Car Leasing News

The new car market rose for the eighth successive month in February, with the market up by 26.4% (68,686 units). Private buyers are leading the growth with the scrappage scheme accounting for 19.6%, however business fleet demand is also strengthening.

SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt said,”Scrappage has generated eight consecutive months of growth in the new car market and we expect its benefits to stretch beyond the scheme’s closure later this month. Industry continues to face challenging market conditions, but positive trends in the fleet and business sectors suggest that negative impacts can be minimised. A clear and consistent approach to CO2 based taxation and improved access to affordable credit are essential elements in sustaining recovery in the new car market”.

Ford reports strong sales

Ford grew its January car sales figures by almost 1,200 units and the popular car manufacturer is still a hit with company car fleet drivers. The Ford Fiesta and Focus were the first and second best sellers respectively in the UK market, with total sales of all Ford models rising to 22,128. If you add Ford commercial vehicles the figures rises to 24,907 units.

Nigel Sharp, Ford Britain managing director said,”This will be another year of challenges but Ford and its dealers have the vehicles and expertise to maintain our strong sales momentum”. The Ford Mondeo 1.8TDCi ECOnetic 5-door diesel hatchback is a car that will be really popular with company car fleet drivers, as it offers low CO2 emissions at 139gk/km and returns 53.3 combined mpg. Ford car leasing on this model also starts from only £234.97+VAT per month.

New Astra ecoFLEX

Vauxhall is introducing an ecoFLEX model to the Astra range promising low CO2 emission of 109g/km  and 67.3 combined mpg. The Astra ecoFLEX hatchback will be the first range to get the new improved 1.3 CDTi 95PS diesel engine which has recently been seen in the new Corsa.

The diesel engine is paired with a five-speed transmission, with new gear ratios to offer improved fuel economy and it also features a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). This model is also going to be available in the five-door SRi model as well, thereby offering sporty looks and great economy and is also available in the standard S, Exclusiv and SE trims.  With its low CO2 and great fuel economy it is bound to be a favourite with  fleet company car drivers.

Auto Windscreens, the automotive glazing service provider, has announced that its owner ARQUES Industries AG has sold its stake in the company to a new majority shareholder. MOGUNITA invest GmbH, controlled by Christian Daumann, will now lead the Company as the majority shareholder.

The existing Managing Director of Auto Windscreens, Peter Fox, will stay on as will all the existing management structures and it’s business as usual. Established in 1971, Auto Windscreens operates a 94-strong fitting centre network with a fleet of more than 600 mobile units and is a major supplier to many of the contract hire leasing companies as well as private customers.

THINK

THINK, the Scandanavian electric vehicle manufacturer, and its largest fleet customer, Move About the Norwegian car-share fleet operator, is supplying 15 THINK City courtesy cars to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.

All conference delegates will be able to use the urban EV during their time at the summit. The THINK City EV’s have a range of up to 180k/km (circa 108 miles) and also emit zero emissions. As yet the electric battery powered car has been sold to selected markets such as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands, Switzerland and most recently Spain. The vehicles have been targeted at municipal fleet holders, governments and utility partners.

The BVRLA (British Vehicle rental and Leasing Association) is the trade body for companies engaged in leasing and rental of cars and commercial vehicles. The are advising businesses that they should check that “employee owned cars” used for business, are roadworthy and are properly insured.

John Lewis, chief executive of the BVRLA speaking at the OGC Annual Grey Fleet Conference told delegates that they needed to adopt a “zero tolerance” policy on employees who were unable to prove their vehicle was properly maintained and insured or give details of their driving licence. Companies still have a duty of care requirement for a “grey fleet”.

BMW has been awarded the title of Industry Supplier by the Energy Savings Trust, the UK’s leading organisation to set up to try and prevent climate change by helping everybody cut carbon dioxide emissions.

This is the second year running BMW has won the award in recognition of how it has helped businesses make their fleets more efficient, sustainable and reduce carbon emissions. The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics model which was recently launched emits only 109g/km CO2 which for a car of this size is pretty impressive.

BMW models sold in 2008 with EfficientDynamics technologies fitted have also been responsible for an approximate 54,000 tonne reduction in CO2 emissions compared to pre-EfficientDynamics cars. BMW contract hire prices are available on the whole range (off the site now) if you are looking for a low CO2 vehicle.

ACFO Award winners

ACFO, the body representing the interests of businesses which operate cars or vans, has awarded the following manufacturers with awards, at the 2009 ACFO Fleet Car and Van of the Year Awards.

- The Volkswagen Golf range won ACFO Fleet Car of the Year for the Volkswagen Golf.

- Ford won the Fleet Light Van of the Year for the Transit Connect.

- Volkswagen also won the Van Award for their Caddy range.

- Mercedes-Benz won the Fleet Panel Van of the year category for their Sprinter.

Julie Jenner,ACFO chairman said, “The Awards continue to represent the true face of fleet operations,rather than showroom appeal”.  Car leasing and van leasing prices on the above manufacturers are readily available off the site now.

Iveco Daily

Iveco has been awarded the Transport Innovation of the Year trophy in the Postal Technology Awards at Hanover. Blue & Me Fleet was introduced by Iveco in 2008 and offers data on fuel consumption, distance travelled, speed and overall usage.

It can also track each individual driver identity so that a profile can be correlated on each driver’s activity. It can also connect to the digital tachograph to allow remote authentication and to download tachograph data, to meet the commercial industry’s legal requirements.

Blue & Me Fleet can be specified on any new vehicle in the Iveco commercial vehicle range from 2010.

Trafficmaster

Trafficmaster is the UK’s leading provider of intelligent driving solutions and they have just updated their Fleet Director fleet management system.

The new updgrade includes the following enhancements;

- Actual closest vehicle to a job based on live traffic solutions.

- Live traffic information and virtual mapping monitoring 8,000 miles of UK roads.

- Instant dashboards for straightforward reporting.

- Two-way messaging on a new Colour Touchscreen allowing the driver and fleet manager to communicate.

John Lawrence, Sales and Marketing Director Trafficmaster said, “We have worked with our customers to develop these practical features that not only meet but anticipate future business needs of the fleet manager”.