsepower of the car.” The tax is banded and as Mr. Bjertrup explains, for cars with more than 250hp, it gets expensive: “We’re trying to sell an Audi Q7 4.2 just now with 350hp, and that’s approximately €2,000 per year in taxes and that also affects the used car price for this kind of car. Then if a manufacturer does not have local production, import tax is applied to the car.”

Vehicle finance is expensive because interest rates in Russia are high – around 15% at the time of writing and insurance premiums are also high, according to Kent Bjertrup. Even so, JATO Dynamics says that finance leasing and loans make up 60% of the financing of business vehicles, while cash purchase accounts for 35% and operational leasing accounts for 5%.

Kent Bjertrup says things are different for ALD: “We say that approximately 7% of corporate market cars are financed by outright purchase. Finance lease is around 17-19%, then full service leasing is 6.0-8.0%.” ALD has been in the Russian market for around eight years, Arval followed around 18 months later and LeasePlan will open in 2013.

Panel damage appears to be a problem for cars in Russia too, which helps to push up the price of insurance.

ALD expects the Russian passenger car market to grow at around 5% this year. Full service leasing has been growing at between 18-22% for ALD, “We expect somewhere between 10-15% growth,” says Kent Bjertrup. JATO quotes VTB Leasing and Europlan to indicate finance leasing growth of around 40% in 2012.

“In 2012 there was strong development in the trade, housing construction and road construction industries, which resulted in more LCV cars being required so it could be a trend that continues over the next few years”, reckons JATO. “It’ll also be interesting to see how the ongoing European economic challenges will affect Russian vehicle sales as many car manufacturers have been sending significant portions of stock to Russia, while offering impressive incentives because vehicle sales have been mostly poor across Europe.”

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remarketing

A steady supply of used BMWs, Audis and Mercedes are coming back from long term leasing agreements

ITALY CROSS BORDER REMARKETING IS HELPING ITALY TO BUILD USED CAR STABILITY, SAYS AUTOROLA. he Italian new car market has been hit hard by the economic conditions faced by countries in the Euro, with many dealers struggling to survive. The used car market has also faced challenges of its own but in the last few months there is a definite trend towards the used market finding its feet.

Retail buyers have been staying away from the new car market and instead have been turning to the used market when they need a new car. Any car at four years of age and selling for less than €10,000 is finding a new owner very quickly and the growth in this market has meant demand has been exceeding supply.

Prices of these cars have risen and there is now a shortage of stock, but it is a very different story at the premium end of the used market. A steady supply of used BMWs, Audis and Mercedes are coming back from long term leasing agreements but there is very low demand for these models, based on price and engine size.

Like most European motorists, Italians, who have traditionally been small car buyers anyway, are downsizing to cars with smaller engines and the premium cars coming back into the used market are struggling to find buyers in the home market, even when companies have extended their replacement cycles by 12 months or more.

That’s where Autorola has come in with its online remarketing platform helping Italian asset owners to find homes for this premium stock. Autorola’s thousands of online buyers based in Europe and beyond are being given access to this premium stock, which would not normally even be offered for sale outside Italian borders.

The result is that these premium models are being purchased by other European buyers in left-hand-drive markets, mainly in France, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Austria, while the top end stock by price, engine size and specification is often purchased for export to the Middle East. ”The used market is beginning to find its feet with demand for smaller low priced cars rising in demand and the higher value premium stock being purchased by cross border buyers,” explained Bruno Devoti, Autorola Italy’s country manager. ”Although the market is very different to what it was 18 months ago, at least it has found its feet and despite the economic conditions is stable working to these new supply and demand dynamics. ”Italy is yet another country where Autorola has seen cross border buying helping keep used stock moving which prevents asset owners from keeping cars sitting in storage areas for months at a time unsold. This market situation once again shows how cross border remarketing is able to keep the European used car market moving,” he added.

T

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S HE PRESTIGIOU T T A , R A D N E L A IN THE FLEET C T N E V RD TO MISS IT ?

E O T F S F E A G U O Y N THE BIG A C MOTORSPORT. H IS IT R B F O E HOM

ow.c h s t e e l f e h t t a e find out mor

o.uk

FOR the second year running the Fleet World Fleet Show will take place at the impressive new Silverstone Wing and on the track at the race circuit, providing fleet decision-makers with an incredible opportunity to test the latest cars on the famous track, and to meet suppliers and listen to expert seminars.

Wednesday 24th April 2013

THE SILVERSTONE WING

Commenting on the event, organiser Ross Durkin said: ‘Our aim is to provide visitors with a number of compelling reasons for taking a day out to visit the show. The seminar programme and the debating session that followed it were really well attended last year – testament that fleet decision-makers will take time out if the quality of the presentations is high enough.

‘The track driving sessions will allow visitors to experience what is available on the market today. The seminars will give them an idea of what they might be driving tomorrow.’

t +44 (0)1727 739160 e thefleetshow@fleetworldgroup.co.uk w thefleetshow.co.uk

fleet profile DAF TRUCKS

Global ambitions In the third of our profiles on the world’s truck makers, we turn to DAF. Ian Norwell looks at the history and increasing global reach of one of the industry’s most consistent players

DAF’s parent company PACCAR understands the economic cycles in the industry and invests only where and when required, using their own financial reserves.

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EUROPEAN AT HEART DAF Trucks has been a primarily European brand since it started production of semitrailers in the Netherlands, in the early 1930s. But more recently, the company has moved into speci ic global markets under the aegis of US truck giant, and parent company, PACCAR. The two brands’ philosophies seem to approach the industry from similar directions, with a concentration on the core business of truck building - diversi ication is a dirty word in PACCAR’s Bellevue, Washington State of ices – and a strong identity as a family business.

Fourth generation PACCAR CEO, Mark C Pigott, prides himself on running a company that understands the economic cycles in the industry and invests only where and when required, using their own inancial reserves.

The level of application to this mantra is apparent from their claimed 74 straight years of pro itability. But the two companies didn’t come together until 1996 when PACCAR wanted an established European brand in its portfolio, and DAF was still recovering from being declared bankrupt in 1993. This followed one of the most dramatic collapses in the commercial vehicle market, particularly in the UK – a region on which DAF was highly reliant. DAF were paying the price for being essentially an engineering

and marketing-led company, and they were desperate for funding to support new model development. So down the aisle they went.

TANGLED ROOTS DAF’s beginnings go back to 1928, when the brothers Hub and Wim van Doorne established their engineering and repair workshops. Moving through trailer and bus chassis manufacture, the name of the company was changed to ‘Van Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek N.V.’, or D.A.F. for short, in 1932. Light trucks started in 1949 and a steady progression of military contracts took them through the 50’s as they also started building Leyland engines under licence (a relationship that would bear much bigger fruit in the years ahead), a new series of heavy truck chassis, their own rear axles and then the little DAF car that featured the innovative, but unpleasant Variomatic drive.

The car division was sold to Volvo in the mid-1970s, leaving DAF to concentrate solely on truck products, but the costs of new model introductions still needed joint ventures like the ‘Club of Four‘ cab, that was jointly developed by DAF, Saviem, Magirus and Volvo in the 1970s.

Their engineering base led to the pioneering turbo intercooled diesel engines, introducing bigger cabs that found favour with a

RICH HERITAGE DAF’s beginnings go back to 1928, when the brothers Hub and Win van Doome established their engineering and repair workshops

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growing base of international hauliers and an expansion into the UK market.

In 1987, DAF acquired Leyland, gratefully unloaded by the UK Government which could no longer tolerate the weekly losses – then over €2.31m (£2,000,000) – and Leyland’s €787m (£680m) debt was written off. It was ‘sold’ to the public as a joint venture, and was transparently a takeover, but the new Leyland DAF was able to call on their previous relationships and a loyal UK customer base for support. However, the following years saw shrinking military contracts, and another deep recession in 1989-1991, which put the UK truck market into a dive, contracting 54%. This, and large calls on cash for more new models, led to the collapse of DAF itself in 1993, a bail-out by the Dutch government, and subsequent acquisition by PACCAR three years later.

Twenty-four hours after DAF had stunned the European motor industry by calling in the receivers, Peter Stoof, a patriotic Dutch haulier, took out an advertisement in Algameen Dagblad, the Dutch inancial daily newspaper, urging his countrymen to keep buying the company's products. The advertisement appeared at the bottom of the obituary column.

That DAF is alive today owes as much to a pair of gifted young UK administrators from Arthur Andersen, as it does to the eventual buyer, PACCAR. They orchestrated a series of management buyouts (MBs) for parts, vans, axle divisions, and much more, despite knowing virtually nothing about the truck business. Since the PACCAR purchase, it’s fair to say that DAF has not really looked back and its market leadership in the UK has been a solid base from which they have expanded, but the cautious and penny-wise philosophy has not been left behind with that success.

REACHING FLEETS OUTSIDE EUROPE The Leyland production plant in the UK was bought by PACCAR in 1998 and with a 20,000 unit annual capacity, it is currently producing just under 16,000 chassis per annum. All UK right hand drive DAF trucks are built there and it also builds for Europe,

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Australia, Africa and North America. While PACCAR produces its US brands of Peterbilt and Kenworth at six manufacturing plants in the USA, to cover domestic demand, the company has an additional Kenworth plant in Bayswater, Australia opened in 1970.

This leaves DAF with its core business still in the mature markets of Europe, although in 2013, this is due to change. With European markets distinctly sluggish, and the US truck industry in the doldrums, PACCAR is making a €153.4m ($200m) investment in the South American market and it is signi icant that they have chosen the DAF truck product to expand there, not Kenworth or Peterbilt.

With the brand’s CF and LF truck models already sold in South America, and proving a popular replacement for the infamously ageing leets in the Andean region, it is a logical choice. A new DAF assembly facility on a 569-acre site in Ponta Grossa, Brazil will be opening for business in 2013. Modelled on the assembly operation at Leyland in the UK, it will build the same complete product portfolio. Initially CF (regional distribution tractors and two, three and four axle rigid) models will be manufactured there, but they will be followed by the lighter LF range (7.5t GVW - 21t GVW) of rigid chassis, and ultimately their XF long haul trucks. Considering that only two years ago DAF sold very little outside Europe, this development must

be considered as notice that they are of icially on the march.

DAF’s approach to emerging markets is highly strategic. India is seen as a source for technological expertise with a development base in Pune (it is not the only truck maker to see the sub-continent in this light, Daimler also has a similarly biased facility there) and China, renowned to be tough customers to deal with, are not seen as a new market for trucks, but as a source of component supply to feed global production.

THE EUROPEAN BUILDING SITES DAF’s world headquarters is in Eindhoven, in the Netherlands, where the company has its roots and apart from the obvious sales, marketing and inance functions, this is where it conducts inal assembly of over 41,000 vehicles each year. The plant also manufactures engines, chassis rails, mechanical and pressed components. Cabs and axles are manufactured over the border in Belgium in the Westerlo plant.

The Leyland Trucks assembly plant, now owned for 13 years, can claim to be the largest producer and exporter of trucks in the UK – a statement not as dif icult to substantiate as it once was. Another shot in the philosophy locker sees nationals as CEOs of individual market regions. This acknowledges the value of cultural nuances in sales

HITTING THE SPOT DAF’s new XF has struck a chord with cash-strapped operators

and marketing, and it operates at several levels, inding Briton Ray Ashworth running DAF Trucks in the UK, and Dutchman Harrie Schippers running the show in Eindhoven.

SERVICE CULTURE In their established markets of Western Europe, the company has achieved steady growth by concentrating on a service culture for leets, above investing in glitzy, new, high horsepower truck ranges. With parent PACCAR’s philosophy of letting market performance grow steadily, and providing the ef icient aftermarket structures to more than support their increasing parc, their share of the 6t+ GVW sector has grown from a sub-10% seventh place in 2000, to a 16% slice, pushing competitors like MAN Nutzfahrzeuge and Volvo Trucks aside, to take second place, behind only Mercedes-Benz.

The DAF XF105 has been the best-selling heavy tractor in Western Europe for the last two years, but over the next two, that will be a tougher accolade for them to retain, with new truck ranges from Volvo, Mercedes and Iveco, all of which bear the marks of big investment and complete revision. However, as the UK’s market leader over 6t GVW, a position DAF has held for some time, the company took a 28.9% share in 2012.

The reputation of DAF’s roadside assistance service, DAFaid in the UK and DAF ITS in Europe, is probably the best evidence of their service-based culture. Many operators of other marques, certainly in the UK, have been known to rely on DAF for roadside rescue, rather than their own brand’s provision and managers at DAF’s UK headquarters proudly claim that the service halted for only an hour and a half when the company went into administration in 1993.

Putting service irst is also leading to a substantial stake in the markets of central Europe with an overall 20% share, and in 2011 DAF reinforced this position by acquiring a 19% stake in TATRA A.S., an offroad truck specialist based in the Czech Republic. DAF will supply TATRA with PACCAR MX engines and DAF CF cabs, and the new range will be sold throughout Europe via DAF’s dealer network.

AS GOOD AS IT NEEDS TO BE PACCAR’s Peterbilt truck for the US market

DAF LF

DAF CF

DAF’s new XF long-haul tractor range demonstrates the philosophy of truck building and it seems to strike a chord with cash-strapped operators who certainly can’t afford to waste their own money and who are probably loath to buy from a truck maker who might seem to be ‘splashing the cash’ when it comes to new model launches. At the company’s press introduction of their new XF tractor in southern Spain last year, Harrie Schippers, DAF’s President, and the vice president responsible for the brand on PACCAR’s board, had no problem defending what was a modi ied rather than a renewed, ageing XF cab.

It dates back to 1987 and is another joint venture in the shape of CABTEC – cab design and production being the most expensive element of a truck. DAF joined forces with small UK truck maker Seddon Atkinson and Pegaso of Spain, both since acquired by Iveco, Fiat’s CV arm.

To be fair, there are signi icant exterior and interior changes for the latest variant and it scrubs up well, but there’s also a familiar air to it. DAF must be congratulated for achieving quite a lot without digging up the foundations. So, looking past the press pack’s rationale of ‘continuing to build on a muchadmired concept‘, they do seem to have spent their money where it counts, on re ining the driveline for economy. Launching in the face of brand-new cabs from heavyweights Volvo and Mercedes, DAF will be doing well to preserve their market position. It will be their unrivalled consistency in service provision that will be their ace in the hole.

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TRUCK RANGE DAF’s European models can justify the claim of being a full range truck manufacturer. From a simple 4x2 rigid at the classic entry level of 7.5t GVW, the LF range extends up to three axle rigids at 21t GVW. Unusual in the market, the Leyland plant offers factory-built truck body superstructures including the staples of box, curtainside and aerodynamic bodies, with a small tipper waiting in the wings.

This is another small commercial advantage considering the implications of the rolling programme of European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA) legislation.

Although built in small volumes, a 12 tonne GVW hybrid LF model (pictured right) is also produced at Leyland, using a diesel/electric parallel hybrid drive system. Heavy duty, regional, national or international work is covered by DAF’s CF series, with tractor or rigid chassis on two, three or four axles.

DAF’s long-distance XF tractor range of two, three and four-axle tractors, with specialised heavy haulers available, established a solid reputation with international leets over the last three decades and it seems to have pulled off the clever trick of attracting both large leet operators, who will often add a few to complement their CF base leet, and a substantial ownerdriver element.

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The parent company’s mantra of ”We do trucks” is defiantly simple

DIVERSIFY, WHY? Many truck makers have dallied with diversi ication in recent years, seeing their place in the auto industry as a vulnerable one, if they have no ‘second string’ to their bow. Possibly one of the most disastrous diversi ication programmes was presided over by Edzard Reuter, the chairman of DaimlerBenz from 1987 to 1995. He felt that Daimler’s almost total reliance on the automotive industry should be dealt with, and so embarked on an acquisition spree that ranged from aerospace to white goods. Shareholder value tumbled and the company ultimately divested itself of these new interests at huge cost.

Diversi ication within the auto industry can also be a dangerous gamble, as Reuter’s successor, Jürgen Schrempp, discovered when he formed DaimlerChrysler, a so-called ‘perfect it’. It lasted ten years and ended in a distress sale.

On the other side of the coin, PACCAR’s philosophy, and that of DAF too, could not be more different. The parent company’s mantra of “We do trucks” is de iantly simple, and their statement of company business in their annual report leaves no ambiguity, “PACCAR is a global technology company that designs and manufacturers premium quality commercial vehicles under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates.” Apart from a division that makes winches, and the cash-rich PACCAR Financial that now provides hauliers with funds for over 40% of DAF (UK) registrations, that’s it.

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2013 fleet calendar International Fleet World’s guide to what’s happening in the fleet industry in the coming months – when, where and how to find out more info...

March 29-7 April Seoul International Motor Show, South Korea (PC, LCV, CV) www.motorshow.or.kr April 9-11 The Commercial Vehicle Show, Birmingham, UK (CV) www.cvshow.com 23-26 NAFA Institute and Expo, Atlantic City Convention Center, NJ, USA www.nafa.org/conference 24 Fleet World Fleet Show 2013, Silverstone Wing, Silverstone, Northants, UK www.thefleetshow.co.uk May 11-19 Barcelona International Motor Show, Spain (PC, LCV) www.firabcn.es 31-2 June International Kyiv Auto Salon 2013, Ukraine (PC) www.sia-motorshow.com.ua June 4-5 The Blue and Amber Light Fleet Exhibition, Telford International Centre, Telford, UK (Emergency services) www.napfmevent.org.uk 15-23 Sofia International Motor Show, Bulgaria (PC) www.svab.bg 20-30 Buenos Aires International Motor Show, Argentina (PC, LCV) www.elsalondelautomovil.com.ar September 10-14 Moscow Auto Salon COMTRANS, Russia (LCV, CV) www.oar-info.ru 10-22 Frankfurt International Motor Show, Germany (PC) www.iaa.de October 4-13 Bucharest International Motor Show, Romania (PC, LCV) www.siab.ro 18-27 Johannesburg International Motor Show, South Africa (PC, LCV, CV) www.johannesburgmotorshow.co.za November 2-10 Athens International Motor Show, Greece (PC, LCV) www.seaa.gr 14-17 COMVEX Istanbul Commercial Vehicles, Buses and Components Expo, Turkey (LCV, CV) www.osd.org.tr 22-1 December Los Angeles Auto Show, USA (PC) www.laautoshow.com 23-1 December 43rd Tokyo Motor Show, Japan (PC, LCV, CV) www.tokyo-motorshow.com 27-2 December Riyadh International Motor Show, Riyadh Exhibition Center, Murooj Area, Olaya St, Riyadh Saudi Arabia (PC) www.recexpo.com December 9-11 Commercial Vehicles Middle East, Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (LCV, CV) www.commvehicles.com 24-28 Saudi International Motor Show, Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events, Saudi Arabia (PC) www.sims-arabia.com KEY: PC – passenger cars // LCV – light commercial vehicles // CV – commercial vehicles

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launch report Fiat 500L p46 Hyundai Santa Fe p47 MINI Clubvan p48 Renault Clio p49

Hyundai has clearly benchmarked an evertougher segment and the Santa Fe performs well in almost all areas. p47

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launch report

Fiat 500L Alex Grant finds out how well 500 chic translates into a more practical MPV form.

SECTOR Compact MPV PRICE €15,900 – €21,900 FUEL 4.2 – 6.2l/100km CO2 110 – 145g/km The new 500 has been a real turning point in Fiat’s recent history. In six years, the carmaker has sold over a million globally, including markets such as North America, which were never originally scheduled to have it at all. It was only going to be a matter of time before Fiat followed MINI’s lead and grew the hatch into a range, and the 500L is the first step.

While the 500L – the suffix relating to its “Large” exterior dimensions – bears a few visual similarities to the tiny hatch, the two cars are completely unrelated mechanically.

Based on a new platform, the retro styling is now stretched over a car which is as long as a Punto and as wide as a Bravo.

Although it’s a compact MPV, Fiat has broader plans for its newcomer. The 500L is being positioned between the practicality-led compact MPV and styleled B-crossover segments, targeting a larger retail share than its most natural competitors. In fleet, it’ll be aiming for a larger share of public sector, user-chooser and salary sacrifice drivers than the Motability-dominated sector norms.

That’s an unusual route, because there are SUV-influenced versions on the way, which may have been easier to distance from the 500 than this. A 500L Trekking, with raised

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ground clearance and advanced traction control system for loose terrain, has just broken cover at the Geneva Motor Show and a 500X with four-wheel drive is due to follow shortly.

Both may have been an easier way to tap into the B-crossover pack, particularly key rival the MINI Countryman, than an MPV. But it’s not putting buyers off. Styling this cute is an unusual feature in the compact MPV class, so customers are already placing orders without driving the 500L first. History repeating itself from the 500, and a sign that a little of the hatch’s desirability has rubbed off here.

Inside, the 500L is surprisingly spacious for what is still a small car. The boot space is split with a removable shelf, the front passenger seat folds and the middle row of seats easily fold and tumble forward to give a 2.4-metre loading area to the bottom of a low tailgate opening. Drivers and front seat passengers have plentiful headroom and moving the A-pillars back a few inches offers good visibility, but tall adults sitting in the back could find the top of the window line slightly too low.

The range varies depending on market but most get four grades of 500L, which are familiar to the 500, starting with the entry-level Pop and with the luxurious

Lounge as the top trim level. Pop versions get a single engine, a 1.4-litre petrol with 95hp, while the rest are also available with a 105hp TwinAir petrol and choice of 1.3 and 1.6-litre diesels. Fiat expects retail and fleet sales to be diesel weighted, with fleets opting up to the more powerful but lower CO2 1.6-litre unit.

Equipped with the 105hp 1.6 MultiJet, the 500L is a solid and stable car in town and at higher speeds. Just as the 500 is a softer drive than the MINI hatch, so the 500L can’t match the agility of the Countryman, and it tends to feel quite high-sided when cornering sharply. Most customers are unlikely to drive it aggressively, though.

With its 300 body colour options and equipment including a portable Lavazza coffee machine, Beats by Dr Dre audio system and the ability to read text messages aloud, the 500L does an effective job of rubbing off a little of the 500’s identity in a more practical format.

verdict Efficient engines, an infinitely usable interior space and plenty of customisation options should help Fiat hang onto customers whose needs have outgrown the new 500.

Hyundai Santa Fe Korean reliability and upmarket aesthetics make the Santa Fe a tempting proposition, says Alex Grant.

SECTOR Large SUV PRICE €29,990 – €44,180 FUEL 5.9 – 8.7l/100km CO2 155 – 202g/km With an eye on Europe’s biggest sectors, Hyundai has proved itself very capable of benchmarking, and in some cases beating, its key rivals. But while the Santa Fe is a backbone of the carmaker’s North American line-up, some 350,000 have found homes in Europe, which means no expense has been spared bringing the largest model up to par.

It’s a much more aggressive-looking car than its predecessor, and with the sheer size of its bodywork it's also far more imposing on the road. A large hexagonal grille with sharply-creased body lines and chiselled lamps add up to a classy, premium-styled SUV which not only stands up to its most obvious rivals, but to much more expensive models too.

Quality has stepped up markedly inside.

High quality materials are used throughout, finally including textured indicator stalks – a small detail where the Santa Fe has traditionally lagged behind European counterparts. With sweeping lines across the door cards and dashboard and a commanding, very comfortable, driving position, it’s a hard vehicle to find faults with.

Or at least it is for most of the passengers.

The back row pops up out of the boot floor with a tug on a handle, and drops in the same way. They’re not uncomfortable per se,

but the steeply raked roofline means taller drivers will struggle and the middle row doesn’t tip forward for easy access so getting in and out is hard work. Drop both rear rows, though, and the Santa Fe becomes a capacious load-hauler with a huge, flat load area to the backs of the front seats.

Engine options comprise a 2.4-litre petrol in some markets, and two diesels, either a 150hp 2.0-litre unit or the 200hp 2.2-litre tested here. The larger of the two is the more efficient, offering CO2 emissions of 155g/km for the seven-seat version if you can live without four-wheel drive and are prepared to change gears yourself. Extra traction and an automatic gearbox push CO2 emissions up to 178g/km.

The trade-off is a few useful extra features. American consumers tend to demand more off-road ability than in Europe, so four-wheel drive versions gain a bank of switches most of its competitors don’t have. To the right of the steering wheel are controls for hill descent and forcing a 50/50 split between front and rear wheels, plus the more common sight of an eco switch which cuts fuel consumption.

This is often a mixed blessing, returning a few less litres/km in fuel, but blunting acceleration as if a parachute has been

attached to the tailgate. But in the Santa Fe there’s plentiful power not to let performance drop too heavily when it’s running in eco mode. That said, it’s fairly efficient on its regular setting too, returning around 7l/100km at high speeds.

The downside to its off-road ability is that the Santa Fe can, at times, feel a little high-sided and more prone to body-roll than the car-focused crossover even with its standard-fit self-levelling suspension and Europe-only chassis settings. The new 2.2-litre diesel engine is potent, even off the mark, the gearbox shifts smoothly if a little slowly through its ratios and the multiple steering settings give a good mechanical feel on the road, but it’s not a car which likes to be rushed.

On the whole, though, Hyundai has clearly benchmarked an ever-tougher segment and the Santa Fe performs well in almost all areas. It’s a sophisticated SUV for a very reasonable price.

verdict A genuine off-roader with comfort and presence from a higher price bracket, Santa Fe's long warranty and low price add up to a strong all-rounder.

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launch report

MINI Clubvan Does MINI’s stylish LCV make sense for fleets? Alex Grant finds out.

SECTOR Car-derived van PRICE €18,100 – €22,600 RANGE 3.9 – 6.6l/100km CO2 103 – 152g/km MINI says its new Clubvan is a commercial vehicle for growing companies. So while it’s not going to be a suitable replacement for a full-size van, it’s also not difficult to see why MINI has seized the opportunity to dip into the light commercial sector with a slightly different proposition to its closest rivals.

But for now, it’s a bit of an unknown. This is based on the standard Clubman, and with limited bespoke parts it’s easy for MINI to vary production based on demand. The carmakeranticipates it'll be a model with small fleets as its main target, but it's already finding favour with larger ones too.

Separating this from the Clubman is a flat, plastic-lined load floor, which stretches from the twin rear doors to a cage-type bulkhead with an aluminium reinforcing bar behind the front seats. MINI has also fitted two 12V power sockets at the back and an extra light for the load area, but as yet doesn’t offer approved racking conversions.

The latter is unlikely to remain a gap in the market for long, though.

Where the original Morris Mini Van was a compact and affordable urban workhorse, the Clubvan is a much more style-led purchase. Like the rest of the range, it’s easy to push the price up to large car territory with a few option boxes ticked. MINI doesn’t have

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any illusions that this will become a high volume model for builders and the like, instead seeing it primarily finding favour with delivery companies, electricians and possibly florists.

So order books are proving to be topheavy, with key markets such as the United Kingdom showing a 70% share in the top Cooper D spec, followed by the petrol-only One. The petrol Cooper is expected to be the most popular version in markets such as the United States, and like the rest it’s available with an automatic gearbox. Gaps in the range compared with the Clubman are unlikely to be filled, as MINI doesn’t foresee enough demand for a high performance version.

Stranger still, the Clubvan is the only MINI which isn’t available with steel wheels. The One D features bespoke alloy wheels instead, while Coopers get sporty 17-inch versions.

These look great, but they’re a little prone to kerb damage in delivery vehicles.

MINI only had the Cooper D available to test at the launch. It uses broadly the same 1.6-litre diesel found in Ford and PSA’s small vans, and that’s a good thing. This is a tough, reliable unit with effortless efficiency and lively low-rev performance, which works well with the MINI’s excellent onroad dynamics. It’s a bit gruff under load,

and the large wheels hurt the ride quality a little, but the Clubvan is good fun to drive.

Its Clubman roots present a few issues though. The Clubdoor, which never made sense for right hand drive markets in the car, is completely redundant on the Clubvan. There’s just enough of a gap to fit a briefcase between this and the bulkhead, and it’s the cause of a frustrating highspeed whistle which blunts otherwise impressive refinement.

Rear visibility is also problematic. MINI hasn’t fitted larger mirrors to the Clubvan, which results in a sizeable blind spot on the passenger side and some slightly unnerving advances from acutely angled junctions. Our test van didn’t even have a convex mirror on the passenger side, which would have helped.

But it’s unlikely most potential buyers will care. There’s enough rational appeal in the Clubvan to make it a realistic addition to an LCV fleet, and those who love the styling will overlook its flaws for that classic charm.

verdict The Clubvan offers an attractive blend of efficiency, load area and residual values which mean it’s a viable proposition for fleets who like the way it looks.

Renault Clio John Kendall samples a new car with a new engine. Can Clio revive Renault’s fortunes?

SECTOR Supermini PRICE €9,600 – €14,900 (ex-taxes) RANGE 3.2 – 5.5l/100km CO2 83 – 127g/km The ongoing European economic problems have focussed the minds of the motor industry and none more so than those worst affected by the recession. As we report elsewhere, Renault is building up its Russian business to meet the demands of an expanding market on Europe’s doorstep and the company also has the Dacia brand to help build its customer base, particularly in emerging markets.

Renault has sold 11.5m Clio models over the past 22 years and the latest model to bear the name emerged at the Paris Motor Show last year. It offers bold new looks and some new engines too, the first Renault product to be fitted with the company’s new 898cc three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines, initially in TCE 90hp form. Other engines are familiar from other small Renault and Dacia models, in the shape of the 1.2-litre 75hp engine and Renault’s long running 1.5-litre common rail diesel, delivering 90hp.

This is the first Renault to be produced since the arrival of Renault design chief, Laurens van den Acker, and the design looks more purposeful than the previous Clio, if losing something of the previous model’s elegance in the process. As before, there are minimal overhangs to maximise the wheelbase and space inside. The car is lower and

wider than its predecessor with wider front and rear track, allowing the body sides to be sculpted, adding visual interest and improving the aerodynamic shape. Renault says it has also reduced weight by around 100kg.

The car has a better air of quality about it than its predecessors, something that Renault has been aware that it must address and first impressions suggest that things have improved. The interior looks well put together with good quality materials.

The engine range is largely familiar – where the 1.2-litre petrol engine and the dCi diesel are concerned. Renault says that the diesel has been extensively re-engineered to improve torque and efficiency. The engine was slipping behind other diesel rivals so these are good moves. 90g/km CO2 emissions and 3.2l/100km look like a good start for low running costs while 30,000km service intervals should also help. The service interval applies to all engines.

The little diesel certainly seemed more refined than previously and offers a good blend of performance and economy. But it was the TCe 90 petrol engine that impressed most. We were impressed with the smoothness of Ford’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, but Renault’s smaller still 898cc engine appears to set new standards of

refinement while delivering an even spread of torque, making it a very impressive little engine. It can propel the Clio as briskly as you would expect from any small 90hp engine.

The advantage of turbocharging is that it produces peak torque lower in the rev range so it seems quieter and smoother in the process.

Most three-cylinder engines produce a background rumble – part of the engine’s character, but it is hard to spot the difference between this engine and a four-cylinder unit.

It’s even more remarkable when you consider just how small the engine is.

The car seems to offer enough space for four adults, while the boot offers 300-litres with the rear seats in place and 1,146 loaded to the roof with the back seat folded.

The car seems generously equipped even in basic trim in the UK with hill start assist, ESC and traction control, cruise control and a speed limiter, plus six airbags, electric windows and door mirrors, bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry and ignition.

verdict A more ‘muscular’ car than its predecessor, and it appears that Renault has successfully tightened up quality. Performance and refinement for the TCe both impress.

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fleet in figures

Weak start for European new car & CV registrations Car and commercial registrations remain down in Europe for 2013 but new data shows a more positive outlook for global sales for the year, finds Natalie Middleton.

Fiat remained the lowest-emitting volume brand in Europe for the sixth consecutive year

Both car and CV registrations have made a poor start to 2013 according to figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), continuing the trends seen in 2012.

In the case of passenger cars, demand for new cars slumped 8.7% in the EU for January compared to the same month in 2012, down from 969,219 to 885,159 – a historic low for the month since the start

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of the ACEA’s series of data in 1990.

In line with the pattern seen last year, only the UK posted growth (+11.5%) out of all the major markets, while the downturn prevailed in Italy (-17.6%), France (-15.1%), Spain (-9.6%) and Germany (-8.6%).

Aside from the UK, the only other positive performances were in Estonia (+28.4%), Denmark (+14.5%), Belgium

(+13.3%), Poland (+8.8%), Austria (+3.5%) and Portugal (+0.7%).

Markets showing the largest declines were Greece (-34.5%), Netherlands (-31.2%), Finland (-28.2%), Hungary (-26.1%) and Cyprus (-20.8%).

In absolute figures, Germany remained the largest market with 192,090 new registrations, followed by the UK (143,643 units), France (124,798) and

Italy (113,525). Spain registered 49,671 new cars, which was slightly less than Belgium (50,684 units).

Commercial vehicle registrations in the EU also continued their downward trend in January, with a drop of 10.6% to 126,110 units. This follows a year of monthly declines in 2012, when the market ended the year down by 12.4% compared to 2011.

Again, the UK was the only major market to post growth (+5.4%) for total new CV registrations in January. Italy (-23.6%), Germany (-15.5%), Spain (-15.5%), and France (-9.8%) saw their markets shrink.

Elsewhere, year-on-year improvements were seen in Bulgaria (+81.1%) – but not including data for medium and heavy commercial vehicles or buses and coaches), Estonia (47.6%), Romania (+35.4%), Poland (+11.3%) and Lithuania (+4.4%).

GLOBAL SALES Global vehicle sales in January bucked the downward trend in Western Europe, according to data from Scotiabank, with purchases for the month up 13% year on year – making this the strongest gain since early 2010 according to the firm.

China continued its pattern of soaring sales, with volumes up 49% year on year, while a solid performance was seen across Asia with a figure of +30% including a 6% increase outside China.

South America also posted a second consecutive double-digit gain, with January sales boosted in Brazil by the government’s announcement that it will gradually re-introduce industrial products tax (IPI) in the first half of this year.

Scotiabank also released its predictions for 2013 car sales, forecasting that the global market will rise 5.2% this year to 65.7 million from 62.5 million. Scotiabank believes sales in North America will rise 6.8% from 17.1 million to 18.2 million, with Asia up 6.0% from 24.8 million to 26.2 million and South America up 5.5% to 5.0 million from 4.7 million. Western Europe sales however will stay static at 11.8 million units, with the figure for Eastern Europe up 8.7% to 4.5 million units from 4.1 million units.

GLOBAL MEDIUM-HEAVY TRUCK SALES Following the dip in the overall mediumheavy truck market last year, 2013 is forecast to see higher sales, helped by rising demand from the ‘Next-11’ and other emerging markets, according to Frost & Sullivan. This will offset the slowdown in Europe and the moderate expansion in truck demand in North America and will result in global medium-heavy truck sales reaching 2.8 million this year.

In the company’s ‘Strategic Outlook of the Global Medium-Heavy Commercial Truck Market in 2013’ research, industry analyst Bharani Lakshminarasimhan said that commercial vehicle OEMs will not only continue to focus greater efforts on the growing markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC), but also expand to the Next-11 and African markets.

The company added that several Next-11 markets are likely to post nearly doubledigit growth in new truck sales in 2013, including Indonesia and Turkey, which are forecast to double in size from 2012 to 2020, while Mexico is also set for longterm growth. Additionally, within the BRIC markets, Russia will sustain the fast growth that was seen in 2012.

It added that the net result of these trends will be a higher demand for medium-duty trucks relative to heavy-duty trucks.

MERCEDES PAYS COMPETITION LAW FINE FOR CVS In the UK, Mercedes-Benz and three of its commercial vehicle dealers – Ciceley, Road Range and Enza – have agreed to pay fines totalling £2.6m (€3.0m) after the Office of Fair Trading, which promotes and protects consumer law in the UK, found they had infringed competition law.

The case is based on the distribution of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles in the north of England and parts of Wales and Scotland where the companies involved were said to have breached competition law covering market sharing, price coordination or exchange of commercially sensitive information.

For Mercedes-Benz, the settlement figure, based on company turnover, is £1.49m (€1.72m).

In a statement, Mercedes-Benz UK said: “Mercedes-Benz regrets the incident and has learned a lot from it.

“The company has strengthened its internal controls, and every member of staff participates in comprehensive and ongoing Integrity training programmes. The company and its staff have fully co-operated with the investigators over the past three years.

“The settlement reached with the OFT draws the investigation into this matter to a close. Mercedes-Benz takes its responsibilities under competition law seriously and has taken all appropriate steps to ensure all its staff comply fully with the law.”

CO2 EMISSIONS Average CO2 emissions for new cars across Europe dropped to 132.3g/km in 2012, down 2.9% from 136.2g/km the year before.

The new data from JATO Dynamics also shows that nearly 40% of new cars sold are now classed as ‘low CO2’ (up to 120g/km).

The findings come ahead of the launch of JATO’s latest report – ‘A Review of CO2 New Car Emissions across Europe 2012’ – which shows that nine high-volume manufacturer brands have already achieved the 130g/km European target set for 2015.

Fiat remained the lowest-emitting volume brand in Europe for the sixth consecutive year, with an average CO2 emission level of 119.8g/km despite a slight increase in emissions in 2012 compared to 2011.

This was due to signi icantly reduced sales of the B-segment Punto and increased sales of the Freemont large crossover. A slight shift in sales from diesel to LPG and CNG also contributed to the increase.

Peugeot climbed from fifth to second place, with an average CO2 level of 121.2g/km in 2012, whilst Renault is a close third, up from sixth place last year, with an average CO2 level of 121.3g/km in 2012. Toyota came in fourth place – the same as the 2012 survey – with average CO2 emissions of 121.7g/km last year, down 4.7% from its 2011 figure.

The final place in the top five was taken

by Citroën, whose emissions dropped 3.4% to 122.0g/km, although the carmaker actually slipped two places from its number three position last year.

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SIMPLY CLEVER

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Combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions for the Octavia model: 3.8–6.1 l/100km, 99–141 g/km

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