Citroen has added the new Dispatch XTR+ to their LCV (light commercial vehicle) range. This van has been launched to satisfy the requirements of the public utility companies and uses a multi-plate FAM Reinforced Traction limited-slip differential to give better traction.

The new model is based on the Dispatch 2.0 HDi 120 hp L1H1 van and also offers 30mm raised wheels, heavy duty suspension and revised steering geometry as well as a comprehensive underbody and engine protection.

With a 1200kg payload this three seater van provides an alternative solution to on and off road requirements without the need for a conventional 4 x 4 vehicle.

John Lewis , the current Director General of the BVRLA has been appointed as Chief Executive, in recognition of his contribution to the BVRLA executive and its members.

The creation of this new role will help John in his lobbying efforts on behalf of the vehicle rental and leasing industry. John has also been asked to join the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) and the Roadsafe forum.

John said ” My role remains the same. Our key challenge in 2009 is to try and support the rental and leasing industry through the difficult times that lie ahead”.

Diahatsu has announced that it will be providing 5 years free servicing on any Diahatsu Terios registered between the 1st January 2009 and the 31st March 2009. This is in addition to the 5 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty plus 5 years Roadside Assistance.

Powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine the Terios achieves 35.8 on a combined MPG cycle and 185 g/km CO2 output. Don’t forget though that in April 2009 the VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) bandings are changing. The Diahatsu Terios has a high seating position and gives much better visibilty than the usual family car. It therefore makes sense to shop around and there 12 contract hire companies supplying their live pricing to the site.

The Kia Sportage has been voted as “Value for Money Champion” for the third year in a row by the Planet 4X4 awards. This Kia 4×4 comes with a seven year warranty and offers various upgrades, like a better braking system, beefed up suspension and more comfortable seating.

Clearly moving production from Korea to the new plant in Slovakia has helped establish this already successful model. Alan Kidd, editor of Planet 4X4 said  “You’d think we’d be ready for it by now, but each year our testers are startled afresh by what a practical, well built, well equipped and “good to drive” package it delivers”.

Contract Hire prices on the Kia Sportage and all other makes and models are available at Comparecontracthire.com the UK’s first business and personal contract hire price comparison site @ www.comparecontracthire.com

Prices can be compared from up to 12 finance partners.

The new legislation passed by the European parliament today, sets out tough targets for car manufacturers. Average CO2 emissions from new cars must be reduced to 130 g/km by 2015. This is the equivalent of achieving 58 mpg with a diesel engine or 52 mpg with a petrol engine reports the SMMT.

The new target dates for manufacturers averaging 130 g/km on all models are as follows;

65% of new cars by 2012,  75% by 2013,  80% by 2014 and 100% by 2015 – pretty stretching and an additional 10% must be achieved by using other measures like alternative fuels and tyre pressure monitoring systems.

Manufacturers who do not achieve these targets will be heavily fined per additional gram of CO2 emitted for every car registered across Europe. SMMT Chief Executive, Paul Everitt said ” This is an ambitious piece of legislation presenting a tough challenge to the automotive industry. We share the environmental objectives and welcome the long term framework the legislation sets out”. He went on to say ” At a time of economic uncertainty, it underlines the importance of long term investment in the sector”.

Clearly the resale value of cars that do not meet these future CO2 targets, will be affected in the long run, as the costs of motoring increase.  Businesses and consumers will increasingly look for cars that have better CO2 emissions and better fuel efficiency, in order to save money. The SMMT also says there is a direct link between CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

Choosing your next car carefully, is therefore really important whether you buy or contract hire lease. The contract hire rentals, for cars with poor emissions and poor mpg performance are likely to increase, as their residual values will have to reflect the impact of this new legislation.

You know you want to contract hire your next vehicle. So where do you go or where do you look to get your prices?

Well Google “Contract Hire” and you will see 2.7m results. Lots of companies offering special offers and deals. How many do you call?  How easy is to see what the “special offer” is?  Does the “special offer still exist?”

Many companies will also ask you for your personal details before providing you quotes – why should you give out your details until you are ready?

Are you also comparing like for like on the following as all of these affect the rental that is being offered?

1) The exact make and model?

2) The length of the contract?

3) The annual mileage set?

4) The payment terms including the initial rental?

5) Is maintenance included?

6) Business or personal contract hire?

You can spend hours searching for the exact vehicle that you want, on the exact terms, that you want…..

Well not anymore, as Comparecontracthire.com aims to make life easy for small businesses and consumers. You can easily compare prices on www.comparecontracthire.com by the exact model, by £ per month, by CO2 g/km or by combined MPG.  You can even do a vehicle search and see an image, the options, the standard accessories and the technical data on any make or model.  All to help you save you time and money and no need to register any personal details to get instant quotes compared on line.

We have twelve finance partners providing live pricing, namely Arval, Days Contract Hire, Masterlease, Hitachi Capital, TCH leasing, Grosvenor Contracts, Fiat Auto, Alfa Romeo Contract Hire, jamjarcars, Chevrolet Lease, Saab Contract Hire and Vauxhall Leasing.  Deal direct with one of these companies once you have narrowed down your choices.

Comparecontracthire.com helps small business and consumers compare contract hire prices easily on the same terms and explains the product and provides useful information on other motoring related services.

Confused.com, one of the UK’s leading price comparison sites, has now joined forces with Comparecontracthire.com to offer contract hire price comparison prices to its 1.0M monthly site visitors.

This ground breaking partnership brings the benefit of vehicle contract hire to a much wider audience. Contract hire is an effective way to acquire your next vehicle as it offers fixed cost and risk free motoring – essential in these uncertain economic times.

Confused.com launched its full insurance price comparison site in 2003 and has since extended the products and services it offers. Comparecontracthire.com will become Confused’s contract hire and personal contract hire partner with its innovative new quote engines being offered to all Confused.com site visitors, many of whom run cars or vans.

Prices are compared from a panel of contract hire suppliers including Arval, Days Contract Hire, Grosvenor Contracts, Hitachi Capital, Masterlease, jamjarcars.com, TCH Leasing, Chevrolet Lease, Saab Contract Hire, Vauxhall Leasing, Fiat Auto and Alfa Romeo Contract Hire.

Robert Wastell, Managing Director of Comparecontracthire.com said ” Confused.com has a great brand name and a huge number of monthly visitors, so this partnership takes our site to the next level of its development. It also opens up a completely new sales channel to our finance partners”.

Greg Steel, Product Manager at Confused.com says ” Confused.com is interested in developing new channels to compliment its existing proposition. Vehicle finance is one area where we see our existing vehicle insurance customers benefitting from this new partnership and we believe this is a new growth market for us. The finance partners on Comparecontracthire.com are all well known brands in their own right and should offer an excellent service to our customers”

The link to the site is www.comparecontracthire.com/confused

What Van? has awarded the Vauxhall Corsavan “Small Van of the Year”. Small vans have never been so popular and according to What Van? , Corsavan is the best of the lot.

Steve Bryant, Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle Brand Manager said” the small van market is growing more and more important as businesses look to keep their costs under control. The fact that Corsavan shares so much with the multi-award winning Corsa car means we have a van that offers class-leading levels of quality, dynamics and roadside appeal”.

You can obtain live contract hire prices at www.comparecontracthire.com the UK’s first contract hire price comparison site from our panel of 12 finance companies including Vauxhall Leasing.

The Mitsubishi L200 and the Outlander 4Work win “Best Pick Up” and ” Best 4X4″ at the prestigious What Van? awards. Lance Bradley, Sales and Marketing Director said” the Outlander Commercial is continuing to show its true qualities as an affordable addition to their commercial fleet”.

Full contract hire pricing is available at www.comparecontracthire.com where prices are easily compared on line from up to 12 finance companies.

The latest Ford C-Max MPV delivers the lowest CO2 emissions in its segment, reports the Ford Motor company. The 1.6 TDCi models emit just 119 g/km of C02.

This drive to reduce emissions sits quite nicely with the new VED bands which come into force in April 2009. C-Max is one of over 50 Ford models emitting under 120 g/km CO2.