Fleet Car Summer 2018 webfull

IRELAND’S FOREMOST FLEET & CORPORATE SECTOR GUIDE

Volume 16. No. 1. Summer 2018

Fleet Car Safety Seminar

FE ATU RE S

Life Saving Technology Demonstrated

INTERVIEW: Michael Hegarty, Hertz Lease Ireland INTERVIEW: TEST DRIVES: DRIVES: Volvo XC40, Opel Grandland X & Hyundai Kona REPORT:: Vehicle Leasing Association of Ireland - Conference REPORT LAUNCH PAD: PAD: BMW, Citroën, Ford, Jeep, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Volkswagen CLASSIC:: Vauxhall Heritage Centre FEATURE CLASSIC FEATURE:: McLaren Technology Centre

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Car

AWARDS 2019

SAVE THE DATE: 10th October 2018 Venue: Citywest Hotel, Dublin

Save the date for the Fleet Car Awards 2019, Ireland’s leading awards programme honouring those manufacturers and vehicles achieving excellence in the corporate / fleet car market. Now in its 7th year, the Fleet Car Awards has become firmly established as a vital barometer of the best cars available to company car drivers across a range of sectors. Contenders are assessed by experts in the fleet sector, factoring in a range of parameters such as total cost of ownership, safety, comfort and aftermarket plus the brand’s investment and presence in the fleet/ corporate car industry.

The Fleet Car Awards are also an unrivalled networking opportunity, bringing together professionals from all across the motoring industry. So make a note in your diary for the Fleet Car Awards 2019 today!

SPONSORSHIP/EVENT CO-ORDINATORS Orla Sweeney | T: +353 949372819 M: + 353 86 2439239 | orla@fleet.ie Mary Morrissey | T: +353 949372819 M: +353 87 2178495 | mary@fleet.ie

WEB: www.fleetcar.ie

Contents Summer 2018 4 News • John Wallace new President of VLAI • BIK discussions between VLAI and Revenue • Ireland’s Car Manufacturing industry recalled • Toyota's 'FaceItDown' programme works • eCall now fitted to all new cars • Digitisation and telematics and grow leasing industry • New Byton electric SUV showcased Plus Junction Box

Fleet Car Magazine, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie ISSN: 1649-9433 www.fleetcar.ie Editor: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie Deputy Editor: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie Contibutor: Rob Van Dieten, Paul White, Sara Ferraccioli, Gerry Murphy Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle, Denise Owens, Paul White, Sara Ferraccioli, Paul Sherwood Administration: Orla Sweeney, Denise Owens, Paula Mullarkey

7 Interview With Michael Hegarty, Hertz Lease Ireland 8 Report 1 Fleet Car Safety Seminar, Leopardstown 12 Test Drive 1 Volvo XC40

13

14 Test Drive 3 Hyundai Kona 16 Launch Pad • Ford Mondeo HEV • BMW X2 • Jeep Compass • Ford Focus • Opel Combo Life • Peugeot 508 • Nissan Leaf • Volkswagen T-Roc, Polo and Tiguan • Citroën C4 Cactus 19 Report 2 VLAI Conference, Galway 20 Classic 1 Vauxhall Heritage Centre

13 Test Drive 2 Opel Grandland X

Advertising: Mary Morrissey

www.fleetcar.ie | 3

22 Feature McLaren Technology Centre

14

P20

Design: Eamon Wynne

Fleet Transport/ Fleet Car/ Green Fleet Management/ Fleet Van & Utility/ Fleet Bus & Coach/ Fleet Trailer & Body Builder/ Fleet Maritime are published by JJDS Publications Ltd. Registered Office: D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

Co. Reg. 368767 Directors: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh.

Disclaimer: Fleet Car Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Transport management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this

publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers.

The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

20

TH

ANNIVERSARY CYCLE CHALLENGE

L AND’S END TO JOHN O’ GROATS

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4 | NEWS I

John Wallace elected as President of the VLAI

A

t the recent Annual General Meeting of the Vehicle Leasing Association of Ireland (VLAI) in Galway, John Wallace, Director and Co-owner of Fleetfirst Contract Hire was elected as President. He succeeds Micheal Hegarty of Hertz Fleet Services who steps down after ten years in the position. It is John’s second tenure as President of the VLAI having served previously in 2007/8. Morgan McAndrew from Fleet Options, was elected as the new Deputy President.

John boasts over 35 years' experience in the motor industry, having worked in Sales and Marketing with Land Rover Ireland, Hyundai Cars Ireland, MMC Commercials, Hertz Rent A Car Ireland and UK. In 1998 he moved into the leasing sector, with the establishment of Fleetfi rst Contract Hire.

John is looking forward to tackling some of the topical issues currently facing the leasing industry. “As President of the VLAI in 2007/8 we were fortunate to be able to get the Government to allow a partial VAT reclaim on passenger cars for the fi rst time ever. My goal for my new term as President

I.M. European Motors Ltd., importers of the Citroën and DS Automobiles brands in Ireland, has appointed Stephen McGrath as Finance Director and Kevin Hilliard as Sales Director.

Stephen was previously Financial Controller at the company si nce 20 09.

Before t h is he w or k e d at Lismard Autoworld for 5 years as Group Financial Controller and at Merlin Motor City for 4 years as Financial Controller. is to try and get that reclaim (currently 20%) increased to 50% which is the more normal European rate. I also want to keep going the excellent work started by my predecessor Michael Hegarty, in ensuring that any changes made by Government to BIK on passengers cars helps our industry and gets more people out of the ‘Grey fleet’ and back into company cars which are known to be safer and greener.”

VLAI in talks with Revenue on BIK

A

series of meetings have been held between Revenue and the Vehicle Leasing Association of Ireland (VLAI) with regards to the future direction for Business In Kind (BIK) taxation.

Speaking at the VLAI Conference in Galway, outgoing President Michael Hegarty said it was encouraging that Revenue was interacting with the VLAI, noting it was the fi rst time it had done so since the 2008 discussions on VAT. He said that there was a mutual interest to move away from the current system which is based on a combination of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP), CO2

FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

Citroën Ireland Appointments

emissions and business mileage. Crucially this system encourages company car drivers to do high mileage by rewarding them with lower BIK rates.

A CO2 -based system is one option that is being looked at. Michael said that there is an opportunity now to produce a tax neutral solution based on hard facts and figures that would be hard for Revenue to refute, but warned on the importance of fi nding the correct solution. “If we don’t get it right it could seriously impact our business model,” he stated.

The VLAI has established a sub-committee to put together a submission to Revenue by the end of April or early May

Kevin has over 30 years’ experience working in the motor industry in both the UK and Ireland, having previously worked with leading brands including Ford, Mazda and BMW. Before joining Citroën and DS Ireland he was National Sales and Aftersales Manager for Mazda Ireland.

New management at Opel Ireland Following the announcement i n Ja nu a r y of Stephen Nor ma n a s Managing Di rec tor of Opel Ireland and Vauxhall Motors, Gillian Whittall has been appointed as the new General Manager for Opel Ireland.

Gillian joined Opel Ireland in 2008 as Head of Marketing & PR, bringing extensive experience from high profi le brands within AIB, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Danone Reporting directly to Stephen Norman,

NEWS II | 5

Gillian said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of managing Opel in Ireland.

By combining the agility of Groupe PSA with the design and engineering excellence of Opel in Germany, the brand will continue to strengthen its offering in the market, impressing both our loyal customers and newcomers to the brand alike.

Stephen reports to Peter Christian Kuespert, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales Managing Director of Opel/ Vauxhall.

Irish rental company receives European motoring award

Naas-based company Go Rentals was recently honoured with the “Flying Starter Award” at the Practical Car and Van Rental Conference and Awards held in the UK. The company, which is celebrating 50 years in business this year, was given the award for the Best New Practical and Van Rental Franchise throughout Ireland and the UK. Go Rentals received the award on the back of recording the highest number of rental days on self-drive hire insurance across all new franchises in the previous 12 months.

Go Rentals has 160 vehicles in its stock, 30% of which are cars, while the rest are a combination of differently sized commercial vehicles.

Book on 50 Years of Car Assembly in Ireland launched

R

enowned automotive historian and author Bob Montgomery has added to his portfolio of historical records with the launch of his latest book ‘Motor A ssembly in Ireland ’ chronicling the manufacturing and heavy industry emerging from a newly formed Republic of Ireland in the 1920’s and early 1930’s.

Sean Lemass, the Minister for Industry & Commerce, along with FM Summerfield, conceived the idea of assembling motor cars in the Republic which up till now was only carried out in more industrialised countries.

“It should be remembered that at the time assembly was introduced, the Free State had virtually no light industry manufacturing, yet within six months, there were no fewer than 13 assembly plants in operation together with the necessary component suppliers. In the years that followed in the region of 52 different makes of cars were assembled here,” explained Bob Montgomery.

To get the process started, in 1933, Sean Lemass provided a tax concession to companies who engaged in assembling cars.

A significant light industrial sector developed around these plants providing tyres, batteries, glass, springs, spark plugs, upholstery, paint and other components. ”This was the true start of the light manufacturing industry in Ireland that continued until the last cars were produced in 1984 after our accession to the EC. I feel that this is a vital, and often underappreciated, stage in the transition of the Republic of Ireland from an agriculture-based to an industrial economy,” he added.

Bob’s new book is the story of the fifty plus makes of cars that were assembled during the fift y-year lifespan of the Industry. With 240 pages and 205 illustrations this book is full of information about the makes of cars assembled, many of them surprising, and the personalities that were involved with them.

‘FaceItDown’ drives 12 million safer kilometres

O

ver 12 million kilometres have been logged with Toyota Ireland’s FaceItDown App initiative in association with the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Since launch, that equates to 3,799 trips around the whole of Ireland’s coastline!

Research shows that when using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, you’re four times more likely to crash than someone who is not using a hand-held phone. To reward those that place their phone down, anyone who downloads and uses the Toyota FaceItDown app while driving can collect points via the app which they can redeem against rewards such as free hot drinks from Topaz ReStore and €50 off car insurance from FBD. In the nine months that the Toyota FaceItDown app has been available:

•

• 12,050,805 kilometers have been driven using the app which equates to driving 302 times around the Earth, pole to pole!

• The App has been downloaded over 42,000 times 14,602 hot drinks have been redeemed that’s more than 3,454-liter drinks!

As part of Toyota Ireland’s brand promise, ‘Built for a Better World’, the App was developed with the aim of changing driver behavior and improving road safety for everyone in Ireland. The user launches the Toyota FaceItDown App before setting off on a journey and simply puts their phone face down. Points are earned for every kilometre driven without picking up the phone. If the user picks up the phone while driving, all the points accumulated will be lost. www.fleetcar.ie

6 | NEWS III

Emergency alert system now compulsory fitment on cars

F

rom the start of April, all new cars are being equipped with eCall; a system that automatically dials emergency services in the event of a serious road traffic accident.

Secretary General, of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Erik Jonnaert, welcomed this milestone, which he said had been made possible thanks to huge investments by the industry.

“eCall has the potential to save many lives by shortening the reaction time of emergency services. Th is means that ambulances, fi re engines and the police can intervene as quickly as possible within the ‘golden hour’ after a collision, The rollout of eCall is just one of many developments designed to limit the effects of road accidents,” Jonnaert stated.

“Looking towards the future, ‘active safety’ technologies – which can prevent accidents from happening at all – offer massive potential to further improve road safety, for example by automatically

intervening when a driver fails to react in time.”

ACEA also calls for an integrated approac h to safety, combining further improvements in vehicle technology with improved driver training, better road design and maintenance, and the enforcement of existing traffic regulations.

New Mobility Models Set to Transform the Fleet Vehicle Leasing Industry

A

as Ukraine (33.6%), Russia (19.6%), Croatia (15.3%), and Hungary (12.6%) will top year-on-year growth rates in fleet leasing sales.

The analysis by Frost & Sullivan finds that new mobility models such as electronic vehicle (EV) leasing, private vehicle leasing and used car leasing are set to transform the global fleet leasing market. It expects demand to be driven by operational leasing, which is predicted to account for 30.3% of company cars sold in 2018. Emerging countries such

“Fleet accounts for 12.8% of global vehicles in operation with 91.2% recognised as true fleet volume. Only 19.5% of this true f leet volume is leased - this represents a huge growth opportunity as usage rises,” said Abishek Narayanan, Mobility Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Europe has the largest company car market globally with 33.8% of total company cars on roads. Out

new report suggests that the adoption of digitisation, blockchain and telematics provide significant new growth opportunities for the leasing sector.

of the company cars in Europe, 40.4% are leased, which is the highest across regions.”

Narayanan recommends providers focus on offering customers full-service operational leases with added features like flexibility in duration and vehicle swapping. “Additionally, they can place emphasis on expansion into emerging markets and introduction of new product line such as EV leasing and private leasing which are the next growth segments in the leasing industry,” he added.

New Electric SUV concept showcased in Milan

T

he Byton Concept, an exciting concept version of a premium electric SUV set to go into production next year was showcased as part of Milan Design Week from 17-22 April. The new SUV will be manufactured at Byton’s plant in Nanjing, China with a US price tag starting at USD $45,000. The car will be available in China towards the end of 2019, and in the U.S. and Europe in 2020. A sedan and MPV built on the same platform will follow later.

The production versions of the advanced mid-sized SUV will have two range options: a rear-wheel drive model with a 71 kwh battery pack and a driving range of 400 km, or a four-wheel drive model with a 95 kwh battery pack and driving FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

identification and hand gesture control technology, and the incorporation of Amazon Alexa for intelligent voice control, with additional Amazon collaboration on audio and video content.

range up to 520 km. It will boast a host of advanced features including shared lounge experience for in-car communication, entertainment and work, with content and connection driven by the Byton Life cloud platform, single 125 x 25 cm (49 x 9.8 inch) Shared Experience Display centre console, along with three additional display screens, unique humanvehicle interaction incorporating voice recognition, touch control, biometric

Although manufacturing in China, Byton aims to have a global reach. Its global headquarters, intelligent manufacturing base, and R&D centre are located in Nanjing, China, while its North American headquarters, devoted to intelligent car experience, autonomous driving, and whole vehicle integration is based in the Silicon Valley. The company’s vehicle concept and design centre is located in Munich. Byton also has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Additional reporting by Sara Ferraccioli from the event.

INTERVIEW | 7

One-to-One

still evolving will change the landscape of our industry with companies looking for alternatives.

with Michael Hegarty, Hertz Lease Ireland Hertz Lease is part of the Hertz global network, delivering tailored fleet solutions to many leading organisations throughout the world.

Hertz Lease Ireland is operated under franchise by Archer Sheridan Leasing Limited, a subsidiary of Sheridan Motor Group (Est.1915). In our interview with Michael Hegarty General Manager, Fleet Services and outgoing President of the Vehicle Leasing Association of Ireland for the last seven years, he outlines how the industry is changing and the challenges ahead.

“The Hertz Lease franchise in Ireland operates on core values to ensure our customers receive an excellent service offering,” began Michael. “Our commitment to our customers is very simple – We maintain an independent perspective and distinctly personal approach to ensure the highest standard of customer satisfaction at all levels, regardless of fleet size.”

“Since 2008 the lease and fleet management sector has seen radical change with many companies downsizing in times of economic uncertainty and previous company car drivers now opting for a cash in lieu option and entering the Grey Fleet. To clarify Grey Fleet can be summarised as follows - if a driver uses their own vehicle for work or operate a privately rented vehicle for work purposes and are reimbursed. Most companies operating this policy don’t realise they have a responsibility under Health & Safety Act that the vehicle used needs to be fit for purpose and properly insured.

Grey fleets are not good news for the environment as surveys show that Grey Fleet vehicles have on average 6% higher CO2 emissions compared to a managed car offered by a company,” he added.

Text: - Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

Michael believes that one of the contributing factors for the increase in the Grey Fleet is down to the Benefit In Kind levied on company car users and welcomes the Minister of Finance announcement in Budget 2018 that this would be reviewed in the coming months.

Michael also points out that for the Leasing and fleet industry in 2018 we are seeing huge changes coming down the road.

“In recent years fleets have broadly done what they always did, but this changes in 2018 and not because of one single challenge but numerous major issues that have to be faced by fleet decision makers to ensure company car and commercial vehicle operations remain cost-effective and operationally efficient. Th is is the year of the “acronym” in the industry with the following all impacting on our industry, BIK (Benefit In Kind), WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure), IFRS16 (Introduction of Single Lease accounting) GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) so the services of independent Leasing and Fleet Management providers to steer companies through these obstacle courses has never been more important.”

The short-term answer Michael believes is not one single solution but companies reviewing their fleet to ensure that changes are made where possible to reduce their carbon footprint and wait for the market to develop. Some quick areas that don’t necessarily mean changing the f leet can be achieved by: Responsible Fleet selection policy (Low CO2 Vehicles only), Reduce Vehicle Idling, Drive Responsibly, Adhering to Servicing Schedules and Daily Vehicle Walk Around Checks can assist. Of course if your f leet allows Electric Vehicles to be a viable option then this would be the ideal solution but as yet for many fleet operators it’s not.

On the commercial vehicle aspect of the business, selection is the single biggest issue in choosing a vehicle that is fit for purpose. Analyse your payload requirement in advance. If you are carrying a passenger ensure your vehicle has a passenger airbag. Correct selection will result in lower overall running costs.

Other areas that need management are around correct fit out selection for the cargo you are carrying.

In summary, Michael believes that despite all the challenges within our industry fleet operators will benefit if they outsource their fleet functions to a professional fleet provider and in his experience companies who choose to do this have a more cost effective fleet. He also points out that a partner should not be selected on price alone but on the experience and vision to manage their customer’s fleet in a professional and efficient manner, with the fleet provider making a relationship manager available to deal with fleet issues on an ongoing basis.

The question of a replacement for diesel continues to make headline news and while

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8 | REPORT I

Choosing safer work vehicles is a must, Safety Seminar hears

Fabian Murphy, Risk Management Surveyor, Aviva; Cathal Doyle, Deputy Editor, Fleet Car Magazine; Moyagh Murdock, CEO, Road Safety Authority; Jarlath Sweeney, Editor, Fleet Car Magazine; Deirdre Sinnott , Senior Policy Inspector, Health & Safety Authority; John Saunders, Sales & Marketing Director, Universal Honda Limited and Paul Brookes, Senior Technology Consultant, Honda Motor Europe.

T

he message from the Fleet Car Safety Seminar held at Leopardstown Racecourse on 17 April 2018 was clear and unequivocal.

Choosing a company car with the latest safety features is not only recommended from a best business practice perspective, but it also makes sound financial sense.

Under the working title of How advances in safety technology in cars can assist corporate and fleet drivers, the Fleet Car Safety Seminar, supported by Honda and the Health & Safety Authority was very well attended.

Over one hundred and thirty professionals represented f leet managers, company owners, leasing companies, county council safety officers, human resources managers and insurance agencies, amongst others. As well as a seminar session, attendees were given the chance to experience fi rst hand some of the latest technologies.

Following a welcome by Jarlath Sweeney, Group Editor of Fleet Publications, Chair of the Safety Seminar Moyagh Murdock, CEO of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) said in her opening address that while there has been much heard about autonomous driving, managers responsible for staff driving for work should not wait for such technology. She highlighted how some of the technology currently available can lead to real benefits in improving road safety, FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

for example Alo-locks.

After highlighting some of the more significant safety developments over the course of life of the motor car, Cathal Doyle, Deputy Editor of Fleet Car Magazine highlighted how active safety technology is now driving advancements. Until recently safety features fell under the category of passive safety - i.e. they helped protect occupants in the event of an accident, or at least required a driver to take some action as in the case of ABS and ESP. Some of the significant advancements over the years included safety glass, disc brakes, the three-point safety belt, crumple zones, airbags and the ongoing improvements in high-strength steel.

Cathal highlighted some of the fi ndings from a recent position paper from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) relating to the Association’s recommendations to the EU Commission regarding amendments to the two regulations governing general safety for road users in Europe - Regulation (EC) 661/2009 and Regulation (EC) 78/2009. ACEA’s position is that a focus on active safety technology, combined in an integrated approach involving improving road infrastructure and driver behaviour will achieve best results. Some results from a detailed analysis of accidents in the UK, France and Germany suggests that technology such Autonomous Emergency

Braking (AEB), and Lane Departure Warning / Lane Keep Assist (LDA / LKA) could reduce fatalities in small overlap crashes (i.e. a frontal collision into enough vehicle or solid object) by nearly half. The stand out statistic from the analysis was that fitment of AEB could reduce fatalities or severe injuries of pedestrian accidents by up to 55%. Other technologies that can bring significant benefits include Speed Limit Indicators (SLI) and Intelligent Speed Adaption (ISA).

Choosing safer vehicles when driving for work was the focus of the presentation by Deirdre Sinnott McFeat, Senior Inspector - Work Related Vehicle Safety Program with the Health & Safety Authority (HSA).

Looking at the legal provisions from an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) perspective, Deirdre outlined that Health and Safety Law applies to on-the-road work activities, and that risks should be managed within a health and safety management system. Vehicles used on company business must be fit for purpose, in a safe condition, and drivers must be capable and trained to use them safely. Employers therefore must manage and monitor driver behaviour.

Under the hierarchy of controls available to fleet managers to prevent company drivers being involved in incidents, the elimination and substitution of journeys is the most effective. However if journeys

REPORT I | 9 have to be undertaken then vehicle safety technology is an important tool to isolate people from potential hazards. Deirdre urged fleet managers to consider safety performance guidelines such as the ratings provided by EuroNCAP, and to opt for vehicles that come with technologies such as AEB. The use of telematics to monitor and encourage better driving behaviour should also be considered.

Fabian Murphy, a Risk Management Surveyor with Aviva Insurance outlined the fi nancial cost of work-related road collisions. For every €1 claimed on insurance, companies may have to pay a further €8 to €36 themselves for uninsured losses arising from an incident, he revealed.

Failure to adopt risk management practices can result in increased fi nancial costs including vehicle downtime, or repairing or replacing damaged vehicles, possible sick pay for employees, and insurance cost increases come renewal time. Not to mention damage to a company’s reputation.

Fabian highlighted some collision facts, one of the most noteworthy being that the condition of tyres - something that is easily controllable by drivers or fleet managers - was a factor in 60% of all fatal accidents. As with the other speakers he highlighted using the EuroNCAP ratings when selecting vehicles and noted the benefits of AEB which is now a EuroNCAP requirement in order to achieve a five star rating on cars. His recommendations to employers included undertaking a risk assessment to draw up a road safety action plan, and to include in-vehicle technologies as part of the solution. Employees should be involved when choosing vehicles, while he also recommended working with likeminded third parties to help influence

Excelerate/DriveAble

vehicle manufacturers.

Event sponsor Honda was represented

by John Saunders, Sales and Marketing Director with Irish distributor Universal Honda, and Paul Brookes, Senior Technology Consultant with Honda Motor Europe. John outlined how the new Civic’s safety package, known as Honda Sensing, is available as standard across all models, and was instrumental in the car winning the Fleet Car of the Year 2018 - C-Segment, as well as the Irish Car of the Year Innovation Award 2018. It was also awarded Irish Compact Car of the Year 2018. Honda Sensing is also available as standard on the CR-V Hybrid, while other Honda models such as the HR-V and Jazz also feature CityBrake, Honda’s autonomous emergency braking system across all variants.

Sensing, which includes LDA / LKA , intelligent adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed limiting, road departure mitigation and low speed follow. He outlined details of a US study which revealed that collision claim severity was down an average of $379 for Honda Sensing equipped vehicles, with an 11% reduction in claim rates for damage to other vehicles or other property, and a 28% reduction in claim rates for injuries to people in other vehicles or others on the road

Paul Brookes explained to the assembled guests the technology behind Honda

Copies of the presentations can be viewed on line at www.fleetcar.ie

A highlight for attendees was the Irish reveal of the Honda Civic Sedan, while outside the venue Honda staff were on hand to provide live demos of the City-Brake and Low Speed Follow technologies.

AVIS Fleet Solutions

easytrip.ie Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fleet.ie

Photos: Paul Sherwood

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10 | REPORT I

FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

Photos: Paul Sherwood

REPORT I | 11

Fleet Car Safety Seminar: Honda Sensing Live Demonstration City-Brake

Low Speed Follow

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12 | TEST DRIVE I

Volvo’s Production Line of Excellence Continues with new XC40

crossover SUV range is every bit as good as its bigger siblings.

It features the usual tablet-like large screen that dominates the central console, but details like boldly designed air vents also give the XC40 its own distinct identity. The seats are of the usual high standard you’d expect from Volvo, and it scores strongly on well thought out storage spaces.

Equipment levels are generous on this range-topping R-Design model, and include adaptive LED headlights, and 9” touchscreen with Sensus Navigation. Fitted extras include gearshift paddles, 20” wheels, Harmon Kardon Premium Sound, a Park Pilot Assist including camera, power operated tailgate and a Winter Pack to touch on only a few.

M

ake no mistake about it, Volvo is on a roll at present.

Since the launch of the highly regarded XC90 two years ago, it has churned out equally impressive new models in the shape of the S90/V90 and XC60. But its latest product, the XC40, may be the most significant yet.

The XC40 has certainly got off to a positive start, recently claiming the European Car of the Year 2018 title, Volvo’s first time to win this prestigious award. Separately the XC60 was recently voted World Car of the Year 2018.

The XC40 is an all-new model, competing in the premium compact SUV sector where rivals will include the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus NX, Range Rover Evoque and the new Jaguar E-Pace.

Looks wise it hits the spot. Crossover SUVs tend to be a prett y anonymous bunch when it comes to design, yet the XC40 does a good job in standing out from the crowd. Bearing styling cues from the larger XC90 and XC60, it has a wide and confident stance and distinctive silhouette.

The latest Volvo interiors can lay claim to being the best in the business and the XC40, despite being the most junior of the

Safety features include Rear Park Assist and City Safety which incorporates Pedestrian, Cyclist and Large Animal Detection as standard, while the test car came with Intellisafe Pack which includes Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist, Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) and Rear Collision - Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control and Autodimming Exterior Mirrors.

All those extras add up, with the car tested here coming in at a rather eye-watering €63,435. Happily XC40s can be had from a more affordable €38,900 for the front wheel drive 156 hp T3 petrol in front wheel drive in Momentum trim.

Built on a brand-new platform called CMA (for Compact Modular Architecture), road manners are top notch, giving a good balance between comfort and minimising body roll. There’s a commanding driving position with excellent all-round visibility and the steering is pleasantly weighted.

Rear seat passengers are well catered for, to the extent that you wonder if the XC40 will pilfer customers from the slightly larger but still five-seater XC60. The only caveat here is that the rear doors are quite short, so access in and out is a little restricted.

The 190PS D4 engine offers decent performance, while the 8-speed automatic gearbox is up with the best in the business. Returned fuel consumption at 7.0l/100km (40.3mpg) isn’t the most economical you will get in this class, but considering it is propelling a four wheel drive system along, is still perfectly acceptable.

The days of Volvo aspiring to be a premium brand are gone. The XC40 can hold its head high against the best its rivals can offer.

Spec Check - Volvo XC40 D4 AWD R-Design Price as tested €63,425 Prices from €38,900 Engine 190 PS / 400 Nm Acceleration 0-100km/h 7.9 seconds Top Speed 210 km/h CO2 Emissions 131g/km (Tax Band B2 €280) NEDC Average Fuel 5.0l/100km (56.5mpg) Consumption

FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

TEST DRIVE II | 13

Opel’s Ultimate Grandland X New Ultimate spec broadens appeal of crossover SUV…..at a price

W

ith Opel now part of the PSA Group, we can expect to see lots more collaboration and shared products between the brands in the future. In fact that sharing process had begun well before the takeover of the former GM brand was announced.

The Grandland X, Opel’s mid-sized crossover SUV, is Opel’s version of the Peugeot 3008. Happily, while it shares much of its underpinnings with the French car, it has established its own identity, looking and feeling quite different, inside and out.

Although it was only launched late last year, the Grandland’s appeal has been strengthened by the arrival of a new top of the range Ultimate trim. Opel tells us that around two thirds of customers in Europe are opting for the highest trim available, something backed up by the Irish distributor which notes that there has also been a significant take-up on optional extras such as ergonomic seats and LED lights.

Notably the Ultimate trim comes with a new 2.0 litre diesel engine which is combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Th is 177PS/400Nm unit broadens the appeal of the Grandland as hitherto there was only a choice between a 120PS 1.6 diesel or 130PS 1.2 petrol. That 1.6 diesel is itself due to be replaced later this year with a 1.5 litre unit with the same horsepower, and also gets the option of the 8-speed auto gearbox, a preferable option to the CVT box currently offered if you want automatic transmission.

In addition to the spec on the previously range-topping Elite trim, the Ultimate model gets 19” alloys, LED Adaptive Forward Lighting, a 360 Panoramic Camera, contrasting black roof & door mirrors, heated rear seats and automatic cruise control, as well as an upgraded sound system.

Overall the cabin of the Grandland looks and feels like a typical Opel. It lacks the wow factor of its Peugeot sibling, but it’s ergonomically well laid out, the quality of materials - at least at eye level - is decent, and it’s comfortable over longer journeys.

Choose your colour combinations carefully though. The Opel looks best in dark trim - a version fitted out in a mix of light beige shades and partial leather trim didn’t feel anything like

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

an executive car costing over forty grand.

That new 177PS engine isn’t going to frighten any hot hatches but it brings a relaxed power delivery with the power on hand to quickly execute any overtaking manoeuvre. The torque converter automatic gearbox combination is impressive. It brings a new level of refi nement to the Grandland X. Compared to the alternative CVT auto box presently offered, the new torque converter unit is much more responsive, offering quick and seamless changes.

One disadvantage of the 19” wheels fitted to the Ultimate model is that it’s not possible to fit IntelliGrip, the technology that provides maximum traction in various types of slippy conditions.

You’ll have to specify 18” rims to avail of it. That kind of defeats the point of ordering the Ultimate model in the fi rst place. It’s a pity, not least for those who need the Grandland X for towing, as the 2.0 diesel has a useful pulling capacity of 2-tonnes compared to just 1.4 tonnes available from the 1.6 diesel.

At €41,595 the Grandland X Ultimate isn’t cheap - in fact it’s an additional €5,500 over and above the Elite model. That said, if you were to start adding in the extras included in the Ultimate model to a lower trim car, you’d quickly fi nd yourself exceeding that price tag. And when you add in the range topping engine and smooth auto - well, it almost seems like a bargain!

www.fleetcar.ie

14 | TEST DRIVE III

Kona set to emulate success of Tucson for Hyundai Prices start at €20,995 for the basic Comfort 1.0, rising by €2,000 for the Executive and €3,000 more for the Premium. The 1.6 will set you back a €29,995 but it is packed with technology and you get the benefit of four-wheel drive too.

Because of their shape, this type of car does dictate what you get in the interior in terms of space and passenger comfort. This car is compact by nature and while the cabin is setup for five, four adults is a more realistic number in long-journey situations. You are also restricted by the size of the boot but, none of the opposition can boast of anything better and what Hyundai offers here is quite adequate compared to the norm.

I

t would have been easy for Hyundai to have taken their hugely successful, best-selling Tucson and shrink it to create their new compact SUV, the Kona. In fairness, they didn’t and the results are really fetching. They have joined in the latest trend of smaller crossovers and if it is a fraction as popular as the bigger Tucson, then they are on a winner already.

Every angle has been carefully designed and that makes for a completely balanced car and one that, while somewhat flamboyant is rather easy on the eye too. It is a trick that does not always work, but the Hyundai sketchers have hit the nail on the head here and it makes for a very attractive car.

Kona is a little bit more butch than some of the others in the marketplace and is enhanced by subtly placed wheel arches and a clever fake strip just above the grille that makes it look like a proper off-roader, almost Subaru-like, and that’s a complement.

It is also just the size that will attract urban buyers and satisfy the countryside folks as well.

For now there are only petrol engines available and although there is talk of a diesel at a later date, the petrol models will be the most sought after. Hyundai see the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged version being the most popular. Alongside that there is a 1.6-litre with an automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive which is the test car for this review.

Th ree trim levels make up the list with Comfort, Executive and Premium, the only one available with both engines.

However, Hyundai has managed to deliver an interior space that has a simple, clever layout and everything is in the right place and feels robust. The materials used are high enough in quality and will match, and even surpass the expectations of most. The seating is spot on too with the flexibility to find a good driving position as they are electrically adjusted and welcomingly heated for the cold weather that we had last week. The rear row can be folded (60:40) to give an additional cargo space when necessary.

Performance wise, the 1.6-litre engine is noticeably punchy and when you push it on, there is a sense of liveliness that gives confidence when overtaking. It can be a tad thirsty though especially at motorway limits and a light right foot is required to keep it close to the 6.7L/100km claimed in the catalogue.

During my time in the car covering almost 1,000km, I returned 9.4L/100km. On that measurement alone, the 1.0-litre, which I know to be a smashing engine is probably the one to pick.

On the road, Hyundai seems to have gotten the handling balance right too. Roll in the corners is there but not extreme. Because of the four-wheel drive, the grip is outstanding and the steering accuracy is sharp and the weight is especially good for a Korean car. We did have an amount of snow and icy conditions to deal with and with the addition of 4x4, this car never put a foot wrong all week.

Other considerations to think about are that Hyundai Cars Ireland has extended its New Year offers until the end of the month and they have an unlimited five-year warranty, service and breakdown package on all their cars.

This is a brave car from Hyundai, complimented by the knowledge that the Tucson before it is a roaring success. If a small, compact SUV is the car for you, then, this one is surely on your shortlist.

If not, it should be.

Specification: Engine Achieved Fuel Consumption Engine CO2 Emissions Annual Road Tax Price

FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

1.6 petrol 9.4L/100kms 1.6 4x4 153g/km €390 €29,995

Text: Gerry Murphy - gerrym@fleet.ie Photos: Cathal Doyle

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16 | LAUNCH PAD I

Mondeo HEV offers D-Segment fleet appeal

A

lthough there are an increasing number of hybrid vehicles now on sale, the traditional company car D-Segment buyer has been poorly catered for in this regard to date.

Therefore fleet managers looking for a green alternative to diesel will be drawn to the Mondeo HEV, Ford’s fi rst hybrid offering in Ireland.

behind the rear seats. Power is transmitted to the wheels via a CVT type gearbox.

Official fuel consumption is rated at 4.2 l/100km while the Mondeo HEV has a CO2 emissions figure of 99g/km.

respectively.

Not least because the Mondeo HEV comes with a rather att ractive launch price tag of €32,745 for the Titanium trim model, and €35,280 for the Vignale model. In comparison the closest equivalent diesel models (2.0 TDCI 180PS with Powershift auto gearbox) cost €38,945 and €46,080

The four-door only Mondeo HEV features a 187PS 2.0 litre petrol engine combined with two electric motors – one to support the petrol engine in driving the wheels and another to enable regenerative charging to the 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, located

Standard spec on the Mondeo HEV Titanium includes 16” alloy wheels, SYNC 3 with 8” touchscreen, sports seats, traffic sign recognition and high series instrument cluster display, while Vignale trim adds 18” Alloy wheels, Rear View Camera, and Adaptive LED daytime running lights.

BMW X2 brings coupé style to compact crossover segment

A

new compact crossover has gone on sale from BMW. The X2, a lower, sportier sister car to the X1 compact crossover, is a new addition to the BMW family, and will compete against rivals such as the Range Rover Evoque.

Sharing the same wheelbase as the X1, but eight centimetres shorter and more than seven centimetres lower, the style oriented five-door X2 features a coupé styled roofl ine. While not as practical as the more upright X1, it still has a useful 470 litres of boot space.

Th ree further engines in the form of the sDrive18d, xDrive18d and sDrive20i will follow.

Optionally available with xDrive allwheel-drive, a 190hp/400Nm 2.0d diesel engine is offered from the start. It offers acceleration from zero to 100km/h time of 7.7 seconds, and official fuel consumption figures of 4.8l/100km and CO2 emissions are as low as 124g/km in base trim.

Four trim levels are offered: SE, Sport, M Sport and M Sport X, with prices starting from €43,960 OTR for a BMW X2 sDrive18d SE. M Sport and M Sport X models are fitted with M Sport suspension which is 10mm lower than standard.

Interior design highlights include a new driver display with black panel technology as standard, while the BMW ConnectedDrive features the latest digital services.

Jeep Compass maps its return to Ireland

A

all-new Jeep Compass has gone on sale with prices starting from €27,995. It marks a return of the Compass name to Europe after the last model was withdrawn in 2014.

cruise control, forward collision warning plus, and lane departure warning plus.

A notable new feature offered on Longitude models upward is a new Uconnect infotainment/navigation system featuring an 8.4” touchscreen.

Sitting between the Renegade and Cherokee models, the Compass is built on a slightly longer version of the same platform used by the Renegade.

Th ree diesel engines comprising a 120hp 1.6 Multijet and 140hp and 170hp versions of a 2.0 Multijet are offered, as well as a 140hp petrol 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo engine. The petrol and 1.6 diesel are offered in front wheel drive and manual gearbox only, the 140hp diesel comes in 4x4 configuration with manual gearbox, FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

The Compass has attained a 5-star Euro NCAP score thanks to the availability of more than 70 available active and passive safety and security features. while the 170hp unit combines allwheel-drive with nine-speed automatic transmission.

Three equipment levels are offered: Sport, Longitude and Limited, with standard equipment including LED tail lights,

Meanwhile, Jeep has announced price reductions of up to €2,300 on the Renegade model which boasts a refreshed exterior and interior and features enhanced specification including the new uConnect system. Prices now start from €21,950.

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

LAUNCH PAD II | 17

Ford’s next-generation Focus revealed

A

n all-new Ford Focus will arrive this summer, twenty years on from the original that was instrumental in transforming the fortunes of the Blue Oval.

New from the ground up, the nextgeneration Focus will be expanded to include a Focus Active crossover model, as well as upmarket Vignale version.

The Focus has long been lauded for its driving dynamics, and the new Focus looks set to maintain that reputation with a body that’s 20% more torsionally rigid, isolated

independent rear suspension offering Continuously Controlled Damping, and selectable Drive Modes. A new 8-speed automatic transmission can be matched to petrol and diesel engines that are offering a 10 per cent fuel-efficiency improvement across the range.

There are a host of driver assistance systems too, including new Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane-Centring technologies. Predictive curve light and Sign-based light help drivers see more clearly. For on the move connectivity, the Focus will feature a FordPass Connect embedded modem, as well as a wireless charging pad.

The new Focus is set to arrive in Ireland this August in hatchback, saloon and estate versions.

Cathal Doyle

Combo Life for Leisure Activities

E

ven before Group PSA took over GM Europe, the French manufacturer of Peugeot, Citroën and DS brands had an agreement signed to produce the next Combo passenger and cargo carriers for Opel and Vauxhall. So the fruits of their collective labour has now materialised with the joint reveal of the all-new trio, initially in passenger form with the Geneva Motor Show facilitating the debut of the new Peugeot (Partner) Rifter and Citroën Berlingo while the new Opel/Vauxhall Combo Life LAV was launched separately.

- as the triplets will be termed as the people movers. Panel van variants will be introduced later this year. Both types will offer standard and long wheel base models.

Slott ing in between an MPV and an SUV, the LAV – Leisure Activity Vehicle

While at the Vauxhall HQ in Luton, England, the fi rst model from production

was parked inside the door of the Heritage Centre. In contrast to the vast array of vintage and classic models alongside, the new Combo Life impressed with its spaciousness, practicality, twin rear sliding doors and comes with either 5 or 7 seats – with luggage space! Initially Combo Life will be powered by a choice of turbocharged, direct injection 1.2 litre (110bhp) petrol and 1.5 litre (75/100/130bhp) diesel engines. A choice of five or six speed manual or an eight speed automatic can be specified. Trim levels will be outlined during the summer as the order book opens.

Jarlath Sweeney

Peugeot 508 brings panache to D-Segment

T

hose who may have feared the demise of the traditional D-Segment saloon can rest easy - for now at least. Peugeot has revealed its new 508 with a radical new design that’s sharper and sleeker than the car it replaces. It’s set to arrive in Ireland this autumn.

Built on the well-established and highly regarded EMP2 platform, and weighing in around 70kg less than its predecessor, the new 508’s distinctive appearance is accentuated by frameless doors giving a coupé-like appearance.

The latest iteration of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit is the focus of the interior, which includes a compact steering wheel as seen on other

Peugeots. Also noteworthy a 10-inch wide HD capacitive touch-screen (from Allure trim) in 8:3 format, with a head-up display unit with a high-resolution 12.3-inch digital screen.

Driving aids include, depending on the trim, Night-vision (a fi rst for the segment), collision-risk alert and the latest-generation automatic emergency

braking that detects pedestrians and cyclists both day and night at up to 140 km/h, active lane departure warning system (or verge-drift warning), driverattention warning, automatic headlight control, speed limit recognition and recommendation, widened recognition of road signs (stop sign, one-way sign), adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go feature, lane-keeping assist and active blind-spot monitoring.

New-generation Euro 6.c PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines deliver bestin-class CO2 figures says Peugeot, with emissions from 98g/km in the diesel range and 123g/km in the petrol range.

Cathal Doyle www.fleetcar.ie

18 | LAUNCH PAD III

New Leaf brings practical electric motoring closer

N

issan brings the new LEAF to the market in the knowledge that electric vehicles (EVs) are being taken much more seriously these days.

Crucially, the new car has a vastly improved journey range on a full charge thanks to higher capacity 40kW batteries meaning there’s a 50% increase in range to 378 kilometres (NEDC) and a 38% increase in power to 150PS compared to the outgoing model. In real terms that figure will be somewhat reduced but you can expect somewhere in the mid 200’s depending on driving style.

Charging times vary from 40 minutes to achieve an 80% capacity at fast charge points, 7-8 hours for a 100% charge at home or at on-street charging points and way more than that – up to 20 hours - if plugged into an ordinary three-pin plug with the ‘granny cable’.

Business customers and the self-employed can now avail of 0% BIK on electric company vehicles introduced in the last budget. Added to the extended range, free on-street charging and convenient home charging, it’s not surprising an increasing number of buyers are considering going electric. That figure is likely to rise as Nissan tells us there are more and more enquiries every day, and the expectation is to sell around 1,000 units in the remainder of 2018. They’re telling us that running costs are around 85% less than petrol or diesel cars and maintenance is almost 75% cheaper.

Gerry Murphy

Volkswagen's Hat Trick - New Polo, T-Roc & Tiguan Allspace

S

ixth generation Polo is now only available in 5-door hatchback form. It’s now sportier, fresher and more spacious. New Polo is bigger all round with 71 mm more boot space than here-to-fore. The engine range includes 1.0 litre 65bhp/75bhp/95bhp petrols and two diesels; 1.6 litre 80 & 95bhp TDIs. As well as the Trendline and Comfortline trim levels there are optional specification additions.

Tiguan Allspace will appeal to a customer with a fast-growing family. A 5-seater as

standard, with the option of two more seats is for an additional fee. Shaped more sleekly than the previous version, Allspace bridges a gap between it and the larger Touareg. It sports a new grille and rear roofline. It’s 215 mm longer and its wheelbase is stretched by 109 mm. Luggage space for the 5 passengers amounts to 760 litres (up by 145 litres over present model). Maximum cargo space with seats folded is 1,920 litres – van like.

The Tiguan Allspace range begins with the 1.4 litre TSI petrol (150bhp) and includes a 2.0 litre TDI (150bhp). 4MOTION allwheel-drive and DSG transmission can be

specified also.

Competing in the growing compact SUV segment is the all-new T-Roc, the first of three new SUVs from Volkswagen - new Touareg, the smaller T-Cross and electric I.D. CROZZ. Design wise, T-Roc’s styling is distinctive and noticeable when spotted on the road. A choice of petrol and diesel engines are offered from the 1.0 litre TSI 115bhp to the 2.0 litre 150bhp TDI diesels, the latter has 4MOTION and 8-speed DSG as standard.

Jarlath Sweeney

Citroën recalls illustrious past with new C4 Cactus

‘C

omfort is the new Cool’ proclaims Citroën. The French manufacturer is harking back to the characteristics that defi ned it as a brand in days of old, with a new focus on and investment in comfort and design as its signature features.

The new C4 Cactus, which has gone on sale with prices starting from €19,995 is taking on a dual role, replacing not just its direct predecessor, but also the regular C4 hatchback. It’s been repositioned from a B-Segment crossover SUV into the more traditional C-Segment family car class. It FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

There are 9 exterior colours to choose from and four Colour Packs giving a total of 31 different exterior colour combinations.

retains the same ground clearance as the old Cactus, but has the same wheelbase as the old C4 though is marginally shorter overall.

Standout features include a new suspension system with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, and Advanced Comfort seats.

Available in three trim levels of Touch, Feel and Flair, engine options include three 3-cylinder PureTech petrol engines and the BlueHDi 100 S&S diesel, matched to either manual or EAT6 automatic gearboxes. The C4 Cactus is also well equipped safety wise with 12 driver assistance systems on offer, including Active Safety Brake, Grip Control and Lane Departure Warning.

Cathal Doyle

REPORT II | 19

VLAI Conference hears of challenges and opportunities for leasing industry

B

IK, the demonisation of diesel, company car drivers moving to Personal Contract Plans, responsibilities towards personal data in company vehicles, and of course Brexit were some of the hot topics at the Vehicle Leasing Association of Ireland’s (VLAI) annual conference which took place at Glenlo Abbey Hotel in Galway last month.

Prior to the conference, John Wallace was elected as President of the Association at the AGM, succeeding Michael Hegarty who steps down after ten years. Morgan McAndrew was elected Vice-President.

Outgoing President of the VLAI, Michael Hegarty provided the assembled delegates with an overview of the VLAI’s ongoing discussions with Revenue in relation to the future direction of BIK taxation (see News story on page 4).

UK overview - BVRLA perspective Offering an overview of the UK corporate car market was Jay Parmar, Director of Policy and Membership at the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).

With over 900 members, the BVRLA is responsible for 4.8 million vehicles - that’s every one in eight cars, one in five vans and one in five trucks on British roads.

Jay highlighted some of the challenges facing the British leasing industry, many of them also relevant to the Irish market. Notably he raised concerns about the direction the company car market is taking, highlighting the possible scenario of the death of the company car in the UK. “Business car tax is going the wrong way,” he said, noting that over the last three years there have been additional taxes introduced in Budgets. As a result the industry was noting a significant shift to monthly repayment models - i.e.

PCPs.

Air quality and the continuing expansion of Clean Air Zones (CAZs) was another area of concern, not least that a patchwork of different standards across different cities appeared to be developing. “Diesel share has dropped month on month, even with Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

L-R: Mark Teevan, Toyota Ireland; Jay Parmar, BVRLA; Micheal Hegarty, Outgoing President, VLAI and John Wallace, Incoming President, VLAI.

businesses where it makes no sense,” he observed. Interestingly though, used diesel values are on the up. “There needs to be a framework of consistent standards, with a managed transition and increased incentives for electric vehicles,” said Jay, adding that there was a need to ensure that Clean Air Zones drive long term behaviour change.

Overall though he noted that lease and rental cars are much more compliant with CAZs than the average vehicle.

Insurance is a concern for the BVRLA, not least because there have been fifteen instances of terrorists using car rentals in recent years. At present the liability for the terrorist attack falls on the rental company, meaning it is proving increasingly difficult to get insurance cover. The organisation is calling for a pooling of risk across insurers.

Jay also touched on the issue of data in connected vehicles, noting that leasing companies have responsibility when defleeting car to ensure no personal data in retained. That’s a lot more complex than just deleting phone contacts. “Even brake wear could be seen as personal data,” he commented. There was a responsibility to make customers aware of the risks, he said, adding that employers should seek permission from the employee as part of the company car arrangement. There also needs to be greater clarity concerning access to vehicle data, he stated.

A Changing World - Toyota Mark Teevan of Toyota Ireland who sponsored the Conference, provided an

insight into the motor industry’s view of the coming years. The positive message was that there will be cars for a long time to come, albeit the industry needs to embrace significant changes, with an era of accelerated change happening.

Mark discussed the topic of autonomous cars, outlining that Toyota’s point of view is to have ultimate safety, whereas the likes of Uber are pushing the technology from the perspective of the goal of driverless taxis.

On connected cars, this has started in a small way, with European and American manufacturers leading the way. However Shared Mobility / Mobility as a service (MaaS), combining options from different transport providers into a single mobile service, is imminent, said Mark.

With regards to electrification, Mark said the question was how and when, not if, with legislation the driver of this, rather than consumers. However while the Government is targeting 2030 for the end of petrol and diesel cars, 2040 is seen as a more realistic target.

This year has seen sales of Toyota hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) soar to 50%, compared to just 4% three years ago.

However with diesel accounting for 66% of sales in 2017, Ireland is 20% behind Europe as a whole, which has a 46% diesel share.

Mark called for the Government to offer VAT reclaims on petrol, as well as bringing in a graded BIK benefits package for HEVs. www.fleetcar.ie

20 | CLASSIC

Vauxhall Heritage Centre – Luton, England

B

y sheer coincidence, on the same day that Bob Montgomery launched his latest book ‘Motor Assembly Ireland’, the Vauxhall Heritage Centre in Luton opened its door for a rare press visit.

1970 Vauxhall PC Viscount

The uniquely British brand’s cars with the famous Griffi n logo were assembled in Ireland from the 1930s to mid-70’s. Production peaked at 4,800 units in 1968 and the last year in the market here in 1979, sales were at 2,235 units, following General Motors Europe takeover of both Vauxhall and Opel.

Most popular models were the 12 and 14 Standard and De luxe with the Big 6 priced at £398 in 1934. The Victor Saloon was a common sight on Irish roads in 1958, while the Cresta from 1960 was described as the “Business car with social graces” as mentioned in Bob’s book.

The Viscount was positioned at the upper end of the market during the 70’s while the Viva sold in high numbers in the small family car segment around that decade also.

Introduced in June 1966 as the top model in the Vauxhall range.

Standard equipment included automatic transmission, leather upholstery, wooden instrument panel, rear passenger reading lights and a carpeted boot. A total of over 60,000 PC models were produced. Price when new was £1,457.

1964 Vauxhall FB Victor De-Luxe Estate Car

All these and more were tightly lined up at the Vauxhall Heritage Centre, near Luton Airport, where at its peak, 150,000 workers produced cars, vans and trucks.

1979 Vauxhall HC Viva 1300L Saloon The HC Viva replaced the BH in 1971, and in July of that year the millionth Viva was produced. Viva production finally ceased in June 1979. The vinyl roof on this model was available as an extra for £31.59. Price when new £1,946.88.

1970 Vauxhall BH Viva GT It was the fi rst sporting Vauxhall since the pre-War days of the 30-98, when the company was renowned for its competition success. Based on the Viva HB, but with enough sporting cues, like a matt-black, air-scooped bonnet and wider, chrome-trimmed wheels to keep enthusiasts happy, the GT was powered by the Victor’s overhead cam, five-bearing crank 2.0 litre engine fitted with twin Strombergs. Performance was respectable, rather than ground-breaking with 104 bhp at 5,600 rpm, but the GT could still accelerate from 0-60 mph in 10 seconds – entry membership for a Sixties’ sporting saloon – and crack a genuine ton flat out.

Price when new: £657.

FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

September 1961 saw the arrival of the FB Victor pictured to the right of the VX220. Four-door saloons and a five-door estate car were offered in a choice of 14 colours. Th ree-speed column change was standard with four-speed floor change as an option. Disc brakes were optional from July 1963. Price when new £86113s 1d.

1934 ASY Light Six Launched at the 1934 London Motorshow with a smooth running six-cylinder engine that produced 42 bhp, the 12 hp sold for £195, while the De luxe cost £215. Fitted with a synchromesh gearbox and cable brakes, the Light Six was introduced in the same year as the driving test.

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

www.fleetcar.ie

Car

AWARDS 2019

SAVE THE DATE: 10th October 2018 Venue: Citywest Hotel, Dublin

Save the date for the Fleet Car Awards 2019, Ireland’s leading awards programme honouring those manufacturers and vehicles achieving excellence in the corporate / fleet car market. Now in its 7th year, the Fleet Car Awards has become firmly established as a vital barometer of the best cars available to company car drivers across a range of sectors. Contenders are assessed by experts in the fleet sector, factoring in a range of parameters such as total cost of ownership, safety, comfort and aftermarket plus the brand’s investment and presence in the fleet/ corporate car industry.

The Fleet Car Awards are also an unrivalled networking opportunity, bringing together professionals from all across the motoring industry. So make a note in your diary for the Fleet Car Awards 2019 today!

SPONSORSHIP/EVENT CO-ORDINATORS Orla Sweeney | T: +353 949372819 M: + 353 86 2439239 | orla@fleet.ie Mary Morrissey | T: +353 949372819 M: +353 87 2178495 | mary@fleet.ie

WEB: www.fleetcar.ie

22 | FEATURE

McLaren Technology Centre: Creating inspiration and perfection

McLaren Technology Centre Two of the most significant cars in the McLaren history – the 1929 Austin Ulster that Bruce McLaren raced as a 15-year-old in New Zealand.

Alongside is the McLaren Automotive’s first sports car the McLaren F1 from 1993, designed by Gordon Murray and Peter Stevens.

The legendary MP4 series from the 1980s.

McLaren & Mercedes-Benz had a very successful 10-year partnership.

O

n seeing Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/8 at the racing team’s headquarters in Woking, Surrey, the memory of witnessing his magical, majestic first lap around a trenching wet Donington Park to eventually win the 1993 European Grand Prix came to mind. Admittedly I was a staunch Jordan GP fan at the time, but left the track full of admiration for the legendary Brazilian in recording one of the greatest first laps of all time.

McLaren’s aesthetically beautifully designed Ford Cosworth HP powered, Marlboro liveried MP4/8 was just one of many Formula 1 and sports cars lined-up inside the Boulevard hall of the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) surrounded by high walled curved glazed area, reflecting off the calm waters of the artificial lake on the other side. At different levels of this massive purpose built facility, employees numbering that of a small town work 24/7 in peaceful surroundings – creating, designing, developing new race cars, sports cars, components and technology for other industries outside motorsport. Completed in 2004 on a 50-hectare farmland site, the 57,000 sq metre building is big enough to house nine jumbo jets.

We got an exclusive insight to the many operations in process on the guided tour, courtesy of Volvo Trucks UK, official transport supplier to McLaren Racing Limited. Some of the behind the scenes discoveries included that the MTC was designed by renowned architect Sir Norman Foster (Foster & Partners) who was also responsible for the landmark glazed ‘Gherkin’ tower in London.

300,000 cubic metres of earth was removed from the foundations of the building in order to reduce the visual impact on the local landscape. Walkers on the nearby Horsell Common remain unperturbed. Visitors are chauffeur driven around the artificial lake surrounding the building, which contains 50,000 m3 of water that is constantly pumped through heat exchangers, which in turn cool the building. Security is high for obvious reasons, so photographs were not permitted in certain areas.

Adjacent is the sports car manufacturing plant (The McLaren Production Centre), elongated in shape unlike the spaceship style design of the main technology centre. Appropriately, the first car lined up inside the boulevard is probably the most significant, leading the way to countless successes on race tracks all over the world for over 55 years. Trophies and Laurels were achieved in Formula 1, Indy 500, Can-Am and LeMans.

Co-incidentally, McLaren F1’s continued resurgence in the 2018 Grand Prix season could be attributed to the return of the original team colours (papaya orange) as used by the company founder Bruce McLaren and the change to Renault power. Volvo Trucks has introduced this vibrant colour into the metallic livery on its fleet of 25 high specification FH Globetrotter XL tractor-units supplied to the team.

“I never tire of walking down the boulevard. It reminds you of the company’s history of success; it’s an inspiring place to be,” commented one of McLaren’s Senior Managers.

FLEETCAR | Summer 2018

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

One car. Endless possibilities.

Every journey is different. Every driver is unique. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class can adapt to how you want to drive at the flick of a switch. Anything is possible.

Available from â‚Ź33,795* at your local authorised Dealership.

*6% reduction on models registered by 31st July 2017. Subject to availability. Excludes Dealer and related charges.

Terms & conditions apply. Fuel consumption 132 – 142 g/km (combined) 5.9 - 6.3 l/100km (combined).