Coupé de grâceAudi’s A5

tested p21

Staying legalDealing with Christmas excesses p5

NEWS P3 NEW LAUNCH P15 CAREERS P31 COMPETITION P39Record numbers of vehicles are being seized and destroyed in a crackdown

on uninsured drivers, thanks to the use of automatic numberplate recogni-tion technology.

Online remarketing service Autoquake has appointed Gary Hobson (pictured left) as chief executive officer. Keep in touch with who else is on the move in our Careers section.

She’s the darling of many drivers. And now Radio 2’s traffic reporter Sally Boazman – better known as Sally Traffic – has written a book, and we’ve got six copies to give away to lucky readers.

FleetNewsBusiness motoring strategy and finance

22.11.07 £2.25fleetnews.co.uk

HELPING

YOU RUN A

CHEAPER CLEANER

SAFER FLEET

Training targets at-work drivers

Fuel frenzyPrices keep on rising p24-25

As fuel prices top £1 per litre, rising petrol and diesel prices are having a growing impact on the types of company cars being bought and how they are driven.

When asked to list the most important factors when construct-ing a fleet, 90% of managers with responsibility for choosing and running company cars cited fuel economy as the fastest growing factor – up 14% year on year.

What’s more, 88% said fuel costs were having an impact on the number of business miles covered by their company cars, a rise of 7% compared to the same period in 2006, indicating that some managers are encouraging drivers to consider alternatives.

This is supported by other figures in GE Capital Solutions’ quarterly Company Car Trends report, which suggests that home working is having an increasing influence on company car mileage.

Environmental issues are showing similar rises in impor-tance to fuel and are mentioned by 6% more managers of company cars than the same period 12 months ago.

“Company car managers are becoming ever more conscious of the need to reduce the environ-mental impact of their activities and a fleet that has more fuel efficient vehicles and covers fewer miles is one that will produce a lower carbon footprint,” said Rich Green, managing director at GE Fleet Services.■ Four-page fuel management special starts on page 24

Fuel cost now biggest factor in fleet choice

Driving Standards Agency initiative aims to educate motorists for lifeBY PHILL TROMANS

Motorists who drive for work are to be targeted as part of an overhaul of the learner driver system.

The chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), Rosemary Thew, has confirmed that she is planning to focus on fleet drivers as part of the agency’s policy to offer at-work drivers continual develop-ment throughout their careers.

The DSA is at the centre of a Department for Transport plan to radically reshape the way new drivers learn. However, the plan stretches beyond new drivers and will have an additional focus on developing drivers’ skills after they have qualified.

“We need to do more to help drivers develop and maintain standards for life, especially for those driving for work,” explained Ms Thew.

“It’s about attitude, knowledge and exposure to driving on the road. Our driving instructors do a very good job but the existing system no longer reflects the demands of the modern world.”

The proposals, which will be open to public consultation, will be published in the coming

weeks and follow the announce-ment of a comprehensive review of driver training in January by the then transport minister, Stephen Ladyman.

The Government’s focus on motorists who drive for work means fleet drivers can expect to be targeted in the coming months. It will complement a campaign by the DfT, which is also aimed at improving the safety record of at-work drivers.

“One-third of all fatalities are work related and this element

has been under-estimated in the past,” said Ms Thew. “We need to address drivers’ attitudes towards driving throughout their driving career.”

The DSA chief executive said the approach would also need employers’ cooperation. “We need continued learning modules – for example, driving for work. Employers now have a responsibility so we are looking at raising awareness and ensur-ing that employers have the tools they need,” she said.

Ms Thew outlined a four-strand approach, covering education, training, testing and driving for life. “A fundamental overhaul of the driving test and learning process is now needed if new drivers are to be adequately equipped to drive safely on our busy roads.”

Ms Thew said the consulta-tion exercise is an opportunity for all stakeholders to contrib-ute. “There does seem to be a genuine feeling of a need for change,” she said.

The Driving Standards Agency wants at-work drivers to undergo continued learning modules

With the launch of the new Ford Mondeo and Renault Laguna, the upper-medium sector is on the up at the moment. Now Mazda has added more momentum with its impres-sive Mazda6.

EVENTS ROUND-UP

Euro fleet experts lined up for Brussels conference

Golf victoryThe Volkswagen Golf has been named the ACFO car of the year after being praised for delivering operational performance, wholelife cost control and driver appeal as well as an appealing environmental benefit. The Ford Transit Connect has been named fleet light van of the year for the fifth time while, for the 13th year in succession, the Transit is ACFO’s fleet panel van of the year.

Dealer awardsAM, Fleet News’ sister publication, invites fleet managers to nominate their best dealer for the 2008 AM Awards. With your help, AM wants to applaud the best dealership, best bodyshop and best car repairer. Have your say, and email nominations to am@emap.com

Cover by emailMotorists can now receive their motor insurance certificates by email. The insurance industry has been calling for a change in the law for some time citing environmental as well as operational benefits.

Speedier probesRoad closures in Essex following serious crashes should be reduced thanks to new technol-ogy. GPS satellite enabled equipment means police can make a virtual map of an accident scene much quicker. It also helps them to gather vital evidence and get motorists back on the move sooner.

NEWS

IN BRIEF

2 22.11.07 www.fleetnews.co.uk

Some of the industry’s leading experts on European fleet have been confirmed for the annual Fleet News Europe Conference.

The conference, in Brussels on February 7, will cover a range of key issues affecting European fleet suppliers, including green fleet in Europe, market expansion, the future of residual values, fleet safety,

technology, the manufacturer viewpoint and an international perspective.

Among the speakers will be Vincent Rupied, international director of the Corporate Vehicle Observatory; Pascal

Serres, vice-president, ALD International; Alan Carpenter, Director – Volvo Car Interna-tional Fleet Sales; Paul Lauria, president, Mercury Associates; and Andy Leech, business leader at cfc solutions.

Full details on the conference are available on the dedicated Fleet News Europe website at www.fneurope-conference.com

The website will be updated as additional speakers are announced. It also provides speaker biographies and information about the venue – the Marriott Hotel, Brussels.■ For information, ticket sales and sponsorship enquiries, call Luke Clements on 01733 468325 or email luke.clements@emap.com

ppl/ppgDIESEL..............................105.1/478SUPER UNLEADED........107.5/489UNLEADED......................101.2/460FOUR STAR......................103.1/469LPG......................................49.3/224

UK FUEL PRICES

More crashes caused by overseas driversBY DANIEL ATTWOOD

Fleet operators are being warned that the number of accidents involving foreign drivers on the UK’s roads, which are already disproportionately high, will continue to rise. The warning has implications for companies who employ foreign drivers as well as those who have workers using the UK’s roads.

The advice follows the publica-tion of a new report – European Drivers – Crossing Borders Safely – by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), which found that foreign drivers caused 18,000

road crashes in the UK in 2006 – a 47% rise since 2001.

The most dramatic rise was with Lithuanian drivers, who caused 746 crashes last year compared to just one in 2001. But it was Polish drivers who caused the most crashes – 3,132 – of any foreign driver group.

Workers who drive abroad must be made aware of the rules of the road in the countries they are driving in, or fleet operators will be failing to meet their duty-of-care obligations. The advice comes on the back of new research which found that UK drivers were involved in 5,000

accidents while driving in Europe last year.

“More effective action is needed at both a national and European level to ensure that we can enjoy all the benefits of a larger single market without compromising road safety,” said Stephen Haddrill, ABI director general.

The ABI has called for improve-ments in the sharing of informa-tion. So far just 11 countries have signed up to the EUCARIS system, which allows driver and licence information to be checked by other EU countries. With so few countries signing up to EUCARIS,

it remains difficult for fleet manag-ers to check the validity of a foreign driver’s licence or whether it has endorsements.

Cathy Keeler, from road safety charity Brake, said: “This report confirms what Brake already feared: the lack of coordination of driving legislation and enforce-ment across Europe means drivers feel they can get away with not sticking to, or under-standing, local laws.”

A coalition of motoring and road safety groups has been established by the ABI to investi-gate the extent of the problem and recommend action.

Biofuel crops having impact on poorer countriesMPs are raising questions over the long-term viability of biofuels, claiming the Government is signing up to treaties on its production without considering the effect on poorer countries.

Speaking at an international development committee in the House of Commons, Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone, also a member of the influential environ-

mental audit select committee, said: “Given the current state of biofuel technology, foodstuffs are being diverted from human consumption to produce biofuel.

“It seems that we are busily signing the UK up to the Euro-pean targets on biofuels without considering the disastrous conse-quences that those targets might have in driving up food prices.”

In June the price of corn in Mexico rose by 400% because of the demand in the USA for the crop to produce bioethanol.

Increasing numbers of scien-tists and politicians are question-ing the ability of biofuels to provide a lower carbon alternative to petrol or diesel.

A number of MPs have signed an early day motion which noted

that the Low Carbon Vehicle Part-nership had admitted that proposed biofuel sustainability or carbon savings certification will not account for the multiple displaced effects of diverting land from food production. Problems they say include higher food prices, deforestation, human and wildlife displacement and major land-use change.

Audi gives hint to the futureThis soft-top soft-roader from Audi is widely tipped as a preview of the forthcoming Q5 4x4.

Take away the showcar glamour touches – such as the unnecessarily massive carbon ceramic brakes – and add a roof, and you’ll have a good idea of what rivals like BMW’s X3 will be

worrying about in 2009. Unveiled at the LA Auto Show, the Cross Cabriolet quattro also showcases a diesel engine that claims to be the world’s cleanest.

The 3.0-litre V6 TDI pumps out 237bhp and, thanks to AdBlue technology, nitrogen-oxide emis-sions are reduced by up to 90%.

1link liverySoftware provider epyx has chosen a new logo for its fleet of 1link MINIs. The design will be used on the new generation of MINIs as they start to make their way on to the 1link fleet.

BT reductionFollowing 50,000 BT drivers completing an occupational road risk online programme and related training, the company has cut its fleet costs and vehicle collision rates by 40%. Since 2002, IAM Fleet has been assisting BT with its scheme to reduce occupa-tional road risk.

DfT cash boostThe Department for Transport departmental expenditure limit for 2007-08 will be increased, subject to parliamentary approval, by nearly £200m from £12,907,737,000 to £13,105,578,000 and the administration budget by £30 million from £259,297,000 to £289,384,000.

Defective tyresRoad safety group TyreSafe has given its support to a road safety campaign by Hertfordshire Constabulary after it identified defective tyres as one of the top five causes of death and injury on the county’s roads. The other factors included excessive speed, drink-driving, illness, fatigue and distraction, and not wearing a seatbelt.

Rolling roadblockA second driver has been convicted for breaching a rolling roadblock set up by Highways Agency traffic officers on the M60. He was fined £220 (plus £300 costs) and his driving licence endorsed with four points after he was caught using the hard shoulder to pass the roadblock.

IN BRIEF

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 3

■ More cars per motorway mile than any EU nation.■ 23rd by ratio of motorway length to GDP, behind Lithuania and Poland.■ 19th by people per motorway mile, just ahead of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.■ 14th by density, just ahead of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania.

BRITAIN’S MOTORWAY NETWORK

BY EMMA COOPER

The Government is planning to double the number of penalty points issued to speeding motor-ists, meaning drivers could lose their licence after two offences.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that a consul-tation looking to create a sliding scale for offences will begin before Christmas.

In a 2004 discussion paper, the department suggested increasing the punishment for those driving excessively over the limit.

The paper proposed a six point, £100 fine for drivers travelling at

45mph in a 30mph zone, 57mph in a 40mph zone and so on.

The DfT hopes to confirm these new measures after the consultation process, during which it will also discuss lower fines for less serious infringe-ments.

“We want to hit serious speed-ing offenders here and we’re trying to make things a bit clearer for drivers,” said a DfT spokes-man. “The idea is to try and make the punishment fit the crime. We haven’t ruled out giving two points for lower speeds. All this is still being discussed.”

Paul Smith, founder of

SafeSpeed.org.uk, criticised the proposals. He said: “This is just one more dangerous mistake in a catalogue of dangerous mistakes.

“We all know that exceeding the speed limit isn’t automatically dangerous.”

However, Cathy Keeler, head of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, welcomed the Govern-ment’s proposals and called for even greater punishments.

“Fines must act as a deterrent to protect vulnerable road users. A £100 fine still belittles the sever-ity of a crime which can rob someone of their life in seconds,” she said.

Speeders to be hit by stiffer penalties

The UK’s motorway network has been ranked at the bottom of the EU–27 based on the number of cars per motorway mile.

The findings are contained in the annual compilation of road statistics by the Road Users’ Alli-ance (RUA).

Director Tim Green pointed out that, like its European neigh-bours, the UK’s economy depends on its road network.

“Motorways carry 92% of our passenger traffic and 88% of our freight and despite vastly supe-rior rail infrastructure similar figures still prevail in Europe, where only 7% of passengers travel by rail,” he said. “Yet with relatively low car ownership and the worst congestion in Europe, we continue to pursue the notion that congestion charging and public transport can resolve our transport problems.”

HSBC Vehicle Finance has revamped its contract hire propo-sition following feedback from its commercial customers.

The bank’s vehicle finance business has developed three new contract hire products: ■ FleetExpress – a simplified contract hire product for smaller fleets that allows businesses to fund their vehicle requirements, spreading the cost over the life of the agreement.

■ FleetSure – which enables busi-nesses to better control fleet running costs over the life of company vehicles.■ FleetSolve – a consultancy-based product designed to give large fleets impartial advice around the key issues affecting fleet and business requirements.

“We recognise one size doesn’t fit all in this market,” said Peter Hollinshead, head of HSBC Vehicle Finance.

“Businesses need a range of different products to suit their needs.

“We’re taking care of the major tasks: helping to reduce risks and business operating costs, and generally taking the hassle out of running a fleet.”

Further details on HSBC Vehicle Finance’s range of prod-ucts and services can be found by visiting the website www.hsbc.co.uk/vehiclefinance

UK bottom in motorway poll

Record numbers of vehicles are being seized and destroyed by the police in a crackdown on unin-sured drivers.

The use of automatic number-plate recognition technology has led to more than 100,000 unin-sured vehicles being seized by the police in roadside checks so far this year, compared to 78,000 during 2006.

Of these, some 45,000 have been crushed.

Ashton West, group chief exec-utive of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which runs the database of all UK insured cars, said: “The fight against uninsured drivers has now stepped up a gear, and we expect vehicle seizure numbers to increase over the coming months.

“Equally encouraging is the reduction in reported claims to the MIB, which were almost 4% down last year.

“On current trends the reduc-tion is likely to be even greater by the end of 2007.”

Nick Starling, from the Associa-tion of British Insurers, added: “Uninsured drivers are a menace. They often drive unroadworthy vehicles and the cost of compen-sating their victims adds an extra £30 a year to premiums paid by honest motorists.”

With the number of uninsured UK drivers appearing to fall for the first time, the Government is now coming under increasing pressure to address the growing problem of uninsured foreign drivers.

While data is scarce, the insur-ance industry has indicated that not only is the number of crashes involving foreign drivers rising at an alarming rate, but so is the number of those who are driving uninsured foreign- registered vehicles.

The Minister for Transport, Jim Fitzpatrick, confirmed that his department was aware of the

problem. “We are currently in information gathering mode,” he told Fleet News.

Record seizures of uninsured cars

Some 45,000 vehicles have been crushed by police so far this year

HSBC launches contract hire products

Companies are being advised to ensure they have a robust drug and drink policy in place before the festive season gets underway.

And those companies that already have a policy should re-mind their drivers of the risks of drink-driving and of the rising number of morning-after convic-tions.

Every year 90,000 motorists are convicted of driving with excess alcohol in their blood.

Fleet managers are advised that just getting drivers to agree to a company policy on not drink-ing and driving does not ensure compliance.

According to Avoidd Training

and Education, it’s all very well saying ‘don’t drink-drive’ – but drivers need to also know when they will be alcohol-free the next day to be safe to drive.

Extended licensing hours have pushed drinking later into the night and early hours which,

together with the inevitable increase in consumption, has increased morning-after convic-tions. As a result, morning-after offences continue to rise – now almost one-in-five convictions are on the way to or at work – often in a firm’s vehicle.

In addition, recent changes in law and procedures have allowed police to carry out field impair-ment tests to determine whether there is evidence of impairment through drug use.

The roll-out of field impairment testing will also impact on drink- driving, as police turn their new expertise towards drink-drivers.

With appropriate training, these tests can be carried out by fleet managers and key HR staff, enabling them to check employ-ees suspected of being impaired in the workplace. Having estab-lished impairment, a company drugs and alcohol policy will determine what happens next.

NEWS

Arval shocker Arval has highlighted the results of common errors behind the wheel with a dramatic re-enactment of a crash. Employees, customers and schoolchildren watched a recreation of a 35mph crash involving three car passengers and a cyclist, with the help of local emergency services.

Green hireAn environmentally-friendly rental company, Green Motion, has opened its first branch in Oxford. The company aims to provide corporate customers with the chance to hire green vehicles from a green company. Green Motion offers the sub-100g/km Volkswagen Polo Blue-Motion alongside low-emission Citroëns and hybrids from Honda, Toyota and Lexus. The company says more than 70% of its fleet will emit less than 120g/km of CO2.

RAC loses MDFollowing restructuring of the RAC, which will see the business become integrated into Norwich Union Insurance, Debbie Hewitt, RAC managing director, has said she will leave the company in summer 2008.

IN BRIEF

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 5

Risk management? We’re with you all the way.

In today’s world things change on a regularbasis and the responsibility to complywith ever changing legislation is fallingfurther onto the shoulders of the companyand those responsible for running the fleet.But how can you be sure you have coveredall the bases?

Simple – if you have 50 vehicles or more call ING Car Lease today to discussour no-obligation Risk Management Health Check, one element of ourcomprehensive risk management product, Risk Assist. This short audit ofyour current procedures is designed to help protect you, your colleaguesand your business from the worst.

If you would like to discuss our Risk Management Health Check please call0870 402 8242 or e-mail info@ingcarlease.co.uk

Fleet insurers face law change BY DANIEL ATTWOOD

A new rule governing fleet insur-ers will give insurance companies less time to upload data to the Motor Insurance Database (MID).

From January 2008, any policy changes, including the addition of new vehicles, will have to be registered within seven days, rather than the current 14.

The rule change is designed to make it easier for the authorities to detect uninsured motorists.

The change follows the recent introduction of an online service, at www.fleetnews.co.uk, that allows motorists to check whether the car they are driving is on the

MID database (Fleet News, October 18).

Fleet managers in particular have been advised to ensure that every vehicle on their fleet is on the database. If they discover that a vehicle’s details are missing, they should contact their broker or insurer immediately. Failure to do this may result in a driver being stopped on suspicion of driving while not insured.

John Close, insurer relations director at AA Insurance, explained: “Police use automatic number plate recognition technol-ogy, which instantly cross-checks registration numbers against the MID. If a checked vehicle is not on the database the equipment

alerts police who can then stop it. If the driver can’t prove that he or she is covered, the car could be confiscated.”

The MID rule change follows a successful year during which, for the first time, the number of unin-sured drivers on Britain’s roads showed signs of falling.

Nevertheless, according to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which runs the MID, the annual cost to the insurance industry of accidents and injury caused by uninsured drivers is more than £500 million.

These claims are met by the MIB and financed by a levy on insurance companies equating to about £30 per policy per year.

New impairment tests are being used to identify drivers using drugs

Increase in morning-after drink-drive offences

Drivers reject high-occupancyvehicle lanesAnti-congestion schemes being trialled by the Government have been greeted with contrasting enthusiasm by motorists.

The majority of motorists welcome the opening of motor-way hard shoulders to traffic during peak times, but reject plans for designating a lane exclusively for car sharers.

A recent survey by Motorpoint found that whilst motorists welcomed the use of the hard shoulder lane to help cut motor-way congestion, 87% of drivers said they would not be happy if the extra space was turned over for the exclusive use of high occupancy vehicles (HOV).

The Government began trials of HOV lanes, commonly known as car share lanes, in Birming-ham this week, and HOV lane trails will begin on the first motorway in Yorkshire – the M606 – next spring.

NEWS

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 7

When the contract hire concept was introduced, its major selling point was providing a method of business motoring at a fixed cost. Customers paid a set charge each month in return for a car. Since then however, things have changed. Additional charges have crept into the system and the concept of paying a fixed amount every month and then giving the car back is gone.

Unexpected charges are a surprise nobody wants and many fleet managers are caught out because they haven’t budgeted for these charges at the end of the contract. The items to look out for include:■ End of contract dilapidation charges. Most contracts have a damage threshold of £100 - 200 with everything else being recharged to the customer. It goes without saying companies should look for the highest possible threshold.■ It’s a very common process for contract hire firms to charge for the remaining tread on tyres that get damaged. If, for example, half of it remains they will charge for the unused portion of the tyre. No one intentionally damages a tyre - look for contracts that provide unlimited tyres.■ Many contract hire companies regard running out of fuel or locking keys in the car as driver error. Some will charge for roadside recovery cost, which can be £70 or £80 a time. Look for contracts that do not recharge for these events.

These extra costs create additional administration and conflict with drivers because of the extra administration and worry over who has caused the damage. Fleet managers have to get authority to sign off expenditure that wasn’t budgeted for; which isn’t likely to endear them to their finance departments! Fleet owners often don’t think about these things until they happen. They may not envisage them happening but across a fleet, staff do incur minor dents and scratches; they also have accidents and catch tyres on kerbs for example.

All these little, often unforeseen, issues and their associated charges should be considered when comparing contract hire firms. What seems like the cheapest price option may not be, once all the possibilities have been considered. Fleet managers need the confidence that their contract hire provider will be transparent from the very beginning, building in overall costs for the unexpected into their agreement.

Further details on HSBC Vehicle Finance’s contract hire products and services can be found at: www.hsbc.co.uk/vehiclefinance

Avoiding the risk of unforeseen costsBY PETER HOLLINSHEAD, HEAD OF VEHICLE FINANCE, HSBC BANK PLC

FINANCE MATTERS

Small details make a big differencewww.hsbc.co.uk/vehiclefinance

In association with HSBCCall to scrap Galileo projectBY EMMA COOPER

The Commons Transport Committee has warned that the cost of the European Union’s (EU) satellite navigation project, Galileo, is spiralling out of control and that serious consideration should be given to abandoning the project.

The plan to launch 30 EU satel-lites to rival America’s GPS system has over-run by millions of pounds and is at least five years behind in development. It was originally due to go into operation next year.

The project, which should benefit European motorists and emergency services, has been publicly funded since its incep-tion, with the total cost estimate rising from £2.3 billion to £6 billion.

British taxpayers have provided

£189 million of funding so far and look set to contribute a further 17% of the total bill, unless the situation changes.

In a recent report, the commit-tee advised that no further invest-ment be made by the Government until the EU can come up with more concrete information on the cost and outcome of the scheme.

The committee said that the EU’s projected benefits for the project “appear fanciful”.

“It would be entirely unaccept-able to proceed with the Galileo project at this stage,” the commit-tee said.

“The best cost-benefit solution at this stage might be to scrap the programme entirely.”

The Galileo project is five years behind in its development

Speed not cause of rural crashesA freedom of information request to the Department for Transport has revealed that more than 90% of all rural road injury crashes in 2006 did not involve exceeding a speed limit.

Of those crashes that in the police’s opinion could have involved excess speed, 2% were rated as “very likely” to include speeding and 2% were rated as “possibly” including speeding. However, the figures, which were obtained by the anti-speed camera

pressure group Safe Speed, are based on police officers’ opinions formed at the scene of the crash.

“Contributory factors are the opinions of police officers based on the evidence available to them at the time of reporting the acci-dent,” explained a spokesman for the Department for Transport. “As a result, some contributory factors may be less likely to be reported. The two factors directly relating to speed may be difficult to determine after the event.”

Safe Speed’s Paul Smith says the figures prove that the UK’s speed camera policy is flawed.

“These figures make an abso-lute mockery of the speed camera programme. We have long known that it had failed to save lives and this is why – we never had a ‘speeding problem’ in the first place,” he said.

“The DfT must now own up to its mistake, scrap speed cameras and refocus road safety resources on actually saving lives.”

EUROPEAN NEWS

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 9

Fleet News Europe is sponsored by

www.bca-europe.com

www.fleetnewseurope.com

FleetNewsEurope

BY KEITH NUTHALL

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has weakened the value of saleable CO2 emission permits, which would be issued to company car fleets should road transport be included in the European Union’s (EU) emissions trading regime.

The issue is currently under consideration by the European Commission, which is drafting a green paper on which sectors should trade greenhouse gas emissions from 2013.

Transport is currently excluded from the EU emissions trading system, but it could be included from 2013 if administrative and monitoring problems can be over-come. This could mean govern-ments issuing CO2 permits to road users, which could be sold if

a company reduced its CO2 emis-sions by – for example – switch-ing to hybrids.

But last week the ECJ ruled that national governments had the right to withdraw such permits without compensation if they considered too many had been released.

Its ruling said: “The fact that the ex-post adjustments at issue

are liable to deter operators from reducing their emission rates is not sufficient to call into question the adjustments’ legality.”

It backed a German govern-ment system which allows permits to be withdrawn in instances where a company slashed its emissions by more than 60%, compared with those emitted when first surveyed by the national permit authority.

The British Government has been especially keen that the commission considers including road transport in the EU emis-sions trading system, noting in a Department for Transport paper, emissions trading “could sit alongside other forms of direct intervention to reduce road trans-port CO2 emissions such as the use of biofuels, fuel efficiency, and eco-driving”.

Fleets may lose out in CO2 trade

The European Union Council of Ministers has blocked European Commission proposals that flat-rate road taxes be scrapped across Europe in favour of levies varied according to vehicle CO2 emissions.

While ministers agreed this week on the need for “fiscal measures in passenger car taxation for the purpose of discouraging environmen-tally damaging behaviour”, they did not agree an EU directive was necessary to order this in all 27 EU countries. As a result, the current Portuguese presidency of the EU is to consult with the EC on whether the proposed law should be watered down or abandoned.

Proposals for flat-rate road taxes are blocked by EU

Fleet managers have until December 31 to tell the European Commission about a possible pan-European road charging system. The public consultation is part of the EC’s preparation for major proposals due next June on covering the external costs created by transport. These include pollution, CO2 emissions and congestion.

Pan-European road charging

Greenhouse gas emission permits are under scrutiny

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www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 11

BY JULIAN KIRK

Mazda is aiming to move its new 6 upper-medium car into a “semi-premium” market along with the Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord.

The manufacturer is hoping the strong residual value forecasts and relatively low volumes, as well as improved build quality and sporty styling, will push the car above the volume players and into an area of the market just below the premium German models.

James Hopkins, Mazda UK’s fleet and remarketing director, said: “Residuals for the new 6 are just one point behind the Passat and are five to six points up on the current model.

“This has given us more of an uplift than Ford or Renault enjoyed with new versions of the Mondeo and Laguna.

“We’re looking to target the Passat and Accord – we see the 6 evolving into the semi-premium market.”

Around two-thirds of the 14,000 new Mazda6s will be sold to fleets

– around the same level as with the current car.

Mr Hopkins added: “This gives us one of the lowest fleet shares in the segment, which works well in terms of RVs and stock manage-ment. This will allow us to make significant steps forward.”

The main focus for Mazda will be

with user-choosers, especially with the estate which goes on sale in February. Around a fifth of sales will be estates, up from the 10% of the current range.

Mr Hopkins said: “We’re seeing a number of fleets taking 4x4s off choice lists because of the CO2 situation. However, these people

still want a big car and the estate is the natural place for them to go.”

Mazda has also reduced the price walk from the hatchback to the estate – it is now £700 compared to the current model’s £1,100 premium. Mazda6 launch – page 15

This week’s vehicle market news and information Edited by Julian Kirk

MONDAYFlew three and a half hours to what might well have been another planet – Erfoud in southern Morocco, to drive the all-new Jeep Cherokee.

The terrain is barren, hostile and demanding. I have never driven across a desert before, and didn’t know what to expect – it was worse and more exciting than I could have imagined.

The most fun was tackling a 10km stretch over sand

dunes, some as high as a four-storey building.

The new Cherokee, due out in June, has a fresh new exterior look, much improved on the current car, and it is longer by 27cm. The interior is also much improved – it’s not up to German quality yet, but getting there.

The 2.8-litre CRD diesel engine produced more than enough power despite what we put it through in 10 hours. The 4x4 system coped admirably with all the conditions, although I did get it stuck going up a large sand dune. The instructors did tell us to give it full power up the dune, and also back down to keep it going – I bottled it at the top when I couldn’t see

anything apart from blue sky but they quickly towed us out and we were on our way again. I have been on hundreds of new car launches, but never heard the words “amazing”, “incredible”, “unbelievable” and “fantastic” so many times in one day.

It takes a brave manufac-turer to let people like me loose in a difficult and unpredictable part of the world, but the Cherokee did prove many times it is a true off-roader, with the comforts of a family saloon.

The 2.8 CRD Limited automatic priced at £25,595 will be the only model – another brave, yet sensible move. It’s a remarkable vehicle but it’s a shame most

will never get the chance to go on an adventure like I did. The nearest most UK buyers will get to off-road will be the supermarket car park.

THURSDAYDrove the all-new Mazda6 – a proper production car, and not a pre-prod like I drove a few weeks ago. The exterior design is very stylish, but it is the interior that has been improved on the current model. It has now moved up in terms of fit and finish and really has a quality look and feel to it.

The current 6 is still a modern car and drives better than some newcomers to the market, so the new 6 has a difficult act to follow, but it has managed it. All the engines have lower CO2

figures, so should appeal to more fleet drivers. The most popular model will be the TS five-door, with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. Mazda has priced the estate at only £700 more than the hatchback and saloon, which has to be a winner. It will sell fewer saloons and hatches and more estates, creating a more balanced number of derivatives on the used car market, which can only help residuals.

THINKING CAP Hardworking Martin Ward scours the globe for the week’s insider fleet intelligence

Martin Ward is CAP’s manufacturer relationships manager

Martin in southern Morocco

The all-new Mazda6

Mazda6 aims upmarket

First drive – p17Kia Sportage fuel cell car

Road test – p21Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro

Long-termer – p22Skoda and BMW updates

This week

��������

Mazda is targeting the 6 at just below the premium German models

Ford’s fuel moveFord will be fitting its Easy Fuel system to the facelifted Ford Focus when it launches in January. The system, first seen on the new Mondeo, aims to prevent mis-fuelling incidents by preventing the wrong fuel nozzle being inserted into the filler pipe.

Coupé concept

Hyundai is targeting driving enthusiasts with a concept that will end up as the successor to its current Coupé. The Concept Genesis Coupé features a 300bhp V6 engine and rear-wheel drive. The production version is due to go on sale in the US in 2009.

Health checkCitroën is offering its customers a green health check on any of its cars and vans at participating dealers. For £29.99, technicians will test to ensure vehicle emissions and fuel consumption are as low as possible. They will also give advice on reducing the vehicle’s environmental impact.

Volvo pricesVolvo has released prices for its entry-level 2.0-litre V70 and S80. The petrol V70 will start at £24,995 and the S80 £23,495, while the diesel versions will be £25,495 for the V70 and £23,995 for the S80. The cars go on sale in January.

Murano unveiled

Nissan has unveiled its new Murano. Featuring a 3.5-litre V6 engine, with 265bhp and a continu-ously variable transmis-sion, the car will go on sale in Europe at the end of 2008.

IN BRIEF

Mercedes-Benz is responding to the threat from the BMW 1 Series Coupé by giving its C-Class Sports Coupé a thorough reworking.

Due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and likely to be on sale in the UK late spring, the new model takes the front-end styling and engines from the new C-Class saloon and blends it into the current three-door car.

Prices will start at under £20,000 for the C180 Kompressor, and other engines will include the V6 petrol and diesel units, as well as C200 and C220 CDI diesels.

Powered by...New face for Sports Coupé www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 13

IGNITION

Spyshot

BY PHILL TROMANS

The vision of hydrogen-powered production vehicles could soon become a reality after Honda announced plans to start produc-ing a fuel cell vehicle next year.

The FCX Clarity, unveiled at the Los Angeles International Auto Show, is a zero-emission vehicle based on a brand new fuel cell platform. Honda claims it has made ‘tremendous improvements’ to the driving range, power, weight and efficiency of fuel cell vehicles, leaving the FCX Clarity with 134bhp and 189lb-ft of torque.

The car is due to be released in limited numbers to retail custom-ers in southern California in the summer. The current plan is to lease the vehicles for around £290 a month, including maintenance and collision insurance.

Honda has also announced a step forward in the development of technology to refuel hydrogen-powered vehicles.

It has started to use the fourth-generation of its Home Energy Station at its research and devel-opment facility in California. As well as providing fuel, the device is designed to provide heat and electricity for the home, in line

with Honda’s vision of produc- ing technology that makes fuel cell vehicles appeal to a wider audience.

Although it is only a prototype, Honda estimates that a home using the Home Energy Station can reduce CO2 emissions from electricity production by 30% and electricity costs by 50%.

Ben Knight, vice-president of

Honda R&D Americas, said: “Honda is striving to address the need for a refuelling infra-structure for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

“The Home Energy Station represents one promising solu-tion to this issue, while offering the added benefit of heating and powering the home more effi-ciently.”

Fuel cell first for HondaHonda plans to start producing a fuel cell car next year

Volkswagen has added to its family of up! concept vehicles by unveiling the space up! blue.

Inspired by the 1950s Samba Bus and powered by a more effi-cient high-temperature fuel cell linked to 12 lithium ion batter-ies, the space up! blue has a theoretical range of 220 miles. Solar panels on the roof charge the batteries, which can propel the vehicle to 62mph in 13.7 seconds and on to 75mph.

Volkswagen says the high-temperature fuel cell is more efficient than conventional low-temperature cells. It converts more of the hydrogen’s energy into electricity and is less complex, requiring less cooling and therefore less cost.

Development of production versions of the up! range are underway – expect to see them on sale before the end of the decade.

Volkswagen expands up! concept family

Volkswagen’s latest up! concept , the space up!

BY JULIAN KIRK

After a few years in the doldrums, there’s a renewed sense of energy in the upper-medium sector.

The decline in sales of the past few years is flattening out and there is plenty of new product in the sector to appeal to company car drivers.

Ford used virtually all the weapons in its armoury to launch the new Mondeo earlier this year, delivering a car which is imposing on the road, huge inside and with a renewed focus on quality and equipment.

And Renault has recently followed suit with a much improved new Laguna range, while others are waiting in the wings for their moment in the spotlight next year, most notably Vauxhall with its replacement for the Vectra.

But now it is the turn of Mazda to steal the limelight. In much the same way as the Mondeo and Laguna were well received, so the new Mazda6 is gaining plaudits.

It’s easy to see why. The new Six is pretty, with pronounced hips over the wheelarches and aggressive front-end styling which echoes that of the RX-8 sports coupé-cum-saloon.

It also builds on its successful predecessor – the car which well and truly put Mazda on the fleet map in the UK in 2002. This means high equipment levels, strong build quality, reliability and keen pricing.

On sale from next month, the Six will be available in saloon and hatchback styles, and with a

choice of 1.8, 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrol engines. Supply problems mean there will be no 2.0-litre diesel models offered until January, followed a month later by the very attractive estate version.

This is unfortunate, but it shouldn’t hinder Mazda’s sales

ambitions too much (remember, this is a car company on course for a record sales year despite having its biggest-selling model in run-out).

Mazda expects to sell around 14,000 new Sixes in the UK next year – the same level as the previ-ous model. Around two-thirds will be sales into the company car market with the 2.0-litre diesel obviously taking the lion’s share of registrations.

All engines offer lower CO2 emissions and increased fuel economy over the units they replace, with the diesel falling by four benefit-in-kind tax bands. Even though the front-end price has risen slightly, this isn’t enough to offset the large drop in tax bands, which means cheaper bills for drivers.

James Hopkins, Mazda’s fleet and remarketing director, said: “I’m very confident the new

Mazda6 will further accelerate our penetration into fleets, espe-cially with user-choosers.

“This new model inherits and builds on all the key attributes of the outgoing car.

“Fleet buyers will get a substan-tially improved car that is cheaper for them in BIK terms – a real win-win situation.”

There is no one single area where the Mazda6 really amazes, rather its talents lie in doing everything well. It is well built, looks good, drives well and comes with plenty of equipment as standard.

It will also appeal to fleet manag-ers, with CAP quoting a residual value forecast of 36% after three years/60,000 miles.

That puts it in close contention with the Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord – two key rivals for the car, and well ahead of the new Mondeo and Laguna.

Six of the best from MazdaThe first Mazda6 put the car company on the fleet map, and now there’s a new and improved model

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 15

NEW LAUNCH: MAZDA6

VERDICTMazda can’t fail with the new Six – it’s a stylish, well equipped and well built car. With lower tax bills for drivers and improved RVs, it ticks all the fleet boxes.

Due to the aforementioned supply problems there were no diesels to test at the UK launch, so instead I sampled the three petrol units.

First up was the 1.8 with 120bhp. To be honest this is not enough to lug a car of this size around and felt strained when accelerating.

Next was the 2.5 which offers 170bhp. This is a much better drive, cruising capably at motorway speeds and having enough top-end shove to make driving fun. However, it does struggle to pick up revs from low down which became quite annoying on the hilly test route.

The star of the line-up was the 2.0-litre engine, delivering 147bhp in a crisp manner. This engine enjoys being revved and has a much more enjoyable noise and feel to it than the rather under-stressed 2.5.

While performance differs wildly between the three, other attributes remain constant.

The Six handles really well, remaining flat and composed during cornering and fast direction changes, the ride finds a very good balance between comfort and dynamism, the gearbox shifts sweetly and all three are very refined – there’s hardly any engine or wind noise intrusion.

Build quality feels very good, and the simplified dashboard layout looks and feels classy.

Interior space is more than adequate – it’s not Mondeo-big but there’s plenty of room for five adults and a huge boot, to boot.

The CF-Net system, which controls the stereo, climate control, trip computer and navigation from the steering wheel is excellent and helps you keep your eyes on the road – a key addition for any safety-conscious fleet manager.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

FACT FILEModel: 1.8 2.0 2.5 2.0 MTDIMax power (bhp/rpm): 120/5,500 147/6,500 170/6,000 140/3,500Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 123/4,300 136/4,000 167/4,000 243/2,000Max speed (mph): 125 134 137 1270-62mph (secs): 11.3 9.9 8.0 n/aFuel consumption (mpg): 41.5 40.4 34.9 50.4CO2 emissions (g/km): 161 166 192 149On sale: December (diesel – January, estate – February)Prices (est): £15,100–£22,040

FIRST DRIVES: AUDI A3 1.4 TFSI/KIA SPORTAGE FCEV

Punching above its weightIt only has a supermini size engine, but the A3 range’s new addition is a sprightly performerBY JULIAN KIRK

In this week’s issue, my colleague Trevor Gelken appraises a new Citroën Berlingo (page 20) with a small capacity diesel engine which has replaced a much larger unit.

And it is not just in the van world where smaller engines are finding favour. Witness the latest addition to the Audi A3 range – a turbocharged 1.4-litre unit which delivers 125bhp.

Previously this sort of engine capacity was reserved for super-minis. But advances in technology mean that small units can now punch far above their weight.

The A3 does this by combining turbocharging with direct injec-tion to ensure a very efficient injection and combustion process. The end result is 125bhp at

5,000rpm, although this does not tell the full story.

Thanks to the turbocharger, the power is available from the moment you press the accelerator pedal – no lag, just instant response and sprightly perfor-mance.

The other figures are CO2 emis-sions of 154g/km and claimed combined fuel economy of

43.5mpg. Although a 1.9 TDI diesel will deliver better economy, drivers will benefit from lower benefit-in-kind tax bills in the 1.4 TFSI as it is slightly cheaper at the front-end and sits in a BIK band lower as it does not suffer from the 3% diesel surcharge.

For fleets with a heavy leaning on diesel, the 1.4 TFSI offers a relatively cost-effective option.

FACT FILEModel: 1.4 TFSIMax power (bhp/rpm): 125/5,000Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 147/1,500 Max speed (mph): 1260-62mph (secs): 9.6Fuel consumption (mpg): 43.5CO2 emissions (g/km): 154Prices (OTR): £16,365-£20,665On sale: Now

VERDICTIf you or your drivers fancy a change from diesel power, the 1.4 TFSI engine is well worth a look. Forget its diminutive size – this engine has enough power and character to make it a viable alternative to the ubiquitous TDI diesel.

Although 125bhp does not sound much these days, it is enough to endow the A3 with a fizzy nature. Thanks to a quick response turbo and direct injection the 1.4 TFSI is quick to respond to throttle inputs and very willing to rev round to the red line. It’s much more involving to drive than a diesel too, as you can actually use all the revs to gain performance rather than surfing a wave of low-down torque.

On the move, engine noise is well suppressed and the ride errs on the side of firm. With a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, the smallest engine in the A3 range brings a lot of driving enjoyment.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

BY RICHARD YARROW

South Korean carmaker Kia has ambitious plans. Compared with 2006, it wants a 90% increase in global sales by 2010.

The UK dealer network is to grow from the current 140 outlets to 170 by the same year. The first hybrid car will be launched in Europe soon after, and bosses have just gone public with their latest fuel cell car.

Officially known as the Sportage Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), the principles of hydrogen power are pretty straightforward. The gas is stored at 700-bar pressure in tanks on board the vehicle. It’s then piped into a fuel cell stack, which is about the size of a big shoebox, where it combines with oxygen to make electricity. This is stored in a battery and powers

the car via three motors develop-ing 107bhp in total.

All that comes out of the exhaust is water vapour.

Bar the decals down the flanks, the H-FCEV is identical to a standard Sportage SUV. The most obvious difference is when you shift the automatic gear

selector into Drive – there’s virtually no noise as you acceler-ate.

The one thing you can hear is a whining sound as you speed up. It’s because the system puts about 1.5 times the amount of hydrogen into the fuel cell as is actually needed, to make sure

there’s enough to flood every corner of it. The noise is the pump, which collects the excess and recycles it.

Aside from that, this prototype drives exactly like every other Sportage.

The FCEV’s performance figures aren’t staggering, but they’re not bad either. The car will hit 60mph in around 10 seconds – at least as quick as a standard Sportage – and go on to 88mph flat out.

The range between fill-ups is a respectable 240 miles. It doesn’t sound much, but it’s a major improvement on Kia’s first attempt in 2000 which had a range of just 100 miles.

Kia says the next generation version is already in develop-ment but won’t be seen until 2012. It will have improved dynamics because the fuel cell

will be sited low down between the two axles, and will offer more than 130bhp. The range will be increased to around 375 miles between fill-ups.

Talking of which, topping up with hydrogen is straightfor-ward. You open the car’s flap as normal, clip on the pump nozzle, press a button on the machine, and it only takes around three minutes.

FACT FILEModel: Sportage FCEVMax power (bhp): 107Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): N/AMax speed (mph): 880-62mph (secs): 10.0 (est)Fuel consumption (mpg): N/ACO2 emissions (g/km): N/APrice (OTR): N/AOn sale: 2012

FIRST DRIVES: AUDI A3 1.4 TFSI/KIA SPORTAGE FCEV

Kia unveils its electric dreamHydrogen-powered Sportage provides a glimpse of the Korean carmaker’s future technology

Lighter, but no lightweightThe evergreen Citroën Berlingo has a lower-capacity diesel engine – but it is no backward step

MINI TEST: CITROËN BERLINGO 1.6 HDi 90 ENTERPRISE

Talk about not acting your age – the Berlingo was launched in 1996 but, thanks to a series of improvements over the years, it still feels as fresh and capable as it did at launch.

It looks good on the outside, feels stylish and comfortable on the inside and the square loadspace in the back is even more accessible with that standard side door.

On the road, our test model felt quicker than the old 2.0-litre unit that we had on long-term test recently and certainly did not feel behave like an 11-year-old model.

The handling is pin-sharp and ABS brakes come as standard on Enterprise models. Fuel economy was a tad lower mind you, although still well into the mid-40mpg region.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

20 22.11.07 www.fleetnews.co.uk

BY TREVOR GELKEN

On the face of it, replacing 1.9 and 2.0-litre diesel engines with a 1.6-litre one may seem a retro-grade step. But diesel technology has come on at such a pace that smaller engines are better than the bigger old ones, so it is logical to use them and save weight.

That’s exactly what Citroën has done with the Berlingo. The old engines were admirable perform-ers but the new 1.6 HDi is much better. The Berlingo is offered in either 75bhp or 90bhp formats (the model on test here is the 90bhp version) and torque is increased and offered at a lower

rpm than in the old 2.0-litre unit. Other big news is the addition

of a standard side-loading door on Enterprise models and the fact that this van will now run on up to 30% biodiesel.

Meanwhile, standard kit includes remote central-locking,

electric windows and heated mirrors. Also worthy of note is that the Berlingo is now the only small van offered with a factory-fit LPG conversion on the 1.4-litre petrol model – a fact that may be of interest to those city fleets which want to dodge the London Congestion Charge.

FACT FILEPower (bhp/rpm): 90/4,000Torque (lb-ft/rpm): 158/1,750Load vol (cu m): 3.0Payload (kg): 600Price (ex-VAT): £11,195

The Berlingo has become something of a favourite among the staff at Fleet News over the years and the new engine simply brings the Berlingo even closer to our hearts.

VERDICT

Business talk: here to helpA regular series that offers help, advice and assistance to fleet decision makers on a variety of current industry issues

Is there any database that can tellme what the best and worst carsare for reliability?

Two of the most influential vehiclereliability studies in the UK arethe Which? Reliability Survey and

the Fleet News FN50 reliability survey.The Which? Survey carries out

research on almost 100,000 cars toreveal the nature of the repairs carriedout on every model – from faults withthe electrics, brakes and suspensionto problems with the engine andtransmission, or heating and coolingsystems. It also lists the least reliablecars in the UK.

The Fleet News FN50 survey takesinformation from the 50 largest leasingcompanies in Britain and involves nearlyone million cars. It is the biggest surveyof its kind in the country, and becausethe information comes from leasingcompanies and not the views of privateowners, the results are based on hardfact rather than opinion.

In both surveys, Honda holds thenumber one position – for the third yearin a row in the case of the FN50. Logon to www.fleetnewsnet.co.uk/newsand www.which.co.uk/reports_and_campaigns/cars/running_a_car/index.jsp for further details.

The Honda CR-Vis a 4x4 that offerscar-like economy andemissions, making itthe ideal fleet choice

Where do I find the beststatistics on reliability?

Can I specify contractson unlimited mileage?

Produced in associationwith Honda CorporateSales

SUVs consistently attract bad press, so why should I allow drivers to choose them?

Why canʼt leasingcompanies provide mewith contracts based

on unlimited mileage, rather thana specific distance linked to adefined operating cycle?

To work out how to set theirmonthly rates, leasingcompanies need an accurate

estimate of your monthly mileage.Without it, and because the ratecalculation relates closely to themileage of the car at defleet time, it isalmost impossible to come up with aworkable figure.

If you find it hard to predict thelikely mileage of some of your vehiclesat end of contract, speak to yourprovider about pooling mileage toavoid heavy end-of-contract excessmileage charges.

If you and your provider decidethat, say, 60,000 miles is reasonableafter three years you can average outthe mileage of all cars under contract.As long as you hit your average,you should lose those hefty end-of-contract charges.

An increasing number ofmy drivers want a 4x4 as acompany car which I, as fleet

manager, have resisted. Can anyoneoffer any good reasons why I shouldadd them to my choice list?

I f models are chosen wisely, there’sno reason why 4x4s should notbe part of a fleet choice list. Some

drivers need them for their lifestyle,whether it be for towing, leisureactivities or off-roading. Others feel thehigh seating position enables them tosee the road ahead more clearly, andso feel safer.

They are more spacious andadaptable than many cars, and don’thave to be cumbersome or return pooremissions and fuel economy.

Critics talk about their size and bulkyet a Honda CR-V i-CTDi, for example,is shorter than an Accord Tourer, just6cm wider and only marginally heavier.And with CO2 emissions of 173g/kmand combined fuel consumption of43.5mpg it is also very efficient.

Combine that with characteristicallystrong RVs, and the CR-V becomes aan all-encompassing fleet vehicle.

ROAD TEST: AUDI A5 3.0 TDI QUATTRO

A fresh outlook for Audi’s coupeNew A5 adds aggressive looks to the traditional Audi traits

BY STEVE MOODY

According to the all-knowing digital oracle Google, on the web there are 97,400 instances of someone writing the words ‘understated’ and ‘Audi’ within close proximity of each other.

Blimey, I’m bored of it. Audis aren’t understated. And if you’re driving about in a new A5, with its muscled lines and diamanté LED running lights shining in every-body’s face, then slipping unno-ticed under the radar just isn’t feasible. It’s about as understated as an orange WAG during a mammoth Chardonnay and shop-ping trip on a Cheshire town high street.

It seems Audi is bored of the understated tag, too. Modern luxury isn’t understated. It’s in your face, showing off how glam-orous, rich and sexy you are and Audi wants plenty of that very profitable business. As a result, its cars are confident and forth-right.

With the A5, there’s no doubt it has hit that showy mark. It is a very good-looking car. Thrusting and bold, it reeks of power –mechanically and emotionally.

It doesn’t have the slinky lines of the BMW 3 Series Coupé, but be sure this is very much the car Audi had in mind when it was putting together the proposition for the A5.

The 3 Series Coupé has to be one of the most popular executive cars of modern times. It is the

very essence of corporate cool – stylish, urbane and successful.

To go up against it, Audi has kept to much of what has made it such a resurgent brand over the last decade. That means quattro four-wheel drive, interior build quality of the highest order and competitive diesel engines.

The 3.0 TDI on test here is one of two models available at launch, the other being the 354bhp 4.2-litre S5, but the diesel variant is by no means outclassed. With 240bhp and 368lb-ft of torque at only 1,500rpm (compared to the S5’s 325 at 3,500), the A5 has some serious quick-twitch muscle off the line and, in anything but dry conditions, quattro certainly helps. It’s a shame that at present it is only offered with a manual gearbox, because it is crying out for that lovely smooth Tiptronic ‘box to make the most of its prodi-

gious shove. The manual gearbox is typically Audi. Perfectly accu-rate but too light, as is the clutch, and changes take some concen-tration to smooth out. Also, the automatic parking brake takes some getting used to in the manual.

The interior is excellent and moves the game on a step, even by the high standards of Audis in this price range.

The classy slivers of alumin-ium, solid thick plastics and a little more curve in the MMI switches are all very classy, along with some superbly comfortable as-standard leather seats. This is a very nice place to be indeed.

As for the way it drives? It really shifts, but manages 40mpg without too much trouble. Quattro splits drive 60/40 rear to front and you will never be short of traction or grip. It still feels a little clinical against the more sensuous BMW but that’s only at the very edges of performance. In everyday driving the A5 is a fast, comforta-ble and composed car. And with those LED headlights scowling at other cars, it was clear how quickly they seemed to veer out of your way.

It seems Audis are getting noticeable after all.

■ Alfa Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDM SV

■ BMW 330d SE Coupé

■ Mercedes-Benz CLK 220 CDI Sport

The BMW 330d Coupé has tradition-ally been the benchmark. The Mercedes-Benz CLK is another classic coupé with presence and performance but it seems Audi has pitched in first time with a car of

equal standing. The Brera is cheaper and daintier, but smaller.

Brera £26,780330d £32,315CLK £33,077A5 £33,175

THREE RIVALS TO CONSIDER

P11D PRICE

SMR COSTThanks to the Service Inclusive package, the BMW is the cheapest for service, maintenance and repair by around £500 compared with the Audi and the Mercedes-Benz. The Alfa Romeo’s SMR costs are really very high. Unfortunately, it’s a

reflection of Alfa’s reputation for poor reliability.

EMISSIONS AND TAX RATESThe quattro system and high power makes the A5 relatively high-emitting. The CLK has a fairly low CO2 but again the BMW is streets ahead at £2,791 a year for a 40% taxpayer, £160 ahead of the much

cheaper Brera and around £400 and £900 less than the CLK and A5.

VERDICTThe Brera might be the cheapest to run, but it is too small inside and, despite its looks, doesn’t have the cachet of the others. The rest are very closely matched in terms of driving dynamics and image. The BMW is cheaper to run, as well as being lower on tax and looking gorgeous. The A5 would be a fine choice too, but the BMW would be our pick.

■ WINNER: BMW 330d SE Coupé

FUEL COST

DEPRECIATION COST

A fast, big coupé averaging around 40mpg is doing well, and the A5 certainly manages this. The Brera’s smaller engine and lower weight sees it achieve 41.5mpg, but the BMW is again streets ahead at

46.3mpg on the combined cycle, which is just staggering.

330d 9.71/£5,826CLK 10.33/£6,198Brera 10.83/£6,498A5 11.44/£6,864

The Brera depreciates the least, thanks to its lower front-end price and the relative scarcity of them on the used market. The others are all closely matched, with the CLK’s later point in the lifecycle slightly

counting against it. But the A5 is a match for the 330d and CLK.

Brera 26.34/£15,804330d 31.44/£18,864A5 31.58/£18,948CLK 32.58/£19,548

WHOLELIFE COSTDue almost exclusively to its performance in the depreciation section, the Brera is the cheapest to run, but then it is £6,000-plus cheaper at the front-end. But only by £1,400 from the 330d. The CLK

and A5 are closely matched, with the fuel a high cost for the Audi.

Brera 43.01/£25,806330d 45.48/£27,288CLK 48.05/£28,830A5 48.18/£28,908

ppm/60k total

330d 4.33/£2,598CLK 5.14/£3,084A5 5.16/£3,096Brera 5.84/£3,504

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 21

330d 160g/km/22%CLK 172g/km/24%Brera 179g/km/25%A5 191g/km/28%

FACT FILEP11D value £33,175CO2 emissions (g/km) 191BIK % of P11D in 2007 28%Graduated VED rate £205Insurance group 17Combined mpg 39.3CAP RV (3yr/60k) £14,350/43%Monthly lease (3yr/60k) £612

✔

✖

■ Looks fantastic■ Beautifully built■ Goes like stink■ Shows your wealth

■ High CO2/fuel costs■ Shows your wealth

Bags of room in the backSkoda Roomster lives up to its name with plenty of space inside, as well as a versatile load area

BY EMMA COOPER

You’d be hard pushed to find anyone standing nearby admiring this car’s styling, but looks aren’t everything and the Roomster

MPV does what it says on the tin – it’s got plenty of space.

The cabin is supposed to feel like that of a smaller car, which it does, while the rear is a tardis and is large enough to comfort-

ably accommodate two leggy passengers and a child, a couple of bicycles, or half the local garden centre with my mother in tow.

A play around with the rear seats reveals a myriad of different seating combinations to maxi-mise the available space in the back – the seats can slide forward and backwards, while all can be removed to create a versatile load area.

Though it’s relatively small by MPV standards, the Roomster’s long windows and panoramic sunroof look good and make the car feel big and airy. According to one friend of mine, “it’s like being driven around in a greenhouse”. She meant it as a compliment.

Roomsters, however, are not ideal for stumpy drivers. The dashboard is quite high and I have to sacrifice a comfortable

driving position if I want to see over it clearly.

It also takes a while to get used to looking past the awkwardly positioned front and side pillars, which are a nuisance when check-ing your blind spot.

It’s a purely practical vehicle, a lifestyle utility. As a family car it must be a godsend. As a single female, I’ve found the car feels very safe and pleasant to drive but I haven’t really tested its true capacity.

Nevertheless, it has been a worthy vessel for my luggage and sports equipment, with bags of room to spare.

There are also plenty of cubby holes, especially handy if you collect as many sweet wrappers, newspapers and CD cases as I do. I’ve also grown rather fond of the stitched leather steering wheel.

So far, the Roomster has

performed without incident and, after initial scepticism – mostly stemming from its unusual styling – I’m definitely warming to it.

It’s also proving very cost-effective – I’m averaging 48mpg and a recent service cost just over £100.

FACT FILEPrice: £14,070 (£14,420 as tested) Mileage: 10,484CO2 emissions 139Company car tax bill (2007) 22% tax-payer: £47 per monthInsurance group: 5Combined mpg: 51.4Test mpg: 48.0CAP Monitor RV: £4,375/30%Contract hire rate £313Expenditure to date: £110 (service)Figures based on three years/60,000 miles

LONG-TERMERS: SKODA ROOMSTER3 1.9 TDI/BMW 120d SE 3dr

BY STEVE MOODY

I’ve been out of the 1 Series for a couple of weeks while I was road-testing other cars and I have to say it was good to be back in the BMW.

I’ve commented before that it’s not the biggest car but for a driver there’s a tactile delight in getting behind the thick steering

wheel, into the tight embrace of the sports seats and clipping the gear lever into first.

Of even more delight now is the sight of that fuel needle reso-lutely refusing to budge on all but the longest journeys.

The other day, while heading into north London, I saw a garage advertising its diesel at a horrific 108.9 pence per litre. Luckily I

was chugging along at 50mpg-plus so was able to make it back to rural Lincolnshire, where diesel was only 101.8ppl. It’s enough to almost make you want to take the train.

Fortunately, though, the 1 Series is far too enjoyable to make you share your travels with the great unwashed, and it’s made all the more entertaining by the iPod adapter.

Plug the type of lead that you update an iPod with on your PC into the USB socket under the armrest and the track, artists, album and genre appear on the screen. It doesn’t seem to have a function that allows you to scroll though your music and select tunes, instead using the iPod’s shuffle facility, but at least you don’t have to listen to Chris Moyles’ arrogant babblings on Radio 1 or Rutland FM.

With the onset of winter, I’ve been interested to find out what

life would be like in a short-wheelbase, high-torque, rear-wheel drive car when it rains and the roads get covered in mud and leaves.

There’s no doubt that traction and grip is an issue that BMW is acutely aware of. The 1 Series’ suspension is incredibly stiff, not helped by the rigid sidewalls of the run-flat tyres. An engineer told me once that as rear-wheel drive cars get torquier and more powerful engines, stiffer suspen-sion settings and increasingly nannying traction control are necessary to keep them pointing forwards.

Well, the stiff suspension is certainly in evidence, although the Dynamic Stability Control – BMW’s version of ESP – very rarely kicks in, so there must be decent reserves of grip in most conditions.

I have picked up an unex-pected cost, though. I put the

120d through the car wash the other day and discovered when I got home that the cover for the rear windscreen wiper spindle had fallen off. Suitably vexed, I raced to the BMW dealer in Peterborough, where a new part was ordered. The cost? 47p.

A great way to combat fuel rises50mpg-plus economy is music to our road tester’s ears – as is the 1 Series’ iPod adapter

Price: £21,995 (£23,585 as tested)Mileage: 8,789CO2 emissions (g/km): 129

Company car tax bill (2007)40% tax-payer: £130 per monthInsurance group: 14Combined mpg: 57.6Test mpg: 49.2CAP Monitor RV: £7,675/39%Contract hire rate: £418Expenditure to date: 47p

(windscreen wiper spindle cover)

Figures based on three years/60,000 miles

FACT FILE

FUEL MANAGEMENT

24 22.11.07 www.fleetnews.co.uk

No respite on the horizon from rocketing fuel pricesIncreased demand from developing econo mies and low stocks set to keep fuel costs high

‘ ’WE’RE GOING TO BE

HOVERING AROUND £1 PER LITRE UP UNTIL THE TURN OF THE YEAR. WE’RE IN A HIGH-

PRICE MARKET AND IT’S DIFFICULT TO SEE WHERE THE PRICE FALL WILL COME FROM

BY PHILL TROMANS

I t can’t have escaped your notice that filling up with fuel at the moment is wallet-smokingly expen-sive.

Average prices have burst through the £1-a-litre barrier which, for any business running vehicles, is a large fiscal hit to absorb. But why, exactly, is fuel so expensive right now?

The cost of fuel is made up of the base cost of the product, the VAT and the fuel duty imposed by the Government – a sizeable amount.

“The challenge in the UK is that we have the highest duty

rates in Europe, particularly on diesel,” says Mike Waters, head of market analysis at Arval.

“Generally we have the highest overall price for diesel in Europe, but not always on unleaded petrol.

“Most other countries differ-entiate in the level of duty between unleaded and diesel, whereas the UK doesn’t.”

OIL PRICESVarious factors have sent the price of filling up rocketing recently, not least the cost of oil from which diesel and petrol are made.

From the late 1980s – apart from a brief blip during the first

Gulf War – the price of oil stayed fairly consistent at about $25-$30 a barrel.

But in 2003 the prices started to escalate, thanks to the second Gulf War and increased demand from developing economies such as China and India.

“In 2005 we had hurricanes Katrina and Rita, terrorism and concern over Iran’s nuclear programme,” Mr Waters explains.

“There was a whole host of factors that conspired to escalate prices over a two to three-year period.”

This year prices came down in January to a fairly reasonable level – about $55 a barrel.

But during the year that esca-lated, due to a tight supply market.

“That mirrored what happened in 2006,” Mr Waters says.

“The difference this year is that since September prices esca-lated again, while in 2006 they cooled down.

“The market has been so tight in supply terms that we have seen a rise in price.”

A key problem is that refiner-

ies, where oil is converted to fuel, are stretched.

“Refinery capacity is still an issue and there are concerns over the long-term supply and demand balance in the crude oil market,” says Mr Waters.

“There is relatively limited spare capacity to increase the level of crude in the market if there was supply disruption.”

While US house prices do not seem to have a huge amount to do with UK fuel prices, the credit problems across the Pond have had a direct impact.

“There’s been a lot of specula-tion in the oil market which has been increased by the credit crunch in the US,” Mr Waters

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 25

says. “A lot of money that would have gone into equity markets has gone into commodities.”

STOCK WORRIESAll the main industrial countries retain stocks of crude oil and fuel to get them through emer-gencies. But right now, stocks in the US are at their lowest level for the past five years.

“They are running lower than the market likes them to be at,” says Mr Waters. “At some point the Government will have to come back into the market to replenish its stock levels, but it won’t want to do that while the price is high. However, keeping low stock levels maintains the prices so it’s a vicious circle.”

THE FUTURESo what’s going to happen?

“We’re at a high price going into the winter, which is unusual,” Mr Waters explains.

“If there’s a very cold winter that will put a lot of pressure on the market once again.”

Not all the news is bad however – more problems for America could mean good news for us at the pumps.

“There is speculation that the US economy could struggle in the first half of 2008,” Mr Waters says.

“If that reduces US demand it will take some pressure out of the market.

“And if we have a good winter, that will take pressure off heating oil and also help. It’s not all doom and gloom.

“Extra capacity is due to come online in 2008, although it prob-ably won’t make an impact until later in the year.”

Fuel duty rose by 2p per litre last month and further increases are planned next year.

“We would urge the Chancel-lor to keep those increases under review and respond to market conditions at the time,” Mr

Waters adds. “If prices are very high it may not be the best time.

“We already have high rates of fuel duty and it’s an additional cost that businesses have to pass on.”

Whatever happens as we go into 2008, don’t expect to see pump prices fall in the immedi-ate future.

“We’re going to be hovering around £1 per litre up until the turn of the year,” Mr Waters says. “We’re in a high price market at the moment and it’s difficult to see where the price fall will come from.”

Stocks of crude oil in the US are at their lowest level for the past five

years

■ For advice on how to tackle rising fuel costs, turn to page 28

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FUEL MANAGEMENT

28 22.11.07 www.fleetnews.co.uk

BY PHILL TROMANS

W ithout fuel, a fleet of vehi-cles isn’t going anywhere.

Apart from the vehicles themselves, a source of power is essential to all fleet transport. But sourcing and using fuel is rarely straightforward, with a plethora of issues surrounding the management of fuel itself and the drivers who use it.

Cost has the most obvious impact on fleets. Oil prices are through the roof, and UK tax and duty on fuel – already the highest in Europe – has just got higher.

Prices at the pump now regu-larly top £1 a litre for both diesel and petrol, and fleets are strug-gling to absorb the extra costs.

“The rise in fuel costs since January has added around £2,800 to the monthly fuel bills of fleets of 200 vehicles covering 1,000 business miles a month,” says

Richard Schooling, commercial director for Alphabet.

“To put that amount back on to businesses’ bottom line, drivers would need to squeeze nearly five more miles out of every gallon, cut their monthly business mileage by 10%, or find a way to buy fuel for 10p a litre less than the average forecourt price.”

Many firms are now starting to realise the cost difference between forecourts in different locations.

Shelagh Swift, fleet manager at Forticrete, says: “In an attempt to reduce fuel costs, we have recently sent out a directive requesting all company car drivers avoid refuel-ling at motorway service stations and certain brand outlets as they are far more expensive.”

Rob Corbett, fleet manager of Agility Fleet, agrees. “The cost of fuel, especially diesel, must be a

concern for all currently,” he says. “Also, the recent 2p fuel duty increase seems to have had some interesting effects, with most of my local outlets rising by up to five pence per litre.”

Shirley Colman, fleet co- ordinator of Futures Resourcing, says: “The price is obviously cause for concern, as it is for everyone. We monitor it and encourage our drivers to get the best price whenever possible, but don’t feel we can do much more.

“We ask them to avoid motor-way service stations, but it is not written into the policy – perhaps it should be. On the whole, they are pretty good and they do seem to have their favoured filling-up places which do tend to be super-markets.

“We certainly would like to see less of the cost made up of tax.”

Robert Kingdom, head of

marketing at Masterlease, says it is difficult to look past cost when it comes to fuel issues.

“There is always a problem whenever you are paying a pence-per-mile rate,” he warns.

“People will always over-claim or understate their private mileage use. The best you can do is have accurate mileage systems. Make sure your servicing is on time and make sure your tyres are inflated correctly as it can make a big difference.

“There is free advice available from initiatives like Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) which can not only improve safety but also fuel economy.

“Fuel makes up one-third of the total cost of vehicle ownership –20,000 miles of fuel will be around £2,500 a year. There’s not much you can do about it unless you significantly alter driver behav-

Tackling the impact of ever-increasing fuel costsDriver training and improved education can help keep fleets’ monthly bills under control

LPGLiquified petroleum gas was touted as the next big thing a few years back, but lately has

seen incentives vanish and interest wane.

“We ran a small fleet of LPG-powered

vehicles,” says Rob Corbett,

of Agility Fleet. “We

found that

dealers couldn’t, or wouldn’t, repair them, so the vehicles were used as normal petrol-powered cars. Now we run hybrid vehicles and, other than being a bit underpowered at times, they seem to work well.

“LPG, as far as we are concerned, has no future in the UK and because of the lack of supporting infrastructure probably should never have been introduced.”

Malcolm Jeavons, fleet manager of the CHN Group, runs a fleet of 260 vehicles.

“Around five years ago we decided to take on a number of dual-fuel vans with the hope of saving money and improving our environmental credentials,” he says. “I was hoping that if things worked out we would increase the number of dual-fuel vehicles on our fleet. But unfortunately this failed quite miserably.”

Mr Jeavons found the monthly rental charges were high because the contract hire company was unsure where to set residual values.

“There was always a problem in getting the gas,” he says. “At the end of the three-year contract we decided not to continue with LPG-powered

vehicles and instead looked at cleaner and more efficient diesel vehicles.”

IBM’s fleet manager, Phil Redman, says the Government’s withdrawal of grants for LPG vehicles means he has not ordered any more since.

“It’s a shame, as considerable investment was made in the LPG infrastructure,” he says.

There are some that still find LPG useful. Wilson Electrical Distributors has five dual-fuel Ford Transit vans that run on both diesel and LPG.

“This is vital if one is going into the London congestion charging zone as it allows us to get reduced charges for low carbon emissions,” says fleet manager Fred McDonald.

David Brennan from LeasePlan says: “LPG is a good example of an inconsistent tax policy where the fuelling industry made a substantial investment, the fiscal incentives were then removed and now the number of LPG outlets is going down. I’m not sure it has a future.”

BIOFUELS“The jury on biofuels is still out,” says Brennan. “On one hand, they are the clean, green

and practical alternative or additive to fossil fuels as they have renewable, inexhaustible and non-polluting qualities.

“On the other hand, the use of biofuels may result in the demise of the normal farmer as land becomes more valuable to the industry. Furthermore, the quality of the land may deteriorate due to over-farming.

“In addition to this, the level of infrastructure needed to support the use of biofuels in the public domain is currently insufficient. Fleets need to bear all of this in mind before they jump on the biofuel band-wagon.”

There isn’t a single solution that will suit all fleets, according to Robert Kingdom from Masterlease.

“Biofuel looked like it could be a lovely solution but there has been a lot of bad press about the impact on food crops and deforestation,” he says.

“You have got to look at what you are using vehicles for. We will see different fuels for different needs – electric cars are particularly suited for city use but for motorway driving, diesel will probably remain the fuel of choice for the near future.”

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

‘ ’THE RISE IN FUEL COSTS SINCE

JANUARY HAS ADDED AROUND £2,800 TO THE MONTHLY FUEL

BILLS OF FLEETS OF 200 VEHICLES COVERING 1,000 BUSINESS MILES A MONTH

A round-up of other options

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 29

Tackling the impact of ever-increasing fuel costsiour and mileage patterns. A lot of fleets can’t see the business case in a green fleet policy, but as fuel prices go up the case gets stron-ger and stronger.”

Chris Deakin, fleet manager at Lloyds TSB autolease, says: “The fleet managers most successful at controlling the rising cost of fuel will be the ones who can involve their drivers and gain commit-ment from them to a shared objective of reducing cost for the business as a whole.”

USEGetting cheap fuel is one thing, but many fleets are trying to reduce their expenditure further by avoiding car use altogether.

“Fuel consumption is a difficult subject as certain jobs necessitate using the car,” explains Shelagh Swift.

“But we are looking into video-conferencing in order to cut down on people travelling to meet-ings.”

VEHICLESWhere travel is unavoid-able as there is no alternative, it pays to shop around f o r v e h i -cles. Even small improve-ments can add up to a sizeable difference over time and a whole fleet.

“We are conscious of the environ-ment and also the driver’s taxation and try to accommo-date both,” says Ms Swift.

“For example, one vehicle we use is the Mondeo Edge, but we use the 1.8 TDCi which emits 156g/km of CO2 instead of the 2.0 TDCi with 189, which obviously impacts on both issues.”

MISFUELLINGIt’s all too easy to get mixed up at the pumps, particularly if drivers are swapping cars regularly. And it can be an expensive mistake to make, as the wrong fuel can damage the car’s internals.

“We have about 1,000 vehicles on our fleet and have at least one misfuel a week,” says Rob Corbett.

“Drivers normally do this when they are out of town using a service station that has the fuel

pumps coloured differently to what they are used to.

“To date, we have been rela-tively lucky – a drain, fuel filter change with the cost of recovery and replacement fuel have been the only costs so far.”

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Making tyre performance last fromthe first to the last mile, anotherway to ensure a better way forward.

Letters – p35Trevor Gelken, editor of Fleet Van, takes issue with the Government’s announcement of plans for a £50 million low carbon investment for vans.

Helplines – p37

“Is the cost of a hands-free kit for a mobile phone liable to tax and should it go on our employees’ P11D forms? As this is a legal require-ment, it seems unfair to be taxed.”

First car – p39

Gerard Barclay recalls with delight his first company car – a Vauxhall Chevette.

Competition – p39Six lucky readers can win a copy of truckers’ darling Sally Boazman’s first book.

BY EMMA COOPER

An increase in the use of technol-ogy such as Blackberrys and PDAs is leaving workers stressed and unable to switch off when away from the office.

Three-quarters of workers (74%) feel under pressure to be constantly available thanks to such appliances and, as a result, 43% of workers admit to checking emails every 10 minutes, accord-ing to a report by Leaders in London.

Almost two-thirds (61%) said they only had 15 uninterrupted minutes in a working day, and 77% admitted to checking emails during social occasions such as

weddings, romantic dates and even on holiday.

Ros Oxley, managing director of Leaders in London, said: “We often rely on modern technology. Leaving the Blackberry turned off can be a good thing as every-one needs a balance between work and play.

“Ensuring there are choices in the way we communicate in the work place is essential for Brit- ish businesses to continue thriving.”

A further 26% of respondents confessed they struggled with basic office equipment, with many workers wasting half an hour each day trying to get printers and photocopiers to work.

Technology adds to workers’ stress

Online remarketing service Autoquake has appointed Gary Hobson as chief executive officer. He was previously consultant operations director at Dixons Motor Group and has held senior management roles at Lex, Ford, Masterlease and Pendragon.

Daniel Jenkins has been appointed as Thrifty’s rental implant manager at fleet management company Leasedrive Velo. Mr Jenkins has experi-ence in accounts and operations management. He will now be outsourced to oversee the operation of Thrifty’s account with Lease-drive Velo, managing customer service and daily rental.

Autoquake has new CEO

Leasedrive Velo rental implant

Vertu recruits Parry from VardyAudrey Parry is the new operations manager for Vertu Motors, respon-sible for procuring and distributing vehicles for the company’s used car division, Motor Nation, and managing procurement for the group. She was previously general manager for Vardy Vehicle Remarketing.

SETTLING IN What was your first day like? I spent the first couple of days at our sales office being briefed, discussing strategies and meeting my new colleagues. How long did it take to feel comfortable in the role?Six months on, I still do not feel as if I know everything as I am

still learning so much.

What do enjoy most about your job?The pressure, meeting clients and the people I work with. I get to meet so many great people, from transport managers to purchasing managers and directors. Oh, and the driving.

And the least?There never seems to be enough time in the day. Have you always worked in this area?I have two and half years’ rental operation experience (running a branch) and I gained six months’ new business development

experience (B2B) for an IT firm. What are you working on at the moment?We are implementing new strategies with the branches to develop new business and working closely with the branch managers so we can achieve our goals.

Riz AshrafiAccount

development manager

Thrifty

Describe your fleet? We have 650 company cars, 200 cash-allowance users, 1,200 light commercials and 300 heavy commercials. What is your career history? Prior to joining May Gurney 27 years ago, I worked in the retail garage trade. What are you currently working on? A five-year business plan, improving our certificates issued by VOSA, measuring our vehicle carbon footprint, driver risk management and improving the quality and reducing the cost of the supply chain. What is the best part of the job? Dealing with the range of issues linked to a varied fleet and the challenges of supplying vehicle solu-tions to complement company growth. What has been your greatest achievement? The cost-effective matching of the vehicle fleet and management processes to business growth. Where is your favourite restaurant? Stower Grange, Norwich.Sunday lunch is particularly recommended.

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 31

Andrew Kingdon

Fleet manager

May Gurney

Job of the weekADECCOVarious management positions at Luton p32

■ email: fleetnews@emap.com

Your views, your queries, your chance to get involved

APPOINTMENTS

Find your favourites

Technology means that staff get little chance to switch off

Edited by Adele Barry

FLEET CV

FMG director appointmentFleet management group FMG Support has recruited Mark Scanlon as commercial director, responsible for the sales, marketing and customer service teams. He was previously BAE Systems’ head of global busi-ness development and commercial director at Dyson.

32 22.11.07 www.fleetnews.co.uk

Recruitment Call Daniel Bragg: 01733 468271

email: daniel.bragg@emap.com

01235 536440www.steele-dixon.co.uk

Brighter futureFLEET SALES MANAGER

OXFORDSHIRE£35K

Our client is part of one of the largest independent car dealership groups in the country, representing a niche franchise. They have a reputation of providing outstanding customer service and assistance and are looking for a Fleet Sales Manager to expand their existing team.

You will have experience in B2B/ Fleet sales with proven success of meeting and exceeding your targets.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with the right background and experience coupled with the enthusiasm for success.

For further details please contact Jeremy Freeman on 01235 536440 or email jeremy@steele-dixon.co.uk.

Take your income to a new level with the fastest growing fi nance and rental company in the UK.

Potential Finance Group Plc

Due to signifi cant growth within our vehicle fi nance and rental businesses we require additional sales staff to join our teams in various locations

throughout the UK.

Potential Vehicle Hire LtdThe UK’s fastest growing B2B fl exible vehicle rental company and part of Potential Finance Group Plc requires additional Business Development Managers to expand their Sales Department even further. You will need to demonstrate a track record of success in the business user sector and knowledge of the rental market place would be benefi cial. Confi dence, professionalism and enthusiasm are a must. To apply for this position please send an up to date C.V to tony.cooper@potentialfi nance.com.

Potential Finance LtdWe are looking for 20 additional Development Managers located throughout the UK to complement our existing teams in the dealer sales aid fi nance market and in our direct to business hire purchase and leasing division. Experienced sales people will benefi t from full back offi ce and IT support from our Group Head Offi ce based in Brentwood, Essex.

Potential Vehicle Finance – Dealer Development ManagersYou will have a database of supporting motor dealers who introduce business to you on a regular basis. Youwill benefi t from the opportunity to place business on our own portfolio in addition to our back-to-back relationships with over 20 UK banks and specialist fi nance companies. You will additionally benefi t from our wide range of products and from our ability to arrange funding for both consumers and businesses when other fi nance companies have been unable to deliver. • Attractive basic salary, OTE 50K (uncapped) • Company car, healthcare cover, home offi ce set-up

Please contact Daniel Eley on 01277 237160 or email your C.V to daniel.eley@potentialfi nance.com.

Potential Asset Finance – Business Development ManagersYou will have a current database of business clients and over 3 years experience in the hire purchase and leasing marketplace. Our unique products and partnerships will enable you to maximise your business opportunities in the car, LCV and heavy commercial vehicle sectors. You will benefi t from our independence, fl exibility and short decision making processes in addition to the following package. • Attractive basic salary, OTE 60K (uncapped) • Company care, healthcare cover, home offi ce set-up

Please contact Colin Swanston on 07876 683005 or email your C.V to clare.hall@potentialfi nance.com

For more details on our products and services please visit:www.potentialfi nance.comwww.pvhfl exihire.co.ukwww.pvm-uk.com

potential

Specialist Search and SelectionTo 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

alwaysthe right person for the job

A L A S T A I R A M E STo

advertise please

call DanielBragg

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468271

Vauxhall Motors is part of the wider General Motors Group, the largest vehicle manufacturer in theworld with a global turnover in excess of $185 billion. They are one of the largest and most establishedplayers in the UK automotive market, with an enviable portfolio of Brands and are looking for resultsdriven candidates for the following positions:

Commercial Vehicle Fleet Sales Manager -East & West MidlandsReporting to the National Commercial Vehicle Sales Manager, you will be a field based member of theFleet Sales team responsible for maximizing Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle Fleet sales within a definedterritory. You will be responsible for contract negotiation, relationship management and improvingthe sales yield from your specific customer base. You will also build and maintain excellent workingrelationships with relevant parties, including Vauxhall specialist Commercial Vehicle retailers andthe fleet contact team within your area of responsibility to maximize Commercial Vehicle sales in theexisting 25+ fleet market.

Commercial Vehicle Development Manager –Kent, Sussex & HampshireReporting to the National Commercial Vehicle Sales Manager, you will be a field based member ofthe team responsible for maximizing and managing Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle Retail sales withina defined territory. You will be the key Commercial Vehicle contact, working closely with and developingthe 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 localbusiness users as well as monitor and enforce Vauxhalls Commercial Vehicle Retailer standards.

The PersonYou will be self motivated and results driven with the ability to communicate, present and negotiate atall levels. You will be used to working in a target driven environment and possess good administrationand 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 groupexperience 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 hearfrom you.

Postal applications, including CV, current salary package, and why you are suited to thisrole to: Louise Thompson, Vauxhall Motors Ltd, Griffin House, Osborne Road, Luton LU3 1YTor e-mail: louise.thompson@uk.gm.comClosing date for applications - 14th December 2007.

adecco.co.uk

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 33

SALES PROFESSIONALQi Van Systems, one of the UK’s leading vehicle racking and conversion specialists, requires an experienced sales professional to further the company’s expansion. The successful candidate will have aproven track record in competitive sales and display both vision and enthusiasm to secure fl eet sales in this expanding market.

Please send CV to dmoorse@qivansystems.co.uk

www.fleetnews.co.ukwww.fleetnews.co.ukwww.fleetnews.co.uk

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Roddy Graham’s comment in the article “MP criticised over unbelievable expenses claim” (Fleet News, November 15) is very pertinent to the whole issue of road accidents due to tired-ness. This is something the Government is rightfully concerned about.

Environmental issues also come into play and you could even be forgiven for thinking that there are dual standards being exhibited.

There is also the questionable use of public funds. Perhaps the public accounts committee should be looking at some of the “claims” made for expenses.

Sadly, I suspect they will not as it would open a large can of worms. Roll on road pricing.

CHRIS ELDREDEuropean regional manager, Technology Services – UK Office

Accident data needs a rethink

This is just political blarney

Interface■ Email: fleetnews@emap.com. Please include name, job title, company and addressLETTERS

Confusion reigns over mobile messageThe helpline page has an answer to a query about using mobile phones while driving, and quite rightly states “The police and RoSPA provide evidence that reactions are up to 40% slower when using a mobile phone, whether hand-held or wireless. All organisations involved with safety advise not to use them while driving” Fleet News, November 15.

However, in the same issue you offer as a prize a Bluetooth car kit with the statement “ensures a clear conversation

over loud driving sounds”. It seems that you are preach-

ing the road safety gospel with one hand but encouraging non-safe driving with the other.

Is it any wonder most fleet drivers are confused when those of us who are supposed to be promoting the safe driving message can’t even do joined up thinking?

JOHN CARTER Sandvik

I have been reading this week’s

copy of Fleet News and as always it is very interesting (Fleet News, November 15), especially the helpline question regarding mobile phone use. The answer was especially informative – the bottom line being do not use mobile phones, hand-held or hands-free and have all calls diverted to voice mail, or another number.

Then I turned to page 47 – the News Quiz – win a Bluetooth car kit.

One person saying do not use this sort of thing, and the compe-

tition saying use me. What does one do?

S.A.COTTER Fine Tubes

■ Ed: Fleet News is primarily a medium for news and views from others. If someone calls for a ban on all phone use while driving, we publish their views without neces-sarily endorsing them. The use of a legal hands-free kit is better than using a hand-held illegally. Fleet News would campaign for tougher action on that.

So the Government is to spend £50 million on trying to get Britain’s van fleet operators to drive vehicles that emit lower amounts of carbon dioxide (“£50 million low carbon van investment”, Fleet News November 15).

This is nothing more than political blarney that will have absolutely no effect on the levels of CO2 emitted in the UK and is money wasted.

This is how committed our Government is to green van issues – at present, van manu-facturers have no legal obliga-tion to produce either fuel economy or CO2 emissions figures for vans. So does a Ford Transit emit more CO2 than a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter? I haven’t got a clue and neither has anyone else.

From January 1 2008 all manufacturers will be required to produce fuel economy and CO2 figures but – amazingly – there is STILL no legal requirement for them to make these figures available to the public. So far, of the big manu-facturers only Citroën and Volkswagen have told me they intend to publish them.

Why the Government has decided we should be kept in the dark is a mystery and how on earth can van fleet opera-tors choose more energy-effi-cient vehicles when they don’t have these basic facts?

The Government should require mpg and CO2 figures to be made public, as is the case with cars. It would have a positive impact on the envi-ronment and wouldn’t cost the taxpayer anything.

TREVOR GELKENEditor, Fleet Van

Does the increasing need to manage drivers strengthen the need for an in-house specialist running the fleet? If you think so, vote “yes” in the online poll at the homep-age of the Fleet News website: www.fleetnews.co.uk

100

80

60

40

20

0YES NO

LAST WEEK’S POLL

50% 50%

Are there too many statistics? Do we trot out the latest figures on anything and make everything meaningless? Half of you think so

The chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), Rosemary Thew, says there is a “genuine feeling of a need for change” when it comes to preparing drivers for a life on the road.

Do you feel a need for change? The DSA and the Department for Transport (DfT) are behind a campaign to cut deaths and injuries

involving those who drive for work and, as usual, employers are expected to play a full and responsible role.

Driver management is a huge challenge for fleet professionals and HR depart-ments. Will the need to ensure all your drivers are well-trained and fully compliant secure your job after all the vehicle-related tasks have been outsourced?

ONLINE POLL FleetNews COMMENT

Your excellent article “At-work crashes under-reported” (Fleet News, November 15) refers to a very important issue for road safety around the world.

Having been heavily involved in reviewing Stats19 whilst leading research projects at the Univer-sity of Huddersfield, at the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety, Queensland, and in my current role, I wanted to make a few comments.

The 30% of road fatalities figure quoted for at-work collisions was only an estimate. It was never based on actual data.

At that time, the only jurisdic-tion around the world to have actual data was Queensland where from 1998-2002, 24% of fatal and 17% of hospitalisation road collisions were recorded as involv-ing a work driver. This was commonly seen as an under-representation, as it did not include all the at-work cars.

As one of many lobbying for ‘Purpose of Journey’ to be added into Stats19, we are delighted that it has been included since January 2005. Analysis of the first year of data showed that trucks and buses involved in at-work road collisions were reported fairly well, but other at-work vehicles such as cars and vans were hardly reported at all.

In our own research on Purpose of Journey, based on a survey of more than 1,000 drivers – more than half of all journeys involved people driving to or for work.

Department for Transport data shows clearly that for most road fatalities (almost 78%) the police did not record the purpose of journey and that for most vehicle types (almost 73%) the purpose of journey was also not recorded.

This is highly unacceptable and reflects badly on both the police collecting the data and the DfT in terms of the level of guidance and

training they provide. We believe the police (both nationally and at the “Tarmac-face”) need to be better trained in the importance of the information and how to report it effectively.

A similar data issue that requires a rethink is the inclusion of on-road at-work incidents in the Health and Safety Executive’s Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) reporting process.

This would allow the HSE to obtain a much better picture about the full extent of at-work fatalities and injuries and would allow resources to be targeted much more effectively at the biggest at-work risk in the UK.

DR WILL MURRAYResearch director, Inter-active Driving SystemsTrustee, Brake Visiting Research Fellow, CARRS-Q

‘Unbelievable’ expenses must be probed

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

The Fleet News Forum offers free five-star accommodation to delegates taking part in pre-arranged business meetings. Apply for your place online at www.fleetnewsforum.co.uk

How the Fleet News Forum worked for me

Sign up to a better way of doing business in fleet

Janine McNaughton, fleet manager, Rye Street Coachworks. Fleet size: 226Attending the Fleet News Forum is a great way to do business.

That is the view of Janine McNaughton, fleet manager for Rye Street Coachworks, a bodyshop business that operates a fleet of 220 cars and six vans.

After a series of meetings with suppliers, she was impressed enough with the presentations to hold further discussions and eventually signed a contract with a new supplier.

“I would definitely recommend the forum to other fleet decision-makers,” she said. “When I heard about the forum I thought it was a really valuable way to meet suppliers.

“I can see the logic behind the way it is organised and I met a number of potential new suppliers during my stay. I am now using one of the suppliers too.”

She also praised the networking opportuni-ties and the workshops, which gave her a detailed overview of important fleet issues, including risk management.

She said: “There was a lot of very helpful information there and I was able to take some ideas and information back to my office to help me with my work.”

Andrea Shipman, assistant fleet manager, 20:20 Mobile Group. Fleet size: 165The Fleet News Forum provided some of the key contacts needed for one delegate who was carrying out a major fleet review.

Andrea Shipman, assistant fleet manager, 20:20 Mobile Group, operates a fleet of 165 vehicles with a further 71 cash takers.

She wanted to speak to a wide range of suppliers about many aspects of her fleet and the Fleet News Forum proved ideal.

Ms Shipman was able to speak to a number of potential suppliers.

She said: “We were reviewing our whole fleet covering every aspect of the operation, so it was ideal.

“As a result of taking part in the forum, we included suppliers who were there as part of the tender process, including leasing companies.”

But she also benefited greatly from added value aspects of the event, including networking with industry colleagues to share best practice.

She said: “I found it really useful for networking, exchanging ideas for doing things in your own fleets and things you might not have thought about on your own.”

To ensure you make the most of your time at the Fleet News Forum, we are repeating our successful workshops.

Issues covered this year will be risk management, green fleet management, wholelife costs and taxation.

Everything is free, from the luxurious accommodation to meals and even evening entertainment.

Why? Because suppliers cover the costs of your stay as they benefit from quality time with you.

BORING boardrooms and hours of Powerpoint slides aren’t productive, especially when one over-long meeting can impact on the flow of a whole day’s work. It doesn’t have to be this way.

At the Fleet News Forum, fleet decision-makers take part in pre-arranged business meetings.

This year, the event takes place at the stunning five-star De Vere Grand Hotel in Brighton.

Over two days, in beautiful surround-ings, you can attend strictly-timed presentations that get straight down to business, focusing on what you want and what the supplier can deliver.

We organise the appointments in advance to save time and during the event you can expect to meet with 8-12 suppliers of your choosing.

Each 1-2-1 meeting lasts for 30 minutes and we also offer workshops covering some of the key fleet issues facing your business.

The time-saving and efficiency benefits compared to office meetings is immense.

The Fleet News Forum makes perfect business sense, so sign up today to save time and meet new suppliers

Log on to www.fleetnewsforum.co.uk to apply for your place

De Vere Grand Hotel, Brighton February 19-20

2008

Apply online now at www.fleetnewsforum.co.uk. For sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities, call Maddie Collins on 01733 468171 or email madaline.collins@emap.com

Added value workshopsGreat benefits for free

The Fleet News Forum explained“It was two very well spent days and all my objectives were met. I was more than satisfied. I was there looking at accident management and driver duty of care.”Mitch Elliott Fleet services manager Lincolnshire County Council

“It was both very informative and beneficial for me personally, as well as for the organisation. I was able to rekindle business with an auction house, which proved worthwhile. I also made contact with vehicle hire companies, which was also beneficial.“It is essential such events take place, as networking is a very important aspect of the

fleet business. I am of the firm belief that without such events, the fleet industry would suffer as a consequence.”Mike ThomasFleet managerDyfed Powys Police

“I found the Fleet News Forum very informative and a useful networking event.”Julie FurnivalThera Trust

“We were about to embark on a tender so were keen to find out what was on offer.”Debbie FloydeFleet manager, Emap

In their own words

QIs the cost of a hands-free kit for a mobile

phone liable to tax and should it go on our employees’ P11D forms? As this is a legal requirement, it seems unfair to be taxed for doing the right thing.

AThere is no doubt in my mind that a hands-free kit,

purchased by a company for its fleet of company cars, is not liable for tax.

The VAT can be recovered as for a legitimate business purchase and the employee does not have to pay tax on it either. Therefore, there is no P11D liability. The kit is a legal requirement if the employee is to pursue his/her business without

breaking the law and, may I add, the mobile phone to which it is connected is not liable for tax either.

You can rest easy in my opinion but if in any doubt you should ask your company’s accountant for confirmation.

I hope, however, that all users of mobile phones, including those with hands-free kits, adhere to the guidelines in the Highway Code and, once having taken a call, advise the caller that they will call them back if the conversation requires detailed information.

FRED MACDONALDFleet manager,Wilson Electrical Distributors

MOBILE PHONES

Hands-free phone kits do not have to be included on tax forms

QMany drivers have refused to use their car

for business use unless the company pays for the additional business insur-ance. We pay them a fuel allowance and we have not made any amendments to our own fleet insurance. Am I being unfair?

ANo, you are not being unreasonable and what you

are requesting from your drivers is correct if it is for occasional use only.

I would also ask to see their original driving licences. However, if your sales personnel are using their own vehicles on a constant basis then I would look at car allowances or allocating a company vehicle dependent on business mileage.

High business mileage drivers should not be driving their own vehicles. As a company you have a duty of care to your drivers to ensure they are safe while travel-ling on company business and if they use their own vehicles you would need to check the vehicles have MoTs, full service history, are taxed and are well maintained.

We do not allow our occa-sional drivers to travel on company business in their own vehicles.

We have set up an agreement with our contract hire provider to supply hire cars.

The hire cars are insured under our company insurance policy so we don’t have any issues regarding fuel allow-ance or insurance.

MICHELLE HALLAMFleet manager,Fisher Scientific

PRIVATEVEHICLES

QAfter an expensive two-year programme of

driving training, we were shocked to find our insur-ance premiums had risen by 40%. I don’t have detailed figures, but apparently the number of reported cases has fallen. I feel very disillusioned about this yet everybody keeps going on about the need for driver training.

AIt is entirely reasonable to expect a reduction in

insurance premiums as a result of the driver training which has

been undertaken by your company.

Research by a leading risk management company shows the direct benefit of driver training is up to a 50% reduction in accidents and, in turn, insurance premiums.

As a first step you need to gather together information on your accident claims.

This should show a reduction in the number of accidents and the associated costs as a result of the driver training.

With this information you will then be in a position to challenge the increase in

premiums your current insurer has put in place.

I would also strongly recommend you instruct your insurance brokers to obtain quotations from a number of other insurance companies before renewing.

You may find that another insurer will view your driver training programme in a more favourable light, which will be reflected by a lower premium being proposed.

MIKE CLAYTONFleet manager,Garndene

INSURANCE PREMIUMS

QCan you point me to a reliable source for fuel

prices to calculate our mileage reimbursement? Some websites show figures which can vary by five or six pence a litre. Which is the best resource?

AThe answer to your question lies in which way

you are compensating your drivers.

If they are using one of your fuel cards and reimbursing the company for their private miles,

then your best source of information is undoubtedly the HMRC website.

These figures are recalcu-lated every six months to reflect

the fluctuating cost of fuel. As these are Government

recommendations, you can’t go wrong by applying their figures.

On the website you will find listings by engine size and also by fuel type.

These are calculated using the average mpg for each classification of vehicle and applied to the current pump prices.

The calculation is the same whether the driver is reimburs-ing you for private miles or you are repaying any fuel purchased

without a fuel card for one of your vehicles.

The link to the website is: www.hmrc.gov.uk/cars/advisory_fuel_current.htm

Should you be looking to repay mileage to any driver without a fuel card and using their own vehicle then different rules apply.

These are also located on the HMRC website.

ANN DUKANOVICFleet manager, Kaba Door Systems

FUEL PRICES

Is the cost of a hands-free phone kit likely to be taxed?

HELPLINE

www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 37

Driver training should help reduce your company’s insurance costs

■ Do you have a problem with your fleet? email fleetnews@emap.com Interface

38 22.11.07 www.fleetnews.co.uk

Call Sheryl Graham: 01733 468256 email: Sheryl.graham@emap.com

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Fleet services Call Sheryl Graham: 01733 468256email: sheryl.graham@emap.com

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www.fleetnews.co.uk 22.11.07 39

NEWS QUIZ

You couldn’t make it up...

EVENTS

NEXT WEEK

Win Sally Traffic HandbookShe’s the darling of the truckers. Now Sally Boazman has turned her hand to writing a book and we have copies of The Sally Traffic Handbook to give away to six winners of this week’s quiz.

Sally, a Radio 2 traffic news reporter who is best known as Sally Traffic, has released her first book through Haynes publishing.

The Sally Traffic Handbook is packed with personal anec-dotes and useful information for drivers. Sally gives her views on lane hoggers and Britain’s best roads, advises on coping with traffic jams and shares her favourite jokes, embarrassing place names and driving tunes with readers.

For further details visit www.haynes.co.uk/sallytraffic

For your chance to win a

copy of The Sally Traffic Handbook, answer the following questions, based on articles in this week’s Fleet News.1. What is the annual cost of accidents caused by uninsured drivers?2. Which car beat the Audi A5 in our road test challenge?3. What were the names of the 2005 hurricanes that affected fuel prices?■ Last week’s winner of an Anycom Bluetooth car kit was Sue Harris, of Wyko Industrial Services, Halesowen.

29.11.07My first company car was a Vauxhall Chevette in Colorado beige.

It was my first company car in my first sales job and I was delighted with it.

It was a new car which was a novelty as I was used to

running old vans including an Austin A35 that I bought from British Car Auctions.

I stayed with the same company, Batchelor Bowles, for nine years in different roles and had several cars.

My two favourites were the Opel Rekord and the Opel Manta.

GERARD BARCLAY Chief executive, automotive charity Ben

’

‘We’ve had drivers banned due to penalty points totting up, but I think the most unpleasant incident was when we picked up an old van from an engineer.

We sent a couple of drivers to collect the van from its previous owner but when they returned they were covered in flea bites.

Apparently, the engineer responsible for the van had been taking his dog out with him to jobs and it was covered in dog hair and mud.

It was absolutely filthy. I know vans see a lot of hard use, but this wasn’t very nice at all.

Send your answers and address by email* to fleetnews@emap.com with ‘News Quiz’ in the subject line or post them to Fleet News, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough PE2 6EA. The closing date is midday on Monday, when a winner will be chosen at random from the correct entries. *By supplying your email address you are happy to receive offers via email from Fleet News. We will not pass your informaion on to other parts of EMAP and/or third parties.

MY FIRST COMPANY CAR

CONTACT US

EDITORIALEDITOR Martyn Moore 01733 468024martyn.moore@emap.comDEPUTY EDITORJulian Kirk 01733 468308julian.kirk@emap.comNEWS EDITORDaniel Attwood 01733 468294daniel.attwood@emap.comSECTION EDITORAdele Barry 01733 468901adele.barry@emap.comFEATURES WRITERPhill Tromans 01733 468314phill.tromans@emap.comREPORTEREmma Cooper 01733 468309emma.cooper@emap.comSUPPLEMENTS EDITOR/EVENTSJohn Maslen 01733 468307john.maslen@emap.comCONTRIBUTING EDITOR Steve Moodysteve.moody@emap.com

ADVERTISINGKEY ACCOUNT DIRECTORSAndy Smith 01733 468339Peter Millis 01733 468268Julie Abell 01733 468273Hayley Willerton 01733 468320PROJECT MANAGERLeanne Patterson 01733 468332TELESALES MANAGERPenny Care 01733 468375RECRUITMENT EXECUTIVEDaniel Bragg 01733 468271CLASSIFIED EXECUTIVESSheryl Graham 01733 468256Dee Kennedy 01733 468275

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PUBLISHINGMANAGING DIRECTOREd Kenyon 01733 468862ed.kenyon@emap.comMANAGING DIRECTOR’S PA Vicky Meadows 01733 468319vicky.meadows@emap.comGROUP MANAGING DIRECTORIan Templeton

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: £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 438847Printing: Headley Brothers Ltd, Ashford, Kent

© 2007 Emap Automotive ISSN 0953-8526No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. You can purchase words or pictures for your own publications. Phone 01733 465982 or email syndication@emap.com. Fleet News will not accept responsibility for unsolicited material.Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation

Your business needs Fleet News and a subscription is great value. Call 01733 468659or email: caroline.brown@emap.com

Fleet News, incorporating Company Car, is published by EMAP Automotive Ltd, Media House, Lynch Wood, Peterborough PE2 6EA. Phone 01733 468000. Fax 01733 468296. Email fleetnews@emap.com

Email stories about your drivers to fleetnews@emap.com All entries published will remain anonymous. If yours is chosen you’ll receive £10.

Real-life stories about your fleet’s dimwit drivers

ACFO REGIONAL MEETINGS Nationwide. 01730 260162.

FLEET VAN CONFERENCENovember 22, Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedford.www.fleetvanconference.com

BRAKE/FLEET SAFETY FORUMDuty of care half-day workshopNovember 27, Liverpool.

SMMT ANNUAL DINNERNovember 27, London.

RoSPA: MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL ROAD RISKJanuary 21, Birmingham.

EU ROAD USER CHARGING CONFERENCEJanuary 29/30, London.www.roadusercharging.com

FLEET NEWS AWARDSMarch 10, Grosvenor House Hotel, London. 01733 468123.

InterfaceAND FINALLY...

ROAD TEST Renault’s new Laguna meetsits key rivals

GREEN TRANSPORTPlug-in hybrids

COMPETITION Win a Bluetooth hands-free unit

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

40 22.11.07 www.fleetnews.co.uk

More than half of all Mondeos sold in the UK are high series models,

accounting for 52% of the 16,500 registered in the new car’s first five months on sale.

This compares with a share of less than 35% for equivalent high series Mondeos two years ago.

“Ford customers are impressed by the new Mondeo’s equipment list,” said Ford of Britain chairman and managing director Roelant de Waard.

“They’re delighted by high-tech features such as adaptive cruise, which adjusts speed relative to the vehicle in front, active suspension and adaptive front lights which beam around corners.”

The adaptive front lighting system (AFS), which is standard on Titanium X and an option on other models, incorporates halogen lamps linked to sensors which detect steering input and can swivel up to 15 degrees. This system improves visibility when negotiating tight bends, particularly on roads where the only light source is the car’s headlamps.

In comparative tests between conventional halogen reflector lamps and AFS, the AFS lamps cast light an additional 10 metres into the bend.

Static, low level cornering lights are another feature of AFS. They are automatically turned on when the car is travelling below 37mph, and the steering wheel turns at

an angle of at least 30 degrees. New Mondeo can also be

specified with bi-xenon lamps which include static cornering lights, plus automatic headlamp levelling and washer jets. Bi-xenons offer twice the light density on the road at one-third of the energy input of conventional lights.

Test show that while AFS headlamps have a range of 155m, bi-xenons illuminate up to 245m of the road ahead.■ New Mondeo performed strongly in auction at BCA Nottingham earlier this month, when 07-registered cars with around 5,500 miles on the clock, averaged 76.1% of current list price, achieving 110% of CAP Clean.

Generous equipment impressesbuyers

Ford named Car Company of YearFord of Europe was named Car Company of the Year in the annual Autocar Awards, and retiring chief technical officer Richard Parry-Jones was honoured with a special Editor’s Award for Excellence.

Ford of Europe’s award recognised its development of outstanding cars and its consistent profitability. In 2007 the S-MAX was voted Car of the Year and the Transit voted International Van of the Year.

Richard Parry-Jones was honoured for inspiring Ford’s development of industry-leading driving dynamics, which has inspired literally thousands of engineers, and stimulated improvements in rival products as well as Ford’s own.

Prevent misfuelling accidentsFord’s Easy Fuel system which prevents drivers from filling up with the wrong type of fuel will be available on more Ford cars.

Launched on the all new

Mondeo, the new Focus on sale early in 2008 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 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 to the fuel pump and high-pressure injection system, as well as trigger other serious engine problems and four-figure repair costs.

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

High-tech features add to Mondeo’s appeal

John Fleming, left, receives the

Car Company of the Year award

The new Focus will be fitted

with Easy Fuel as standard