Highway
robbery
Fuel card
fraud fears
p26-27
FleetNews
06.03.08
£2.25
fleetnews.co.uk
HELRPINGA
N
YO EAUPER
U
CH ANER
CLE FER
SA ET
FLE
Insurers ignore
safety benefits
Vehicle safety technology can actually lead to higher insurance bills
BY DANIEL ATTWOOD
Despite evidence proving that electronic
stability control (ESC) systems significantly
reduce the risk of crashes, the technology is
not being taken into account when new cars
are assessed for their insurance groups.
This means cars with ESC can be placed
in the same insurance groups as cars with no
safety systems at all, meaning there is no
incentive from insurance companies for
fleets to adopt this and other life-saving
safety features.
In fact, cars fitted with crash-avoidance
technology like ESC, traction control and
collision mitigation can actually be placed in
a higher insurance group because they cost
more to repair.
“It should be a contributory factor in the
calculations – anything that helps prevent an
accident should mean cheaper insurance,”
said Julie Jenner, chairman of fleet opera-
tors’ Association ACFO.
Regardless of the insurer’s decision, some
fleet managers are demanding that manufac-
turers supply cars with ESC fitted as a no-
cost option. Ann Dukanovic, fleet manager
at Kaba Door Systems, runs a 200-mixed van
and car fleet comprising VW, Honda, Ford,
BMW, Volvo, Vauxhall and Toyota.
“I now insist that all our cars have ESC at
no cost,” she said. “If a car is not available
with ESC, it will not be on our options list.”
Insurance groups are also often used to
calculate the full life cost of a vehicle, as well
as to ensure that company car drivers are in
the safest cars in their class.
NEWS P7
The Department
for Transport
has ordered
local authorities
to show more
discretion when
issuing parking fines and to move away
from the attitude that issuing parking
tickets is a money-making exercise.
Automatic
success?
Turning off Chrysler’s ESC system demonstrates the skid risk
“It is really vital that ESC is included,” said
David Ward, director general of the Federa-
tion Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA),
the global road safety campaigning and
research organisation.
Mr Ward said research carried out in the
UK, USA, Japan and Australia all found that
ESC could prevent up to 25% of crashes.
Bosch, which developed the system, said
ESC can reduce the risk of skidding by as
much as 80% and the European Commis-
sion’s own research found that it would
prevent one-fifth of road crashes if it were
fitted on all cars.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI),
which controls the insurance grouping
system, insists such safety systems should
not be taken into account.
“We don’t take it into account because it is
CAREERS
DaimlerChrysler Fleet
Management daily
rental sales manager
Kate Adams found a
recent trip to Cuba
was a real eye-opener.
Find out more about
her in our Settling In
column.
The safety
revolution
Golf gets a cleaner, How technology
faster DSG gearbox is taking control
p14-15 p29
Business motoring strategy and finance
difficult to quantify its benefits,” said Derek
Fawell, policy officer for motor at the ABI.
“But these are only advisory ratings – insur-
ance companies will have their own experi-
ences and adjust their rates accordingly.”
While insurance groups may be advisory,
they are used throughout the insurance and
motor industry and a poor rating can seri-
ously affect sales.
The FIA, the European Commission and
RoadSafe all back a campaign to encourage
the uptake of ESC because of its ability to
help drivers avoid collisions.
Even Thatcham, the insurance-funded
research centre that provides much of the
technical information used by the ABI to
calculate insurance group ratings, has put its
voice behind the campaign.
daniel.attwood@emap.com
P33 COMPETITION P39
This week, one
lucky reader will
win a Road Angel
Navigator 9000
satellite-navigation
system worth
£500. It combines
GPRS and mobile phone networking to
provide real-time traffic updates.
Call for tax
decision by
Chancellor
ACFO, which represents fleet
operators, has said the Govern-
ment’s indecision over changes to
the Authorised Mileage Allowance
Payments (AMAP) scheme is having
an adverse affect on fleet decision-
makers.
To date the Chancellor has
refused to announce his plans, or
even to signal whether AMAP rates
will rise or fall.
The association’s director Stewart
Whyte said: “All parts of the fleet
industr y want and need closure on
both of these issues… It is now time
the new fiscal rules were announced
with a timetable for their introduc-
tion.”
ACFO said in a statement that tax
regimes on business travel by car
need to be as tax neutral as possible
so as not to drive employers and
employees towards any specific
corporate transport option.
“Flexibility for employers is a key
requirement, to account for the
huge range of driving-at-work
requirements,” it said. “Environ-
mental tax elements on motoring
should apply to the vehicle, rather
than on the ownership, funding
system or purpose of the journey.”
But this has been interpreted by
Nick Sutton chairman of Provecta,
which promotes alternatives to
company cars, as a call for a
reduction in AMAP rates.
“The total cost of motoring has
risen significantly in recent years,
but AMAP rates have remained the
same for six years. The simple fact
is they need to go up not down,” he
said.
TOP STORIES ONLINE
■ Latest running cost figures
for 60,000 vehicles
■ Video of the new
Mercedes-Benz
SLK in action
■ Search for ‘deals’ to see all
the latest contract signings
NEWS

IN BRIEF Volkswagen’s new Scirocco

CO2 penalty
key to user-chooser success
Project and cost consultancy This is Volkswagen’s new engine. A range of TSI and TDI
Davis Langdon has intro- Scirocco coupé – a key model in diesels will be offered from the
duced new restrictions on the firm’s drive to win more user- end of the year, linked to either
company car allowances for chooser business. Based on the six-speed manual or seven-speed
vehicles with high CO2 Golf, the four-seat coupé will be DSG semi-automatic gearboxes.
emissions for both staff launched in the UK in September Prices for the launch model will
and partners. The firm has with the 200bhp 2.0T FSI petrol be around £20,000.
set CO2 emissions of

Drivers urged not

165g/km as the benchmark
and is offering employees
an increased car allowance
Unison in
for vehicles at or below
this level. Any employee
driving
whose vehicles exceed this permit move

to eat at the wheel

level will have to make
payments towards sustain- Unison, the giant public sector
able projects. union, is launching its own
driving ‘licence’ to prove staff
Standards mark and employees are safe at the
The British Standards wheel.
Institute’s new Kitemark BY PHILL TROMANS More than 500 officials and
standard for garages has workers will have to qualify for
been welcomed by the One in seven fleet drivers are the driving permit to protect the
Retail Motor Industr y putting their own and other union and its management from
Federation (RMIF). drivers’ lives at risk at least once a the risk of unintentionally violat-
“Poor standards of week by eating while driving. ing new laws governing corpo-
customer ser vice in the Research by road safety charity rate manslaughter and homicide
retail motor sector are Brake has found those driving for being introduced next month.
unacceptable, so any work are far more likely to munch The new legislation places a
scheme that can offer on the move, with only one in 25 major onus on employers to
protection to consumers of other drivers admitting to ensure their employees and vehi-
is welcome,” said Alec eating behind the wheel. cles are fit for the road.
Murray, RMIF chairman. The results suggest that at- Ian Smith, health and safety
The scheme has 150 work drivers are more likely to officer at the union, which has
companies whose multitask when on the roads. 1.3 million members, said: “Oper-
membership assures Now Brake is urging firms to Eating while driving puts others lives at risk ating the permit to drive scheme
quality for consumers. ensure employees are instructed is costing us £21,000 a year but

Tired testing
never to eat while driving.
Research carried out by Fleet
FOOD FOR THOUGHT the reduction in car damage and
insurance costs it should create
The Swedish Government is News in 2005 suggests that even The survey asked: Within the past 12 drivers) have driven once a week while could prove it a bargain.”
allowing Volvo Trucks to eating a bag of crisps can delay a months, have you eaten a meal while eating. Penalties for violating the new
test tired-driver safety driver’s reactions by up to 20%. driving? ■ 13% of at-work drivers (7% other legislation can be up to 10% of
systems on its roads. The In June, a Dutch lorry driver ■ 2% of at-work drivers (0% other drivers) have driven once a month turnover and it is planned to
decision means Volvo’s was jailed for eight weeks and drivers) have driven once a day or while eating. ‘shame’ convicted businesses by
work with a system that banned from driving for a year more frequently while eating. ■ 28% of at-work drivers (25% other advertising penalties in the press
alerts tired drivers can enter after being spotted eating a plate ■ 5% of at-work drivers (2% other drivers) have driven once or twice and on TV.
its final phase. Driver fatigue of spaghetti while driving. drivers) have driven several times a while eating. The union permit will be
is the cause of 20% of Brake has called for more week while eating. ■ 43% of at-work drivers (63% other issued and supervised by Risk-
accidents. traffic policing to target those ■ 8% of at-work drivers (2% other drivers) have not driven while eating. Master, the occupational road
eating on the move. risk protection programme
Provecta move “Crazy multi-tasking while Cathy Keeler. “No-one would any other safety-critical job – and supported by Drive & Survive
ECO promoter Provecta driving causes deaths and inju- dream of snacking on a sarnie we mustn’t when driving.” and the Institute of Advanced
has moved to bigger ries,” said head of campaigns while using a chainsaw or doing phill.tromans@emap.com Motorists.
premises in Reading.
The move coincides
with a new brand identity
and logo for the company. EVENTS ROUND-UP
The company says it will
be developing further
products under the
Provecta brand.
Safety group chief to chair risk conference
The executive director of an Freddie Watts, fleet manager, Lincolnshire Road Safety
influential transport safety Office Depot; Nigel Trotman, Partnership, Norwich Union,
lobbying group has been fleet manager, Whitbread; Jon Zurich Risk Engineering, Arval,
UK FUEL confirmed as chairman of this ham, on April 22. This year’s York, fleet manager, British Gas; EurotaxGlass’s, FMG Support
PRICES year’s Risk in Fleet conference.
Robert Gifford, executive
Risk in Fleet conference, which
will examine financial and
and Paul Gallemore, head of
health, safety, environment and
and Lyons Davison.
A dedicated website has been
ppl/ppg
director of the Parliamentary corporate risk, focuses on case supply chain HR, Wolseley UK. launched providing full details,
DIESEL..............................110.8/504
Advisory Council for Transport studies and expert advice from Senior executives from a including information on the
SUPER UNLEADED........111.4/506
UNLEADED......................105.0/477 Safety, will oversee 13 speakers fleet operators. number of organisations will also speakers taking part.
FOUR STAR......................107.1/487 at the event at the National Speakers include Chuck Ives, be presenting, including It can be found at www.
LPG......................................53.6/244 Motorcycle Museum, Birming- head of fleet for Network Rail; PricewaterhouseCoopers, riskinfleet.co.uk

2 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
Company car decline
‘fuels CO2 emissions’
BY DANIEL ATTWOOD
The UK could save huge amounts
of carbon dioxide emissions if
employees who opted out of
company car schemes opted back
in, a leading professional services
provider has claimed.
According to KPMG, there has
been a decline in the number of
company cars since 1999. HM
Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
figures indicate 400,000 employ-
ees have opted out in preference
of buying their own vehicles.
KPMG suggests that 52% of
employees who opt for cash
instead of a company car use the
money to buy a second-hand car,
with emissions estimated at 30 to
40g/km higher than the average
company car.
However, this estimate is
disputed. Alastair Kendrick,
Emission
information
for renters
Europcar and National are to
add CO2 emission informa-
tion to their rental car group
descriptions.
The lowest group will be
cars emitting on average
130g/km of CO2. However, in
light of the changes to the
London congestion charge,
which come into force in
October, the rental company
group, which owns both
Europcar and National, is
looking at biofuel and
BlueMotion cars in order to
introduce a sub-120g/km
CO2 emissions category.
“We will be the first daily
rental brands to include
average CO2 emissions in
each car group, along with
body size and transmission,”
explains Tim Bailey, fleet
director, Europcar UK
Group. “The addition of this
information to our car groups
is just the first of a number
of initiatives we are
developing.”
The highest group will
comprise 230g/km emission
vehicles.
partner at Bourne Business
Consulting, said: “The assump-
tion that employees who opt out
will be driving a 191g/km vehicle
does not appear to be backed up
with any evidence.”
“It is more likely that drivers
opting out of company cars would
buy a car under three years old
and thus the CO2 emission is
likely to be below 191g/km.”
But it is apparent that grey fleet
vehicles can be more polluting
and have fewer safety features
than newer company cars.
Research conducted by fleet
consultants GFleet found that the
average age of grey fleet vehicles
is now 6.3 years, compared to 1.5
years for company vehicles.
It also found that the pro-
portion of grey fleet cars running
on petrol versus diesel is 71%. For
company cars it is 54%.
Lone drivers’ breakdown fears
More than two-thirds of drivers
would feel scared and vulnerable
if their car broke down when they
were driving alone.
Despite this, almost 31% make
no preparations at all before they
set off on a journey.
The fears highlight the need
for companies to issue drivers
with manuals that contain the
procedures they must take if they
are in a vehicle that breaks down.
To fulfil their duty-of-care obli-
gations, fleets should also ensure
their vehicles are maintained to
manufacturers’ recommendations
and to provide staff in company
vehicles with 24-hour breakdown
contact details so assistance can
be sought at anytime.
While 93% of woman surveyed
by Britannia Rescue said they
would feel vulnerable if they
Drivers adopt glaringly risky strategies
A new European study of night-
time driving reveals that motor-
ists adopt some not-so-obvious
– and potentially unsafe – strate-
gies for tackling headlight dazzle
from their interior or exterior rear
view mirrors.
To combat it, a small number of
motorists wear sunglasses. Curi-
Now KPMG says that if the
400,000 employees who opted out
of company cars over the past few
years decided to opt back in, the
UK would save annual CO2 emis-
sions of 301,000 tonnes.
Again Mr Kendrick disputes
the KPMG claim, suggesting that
the savings would be in the region
of 58,000 tonnes. He says there is
a mistaken assumption that grey
fleet drivers cover the same
mileage as company car drivers.
“The problem for KPMG and
HMRC is that there is no reliable
record of levels of business
mileage by employees using their
own car,” he said. “I would expect
the average mileage for those
opting out to be far lower than
18,000 and more likely 6,000 to
7,000.”
The BVRLA, whose members
supply the majority of company
Most women would reject help from a male stranger
broke down alone in their car at
night, 43% of male drivers also
had concerns for their safety.
This feeling of vulnerability led
many drivers to say they would
not want another motorist to stop
and help them at the roadside.
Trust is a big issue for women
ously, twice as many British
drivers (9.2%) were likely to use
this method compared with
drivers from France (5.4%) or
Germany (5.1%), according to the
cars, says that only with appropri-
ate management can fleet CO2
emissions be reduced.
“This can be done either in-
house or through a service
provider with fleet management,
contract hire or ECO products as
an increasing number are doing,”
explained BVRLA spokesman
Robin Mackonochie. “Only then
can they put in place a policy to
manage downwards their CO2
emissions, which will save money
for both themselves and their
employees.”
It is also expected that the
number of company cars will
increase following the budget,
which will allow for a much lower
10% benefit-in-kind tax charge for
petrol vehicles (13% for diesels)
that emit 120g/km of CO2 or
less.
daniel.attwood@emap.com
drivers in particular. More than
two-thirds of the women who
rejected being helped by a male
stranger (68%) said that they
would only want help from
another woman because if a male
stopped they would worry he
might attack them.
survey of more than 3,000 motor-
ists questioned by TÜV Rhein-
land. Other common practices
include squinting (44%) or block-
ing the glare with their hand
(21%).
A small number (1.8%) would
block the glare with whatever
they were holding at the time.
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 3
IN BRIEF
Trial success
Britvic is equipping its fleet
of field service vehicles
with a web-based real-time
satellite tracking service
from Masternaut Three X,
which provides reporting of
all vehicle activities.
Following a 12-week trial,
Britvic has already seen a
10% reduction in travel time.
The system will enable
Britvic to manage job
schedules better.
Kwik-Fit deal
Kwik-Fit Fleet has
extended its partnership
with Fleet Hire with a
12-month solus
preferred agreement.
The Solihull-based firm
operates a fleet of almost
6,000 vehicles and now
uses Kwik-Fit Fleet for
the supply of virtually all
fast-fit related ser vices.
An out-of-hours’ ser vice
is also provided.
Fleet contract
Lombard Vehicle Manage-
ment is to supply Notting-
ham-based MES-National
with a new fleet of turn-key
Volkswagen Transporter
and Caddy vehicles.
Delivery of an initial 42
vehicles is now under way.
They will be fully main-
tained over a three-year
cycle. The vehicles are
being delivered with
internal racking and ply-
lining, roof systems and
livery and will be equipped
with Lombard Fleet
Tracker.
DSA crackdown
The Driving Standards
Agency (DSA) is cracking
down on bogus driving
instructors who break
the law by illegally
teaching learner drivers.
Only those qualified
instructors whose name
appears on the DSA’s
register are legally able
to give car driving
lessons for payment.
Green tips
New RAC research shows
that motorists who choose
not to adopt ‘eco-driving’
contribute to a £2.2 billion
wasted fuel bill each year.
The research also shows
that British motorists drive
more than five billion miles
each year while lost.
NEWS
Warning on
comparison
websites
The leasing industry’s represen-
tative organisation, the BVRLA,
has warned fleet managers about
the risks of using vehicle lease
comparison sites.
“We share the concerns of
Trading Standards over price
comparison websites that don’t
attempt to match customers’
needs to available products,” said
BVRLA spokesman Robin Mack-
onochie.
“Speaking from the experience
of having had to resolve a signifi-
cant number of problems with
customers of rental comparison
websites, we would discourage
customers from using any price
comparison sites.”
The warnings follow the
launch of a new website that
compares the many leasing
offers available. The website –
www.howmuchtolease.com – is
aimed at fleet managers and
provides make, model and speci-
fication search results.
Stuart Fraser, who launched
the site, said: “We share the
concerns of the BVLRA and
Trading Standards over price
comparison websites, which are
just ‘click-crazy’ and do not even
try to match customers’ needs to
product availability.
“Our site provides meaningful
communication between consum-
ers and the providers of products
and services which meet their
stated criteria. The pre-
population of the site with specific
data supplied by these providers
ensures that individual customer
need is matched only to genuine
availability deals.”
Championing London gets high-tech tow-away trucks
road safety
LeasePlan has signed up as a
business champion of the
Government-backed Driving for
Better Business programme
managed by RoadSafe.
LeasePlan will offer speakers
on safer driving at conferences
and seminars, as well as incorpo-
rating road safety details and
duty of care responsibilities in its
SafePlan programme for clients.
“We’ve worked with a lot of our
clients in recent years to help
them make their employees as
safe as possible when on the
road,” Sarah Easton, head of
product development at Lease-
Plan, said. “Working alongside
RoadSafe is the perfect way to
put that expertise to good use.”
Driver texting
still a problem
BY DANIEL ATTWOOD
Almost half of Britain’s motorists
are still regularly breaking the
law by texting on their mobile
phone and driving, despite
increasing their risk of crashing
by 400%.
An online survey by the RAC
Foundation revealed that 45% of
UK drivers send and receive
messages while they are driving.
The news contradicts findings
by the Department for Transport
(DfT), which states that 75% of
people believe that drivers who
use their mobile phones are need-
lessly risking their own and other
people’s safety.
The DfT research also showed
that 90% of drivers believe using a
phone at the wheel has a negative
impact on a person’s driving.
Encouragingly, the RAC survey
found that 11% of motorists switch
their phones to mute or turn them
off completely – the preferred
duty of care policy that many fleet
managers are now writing into
driver contracts.
The survey marks the first
anniversary of the increase in
penalties for using a hand-held
phone at the wheel.
Since this time last year, motor-
ists can be fined £60 and their
driving licence endorsed with
three penalty points for using a
Transport for London (TfL) is
getting tough on illegal parkers
after it took delivery of 21 new
high-tech removal trucks.
The trucks will operate on the
red route network, which
carries around 33% of the
capital’s traffic.
The new vehicles, which will
be in operation 24 hours a day,
are fitted with satellite naviga-
tion and automatic number plate
recognition software.
This means they can identify
and seize vehicles used by
drivers who persistently fail to
pay parking fines.
In addition, parking atten-
dants can now link directly to
the trucks’ computers and alert
the closest one to the location of
Text messaging while driving increases the risk of crashing by 400%
mobile phone – including texting
and receiving or making calls –
while driving.
The police have repeatedly
warned that drivers caught using
their mobiles will receive a fine
and penalty points and, if they
have a crash, they may be prose-
cuted under careless and danger-
ous driving laws, which attract
harsher penalties including
imprisonment.
Chief constable Steve Green,
the Association of Chief Police
Officers’ head of road policing,
said recently that police advice
now goes one step further by
recommending that drivers
should not use hand-free phones,
even though it is still legal to do
so.
a vehicle that is illegally
stopped.
Vehicles illegally parked will
be issued with a £120 on-the-
spot fine and if they are towed
away will be subject to a £200
additional fee plus a daily
storage charge of £40.
The money collected through
fines is put back into improving
London’s roads and traffic
control, says TfL.
A pilot project indicated that
journey times on the red route
network will be reduced just 4%
as a result of the new service.
The trucks have been
operating on a reduced basis
since November and will be
extended across London during
this month.
“Anything that causes a distrac-
tion to the driver of a vehicle is
bound to lead to an increased risk
of involvement in a collision,” he
said.
“The research certainly shows
that using a hands-free mobile
phone is no different to any other
distraction, slowing reaction
times and raising the risk to the
driver, their passengers and other
road users.”
Mr Green said fleet managers
should introduce a blanket ban on
using hands-free phones for all
employees who drive for work.
Despite such advice, the survey
found that there is still a substan-
tial number of drivers willing to
ignore the risks.
daniel.attwood@emap.com
Transport for London is getting
tough on parking offenders
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 5
IN BRIEF
BCA returns
British Car Auctions has
moved its administrative
centre back to Farnham in
Surrey after a near-25-year
absence. BCA has taken a
long-term lease on Headway
House in the town after a
multi-million pound refit.
Almost 150 staff will transfer
from the current location in
Hindhead, Surrey.
MP apologises
Edward Leigh MP, the
head of the Commons’
public accounts commit-
tee, has apologised for
mistakenly accusing
thousands of motorcy-
clists of evading vehicle
excise duty. He blamed
the Department for
Transport. He said: “I
apologise to motorcy-
clists. The department
did not give us all of the
information we needed. I
am writing to the
department to seek an
explanation.”
Rexel exchange
Rexel Senate & Denmans
has begun exchanging its
fleet of 220 Iveco 2.3d Daily
vans with a combination of
Vauxhall Vivaro and
Movano diesel vans. The
vehicles are being supplied
by Pendragon Contracts on
a full maintenance contract.
More than 100 vehicles have
already been replaced under
the new agreement and it is
expected that the entire fleet
will be completed by April.
Europcar outlet
Europcar has opened a
new outlet at Southamp-
ton Airport, which ser ves
1.9 million travellers
each year. Europcar will
join with National Car
Rental – both part of the
Europcar UK Group – in
a new building at the
airport. The outlet will
offer a prestige ser vice
courtesy of Guy Salmon
Prestige Rental.
Sprinter order
Vale St Hubert Foods has
taken delivery of four new
automatic Mercedes-Benz
Sprinter chassis cabs with
dual compartment bodies by
Cold Car and GAH refrigera-
tion. The company used
Cold Logic to design and
source the vehicles.
NEWS
DfT pays staff
parking fines
The Department for Transport
(DfT) is forking out thousands of
pounds to pay parking fines
incurred by its drivers.
Over the past seven years, the
department has footed the bill
for £38,760 worth of parking
fines. This is despite the DfT
stating that it and its agencies
have a policy that parking tickets
and speeding fines remain the
responsibility of the individual
driver and are not reimbursed
from public resources.
Last year, the department paid
out almost £6,000 in parking
fines, compared to just £2,000 in
1999/2000.
While the DfT is adamant that
its drivers should pay their own
parking fines, there are clearly
exceptions, as road minister Jim
Fitzpatrick explained during
parliamentary question time.
“The Government Car and
Despatch Agency (GCDA) pays
parking tickets when they arise
in circumstances where security
requirements dictate the choice
of parking location,” he said.
“The Vehicle and Operator
Services Agency (VOSA) also
pays parking fines under excep-
tional circumstance such as
during court appearances.”
Thatcham puts its drivers through safety tests
The skills and attitudes of drivers
employed by Thatcham are to be
re-assessed.
Thatcham, the motor insurance
repair research centre synony-
mous with safety, said that with
occupational road risk manage-
ment topping the agenda for fleet
decision-makers, it is time it re-
examined the skills of its 130 car-
driving staff.
Traffic wardens
told to ease up
BY EMMA COOPER
The Department for Transport
has ordered local authorities to
show more discretion when
issuing parking fines and to move
away from the attitude that issuing
parking tickets is a money-making
exercise.
The move follows widespread
criticism of new rules that come
into force on April 1 as part of the
Road Traffic Management Act.
The new act will allow for gradu-
ated fines as well as permitting
councils to use CCTV evidence to
issue tickets. This means drivers
may not know that they have been
accused of illegally parking until
they receive a ticket in the post.
In a bid to allay fears of a back-
lash from motorists against the
new laws, councils have been told
to follow the department’s new
framework for parking enforce-
ment, which stipulates that
authorities should avoid setting
targets for the number of tickets
issued.
All of Thatcham’s employees
who drive company cars, those
who drive their own cars on busi-
ness and pool car drivers must
complete an at-work driving safety
programme developed by Driv-
eTech.
The DriveTech programme
involves a more comprehensive
re-assessment of Thatcham’s
existing risk management prac-
Just the ticket: motorists can expect more flexibility over parking
Councils will also have to make
motorists aware of how to appeal
against fines.
Traffic enforcement officers
are being told to allow more
leeway on minor offences – for
example, giving a verbal warning
rather than issuing a ticket. And
they are being encouraged only
to clamp persistent offenders.
“There is a perception that
motorists are sometimes unfairly
tices, with all at-work drivers
undergoing an online risk assess-
ment. Those employees desig-
nated high risk must now undergo
on-road driver training.
Meanwhile, all staff, including
those rated as low or medium
risk, will attend safe culture work-
shops designed to encourage
discussion and debate around
safe driving practices.
penalised,” transport minister
Rosie Winterton said.
“To overcome this we are intro-
ducing new powers to make
parking enforcement fairer and
easier to challenge.”
There are still concerns about
the new system. Following Ms
Winterton’s statement, the AA
warned motorists to be extra vigi-
lant from the end of this month.
emma.cooper@emap.com
“As a unique research centre
with uniquely talented employees,
we find our staff in great demand
and, as the business mileage they
are expected to cover increases,
so the risk of collisions goes up,”
said Samantha Webb, HR manager
at Thatcham.
“The safer driving programme
with DriveTech is about minimis-
ing that risk.”
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 7
IN BRIEF
Shuttle service
Pendragon Contracts is
providing Badminton
England with a fleet of 11
courtesy vehicles including
a number of people carriers
to take VIPs to and from the
world’s oldest open
badminton tournament.
Pendragon is also providing
a van to help to transport
the team’s luggage.
Corporate rentals
CLM has launched a new
daily rental ser vice,
Corporate Vehicle
Rentals, which will
provide a nationwide
ser vice of car and van
rental, long-term hire
and flexi-lease arrange-
ments. Clients will be
able to use a web system
to book, extend and
cancel rentals.
Greener ALD
ALD Automotive has been
accredited with environ-
mental management
standard ISO 14001. The
award follows a major
environmental programme
promoting car-sharing and
bicycle commuting and
introducing hybrid cars to
the company’s pool fleet.
Licence check
Glasgow-based Fleet
Alliance has launched an
online driver licence
checking service as part of
its expanded product
offering to fleet operators.
It allows managers to set
the frequency they want
licences checked and to
prioritise which should be
checked more regularly.
EUROPEAN NEWS
VAT ruling for
leasing firms
BY KEITH NUTHALL
Leasing companies have been
told they must not manipulate
financial and insurance packages
to avoid charging their fleet
customers VAT.
In a complex Italian case involv-
ing a company now in liquidation
– Part Service, formerly Ital-
service – the European Court of
Justice (ECJ) ruled that firms
providing fleets with cars and
vans cannot artificially split
supplementary services from
their core leasing business simply
to avoid charging VAT on them.
Carmakers face up to commission
The European automobile
industry has stepped up its
campaign to get the European
Commission to revise its
proposals on setting emissions
targets for new cars.
The industry has said the
upcoming legislation fails to
take into account car manufac-
turing cycles.
It also points out the
disparity between the Euro-
pean parliament and the
commission. The parliament
has already voted twice in
favour of 2015 as the most
appropriate date for new
legislation to enter fully into
force. However, the Commis-
sion favours 2012.
Christian Streiff, president of
The Italian company had
attempted to do just that, but was
taken to the ECJ by the Italian
government.
The court ruled that any move
to split ancillary services – such
as insurance – for VAT reasons
would be regarded as “abusive
practice” under the European
Union’s sixth VAT directive “when
the accrual of a tax advantage
constitutes the principal aim of
the transaction”.
In other words, if the primary
goal of splitting products is solely
to reduce a customer’s tax liabil-
ity, it is illegal.
Stavros Dimas was responsible for Europe’s environmental policy
manufacturers’ association
ACEA, said: “No less than 60%
of all cars that will be on the
market in 2012 are already in
production or in the advanced
development stage today.”
However, where there is a clear
split, such as a third party being
contracted to offer financing,
brokering and insurance services,
then a restriction of VAT to leasing
could be justified, said the ECJ.
The European court has said it
is still down to national courts to
decide on a case-by-case basis
whether the circumstances of
such VAT manoeuvres were
abusive or not.
In this instance, Italservice had
structured its financing and insur-
ance services with sister company
IFIM Leasing.
fleetnews@emap.com
Stavros Dimas, the commis-
sioner driving the new
legislation forward, said the
motor industry has had ample
time to develop technologies
needed to meet the targets.
FleetNews
Europe
www.fleetnewseurope.com
Research backs hydrogen
BY KEITH NUTHALL
The total road transport oil
consumption could be cut by
40% by 2050 if hydrogen-
fuelled vehicles and upgraded
filling stations are introduced,
a European Union-funded
research project has
concluded. Hydrogen has a long way to go
However, the HyWays before it becomes a viable fuel
project found that substantial
barriers have to be overcome – including economic, technological and
institutional hurdles – before hydrogen becomes a viable alternative.
Networking opportunity
Leaseurope, the European leasing and vehicle rental representative
organisation, has announced details of its annual seminar for central,
eastern and south-eastern Europe (CESEE).
The event, which is aimed at chief executives, senior and mid-level
management, as well as those with business interests in leasing and
automotive rental in CESEE countries, will take place in Sofia,
Bulgaria on April 22 and 23. It aims to address and discuss the issues
that face the leasing and vehicle rental industry.
Europe may miss safety target
Europe’s ambitious target of reducing road deaths by 50% by 2012 is
beginning to look more unlikely. Despite a positive start to the
EU-wide road safety initiative, the Federation Internationale de
l’Automobile has now reported that road accident fatalities in 2007
actually rose in some European countries compared with 2006.
Road fatalities rose in countries including the Czech Republic (up
17%), Denmark (+33%), Finland (+13%), Slovenia (+12%) and Sweden
(+6%). Sweden has been regarded as a leader in road safety.
However, Austria (down 6%), Italy (-11%), France (-2%) and Spain (-
9%) saw continuing falls.
Fleet News Europe is sponsored by
www.bca-europe.com
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 9
�������� This week’s vehicle market news and information Edited by Julian Kirk
Static end to the year
Ibiza hints in as auction prices drop
SEAT concept
This is the SEAT Bocanegra, a
three-door ‘SportCoupe’ concept
car that forms the basis for the
design of the new Ibiza.
The Spanish carmaker
whipped the covers off the car at
the Geneva Motor Show this
week. The design continues
SEAT’s recent direction of strik-
ing, dynamic and bold features.
Mentally remove the concept
car trinkets, such as the Perspex
nose, and you’ll have a fair indica-
tion of the look of the new-gener-
ation Ibiza, due in 2009.
The concept houses a 1.4-litre
TSI twin-turbocharged petrol
engine linked to a seven-speed
DSG gearbox. Designed by
former Lamborghini design chief
Luc Donckerwolke, the
Bocanegra translates literally as
‘black mouth’ and offers a nod to
the 1970s SEAT 1200 Sport.
THINKING CAP
Hardworking Martin Ward scours the globe for the week’s insider fleet intelligence
MONDAY
I’ve been reading a press release
from Citroën, which has been
doing some research about
child passengers distracting
drivers.
It says that one in four
motorists has nearly had an
accident because of children
fighting, screaming or generally
misbehaving in the car.
I can speak from personal
experience that even a baby
dropping its dummy or toy, and
the driver reaching behind to
try and find it on the floor, is
Interesting research from
Citroën on driver distraction
10 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
BY PHILL TROMANS
The used car market remained
static in the final quarter of 2007.
Data from auction giant
Manheim showed that the average
car sold during the fourth quarter
was 38 months old and had an
average mileage of 46,717, just 77
miles more than in the previous
three months. It is the third
quarter in a row where average
age has remained static.
As is usual during the winter,
the number of vehicles sold fell,
and to a level lower than that seen
in 2005 and 2006. Average values
fell by £228 to £6,534, while the
proportion of the original new
price fell by 1.7% to 41.7%.
The fleet and lease sector was
responsible for the fall in the
number of sales, while the drop in
average values is attributed to a
much more dangerous than
talking on a mobile phone – the
Government can ban the use of
phones from cars, but it is
unlikely they can ban kids,
which are certainly more
dangerous.
Manufacturers do all they can
to ensure cars are as safe as can
be in an accident, but there is
very little they can do to keep
the children quiet, and keep the
driver’s mind on the road.
TUESDAY
Flew over to Kia’s European
headquarters in Frankfurt
with Ian Mathews, head of
product planning at Kia UK.
We met with the product
and marketing team and
Giuseppe Tommaso – the
man who has recently got the
job of European fleet and
remarketing manager.
It would appear from the
Average age of fleet vehicles sold at the end of 2007 was 41 months
change in the mix of vehicles sold
by the manufacturer sector.
The average age of fleet vehi-
cles dropped by a month to 41,
while average mileage fell for the
seventh quarter in a row to 54,127.
The average new price changed
Kia has a stylish future ahead
presentation that Kia is now
taking the fleet market and
the remarketing of its used
vehicles ver y seriously. They
told us some of their future
product plans and it all
seemed ver y sensible – Kia
needs mainstream cars to
sell alongside its more niche
models.
While I was in the
10-storey glass building I
bumped into Paul Willis,
CEO of Kia Motors Europe,
and previously at
Volkswagen.
little at £15,653 (up £32) while the
average selling price dropped £90
to £5,552. But the percentage of
the original price attained fell by
just 0.6% to 35.5%.
Values of vehicles from manu-
facturers dropped slightly as the
He said Kia has developed
a clear vision for the future
operation in Europe. It has
invested in a new factor y in
Slovakia which produces the
Cee’d and Sportage. Paul
said he was ver y confident
that Kia can build on its
performance.
THURSDAY
Down to the IDIADA proving
ground near Barcelona to see
and drive an all-new upper-
medium sector vehicle due on
sale early next year. I signed so
many secrecy and confidential-
ity forms that I dare not mention
who I was with.
We briefly saw a static estate
version and it looked good,
much better than the current
model. But for the first time in
any launch or preview I’ve been
on we drove disguised cars
covered in “cladding”.
GM’s blue light fleetpxp p12
average age rose by one month to
15 months and mileage by 1,404
miles to 15,796. The original new
price went up £724 to £19,992
while the average selling price
dropped £559 to £12,341. The
percentage of new price retained
fell 5.2% to 61.7%.
Looking at the different vehicle
segments, average age fell for
superminis, family cars, compact
executives and MPVs, but rose
for small hatchbacks, executive
cars and 4x4s.
The selling price of superminis
rose by 3%, while all other
segments saw values drop, partic-
ularly MPVs (down 5%).
Small hatchbacks retain the
highest percentage of new prices
at 44%, while the worst perform-
ing segment is the large family at
35%.
phill.tromans@emap.com
For a manufacturer to show
off a new car it has to be
presented in the perfect way,
and not covered in cornflake
boxes and egg cartons to hide
its true shape.
We see many cars many
months before they are
launched, and every other
manufacturer has them looking
pristine and with no cladding –
which has to be the right way to
do it. If I was an expert in
stability, handling, chassis
dynamics and braking
diagnosis, which I am not, then
this exercise would have been
beneficial.
It’s a privilege to drive early
versions of forthcoming cars,
but when you can’t actually see
what you’re driving, the
experience is a little frustrating.
Martin Ward is
CAP’s manufacturer
relationships manager
 Golf DSG launch p14-15
Volkswagen reveals details of its first hybrid
Volkswagen has revealed details
of its first hybrid model – a Golf
which can return up to 83mpg
and emit just 89g/km of CO2.
Although the manufacturer
says the Golf TDI Hybrid is a
concept, don’t be surprised if a
production version arrives soon.
The concept uses a three-
cylinder 1.2-litre TDI diesel
engine offering 75bhp. It works
either on its own or in tandem
Mondeo range extended
Ford has topped and tailed its
Mondeo diesel range with a
super-frugal model and a sporty
range-topper, both on sale this
month.
The first new addition is the
ECOnetic model, offering sub-
140g/km CO2 emissions from
its 115bhp 1.8-litre TDCi
engine. To lower the car’s CO2
rating from 154g/km, Ford has
fitted lowered suspension, low-
rolling resistance tyres, a diesel
particulate filter and made
Spyshot
BMW prepares another SUV
Chrysler 300C driven p16
with an electric motor that dev-
elops 27bhp and 103lb-ft of torque.
Power is transmitted through a
seven-speed DSG semi-automatic
gearbox. Aerodynamic tweaks
boost its efficiency.
When it goes on sale it will join
the Golf BlueMotion – a diesel
model which can return 62.8mpg
and emits 119g/km of CO2,
putting it into the lowest benefit-
in-kind tax band for diesels.
aerodynamic improvements.
ECOnetic prices are £18,245
for the hatchback and £19,495
for the estate.
Topping the range is the
Mondeo 2.2 TDCi offering
175bhp and available only in the
top Titanium X trim level. CO2
emissions are 165g/km. Prices
will be announced next week.
■ Ford has said that all S-MAX
and Galaxy MPV models will
now be fitted with Bluetooth
telephony as standard.
Vauxhall Agila tested p21
Volkswagen will launch a hybrid version of its Golf
Summer launch for TT TDI
Audi is making its TT range
even more appealing to user-
choosers with a new diesel-
powered model.
Due to go on sale in the UK
this summer, the TT TDI
Quattro is powered by a 170bhp
2.0-litre engine driving all four
wheels.
It returns claimed average
fuel economy of 53.3mpg and
CO2 emissions of just 140g/
km. The engine already
C200 CDI estate test p22
complies with Euro V emis-
sions legislation.
Available in both coupé and
open-topped Roadster format,
the diesel TT combines frugal-
ity with performance with a top
speed of 140mph. The 0-62mph
sprint takes 7.5 seconds.
Prices start at £26,350 for the
coupé which represents a
£1,350 premium over the
current 2.0 TFSI entry-level
petrol model.
Diesel TT
arrives this
summer
It might not be due for another
18 months, but BMW’s latest
SUV is well into its testing
programme.
Spotted here going through its
paces in Scandinavia, the X1
promises to be greener than the
average SUV, with an eight-speed
automatic gearbox and BMW’s
EfficientDynamics fuel-saving
technology, as well as a NOx-
reducing system for diesels. It
uses the same platform found on
the four-wheel drive 3 Series
Touring available in Europe, and
will go on sale late in 2009.
The X1 looks set to beat
Audi’s forthcoming Q1 and
Mercedes-Benz’s new small-SUV
to the showrooms.
Powered by...
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 11
IN BRIEF
Fabia goes green
Skoda’s version of parent
company Volkswagen’s
BlueMotion is GreenLine,
and the first model has
just been announced.
The Fabia GreenLine
boasts fuel economy of
nearly 69mpg and CO2
emissions of 109g/km
from its 1.4-litre TDI
engine. Deliveries begin
in April and prices start
at £11,490.
Hatchback hint
This concept car drops a
strong clue as to what
Mitsubishi’s five-door
Lancer hatchback will look
like when it goes on sale
later this year. It will join the
four-door saloon which has
just been launched and will
account for around 80% of
UK sales.
RHD for STS
Cadillac’s range-topping
STS saloon is now
available in the UK in
right-hand drive.
Powered by either a 3.6-
litre V6 or 4.6-litre V8
petrol engine, prices start
at £33,995.
Sportier SEAT
SEAT has given its Leon
Cupra model the option of
looking even sportier with a
new bodykit. The K1
package costs £1,000 and
adds badging, side skirts,
rear spoiler and a central-
exit exhaust. The price of
the standard Cupra has also
been reduced by £200 to
£19,495.
NEW LAUNCH: VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.4 TSI DSG 7-SPEED

It’s an automatic success

Volkswagen’s new seven-speed semi-auto gearbox gives better fuel economy and cuts CO2 emissions
BY SUE BAKER

Even if you prefer driving with a

manual gearbox, it’s hard to
ignore the benefits of an auto-
matic.
With traffic congestion and
busy urban roads, changing gear
while operating a clutch pedal can
lead to frustration and fatigue.
So it is not surprising that auto-
matic gearboxes have grown
rapidly in popularity, and one of
the best-regarded for its smooth-
ness and efficiency is the six-
speed DSG (direct shift gearbox)
developed by Volkswagen.
Launched in 2003, it has been a
big success, with more than a
million cars on the road around
the world equipped with the dual-
clutch auto DSG ’box, dubbed the
“intelligent automatic”.
The only limitation to further
sales growth has been the size of speed DSG suitable for smaller larger models such as the Passat the six-speed DSG. It weighs 70kg doing away with the six-speed
car for which the DSG ’box was models, from the Golf downwards. and Tiguan. (23kg lighter) and needs only 1.7 DSG’s oil reservoir for cooling
suitable. It won’t replace the six-speed DSG The new seven-speed DSG litres of oil, which is 4.8 litres less the clutches, reducing friction
And that is why Volkswagen unit, which continues in produc- gearbox is smaller (just 369mm than the original DSG ’box. and improving efficiency.
has just introduced a new seven- tion and will still be offered in long) and uses less power than These savings are achieved by The new gearbox will be
compatible with future engine
stop-start technology.
Designed for use with either
petrol or diesel engines, the
seven-speed DSG suits engines
ranging in output from 105 to
180bhp, and with torque loadings
up to a maximum 184lb-ft.
Although basically similar,
there are important differences
between the two DSG transmis-
sions.
The new seven-speed DSG has
a pair of dry friction clutches,
while the pioneering six-speed
DSG features a pair of wet
clutches immersed in oil.
Giving the new gearbox an
extra ratio has enabled it to have
a lower first gear to avoid clutch
slippage in very slow-moving
traffic.
The lower gears are spaced
more closely together. Seventh
gear is effectively an overdrive
for lower engine speed to
improve economy during motor-
way cruising.
Eventually the seven-speed
DSG will be available in a variety
of Volkswagen Group models,
from Audi, SEAT and Skoda as
well as Volkswagen.
To start with, though, it is just
being offered on the Golf 1.4-litre
TSI with a 122bhp power output,
at prices starting from £15,982 for
the five-door S version.
To overcome the problems
sometimes associated with start-
ing on a hill in an automatic, the
new gearbox is accompanied by a
hill-start system. This is activated
by depressing the brake pedal,
and releases the moment the
throttle pedal is pressed.
In manual mode, the gearbox
has a failsafe over-ride mecha-
nism to prevent any potentially
damaging gear changes from
being selected.
At the launch in southern
Spain, driving a lengthy road
route and laps round a small,
tight test track, I tried the seven-
speed DSG in a 1.4-litre petrol
TSI (122bhp) Golf and a 1.9-litre
(1045bhp) diesel.
It felt best suited to the petrol
car, with shifts through the ’box
happening right where you’d
expect them.
The same wasn’t entirely true
of the diesel, in which the DSG
’box sometimes seemed to be
hunting around to find the right
gear.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
You can’t help being instantly
impressed at how smooth and slick
the seven-speed DSG ’box is in use.
Even drivers who don’t much like an
automatic gearbox may find
themselves won over.
There is a choice between three
modes: auto, sport or manual, and in
all of them the changes between
gears are utterly jerk-free and
seamless.
Auto gives a smooth and relaxed
feel, while the sport setting freshens
up the pace of gear changes to give a
bit more of a press-on attitude to the
’box. Manual mode puts you in
charge of changing gear, either via
the lever or using the up and down
paddles behind the steering wheel.
FACT FILE
Model: 1.4 TSI
Max power (bhp/rpm): 122/5,000
Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 147/1,500
Max speed (mph): 122
0-62mph (secs): 9.9
Fuel consumption (mpg): 47.8
CO2 emissions (g/km): 139
On sale: Now
Price (OTR): £15,982
When the novelty of the ’box
wears off, you may well find the mode
you use most is sport.
It seems to be the optimum, giving
the car a more alive feel than auto,
and a less frenetic one than the busy
chore of using a manual.
Having seven speeds gives close-
ratio spacing lower down the ’box,
and a top gear that feels like an
overdrive for motorway cruising with
optimum economy.
The hill-start system that
accompanies the new seven-speed
DSG is a bonus. To activate it you
depress the brake pedal.
As soon as you touch the throttle,
the system disengages for a clean
pull-away.
VERDICT
Volkswagen has another winner
on its hands with this new
seven-speed DSG gearbox. It
carries on from the success of
the six-speed ‘intelligent
automatic’ and improves on it,
with even better fuel economy
and improved CO2 emissions. It’s
probably the best semi-
automatic gearbox on the
market.
NEW LAUNCHES: CHRYSLER 300C & GRAND VOYAGER
American express cashes in
Revised 300C looks set to build on predecessor’s success in mainstream executive saloon market
BY JULIAN KIRK
Of all the myriad models from the
Chrysler Group, each with their
own touch of Americana as stan-
dard, the 300C executive saloon
has made the transition into the
mainstream most successfully.
Pitched as a rival to the estab-
lished hegemony of the Audi A6,
BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-
Benz E-Class, the 300C has done
a good job for Chrysler in attract-
ing user-choosers to its unique
charms.
And now, for the 2008 model
year, there is a revised version
which the firm hopes will bring
even more fleet drivers around to
its way of thinking.
The revisions are subtle, with a
new rear end design with rede-
signed light units and a subtle lip
spoiler on the boot, while inside is
a new dashboard design and
upgraded materials to bring more
of a premium feel to the model.
The colour scheme has also
changed, with a single colour
16 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
dark cabin feel replacing the
previous two-tone, lighter look.
Mechanically the 300C is
unchanged, which means a
Mercedes-Benz-sourced 3.0-litre
V6 diesel engine. For the environ-
mentally unaware, or financially
unchallenged, the mighty 6.1-litre
V8 SRT with 425bhp is also avail-
able. The previous V6 and V8
petrols have been dropped
through lack of demand.
But for those who like the look
of the SRT but don’t like the
thought of the fuel bills, Chrysler
has added an SRT-Design model
to the diesel range. Priced at
£32,495, or £1,000 more for the
Touring estate, this model
features 20-inch alloys, wheelarch
spats and a chrome mesh grille,
while inside are numerous SRT
sports touches and the 20Gb
MyGIG infotainment system.
Chrysler sells between 2,500
and 3,000 300Cs in the UK every
year – the vast majority being the
diesel – and it expects this to
continue, with supply limited to
maintain healthy residual values.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
The view from the driver’s seat is quite imposing with a high dashboard and large
steering wheel, but the shallow glass area gives the cabin quite an intimate feel.
The focus on improving the interior has also worked, with less in the way of
hard, brittle plastics evident. Changes include some stitched leather, more
wood-like ‘wood’ trim and LED lighting to create a more enticing ambience.
On start-up the diesel is noisy, but no more so than in an E-Class, and on the
move it is subdued. Given its near-two-tonne kerbweight, the 300C is never
going to be anything more than adequate performance-wise, but what impresses
is the refinement. With suspension and damping tuned for comfort, the 300C
yomps along giving a quiet and comfortable ride with little in the way of road
imperfections making their way through to the cabin.
As a trade-off, handling isn’t in the same league as its German rivals, but this
car is a mile-muncher rather than an out-and-out sports saloon.
VERDICT FACT FILE
With its imposing looks, the Model: 300C V6 CRD
300C certainly stands out in the Max power (bhp/rpm): 215/3,800
company car park, and the Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 376/1,600
proven mechanicals in the diesel Max speed (mph): 143
make for a fairly cost-effective 0-62mph (secs): 7.6
Fuel consumption (mpg): 34.9
package. The interior improve-
CO2 emissions (g/km): 215
ments are noticeable, while the Prices (OTR): £27,495–£40,995
SRT-Design model brings fresh On sale: Now
appeal to the model.
Appearances can be deceptive
Van-like looks and mixed interior build quality can’t detract from one of the cleverest cars on the market
BY JULIAN KIRK
The new Chrysler Grand Voyager
still looks like a van, the driving
experience is distinctly average
and some of the interior quality is
a little ropey, but none of this
matters a jot.
What matter most is this – the
new Grand Voyager is one of the
cleverest cars on the market and
provides a real solution to staff
with large families.
Picking up the cudgels from
the previous model, the new
FACT FILE
Model: 2.8 CRD
Max power (bhp/rpm): 163/3,800
Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 266/1,600
Max speed (mph): n/a
0-62mph (secs): n/a
Fuel consumption (mpg): 30.4
CO2 emissions (g/km): 247
Prices (est): £25,995-£32,995
On sale: Now
Grand Voyager brings revised
styling (it’s now more boxy than
before), updated engines, more
room inside and even more detail
changes for the rear passengers.
And prices remain unchanged,
with the diesel LX model starting
at £25,995. However, the majority
of buyers of the previous version
went for the full-house Limited,
which costs £32,995.
Many will also opt for the
impressive rear entertainment
option pack at £2,000, which
includes two drop-down screens
for the second and third row of
passengers, a DVD player, input
jacks for items such as a Play
Station and the MyGIG infotain-
ment system which incorporates
a 20Gb hard drive.
With this option box ticked,
the back of the Grand Voyager is
undoubtedly the best place to be,
with comfortable seats replete
with armrests and plenty of
legroom. Then there’s the very
clever Stow ‘n Go seating system
which allows all the rear seats to
be folded down into the floor,
creating a large, van-like loading
area. Factor in the myriad cubby
holes and storage areas and
you’re left with the perfect vehicle
for a large family.
The diesel will be the big seller,
accounting for upwards of 90% of
registrations. Chrysler expects
to sell around 2,000 units a year,
which is down on the model’s
peak, but this is due to the smaller
Voyager being dropped. Its place
will be taken later this year by the
Dodge Journey.
VERDICT
The Grand Voyager has many
strings to its bow – it is well-
equipped, competitively priced
and has a spacious and flexible
interior which is hard to fault,
or indeed match.
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 17
BEHIND
THE WHEEL
Chrysler has made some effort to
improve the feel of the Grand
Voyager’s cabin – some of it
successful, some of it not.
The general look is much
improved with a more premium-
looking dashboard and centre
console echoing the look of the
300C range, though some of the
plastics still look and feel brittle.
As a driving experience, my
test in the Grand Voyager
certainly won’t go down in my
all-time top 10 drives, but that
misses the point.
Yes it feels slow, and that’s
because it is, but who wants to
have the children in the back
thrown around during cornering?
After all, they may miss a crucial
scene from the film they’ll be
watching.
NEW LAUNCHES: CHEVROLET AVEO/VAUXHALL AGILA
Chevrolet looks to future
Upgraded interior and increased quality mean Aveo can build on carmaker’s success with Kalos
BY PHILL TROMANS
When journalists jumped into the
revamped Chevrolet Aveo at the
launch event, they found the CD
player had been preloaded with-
classic American driving songs,
all of which name-checked the
historic US brand.
Presumably this was meant to
invoke imagery of driving some
sort of Hemi-powered piece of
Americana across the plains of
Wisconsin. Unfortunately, as the
Aveo is little more than a rebadged
Kalos – formerly labelled as a
Daewoo – it merely served as a
reminder of how far modern
European Chevrolets are from
the icons of yesteryear.
The new Aveo is an upgraded
version of its predecessor rather
than an all-new car. This is no bad
thing – sales of the predecessor
rose 33.2% year-on-year during
2007. The new design represents
the future look of the Chevrolet
range and has some interesting
lines and features. The interior
has been upgraded with a notice-
able increase in quality.
Two engines are available – a
1.2 petrol with 83bhp or a 100bhp
1.4. A quarter of Aveos will go to
fleets, with Motability making up
a sizable proportion thanks to the
option of an automatic gearbox.
No diesel unit will be available
until the next generation in three
or four years’ time.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
There are no unpleasant surprises driving the Aveo. Everything is laid out in a
logical manner and build and material quality is acceptable, if reflective of the
car’s budget price tag, expected to start at under £8,000.
The seats are almost entirely without lateral support, which is no problem in
town but a trifle uncomfortable when the Tarmac gets twisty. The left-hand drive
model available at the launch proved problematic to my right knee, which kept
walloping the centre console, but hopefully that issue will vanish in UK versions.
The 1.4 petrol engine we tried is a strange one. Although it boasts more
power than its 1.2-litre sibling, it felt strangely gutless, and while following a 1.2
model onto the motorway I was surprised to see it power away from me. Still, the
Aveo is hardly built for speed and pootles around town quite happily. It just
needs working quite hard to make any kind of serious progress and seemed to
struggle on steep inclines.
FACT FILE VERDICT
Model: 1.2 1.4 The Aveo is better looking and
Max power (bhp/rpm): 83/N/A 100/N/A better made than the car it
Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 84/3,800 97/4,200 replaces which, combined with
Max speed (mph): 107 109 the rise of Chevrolet sales in the
0-62mph (secs): 13 N/A UK, should ensure it does well in
Fuel consumption (mpg): 51.3 47.0
the retail market. But, with no
CO2 emissions (g/km): 132 142
Prices (est): from sub-£8,000 diesel option and unremarkable
On sale: May emissions, it may be of less
interest to fleet managers.
Agila goes from bland to grand
Dramatic transformation turns Vauxhall’s ugly duckling into a stylish and desirable challenger
BY PHILL TROMANS
Remember when Carol Vorder-
man presented Countdown a
decade or so ago? She was, to
male admirers, an acquired taste
– excellent at what she did, but
not exactly an object of desire.
Then, seemingly out of the
blue, she vamped up, started
appearing on red carpets in
revealing dresses and broadened
her appeal massively.
The new Agila is clearly
modelled on Le Vorderman. The
old Agila had four wheels and a
boot and would quite happily get
its occupants from A to B. But it
was bland.
This new offering, however, is
a whole new kettle of consonants.
It does everything the old Agila
did, but with style and flair.
The exterior boasts actual
curves for the first time and looks
quite funky, even if the rear is
reminiscent of the Fiat Punto.
Power comes from either a
1.0-litre or 1.2-litre petrol engine,
but of most interest to fleets is
the 74bhp, 1.3-litre CDTi diesel
engine, carried over from the
out-going model but with numer-
ous refinements.
Economy is up to 62.8mpg,
and CO2 emissions fall to 120g/
km, within the limit for exemp-
tion from the London Congestion
Charge and putting it into the
lowest benefit-in-kind tax band
for diesels (13%) from April.
The Agila will cost between
£7,595 and £11,995 and will
compete with the likes of Fiat’s
Panda and Renault’s Modus. A
Vauxhall spokesman said fleet
sales were difficult to predict.
He said: “We expect fleets to
take less than 20% of total sales.
The majority of fleet customers
will be health authorities and the
public sector. Corsa is a much
more fleet-relevant car, but there
are certain qualities that make
Agila preferable to some.”
BEHIND THE WHEEL
The Agila’s interior design is unremarkably decent, but build quality is good,
and everything feels solid even if some of the materials err on the cheap side.
Those with a fondness for soft-touch plastics may feel let down.
The driver’s seating position is quite high, which takes some getting used
to. There’s plenty of room in the back for two adults, although trying to
squeeze in a third may elicit some protests. The boot is on the small side, but
should you need extra space, then the seats fold down easily and provide
1,050 litres of room.
The 1.3-litre CDTi engine sounds gruff and rattly, but thankfully is not quite
so coarse in its power delivery. The soggy old model completely failed to
deliver on the handling front, but the new one is much tighter. Steering is crisp
and direct, and the chassis vastly improved.
VERDICT FACT FILE
The Agila has undergone a total Model: 1.3 CDTi
transformation. The new Agila is Max power (bhp/rpm): 74/4,000
a car people will want to own, Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 140/1,750
rather than one that merely Max speed (mph): 103
provides an anonymous mode 0-62mph (secs): 13.9
Fuel consumption (mpg): 62.8
of transport. Stylish, practical,
CO2 emissions (g/km): 120
good to drive and economical, Prices (OTR): £7,595–£11,995
it adds another string to On sale: May 3
Vauxhall’s bow.
MINI-TEST: MERCEDES-BENZ C200 CDI SE ESTATE
Stylish estate earns its star
Mercedes-Benz hopes the new C-Class Estate will attract both fleets and younger customers
BY JULIAN KIRK
We’ve been very impressed by the
new Mercedes-Benz C-Class
saloon and now the range has
been widened with the arrival of
an estate model.
Priced at a £1,200 premium
over the saloon, the estate model
offers more load space and versa-
tility but retains the car’s hand-
some, chunky looks.
Boot space is 485 litres with the
rear seats in place and 1,500 with
them folded down (an increase of
140 litres over the old version),
compared to 460/1,385 litres in
the BMW 3 Series Touring and
490/1,430 litres in the new Audi
A4 Avant which arrives in June.
So the Mercedes-Benz boasts
class-leading boot space over its
closest rivals, and has raised its
game in other areas, too.
Cabin quality is much improved
with a real feeling of solidity,
combined with a healthier list of
standard equipment that includes
standard Bluetooth telephony – a
22 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
nod to the increasing importance
of fleet to Mercedes-Benz – and a
raft of safety measures including
the Pre-Safe crash mitigation
system. There’s also an electric
tailgate, operated via the key.
The engine range is improved,
including the C200 CDI diesel
which is the subject of this test. It
is essentially a detuned version of
the C220 CDI, offering 136bhp
and CO2 emissions of 157g/km.
While the C220 CDI Sport will
be the most popular model in the
line-up, Mercedes-Benz is keen to
push the C200 CDI with a manual
gearbox among fleet customers. It
has lower emissions and sector-
leading residuals – the C200 CDI
SE Estate will be worth £11,325 in
three years/60,000 miles, retain-
ing 44% compared to £10,225/41%
for the 318d ES Touring.
C-Class product manager Nick
Williams said: “We will be focus-
ing on the fleet area as well as
looking for a younger, more
dynamic audience.”
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Everything from the rear seats forward is an exact replica of the architecture of
the saloon, which means room for four adults, solid build quality and decent
specification. It’s at the rear where things have changed most, with a large boot
area accessed via a low loading sill. Along with the electric tailgate this means
loading and unloading will be very easy.
The C200 CDI engine isn’t exactly a fireball and feels far removed from
the punchier C220 CDI. However, once it’s up to speed the engine is refined
and flexible – it doesn’t need multiple downchanges to stoke it back up
into the powerband.
The manual gearbox is the car’s weak link, sometimes refusing to engage a
ratio cleanly. However, when it’s in the mood the throw and change are both
adequate. And in SE trim the C-Class rides beautifully, absorbing bumps with little
fuss while also retaining some degree of sharpness during cornering.
VERDICT FACT FILE
The C-Class Estate is handsome, Model: C200 CDI SE
well built and drives well. With Max power (bhp/rpm): 136/3,800
the largest boot in the class it is Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 199/1,600
also the most practical. Drivers Max speed (mph): 129
will appreciate the three- 0-62mph (secs): 10.8
Fuel consumption (mpg): 47.1
pointed star’s cachet while fleet
CO2 emissions (g/km): 157
managers will like the residuals.
Prices (OTR): £25,725
This addition can only build on On sale: Now
the saloon’s fleet success.
LONG-TERMER: VOLKSWAGEN TOURAN 1.4 TSI SE
Figures add up to a good deal
The Touran is not only attractive to own and drive, it also boasts running costs to please fleets
BY JOHN MASLEN
I thought it was time our long-
term Touran put its money where
its mouth is in a running costs
showdown.
So I logged on to the Fleet
News website (www.fleetnews.
co.uk) and clicked on running
costs to see how it compared to
its nemesis, the Vauxhall Zafira.
Business talk: here to help
A regular series that offers help, advice and assistance to fleet decision makers on a variety of current industry issues
Should I specify electronic
I N
stability control on my cars?
ʼve heard that Electronic Stability
Control can dramatically reduce
accident rates. Should I ensure all
my company cars have it as standard?
I O
ndependent crash research
experts, such as those at the Motor
Industry Repair Research Centre at
Thatcham, have long recommended
that all fleet vehicles should be fitted
with Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
claiming the technology can significantly
reduce accidents rates.
ESC brakes individual wheels under
extreme directional changes to make
the vehicle follow the path the driver
intends, rather than spin out of control in
an emergency.
Matthew Avery, Crash Research
Manager at Thatcham, told delegates
at a Fleet News conference: “ESC is an
absolute lifesaver. I really recommend
it because research has shown that
where it has been used there has been
a 30% reduction in fatalities.”
Indeed Thatcham believes Electronic
Stability Control could prevent about 400
deaths and 3,000 serious injuries on
British roads each year.
Thatcham has a rating system on
its website (www.thatcham.org) which
shows which manufacturers’ models
have ESC as standard, as an option or
not at all.
The website is a goldmine
when it comes to information like
this, as it is stacked with facts
and figures about every model
currently on sale to UK fleets.
You can filter by manufacturer,
model and operating cycle, so I
compared the Touran 1.4 TSI SE
with the Zafira 1.8 Design.
At first glance, this seems a bit
of an unfair contest, but the
I
How new technology is having a positive effect on accident rates and safety
hear a lot of people talking about
radar-based cruise control. Is it an
expensive toy or a useful benefit?
T
hese systems are relatively
new to the market and have
generally only been available on
expensive luxury cars so it is difficult
to judge statistically exactly how much
of a benefit they are. Yet there is no
doubt such a system, commonly called
adaptive cruise control, can make
driving considerably less tiring and
stressful, while also helping to avoid
accidents and minimise the impact
award-winning engine in the
Volkswagen does away with
capacity envy. What matters is
power and torque.
And in this respect, the
Volkswagen blows exhaust fumes
in the Zafira’s windscreen.
The Touran offers 140bhp and
162lb-ft of torque from 1,500rpm.
The Zafira matches it on outright
power, but in terms of useable
torque, it can only muster 129lb-
ft at 3,800rpm.
They are neck and neck on
mpg and CO2, at 38.2mpg/177g/
km for the Vauxhall and 38.2mpg/
176g/km for the Volkswagen.
But the real hammer blow
comes in depreciation. While the
Vauxhall is cheaper at £17,965,
compared to £18,230 for the
Volkswagen, after three-years/
60,000-miles the Zafira is worth
27% of its new value on the used
market and the Touran is 38%.
Overall, the running cost for
the Vauxhall is 37.28 pence per
should a collision become unavoidable.
Adaptive cruise control
automatically regulates speed and
maintains the car at a consistent
distance from the vehicle directly in
front – particularly useful in high-
density motorway traffic.
Similar technology can also
be used in a radar-linked collision
avoidance system, which can help
reduce accident rates. Sensors
monitor the distance and closing rate
between you and the car in front and
alert the driver when a collision is likely
by means of an audible warning.
mile and the Volkswagen is
34.65ppm – equal to a £1,578
difference over the three-
year/60,000-mile benchmark.
To equalise this difference, a
canny fleet manager would need
to ensure their discount arrange-
ments were adjusted to reflect
this running cost issue.
In terms of the driving experi-
ence, engines aside, both are
accomplished performers and
there would be very little differ-
ence in tax terms for drivers.
I have waxed lyrical about the
Touran and, thanks to the data-
base on the Fleet News website, I
have a detailed idea of the Zafi-
ra’s performance.
Looking through the road test
archive, you can see their interi-
ors are very closely matched,
with the same dark grey approach
to design. An important differ-
ence is that the middle seats in
the Zafira don’t lift out, while
those in the Touran do.
The Honda CR-V is fitted
with Vehicle Stability Assist
as standard, a safety feature
recommended by Thatcham
Should a collision become
unavoidable, the system can initiate
emergency braking and tension the
front seatbelts to help reduce the
severity of the crash.
Most such devices operate from
speeds of around 10mph, which
means that they will be active in low-
speed accidents – statistically the most
common form of collision on UK roads.
By avoiding accidents, fleet
operators can work towards meeting
duty of care obligations, minimise
vehicle damage and cut the cost and
inconvenience of insurance claims.
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 23
FACT FILE
Price: £18,262
(£20,147 as tested)
Mileage: 6,450
CO2 emissions (g/km): 176
Company car tax bill (2008)
22% tax-payer: £73 per month
Insurance group: 9
Combined mpg: 38.2
Test mpg: 39.0
CAP Monitor RV: £6,800/37%
Contract hire rate: £366
Expenditure to date: Nil
Figures based on three-years/60,000-miles
Clearly, personal preferences
will win the day, but my trawl
through the figures suggest the
Touran edges it, particularly in
terms of running costs.
If there are any fleets running
Zafiras that are mortally offended
by this, make your views known
on www.fleetnews.co.uk by
commenting on this story, or
starting a thread on our forum.
Satellite navigation:
benefit or liability?
early all my drivers have
satellite navigation of some
sort, but should I worry
about the distraction they cause?
n the whole, satellite
navigation is a very good
thing: business drivers are
never more vulnerable in their cars
than when they are lost, stressed
and late for a meeting. Satellite
navigation has cut the incidence
of this and it should be seen as a
major development in road safety.
But there are issues. Portable
units are often situated in areas of the
windscreen that obscure vision, while
some manufacturer-fitted equipment
can be fiddly to use and can distract a
driver trying to adjust it on the move.
The Fleet Safety Association has
highlighted both issues, calling on
fleet managers to issue guidance
on positioning and claiming satellite
navigation can be a ‘significant factor’
in the cause of accidents.
Voice-activated satellite navigation
allows drivers to input destinations
without risking having to take their
hands off the steering wheel or their
eyes off the road.
Produced in association
with Honda Corporate
Sales. Tel: 01494 480515
 ROAD TEST: FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDCi ZETEC

Nip and tuck for THREE RIVALS TO CONSIDER

Ford’s best-seller
Focus adopts new family face among a host of detail changes
■ Honda Civic
2.2 i-CTDi SE 5dr

P11D PRICE
■ Vauxhall Astra
1.7 CDTi SRi 100 5dr

The Volkswagen is the cheapest, and Golf

■ Volkswagen Golf
1.9 TDI Match 5dr

£16,060
comes with 15-inch alloys, climate Civic £16,265
and cruise control. The Civic’s alloys Focus £16,630
are an inch bigger and it is the most Astra £16,935
powerful car here with 140bhp. The powerful Astra at least has 17-inch
Focus also has 16s, while the least wheels and sports suspension.

EMISSIONS AND TAX RATES

All the cars here fall into the same Golf 132g/km/18%
18% tax bracket, but the Golf is Civic 135g/km/18%
fractionally the greenest car here. It Focus 137g/km/18%
will cost £53 a month in company Astra 138g/km/18%
car tax for a 22% taxpayer, with the the Astra and the Focus carry with
Civic costing £1 a month more. Both them bills of £55 a month.

SMR COST
The Volkswagen Golf is the cheapest ppm/60k total
to service, maintain and repair over Golf 2.75/£1,650
its fleet life, mainly thanks to its Focus 3.03/£1,818
Astra 3.20/£1,920
variable service intervals. Both the
Civic 3.37/£2,022
Ford Focus and the Honda Civic
BY PHILL TROMANS From standstill, 62mph arrives in require a service every 12,500 miles, 20,000 miles without being taken to

An introduction to the Ford Focus

FACT FILE 10.8 seconds and should you find
a long enough stretch of private
while the Vauxhall Astra can last the garage.

probably isn’t needed. Since it

was first introduced in 1998, it’s
been as smash a hit for Ford as
smash hits can get, rarely out of
the top three of the fleet sales
charts and shifting more than one
million units in the UK alone.
Lauded for the daring styling of
the first incarnation, 2005’s mark
two was relatively dowdy,
although the superb handling and
practicality of the original model
remained.
Now, 10 years after it was first
introduced, the Focus is getting a
facelift and a few choice tweaks
aimed at keeping it towards the
top of the hatchback pile.
Where the outgoing Focus
looked dull, this one has the latest
Ford face, as seen on the new
Mondeo. It makes a huge differ-
ence – this is most handsome
Focus so far, and it looks as good
as it drives.
Although the new car costs
£250 more than the outgoing
Focus, ESP is now fitted as stan-
dard rather than being a £250
option.
Under the surface not a huge
amount has changed, with Ford
adopting the philosophy that if it
ain’t broke, don’t fix it. More has
changed with the model hierar-
chy. The Ghia trim is no more,
and the restructure range now
comprises Studio, Style, Zetec
and Titanium.
The Zetec is expected to be the
P11D value
CO2 emissions (g/km)
£16,630
137
BIK % of P11D in 2008 18%
Graduated VED rate £115
Insurance group 7 steadfastly refuses to be hustled.
Combined mpg 54.2
CAP RV (3yr/60k) £5,800/35%
Monthly lease (3yr/60k) £357
■ Now looks great
✔ ■■ Fantastic
Well made
to drive
■ Noisy engine
✖ ■ Wholelife costs
■ Highest fuel costs
best seller for fleets. It features
standard 16-inch alloys, sports
suspension and sports seats, the
wonderful Quickclear heated
front windscreen and a rear
spoiler.
While two 1.6 TDCi diesel
engines – with either 88 or 108bhp
– will appeal to businesses, none
were available to test at the time
Fleet News went to press. So we
tried the 1.8 TDCi, which puts out
113bhp and returns 54.2mpg.
Tarmac, you can reach 118mph.
With 207lb-ft of torque the
engine pulls well enough but
It’s pretty noisy in the first three
gears, but quietens down in fourth
and fifth, allowing for a more
serene motorway cruise. It also
requires a sustained pump of the
right foot to gather revs.
The Focus has always handled
well, and little has changed.
Ford’s engineers know when
they’re on to a winner, so there
are no dramatic new features to
the driving experience, just refine-
ments to make an already excel-
lent car even better.
The small criticisms that could
be levelled at previous models are
being gradually ironed away. This
latest incarnation is fun to drive,
practical, economical and good
looking.
Prices start at £11,945, with the
five-door 1.8 TDCi Zetec we drove
costing from £16,630. CO2 emis-
sions are lowish at 137g/km.
FUEL COST
With combined fuel economy of Golf 8.80/£5,280
56.5mpg, the Volkswagen is the Astra 8.97/£5,382
most frugal, costing just under Civic 8.97/£5,382
£5,300 over 60,000 miles. Close Focus 9.17/£5,502
behind are the Astra and the Civic, The Focus is fractionally the most
with identical mpg figures of 55.4. expensive to fuel, reaching 54.2.
DEPRECIATION COST
The prestige of the Volkswagen Golf 16.01/£9,606
badge and a CAP RV of 40% mean
the Golf holds on to its value very
Civic
Focus
16.77/£10,062
18.38/£11,028
well. The Civic also performs well Astra 19.80/£11,880
with an RV of 38%, but the Ford residual values, with RVs of 35%
and Vauxhall cannot compete on and 28% respectively.
WHOLELIFE COST
The Volkswagen is easily the Golf 27.56/£16,536
cheapest to run of the quartet, Civic 29.11/£17,466
costing almost £1,000 less than the Focus 30.58/£18,348
Civic over a three-year/60,000-mile Astra 31.97/£19,182
fleet life. It is the cheapest in every Focus is a great car, but costs nearly
aspect of fleet management. The £2,000 more to run than the Golf.
VERDICT
While the Focus is well specced and the most enjoyable to
drive, nothing can touch the Golf for costs. OK, it has
fractionally less kit than the other cars featured here, but it’s
hardly spartan and offers the prestige of the Volkswagen
badge, great residuals, an economical engine and good value
for money. The Civic is also a quality car, and outperforms the
Focus financially, but it can’t beat the Golf.
■ WINNER: Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI Match 5dr

www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 25
FUEL MANAGEMENT: FUEL CARD FRAUD
Price hike fuels fears of high
As petrol and diesel prices top £1 a litre, managing fuel spend is becoming more critical
BY PHILL TROMANS
I
nstability in the oil market, the
credit crunch in the US and a
multitude of other factors mean
that both petrol and diesel cost
well over £1 a litre, and many
fleets are feeling the pinch.
Keeping track of and managing fuel
spend is now more important than ever.
Many experts in the fleet industry recom-
mend using fuel cards as an efficient and
effective way of monitoring fuel usage
across the fleets.
But having a card that allows drivers to
instantly charge fuel to their employers
can be a temptation, and fleet managers
need to be vigilant for fraudulent use.
or some, the temptation to fill up a
‘
friend or family member’s car and charg-
THE RISE IN FUEL PRICES HAS,
IN PRINCIPLE, MADE FUEL CARDS
A MORE VALUABLE COMMODITY
26 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
ing it to the company is too much to
resist.
“The rise in fuel prices has, in principle,
made fuel cards a more valuable commod-
ity and, as such, they have become more
likely to be targeted for fraudulent use,”
says Mike Waters, head of market insight
at fuel and fleet management specialists
Arval.
Mr Waters says there is no evidence
that a rise in prices automatically means a
rise in fraud, but warns that it is as impor-
tant as ever to take steps to reduce dodgy
dealings.
“There are steps that fleet managers
can take to reduce overall levels of fuel
card fraud,” he says.
“Many of these preventative measures
can be put in place using the regular
management reports produced from fuel
’
cards. Fleet managers can clearly monitor
vehicle performance by the mileage-per-
gallon or pence-per-mile data available
from the fuel card management reports.
“This is a quick and easy way to spot
any sudden additional fill ups that could
be a result of fraudulent use.”
Hytek is a firm specialising in the
supply of fuel-related equipment, includ-
ing pumps and management solutions for
fleets.
Sales director Andy Sears says: “Unfor-
tunately, as the cost of fuel increases so
does the likelihood of fuel theft or fraud.
“Everyone needs fuel to keep their
vehicles running, and opportunities for
theft present themselves at the petrol
station or with drivers using fuel cards or
company credit cards to fill up.”
Mr Sears says fraud on fuel cards is
very difficult to spot.
“While you would notice a whole tank
of fuel going missing from one of your
vehicles overnight, it is trickier to spot
smaller amounts of petrol or diesel going
AWOL over time,” he says.
“Unpleasant as it is to contemplate,
theft of fuel by staff must be considered.
How can you be sure that all the fuel your
driver dispenses goes into his company
vehicle? It could be that she or he fills up
a private car or a friend’s van as well with
your fuel.”
Mike Waters recommends that, where
possible, each individual card is allocated
to a specific vehicle and its driver.
“When the driver reaches point of sale
at a fuel station the assistant taking
payment will need to check not only the
signature on the back of the card, but also
that the vehicle registration corresponds
with the fuel card being used,” he says.
“This method is clearly not fool-proof
and relies primarily on the vigilance of
staff at the point of sale, but it can work as
a deterrent to anyone considering filling a
vehicle that is not registered to the card.”
Other tactics include setting up alarms
on monthly management reports to flag
up suspicious increases in fuel use or
mileage. And simple checks such as
ensuring that drivers of diesel cars are not
hway robbery
buying unleaded fuel can also pick up with fuel cards is simply to be vigilant.
anyone attempting to swindle the Monitoring monthly expenditure and
system. remaining aware of any out of the ordi-
Those wary of fuel cards because of nary changes will enable fleet managers
the potential for abuse should not expect and business owners to detect any
life to be easier without them, Mr Waters misuse of company fuel cards.”
warns. Alternatively, should your budget and
“While abuse of fuel cards may appeal circumstances allow it, you could
to those presented with them, the alter- consider doing away with forecourts and
native option of pay and reclaim as a way install a private tank and pump on site.
of fuelling a fleet offers little respite,” he “Fuel cards offer you some protection
says. at the pumps, but having a pump at your
“Pay and reclaim creates increased depot or base allows you to keep tight
amounts of administration work and, control of your fuel and means you can
more importantly, does not have the buy in bulk to avoid price fluctuations at
benefit of management report data. the pumps,” Andy Sears says.
So, in fact, by opting for “Drivers can fill up away from
pay and reclaim as a petrol stations, and you can
preferred method of identify wasteful drivers, or
fuelling, fleet those vehicles using more
managers are fuel from your manage-
actually lessening ment data.
the control and “Such vehicles may
monitoring capa- simply need a service,
bilities they may maybe the driver is
currently have heavy- footed or
over the fleet. perhaps there is some-
“The best thing more sinister
advice for dealing going on.”

Monitor fuel use

and performance to
spot theft or fraud

www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 27
SAFETY: COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Technology takes control
in the safety revolution
Collision avoidance systems could save fleets £2.1 billion a year and help prevent 125,000 injuries
BY PHILL TROMANS
E
very so often tele-
vision shows have
a good laugh at the
expense of past
visions of the
future.
Rocket cars, hover boards
and the like have been touted
by futurologists since the 1950s,
and such predictions have
usually fallen hilariously wide
of the mark. Cars that drive
themselves? Ridiculous.
But hang on. Vehicles
running on nuclear power
might not be with us yet, but
self-aware machines that can
drive for us are much more of a
‘
reality.
WE’RE SEEING NEW
TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL
HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT
ON CRASHES AND INJURIES
COLLISION AVOIDANCE TECHNOLOGIES
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
STOP/GO
Systems such as Mercedes-Benz’s
Distronic Plus use radar to detect
the vehicle in front slowing down or
stopping. The car automatically
Some technology that allows
cars to take over aspects of
control from the driver is
already with us, and more
sophisticated versions are on
the way.
Safety is the driving force
behind such systems, and with
duty of care such a key concern
for fleet managers, the emer-
gence of new technology needs
to be monitored carefully by
businesses.
Motoring research organisa-
tion Thatcham is spearheading
a campaign to increase aware-
ness of collision avoidance
technologies.
Technologies that scan the
road ahead and take action to
either warn the driver or inter-
’
maintains a safe distance and will
slow to a stop if necessary.
COLLISION MITIGATION
BRAKING SYSTEMS
These systems, such as Honda’s
vene first appeared a few years
ago in luxury cars such as the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class. They are
now starting to filter down to
volume cars.
Various systems are available,
but all have similar principles.
Technologies such as radar or
lasers detail obstacles in front of
the car and identify collision
threats. They warn the driver
through audible, sensory or
visual alarms.
Some go further. Various
systems pre-charge the brakes to
ensure maximum braking power
when the driver hits the middle
pedal. Others apply the brakes
automatically.
Matthew Avery, Thatcham’s
research manager, says: “Protect-
ing the driver in the event of a
crash is our primary concern.
“But prevention is better than
CMBS feature, are starting to
appear in volume models. They use
radar to warn of potential collision
threats ahead, retract the seatbelts
and sound an audible warning to
the driver.
cure. It would be better to avoid
the crash in the first place and
that’s exactly what these technol-
ogies are doing.
“We’re seeing new technolo-
gies that will have a significant
effect on crashes and injuries in
the future.
“Three-quarters of crashes
occur at under 20mph. Front to
rear low-speed shunts are the
most common types of crash.
“If fleet vehicles had effective
collision avoidance technologies,
more than £2.1billion could be
saved in the UK each year, and
125,000 injuries could be
prevented. Some of these systems
could be standard on future
models.
“This is just the beginning
of the collision avoidance
revolution.”
A common fear of technologies
LOW SPEED AVOIDANCE
Volvo’s City Safety system uses a
laser-based technology. It brakes the
car automatically at low speeds,
and will be standard in the
forthcoming XC60.
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 29
that take over some control from
the driver is that motorists could
start relying on them, rather than
treating them as a safety net.
Keen not to be seen as taking
responsibility away from drivers,
many manufacturers are trying
to find ways to ensure their safety
systems are a last resort only.
Volvo’s City Safety system (see
panel below) is purposely
designed to be a fairly unpleasant
experience, according to Mr
Avery.
“A big question is, will drivers
adapt their driving styles and let
them take over?” he says.
“This system’s intervention is
so late and direct it doesn’t let
drivers do that. The systems are
not infallible. The driver always
remains in control and that’s an
important philosophy that we
want to promote.
“It’s a concern to us that
drivers will expect these tech-
nologies to save them and we
need to investigate that. It is a
driver aid, it doesn’t allow the
driver to pay less attention and
start catching up on emails.
“Thatcham is doing a lot of
research into the effects of these
systems and we will publish more
data when we have it.”
While investigations into the
psychology of drivers using the
systems continues, manufactur-
ers are already working on the
next generation systems, which
will be capable of reacting to
pedestrians and taking control of
the steering systems. But right
now, each firm has its own brand
of technology, and Thatcham is
keen to see uniformity develop.
“We would encourage the
common naming of systems and
common interfaces.
“The warnings given should
be the same between vehicles so
you know the noise the vehicle is
making is a common one – that
you’re about to have a crash, do
something about it, not that the
lights are on or the boot isn’t
shut,” Mr Avery says.
There are still many issues to
be worked out with collision
avoidance technologies, but at
the rate they are developing and
expanding, they seem set to be a
common feature of vehicles in
the near future.
TYRE MANAGEMENT: ENERGY SAVERS
Award-winning tyres are
put through their paces
Michelin claims its new range of tyres cut fuel use, reduce wear and lower CO2 emissions
BY PHILL TROMANS
T
he choice of tyres
you use on your
car can have a
profound impact
on the cost of
driving, both financially and
environmentally.
Experts estimate that around
20% of the fuel used in every
vehicle is accounted for by tyre
choice, and in this eco-conscious
age the major tyre manufactur-
ers are doing their bit to mini-
mise the impact their products
have.
Most of the more recognisa-
ble tyremakers now have a low-
rolling resistance tyre in their
range. Rolling resistance is key
to the efficiency of a tyre, and
while all of the firms will tout
the benefits of their own tyres,
Michelin may have slightly
more kudos behind them.
Michelin first introduced low-
rolling resistance tyres in 1992,
and has just seen its fourth
generation tyre, the Energy
Saver, awarded Tire (sic) Tech-
nology of the Year by Tire (sic)
Technology International maga-
zine in the US.
In an effort to spread the
word of the benefits of low-
rolling resistance tyres,
Braking hard: a Kia Cee’d
fitted with Michelin’s
Energy Saver Tyres
Michelin invited Fleet News to a
comparison demonstration of
the Energy Saver tyre against its
main competitors.
Michelin claims that using
them could reduce tyre con-
sumption rates by a quarter, and
that vehicles running the tyres
emit 4g/km of CO2 less than a
competitor tyre. Fleet manage-
ment firm Arval, a keen advo-
cate of the tyre, says a fleet of
200 vehicles could save £84,000
over three years.
Pierre Menendes, corporate
and technical communications
manager for Michelin, said:
“One tank of fuel in five is used
to make the tyres roll.
“Tyres all look black and
round but they are not the same.
Tyres generate heat, due to the
bends and stresses they suffer
on the road. All the time your
tyre turns it deforms, it doesn’t
stay round – the contact patch
with the road is flat.”
Heat generated equals energy
lost, and reducing heat loss
boosts energy efficiency,
meaning less fuel is needed to
move the tyres.
“But the problem is that for
grip you have to quickly heat up
the surface of the tyre,” Mr
Menendes says.
“A cold tread will not
have the same level of grip. It’s a
contradiction. If you want to
improve rolling resistance
youwant to decrease heat build-
up, but you have also decreased
the heat build-up for the surface
of the tyre. With standard tyre
technology if your rolling resis-
tance gets worse you get the
better grip and vice versa.”
Michelin’s engineers say the
answer lies with silica, the main
ingredient in the compound
making up Energy Saver tyres.
Its properties make it possible
for heat in the mass of the tyre
to remain low while the surface
temperature heats up fast.
“The traditional trade-off was
also between traction and wear,”
Mr Menendes continues.
“The Energy Saver has the
same adherence but with the
same level of wear. It is 10%
lighter than our previous tyre,
the Energy 3.”
Michelin says no other brand
of tyre attains the same levels
of grip, fuel savings and long-
evity, and claims a 40% wear
advantage.It was ready to back
it up with some demonstrations,
independently monitored by
French huissiers de
justice, or
professional
witnesses.
CLAIMS PUT TO THE TEST
TEST ONE – WET BRAKING
Longevity and environmental
friendliness are all well and good,
but tyres need to be effective on
the road. The first demonstration
saw tests on a fleet of Fiat 500s
equipped with 14-inch tyres.
As well as the Michelin Energy
Savers, the cars sported
competitor tyres in the form of
Bridgestone B250s, Continental
EcoContact3s and Goodyear
DuraGrips.
They were tested on wet
Tarmac, with both journalists and
instructors invited to brake hard at
around 50mph. A GPS system
measured the braking time from
43.5mph (70kph) to zero, to avoid
inaccuracies in approach speed.
After dozens of runs, the results
were averaged out and distance
figures reached for the Michelin
tyres and the combined
competitors.
The results saw cars equipped
with the Energy Savers stop in an
average of 24.6 metres and the
competitors in 27.4 metres – a
2.80 metre advantage.
This was borne out by my own
experience – the Michelins
seemed to dig in to the road
surface towards the end of the
braking time, and slip on the
surface less than the other makes.
TEST TWO – WET HANDLING
This test was much less scientific –
two identical Volkswagen Golfs
and two Kia Cee’ds were equipped
with a set of Energy Savers and a
set of competitor tyres, and sent
out on a wet handling track.
It was an opportunity to test
the tyres back to back and, to be
honest, there was very little
difference. Only when really
‘
pushing the cars – far more than
FROM THE SELECTIVE
DEMONSTRATIONS, THE
TYRES ARE IMPRESSIVE IN
THEIR OWN RIGHT
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 31
one would do on the road – could
any separation be detected, and
although it was in the Michelin’s
favour (again under braking) it
was a miniscule difference. Safe to
say though, that the Energy Savers
are certainly no worse than other
low-rolling resistance tyres when
it comes to performance on road.
TEST THREE – FUEL
CONSUMPTION
This long-distance test saw two
identical Mercedes-Benz C-Classes
sent out to cover 102km around a
test track. Each car contained a
driver and an independent
adjudicator and had the air
conditioning turned off before
embarking on the journey at
identical speeds.
One car was shod with
Michelins, the other with
Bridgestone B250s. At the end of
the test, the car running Energy
Savers achieved fuel consumption
of 41.8mpg, while the Bridgestone
car made 39.5mpg.
CONCLUSIONS
With any demonstration organised
by a party with obvious interests
in the result it’s difficult to take
the conclusions at face value, but
Michelin seemed to take steps to
ensure its tests were fair and the
results independently verified.
Without back-to-back or long-
term comparisons on the road it’s
impossible to give a definitive
opinion on the Energy Saver tyres
compared to its rivals, but from
the selective demonstrations it’s
clear they are impressive in their
own right. If the claims of
potential savings from Michelin
are even partially accurate, the
latest low rolling resistance
technology is worth looking into.
’
 Recruitment Call Daniel Bragg: 01733 468271
email: daniel.bragg@emap.com

Brighter future
F L E E T T E C H N I C A L C O M P L I A N C E M A N A G E R – H E RT S - £ 3 0 K + C A R
 Working as part of a small team the post holder will be required to liaise closely with vehicle users across the
group and with suppliers to ensure the fleet is fit for purpose and that value for money is obtained.
 This is a new role within the department in recognition that the company must ensure full compliance in legal,
health & safety and duty of care issues.
01235 536440 The successful applicant will have:
 Good working knowledge of vehicle engineering preferably demonstrated by holding a technical qualification e.g.
www.steele-dixon.co.uk C&G or BTEC;CPC National.
For more information please contact ed@steele-dixon.co.uk or call Ed Steele on 01235 536 440

Vauxhall Motors is part of the wider General Motors Group, the largest vehicle manufacturer in
the world with a global turnover in excess of $185 billion. They are one of the largest and most straight talking : smart thinking : fast acting
established players in the UK automotive market, with an enviable portfolio of Brands and are
looking for results driven candidates for the following positions:

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Commercial Vehicle Fleet Sales Manager
East & West Midlands
Reporting to the National Commercial Vehicle Sales Manager, you will be a field based member
of the Fleet Sales team responsible for maximising Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle Fleet sales within
a defined territory. You will be responsible for contract negotiation; relationship management and
improving the sales yield from your specific customer base. You will also build and maintain excellent
working relationships with relevant parties, including Vauxhall specialist Commercial Vehicle retailers
within your area of responsibility. You will work closely with the fleet contact team within their defined
area of responsibility to maximise Commercial Vehicle sales in the existing 25+ fleet market.
Commercial Vehicle Development Managers
Kent, Sussex & Hampshire & London
Reporting to the National Commercial Vehicle Sales Manager, you will be a field based member
of the team responsible for maximising and managing Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle Retail sales
within a defined territory. You will be the key Commercial Vehicle contact, working closely with and
developing the Commercial Vehicle Sales Specialists with the Vauxhall Heavy and Light Van Retailer
networks. You will also be responsible for negotiating additional sales direct with Retailer generated
local business users as well as monitor and enforce Vauxhalls Commercial Vehicle Retailer standards.
You will be self-motivated and results driven with the ability to communicate, present and negotiate
at all levels. You will be used to working in a target driven environment and possess good
administration and IT skills. Knowledge of the Commercial Vehicle motor industry and financial
funding is essential. This role is ideally suited for somebody with motor manufacturer, contract hire
or dealer group experience but the position is open to all.
If you would like to work in a challenging and fast moving environment, then we would like
to hear from you. Postal applications, including CV, current salary package, and why you are
suited to this role to: Louise Thompson, Vauxhall Motors Ltd, Griffin House, Osborne Road,
Luton, LU3 1YT or e-mail: louise.thompson@uk.gm.com
Closing date for applications – 20 March 2008.
(Employment Agency) Adecco is an equal opportunities employer.
Number Plate Recognition Systems - North
£35K Basic • OTE £50K (uncapped) • Car/Allowance • Excellent Benefits
As an innovative developer of state-of-the-art parking solutions our client now partners
some of today’s largest retailers. Their solution allows retailers to utilise parking space more
effectively and generate statistics on usage. You will develop key business within retail and
public sector, personally generating leads and managing the business through
implementation. Your experience of selling big-ticket, contracted solutions and negotiating
at senior level will lead to success in this exciting role. Ref. CA5606
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Contract Hire & Fleet Management - North/East Midlands
£30K Basic • £45K OTE • Company Car • Excellent Benefits
Established over 30 years ago, our client is a Top 50 UK leasing company with a name
recognised for its reliability and cost effective solution offering. You will deliver contract
hire and fleet management solutions to customers with fleets of up to 300 vehicles. This is
an exciting opportunity for a proven relationship builder to join a business with a
supportive infrastructure and ambitious future growth plans. Ref. CA5490
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Contract Hire/Fleet Mgmt - 1 x Yorks/N. East & 1 x N. West
£35-40K Basic • £50K OTE • Company Car • Pension • Health • Flexible Benefits
An exciting opportunity to be part of an organisation which plans to double in size over the
next 12 months. If you have been looking to break into a top 25 leasing organisation this is
the role for you. You will be tenacious with the ability to open doors and sell a true
business solution within the 100+ fleet marketplace. This is a fantastic opportunity to prove
your skills in a highly lucrative industry. Ref. CA4241
NORTH SOUTH
Manchester High Wycombe
Marc Bridges/Claire Anderson Will Gardner/Gregg Dampier
0161 601 7766/7760 01494 538866/538855
manchester@dwc.co.uk fleet@dwc.co.uk

daniel williams consultancy

Sales and Marketing Recruitment Specialists

adecco.co.uk www.dwc.co.uk

A L A S TA I R A M E S
always
the right
To advertise here person
call Daniel Bragg for the job

on 01733 468271
Specialist Search and Selection
To view a variety of current positions visit our website www.alastairames.co.uk or ring for details.
Tel 0207 917 1855 Fax 0207 917 1856 alastair@alastairames.co.uk 211 PICCADILLY, LONDON W1V 9LD

32 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
Your views, your queries, your chance to get involved
FLEET CV
Jenny
Bradley
Fleet and
travel services
controller
Tyko
Electronics UK
Describe your fleet
We have 310 vehicles in total
– 30 vans and 280 mixed-
badge cars.
How did you start
working in fleet?
I joined Tyco Electronics UK
seven years ago and have
been earning more and more
about the fleet industry ever
since. I also manage corpo-
rate travel.
What is your favourite
aspect of the job?
It’s different everyday, with
so many varied things to deal
with and so many different
challenges. And fleet is a
constantly changing
industry.
And your least favourite?
I hate dealing with invoices
and always having to check
that we are being charged
correctly.
How is the industr y
changing?
It’s changed a lot over the
years, especially as a result
of the strict duty-of-care
procedures that companies
have to put into place.
What item could you not
live without?
Our Roadbase Database, and
my colleague Sarah Fiddes,
without whom I would not
have such an efficient fleet
department.
SETTLING IN
Kate Adams
Daily rental
sales
manager
Daimler-
Chrysler
Fleet
Management
Long hours cause
staff absenteeism
BY EMMA COOPER
An overwhelming majority of fleet
managers put in unpaid overtime
purely in order to meet their high
workloads.
Figures from the Chartered
Management Institute (CMI)
found that 94% of transport
managers regularly work over-
time, with the average fleet
manager putting in 1 hour and 18
minutes over their contracted
hours each day.
One third of them do so by
choice. However, most fleet oper-
ators (52%) work extra hours to
meet deadlines and stay abreast
of industry changes.
APPOINTMENTS
Hazelwood
joins Skoda
Skoda UK has appointed Robert
Hazelwood as brand director. He
replaces Chris Craft and will be
responsible for the strategic
development of the Skoda brand
in the UK. He joins from
Volkswagen, where he worked as
brand director for its commercial
vehicles sector and as head of
synergies at Volkswagen UK.
How was your first day?
I was made to feel completely
welcome by everyone.
How does your new role var y
from your last one?
I previously worked for a daily
rental company but DCFM
offers a portfolio of fleet
management products, so I’ve
Find your
favourite
s
Letters – p35
LeasePlan’s managing
director David Brennan calls
for more joined-up thinking
on national road charging.
Helpline – p37
CMI, advised companies to be
more aware of the overall
impact of long hours on staff
productivity.
“Many organisations focus on
the cost of absence to their organ-
isations, yet are not addressing
the root causes of absenteeism,” How do you make sure
she said. the driver training firm
“In today’s results-driven envi- you select is not going to
ronment, output is more impor- let you down?
tant than input, so two questions
need to be answered: why are First car – p39
employers ignoring the impact of
Companies need to be aware of long hours on the health and
the impact of long hours performance of their employees
and what responsibility are
Jo Causon, director of market- employees taking for how they
ing and corporate affairs at the manage themselves?”
Val South’s first company
■ email: fleetnews@emap.com car – a Vauxhall Viva – never
let her down in two years.
Kibsgaard in charge at BMW UK Competition – p39
Klaus Kibsgaard has been named managing director of BMW UK. Mr
Kibsgaard replaces Jim O’Donnell and will be responsible for the
strategic promotion and development of the brand in the UK. He was
previously president of BMW Portugal and has held a number of
senior European-based roles within General Motors.
TTC appoints new directors
Driver training company the TTC Group has named Malcolm Jones Win a £500 Road Angel
and Pauline Hall as directors of its TTC 2000 scheme. The pair will be Navigator 9000 satellite
responsible for the financing, customer liaison and day-to-day running navigation system.
of the programme, which provides training courses for convicted
drink-drivers. Mr Jones has 20 years’ experience in driver training.
Job of
the week
O’Connor joins cfc solutions ADECCO, VAUXHALL
Vivien O’Connor has been appointed as business development Various positions,
executive at fleet software specialists cfc solutions. She is charged nationwide p32
with developing sales of the company’s FleetPlus software system for
use by larger fleets. She has an extensive background in IT.
been exposed to much more How is the daily rental pricing and service analysis, I
than purely daily rental. market changing? am currently working on various
Manufacturers are demanding tenders and growing our daily
What is the biggest challenge higher prices for vehicles. It’s rental business.
you’ve faced so far? difficult to continue being
Understanding DCFM’s daily competitive without margins Where is your favourite
rental offering and where we sit decreasing. holiday destination?
in the marketplace. I believe we A recent trip to Cuba was a real
now have a competitive product What are you working on? eye-opener. It’s beautiful but also
for our target customers. Having recently completed a fascinating.
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 33
Recruitment Call Daniel Bragg: 01733 468271 email: daniel.bragg@emap.com
A more individual approach A more individual approach

Corporate Sales Development - Midlands

Up to £35k Basic + uncapped OTE Executive Search – Selection – Due Diligence
From an office/home base in the Midlands, the successful candidate will be
responsible for opening new Contract Hire corporate accounts. This is an Every Automotive and finance business is different, even those that sell
exciting opportunity to join a significant, well established and fast growing the same product or service; in recognition of this will open recruitment
Contract Hire business with great career growth potential. bring you your individual people needs?
Using over 40 years automotive and finance Industry experience
Fleet Services Manager – Tyne and Wear
together with our growing presence in the recruitment sector means, not
£30k Basic + Bonus, Benefits.
only can we meet our clients' requirements in our marketplace, but
Our client, an FN top 20 Contract Hire business is seeking a Fleet Services
maintain a results-orientated relationship based on our ability to be
Manager.Managing a team of 8 Maintenance Controllers in authorising
flexible, fast paced and informed.
dealer repairs on contract hire vehicles as well as planning and
implementing a maintenance strategy which includes the use of “1 link” We are motivated by finding tomorrows leaders for our industry,
platforms. both for our clients and ourselves.

BDM – Finance, Large Ticket- M4 Corridor Please contact us to set an exploratory meeting
£30k Basic + OTE + Bank Benefits
Something quite different - the ideal candidate will have a full understanding mail to info@nicholasrecruitment.co.uk
of asset finance products including contract hire and ideally daily rental
vehicles. Working from a home base but with National support to provide
www.nicholasrecruitment.co.uk
funding for major fleets. As a well established Bank brand, our client can
TEL:01889 591554
offer successful people, real career growth opportunities.

Enquiries@Nicholasrecruitment.co.uk
Nicholas Recruitment Ltd Nicholas BA Ltd
For a confidential discussion ask for Derek Webb on TEL:01889 591554 Doveleys Manor Park Wilmot House
For on line application and more vacancies go to Denstone St James Court
www.nicholasrecruitment.co.uk ST14 5BZ Derby DE1 1BT

Fleet services Call Dee Kennedy: 01733 468275 email: dee.kennedy@emap.com

Driver Training Vehicle Management

Drive your fleet forward with

expert engineering services 0870 400 7573
www.fleet-technique.co.uk

Software

If you want to Driver Training

advertise on
this page call It’s your legal responsibility… RoSPA Driver and Fleet Solutions
From risk assessment tools to driver training

Dee Kennedy
on 01733 468275 Call: 0121 248 2023 Email: fleetsolutions@rospa.com
Visit: www.rospa.com/drivertraining

34 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
LETTERS ■ Email: fleetnews@emap.com. Please include name, job title, company and address
Tired of
unhelpful
advice
How typical of Sir Mark Moody-
Stuart to fire off about banning
cars which do not achieve more
than 35mpg, when owning two
cars himself that can’t even get
up to 20mpg (February 28).
I’m tired of toffee-nosed twits
like him pontificating about what
we should be doing, while sitting
in his ivory tower living life
exactly as he pleases.
It is hard enough for us fleet
managers running our cars and
vans to the best of our ability
against mounting legislation
without having people like him
sticking their noses in.
I do my best to run an environ-
mentally-friendly fleet but it isn’t
easy. We actually had a Toyota
Prius like Sir Mark for a few days
for appraisal and we found it
wasn’t returning any better miles
per gallon than some of our diesel
cars.
And what about vans? We can’t
even get miles per gallon figures
for most commercial vehicles, so
how on earth are we supposed to
ensure we buy the most fuel-
efficient models?
If Sir Snooty Moody-Stuart
wants to do something useful,
how about a campaign demand-
ing that all van manufacturers
publish their mpg and CO2 emis-
sions figures – the law at present
states that these figures must be
gathered by the manufacturers
but they don’t have to publish
them.
But, I suppose he probably
owns an Aston Martin van, too.
PETER WITHERS
By email
Counting costs of
congestion charges
I read with interest articles in
Fleet News in recent weeks
concerning the London conges-
tion charge. With the various
changes, challenges and uncer-
tainties surrounding the scheme
in the nation’s capital, it seems
little attention is currently being
paid to how similar schemes
would work if set up in major
cities throughout the UK.
With a number of local authori-
ties in the UK considering their
own road pricing initiatives,
there’s a danger that businesses
could be hit hard unless a
centralised approach is taken.
If a number of individual
congestion charges are operated
throughout the UK, business trav-
ellers may have to register sepa-
rately for each scheme. Those
that make regular trips between
major cities would then have to
pay a number of different conges-
tion charges individually – creat-
ing a blizzard of paperwork with
Fuel card decision can be a mistake
With the new financial year
looming, firms may be review-
ing their free fuel policies and
encouraging their staff to think
about their fuel allowance.
While free fuel remains an
attractive benefit for some,
given the cost implications due
to the tax changes (an increase
to the fuel benefit charge multi-
plier was announced in the
multiple registrations and multi-
ple payments.
In addition, the increased trans-
port costs for companies that
regularly have employees travel-
ling between the country’s big
towns and cities could prove
significant.
To avert this situation, a
centralised approach must be
adopted from the very beginning.
Any discussion focused on
setting up a congestion charge
Chancellor’s pre-budget state-
ment which will see it rise from
£14,400 to £16,900 on April 6
this year), employees may
consider their position.
Unfortunately, some compa-
nies link the provision of a fuel
card to the free fuel benefit and
drivers that choose to relinquish
the benefit also have to return
their fuel card. However, taking
Interface
should have involvement from
central Government from the
outset. I’m open to ideas as to who
can fill that centralised role,
whether it be someone like the
Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency or a newly-formed central
Government body. Either way,
there’s a definite need for it.
DAVID BRENNAN
Managing director,
LeasePlan UK
this decision will often be an
expensive mistake.
By dropping the fuel card,
businesses are losing the tool
that can best help them manage
fuel consumption and CO2 emis-
sions.
MIKE WATERS
Head of market insight,
Arval
Tell police
to get on
their bikes
With reference to your story
about blue-light fleets and
accident rates (February 14),
perhaps someone has over-
looked the obvious way to
ensure such accidents are
minimised.
Simply take away their
vehicles and give them bicy-
cles instead.
Think of the fringe bene-
fits. It’s green, meaning less
pollution. It’s great PR that
the police are no longer
killing and maiming so many
innocent members of the
public on the roads.
Police officers will be
getting valuable exercise, so
will be much fitter – all the
better for “restraining” real
criminals. They will also be
less of a drain on the NHS,
later in life.
Surely a win-win situation,
don’t you think?
ALAN DARCY
Lascar Electronics

ONLINE POLL FleetNews COMMENT

Does your company
pay your drivers’
parking fines? If so, 100
go to Fleetnews. 80
co.uk and vote “yes”
in the online vote. 60
Click on the button 40
at the bottom left of
the homepage. Tell
us why by email to:
fleetnews@emap.
20
LAST WEEK’S POLL The Department for Transport (DfT) is paying its
drivers’ parking fines.
It’s only small amounts of money (£6,000 last
Does your company’s
environmental policy year) but either the parking restrictions are
include driver
training? inappropriate and prevent DfT drivers going
about their essential business, in which case they
need to be changed, or the drivers just aren’t
trying hard enough. And knowing their employ-
ministers need big, fast cars and British fleets are
among the most watched in the world.
You would imagine, watching TV shows like
Spooks and The Last Enemy, that any burly driver
at the Government Car and Despatch Agency
who is mindful of security, would be more than a
match for your average parking attendant. Just a
chilling stare would have that ticket pad slipped

0 42% 58% ers will bail them out with taxpayers’ money is
not much of an incentive.
The normal excuse trotted out these days is
quietly back in a pocket.
Ah, but now, of course, you don’t need a traffic
warden to issue a ticket. It can all be done via
com YES NO that of “security”. Security is the reason why those “security” cameras.

FREE GIFT Get a letter published in Fleet News and you’ll receive a fantastic
512Mb computer memory stick worth £15 courtesy of fleet soft-
ware and occupational road safety specialist Jaama. The stick can
be filled with your own documents, presentations and spread-
sheets for easy movement between computers and locations.
■ E-mail: fleetnews@emap.com or write to: The Editor, Fleet News,
Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA. Please
include name, job title, company and address. By writing
to Fleet News you agree to have your details passed on to
Jaama and may receive offers from or in association with
Bauer Consumer Media unless you state otherwise.

www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 35
 Fleet services Call Dee Kennedy: 01733 468275
email: dee.kennedy@emap.com

Leasing

Fuelcards Insurance

Risk Management

Please mention FleetNews

when calling or e-mailing

If you want to advertise on this page call

Dee Kennedy on 01733 468275
36 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
HELPLINE ■ Do you have a problem with your fleet? Email: fleetnews@emap.com
Interface
DRIVER TRAINING FOREIGN

Education can help to

DRIVERS
Q One of or drivers had a
damage-only accident
with a Polish man who was

cut fleet running costs

insured with an English
company. He admitted guilt
and gave us his insurance
details and we got a quote to
get the damage fixed.
However, he has failed to

Q I’ve finally been

persuaded – reluctantly,
I might add – that we should
■ Does it have verifiable case
studies and an impressive client
roster, demonstrating its track
report the accident to his
insurance company and they
won’t pay out until he does.
put our drivers through a record? I’ve called him several times
training programme. I’ve ■ Are its courses Driving and he has failed to answer
heard there are a few ‘sharks’ Standard Agency-approved? me. What can I do?
out there and don’t want to be ■ Are all the practical trainers
conned, so what should I look
for in choosing a driver
training company?
both Aprroved Driving Instructor
qualified and on the Driving
Standards Agency Fleet Register?
A If you have any indepen
dent evidence to corrobo-
rate your version of events such
■ Is the organisation ISO 9001 as a witness, photographs or a

A It’s a shame that you appear

reluctant to implement a
driver training programme.
If carried out professionally
and efficiently, it should not only
take care of your employee duty-
of-care needs but also signifi-
cantly reduce your fleet running
costs.
Perhaps you imagine that
driver training means signing up
to relatively expensive on-road
practical training for all your
drivers. It shouldn’t.
This is a good start point in
solving your problem because
any supplier worth his salt
should be treating your case on
an individual basis and tailoring
any interventions to your
particular circumstances.
A driver training programme can fulfil duty-of-care requirements
The supplier should also be
able to provide you with all the
services that the training
programme dictates.
Many smaller providers just
don’t have the infrastructure to
cope with a truly all-
encompassing driver risk
management programme, for
that is what we should be talking
about here.
There are several measures for
identifying a reputable driver risk
management supplier:
■ Does it have a comprehensive
suite of interventions to cover
your needs, both practical and
online-based?
accredited or equivalent?
■ Can it boast good customer
retention?
■ Has it won industry recognised
awards for excellence?
■ Does it provide reliable and
meaningful data, allowing you to
monitor and measure the efficacy
of the training programme on an
ongoing basis?
■ Will it provide one dedicated
point of contact to whom you can
refer if you have concerns or
queries?
■ Lastly, is the supplier solvent,
credible, successful and growing?
STEVE JOHNSON
Director of
communications,
DriveTech (UK)
written admission from the
driver, you should submit these
to the third party’s insurer for
their consideration.
Otherwise, your only
alternative will be to consider
taking legal action, issuing
proceedings against the driver
and his insurer, with the insurer
named in proceedings as what is
known as ‘second defendant’.
If you win your case, the
insurer will be required to meet
the judgement.
However, keep in mind that if
you pursue legal remedy and
lose, you could be further out of
pocket.
MARTIN SMITH
Claims manager,
Norwich Union

LEASING TENDERS

Q At present I super vise a

fleet of 50 cars.
However, my company is
looking to take on more
vehicles and I have started
thinking about changing our
leasing arrangements. How
can I make sure I get the
best deal?
A The best way to ensure a
good deal would be to ask
the leasing companies you’re
interested in to tender or
compete for the business.
If you don’t want to go
through a total tender process
then invite several companies in
to present to you on how they
would manage your fleet in your
best interests.
You will start to get a feel for
what’s on offer and decide
which option/company would
work best for you.
Visit their premises, get a feel
for their working environment
and, if you can, break away from
the guided tour and speak to
members of staff – always a
good way to understand their
culture and whether or not they
are the right people to supply
and look after your fleet.
LYNNE BUNDLE
Fleet manager, Pfizer

WINTER ACCESSORIES
Q One of my employees reckons
that it is up to the firm to
provide company car drivers with
winter accessories such as scrapers
and de-icer. Surely he can’t be right,
can he?
that warrant these sundry items.
If it were a workshop floor or a
factory machine then the sundries
needed to sweep the floor or clean down
the machine would be provided by the
company.
It is true that these sundries can also
things the costs incurred by such
sundry items are minuscule, especially
as many such items as scrapers are
given away free as marketing aids.
The benefit-to-cost ratio of a scraper
and a can of de-icer every winter
compared to the driver’s safety and the

A In the eyes of Health and Safety

Executive, the company car is an
extension of the work place.
Therefore, when it comes to making
sure the vehicle is “fit for purpose” then
yes, scrapers and de-icer are needed.
This is to ensure the vehicle is fit for
purpose because it is used in conditions
be used when the company vehicle is
used for the driver’s personal use. So
yes, there is a benefit-in-kind to the
employee.
But, it can be argued that is why the
employee is also taxed on the benefits of
the car and its usage.
However, in the whole scheme of
condition of the company asset (vehicle)
if damaged in an accident as a result of
such sundry items not being used is
surely what duty of care is all about.
LIONEL HIPKISS
Transport manager,
Mereway

www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 37
 To advertise
advertise call
FLEET SUPPLIERS GUIDE To
Dee Kennedy
call
FLEET SUPPLIERS GUIDE Sponsored
Sponsoredby Enterprise Rent-A-Car
byEnterprise Rent-A-Car
Sheryl Graham
01733
01733468275
468256

Nobody is closer to your

car rental needs
Enterprise Rent-A-Car maintains unrivalled coverage with more
than 300 rental locations in the UK and Ireland. In fact, Enterprise
is within 10 miles of 91% of the UK and Ireland population*.

*Autofocus 2005 enterprise.co.uk

Software Fleet Software Solutions Fleet Software Solutions

www.carcost.co.uk

Fleet Services Fleet Services Fleet Funding & Management

Occupational Road Risk 0800 085 4128

Training and Consultancy marketingrequests@ltsba.co.uk
www.bigredfleet.com www.lloydstsbautolease.co.uk
Email: info@bigredfleet.com
Telephone: 01303 298250 Best Fleet Leasing & Management Company for the third time in five years

Marketing Services Fleet Consultancy Fuel Cards

Fuel cards
made easy
T: 0845 270 1614
E: info@fuelcards.co.uk
W: www.fuelcards.co.uk

Insurance Insurance Brokers Driver Training

GAP Insurance www.rentalbusiness.aon.co.uk

Avoid Financial Risk! “Discover�why�hundreds�of�rental�operators�choose�Aon�Rental�Business�
Services�as�their�insurance,�risk�management�and�claims�partner”
Protect your company’s fleet of cars, vans or
trucks whether leased, financed or owned. Tel:�0118�929�5064

Body Shop Repair Contract Hire Contract Hire

Fast, Cost-effective, Safe, Fleet Repairs

www.ajc-bodyshop.com

Franchise Dealer Contract Hire Contract Hire

For the best deals in Skoda, Dodge, Chrysler & Jeep...

Enterprise Rent-A-Car for your vehicle rental needs

...call Beth on 020 8225 5860 Tel: 01784 221 329 Email: uksalesteam@erac.com
Ask about our unique pick-up (or delivery) service www.yourfleet.co.uk
www.marlborough.uk.com www.enterprise.co.uk The best car leasing deals for business and personal users. Available to view online

For all your vehicle rental requirements, contact Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Tel: 01784 221 329 Email: uksalesteam@erac.com Web: www.enterprise.co.uk

38 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
AND FINALLY...
You couldn’t make it up...
Real-life stories about your fleet’s dimwit drivers
fuelcards.co.uk – helping to make fuel cards easy
EVENTS
FLEET NEWS AWARDS
March 10, Grosvenor House
Hotel, London. 01733 468123
www.fleetnewsawards.com
GREEN FLEET SEMINAR
March 10-11, Meadowhall,
Sheffield.
Contact 01142 210378
INSTITUTE OF CAR FLEET
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL
MEMBERS’ CONFERENCE
March 11, Honda Institute,
Colnbrook, Berkshire.
www.icfm.com
FLEET NEWS RISK IN FLEET
CONFERENCE
April 22, National Motorcycle
Museum, Birmingham.
www.riskinfleet.co.uk
ACFO REGIONAL MEETINGS
Fleet operators’ association ACFO
holds regular regional meetings.
For details, visit www.acfo.org
MY FIRST COMPANY CAR
I received my first company
car, a Vauxhall Viva, when I
was learning my way around
the fleet industry as a purchas-
ing assistant.
At the time, I was so proud
to get a company car and it
NEWS QUIZ
Win a Road Angel sat-nav
This week, readers have the
chance to win a Road Angel
Navigator 9000 satellite
navigation system worth £500.
The Navigator 9000
combines GPRS and mobile
phone networking to provide
real-time traffic and weather
updates, as well as alerting
drivers to fixed and mobile
speed cameras and accident
hotspots.
Drivers can send and
receive live vehicle locations
and update planned routes on
to the system using their
mobile phone or computer.
The system also has an
improved menu layout and
traffic re-route facility and
allows users to store videos,
gave me everything that I
wanted.
Looking back, I realise how
basic the car was, with no
power steering, no ABS or
electric windows and an old-
fashioned stereo.
However, it wasn’t that bad.
It kept me in one piece for two
years and never gave me any
problems.
VAL SOUTH
Fleet manager, Xerox
Interface
‘
My previous boss was
always running late.
On one occasion I
expected him to have left for
CONTACT US
Fleet News, incorporating Company Car, is
a flight and enquired when
published by Bauer Automotive, Media
House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2
he would be leaving. He had 6EA. Phone 01733 468000. Fax 01733
468296. Email fleetnews@emap.com
no idea when his flight was,
but it left in less than 90 EDITORIAL
EDITOR
minutes (we were 45 Martyn Moore 01733 468024
minutes from the airport). martyn.moore@emap.com
I said I would go with him DEPUTY EDITOR
Julian Kirk 01733 468308
and bring his car back to julian.kirk@emap.com
the office – a big mistake. NEWS EDITOR
Daniel Attwood 01733 468294
Getting out of traffic, he daniel.attwood@emap.com
floored his Mercedes-Benz, SECTION EDITOR
’
Adele Barry
getting it up on two wheels (currently on maternity leave)
outside the terminal. MOTORING WRITER
Such was the scary nature Phill Tromans 01733 468314
phill.tromans@emap.com
of the trip that I now always REPORTER
ensure he leaves plenty of Emma Cooper 01733 468309
emma.cooper@emap.com
time to catch flights. SUPPLEMENTS EDITOR/EVENTS
John Maslen 01733 468307
john.maslen@emap.com
Email stories about your drivers CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
to fleetnews@emap.com Steve Moody
steve.moody@emap.com
All entries published will
remain anonymous. If yours is ADVERTISING
chosen you’ll receive £10. COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
Ian Warrington 01733 468583
KEY ACCOUNT DIRECTORS
Fuelled by Andy Smith 01733 468339
Peter Millis 01733 468268
Derek Hunter 01733 468280
PROJECT MANAGER
Leanne Patterson 01733 468332
TELESALES MANAGER
Penny Care 01733 468375
RECRUITMENT EXECUTIVE
Daniel Bragg 01733 468271
CLASSIFIED EXECUTIVES
Sheryl Graham 01733 468256
Dee Kennedy 01733 468275
PRODUCTION
HEAD OF PUBLISHING
music and pictures via the sat- 1 According to an R AC Sandie Hurford 01733 468312
nav’s new media function. survey, what percentage of sandie.hurford@emap.com
Find out more at www. motorists send text SENIOR ART EDITOR
Luke Neal 01733 468262
roadangelgroup.com messages while driving? luke.neal@emap.com
PRODUCTION EDITORS
For a chance to win, answer 2 When does the Vauxhall
Andrew Ryan 01733 468310
the following questions, based Agila go on sale ? andrew.ryan@emap.com
on articles in this week’s Fleet 3 Who has been appointed Alan Salt 01733 468267
alan.salt@emap.com
News. Skoda UK’s brand director? DIGITAL PRODUCER
Last week’s winners of Jeremy Bennett 01733 468298
Halford’s Rapid Digital Tyre jeremy.bennett@emap.com
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Inflators were: Albert Taylor, Colleen Dixon 01733 468306
Clays, Bungay; Andrew colleen.dixon@emap.com
Roydon, HDNL, Whiston; PUBLISHING
and Adam Todd, Shepherd MANAGING DIRECTOR
Ed Kenyon 01733 468862
Homes, York. ed.kenyon@emap.com
MANAGING DIRECTOR’S PA
Vicky Meadows 01733 468319
vicky.meadows@emap.com
Send your answers, with your job title and address, by email* to fleetnews@emap.com with
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR
‘News Quiz’ in the subject line. The closing date is 5pm on Friday (tomorrow), when a winner
will be chosen at random from the correct entries. *By supplying your email address you are Rob Munro-Hall
happy to receive offers via email from Fleet News. We will not pass your information on to
SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
other parts of Bauer Publishing Group and/or third parties.
£99 UK (two years £168, three years
£238), £149 Europe and Eire (two
years £253, three years £358). Call
01733 468659 for special offers
Back issues: 01858 438847
NEXT WEEK 13.03.08 Printing: Headley Brothers Ltd,
Ashford, Kent
SHOW TIME © 2008 Bauer Automotive.
ISSN 0953-8526. No part of this magazine
All the new cars may be reproduced without the permission of
the publisher. You can purchase words or
from the Geneva pictures for your own publications. Phone
01733 465982 or email syndication@emap.
Motor Show com. Fleet News will not accept responsibility
for unsolicited material. Member of the Audit
Bureau of Circulation
Your business
COMPETITION needs Fleet News
CAREERS and a subscription
The importance Win an Avanquest is great value.
of networking laptop lock for your car Call 01733 468659
or email: caroline.brown@emap.com
www.fleetnews.co.uk 06.03.08 39
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Beat congestion charge
with Ford
T
wenty eight currently
available Ford car
models will be exempt
from the London
congestion charge when it is
revised on October 27 – and the
list will grow as new models join
the range during this year.
London mayor Ken Livingstone
has announced that, from that
date, cars emitting less than
120g/km of CO2 and meeting the
Euro IV standard for air pollution,
or that produce no more than
120g/km and appear on the
PowerShift register, will be given
a 100% discount.
Say goodbye to misfuelling woes
Misfuelling is costing British fleets
and private motorists around
£750 million a year, according
to the AA, which says at least
150,000 drivers misfuel every
year.
Fleets running the latest Ford
Mondeo and Focus models are
saying goodbye to expensive
misfuelling, thanks to Ford’s Easy
Fuel system, which prevents
drivers from filling up with the
wrong type of fuel.
The Ford Kuga on sale in June
and all new Fiesta in the autumn
will also be fitted with Easy Fuel
as standard.
The news comes as UK
breakdown services deal with
twice as many incidents of
motorists putting the wrong fuel
in their vehicles as a decade ago.
The Easy Fuel system, with a
patented mis-fuelling inhibitor,
consists of a sealed filler pipe
insert and fuel nozzle locator that
guides the nozzle to the tank
opening. The insert contains a
40 06.03.08 www.fleetnews.co.uk
It means that drivers of 12
current Focus models, 14 Fiestas
and two Fusions will not have to
pay the daily £8 charge to drive in
London. And because they emit
less than 120g/km of CO2, they
already only have to pay £35 a
year vehicle excise duty.
The Fiestas producing less than
120g/km of CO2 are powered
by the 68PS 1.4-litre Duratorq
and 90PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi
engines, and Fusions by the 90PS
1.6-litre Duratorq.
The Focus models which will
be exempt are powered by the
1.6-litre Duratorq, both 90PS and
mechanically operated diameter
detector which only allows the
larger diesel fuel nozzle to be
inserted into the filler pipe, and
locks out the thinner petrol
nozzles.
Pouring petrol into a diesel
engine can cause expensive
damage to the fuel pump and
high-pressure injection system,
as well as triggering other serious
engine problems and four-figure
repair costs.
Twelve currently-available Focus
models will qualify for 100% discount, saving
£8 a day when charging is revised in October
109PS versions, and including
ECOnetic.
Focus 1.6 TDCi models
return an impressive 62.7mpg
combined, while 1.6 ECOnetic
versions return an even more
impressive 65.6mpg.
The all-new Fiesta later this
year will continue to be offered
with the 1.4- and 1.6-litre Duratorq
engines, and with an ECOnetic
unit with CO2 emissions of less Standard equipment levels on all
than 100g/km. S-MAX models have been improved
“Tackling climate change is
a key priority for the mayor,” Bluetooth is now
said a Transport for London
standard on S-MAX
spokesman.
The Ford S-MAX now has advanced
Bluetooth® technology fitted as
standard across all specifications.
Titanium trim now adds Solar
Reflect Windscreen, ambient lighting
and chrome door handles plus lower
grille. The Titanium X pack now
includes bi-xenon lights.
Galaxy also has Bluetooth
technology installed as standard
while Ghia trim level adds new
ten-spoke 17-inch alloys, Solar
Reflect Windscreen, ambient
lighting and rear compartment air
conditioning.
A new Ghia X plus pack, with
18-inch alloys, bi-xenon lights and
powered rear quarter windows
complements the full leather trim and
panorama roof to create the ultimate
New Mondeo was the first Ford Galaxy.
fitted with the Easy Fuel system
For further information on
any vehicle in the Ford
range please contact the
Ford Business Centre on
08457 23 23 23, email
info@fordfleet.co.uk, or
visit www.fordfleet.co.uk