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INTERNATIONAL
FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet March 2017
A WORLD OF FLEXIBILITY.
THE NEW SEAT LEON ST. TECHNOLOGY TO ENJOY SEAT FOR BUSINESS Average fuel consumption from 4.1 to 7.2 l/100 km. Average CO2 mass emissions 96 to 164 g/km.
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Charge your fleet with e-motion.
With a range of up to 280 kilometres of emission-free driving on a single charge, the all-new Hyundai IONIQ Electric can transform the overall energy efficiency of your fleet. It has also been engineered to deliver an engaging driving experience. Charging could not be easier: 80% full in just 23 minutes. Among its innovative, hightech features are Adaptive Smart Cruise Control, a new infotainment and navigation system with an 8" touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto* connectivity. Peace of mind is assured by the usual Hyundai 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty and an extended 8-year or 200,000 km warranty for the battery. IONIQ Electric. Driven by e-motion.
* Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are products solely provided by Apple Inc. and Google Inc. Any use of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is at owner’s own risk, and is subject solely to an agreement and/or any terms of use established between Apple or Google and the end-customer. For further legal information, please visit Hyundai Motor Europe’s or your local Hyundai website. Fuel consumption in mpg (l/100 km) for IONIQ Electric range: 0.0 (0.0). CO2 emissions: 0 g/km. These official EU test figures are to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect all driving results. Vehicle charging time and speed will depend on final electricity output of selected charging facility. Quick charge option offers 80% battery charge in 23 minutes (100 kW). Hyundai provides a 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty. On the lithium-ion polymer battery Hyundai provides an 8-year or 200,000 km Battery Warranty, whichever occurs first. For the 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty and Battery Warranty, certain terms and exclusions apply. For detailed information on these terms and exclusions, please refer to your local Hyundai website or consult a Hyundai dealership.
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INTERNATIONAL
FLEETW RLD All that matters in the world of fleet
contents
March 2017
A WORLD OF FLEXIBILITY.
THE NEW SEAT LEON ST. TECHNOLOGY TO ENJOY SEAT FOR BUSINESS
FOLLOW US ON:
SE AT.COM
Average fuel consumption from 4.1 to 7.2 l/100 km. Average CO2 mass emissions 96 to 164 g/km.
Chairman Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk
14 FLEET FOCUS: Jeep aims for fleets.
18 Looking at the autonomous future.
28 NAFA’s annual conference preview.
32 PROFILE: Mazda’s fleet proposition.
Publisher Steve Moody steve@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor John Challen john@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Deputy Editor Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Content Editor Katie Beck katie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Director Anne Dopson anne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Sales Manager Harry Whyte harry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk
04 Fleet Review New editor John Challen assesses the global fleet landscape.
06 Inside Knowledge How technological innovations can improve efficiency.
Circulation Tracy Howell tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Head of Production Luke Wikner luke@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Designers Samantha King sam@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Victoria Arellano victoria@fleetworldgroup.co.uk
08 News The biggest stories from a month in the international fleet world.
14 Fleet Focus FCA’s plan to take Jeep into the core of the fleet sector.
16 Spotlight An in-depth look at SEAT’s new technology-rich Ibiza.
Web Designer Dan Desta daniel@fleetworldgroup.co.uk
18 Feature Why autonomous vehicles will shape the future of fleet.
22 Interview Adrian Rushmore on how Cap Code will roll out in Europe. Published by Stag Publications Ltd, 18 Alban Park, Hatfield Road, St Albans, Herts, AL4 0JJ tel +44 (0)1727 739160 fax +44 (0)1727 739169 email ifw@fleetworldgroup.co.uk web internationalfleetworld.com
24 Feature How ALD Automotive’s Innovation Lab is driving change.
28 Events The full line-up for NAFA’s Institute and Expo in Florida.
32 Profile Mazda’s mixed success in global markets, and plans for new CX-5.
36 Launch Report Honda Civic / Nissan Micra / BMW 5 Series. STAG Publications
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To subscribe to Interational Fleet World visit: www.fleetworldsubscriptions.co.uk
42 Fleet in Figures Breaking down the latest global vehicle sales by region.
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JOHN_IFW_Mar17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 19:18 Page 1
fleet review This month, new editor John Challen assesses the fleet landscape, looks at the executive car sector, and gears up for the Geneva show.
The future’s bright? There were many automotive sales and production records broken in 2016 and global demand for vehicles shows no sign of stopping. Latest figures suggest that growth will continue in Europe, while North America, South America and Japan will remain solid. But acquiring cars is the easy part – the hard work for fleet managers comes when you have to get the best from your fleet. There are plenty of companies and experts in the market who are willing to help, but sometimes finding the right ones is easier said than done. Reputation goes a long way, which is why there are some very well established names in the industry who continue to go from strength to strength. Those people that offer something that looks too good to be true don’t stick around very long.
Luxury for executives This month’s issue has Alex Grant’s first drive of the new BMW 5 Series – a car that has the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in its sights. We’re huge fans of the E-Class, so the BMW will have to be good to put it back at the top
of the executive sector tree. I’ll let you find out what Alex thought of it by reading the feature (p.40), but let’s just say he wasn’t disappointed. With the number of advanced technologies and features onboard that aid driver and passenger comfort, the E-Class and 5 Series are as close as they’ve ever been to their big brothers, the S-Class and 7 Series. With efficient engines keeping fuel costs and CO2 levels down, this can only be great news for the fleet sector.
The show must go on... The first major European motor show is nearly upon us and already manufacturers are busy hinting – and, in some cases, revealing – what will be on their stands. The Geneva motor show always springs the odd surprise, but the key messages are likely to a concentration on cleaner and more efficient vehicles and more and more connectivity to keep up with the demand for the technology from consumers. We’ll bring you all the new metal – and plenty of news from the show – in the April issue of International Fleet World.
visit internationalfleetworld.com
“The E-Class and new 5 Series are as close as they’ve ever been to their big brothers, the S-Class and 7 Series.”
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ALL-NEW DISCOVERY
BECAUSE ONLY 0.021347% OF THE WORLD’S SURFACE IS TARMAC
TERRAIN RESPONSE 2 AUTO The ingenious All-New Discovery is equipped for just about any driving situation. Activate the Terrain Response™ 2 system and it’ll reconfigure the transmission, suspension and traction settings accordingly. Providing optimum performance whatever the surface conditions. Perfect for exploring those parts of the world that aren’t tarmac.
LOWER EMISSIONS From 163g/km CO2* HIGHER FUEL ECONOMY Up to 6.2l/100km (45.6mpg) LONGER SERVICE INTERVALS 2 years or 34,000km/21,000 miles
On top of its many innovative features, the All-New Discovery is also 480kg lighter than its predecessor, delivering improved fuel economy and a reduction in CO2 emissions by up to 22%, so you can take your business further. Both on and off-road. landrover.com/fleetandbusiness
Official fuel consumption figures for the All-New Discovery range in l/100km (mpg): Urban 7.2 (39.2) – 14.2 (19.9), Extra urban 5.6 (50.4) – 9.3 (30.4), Combined 6.2 (45.6) – 10.9 (26.0). CO2 emissions g/km: 163 – 254. *159g/km in EU markets 5 seat with Aero wheels and low rolling resistance tyres. Drive responsibly on and off-road.
INSIDE_Innovations_IFW_Mar17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 19:26 Page 1
inside knowledge
Innovations that could transform your fleet management As more and more technologies enter our daily lives, now is a good time to take advantage of them to improve your efficiency and your business. echnology is moving so fast that you can barely go 24 hours without hearing about another ‘must-have’ gadget. Some of these ‘essentials’ might not exactly be ‘essential’, but others are probably worth closer investigation. First up is the ability to link fuel consumption to driver behaviour. The latest telematics products track fuel spend with incredible accuracy and also show how much wasteful driving behaviours cost your business. Bad habits such as harsh braking, rapid acceleration and incorrect gear use are logged for each driver, allowing you to find out exactly where performance needs to improve to drive down your fuel spend. A smartphone allows you to organise your private life much more easily, so why not use it in your work life too? The best telematics platforms give you access to your data across smartphones and mobile devices. That enables 24/7 access to your working world, anywhere you have an internet connection. It takes a disciplined service schedule to keep your vehicles at their best and most efficient. But staying on top of vehicle maintenance checks – such as brake fluid, tyre pressure and brake light illumination – isn’t easy. But
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some telematics products now monitor service schedules for you, sending you a reminder when it’s time to complete key checks. The very latest innovations can even detect when something isn’t quite right with a vehicle in your fleet – such as a badly worn clutch or low battery. That allows you to fix a developing fault before it takes one of your vehicles off the road. Wearables are increasing in popularity, but can they help achieve a more efficient fleet? While not strictly related to telematics, some fleet managers are beginning to use these smart watches to monitor the sleep quality of their drivers. The sleep data gathered is being used to judge a driver’s fitness for the road. It can also be used to make sure drivers are getting the rest they require on their breaks. Finally, a technology solution with the environment in mind. Some telematics systems encourage greener driving and show you exactly how much carbon you have used/saved on each journey. It allows you to quantify your impact on the environment and highlight the measures you are implementing to reduce it. In some cases, that means customers are more and more engaged with eco-policies and are voting with their wallets. Secondly, while you may not have a carbon reduction policy, many businesses do – your environmental credentials could just win you a new contract.
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Damon Hill beating Schumacher in 1994 The home crowd roaring Hunt home in 1977 Claire Rees discovering her perfect multi-marque leasing supplier at Fleet Show 2017 What will be your memorable moment at Silverstone this year?
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NEWS_IFW_Mar17 27/02/2017 18:34 Page 1
manufacturer news
Peugeot-Citroën in talks to buy Opel/Vauxhall SA Group has confirmed that it is in talks P with GM to take over the European Opel and UK Vauxhall businesses although it said
“there can be no assurance that an agreement will be reached”. The two carmakers have already been in an alliance since 2012 covering three projects in Europe, including production of minivans for both brands from Opel’s factory in Spain. In an official statement, PSA Group said: “Within this framework, General Motors and PSA Group regularly examine additional expansion and cooperation possibilities, as well. PSA Group confirms that, together with General Motors, it is exploring numerous strategic initiatives aiming at improving its profitability and operational efficiency, including a potential acquisition of Opel / Vauxhall.” The combined carmaker would have a European market share of about 16%. GM previously held a 7% share in PSA, which was sold in 2013 as the French carmaker increased its ties with China’s Dongfeng Motor Corp. Both Dongfeng and the French government each hold 14% stakes in PSA along with the Peugeot family.
Hyundai i30 Tourer to bring emissions from 95g/km
Updates for Jaguar XE, XF and F-PACE
yundai’s new i30 estate will offer boot space among the best in the class along with a best-in-class standard safety package and emissions from 95g/km when it goes on sale later this year. The second model in the new i30 family alongside the hatch, the new Tourer will bring the same wheelbase as the hatch but is 245mm longer. It will also offer one of the biggest boots in its sector, with 602 litres on offer, rising to a maximum 1,650 litres with additional storage space beneath the boot floor. On-board tech includes a new-generation navigation system with eight-inch touch screen and connectivity features such Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and LIVE Services. Engine line-up in Europe covers three petrol engines – including Hyundai’s new 140hp 1.4 T-GDI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a new 120hp three-cylinder 1.0 T-GDI as well as a normally aspirated 1.4-litre – along with a 110hp 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 5.8 to 3.6 l/100km with CO2 emissions of 135 to 95g/km according to preliminary values.
aguar has updated its F-PACE, XE and XF models for the 2018 model year. The updates include three new engines, covering a new four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with 200hp and 250hp as well as a high-output 240hp diesel unit. All three units will be available for the XE and XF, with the FPACE getting the higher-powered petrol as well as the new diesel. In addition, F-PACE gains the 163hp E-Performance diesel unit already seen in the XE, which will bring official CO2 emissions from 126g/km and fuel economy of 4.8l/100km in manual rear-wheel drive version, making it the most efficient engine in the range. Changes to the F-PACE also see the existing 180hp fourcylinder Ingenium diesel available with an automatic RWD transmission for the first time, delivering official CO2 emissions of 134g/km and combined fuel economy of 5.1l/100km. Jaguar has also updated its range to offer a new Shell app that enables drivers to pay for fuel at Shell service stations. The service will initially be available in the UK and then globally.
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For the latest news, visit internationalfleetworld.com
Opel previews new Insignia Sports Tourer pel has unveiled its second-generation Insignia Sports Tourer, which gets a longer and more capacious load area than its predecessor. Making its debut alongside the Insignia Grand Tourer, the estate is up to 200kg lighter than its predecessor, while also slightly longer and lower. Despite the sleeker silhouette, the extended wheelbase means there’s more room inside; extra leg, head and hip room for passengers and a longer load area too. With the seats folded flat, the Insignia Sports Tourer can accommodate loads of over two metres in length. For added versatility, the rear bench can fold in three sections for loading through the cabin, and drops via buttons inside the tailgate. It can also be equipped with an electric tailgate. Opel has yet to confirm the engine and trim line-up, but expect it to feature similar versions of the 1.6-litre ‘Whisper Diesel’ engine to the Astra, offered with the new eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.
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g/km. 96 to Average fuel consumption from 4.1 to 7.2 l/100 km. Average CO2 mass emissions 96164 to 164 g/km. Average CO2 mass emissions from 4.1 to 7.2 l/100 km.
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Subscribe NOW! EU issues ‘final warnings’ to five Member States over air pollution
he European Commission has sent final warnings to the UK as well as T Germany, France, Spain and Italy for failing to address repeated breaches of air pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide.
If Member States fail to act within two months, the Commission may decide to take the matter to the Court of Justice of the EU. Persistently high levels of NO2 – which mainly results from road traffic – caused almost 70,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2013, which was almost three times the number of deaths by road traffic accidents in the same year.
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EVNEWS_IFW_Mar17.e$S 27/02/2017 17:04 Page 1
environmental news
Europe’s plug-in hybrid market gathers pace urope-wide sales of plug-in hybrids grew six times faster than for electric vehicles during 2016, figures from manufacturers’ association ACEA reveal, with significant growth in many of the region’s largest markets. Plug-ins are a favoured technology in the region; of the 206,584 mains-rechargeable vehicles registered across the European Union and EFTA last year, 112,999 were plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) while the 88,201 were pure electric or hydrogen-fuelled models (both classed as EVs). Almost all of the growth in plug-in vehicle registrations last year can be attributed to rising volumes of PHEVs across the region; these increased to 16,563 units (17.2%) compared to 2,594 units (2.9%) for EVs. The UK remained the biggest plug-in hybrid market; 24,714 were registered in the UK during 2016, which is a 21.9% share of Europe’s PHEV volume. Two thirds of the 36,917 plug-in vehicles sold in the UK are hybrids, accounting for a 0.9% share of the total passenger car market. That’s higher even than Norway, which also recorded growing PHEV volumes last year, helped by a change in
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tax rules in 2015 which reduced the weight-based tax penalty that had always given pure electric vehicles a running cost advantage. A total of 20,653 plug-in hybrids were registered in Norway during 2016, compared to 24,222 electric vehicles. However, Norway is still the region’s biggest-volume market for plug-in vehicles; 44,908 were registered last year, taking a 29.0% share of the Norwegian passenger car market. Significantly, this suggests electric and PHEV registrations could exceed conventional petrol and diesel volumes this year. Figures from Norway’s Opplysningsrådet for Veitrafikken (OFV AS) showed petrol and diesel cars took a 30.8% and 29.0% respective market share in 2016. By comparison, France is the third-biggest market for plug-ins (29,189 units), followed by Germany (25,214 units) and the Netherlands (22,801 units). However, the Dutch plug-in vehicle market halved year-on-year due to reduced incentives introduced at the start of 2016, and the preceding rush for registrations.
Europe’s biggest car markets receive pollution warnings he European Commission has sent final warnings to the region’s largest new car markets - France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK - for failing to address repeated breaches of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution limits. Persistently high levels of NO2 – which mainly results from road traffic – caused almost 70,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2013, which was almost three times the number of deaths by road traffic accidents in the same year. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) welcomed the news. Louise Duprez, EEB senior policy officer on air pollution, said: “What the European Commission is doing today is essential. EU air pollution laws are designed to
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protect our health. There’s no excuse for countries that fail to implement these laws properly. Children growing up in urban areas deserve better than to be forced to inhale toxic fumes known to cause bronchitis, asthma and other conditions. People all over Europe will welcome the European Commission’s action on this issue.” Warnings come as reports in the Telegraph newspaper in the UK claimed a scrappage scheme for older diesel vehicles could be introduced within months, targeting the country’s worst-polluted areas. Such a scheme could be tailored towards encouraging drivers to adopt vehicles such as plugin hybrid and electric models.
EVNEWS_IFW_Mar17.e$S 27/02/2017 17:04 Page 2
For the latest EV news, visit evfleetworld.com
in brief
€300m German charge point network approved he European Commission has greenlighted plans to roll out an electric vehicle charging network across Germany using renewablysourced electricity. Installed over four years, the scheme will include standard and highspeed charging points and is designed to complement the existing infrastructure. Companies, individuals and local authorities can apply to have points installed on-site, with a requirement that energy must come from renewable sources. The Commission said it believed the measures will encourage a significant uptake of electric vehicles and support the European Strategy for low-emission mobility. It added that the proposal is in line with EU state aid rules and addresses a gap in the market without unduly affecting competition. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, commented: “Electric vehicles can provide real benefits to society by reducing harmful emissions and noise pollution. The German support scheme will encourage consumers and businesses to use electric vehicles. It will provide the necessary infrastructure in a cost-effective way in line with EU state aid rules.”
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Renault acquires electric LCV specialist Renault has acquired PVI, a French company that specialises in the electrification of light commercial vehicles. It adds a small-scale flexible production facility to the carmaker’s portfolio, while PVI will benefit from Renault’s technology and economies of scale when ordering components.
GM and Honda form hydrogen joint venture General Motors and Honda are to establish a joint venture to mass produce advanced hydrogen fuel cell systems in the United States from 2020. Each will invest $85m (€80m) in the joint venture, which will be based out of GM’s battery pack manufacturing facility in Brownstown, near Detroit, Michigan.
New Ford Focus Electric charges faster, goes further
NEVS to begin production in China National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), which owns the assets of Saab Automobile, has received approval to start production of electric vehicles in China. The company has produced small volumes of an electric Saab 9-3 since 2012, but has four additional models under development with the Chinese market as a priority. he updated Ford Focus Electric will feature a larger battery offering a 225km range, and with DC rapid charging restoring 80% of that in around half an hour. Available to order in Belgium, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, the new Focus Electric features a 33.5kWh battery and 145hp motor. Both are liquid cooled and heated, which aids energy efficiency and helps to extend the battery lifespan. As well as the additional range, the new version can be charged much faster than its predecessor. It includes a rapid charging port, using the Combined Charging Standard (CCS) connector, which enables 80% of the range to be replenished in 30 minutes. The new charger also enables 32-amp (7.2kW) home charging, restoring 150km in three to four hours and the full range in five hours.
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in numbers
Source: Vattenfall
Streetlight charging points tested in London A trial of charging points integrated into street lighting has begun in the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea. The units are designed to cut infrastructure costs by using pre-installed electrical connections, and enable drivers without off-street parking to charge electric vehicles outside their homes.
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States included by Nissan, BMW and EVgo’s planned 50kW DC rapid charge network
3,500 Vehicles on Swedish power company Vattenfall’s fleet, 100% will be electric in five years.
Source: EVgo
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NEWS_IFW_Mar17 27/02/2017 18:39 Page 3
business news For the latest news, visit internationalfleetworld.com
Arval and LeasePlan report global leasing growth for 2016
in brief
rval’s worldwide leased fleet grew to 1.03m vehicles (+8%) in 2016. In total, 326,150 vehicles were ordered (+24% over 2015), and the A company sold 248,914 vehicles (+27%).
Spanish true fleet market up 18.0%
Growth was sustained both by Arval’s historic markets of France, UK, Spain and Italy, with an overall increase of 7% in the leased fleet, and double-figure growth in several countries such as Austria (15%), Brazil (14%), Hungary (10%), Luxembourg (13%), Poland (15%) and Czech Republic (19%). Headline annual results published by LeasePlan show its global fleet increased from 1.55m units in 2015 to 1.67m last year. The majority of the fleet growth was realised in Europe, and more specifically in the central and eastern Europe geographies. For the corporate market, LeasePlan grew both its number of leased cars and take-up of its consultancy services.
Société Générale to float ALD Automotive rench financial services group Société Générale has announced plans to float its ALD Automotive vehicle leasing subsidiary on the stock market this year. Announced in the group’s latest quarterly financial information, the plans would see Société Générale dispose of a limited stake of the wholly owned subsidiary to, “enable ALD to accelerate its growth and become a leader in the mobility sector”. The group stressed that it would retain control of ALD and continue to actively support its subsidiary’s growth strategy in the development of commercial relations.
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Hitachi Capital acquires Noordlease itachi Capital Corporation has signed a deal to acquire Noordlease in the Netherlands, becoming the first Japanese leasing to company to enter the market. The deal with the Noordlease shareholders will see Hitachi acquire all of the outstanding shares of the company for an undisclosed amount, making Noordlease a subsidiary of Hitachi Capital Corporation. The company is aiming for further business growth and expansion in continental Europe as a result of the acquisition.
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Mansard joins Masternaut as VP global sales asternaut has appointed Olivier Mansard as vice president of global sales. Mansard joins from SAP France, a multinational software corporation, where he was head of cloud and line of business and brings over 20 years of leadership experience at SaaS and data processing organisations, including Experian. Dhruv Parekh, CEO, Masternaut, said: “Masternaut is investing heavily in people and processes, to help deliver an experience that delights our customers. Olivier will bring in a fresh perspective. His expertise will help grow the sales team and build on the culture of success within the company.”
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Latest Dataforce figures show the Spanish true fleet market rose 18% in January compared to the same month in 2016. The passenger car total market also started the year well, achieving +12.1% growth over January 2016.
Jeffrey Schlesinger to lead LeasePlan USA LeasePlan USA has appointed Jeffrey Schlesinger as the company’s new president and chief executive officer. Schlesinger succeeds Mike Pitcher, who announced his retirement at the end of 2016, and brings 30 years of financial services experience, the last eight years in fleet industry leadership.
New Middle-Eastern supply chain for Chevin Chevin Fleet Solutions has signed a new Middle-Eastern distribution partnership with Pioneers IT & Business Consulting. The new tie-up will see Pioneer provide Chevin’s FleetWave software and direct front-line support throughout the region.
TomTom Telematics reaches new milestone TomTom Telematics has exceeded 700,000 subscriptions to its connected car and fleet management solutions in Europe. The firm now has over 46,000 customers and has recorded doubledigit growth in recent years.
Toyota and Suzuki in partnership talks Toyota and Suzuki are exploring the possibility of a business partnership covering areas including environmental, safety and information technologies and procurement, following initial meetings in October.
You know every nut and bolt of your machines. We’ll take care of every detail of your fleet. With our full-service Operational Leasing, we ensure your fleet is ready to respond to any challenge. At Alphabet, we consult you on the perfect mix of cars and vans from any brand. Add in our tailor-made full-service options and your fleet will run like a well-oiled machine. Driving your business. www.alphabet.com/operatinglease
IVIEW_Jeep_IFW_Mar17 27/02/2017 16:27 Page 1
inbusiness
FLEET FOCUS JEEP
A new trail Following a record 2016 in Europe, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is aiming to take Jeep from niche brand into the core of the fleet sector, with new products and a group-wide business sales strategy behind it. Alex Grant finds out more. hough Jeep might be a brand familiar the world over – known for pioneering four-wheel drive and synonymous with now-popular segments of the market – Jeep has never found a niche in Europe. But that might be about to change, and fleet will play a significant role in growth plans which could more than double its sales across the region by the end of the decade. The foundations are already in place. Jeep’s sales momentum is helped by being positioned within the wider FCA product portfolio. Instead of filling all niches with all brands, the fleet offer spans Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jeep, which is marketed as the luxury SUV division. Gianluca Italia, head of fleet for the EMEA region, said this product portfolio now covers 74% of the European market. It also shares the wider FCA fleet offer; investment in “professionalising” the network means customers can use the 250 Business Centres across Europe, backed up by national corporate sales teams and busi-
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ness-tailored financing through the FCA Bank. Wider awareness is already growing sales. Last year, 1.4 million Jeeps sold globally; a 13% increase and just under 8% of the 18 million cars it’s sold since the brand launched in 1941. Of those, 105,000 sold in Europe, where Italy, Germany and the UK are its top three markets and sales have almost tripled since the 41,400 units sold in 2014. It’s also going to the right channels. Pure fleet increased in line with the 19% overall sales growth last year. That’s helped by the Renegade, which accounts for around three quarters of Jeep’s European volume and of which around a quarter go to end-user fleets, compared to a segment average of 19%. “The old stereotype that SUVs are not made for business customers is wrong,” said Italia. “We are moving from a niche brand to a volume one, both from qualitative and quantitative point of view. In pure fleet channels, Jeep models are in line with the industry.”
IVIEW_Jeep_IFW_Mar17 27/02/2017 16:27 Page 2
The new Jeep Compass will launch in Europe later this year, in off-road Trailhawk (above) and luxurious Summit (below) trims.
Thinking small aiming big enegade has shown the importance of tailoring products to local markets; European versions of the compact crossover are made in Melfi, Italy, and Jeep has broadened its manufacturing footprint to include India, China and Brazil. But Renegade is only the beginning. Late this year, Jeep will re-introduce the Compass nameplate to Europe; a Qashqai-sized crossover on an extended version of the platform under the Renegade and Fiat 500X. In line with segment norms, there will be two and four-wheel drive versions, likely to include FCA’s 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines for fleets. Its predecessor, withdrawn from the UK in 2014, featured a limited engine line-up and sold in small numbers as a result. Head of brand for EMEA, Dante Zilli, wouldn’t comment on projected sales for the Compass, but said it would compete in a higher-volume segment than the Renegade, hinting that it could outsell its smaller sibling. At that level, it could single-handedly double Jeep’s UK sales. There are other products in the pipeline. The Grand Cherokee gets a light facelift in the first half of this year, closely followed by
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a new Wrangler. By 2020, the line-up will include a flagship Wagoneer – reviving a nameplate not seen since the early 1990s – and a pickup truck, likely to share its platform and engines with the Dodge Ram and therefore unlikely to be available in Europe. But, with the right products on the way and the infrastructure to support them, Jeep might just be about to find its place in fleet.
JEEP IN NUMBERS 10.6% Jeep’s share of FCA’s European sales last year 153.2% European sales growth 2014-2016 84.9% Renegade’s share of Jeep sales in Italy 115g/km CO2 emissions for the most efficient Renegade 2020 due date for the first electrified Jeep
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SPOTLIGHT_Seat_Ibiza_IFW_March17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 17:31 Page 1
SPOTLIGHT SEAT Ibiza
Small SEAT grows up Ahead of a Geneva Motor Show debut, SEAT takes the wraps off the more spacious and tech-laden Ibiza. By John Challen.
Powertrain alternatives As well as traditional diesel and petrol options, the new Ibiza line-up will feature a CNG-powered model – a 90hp 1-litre TSI. Elsewhere there will be three petrol engines to choose from: a 1-litre 3-cylinder TSI with 95 or 115hp from launch, while a new fourcylinder, 150hp 1.5-litreTSI joins the range later this year. will be available in late 2017 with four cylinders and 150hp. The diesel range consists of three variants of the 1.6-litre unit – with outputs of 80, 95 or 115hp. Fiveand six-speed manual transmissions will be used – depending on power outputs – as well as the Volkswagen group’s DSG 7-speed auto.
A solid foundation There are plenty of new features in the Ibiza – one of them being the floor on which it is based. The new car will be built on the VW Group’s MQB A0 platform, which, claims the Spanish manufacturer, means the car will be more robust and safer. Compared with the outgoing model, new Ibiza will be 87mm wider, 2mm shorter and 1mm lower. Expect customers to have fewer complaints, because they’ll have an extra 35mm of legroom and 17mm of headroom. Up front, there is 24mm extra headroom and wider seats – by 42mm. The boot – easier to fill thanks to a lower loading height – is now best in class and swallows an extra 63 litres (total capacity: 355 litres).
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Comfort and communications The new Ibiza range will offer four equipment lines: Reference; Style; FR and XCellence trims. Design elements have been specifically created for the FR such as a rear diffuser, exclusive front bumper, sport suspension and exclusive exterior black pack. The XCellence trim aims at reaching new customers looking for a ‘more sophisticated and distinctive design’ combined with more convenient and smart functional equipment. The driving assistance systems available include front assist, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry system with heartbeat engine start button. The Ibiza will also feature a new generation of front and rear parking sensors and a rear view camera with a higher quality and precision. An integrated 8in touchscreen is also new – the first time such a unit has been used in the Ibiza.
What we think...
FLEET FACT For improved connectivity, Ibiza seamlessly links to Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
While its stablemate the Volkswagen Polo often features in the top 10 list of monthly new car sales, the likes of The Ibiza and Skoda’s Fabia fall short. With this latest iteration of the Ibiza, SEAT dealers will be hoping for some conquest deals, helped partly by an impressive technology and connectivity offering. On sale from June 2017, the all-new supermini embraces the family styling and has been upgraded to be a more attractive proposition for fleet customers with more creature comforts, efficient powertrain options and practicality.
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FEATURE Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous future for fleets Of all the trends that have come and gone in the automotive market, one that has captured the imagination is autonomous vehicles. Dave Moss looks at what their increased popularity will mean for fleets.
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utonomous vehicles can’t claim to be a brand new phenomenon, but over the past few years they have gathered a lot of momentum, with potential customers being able to actually get behind the wheel and ‘drive’ them. In 2016, analysts at IHS Automotive revised earlier forecasts upwards to predict sales of more than 20 million vehicles that have some level of autonomy by 2035. The reason for the change was based on positive government reactions and a growing wave of developments in the sector. IHS believes the US will be first to see autonomous vehicles enter service, and that Japan will ramp up investment ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. Elsewhere, fast rising demand is anticipated in China, Europe and south east Asia, part of a 43% growth rate in the next 10 years, leading to global sales of autonomous vehicles around 600,000 units in 2025. “Future mobility will connect and combine many different modes and technologies, and autonomous vehicles will play a central role,” says Jeremy Carlson, principal analyst at IHS Automotive. “We expect entirely new vehicle segments to be created, in addition to traditional vehicles adding autonomous capabilities.”
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Taking advantage of technology Some autonomous vehicle building blocks are already familiar, with sat nav and telematics widely appreciated by fleet operators. Perhaps less well-known are the safetyrelated advantages offered by technology known as ADAS – or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Fitment of these systems varies across world markets, but the technology is increasingly offered as standard or optional equipment on new cars. The units can warn of hazards, help drivers to stay in lane, obey speed limits, keep safe distances and brake in emergency situations. The European Union Road Federation believes the gradual integration of ADAS functions – including lane departure warning and lane keep assistance systems – into new vehicles is ensuring many future accidents linked to ‘run-offs’ and ‘lane crossovers’ will be avoided. It also seems such facilities may offer support for fleet managers in duty of care responsibilities for ‘at work’ drivers, and help improve costeffective fleet operations by reducing collisions, lowering insurance costs and reducing downtime and the need for repairs.
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FEATURE Autonomous Vehicles
International reach Global companies such as Google are investing heavily in autonomous technology.
Although such systems are becoming → widespread, achievement of full driver
safety and vehicle operating cost benefits is currently being held back, since, just like humans, much of this technology currently relies on ‘seeing’ road lines and signs. As long ago as 2013 a joint euroRAP, euroNCAP, the FIA, ACEA and European Roads Federation research report called for improved maintenance and a quality standard for road markings and traffic signs on Europe’s major roads. The report claimed that, “At least half the travel on Europe's roads by 2025 will be in vehicles equipped with these advanced technologies... but vehicles, like drivers, cannot function well if basic road
markings and signs are non-existent, don’t meet international conventions, or are worn out, obscured, inconsistent or confusing.”
Cars on trial More recently, following a UK government decision to allow trials of driverless cars on its roads, national director of Britain’s Road Safety Markings Association, George Lee, revealed just how bad the country’s road markings had become. “Half of them need replacing – or be scheduled for replacing – immediately,” he commented. “Poor maintenance and worn and inconsistent road markings and traffic signs are now a major obstacle to
effective use of vehicle technology. The prospect of self-driving cars is exciting, but it would be a huge step forward if we could have roads that can be read easily by humans – who still account for the vast majority of road users.” Research from the Swedish SP Technical Research Institute, presented at the European Road Infrastructure congress last October, suggests large-scale introduction of autonomous cars will probably take over 10 years. It concluded that road signs, lane markings and other infrastructure must be adapted now, and designed for all kinds of vehicles, more or less automated, for at least that time, and in some parts of the world for much longer. A recent major study by the European Parliament into the economic and safety effects of road surfaces not receiving regular maintenance found car owners then face significant vehicle repair costs. The study revealed that both poor road condition and traffic congestion increase fuel consumption, with substantial increases at speeds below 40km/h. It also reported long term Spanish research showing poor surfaces can increase light vehicle fuel consumption by 34% – and reduce tyre life by up 66%. Though the need for continued road maintenance seems clear, with only a few exceptions, across the industrialised world since 2000 actual expenditure has been significantly reduced. The EU study noted road maintenance budget cuts of over 25% in Spain, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2012 – and a general decline continues today.
A numbers game A quick search online will lead you to a numerous predictions about how many autonomous vehicles are likely to be on roads around the world in the coming decades. One such study has been conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which finds that “the growth in autonomous vehicle adoption will accelerate significantly during the next two decades.” Putting some actual numbers on those predictions, by 2035, more than 12 million fully autonomous vehicles are expected to be sold each year globally. In addition by the same year, 18 million partially autonomous vehicles are expected to be sold each year around the world. BCG conducted an in-depth study of the trends driving the development and adoption of autonomous vehicles. The study pulled together several elements of research, including an analysis of autonomous-vehicle technologies and economics; US consumer survey data; interviews with executives of automobile companies, suppliers, and technology companies around the world; and an extensive review of industry publications. In addition, BCG conducted a year-long study in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to understand the regulatory and social aspects of autonomous vehicle development. This year looks set to be a key date in the history of the autonomous car, according to the report. “After a comprehensive analysis of the findings of the study, BCG expects that partially autonomous vehicles will hit the road in large numbers by 2017, with the biggest growth coming in the next two decades,” it predicted. “Mass adoption of self-driving technology will result in tremendous economic and societal benefits, and with it, far-reaching implications for automotive companies and other players in the value chain.”
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“Fast rising demand is anticipated in China, Europe and south east Asia, part of a 43% growth rate in the next 10 years, leading to global sales of autonomous vehicles around 600,000 units in 2025”
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But this decline could be about to change. Recent commitments promoting development and public-road testing of autonomous vehicles by several governments around the world could pressurise highway authorities – often within the same administration – into increasing road maintenance funding to assist such testing. More ADAS-equipped vehicles arriving on replacement cycles will be welcomed by fleet operators, with possible long term benefits ranging from reduced driver risks to more reliable journey times, and potentially lower vehicle operating costs through improved fuel consumption, reductions in collisions and potentially lower insurance costs.
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Subscribe NOW! Look to the future 12 million fullyautonomous vehicles will be a sold every year by 2035. Today’s on-board ADAS technology and its need for clear, consistent road lining and signing can help reduce the daily workload for drivers and fleet managers alike. Even drivers without this latest technology as yet will welcome the move towards clearer signs and road markings such systems demand – and will need for many years to come. Fully autonomous vehicles will change fleet management operations forever – but they will need intelligent traffic system infrastructures – as yet only at the concept stage. “Autonomous vehicles have the potential to transform our roads, reducing congestion and crashes, but the first of these, where drivers can hand over complete control in situations like motorway driving, won’t be on our roads until sometime after 2021.” That’s the verdict of Andrew Miller, chief technical officer at vehicle safety technology specialist, Thatcham Research. “Our clear message is that until then, drivers need to stay on the ball and observe the rules of the road... And for those who build, manage and maintain Europe’s road network – a fully functioning infrastructure is more important than ever.”
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IVIEW_AdrianRushmore_IFW_March17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 17:16 Page 1
INTERVIEW Adrian Rushmore, Cap HPI
Crossing borders Established for more than 30 years in the UK, Cap HPI is launching a globally-applicable Cap Code in Europe’s biggest markets as a first step towards a worldwide presence. Adrian Rushmore, newly appointed as international operations director, tells Alex Grant it should have widespread benefits for the fleet sector.
rom its offices overlooking the city of Leeds in the North of England, Cap HPI is on the crest of a wave. Already a household name in the UK automotive industry, this year it will extend its services to four European countries, marking the first step towards a presence in 75 global markets. A worldwide operation which – backed by huge local knowledge – will still be based out of Leeds. Parent company Solera Holdings acquired HPI, which provides provenance information for used cars and vans, in 2009, and vehicle data and valuations expert CAP in 2014. It spent the first half of 2016 merging the two companies under one roof, the former headquarters of CAP, enabling the two teams to work together without the difficulties of having offices 400km apart. That’s put the business in a good place to expand, says international operations director, Adrian Rushmore. “Solera wanted a valuation business to support their repair and estimating system, Audatex, in 78 countries and five continents,” he says. “We said what we want to do in Europe and beyond is what we’ve done successfully in the UK. In order to do that we need a code structure as an enabler for the delivery of a whole range of different products.” This meant developing an entirely new version of the CAP Code, a vehicle identification system which is relied on by leasing companies, manufacturers and dealers in the UK. Its international equivalent performs a similar task,
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but there are two layers. One identifies the vehicle based on factors shared across markets, the other marks out country-specific options and trim levels. Features which were never required in the UK. For Solera, it offers a far more granular vehicle identification process for the Audatex estimating system used by insurers and repairers. For leasing companies and the motor trade, it also opens huge possibilities for analytics. Leasing companies operating across borders, for example, can see how individual markets or sectors are performing either in real time, or over a longer period. It could even drill down into data such as how specific vehicles are typically specified, and recognise differences between local regions of countries. “[Analytics are] important particularly in Europe because of border trading,” he explains. “So in Spain, where you’ve got a lot of export of cars at the end of the summer season, they end up in eastern Europe or Poland. The difficulty is being able to identify those assets once they cross borders. Because we’ve got the code, and identified it in Spain, we will recognise it when it’s in Poland or wherever else it will be. So it’s being able to follow assets as they move across boundaries.” The investment is huge. Though it’ll be headquartered in the UK, each market will have at least one car and one commercial vehicle editor, a forecasting editor for cars, plus a team of data researchers and salespeople who will collect new vehicle data from manufacturers. The priority from launch – Germany will be the first international market, expected to be in place by the end of Q2 – will be cars, with LCVs to follow. Recruitment will need to take place in France, Italy and Spain ahead of planned launches before the end of the year. “We need the same level of expertise as in the UK - without that local knowledge we will fail,” says Rushmore. “They will be local experts in Germany, France, Italy and Spain, so will come with a lot of used vehicle market knowledge, similar to the UK editors, and will come to Leeds only for occasional meetings. Otherwise they’ll stay where they are.”
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Significantly, there is no plan to supersede the preexisting UK CAP Code with its international equivalent. The company’s customers will get product support indefinitely, and Rushmore doesn’t foresee much early take-up for the international code in the company’s home market due to the upheaval of swapping their systems to the new code. Instead, the expectation is that only those with a cross-border operation will change, while most will move when they perform other back-office upgrades. But a new name in the market can only be beneficial, he says: “There has not been a challenge to the establishment in 50 years. If you think about the big players in Europe – DAT, EutotaxGlass – they have a fairly free reign. “I’m not pretending that Cap HPI will immediately steal all their business, because these organisations are deeply entrenched. People don’t switch providers very often, in fact they probably haven’t in over a generation, so to dislodge the competition is not going to be easy. But we have the benefit of our existing business, Solera, and it’s a many-pronged attack. We’ve got offerings for manufacturers, leasing companies and dealers – that’s where we’re pointing our guns.”
“The benefit for the leasing sector, as will be the case for every potential customer of ours, is they will be given more choice. We are going to make it a much more competitive environment.” internationalfleetworld.com / 23
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FEATURE Daily Rental
The customer not the car ALD is revising how it carries out its business and its Innovation Lab is key to the changes, as John Kendall found out.
nticipating future mobility developments has led ALD Automotive to develop new approaches and products to ensure the company is well-equipped to meet the needs of its customers in the future. Developing apps, such as the ‘My ALD’ mobile app is one step that the company has taken and it is now available in 21 countries across the world. In 2013, the company devised a new way of doing business. In the words of chief administration officer John Saffrett, “Headquarters should not dictate, but facilitate.” The result was the ‘Innovation Lab’, with centres in Belgium, France, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and the UK. An ‘Innovation Committee’ meets each month to determine how to respond to market
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shifts and can share market solutions with others. Saffrett told IFW, “All employees have the freedom to develop new products and services. We believe that those who have regular contact with clients are best placed to develop it. Innovation is a culture change and a way of working.” Country-specific innovation The model is simple; develop products as close to the market as possible. As a result, ALD has drawn on the expertise that it has identified in its operations around Europe. For instance, the UK has expertise in telematics and can develop systems for other markets. ALD says it can deploy its new telematics platform to any country in under three months. Telematics use in the UK tends to be
focused around duty of care issues, but other countries have different priorities. The capture of mileage and service data could be the starting point. Local legislation often determines the requirements. ALD UK has set up a Development Centre to accelerate development in new digital applications and products. At ALD France, the company conducted a large study of driver experience, which is now available to ALD operations in 43 countries. An innovation lab in Paris is looking at the use of ‘Chat bots’ to hold conversations with clients via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Could a system like this be used for making a service request? Private leasing is popular in Italy and ALD’s Ricaricar has been developed in Italy as an online, ‘pay per use’ personal
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“All employees have the freedom to develop new products and services. Innovation is a culture change and a way of working”
John Saffrett ALD’s chief administration officer.
lease offering. Under Ricaricar it is possible to draw up a private lease contract for 300km per month, for example. Then at the end of each month, the actual distance used can be calculated and charged accordingly. Services can also be bundled with the car, with add-ons such as an extra 1,000km for Italian customers in the summer. Similarly, Ricaricar can be sold with no distance allowance, permitting the customer to buy in every month according to what they need. ALD Italy is also working on the development of a carsharing platform, which could be used by ALD globally. ALD Luxemburg has developed Shaker, which is an incubator for startups in the mobility sector. Shaker can provide office space, advice and help with sales and networks. Two projects have already been developed through Shaker. ALD Belgium has provided a partnership to provide EV leasing in the B2B and B2C sectors. Mobility Experience Centre ALD has developed its Mobility Experience Centre in Amsterdam, to give invited customers access to the latest trends and developments in mobility. The company is not alone in developing such thinking, Alphabet and LeasePlan have adopted similar approaches, particularly in the Netherlands where demand has driven the change. ALD established the Mobility Experience Centre around two years ago and since then some 1,500 people from over 300 companies have visited the centre to help determine their mobility policies.
Carel Bal, ALD regional director for the Benelux who has overseen the introduction of the Centre, explains that the Netherlands is one of the oldest full service leasing markets in Europe. He characterises the market as one with a range of taxes including high Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax, a luxury car tax and a carbon dioxide emissions-based system. “The Dutch are not more environmentally conscious, but they are more wallet conscious,” he reckons. This has resulted in significant down-sizing in recent years and companies are focussed on corporate social responsibility, so Bal expects company car use to decline. “Currently 42% of all registered vehicles in the Netherlands are leased,” he says. The total leasing market for vehicles in the country stands at 770,000 vehicles. After Norway, the Netherlands is the next strongest market for EVs, according to Bal and average car CO2 emissions have dropped from 125g/km in 2011 to 91g/km in 2015.
the importance of its integrated total mobility and the impact all the different elements have, instead of just managing their fleet. “It meant that in a certain number of cases, they would be looking to handle their fleet in a more flexible way,” he says. For this purpose ALD might suggest the use of ALD Choice, giving customers access to a choice of new and used vehicles, available for different lengths of time, with an option for other mobility packages. Bal estimates that after visiting the experience centre, 20% of the visiting organisations did something completely different, while a similar number considered adopting ALD as their service provider. ALD has used the Experience Centre in a number of ways. Events are organised, ”There is a community of financial directors,” explains Bal and ALD has arranged different speakers for groups of them and similarly for human resources (HR) directors and other existing customers. With corporate leasing slowing down in the Netherlands, while private leasing grows, it could bring big changes to vehicle leasing in the country, which could be the beginning of a trend that others might follow. “I expect the stagnation in B2B leasing to persist and potentially even go into a mild decline, because several companies are considering rationalising or even abolishing their car policies and replacing them with private lease, or budget cuts,” says Bal. The private leasing might be backed by cash or funding from the employer particularly where the employer specifies that the car must meet certain standards.
Changing behaviour As Bal points out, low CO2 means that the yield from BiK tax has also fallen, which has led to a change in tax policies. The benefits currently in place for hybrid cars will be eliminated. While the total business leasing market is slowing down, private leasing is growing. Leasing companies need to be able to adapt to such changes and the Mobility Experience Centre is designed to give organisations a wide view of the options that the company can offer. At the core of it is a square-shaped area with drop-down monitor screens along each side of the square, physically placing people at the centre of the space, which is where ALD wants its customers to be in terms of business – customer, not carcentred. Using the 19 interactive monitors ALD can show the latest trends and developments in mobility. Some organisations have revised their mobility planning as a result of time spent at the Experience Centre. Bal gives a general Carel Bal example of an organisation ALD’s regional director for the Benelux. that was more conscious of
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ADVERT_FWFS_2017_DPS_Layout 1 10/01/2017 18:15 Page 2
DIARY DATE
THE GREATEST SHOW IN FLEET
SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT
10TH MAY 2017
Find out more at thefleetshow.co.uk
ADVERT_FWFS_2017_DPS_Layout 1 10/01/2017 18:13 Page 3
THE GREATEST SHOW IN FLEET
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EVENTS NAFA 2017
SHOWTIME! Senior figures and decision makers from the world of fleet will be heading to Florida in April for NAFA 2017. With over 250 exhibitors and a conference that tackles the hot topics in the industry, it’s well worth a visit. n event created by fleet managers for fleet managers, the 2017 NAFA Institute and Expo takes place 25-28 April at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. The week will feature fleet training, education, and workshops; and an expo Floor consisting of more than 250 companies showcasing their products and services. NAFA is the association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses
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of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organisations in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fuelling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.6 million vehicles that drive an estimated 50 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well in excess of $100 billion each year. NAFA’s members manage fleets for
corporations covering a wide range of manufacturing and service organisations, governments (whether local, state and/or federal), and public service entities (public safety, law enforcement, educational institutions, utilities, etc.); still other members serve financial institutions, insurance companies and nonprofit organisations. The conference – which coincides with the 60th anniversary of NAFA – will offer comprehensive insight into the world of global fleet management,
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sustainability practices, and law enforcement fleet concerns. Keynote speeches will come from leadership expert Doug Keeley (CEO, The Mark of a Leader) and Lukas Neckermann, author and managing director at Neckermann Strategic Advisors, a consultancy based in London. The Fleet Management Company Executives panel discussion returns after a one-year hiatus. Tentatively scheduled to present are:
• Chris Conroy, president, ARI • Tom Callahan, president, Donlen • David Dahm, chief financial officer, LeasePlan USA
• Dan Frank, president, Wheels, Inc. • Kristi Webb, president and CEO North America, Element Fleet Management
The conference is the fifth anniversary of the Fleet Excellence Awards (FLEXY) which will be announced on the evening of Tuesday 25 April, as part of opening night celebrations. There will be over 40 educational sessions on cutting-edge topics – a detailed agenda can be found overleaf. The Expo floor covers more than 60,000ft2 and will be open for two days of the event. There will be seven hours of expo time each day this year. Donlen will once again host an After Party following Wednesday night’s Networking Reception. Both events offer a great atmosphere conducive to networking, and both will have major surprises in store for attendees. For more information about NAFA 2017, contact Donald Dunphy at ddunphy@nafa.org
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TAMPA, FLORIDA
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APRIL 25-28, 2017
•
NAFAINSTITUTE.ORG
MONDAY APRIL 24
AGENDA AT A GLANCE*
TUESDAY APRIL 25
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Registration
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Annual Business Meeting & Breakfast
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM CAFM®/S® Testing
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Keynote Speaker Doug Keeley
5:30 AM - 6:15 PM CAFM® Kickstart: Setting you up for Success 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM NEW! Sustainability Pre-Con
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Coffee Break
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Law Enforcement New Product Showcase and OEM Service Concerns
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM CAFM®/S® Boot Camp: Asset Management
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM NEW! Law Enforcement Cocktail Hour Networking Reception
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM How a Cost Charge-Back System Can (and Can’t) Drive Fleet Cost Savings
11:00 AM - 5:30 PM International Fleet Academy
Using Data to Enhance Fleet Policies
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Alternative Mobility Keynote Lukas Neckermann (IFA registration or by ticket only) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Leadership Welcome Reception (By Invitation Only) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Leadership Appreciation Dinner (By Invitation Only)
Understanding All the Players in the Supply Chain Better Data = Safer Fleet LEG Fleet KPIs - What are you Measuring? 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM Chapter Appreciation Luncheon
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Canadian Legislative Update 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Coffee Break
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Do You Know How to VAM? Insights into Right-Sizing any Fleet Autonomous Vehicles and Their Impact on the Fleet Industry Power on the Go In Your Customer’s Eyes: Are You a Strategic Business Partner? Culture Change in Orange County: Making Safer Drivers 4:00pm - 5:00pm Canadian Fleet Workshop: Award Winning Solutions North of the Border 5:15 PM - 5:45 PM Canadian Reception 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM FLEXY Awards Dinner & Party
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM What the Fleet Industry Can Learn From the Formula One Approach to Technology and Data
WEDNESDAY APRIL 26 7:45 AM - 8:30 AM Breakfast
Practical Tools to Make Data Work for You Requires separate fee and registration.
Learn more at www.nafainstitute.org
Must pre-register for test to be seated. Learn more at www.nafainstitute.org
Final agenda subject to change.
For the latest updates, please visit the 2017 I&E Online Agenda at www.nafainstitute.org
Establishing and Growing a Fleet Excellence Program: TxDOT Case Study
8:00am - 10:15am CAFM®/S® Boot Camp: Vehicle Fuel Management
Getting Employees Home Safe: Identifying and Changing Risky Driving Behavior
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM U.S. Legislative Update
Leasing Options for Law Enforcement Vehicles
Building a High-Performance Service Organization
2:00 PM - 5:30 PM CAFM®/S® Boot Camp: Financial Management
Using Predictive Analytics to Optimize Vehicle Replacement Decisions
NAFA I&E / TAMPA, FLORIDA / APRIL 25-28, 2017
8:30 AM - 9:45 AM
It Takes a Driver To Be Safe
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Join us in celebrating 60 years
Columbus Case Study Convincing Officers of Anti-Idling
THURSDAY APRIL 27
ISM- Institute of Supply Management
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 100 Best Fleets Presentation & Breakfast
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM Coffee Break
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM General Session: FMC Panel 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Expo Open
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM ROI vs COI: Identify New Areas of Cost Reduction Best Maintenance Practices Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) Is Reimbursement the Right Option for Segments of Your Fleet? Self Reporting Policies: Can You Handle the Risk? Prepare for the Worst Emergency and Keep Your Job
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM CAFM® Asset Management Test Drive Exam 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Lunch (Expo Floor) 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Leasing 101 - Navigating Changes to Lease Accounting Standards Fleet Disrupted: Innovations in the Sharing Economy and Their Lessons for Fleet
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PROFILE_Mazda_IFW_Mar17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 16:34 Page 1
PROFILE Mazda
Mixed fortunes 2016 was a year of extremes for Mazda, with strong growth in Europe and China offset by significant downturns in the home market of Japan and North America. The latest version of the brand’s best-selling model, CX-5, promises to help stabilises global sales figures this year…
“In Europe, Mazda achieved its fourth straight year of double-digit growth, with a 12% increase over 2015 and a 1.5% market share.”
32 / internationalfleetworld.com
PROFILE_Mazda_IFW_Mar17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 16:35 Page 2
Manufacturer Mazda Total key region sales 2016 1,046,934 Headquarters Hiroshima, Japan No. of models 8
view from the top
Europe provides sales boost azda chose to present its end-of-year sales figures for 2016 by key market rather than as a global figure, making it challenging to gain an overall picture of how the brand performed. While sales performance varied dramatically by market, however, total key region sales saw a slight uplift of 1% for the year, aided by a growing interest in crossover models. Mazda’s North American Operations (MNAO) implemented its strategy to reduce reliance on fleet sales last year. “In 2016, we developed a more defined focus on brand value management, which steered our business away from fleet sales and incentive pricing,” explained Masahiro Moro, president and CEO of MNAO. As a result, the MNAO region recorded 20,359 fleet vehicle sales, representing a -28% downturn over 2015. The brand hopes to make-up these sales with a more targeted focus on improved long-term residual values and independent sales volumes in 2017. Alongside the restructuring of fleet sales, other major changes impacting sales included the discontinuation of Mazda2 supermini and Mazda5 MPV in the region. Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) meanwhile, reported sales of 54,891 vehicles, representing a decline of -13% when compared to 2015 sales. Crossover SUV sales dominated in the MNAO region, with CX-3, CX-5 and CX9 posting a sales increase of 8%, with 146,843 units sold last year. The i-ACTIV All-Wheel Drive system – available optionally on all Mazda crossover SUVs continued to be popular with buyers, with 63% selecting the option. Refreshed versions of Mazda3 and Mazda6 saloons also reached the market in 2016, and there was a continued interest in MX-5. Early deliveries of the 2017 MX-5 RF resulted in full-year sales of 9,465 units, up 10% year-on-year. In Europe, Mazda achieved its fourth straight year of double-digit growth, with a 12% increase over 2015 and a 1.5% market share. The brand’s SUVs remained customer favourites, with CX-5 again the most popular model, followed by the smaller CX-3. Together, the two models made up almost half of European sales. Portugal posted the highest growth among the national markets in 2016, with an 80% year-on-year upsurge, while sales in Italy rose 53%. Ireland recorded a 35% uplift due to demand for Mazda3 and Mazda6, and Belgium a 26% increase distributed across the product range. Elsewhere, growth was around or above 20% in the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Germany recorded an almost 9% increase, and the UK a 2% rise, outpacing the markets in both instances. Mazda's total domestic sales volume decreased -18% in 2016, weakened by increasingly strong offerings from other brands, including some models manufactured exclusively for the Asia-Pacific market. The brand retained a 2% share of the booming micro-mini segment however, and saw strong gains in China. Mazda’s best-selling vehicle in the market was supermini Mazda2 (Demio), with 57,313 units sold in 2016 (-21% year-on-year), followed by Mazda3 (Axela), at 26,314 units (+6% over 2015) And CX-5 at 20,226 units (-26%).
M
Steve Tomlinson, head of fleet at Mazda UK, on the latest incarnation of the brand’s bestselling car and efficiency of diesel engines. How did CX-5 progress through its lifecycle? The car has been a phenomenon - it is our best-selling car globally and there are still waiting lists. When you consider that the car was launched in 2012 and has only had one major facelift in the interim, the car has done an amazing job at staying relevant. It still looks great and stacks up well against the competition - there are obviously a lot more players in the segment now, but it still performs very well in terms of volume and profitability. Our aspirations for the new model are to do pretty much the same as we’ve done with the current car! Has there been a demand for a smaller diesel engine in CX-5? Not really – the car was launched as a 2.2l diesel with 150ps and 119g/km, which is still very competitive. Ultimately, it’s a big car and I’m personally not a fan of the 1-litre engine in a big car. It seems to be becoming increasingly common, but that might change when the WLTP cycle (World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) comes along and other manufacturers realise that the lower capacity mid-charged turbo engines aren’t the most efficient. The capacity of our engines defy the perception that big engines have to equal rubbish economy.
MAZDA Global sales, by territory Territory USA Mexico Europe Japan China Key region sales total
2015 320,186 63,093 199,423 245,573 226,926 1,055,201
2016 297,773 54,891 223,354 201,370 269,546 1,046,934
% change -7% -13% +12% -18% +19% +1%
Total
1,232,407
1,331,000
+8%
‘Instability’ seems to be a buzzword for 2017. Have you noticed any fallout from Brexit? There is a ‘business as usual’ attitude for now, any fallout will likely come later in the year when Article 50 has been triggered. If as a result there are some import/export tariffs that are punitive to the UK, we might see some instability in the market then.
internationalfleetworld.com / 33
→
PROFILE_Mazda_IFW_Mar17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 16:35 Page 3
PROFILE Mazda
→
Where
Manufacturing plant locations
4
are they made?
3
5
Hofu Plant, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan Mazda3, Mazda2, Mazda6.
6
FAW Car Co. Ltd, Jilin Province, China Mazda6
7
Changan Mazda Automobile Co. Ltd, Nanjing Province, China - Mazda2, Mazda3, CX-5.
8
Ford Lio Ho Motor Co. Ltd, Chung Li, Taiwan Mazda5.
9
AutoAlliance Co. Ltd, Rayong, Thailand Mazda2, Mazda3.
10
Vina Mazda Automobile Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam - Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-5.
11
Mazda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Selangor, Malaysia Mazda3, CX-5.
6 4 5 7 9
1
1
2
3
4
FIN fleet in numbers
8.3
Seconds taken for new MX-5 to accelerate from 0-100km/h.
112,235 CX-5s sold in North America in 2016, a record for the model.
20%
Claimed fuel economy improvement of SKYACTIV-D over a conventional diesel engine.
34 / internationalfleetworld.com
10
The Americas Mazda de Mexico Vehicle Operation, Salamanca, Mexico - Mazda2, Mazda3. Africa Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, Pretoria, South Africa - BT-50 pickup.
The Americas Hiroshima Plant, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan - CX-9, MX-5, CX-5, CX-3.
8
11
2
Europe Mazda Sollers Manufacturing, Primorsky Region, Russia – Mazda6, CX-5
CX-5 centre stage at Geneva... ew CX-5 will make its European debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show, alongside model upgrades for CX-3 and Mazda2. The previous-generation CX-5 – currently Mazda’s bestselling model in several markets – was the first Mazda to adopt the ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design language. The latest model brings updates including revised headlights and colour options, alongside changed dimensions. The front and rear tracks are 10mm wider than before, and the A-pillars have been moved 35mm rearwards for improved interior space. Other changes see the introduction of G-Vectoring Control (GVC) – first introduced on Mazda6 and Mazda3 – which varies engine torque to optimise the load on each wheel, plus a windscreen head-up display – one of the first in its class – and a remote-controlled power tailgate. Engines for the global range include two petrol options – the SKYACTIV-G 2.0 and SKYACTIV-G 2.5 – and the SKYACTIV-D 2.2 diesel, with all three said to deliver “outstanding real-world fuel economy and remarkably low emissions”. New CX-5 went on sale in February in Japan, prior to its roll-out in other markets around the world. “When I contemplate four consecutive years of strong growth, I think above all of the CX-5,” commented Martijn ten Brink, vice president sales & customer service at Mazda Motor Europe, at a recent press conference. “This was the vehicle that kicked off the current generation of Mazdas. It soon became our number-one seller, and still is despite being the oldest model generation in our line-up. We’re optimistic about 2017 and the upcoming launch of the allnew CX-5, alongside several model upgrades also in the pipeline.” Set to share the limelight with CX-5 at the show, the 2017 Mazda CX-3 SUV and 2017 Mazda2 supermini also come with standard GVC and an enhanced iACTIVSENSE safety technology line-up. i-ACTIVSENSE safety features include Adaptive LED Headlights, Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist and four-wheel ABS. Interior updates, meanwhile, include redesigned steering wheels, better display quality (including full-colour head-up display), reduced cabin noise and improved ride comfort. The 2017 CX-3 and 2017 Mazda2 are slated to arrive in Europe in spring, with the new CX-5 to follow in early summer. Although no official statement of intent has been made, Mazda has also hinted that it is working on an electric vehicle, with a launch expected before 2020.
N
PROFILE_Mazda_IFW_Mar17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 16:35 Page 4
MAZDA fleet model range
Mazda2 / Demio
Mazda3 / Axela
Variants: 5dr hatchback, 4dr sedan Markets: Global. Fuel: 3.2-5.5l/100km CO2: 89-128g/km
Variants: 5dr hatchback, 4dr sedan Markets: Global. Fuel: 3.8-6.5l/100km CO2: 107-151g/km
Mazda6 / Atenza
Mazda CX-3
Variants: 4dr sedan, wagon Markets: Global. Fuel: 3.9-6.6l/100km CO2: 105-153g/km
Variants: Crossover Markets: Global. Fuel: 4.0-6.7l/100km CO2: 105-155g/km
Mazda CX-5
New Mazda CX-5
Variants: Crossover Markets: Global. Fuel: 4.6-7.4l/100km CO2: 119-172g/km
Variants: SUV Markets: Global. Fuel: TBC CO2: TBC
Mazda CX-9
Mazda MX-5 / Roadster / Miata
Variants: SUV Markets: Asia, North America, Africa, Oceania Fuel: 8.4-8.8l/100km CO2: 195-204g/km
Variants: Roadster Markets: Global. Fuel: 6.0-6.9l/100km CO2: 139-161g/km
internationaleetworld.com / 35
ROAD-IFW-Honda Civic-Mar17 27/02/2017 17:22 Page 1
Honda Civic The tenth-generation Civic offers plenty for fleets, but there’s a catch, says Alex Grant. SECTOR Lower Medium PRICE TBC FUEL 4.7-6.1l/100km CO2 106-139g/km
hough ‘Civic’ is a global nameplate, it’s never been a truly global car. Honda has spent the 45 years since the first generation launched engineering specific versions to suit European, Asian and North American markets. Local models often shared little more visually than the badge on the back. Not any more. For the tenth generation, Honda channelled its global R&D talents into building a Civic to suit all markets, but based on European expectations for ride, handling, steering and refinement, reasoning that a car designed in Europe can work everywhere. So the new Civic hatch shares a platform and styling with the coupe and sedan, and cars built at the plant in Swindon in the UK will be exported globally, including to North America for the first time. This isn’t the only break with tradition. Honda, once known for high-revving, naturally aspirated petrol engines has moved to downsizing and turbocharging. From launch, the range comprises a 129hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder and 182hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder engines, both available with a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. This adds up to a huge change. The Civic responds quickly Unique to Europe, the CVT is programmed with seven and accurately to throttle and steering inputs, corners confistepped ‘gears’ and a system which recognises aborted dently and rides well. Improvements to aerodynamics mean overtaking manoeuvres, keeping the revs high there’s little wind noise at speed and, sat lower ready for a gap to appear. with the dashboard wrapped around you, it FLEET FACT These more responsive engines are paired feels genuinely sporty even with the smaller of with a chassis focused on offering a sportier its two engines. Honda’s hardest task could be drive. The new Civic is wider, lower and signifipersuading drivers used to double-clutch 1.6 diesel will be cantly longer than its predecessor, built around transmissions to adopt a CVT, which is prone to designed for a lighter and stiffer frame and with a quicker, droning while accelerating to higher speeds. coming Euro more direct steering setup derived from the old But that sportiness has meant compromising. 6c standards. Type R. Relocating the fuel tank from underThe repositioned fuel tank and more sophistineath the front seats to the more commonlycated rear axle mean there’s no upwardly-foldused space under the rear bench means the driving position ing rear bench and, if you opt for the 1.5-litre engine and is lower, and there’s a more sophisticated multi-link rear either of the Sport trim levels, it loses the under-floor storsuspension setup at the back. age to make room for a large centre-exit exhaust. Other versions get almost the same luggage volume as the outgoing Civic, though the new car is 130mm longer overall, and all feature a clever load cover that retracts sideways so it doesn’t have to be removed if you’re folding the rear bench. Some things haven’t changed. There’s still a spoiler and rear wiper partially obscuring the rear view, though the window itself offers a better view of low objects than most other hatchbacks. The cabin is unmistakeably Honda, too; solid and futuristic, now with a new internet-connected infotainment system featuring Apple and Android smartphone integration and the option of Garmin navigation. A package of assistance systems is standard across the range. All of which means Honda has potential in this segment. Or, at least, it will once the line-up is complete. The 1.6-litre diesel won’t be available until later this year and there are no plans to replace the Tourer - drivers seeking either will be offered the old car, which is still being manufactured as a stop gap. Going global hasn’t curbed the Civic’s appeal in Europe, but unfortunately diesel-favouring fleets won’t find out yet.
T
36 / internationalfleetworld.com
ROAD-IFW-Honda Civic-Mar17 27/02/2017 17:24 Page 2
what we think
highlights 1.0-litre VTEC TURBO consumes 4.8l/100km and emits 110g/km with a manual transmission.
The Civic has become a great driver’s car with two competitive petrol engines and plenty of technology on board. But Honda’s excellent 1.6-litre diesel engine can’t come soon enough.
Honda SENSING driver assistance and safety features standard across the range. Internet-connected infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
internationalfleetworld.com / 37
ROAD_IFW_Nissan-Micra-Mar17_Layout 1 27/02/2017 17:26 Page 1
Nissan Micra Nissan has redefined the Micra so much that it almost deserves a new name, reckons Alex Grant. SECTOR Supermini PRICE €13,000-€22,000 FUEL 3.2-4.6l/100km CO2 85-104g/km
a generous boot and low, sporty driving position. Rivals such ver the course of the last decade, Nissan has shown a as the Ford Fiesta are more fun to drive, but it’s exceptionally talent not only for launching new nameplates, but new quiet and well-mannered on the road, even with the 1.5-litre niches for them to fill. The Qashqai created a segment diesel engine on board. Some models in the class above in 2007, and the Juke did something similar four years later; aren’t this comfortable over a long distance. both becoming, and remaining, the benchmark products. Nor are they this technology rich. Depending on the So, given the complete reinvention of the Micra, you might market, Micra customers can equip their cars with traffic wonder why Nissan didn’t start again with a new name. sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking and Granted, there’s equity in the Micra’s 34 years, 3.5 million active lane-keeping functions, plus two chassis-related models and strong customer loyalty. But, with its big wheels, features from the Qashqai. Both gently bright colours and aggressive styling, the brake individual wheels, either to stop fifth car to wear the badge seems like it’s the front end skidding wide while part of a different family tree. cornering, or to keep the body level over That’s perhaps a quiet admission that undulating road surfaces. its predecessor missed the mark. Built in Equipment levels on board have taken India and seemingly developed from a a step up too. There’s a new infotainline of best fit through the scatter graph ment system which features Apple of global market demands, it had a lukeCarPlay from launch, though Android warm reception and suffered slower users will have to wait a few months for sales. Its replacement, focused on Eurothe same functionality as this requires a pean tastes and built alongside the hardware upgrade. Colourful styling Renault Clio and ZOE in France, shouldn’t packs and a powerful Bose audio system have any problems with either. with speakers in the headrests are also This isn’t just a re-style. Lower, wider optional, hinting at its younger target and significantly longer in wheelbase and audience, and Nissan’s clever Around overall than the old car, it’s moved out of The Micra has become View Monitor birds-eye view parking the city car segment and become a superan accomplished assistance system is available in versions mini. Nissan is aiming to be one of the supermini contender with the central touchscreen. biggest-selling products in that market, capable of challenging What’s striking, though, is that even attracting a younger customer base, so the best in its class, but its with hubcaps and flat colours, it’s so rival superminis were the benchmark it different that it’s hard to picture this car was developed from, not its predecessor. biggest challenge might as a Micra. Nissan might not have It shows. The cabin is spacious, soft to be getting customers to brought a new name to the world, but it’s the touch and can be brightened further see past the badge. almost as big a departure as the Qashqai with coloured option packs. There’s was from the Almera. plenty of head and leg room in both rows,
O
what we think
38 / internationalfleetworld.com
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ROAD_IFW_BMW_5series_Mar17 27/02/2017 17:20 Page 1
BMW 5 Series The 5 Series isn’t short of rivals, but it’s still setting the standard, says Alex Grant. SECTOR Executive PRICE €45,000-€83,000 FUEL 3.9-8.9l/100km* CO2 102-204g/km*
ith 45 years, six generations and 7.9 million sales to its name, the 5 Series has always succeeded by sticking to a very specific, very appealing design brief. It’s the brand-defining driver’s car, the sedan that’ll make light work of long highway journeys, yet feel just as rewarding when tasked with the scenic route home. For drivers of the outgoing car, the latest addition to that bloodline certainly won’t disappoint. It’s a little larger in all directions than its predecessor, but also stiffer and lighter thanks to wider use of exotic materials and optimised construction. With a lower centre of gravity and weight perfectly distributed between its front and rear axles, it drives more like a coupe than an executive sedan; precise, confident, with almost no body roll, and grip that belies its size. As there’s less weight to move around, it’s also making better use of BMW’s brilliant diesel engines. They’re more fuel efficient than ever, and offer improved performance without needing more power. From launch these start with the 190hp 520d, the likely best-seller in Europe, which returns 4.1l/100km with the eight-speed automatic gearthere’s barely any engine, wind or road noise at high speeds, box, while delivering plenty of power when needed. though the 520d can be a little coarse when worked hard. Even the 530d, a six-cylinder, 265hp Autobahn-stormer, But BMW hasn’t simply moved the old car’s best points consumes 4.5l/100km – the sort of economy forward a generation. Adopting technology from which once made the old 520d EfficientDythe new 7 Series, there are options to equip it with FLEET FACT namics a headline-grabbing car. With a plug-in a gesture-controlled dashboard, BMW’s smarthybrid and the 102g/km, 3.9l/100km newphone-like key with a colour touchscreen for generation 520d EfficientDynamics en route, it remote status checks, and the ability to manoeuBMW’s new 520d offers a strong line-up of engines from either vre in and out of tight parking spaces with nobody automatic is 70kg the driver or operator’s perspective. at the wheel. Integration with the Amazon Echo lighter than the Being a great driver’s car hasn’t blunted its system means it can remotely control domesprevious model. luxurious alter-ego. Now bigger than the 7 Series tic appliances and central heating, if drivers of the late 1990s, there’s room to stretch out both have internet-connected devices at home. rows, with sculpted seats to suit most shapes and sizes of More relevant to fleets, BMW’s advanced cruise control driver and an exceptionally well-finished cabin. It doesn’t can now adjust itself based on speed limits, maintain a thump over rough road surfaces, even on 19-inch wheels, and distance from the car in front and its position in a lane at speeds between a crawling traffic jam and 210kph. It also works with the Professional Navigation system, pre-planning braking for corners and built-up areas to improve comfort, and using forward-facing radar and camera systems to detect when it’s not worth turning the engine off while stopped. The latest version of iDrive is impressive, too. It’s the first with a touchscreen as well as the rotary commander, and it’s an incredibly responsive system with plenty of businessrelevant features. Drivers can rearrange ‘tiles’ across the homescreen to access useful features quickly, and it connects to Microsoft Office 365 for remote access to emails, calendars and contacts. But it has to push the boundaries, as there’s never been more choice. Drivers have a multitude of luxury SUVs to pick from, as well as a widening range of saloons including the excellent new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The tight design brief that defined the original 5 Series has never been more relevant, but it’s also never been harder to live up to.
W
* excluding 530e plug-in hybrid
40 / internationalfleetworld.com
ROAD_IFW_BMW_5series_Mar17 27/02/2017 17:20 Page 2
what we think The 5 Series impresses not only for its cutting-edge technology, but because the car that’s underneath does everything so brilliantly. Aside from the excellent new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, nothing in this segment comes close.
highlights 520d EfficientDynamics consumes 3.9l/100km and emits 102g/km. 44g/km plug-in hybrid 530e also launching early this year. Microsoft Office and Amazon Echo integration.
internationalfleetworld.com / 41
ACEA_IFW_Mar17 27/02/2017 18:05 Page 1
fleet in figures
European growth boosts global sales figures While the worldwide market selling rate dropped to 92.8 million units a year, western Europe and South America achieved year-on-year growth. By John Challen. anuary 2017 in North America saw light vehicle sales total 1,141,000 units – down 0.5% compared with January 2016, according to research from LMC Automotive. Economic indicators in the region are still favourable with unemployment at 4.8%, low interest rates (albeit on the rise), relatively low fuel prices (also on the rise), and consumer confidence up 14% from last January. In Canada, there was a sales jump of 2.3% from January 2016, with 111,000 units sold. The European market followed up a solid 2016 with a 10.1% year-on-year sales improvement in January. A total of 1,170,220 units were sold with major markets – Spain (+10.7%), France (+10.6%), Germany (+10.5%) and Italy (+10.1%) – recording very strong performances. Despite political uncertainty, surveys indicate that consumer confidence is holding up well, for the most part. With a stable, if fairly muted, economic backdrop, LMC Automotive is
J
Ford F-Series Biggest selling vehicle in the north American market in January 2017.
42 / internationalfleetworld.com
continuing to forecast growth in west European light vehicle sales for 2017. In Russia, sales slipped back 5% compared with January 2016, with the selling rate standing at 1.34 million units a year compared to 1.41 million in December. “This slowdown in the pace was to be expected in view of the run out of incentives in December. Elsewhere in eastern Europe, sales picked up well, with Turkey a key explanation,” says the LMC report. In contrast to parts of Europe, the Chinese market got off to a weak start in 2017. “Advance data indicates that the selling rate slowed markedly to 26 million units a year in January, down nearly 12% from a robust December. As is always the case at the beginning of the year, the timing of the Chinese New Year, which fell on January 28, disrupted sales,” says LMC. More importantly, the higher tax on vehicles with smaller engines dampened sales. In mid-December, the government announced the extension of the tax cut through to December 2017. However, the
rate of the tax cut will be half this year. US President Trump’s stance on USChina trade could undermine both business and consumer confidence – and a trade war is a serious possibility, according to observers. Yet, if China is to let the yuan appreciate to accommodate the US concern on currency, that could help boost Chinese consumers’ purchasing power and vehicle sales. Elsewhere in Asia, there was a solid start to the year in Japan, but in South Korea, the introduction of a scrappage tax incentive for old diesels failed to boost sales. January also saw Brazil’s performance impacted by a 12% unemployment rate, high interest rates and a lack of consumer spending. In Argentina, the January selling rate of 749,000 units a year was down 12% from December. Yet, on a year-on-year basis, sales increased by 64% in January. The recent hike in the electricity tariffs is expected to refuel inflation and dampen consumer spending in a short run.
ADVERT_IFW subs_IFW_Oct16_Layout 1 20/09/2016 12:53 Page 1
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