CONTENTS_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 17:32 Page 1
CEL EBR
INSIDE 10 Could hydrogen fuel cell demand take off?
ATI NG
April 2019 • fleetworld.co.uk
14 David Peel of Peugeot on its dealer network
Director Jerry Ramsdale jerry@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Martyn Collins martyn@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor-at-large Alex Grant alex@fleetworldgroup.co.uk
24 Driven > Range Rover Evoque
Business Editor Natalie Middleton natalie@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Content Editor Jonathan Musk jonathan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Editor Van Fleet World Dan Gilkes dan@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Account Directors Claire Warman claire@fleetworldgroup.co.uk
18 The advent of the highres, connected dashcam
Yvonne Wright yvonne@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Kevin Gregory Van Fleet World kevin@fleetworldgroup.co.uk
28 Driven > DS 3 Crossback
32 Spotlight > Jaguar’s revised 3 Series challenger
34 SWOT > Volvo V60
36 Accident Management > Keep your fleet legal!
40 Exclusive interview with ALD’s Matt Dale
42 Fleet Finance > Trimming costs in interesting times
Account Executives Darren Brett darren@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Lloyd Ramsdale Lloyd@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Circulation Manager Tracy Howell tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Head of Production Luke Wikner luke@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Designers Dan Bennett dan.bennett@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Tina Ries tina@fleetworldgroup.co.uk Victoria Arellano victoria@fleetworldgroup.co.uk
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fleetworld.co.uk • 003
EDITOR COMMENT_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 13:34 Page 1
FROM THE
EDITOR Trying to remain positive Having the right range of models, clearer branding and industryleading products and services, such as the four-day test drive, are still appealing to buyers.
As many predicted, we didn’t leave the EU on 29 March and instead the uncertainty of whether we leave with a deal carries on – well at this stage at least until 12 April, and then who knows! As I write, Mrs May, seemingly in desperation, has reached out to the opposition and Mr Corbyn, yet it is still far from clear if these discussions will ease the deadlock – time will tell... again I hope to bring you better news in the next issue. Despite all the uncertainty currently surrounding the fleet industry, I’m pleased to say there is still some positivity; as proved to this month in a visit to Milton Keynes and a chat with Peter McDonald, head of fleet and business sales at SEAT, and the winner of Fleet Manufacturer of the Year at our inaugural Great British Fleet Awards 2019. Having the right range of models, clearer branding and industry-leading products and services, such as the four-day test drive, are still appealing to buyers, as Peter told me. Rather than being down, SEAT sales were in fact up in 2017 and 2018, with 19,000 true fleet sales last year and Peter expects that growth to continue throughout this year, as its order take is already up on last year. It’s also a massive improvement on the brand’s relatively modest 7,000 true fleet sales in 2014. What also impressed me about my meeting with Peter was that despite all SEAT’s recent success, he remains modest, still believing they are on a journey of improvement and not there yet. It would seem with SEAT that if you put the customer at the heart of your business and work to refine your products, as well as making working with them easier, sales and awareness will continue to grow. Also another forward-looking firm is ALD Automotive, and I personally found Fleet World’s exclusive interview with the firm’s Matt Dale fascinating. The evolution of the leasing industry, like everything else, seems fast-paced, with stakeholders having to offer more than just vehicles, together with the move away from diesel and, in turn, the increasing up-take of alternative-fuelled vehicles. This has necessitated a more tailored approach from ALD, culminating in its Mobility Experience, where its clients discuss their needs and a bespoke business travel plan is formulated – one that doesn’t just revolve around cars and vans, but factors in other travel requirements too.
Martyn Collins editor
004 • fleetworld.co.uk
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ADVTL_SEAT_FW_Apr19.qxp_Layout 1 05/04/2019 17:40 Page 1
MAKING THE EXPERIENCE According to SEAT’s head of fleet and business sales Peter McDonald, things are going from stength to strength with its fleet-focused new models and, despite the continued success, SEAT isn’t done yet... SEAT, it would seem, is a brand that continues to be on a roll. The brand’s place in the Volkswagen Group has been cemented by a three-pronged attack on the SUV market with the Arona, Ateca and the newly launched, range-topping Tarraco. These fleet-friendly models, on top of established fleet favourites such as the Ibiza and Leon, have a clearer identity than those before them, plus a new brand campaign launched at the start of this year, marking them out as something different. All these factors are having an extremely positive effect on sales, as despite the uncertainty blowing through the fleet market – with WLTP taxation changes and Brexit – SEAT secured almost 19,000 true fleet sales last year, and according to head of fleet and business sales, Peter McDonald, expects to continue that growth throughout 2019. “We have come from selling about 7,000 cars in 2014, so 19,000 in its own right, represents big growth. But we continue to grow this year, and our ordertake is already ahead of last year.” This is a massive shift for Peter since he took charge in 2013, and SEAT’s success has recently been celebrated by Fleet World, with the well-deserved 2019 award for Fleet Manufacturer of the Year. However, he remains modest about this success. “We were really chuffed, positively surprised even! But, we believe we are still improving,
New Tarraco has all the space and functionality that drivers need, and 129g/km CO2, which fits lots of fleet policies. Peter McDonald, SEAT’s head of fleet and business sales
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and we certainly want to get better. We feel that we are still only part-way on that journey.” Four-day test drives are an example of how the brand has put a product into market, which is making a real difference and improving the general fleet experience. However, Peter knows he wants to do so much more and therefore, in his own mind, SEAT is not there yet. “It was really welcoming to win Fleet World’s award, but we were saying ‘we’re just improving’ – we didn’t think we were going to win it this year. It’s motivation for us.” So, just how does Peter think SEAT can improve its already excellent service? Firstly, around the four-day test drive: “The people we provide the test drives for are often very busy, so when we deliver the car to them, they don’t have 20 minutes for a walk-around. It’s our role to make this process as seamless and timeefficient as possible.” And how could the SEAT team make it even easier to understand how to do simple things like put fuel in, right through to explaining how key standard equipment such as adaptive cruise control works? “Our entire aim is to make it easier for our customers, so we are in the process of putting some technology in the car to help with that.” Most likely to take the form of an app that could be given to the driver, it would help explain some of the standard
equipment before the test drive. “We really want to enrich that process, because we feel we’ve got a duty of care to those individuals to help them understand the standard specification, but also to deliver the best possible experience.” Most customers take a test drive before making the decision as to what car they want — so why wouldn’t you want to make that test drive great? Secondly, the other element SEAT want to simplify is marketing communications to individual fleets, which has seen the company appoint a specialist B2B marketing agency. “At the moment, we have a oneto-many communications strategy. We have communications going out to fleet customers, but with proper B2B expertise, the plan is to tailor those communications and make them more relevant... So if you’re a fleet that is making decisions around alternative-fuelled vehicles, we would be able to speak to you with genuine insight and intelligence and support on that particular need. We will have different messages for different fleets depending on their requirements – which will make us more relevant.” This in turn, Peter believes will make fleet customers feel like they know the SEAT brand so much better.
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BETTER FOR FLEETS Then, there’s the SEAT model range, which with the new Tarraco completing the line up, seems better suited to fleet than ever before. I ask Peter where he thinks most fleet volume for the new model will come from? “This could be a customer that’s been driving a Leon Estate, or an Alhambra, or an Ateca, that now either has changing circumstances – they might have more kids or, more need for extra space in their car. Or, actually that need has always been there, and they wished they had a bigger car. We can now meet that need.” Of course, it could be a conquest buy too; “We believe we will conquest some competitor volume and we think, as we’ve seen with the Arona and Ateca volume, it will be from drivers whose previous company car wasn’t an SUV.” He believes that with the continual decline of the B Segment, people want the flexibility of an SUV with seven-seats, and this is where the Tarraco will score. “It has all the space and functionality that drivers need, and we have a Tarraco at 129g/km CO2, which fits lots of fleet policies, as many have a 130g/km cap, so we fit just in there. That’s where we think we will generate most of our Tarraco volume from – corporate end-user fleets.”
To find out how SEAT Business could help your enterprise achieve more: w www.seat.co.uk/business t 0800 975 7844 e support@gfbcseat.co.uk
NEWS_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 15:22 Page 1
THIS MONTH IN FLEET www.fleetworld.co.uk
IN BRIEF
4% Rise in the number of drivers caught speeding in England and Wales in 2017-18. Source: RAC Foundation
Thatcham ratings show keyless theft risks Thatcham has launched new car security ratings that show whether new cars have potential keyless entry/start vulnerabilities. The first batch of results show six of the 11 new cars launched so far in 2019 have been rated poor for security, while four were classed as superior. Meanwhile Thatcham gave the Suzuki Jimny an ‘Unacceptable’ security rating, despite it not having a keyless entry/start system, due to it scoring consistently poorly across all criteria.
Toyota to build Suzukibadged Corolla estate in UK Toyota and Suzuki are to partner in a move to gear up for wider use of hybrid technologies. The deal will see Toyota provide its hybrid tech and build two new rebadged cars for Suzuki – including a Suzuki-badged version of the Corolla estate at its UK plant, as well as the RAV4 in Turkey. Suzuki will supply Toyota with rebadged models for Africa and India, and petrol tech.
£201m Amount being invested in the Government’s new road repair fund, comprising an extra £50m for potholes and flood resilience and £151m to reward examples of best practice. Source: Department for Transport
008 • fleetworld.co.uk
Pendragon appeal sees ‘common sense prevail’ on ex-fleet use vehicles A court appeal that has overturned a previous Pendragon Motor Group conviction on a supposedly misleading used car advert could spell an end to “irrational prejudice against ex-business use vehicles”. The original case last October saw Pendragon, parent firm of the Evans Halshaw dealership, taken to court by Middlesbrough Council’s Trading Standard and fined £134k for failing to inform a customer that a vehicle’s ‘one registered keeper’ was a car rental company. However, in an appeal led by Pendragon, a judge at Teesside Crown Court has quashed the conviction, saying that the ex-business use of the car would have had no effect on the car’s value. The ruling has been welcomed by the fleet and remarketing industry as it comes some 18 months after the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) caused controversy when it ruled that adverts for two Alfa Romeo Giuliettas were misleading. The cars were bought by dealer group Glyn Hopkin from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK (FCA) and sold online via the carmaker’s used vehicle site, stating one previous owner, but without highlighting they were ex-fleet vehicles. Industry expert Dean Bowkett said Pendragon's appeal – while not being legally binding in terms of setting a precedent – carries a lot of weight should the ASA try to put ex-fleet vehicles in a negative light again. He continued: “From my perspective I would like to add that I am pleased common sense prevailed in this case and I was delighted to have been able to advise the court on the factors which really influence the car market. The rationale used to demonise some previous user types purely by the nature of their trade is seriously flawed.”
Councils get legal risk warning on ‘glacial’ air quality progress pollution Local authorities in England and Wales have received a written warning of the legal risks from inaction on air pollution after missing government deadlines to produce air quality plans. The warning comes from ClientEarth, which says it’s extremely concerned at the “glacial” progress of action from the 38 local authorities in question. ClientEarth lawyer Katie Nield said: “Judging by what they are telling residents, many have missed government deadlines to submit plans and some have consulted on potentially legally compliant action before scaling back proposals and delaying decisions.” In response, ClientEarth, which has won three legal cases against the UK Government over illegal levels of air pollution, says it’s not ruled out further action to tackle toxic air in towns and cities across the country. It’s also sent the councils a briefing that outlines their responsibilities and warns that if their final proposals do not satisfy the necessary legal requirements, they will be open to legal challenge. The organisation also said the lack of progress was the result of the Government’s flawed approach of passing the buck to ill-equipped local authorities under current air quality plans, published in 2017. Nield finished: “Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the central government to sort this out but local authorities should not be using government inaction as an excuse not to do all they can to protect people from breathing dirty air.”
NEWS_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 15:23 Page 2
Future Volvos to monitor and stop drunk or distracted drivers Volvo is to use in-car cameras and autonomous driving features in future models to help detect drunk or distracted drivers and take action as necessary. The carmaker is to install in-car cameras and other sensors that monitor the driver and allow the car to intervene if a clearly drunk or distracted driver does not respond to warning signals and is risking an accident involving serious injury or death. Measures taken could involve limiting the car’s speed, alerting the Volvo on Call assistance service and, as a final course of action, actively slowing down and safely parking the car. Introduction of the cameras on all Volvo models will start on the next generation of Volvo’s scalable SPA2 vehicle platform in the early 2020s. It follows the carmaker’s recent announcement that driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, driver distraction and speeding constitute three ‘gaps’ in its Vision 2020 initiative that aims for no one to be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo by 2020. Volvo is already taking action on speeding with the news last month that it’s imposing a 180kph (112mph) maximum top speed on all new models from 2021 to help reduce the dangers from speeding. And Volvo has also announced the forthcoming launch of a new ‘Care Key’ that will allow any Volvo buyer to set a speed limit for themselves, their family members or friends, and will come as standard on all Volvo cars from model year 2021.
APPOINTMENTS Nexus appoints Jim Faulds as chairman Nexus Vehicle Rental has appointed Jim Faulds as chairman. Faulds brings significant experience as a private equity chairman, and has supported many businesses in growing and developing across a variety of B2B sectors. CEO David Brennan said: “We are delighted to welcome Jim to the board and look forward to working with him on our next exciting phase of growth and innovation as the key technology-enabled mobility provider in the UK.”
New UK MD for Volvo Volvo Sweden managing director Kristian Elvefors is to assume the MD position at Volvo Car UK as current incumbent Jon Wakefield moves to Elvefors’ former role. Elvefors will bring huge Volvo experience to the UK market, with some 16 years at Volvo in Sweden including nearly four years as managing director.
Mandatory car tech will save lives
Senior appointments at Aston Barclay
Plans to mandate advanced safety systems, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and intelligent speed limiters, on all new cars from 2022 will bring significant improvements for road safety, but consumer education and confidence is key. That’s the view of some motoring and road safety organisations after a provisional EU deal on the legislation was reached last month. The policies will see a range of different systems required on new cars within the next three years. According to the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), the new laws – which are now subject to formal approval before being implemented across Europe – could save 25,000 lives by 2037. However, with much media focus on the use of intelligent speed limiters, Thatcham Research has warned that there could be some issues. Matthew Avery, director of insurance research at the firm, said that speed signs can often be obscured or inaccurate, while GPS mapping can be out of date. Temporary limits and road works can confuse the system too. He also warned that there could be a danger that drivers ‘adapt’ to the system and ultimately over-rely on it. “If the benefits of ISA systems are to be fully realised, consumers must be well educated to instil confidence around safe and proper usage,” he added.
Aston Barclay has made two senior appointments to head up its new Digital Solutions arm. Daren Wiseman joins as the firm’s new digital strategy director responsible for driving the group’s digital strategy and delivering leading solutions for its customers. Suzanne Harris becomes product and commercial manager for Digital Solutions to drive the new product development process and implement the group’s Cascade range of digital products.
fleetworld.co.uk • 009
ANALYSIS_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:21 Page 1
A N A LY S I S HYDROGEN FCEVs
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR? Could latest developments in hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles finally put the fuel type on the map, asks Natalie Middleton.
H
ydrogen has been back in the headlines in recent weeks, with developments including Hyundai’s Nexo hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) going on sale, not long after Hyundai Motor Group said it’s planning to build up to 500,000 FCEVs per year by 2030. Meanwhile Arval is to run a series of roadshows to raise awareness of hydrogen cars. And niche hydrogen car maker Riversimple has embarked on its third crowdfunding round to get its Rasa two-seater into Beta series production. But after years of bold claims that hydrogen is the fuel of tomorrow, is it looking likely that it’ll ever become the fuel of today? According to Gary Harrison, head of engineering at BT Fleet Solutions and specialist in alternative fuels, it’s a simple yes. He explains: “Having an electric vehicle is the way forward but the issues to overcome are particularly around range and the end-user acceptance of the product. Hydrogen overcomes many of the issues that we currently see with battery electric vehicles such as the refuelling time. With hydrogen, you get all the benefits of an electric vehicle but with the same advantages of what society has got used to with a two or three-minute refuelling option. “People talk to us about the inefficiencies of hydrogen, but it will be like any product – it will develop at the rate government or industry invest in the development of hydrogen production. “I very much see hydrogen as being the fuel, or definitely one of the fuels of the future – certainly for the heavy duty and longer-range requirements of society once a lithium-ion or alternative battery technology is limited to that range. At the moment manufacturers are putting more and more weight into vehicles to give them more battery capacity for increased range. Hydrogen effectively removes that.” Meanwhile, Arval, whose knowledge of fuel cell technology derives from its major involvement in a Swindon-based research project called the Hydrogen Hub, agrees that purchase price needs to fall while the infrastructure needs to improve, and it
010 • fleetworld.co.uk
says that with the right backing, the demand for hydrogen will increase. Senior business manager Paul Marchment says: “Our experience is that, once people know more about hydrogen technology, they are more likely to adopt and champion it. In the future, we hope to see it being used alongside a range of other fuel choices including EVs, PHEVs, petrol and diesel, helping our customers match each to their needs.” But Felipe Munoz, global automotive analyst at Jato Dynamics, says that as well as infrastructure and high purchase prices, FCEVs face further hurdles, including that their popularity still depends on one market: Japan, where they are really investing on this fuel type. The big markets, such as China and Europe, are focused on electrics, whereas hybrids are big in India. He adds that so far, investment announcements have come more from carmakers than from governments. It’s a view that Dr Graham Cooley, CEO at ITM Power, agrees with, particularly when it comes to the UK. He explains: “The UK government has invested 30x more into battery charging infrastructure than it has into hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. The UK Government claims to be technology agnostic, but has clearly created an unlevel playing field for plug-in electric vehicles over fuel cell electric vehicles. “The DfT needs to develop a more balanced portfolio of short-range inner city EVs and longer-range rapidly
refuelled hydrogen vehicles. The DfT has been badly advised, creating a blind spot which runs counter to global transport developments. “The key step for the mass market adoption of hydrogen is the rollout of a critical mass of hydrogen refuelling stations funded by the UK government. The Government’s publicly stated target was 65 stations by 2020, this is now a missed target.” So when will hydrogen cars really start to take off in the UK? Well, BT Fleet Solutions’ Gary Harrison says a couple of things will determine that. “The first one will be that I think the Government will continue their focus on battery EVs. That almost has to continue its journey and get that to a point of acceptance nationally and at that point, they will then start to solve the problem of extending the length of journeys. Once you’ve solved the problem on inner cities and clean air zones, all of which need a solution now which is where the BEV is really taking off, that’s when the Government will look for a solution to remove all internal combustion engines from the market. “I expect over the next five to 10 years, we will see a gradual shift of focus onto alternative fuels that solve the longer-range, heavy-duty problem. In the meantime, you’ll have these niche companies that will continue to develop and improve the technology to make it easier for the Government to start investing larger sums of money in infrastructure and the technology.”
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EVNEWS_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:23 Page 1
evfleetworld.co.uk
For greener, more flexible, future fleets...
IN BRIEF
FCA developing plug-in services for fleets
Morrisons to roll out rapid chargers Morrisons is tying up with the GeniePoint charging network to deploy rapid charging across its sites, nationwide. The agreement with GeniePoint owner ChargePoint Services will see its 50-100kW highestspecification rapid chargers deployed; the first ones will be in place by the end of April while 100 are expected to be installed by the end of 2019. Drivers can sign up to the GeniePoint network for free; there’s no monthly fee and they just pay for what they use.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is developing a suite of services to support its forthcoming plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, while aiming to offer fleets total cost of ownership (TCO) parity with petrol or diesel models. The company announced last year that it is investing €9bn (£7.7bn) to introduce 30 new electric or hybrid models by 2022. However, Alessandro Grosso, FCA’s head of fleet and business sales for the EMEA region, said alternative drivetrains require additional support. Internally, FCA is targeting TCO parity (rather than pricing parity) between EVs and their petrol or diesel counterparts. It’s also working with external suppliers to develop associated mobility services for end-users – including, but not limited to, charging and vehicle-to-grid technology. “If we can get the commercial offer the same as [combustion engines], then maybe we will be the winner in this arena. Electric vehicles are not enough without infrastructure; not of charging stations, but in terms of e-mobility. Without that, the customer will not accept the uncertainty. I can’t only sell electric vehicles, I have to sell the attached services," he added.
Prices announced for Hyundai Nexo hydrogen SUV Electric Forecourt network to revolutionise charging Global energy business Gridserve is to roll out a UK-wide network of more than 100 ‘Electric Forecourts’. The sites will be powered by a set-up of new solar farms and multi-megawatt batteries, offering clean energy and generating profits by providing services to the National Grid, helping to ensure low costs of charging. The network will also centre on offering convenient, customer-focused facilities like those seen in service stations.
Volkswagen Group accelerates electric car offensive The Volkswagen Group has ramped up its plans for electric cars with a new strategy to launch almost 70 new models in the next 10 years – up from the 50 previously planned. It means the projected number of vehicles to be built on the group’s electric platforms in the next decade will increase from 15 million to 22 million while the share of electric vehicles in the group fleet is to rise to at least 40% by 2030.
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Order books are now open for Hyundai’s Nexo hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, which is priced from £65,995 (inc. the PiCG). Only available from Hyundai direct, the Nexo SUV is the replacement for the ix35 Fuel Cell as well as one of the 44 new electrified models that Hyundai Motor Group has pledged to launch by 2025. Unlike its predecessor, the Nexo will be offered in right-hand drive. It also gets an official WLTP-rated range of 414 miles based on the combined cycle – compared to 369 miles on the old NEDC test cycle for the ix35 FCEV – while system output is now 163hp; up 27hp on the old model. Available in one high trim specification, the Premium SE features 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, sunroof, heated steering wheel, USB and QI wireless charging points and smart electric tailgate. Driver assistance and convenience features include lane following assist, lane keep assist, high beam assist and adaptive cruise control as standard, along with remote smart parking assist. All Nexos come with Hyundai’s usual five-year unlimited mileage warranty, roadside assistance, five-year annual health check, 12-year anti-corrosion warranty and eight-year hybrid battery warranty.
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MOBILITY
West Midlands drivers to get ‘credits’ to ditch cars
IN BRIEF
Drivers in the West Midlands could be paid ‘credits’ to ditch their personal vehicles as part of a new £20m Future Mobility programme from Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). The programme, which was approved by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board in March and has secured government funding, covers eight different areas intended to help cut congestion on the region’s roads, including a mobility credits scheme to provide drivers with alternatives to private vehicles. Following board approval, TfWM is initially looking to effect changes to Swift cards – TfWM’s equivalent of Greater London’s Oyster card – and work to improve traffic information while also exploring the R&D for a proposed pilot of the mobility credits in the longer term. This will centre around a controlled trial of electronic voucher credits in Coventry that can be used for electric vehicle hire, on-demand public transport, shared taxis and walking and cycling. The trial will be backed up by a new travel app to help participants decide how to travel, and how to maximise their credits, and could be rolled out in the West Midlands and elsewhere in the UK.
Highland Council has cut its travel costs by a third and reduced its carbon footprint by introducing Enterprise Car Club vehicles to replace ‘grey fleet’ travel. Deployed as part of a wider review of staff travel, the move has seen 26 dedicated car club vehicles introduced from Enterprise while car club technology has also been installed in nine of the council’s own pool cars.
Highland Council slashes travel costs with new car club
Karhoo and Taksee’s ‘roaming’ taxi booking service
Government review to open up low-carbon mobility options in UK The Government has opened a review into urban mobility that will explore regulation around new transport modes and invest £90m in ‘future mobility zones’ to open up more e sustainable and easier mobility options. Billed as the biggestt review into transport in a generation, the ‘Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy’ will explore whether new types of vehicles including e-scooters and e-cargo bike trailers could and should be made legal on UK roads. It will also explore how sharing data can improve services by reducing congestion, and how journey planning and payment can be made more simple. The review is being accompanied by the launch of a competition for up to four new
‘future mobility zones’. Funded by £90m – part of the Transforming Cities Fund – this will test ideas to improve journeys for people across the country, building on widespread w use of smartphones s among the t public. The strategy, which forms f part of the G Government’s modern Industrial I Strategy, also sets out nine key s principles that will p g guide government d decision-making going forward, f ensuring that e emerging transport technologies are safe, accessible and green. The Government has also published its response to the Last Mile call for evidence, and is working with the Energy Saving Trust to offer a total £2m of funding to support the uptake of e-cargo bikes.
Ride-hailing platform Karhoo has teamed up with Spanish taxi firm Taksee to launch a new roaming partnership. The partnership, which will initially begin in London and Paris, will operate like a roaming contract as with mobile phone users in Europe and will provide Taksee customers with the ability to tap into Karhoo's network in London and Paris while adding 7,000 vehicles to Karhoo’s 20,000+-vehicle ride-hailing marketplace in Spain.
Major bike scheme launch The first bikes have been made available for a new West Midlands bike share scheme, set to be the largest outside of London. Run by Nextbike, the initiative builds on the success of the firm’s schemes in areas such as Cardiff and will eventually see 5,000 bikes and 500 stations deployed across the West Midlands, along with three planned service and maintenance hubs.
evfleetworld.co.uk • 013
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OPINION
Curtis Hutchinson motor industry guru
Breaking the rules Peugeot’s product-led revival has been accompanied by a new way of doing things in its dealer network which is already resonating with user-choosers and SMEs. ompany car drivers now have a solution to an age-old conundrum. And it’s so simple you wonder why it has never been done before. Traditionally when a user-chooser’s car comes to the end of its tenure they visit a dealer, pretend to be a retail customer, kick a few tyres and go for a test drive. The showroom salesperson, sensing a hot prospect, will duly roll out the red carpet and pour the lattes. It’s a typical scenario borne out of mutual distrust. The company car driver knows they will not be taken seriously unless they pose as a punter, while the salesperson is unlikely to invest the time and effort into a sale that won’t happen and for which they won’t be rewarded. However, Peugeot has quietly broken the rules. When it launched the new 508 at the beginning of the year it knew it had a car with potential user-chooser and SME appeal so it encouraged company car drivers to visit dealers and take a 24-hour test drive. For the programme to work, sales staff were incentivised to engage with them as if they were retail customers. Peugeot also put mechanisms in place whereby if that driver goes on to choose a 508, even if it’s sourced through a leasing company, then it goes towards the dealership’s sales target. The pilot worked so well that Peugeot is considering rolling it out for subsequent new model launches. It’s easy to see how the scheme came about. David Peel, the managing director of Peugeot, is a rare breed. He is a car boss who has run a major dealer group; the factory-owned PSA Peugeot Citroën Retail network. This insight enables Peugeot to look at
C
014 • fleetworld.co.uk
things slightly differently to other mainstream brands and that’s proving to be welcome news for SMEs, company car user-choosers and fleet managers. “This is significantly different to anything we have done before and addresses an industry-wide issue,” says Peel. “We all know the horrendous experience user-choosers get when they are genuinely choosing their next car and we now have a standard approach for any user-chooser or SME going into a network site and having a good experience,” he adds. “We’ve tried to think from a dealer’s perspective and provide what they want so they are not disadvantaged by talking to someone who might source their car elsewhere.” Peel’s been in the top job exactly three years and is leading a brand in transition, admitting there’s more to be done. Volumes are down but can be explained by a more rational approach to daily rental. Gone are the days of over-trading in fast-churn business, with Peel imposing a strict cap so that only 10% of Peugeot’s total volumes will go into daily rental. Instead of chasing registrations, the brand targets a more sustainable 5%
share of the fleet, SME and retail markets. It’s certainly found itself back on more choice lists with 52% of total sales currently going into fleet, helped by a winning combination of desirable new products with strong residual values. Driven by a desire to improve RVs, while drawing upon his understanding of the retail sector, Peel has also sanctioned a fundamental change to the demonstrator model applied by all car brands. When a new car is launched, dealers typically source the highest specification models in the latest swanky colour in the hope of guaranteeing a quick sale at the end. In the Peugeot network this usually led to 200 virtually identical cars hitting the used market at the same time, six months down the road, resulting in a RV slapping. Starting with the 3008, Peugeot removed this choice. It contract-hired demonstrators to its dealers and worked with the likes of Cap to determine the best mix of derivatives and colours to return the highest possible RVs. The move worked, contributing to a 51% uplift on 3008 RVs with the programme subsequently employed for the 5008, 508 and commercials too. Stronger RVs will certainly help the brand focus on building its SME business, which it aims to grow by 18% this year. Peugeot operates business centres in 52 of its 180 UK dealers which are geared up to prospect for new SME business. However, the full network is now expected to serve the sales and servicing needs of small businesses and these initiatives will certainly resonate with them. “We class SME internally as our ‘green channel’; it’s good sustainable business,” finishes Peel.
PERFORMANCE YOU’LL FALL IN LOVE WITH.
ALFA ROMEO STELVIO
ALFA ROMEO GIULIA
BIK from 35% P11D from £36,920 CO2 from 139g/km
BIK from 33% P11D from £32,620 CO2 from 129g/km
Created and crafted in Italy, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Alfa Romeo Giulia are true masterpieces. They couple the most exciting driving dynamics with elegant Italian design. The technology behind Alfa Romeo is created to enhance performance and to give great driving sensations. Both models feature all the latest cutting-edge technology in safety and infotainment including Alfa™ D.N.A. driving mode selector, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and 8.8" Connect 3D Nav with DAB radio. All this combined with exceptional fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. For more information, call our Business Centre free on 0808 168 5419 or email alfaromeo.fleet@alfaromeo.com
Official fuel consumption figures for the Alfa Romeo range mpg (l/100km) combined: 53.3 (5.3) to 24.5 (11.5). CO2 emissions: 227 – 123 g/km.
Fuel consumption figures determined on the basis of the new WLTP test procedure as per Regulation (EU) 2017/1347. CO 2 figures, based on the outgoing test cycle (NEDC), will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. Only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.
37983-Q1 FCA Fleetworld Press Ad-Alfa-FP-297x210.indd 1
03/04/2019 15:19
Model shown is a New Mondeo Titanium Edition Hybrid Estate 2.0 TiCVT Auto with optional Adaptive Headlamps and Power Tailgate. Fuel economy mpg (l/100km): Combined 46.3 (6.1). *CO 2 emissions 113g/km. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO 2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. *There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO 2 figures. The CO 2 figures shown, however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration.
E N E R G I S E
Y O U R
W O R K F O R C E
Intro ducing th e ultra- ef ficient an d p rac tic al New Mo n d e o H y b rid E s t ate. F e a t u r i n g p r e m i u m l e a t h e r i n t e r i o r a n d SY N C-3 t e c h n o l o g y w h i c h k e e p s d r i v e r s c o n n e c t e d o n t h e g o, t h i s s e l f- c h a r g i n g h y b r i d w i l l p u t t h e s p a r k b a c k i n t o y o u r b u s i n e s s .
VISIT: FORD.CO.UK/MONDEO-HYBRID
INNOVATION_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:26 Page 1
INNOVATION
APPS, GADGETS AND ESSENTIALS FOR PEOPLE ON THE MOVE...
KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THINGS VEHICLE CAMERAS HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE LOW-RES DASH CAMS OF THE ‘NOUGHTIES’ AND NOW PROVIDE A TANGIBLE SOLUTION TO NOT ONLY MONITORING VEHICLE FLEETS, BUT ALSO PROVIDING TELEMATICS SERVICES. JONATHAN MUSK TALKS TO ERRIN MCNAMEE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CAMERA TELEMATICS.
Street Angel is a camera and telematics device made by UK-based Camera Telematics and should more accurately be described as a 'Video Event Data Recorder'. It's a new generation of device that integrates several technologies into one single and simple unit. “The real push in the industry is for a merge between video technology and vehicle tracking,” says Errin McNamee, MD. The device is a single unit that fits neatly in the windscreen and has internal memory to record video, while its various accelerometers measure G-forces. Installation takes less than half an hour in most instances.
HOW DOES IT WORK? When the device detects an event, it records a 10-second video clip by default, which is then uploaded to a cloud server, as well as sending an automated FNOL (First Notification of Loss) email alert – important for insurance companies. Using 4G to upload videos, the device is also equipped with an internal battery so that if there’s no reception it can upload data as soon as its signal returns.
018 • fleetworld.co.uk
Supporting the device is a web portal, as well as iOS and Android apps that offer comprehensive controls. On top of the device and system, fleet managers will be interested to learn that Camera Telematics uniquely provides a 24/7 monitoring service included in the package that ensures every single video is watched by a person who will escalate accidents, near misses or tampering. This ensures email inboxes aren’t filled with false alarms, so that fleet managers can concentrate only on incidents that genuinely require action.
WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT IT? The device is equipped with in-built 128GB storage rather than a cheaper microSD card, which Camera Telematics says offers more capacity and reliability as standard than competing units. In addition, since clips are stored on the cloud as well, footage is retrievable at any time. Combining devices makes a lot of sense for most fleets, as the Street Angel can effectively replace a separate tracking system since it records the same sort of
data, saving money. In addition, Street Angel can be combined with up to three other identical units, to create a multi-camera solution without the need for different devices. “This is important for FORS accreditation and forthcoming standards like DVS [Direct Vision Standard] in London,” adds McNamee. Furthermore, because they record telematics data the devices can be used for training, with each driver initially given 100 points that are then deducted from each time the device detects harsh braking or speeding, for example. Equipped with the latest on-trend tech – 4G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi – and recording in 1080p, the video event data recorder also uses an AI learning algorithm to identify objects in footage. McNamee comments: “The more information it sees, the better it gets.”
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Street Angel isn't the cheapest on the market at £349/device, yet McNamee argues that thanks to the increased amount of technology over its competitors, it provides better value for money.
DRIVEN_RR P400 PHEV_FW_Apr19.qxp 09/04/2019 14:32 Page 1
DRIVEN
Range Rover P400e PHEV Vogue SE Does a plug-in Range Rover designed for the city make any sense, asks Julian Kirk. Shall we forget about the figures associated with this car for just a second? You know, the implausibly low emissions, impossible to match electric range, the price, etc… Instead, let’s concentrate on what was bothering me before driving this range-topping Land Rover – how on earth is a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a bit of EV input going to haul more than 2.5 tonnes of metal around in a manner which will be deemed acceptable to those thinking of buying a Range Rover? After all, this is a car which usually surges around on a wave of big capacity diesel torque, commanding the road and pressing ahead without effort when required. But in this brave new world, the plug-in is king – charged (literally) with saving the planet, saving drivers money and saving car companies from disappearing into extinction like modern-day dinosaurs. So there’s a fair bit resting on the broad shoulders of this Range Rover (and its smaller Sport stablemate). Happily, first impressions are good. With a full battery charge and the car set to hybrid mode, the two power units combine to give a whisker over
400hp and 640Nm of torque. This is plenty to make decent progress, although you never feel like this car has quite the depths of mid-range pulling power in reserve that the diesels do. Never mind, because on the open road this Range Rover settles into making the kind of relaxed progress that this car is noted for. It also, unfortunately, delivers the fair degree of body roll and floaty ride that its sister cars provide. But physics is a tough act to beat. Things are less impressive when the battery is depleted (and no, I got less than half of that claimed 30-mile pure EV range during my week with the car). When the four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine is left to its own devices the car loses its rather dignified air as it revs away trying to build speed. All a touch unseemly. But this car is designed, ironically for the ‘best 4x4 by far’, for city use where its on-paper emissions help it make much more sense on the balance sheet than the more conventional diesel. From this month it will qualify for the new Cleaner Vehicle Discount on the London Congestion Charge while offering significant Benefit-in-Kind savings, falling into the 16% banding for company car tax rather than the 37% for the V6 diesel. However, you do
SECTOR Luxury SUV PRICE £95,800 FUEL 85.1mpg* RANGE 30 miles* CO2 72g/km**
have to wonder if selecting a car costing the thick-end of £100,000 to save £500 a month on tax is the right way to be going about things. But regardless of all of the above, when you’re in full hybrid mode sauntering along cocooned in leather and walnut, you care not a fig for emissions, tax bills, economy or looking for the next public charging point. Instead you appreciate a timeless British classic which makes you feel incredibly special when you drive it. And that is something that rival cars struggle to do, no matter how good they are.
THE LOWDOWN KEy FLEET MODEL P400E STRENGTHS CLASS, STYLE, SOME ZERO-EMISSION ABILITY WEAKNESSES HEAVY, EXPENSIVE, LIMITED ZERO-EMISSION ABILITY
THE VERDIcT The plug-in Range Rover appears, on the surface, to be a very expensive solution to a question not many people are asking. But in its niche role it performs flawlessly.
RATING *WLTP
**NEDC Correlated
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DRIVEN_Hyundai Nexo_FW_Apr19.qxp 09/04/2019 14:32 Page 1
DRIVEN
Hyundai Nexo Spearheading Hyundai’s hydrogen plans, the Nexo aims to make hydrogen conventional, finds Jonathan Musk. While the automotive industry is focused on a battery-powered electric revolution, of which Hyundai is a part, the Korean firm believes hydrogen represents the next chapter in the story thanks to its appealing blend of range and fast refuelling. Grand plans are afoot at Hyundai Motor Group to build half a million hydrogen powered electric cars by 2030 too, so the Nexo needs to be good to pave the way. Refined and improved in every way over Hyundai’s ix35 FCV, the Nexo benefits from a more powerful electric motor, fuel cell and updated electronics, as well as being equipped with Hyundai’s latest premium technology. To accommodate all this, the Nexo is larger – somewhere between the Tucson and Santa Fe. The car itself is a striking design with a slightly strange absence of anything denoting its hydrogen core. And that’s the point: Nexo is meant to make hydrogen more mainstream. Borrowing from the Kona Electric, the Nexo has an unexpected air of familiarity. There’s a floating centre console, regenerative brake-controlling paddles and Hyundai’s now-familiar infotainment screen sat atop the dash.
The more observant will also notice the right-handed steering wheel, which was unavailable in the ix35 FCV. It’s a well-appointed and comfortable cabin with plenty of useful design features. Energising the Nexo is a powerful fuel cell, which reacts hydrogen from its tanks with oxygen taken from the air to produce electricity and water vapour. A 120hp, 395Nm electric motor ensures swift-enough acceleration, while official range is a healthy 414 miles. That’s thanks to 6.33kg of hydrogen stored in the car’s three 700bar tanks. Of course, none of this is apparent to the driver unless looking at one of the comprehensive information screens. Aside from the odd hiss when the fuel cell kicks in under load, there’s little to differentiate the Nexo from driving any other EV. It’s smooth, quiet and responsive, while the suspension is soft rather than sporty. Essentially, there’s nothing to dislike here, though it does feel a little weighty at higher speeds. Crucially, the range-gauge doesn’t fluctuate dramatically like an EV can, providing the same reassurance as can be found in a petrol or diesel car. The UK is only getting Premium SE spec, which includes a number of highlights such as an impressive remote parking system capable of parallel parking at the touch of a button, and cruise control with traffic-friendly ‘Stop
SECTOR Large SUV PRICE £65,995 (inc. PiCG) RANGE 414 miles* CO2 0g/km
and Go’. There’s a long list of safety acronyms too – not to be overlooked when you have pressurised gas storage tanks to transport. With prices starting at £65,995 (including the Government PiCG), Nexo doesn’t come cheap, but arguably its competition (I-Pace or Model X) is more expensive. The biggest drawback at present is the UK’s lack of supporting infrastructure, with only 12 pumps dotted about the nation while the price of hydrogen is around £10-£15 per kilo. This makes hydrogen an expensive proposition to justify for the moment.
THE LOWDOWN KEy FLEET MODEL NEXO PREMIUM SE STRENGTHS SMOOTH, COMFORTABLE, LONG RANGE, WELLEQUIPPED WEAKNESSES LIMITED SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE
THE VERDIcT There’s no escaping the fact that hydrogen is more expensive per mile than other fuels. However, if you live close to a hydrogen station then the Nexo is certainly worth a look.
RATING *WLTP
0
*NEDC Correlated
ROAD_Hyundai_i30N_Fastback_Peugeot-508-GT_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:35 Page 1
DRIVEN
Hyundai i30N Fastback Same GTI-killing hot-hatch character, with a softer Fastback flavour, says Martyn Collins. Even three years ago, the idea of a Golf GTi-rivalling hot hatch from Korea would have been considered a joke. Well, over a year on since launch, and no one is laughing now, as the standard i30N hatch has already earned deserved admiration for its keen drive and sharp performance. Looking to increase the i30N’s appeal, Hyundai has now added this Fastback model to the already popular hatch. The ingredients remain largely the same as the hatch to the front doors, with up to 271hp from the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol at the front. It’s all change at the back though, with the sawn-off look of the hatch replaced by neater, more coupé-like
sloping rear lines of the Fastback. On top of being arguably better looking than the hatch, the Fastback boasts a bit more practicality, with 55 litres more bootspace – giving 450 litres in total. It’s based on the N Performance version, which on top of the already comprehensive standard specifications, which include sat-nav, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start, now gets heated front seats too. The final mod is barely noticeable on the move, and that’s the revised suspension settings – which are slightly softer. This is only just noticeable, but gives a welcome little bit of extra comfort on what is a sporty and rigid-feeling car.
SECTOR Lower Medium PRICE from £29,995 FUEL 34mpg* CO2 178g/km**
I’ll forgive how stiff the N Fastback is though, for how quick and precise it feels on the move. In fact, the only downside of the way this i30N drives is the still multiple and confusing settings for the drive modes – with N mode still unsuitable for road use. So if you liked the i30N hatch, but wanted a touch more style and practicality for a user-chooser choice, the Fastback could be perfect.
RATING *WLTP, ** NEDC Correlated
Peugeot 508 GT 225 The majority of 508s will be diesel powered, Martyn Collins finds out if the range-topping petrol is also worth a look. The 508 Fastback might have come to UK last year, but this upper medium Peugeot’s popularity and rarity have meant that we’ve only just got behind the wheel of the hatch, this time in range-topping GT trim with the 225hp, 1.6-litre petrol. Could this be the best-looking car in the Upper Medium class? I think so, with highlights starting at the front with the distinctive and tooth-like, vertical running lights, the arch-filling and GTspecific 19-inch alloy wheels, sporty and coupe-like roof line, plus the frameless doors both front and back. Inside, the latest version of Peugeot’s i-Cockpit, featuring the high-set dashboard and small steering
wheel, sits well the curvy exterior look. As I suggested in my first drive of the SW estate (January 2019 issue), the 508 is a car that’s hard to get comfortable with straight away, but after a week with this GT Fastback - I didn’t think it was a problem. In fact, the only issues with interior space, are the so-so rear leg and headroom and the shallow 487-litre boot – although this can be extended to 1,537 litres with the split rear seat folded. Tech-wise, the optional (£1,800) Night Vision pack fitted to this test car impressed, picking out pedestrians easily on dark, country roads. On the road, the refined and impressively composed ride, despite the big wheels fitted to the 508 GT impresses
SECTOR Upper Medium PRICE £36,014 FUEL 36.3–39.8mpg* CO2 131g/km**
more than the performance. Which considering the 0-62mph acceleration in 7.3 seconds and double-tonne horse power, didn’t feel as quick off the mark as expected – even when making your own changes via the column-mounted paddles of the standard EAT eightspeed automatic gearbox. Still, Peugeot are predicting 80% of business buyers will be diesel, so petrol 508’s will be a harder sell – especially considering this GT’s lofty £36,014 starting price.
RATING *WLTP, ** NEDC Correlated
020 • fleetworld.co.uk
ROAD_VW T-Cross_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:39 Page 1
DRIVEN
Volkswagen T-Cross Does Volkswagen’s new baby SUV live up to the success of its bigger brothers, asks Jonathan Musk. Volkswagen wants to offer an SUV for everyone. And it’s well on the way to doing so with an already extensive lineup, as well as no fewer than a dozen models being introduced in various markets between 2016-2020. The company predicts growth in the small SUV segment will almost double over the next decade and consequently the latest SUV in its lineup is perhaps the most significant, yet also happens to be the smallest. Available to order now, the new TCross is built on the same underpinnings as the Polo using the company’s MQB platform and sits below the successful Golf-sized T-Roc. However, at only 12cm shorter than the T-Roc and with a wheelbase of 2,551mm, it’s not as small as you might think. Inside, this translates to loads of practical space that’s been accentuated by a useful sliding rear bench that either extends boot storage or rear leg room by up to 14cm depending on your needs, and is a rare feature in this class. Even with a six-footer up front there’s still plenty of space in the rear to comfortably seat five and accommodate a decent amount of luggage. Engine options are decidedly simple
with a choice of just two power outputs from a 1.0-litre TSI threecylinder petrol turbo, pushing out either 95 or 115hp. The UK may additionally get a 1.5-litre petrol and/or 1.6-litre diesel if there’s sufficient market demand, both of which will be available in Europe in the near future. Fleets – which are expected to account for half of all UK sales – will likely be better off selecting the 95hp petrol variant, which comes with a five-speed manual gearbox, rather than being lured by the minimal gains of the 115hp engine. However, if larger loads are a regular occurrence then the 10.5-second 0-62mph capable higher horsepower unit should appeal, as well as its slightly more economically-minded six-speed gearbox or DSG option. A lot of effort has gone into making the T-Cross offer plenty of eye appeal, with a variety of bright colours available both inside and out. And, even SE spec (the expected best seller) offers abundant technology and safety kit to ensure the car feels premium. There’s the second-generation Active Info Display like you get in an Arteon, and standard safety tech in the form of Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring, as well as Lane Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring. As is now familiar for UK Volkswagens, the full line-up
SECTOR Small SUV PRICE £16,995-£23,150 FUEL 57.6mpg* CO2 112g/km**
consists of usual base-spec S, SE, SEL and range-topping R-Line trims. It’s at this point there’s usually a catch, yet Volkswagen and value appear in the same sentence thanks to keen pricing, with the base S model starting from £16,995. A limited run of 250 First Edition cars priced £23,150 are also available. The car drives much like you’d expect: like a Polo, but taller. Don’t allow the Up! GTI-derived engine to fool you into thinking the T-Cross is rapid, but it is adequately powered and doesn’t feel strained. As mentioned, there’s precious little on-road difference between the 95 and 115hp
THE LOWDOWN KEY FLEET MODEL 95HP 1.0 TSI SE STRENGTHS PRICING, EQUIPMENT, PRACTICALITY WEAKNESSES A LACK OF ENGINE OPTIONS AT LAUNCH
THE VERDICT With keen pricing, generous space and standard kit, as well as a fresh new face, the new T-Cross has abundant appeal over established competition.
RATING *WLTP **NEDC Correlated
022 • fleetworld.co.uk
DRIVEN_RangeRover-Evoque_DPS_Mar19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:45 Page 1
DRIVEN
Range Rover Evoque Martyn Collins finds out if Land Rover has managed to inject more Range Rover into its baby. The first-generation Evoque was a real shift change for the Range Rover brand, being the smallest model to wear the prized luxury off-road badge. Aided by futuristic Gerry McGovern styling, it immediately became a must-have model, with around 800,000 sold over its eight years on sale. It also became a surprise fleet success in diesel two-wheel drive form because of its CO2 performance, which ensured low BiK and good write-down allowance. Well, the Evoque is back in secondgeneration form – the biggest claim being that Land Rover has injected more Range Rover into its new baby, plus some clever tech.
024 • fleetworld.co.uk
Outside, it would have been difficult to update the iconic styling of the original, so instead it’s been cleverly tweaked – although 99.9% of this car is new. Five-door only now, the greatest difference has to be the Velar-inspired styling, with slim LED-lit light clusters that stretch across the rear. Plus, the flush-fitting door handles at the side. Bigger changes have happened on the inside, with the Touch Pro Duo infotainment system standard on RDynamic SE models and optional on others. This basically features two high-definition, touch-screens – one for the navigation and infotainment and the other for in-car features such as the ventilation. The 2019 Evoque also sits on a longer, mixed material platform called the Premium Transverse Architecture. That means 20mm of additional knee
room in the back, plus 10% extra luggage space. The Evoque also debuts clever new technology. Clearsight Groundview is the first and basically works by letting you see through the bonnet, using cameras in the front grille and door mirrors, which together project a view on the touchscreen of what’s underneath and in front of the Evoque. It works really well too, as I had a chance to drive around a course, using only this system and the central infotainment screen. The other is the Clearsight Rear View Mirror. At the flip of a switch, the actual mirror transforms into an HD display, which via a camera in the roof fin aerial gives an unobstructed rear view — even if it’s fully loaded with people or luggage. The new Evoque is offered with the
DRIVEN_RangeRover-Evoque_DPS_Mar19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:47 Page 2
It’s the new-found proper Range Rover refinement that impresses most - the interior is whisper quiet.
choice of 150,180 and 240hp versions of the Ingenium diesel engine, with the 150 getting a six-speed manual while the other two feature a ninespeed automatic. Or there’s the choice of 200, 250 and 300hp, 2.0litre Ingenium petrol engines, all with automatic transmission. Of more interest to fleets is each of the engines bar the 150hp diesel come ready-equipped with 48-volt mild hybrid tech. Additionally, joining the line-up next year will be a plug-in hybrid version powered by a 200hp 1.5-litre petrol unit. The D150 manual is expected to be the most popular engine for fleet, with 44.9mpg fuel consumption (WLTP) and CO2 emissions of 143g/km (NEDC
Correlated). This engine is also RDE2 emissions compliant, thus meaning the removal of the 4% surcharge on BiK. We drove the four-wheel drive version of the fleet-friendly D150 in S-specification and found the Evoque is still fun to drive, with responsive steering, although the D150 only gives adequate performance. Standard equipment includes LED headlamps, rear parking sensors, keyless go, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth and DAB radio. However, it’s the new-found proper Range Rover refinement that impresses most – the interior is whisper quiet, the automatic gearbox makes slick changes, and the only time you can hear the diesel engine is when accelerating hard.
SECTOR Compact luxury SUV PRICE £38,250 FUEL 39.9-44.9mpg* CO2 143g/km**
THE LOWDOWN KEy FLEET MODEL D150 S TWO-WHEEL DRIVE STRENGTHS REFINEMENT, GOOD TO DRIVE, LOW RUNNING COSTS WEAKNESSES EXPENSIVE, D150 ENGINE PERFORMANCE IS ONLY ADEQUATE
THE VERDIcT To sum up, the Evoque still feels special like a big Range Rover and in D150 form, it makes a lot of sense for fleet buyers.
RATING
*WLTP
** NEDC correlated
fleetworld.co.uk • 025
ROAD_VolvoV60-CC_Merc A-Class_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:49 Page 1
DRIVEN
Volvo V60 Cross Country D4 Martyn Collins finds the V60 Cross Country could be all the off-roader business drivers ever need. The transformation from standard estate to all-roader isn’t always a happy one, usually with many compromises made to the driving experience without much gained in the way of off-road ability. Not so with the all-new Volvo V60 Cross Country which, tested on the UK launch in Off-Road mode and with standard Hill Decent Control, seemed to attack deeply rutted, muddy tracks and steep inclines and drops with almost the ability to match a proper off-roader. Yet despite having probably more ability off-road than most buyers will ever need, when you head back to the tarmac, I reckon the drive is nearly as good as the standard V60. The only negatives being the increased body roll
from the extra 60mm of ground clearance, plus it’s less keen to change direction quickly and there’s more road noise – although grip is impressive from the optional 19-inch wheels and all-terrain tyres. The suspension setup also feels softer than the standard V60s I’ve tried, but it’s a compromise I’d be happy to make, as the Cross Country feels more comfortable and composed. Design wise, the only Cross Country changes over the standard V60, apart from the ride height, are the chunkier matt arches, plus lower offroad plastic protection and different styles of alloy wheels. The V60 Cross Country is initially only available with the familiar 2.0-litre fourcylinder diesel in D4 state of tune. This
means a torquey 295lb.ft and 190hp, plus up to 47.9mpg WLTP combined fuel with the standard eight-speed automatic transmission. This equals 0-62mph acceleration in just 6.8 seconds, although it's swift rather than sprightly off the line and never feels particularly dynamic or sporty – but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, with 500 litres of boot space and the attractive styling, this V60 could be the perfect SUV alternative for business.
RATING
SECTOR Mid-Size Estate PRICE £39,935 FUEL 42.8-47.9mpg* CO2 135g/km**
*WLTP, ** NEDC Correlated
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A 200 AMG Mercedes-Benz is back on top form with its latest range and the A-Class is no exception, finds Jonathan Musk. Back in 2012, onlookers might have felt that Mercedes-Benz had sold its soul by mimicking the success of the BMW 1 Series and changing the A-Class from a family-friendly luxury city car into a sports-hatchback. However, they say that good artists create and great artists copy and Mercedes-Benz now enjoying
the fruits of its labour with the A-Class – having become a firm favourite with fleets and consumers alike. The new car is a few centimetres larger than its predecessor and is more grown up too, featuring plenty of S-Class pioneered tech. Inside, there’s sporty styling that looks and feels premium and modern – and a set of screens has replaced instruments. Fortunately, though this might have easily proven itself a bit of a gimmick, it isn’t: the displays are sharp and intuitive to use. In a first for MercedesBenz, shouting “Hey Mercedes” prompts a ‘normal’ conversation with the car, enabling navigation, playing music, setting the climate control temperature and much more. It
SECTOR Hatchback PRICE £28,045 FUEL 45.6mpg* CO2 123g/km**
works and is complemented by a new augmented reality view for the sat nav that overlays navigation information in real-time over the top of the frontfacing camera. As for the engine in this, the A 200 AMG, it’s sufficiently brisk with 0-62mph taken care of in 8.0-seconds, thanks to a generous 163hp from its 1,332cc engine. I’m no fan of DCT gearboxes, but this one never missed a beat nor felt like it dragged the clutch, which are my usual criticisms of this type of auto-box. The powertrain has now made its way into Renault and Nissan models too, but rather than it be a step down for Mercedes, it’s a step up for the other two. Handling is excellent, offering a clever blend of go kart accuracy with softer motorway manners. All in all, the class-leading A-Class is a fine car and its downsized engine a surprising delight.
RATING *WLTP, ** NEDC Correlated
026 • fleetworld.co.uk
ROAD_DS_3_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:53 Page 1
DRIVEN
DS 3 Crossback The second model in the new DS offensive, the new DS 3 turns SUV and Martyn Collins thinks it’s the brand’s most convincing car yet. The original DS3 has done a pretty good job of chasing the Mini hatch since 2007. But three-door superminis no longer work for PSA’s premium brand, so it has now morphed into a five-door compact SUV – taking on the bigger Countryman and Audi’s Q2. From the front, the DS 3 has the latest version of the wings grille and distinctive headlights with optional matrix technology. The front is finished off with driving lights curving their way down the front edge of the wing. From the side, there are flush-fit door handles, shark-fin detailing on the rear window line that pays homage to the original DS3, plus slick hidden window seals. At the back,
028 • fleetworld.co.uk
the DS 3 looks more conventional with the horizontal high-set rear lights. Move inside and the driving position has plenty of room for even the tallest and the seats are comfortable. There’s lots of quality soft-touch and metal trim, plus the digital instruments are easy to read. Diamonds are a DS shape, and they’re a key feature in the DS 3’s dashboard – especially the centre console. I’m sure in everyday use you’d get use to the rather characterful, Citroën-like haphazard nature of this switchgear – but on first acquaintance it’s quite confusing. Space in the back is good, even headroom – although the high window line plus the ‘fin’ detail make it feel claustrophobic. The 350-litre boot is deep, shaped for practicality and can be extended when folded. The DS 3 is the first to benefit from
the new CMP platform, designed for internal combustion engines, and offered in 100, 130 and new 155 versions of the 1.2-litre PureTech petrol and the 100hp version of the Blue HDi 100 diesel. Cleverer still is the fact that this platform also supports full electric power with the battery pack hidden under the floor. As such, interior space isn’t compromised compared to conventional petrol and diesel versions. The PureTech 130 petrol is expected to be the most popular choice, with 47.1mpg fuel consumption (WLTP) and CO2 emissions as low as 109g/km (NEDC Correlated). Go diesel, and the DS 3 offers 62.7mpg and 97g/km emissions. Elegance starts at a not insubstantial £21,550 and includes rear parking sensors, keyless go and a 7.0-inch touchscreen. Performance-Line adds
ROAD_DS_3_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:54 Page 2
On the road it’s the responsive steering, tidy handling and comfy ride that stand out.
LED rear lights and aluminium pedals. Prestige is expected to be the best-selling trim for fleet, and has automatic airconditioning, auto wipers, front parking sensors, a 10.0-inch HD touchscreen, DS Connected 3D Navigation and Wi-Fi. Range-topping Ultra Prestige adds 18inch alloy wheels, head-up display, keyless entry, matrix LED headlamps, reversing camera, driver’s seat electric lumbar adjustment and massage function. There’s also a ‘La Premier’ launch edition available until late this year, which adds the Premium Advanced Safety Pack, active cruise control, high beam assist and wireless phone charging. We got to try the 130 and 155 petrols and, more excitingly, the E-Tense EV version. On the road, it’s the responsive
steering, tidy handling and comfy ride that stand out. The refined 130 feels a bit slow off the mark, but speed quickly builds whereas the new 155 is more willing. Both were well-matched to the EAT8 eight-speed automatic. Three drive modes are offered with both these engines; Sport makes the biggest difference, quickening up the steering and throttle response. The biggest compliment I can pay to the all-electric E-Tense version is how similar it felt to the petrol versions. Sport mode gives the full 138hp and feels the most excited off the mark, but even in Normal and Eco modes, the electric DS 3 remains smooth and responsive – it’s one to watch later this year when launched.
SECTOR Small SUV PRICE £21,550 - £33,950 FUEL 45.7–62.7mpg* CO2 97-128g/km**
THE LOWDOWN KEy FLEET MODEL PURETECH 130 PRESTIGE STRENGTHS INTERESTING LOOKS, KEEN DRIVE, E-TENSE EV VERSION WEAKNESSES EXPENSIVE, CLAUSTROPHOBIC REAR SPACE
THE VERDIcT It looks great, drives well and offers the first all-electric PSA model in the form of the DS 3 E-Tense. But it’s expensive and the rear space might not suit passengers and children.
RATING *WLTP **NEDC Correlated
fleetworld.co.uk • 029
ROAD_Ford Edge_Skoda Kodiaq_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:57 Page 1
DRIVEN
Ford Edge Ford’s US-originated large SUV gets a new diesel powerplant to help make it more relevant, says Craig Thomas. After four years on sale in the UK, Ford has refreshed its large Americansourced Edge SUV in an attempt to maintain sales and relevancy. Standard for a mid-life revision is a tweaking of the design, with a new grille that is now even wider than previously, accompanied by a new bonnet, bumpers, tailgate and all the lighting units (headlights, rear lights and daytime running lights). The net result of all of these changes is to make the Edge look even more imposing than it already did. Another sign of a refresh these days is an upgrade to the infotainment and connectivity equipment. In the Edge’s case, that means a debut for FordPass Connect modem technology, which adds a wi-fi hotspot for up to 10 devices,
plus live traffic updates and a series of other features (vehicle locator, remote access and start functions, etc). The main story of this upgrade, though, is the allnew 2.0 EcoBlue diesel engine, available in two forms. The entry-level version, fitted to Titanium-trim cars with front-wheel drive, produces 150hp, so it's not quick by any measure. Depending on wheel size and levels of equipment, official fuel economy is 38.2 to 42.4mpg*, while CO2 emissions are 153g/km**, which are respectable, without being truly outstanding. The alternative, fitted to all-wheeldrive variants of the Edge has an increased output of 238hp, giving it a blunter performance. It feels responsive and refined, though, with two turbochargers ensuring that the power
SECTOR SUV PRICE £36,995-£45,995 FUEL 34.4-42.4mpg* CO2 153-176g/km**
delivery is steady from low revs. It also feels relatively quiet, so it should prove a useful motorway cruiser. Economy, compared to the 150hp version, almost inevitably suffers, with fuel consumption dropping to between 34.4 and 41.5mpg, while CO2 emissions rise to 176g/km. The overall impression of the Edge is one of rather unexciting competence, with little to make it stand out against the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq, let alone more premium offerings such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
RATING *WLTP, ** NEDC Correlated
Skoda Kodiaq vRS Does giving our favourite large SUV the vRS treatment spoil it? Martyn Collins hits the road to find out. Skoda’s Kodiaq won our Great British Fleet Award for Best Large SUV, simply because it combines the endless flexibility of an MPV, with the versatility and driver appeal of an SUV. But do these values still ring true with a 237bhp sporting vRS makeover? Under the Kodiaq’s sculpted bonnet now sits the familiar 237bhp, 2.0-litre
twin-turbo TDI diesel engine. Its coarseness cleverly hidden at idle by the fitment of a ‘Dynamic Sound Boost,’ which pumps fake V8 sounds through this Skoda’s sound system. Yet, despite a seven-second 0-62mph acceleration time, plus licence-losing 136mph top speed, the fastest Kodiaq boasts a respectable combined WLTP mpg figure of between 35.3 -34.0 mpg and 167g/km emissions. On the road, the fake engine noise annoys, especially considering how smooth this diesel engine is. Still, once you get over that, you realise it is a very torquey (368 lb ft) unit that’s happy to be revved and well-matched to the seven-speed DSG transmission.
SECTOR Large SUV PRICE £42,000 FUEL 34-35.3mpg* CO2 167g/km**
In spite of the respectable performance, on the road it doesn’t quite feel worthy of the top performance vRS badge. Although, admittedly it was always going to be a tough task transforming a heavy (1880kg), four-wheel drive SUV. The Kodiaq vRS’s steering is impressively direct and improved with the added weight of the Sport mode. The extra grip of the four-wheel drive system adds another level of confidence in corners, as you can’t defy gravity and there’s plenty of body roll. Plus, the ride on the standard 20-inch wheels, is on the unyielding side. The rest of the vRS makeover for the Kodiaq is very convincing, both inside and out. With this, plus the comfortable and supportive sports seats in the front, the fastest Kodiaq remains a practical seven-seater – £42,000 is a bit rich though!
RATING *WLTP, ** NEDC Correlated
030 • fleetworld.co.uk
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SPOTLIGHT_Jaguar XE_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 15:00 Page 1
SPOTLIGHT JAGUAR XE
BACK TO BUSINESS With a segment-first RDE2-compliant diesel engine and significant step up in interior quality, the updated Jaguar XE is renewing its focus on fleets. By Alex Grant.
REVIVING DIESEL Fleet remains a vital component of XE sales and Jaguar still sees diesel as the right fuel for most business users. Conscious of the perception and tax issues that diesel faces in its home market, it’s pushed to make the new car compliant with RDE2 emissions limits far ahead of deadline. This avoids the 4% company car tax penalty, while also giving fleets some assurance of low NOx output in ‘real-world’ use, Jaguar says. There’s only one diesel engine, a 178bhp 2.0-litre unit with (NEDC Correlated) CO 2 emissions from 130g/km, targeting CO2-capped fleets and offered with optional all-wheel drive. Early XE sales had been heavily diesel-weighted, but Jaguar is expecting 60% of UK customers to opt for either the 250hp or 300hp petrol engines this time. It’s also readying ‘electrified’ versions for 2020 onwards – likely to comprise mild hybrids at first.
032 • fleetworld.co.uk
A CLASS ACT Jaguar sought feedback from its customer advisory board when developing the new car, including fleet managers and SMEs familiar with the outgoing model. Exterior design and the driving experience were rated as its biggest selling points, and neither have changed much this time, but end-users said they were disappointed with the quality of the materials used in the cabin. The result is a significant overhaul; soft plastics, plusher leather upholstery and a trimmed dashboard top all giving a sense of luxury befitting a premium-brand product. The rotary gear selector is replaced by a shifter from the F-Type, while the steering wheel and mostly touchscreen-operated air conditioning controls are lifted from the I-Pace electric SUV. Business users will welcome extra storage for bottles in the door pockets, wireless smartphone charging in the centre console and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
SPOTLIGHT_Jaguar XE_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 15:00 Page 2
STREAMLINING Most fleet-bought XEs went to SMEs and user-choosers, who typically buy like retail customers, so demand for the old car was top-heavy. The new XE range is much slimmer than its predecessor, deleting unpopular options and derivatives offered. Every car will include leather upholstery as standard and, with less than 10% of customers opting for a manual gearbox, this has also been removed from the range. Instead, Jaguar is offering three grades – S, SE and HSE – and it’s cut prices compared to the outgoing car to make it more price-competitive versus key rivals. LED lighting, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard on all three trims, and all can be stepped up to a sporty ‘R-Dynamic’ version with the usual styling add-ons. Most UK customers are expected to do so, based on demand for the old car.
IN SUMMARY Jaguar now sells more SUVs than sports saloons, but the XE is an important car that's opened many new doors in fleet since 2015. The carmaker sees ongoing life in this segment as CO2 limits become more stringent, and it’s aiming for a steady 10,000 units per year with the updated version. Interior and tech updates will certainly help but, given the ‘true fleet’ success rivals have had with plug-in hybrids, electrification feels suspicious by its absence. AG fleetworld.co.uk • 033
SWOT_VOLVO_V60_D3_Inscription_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 17:18 Page 1
SWOT Volvo V60 Our expert panel analyses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing Volvo’s V60 medium-sized estate.
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
GA One of the most stylish cars within its competitor groups, it’s sure to attract attention.
GA To some users, it wrongly still won’t be up there in terms of desirability when compared to the German premium alternatives.
GA V60 offers Volvo the opportunity to really win some conquest business from the competition. This car is up there with the best, and is sure to enjoy continued success.
GA There is some strong competition out there primarily from the German three, in addition, new 3 Series isn’t going to make life any easier.
AC The new Volvo V60 is very stylish, both inside and out, it really is a good-looking car and the interior is typical of the latest Volvo design language. The seats are excellent, giving plenty of comfort, support and adjustment, equalling an excellent driving position. MJ V60 starts with great looks and a stylish, high-quality and spacious interior. In keeping with Volvo’s reputation, V60 has a high level of safety technology equipment as standard. Ride is good, with predictable handling. MW Follows the Volvo tradition of producing good, solid, safe estate cars. But the V60 is also very handsome, with some great styling cues.
034 • fleetworld.co.uk
AC You could argue that it could be more dynamic to drive. Plus, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto do not come as standard, which is disappointing. MJ The nine-inch centre touchscreen for the standard ‘Sensus’ infotainment system is quick and easy to use but controls many functions for which there are no buttons. MW The V60 really isn’t well known enough; “A what?”, I hear many say. Then they play safe, and choose to buy a German brand. The Volvo’s weakness is that it’s simply not known, and, if it is, it’s soon forgotten. Which is a real shame.
AC The estate has always been the big seller for Volvo in this segment, and the new V60 looks like it will continue this trend. It certainly gives those customers looking for a practical, premium estate a real alternative. MJ Competitors here represent sales worth fighting for, and V60 can challenge them. Strong forecast residual values translate into good whole life Costs. MW The V60 is the underdog here because it is still a wellkept secret — but this estate has much to offer.
AC Unfortunately for Volvo, the default premium D-segment choice for many drivers comes from one of the three German brands. MJ I see more and more of these on UK roads, but awareness of the Volvo V60 is still lower than ideal. Perhaps this could be due to the success of Volvo’s latest compact SUV, the distinctive XC40. MW The biggest threat, as always, for the estate is the ever-popular and still rising SUV sales.
SWOT_VOLVO_V60_D3_Inscription_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 17:11 Page 2
Martin Ward (MW) Manufacturer relationship manager, Cap
VOLVO V60 D3 150 INSCRIPTION PLUS
Gavin Amos (GA) Global valuation director Global Analytic Services
Strengths GA V60 is spacious and certainly feels very ‘premium’. AC Competitive BiK costs. MJ The digital instrumentation has quality graphics. MW Handsome and safe.
Strengths
A4 35 Avant 2.0TDI 150 S line STron Auto7
GA Many will have had one. AC Even without Quattro four-wheel drive, the Audi is a bit dull and predictable to drive. MJ The fifth-generation car is considered too conservative. Better as a Quattro. MW To the untrained eye, it hasn’t changed at all.
Strengths
C200 Estate 1.6d 160 DPFR SS €6 Sport 9G-T+ Auto
GA Most powerful, yet competitive fuel economy. AC Brand pull is strong currently. MJ Cabin has a sense of occasion. MW Always has been the estate to go for, and be seen in.
Optional equipment: • Metallic paint £675
GA Some competition do have more interior space. AC Not the most practical boot.. MJ AMG trim more desirable. MW The C-Class also suffers from a lack of identifiable changes.
OTR: £37,150 Standard equipment: P11D: £37,810 • DAB, BT, USB Fuel: 55.4mpg • Rear parking sensors CO2: 119g/km • Heated front seats RV*: £13,275 (35.11%) • Dual-zone climate control BiK: 28% • Sat nav with 10.25-inch SMR: £2,749 touchscreen Fuel costs: £5,637 • LED headlights Insurance: £4,506 • Keyless entry and start Finance: £5,104 NI: £4,748 Optional equipment: VED: £485 • Metallic paint £685 Cost per month: £1,328
Strengths
Passat Estate 2.0TDI 150 R-Line DSG Auto7
Weaknesses
GA Great all-rounder. AC Big, practical and best BiK. MJ Cheapest and lowest WLC. MW A sporty-looking estate.
Weaknesses GA Passat is a challenge where premium desirability wins. AC Lacks the brand pull of the others. MJ Well respected, but not seen as a premium brand. MW The Passat is a Passat however you dress it up. Many would prefer a more premium badge on the drive.
*3 year/60K
Standard equipment: • DAB, BT, USB • Rear parking sensors • Heated front seats • Dual-zone climate control • Sat nav with seven-inch touchscreen • LED headlights • Keyless entry and start
OTR: £37,445 P11D: £38,105 Fuel: 61.4mpg CO2: 121g/km RV*: £13,850 (36.35%) BiK: 29% SMR: £3,250 Fuel costs: £5,765 Insurance: £3,801 Finance: £5,144 NI: £4,943 VED: £485 Cost per month: £1,328
Weaknesses
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2.0 TDI 150 R-LINE
Volvo V60 estate 2.0 D3 150 Inscription Auto8
GA Volvo has made a huge effort to increase its premium profile – but is it enough? AC Rivals are better to drive. MJ Lack of buttons on the dashboard. MW Volvo brand soon forgotten.
GA Kerb appeal is high. AC Interior is beautifully finished. MJ Quality cabin, classy and desirability. MW Good-looking and sporty too.
MERCEDES-BENZ C200D SPORT ESTATE
Andy Cutler (AC) UK car editor, forecast values Glass’s
OTR: £38,250 Standard equipment: P11D: £38,850 • DAB, BT, USB Fuel: 51.4mpg • Rear park assist CO2: 123g/km • Heated/ventilated front seats RV*: £14,900 (38.35%) • Dual-zone climate control BiK: 29% • Sat nav with nine-inch SMR: £2,668 touchscreen Fuel costs: £6,887 • LED headlights Insurance: £3,930 • Keyless entry and start Finance: £5,245 NI: £4,986 Optional equipment: VED: £485 • Metallic paint £650 Cost per month: £1,339
Weaknesses
AUDI A4 35 TDI S-LINE S-TRONIC AVANT
Mark Jowsey (MJ) Director, KeeResources KwiKcarcost
OTR: £32,930 Standard equipment: P11D: £33,565 • DAB, BT, USB Fuel: 64.2mpg • Front and rear parking sensors CO2: 117g/km • Heated front seats RV*: £10,750 (32.03%) • Dual-zone climate control BiK: 29% • Sat nav with eight-inch SMR: £2,375 touchscreen Fuel costs: £5,514 • LED headlights Insurance: £3,207 • Keyless entry and start Finance: £4,531 NI: £4,215 Optional equipment: VED: £485 • Metallic paint £605 Cost per month: £1,200
fleetworld.co.uk • 035
FEATURE_ACCIDENT-MANAGEMENT_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 15:37 Page 1
aCCident ManaGeMent
KEEPING YOUR FLEET
safe & leGal Mart rty rt tyn Collin ns Considers all the options for fleets, larGe and sMall, to help keep their drivers and vehiCles safe on the roads and CoMpliant with Current leGislation.
036 • fleetworld.co.uk
FEATURE_ACCIDENT-MANAGEMENT_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 15:38 Page 2
I
t may surprise you but Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reporting data does not include workplace road deaths, despite including figures relating to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). In fact, the only other exceptions are construction, demolition, alteration, repair or maintenance activity related on or alongside public roads. The numbers do not include road traffic incidents, as managed by the police and reported by the Department for Transport (DfT). According to HSE statistics, 144 workers were killed in 2017/18, with the main cause attributed to falling from height, which made up 35 deaths during a 12-month period. However, the DfT in 2017 reported 499 people were killed in incidents involving a driver/rider whilst driving for work. In fact, in total, there were 1,770 reported road deaths during 2017-18 and these numbers have been fairly consistent for the last six years. The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, which came into force on 6 April 2008, was the subject of a recent white paper by the IAM RoadSmart. The paper raised the question of why an act that was brought in to protect workers has only seen 25 successful convictions in 11 years for corporate manslaughter, with the highest annual recorded figure being six during 2014 and none of them related to employees driving for work. Commenting on these figures, Malcolm Maycock, managing director, Licence Bureau, believes major discrepancies between the two sets of data need to be addressed, as they skew easily identifiable business risk profiles. “We believe road traffic incidents should be incorporated within data sets across the board because any vehicle driven for work is a ‘workplace’.” This difference in data sets he believes also goes some way to explain why so few convictions have been by the HSE in relation to corporate manslaughter and driving for work. “There is clearly a disconnect that needs to be explored, as driving for work is now very much a part of day-to-day life for many and, as the data suggests, represents the greatest risk.”
Asked if he thinks businesses hold the act in high regard, Maycock believes that they do. “Driving for work arguably comes a little further down the list of priorities but, as the figures demonstrate, this is an area that carries the highest risk and should be an absolute priority.” Adding another dimension to the challenge is the continued rise in the grey fleet, which shows no signs of slowing down. “Our concern is around companies’ inability to adhere or fully understand their duty of care obligations when employees use their own vehicles on company business. “We already know, that of the estimated 14 million vehicles in business use across the UK, an estimated 13 million of those are grey fleet with only around one million being ‘company cars’.” According to experts, this ‘company car’ figure is forecasted to reduce by a further 11% over the coming 12 months. This means there is already a huge number of grey fleet vehicles in circulation and organisations need to be aware of how this can impact their employee duty of care. One significant factor as the consequence of the growth in grey fleet is the ‘management’ of such vehicles and the resulting increase in risk profile, with elements such as insurance cover, vehicle condition, suitability for journey and fuel efficiency all being outside of an organisation’s control. Remember, it is the management’s responsibility to check that a driver is fit for purpose for your business. Below are our suggestions and systems for keeping your fleet legal. Records and documentation Managing your fleet in-house? On top of keeping your drivers safe, it is essential that you make sure your vehicles are compliant as well. In the first instance, it is important that you have someone looking after the full records and documents for each vehicle on the fleet. This should include the V5, plus insurance and MoT documents, service records and details of maintenance carried out. Regular daily checks on every fleet vehicle are highly recommended and a daily log should be used to prove that every vehicle is safe and roadworthy. This is the place to record any faults or
fleetworld.co.uk • 037
>>
FEATURE_ACCIDENT-MANAGEMENT_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 15:44 Page 3
ACCIDENT MANAGEMENT
>> damage and how they were rectified. These checks together with a log can also be used for employees’ own cars or ‘grey fleet’, as if they’re being used on company business then it is that company’s responsibility to keep those vehicles legal and roadworthy. This also applies to contractors’ vehicles. Licence checks, training and health checks Any organisation that requires or allows its employees to drive on their behalf should have a system for checking driving licence validity, entitlements and convictions. Great British Fleet Event 2019 Innovation in Risk Management award winner, DAVIS by Licence Check, is far from being a basic check. On top of being GDPR compliant, via their own dashboard, these driving licence checks can actually paint a picture of the driver by ensuring they have the correct category entitlement and eligibility to drive and whether their driving licence has any current endorsements, penalty points or convictions. As a result of this information, the check can identify high-risk drivers. The checks can also highlight potential training needs. IAM RoadSmart offers a number of options including a driving for work course that takes three and a half hours, covering topics such as how to drive efficiently and identifying areas of risk including personal safety, ergonomics, fatigue and mobile phone use. There’s also an Eco Safe driving course that involves five drives in a day, two on the same route, with hints and tips given for fuel saving. IAM RoadSmart is also working on the next level of training and this, as yet unnamed preventative, education system will offer subscribers bespoke content, including videos on traffic hotspots local to the area of the company. All of this content will be accessed via a portal and a unique log in. Finally, it is the company’s responsibility that drivers undertake annual health and eyesight checks. A recently launched solution for eyesight is the Driving Eyesight Toolkit from Specsavers, which aims to provide employers and their employees with all the information they need regarding the regulations and requirements for driver eyesight.
038 • fleetworld.co.uk
Fleet accident management software stores important data relating to accidents... Having such information stored in one system helps identify fleet risks such as driver behaviour, which can then be used to update company policies.
Specsavers’ Driving Eyesight Toolkit is a good example of giving fleets safety advice
In-house or external management? Traditionally, company fleet management relied on an internal fleet manager or administrator. However, with the advent of more legal regulations, environmental considerations, duty of care, driver training and staffing constraints, many companies are outsourcing their fleet to an independent specialist. Whether you’re a large business with a number of vehicles, or a smaller SME with just a couple of cars, outsourced fleet management can be done with either just as effectively. One such solution is from Chevin Fleet Solutions. Its fleet management software, FleetWave, supports duty of care and helps fleets stay legal. The driver management software can check that employees have the correct and valid licence for the vehicles and equipment that they operate. It can also be used to identify risk and support the creation of driver policies and training programmes. Plus, this fleet accident management software can record documents and other communications in relation to accidents, helping identify risk. Driver management software readily integrates with the DVSA’s driver licence checking service, generating email reminders at check intervals with definable parameters such as mileage and date of birth. In addition, the service will alert the company if drivers are deemed ‘at risk.’ Such data can then be integrated into risk management or driver assessment solutions, in addition to HR systems. Fleet accident management software stores important data relating to accidents, securely with a mind to GDPR compliance, and details of damage can then be allocated to job cards in order to fully describe any required or completed repair work. Identifying fleet risks is the first step towards making your fleet run more smoothly. Data can be used to update company policies, while software can play an important role in improving safety both by preventing incidents from occurring in the first place, as well as learning from inevitable mistakes, and implementing training for the drivers that need it.
ADVERT_GBFE_FW_Feb19.qxp_Layout 1 06/02/2019 20:36 Page 1
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IVIEW_Matt-Dale_ALD_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 14:05 Page 1
FACE TO FACE
The Bigger Picture ALD Automotive is working closely with fleets to help them make sense of an ever-evolving landscape – and head of consultancy, Matt Dale, says there’s no sign of those changes slowing down any time soon. By Alex Grant.
Traditionally known for its long-term decision-making, the fleet sector has faced an onslaught of technological and political changes recently which have completely undermined the status quo. There are new opportunities for forward thinkers but equally there’s also no excuse for burying heads in the proverbial sand. For Matt Dale, head of consultancy at ALD Automotive, understanding how that next chapter will unfold is just as vital for suppliers as it is for fleet operators. “One thing I tell new starters is, while we’re a leasing company, this sector is increasingly providing more than just vehicles. The industry is changing quickly, so there’s a real need to understand the complex challenges customers face, and offer flexible, bespoke solutions to suit their goals.” This has become a complicated conversation. ALD has produced ‘State of the Nation’ reports since the end of 2017, which are updated monthly and presented individually to customers, either at their premises or at ALD’s Bristol headquarters, as an overview of the ever-shifting backdrop to any decision-making. In the last six months 39 corporate fleets have been through the process and discussions are lively, typically at least doubling the allocated 35-minute meeting time. Change is coming so quickly that some customers are returning to discover the goalposts have already moved again. “It isn’t just a case of having diesel last time, so wanting it again,” says Dale. “You can get away with a one-year policy, but you can’t get away with a three, four or five-year policy, which is what we used to have.” Old habits die hard. Dale says it’s not unusual to find businesses still making decisions based entirely on monthly finance costs or having diesel-only policies solely based on fuel economy. Total Cost of Ownership has become far
040 • fleetworld.co.uk
more dynamic and old models increasingly don’t apply. For example, diesel has not only experienced a softening of residual values and a 10p per-litre price disadvantage, but it’s also been impacted more than petrol as a result of the move to ‘NEDC Correlated’ data. That said, there is still a desirability for diesel in the used car market. In turn, the TCO break-even point for diesel has moved dramatically. Four years ago, diesel became cost-effective once drivers were covering 12,000 miles per year. Today, that’s around 22,000 miles per year. Inflexibility can be expensive. Thankfully the alternatives are making increasing financial sense, and Dale has pushed to make sure ALD is familiar with them. The company not only installed charging points in its own car park when it moved office in 2017, but it put foundations in place to make it easy to add more. Last summer, twothirds of its company car drivers were opting for plug-in hybrids, and it had to double the number of charging points to meet demand. This also means it’s been able to generate a lot of real-world data, collected via its own ProFleet2 telematics system. Last year’s trial of 20 plug-in hybrids, for example, highlighted cost savings for users covering up to 20,000 miles per year and demonstrated that 77% of all journeys were under 100 miles – easily within range of a fully electric car. As new models offer twice that range, which is rapidly becoming the norm, they could cover 94% of the journeys recorded. “There are still people who believe [electrification] won’t happen, and diesel will come back, but I think we’ve got to realise we’ve passed that point. Internal combustion engines have a place for a long time, but I don’t think diesel will ever recover, from a volume perspective, to where it was in its heyday. I think it will gently disappear.”
For fleets, the good news is an expected fall in whole-life costs as electrification becomes more common. Not only due to cheaper fuel and maintenance, but because depreciation is very different. With fewer moving parts than a combustion engine, EVs don’t reach the same crossover point – typically three years and 60,000miles – where maintenance outweighs the cost of replacement. In theory this should offer a steadier depreciation curve, but it’s not always that straightforward, as Dale explains. “The concern at the moment is the price of vehicles; they’re expensive, manufacturers are expecting them to retain a high percentage of their value and they’re not travelling far enough on a single charge yet. Some high-end vehicles are only achieving 250 miles [to a charge] – in five years’ time, when there are 400-mile ranges coming in, there is likely to be a fall-off in the values of those early, premium brand cars.” Political pressure doesn’t help. Diesel penalties and an unclear view of company car tax are making some customers consider cash allowances instead. Dale says many are unaware of the potential rise in CO2 emissions for doing so, and the longer-term CSR problems it can cause. But, he adds, some are open-minded. “What we’ve found is people are happy to say; here’s my petrol or diesel policy, and if [drivers] want to step into a plug-in hybrid or electric car they can go outside of the standard policy. We’ve had four customers doing that in the last three months,” he says. Unfortunately, this won’t get much easier. The UK’s first clean air zones will go live by the end of 2020 and 60 are planned by 2025, each potentially excluding or charging vehicles to enter. Aside from the direct costs, especially for van fleets, ALD is warning that companies within these zones could
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You can get away with a one-year policy, but you can’t get away with a three, four or five-year policy.
become less attractive employers once staff are charged to drive to work. Dale says clean air zones could also cause a rush for Euro 6 compliant vans, furthering shortages due to disrupted supply as manufacturers re-test them under WLTP conditions. Again, planning ahead is essential: “Around 70% of the vans on the UK market are not clean air zone compliant – who is going to want to buy a Euro 5 van in 12 months’ time? What happens in 2025 when those clean air zones go electric only? Where London goes, it’s likely the rest will follow, and suddenly you could have issues with residual values,” he explains. Some of the issues aren’t confined to the UK. Manufacturers are focused on 95g/km EU-set CO2 averages for 2021, and vehicles under 50g/km count twice towards those averages if they are registered in 2020. The combination of NEDC Correlated CO2 emissions and the decline of diesel means every car counts. Options and derivatives are disappearing, and plug-in uptake is heavily limited by supply – a bigger picture that customers don’t always appreciate, says Dale. Getting this right requires a tailored approach. ALD launched its Mobility Experience in the UK last year – an immersive, interactive process which brings “everyone who should be talking about fleet” together at the company’s headquarters to develop a bespoke business travel plan – including overcoming the challenges of offering alternatives to cars and vans, where necessary. “It’s no longer about a company car that’s in two grades,” says Dale. “We can create what [customers] want, but [they’ve] got to test it, because [they’re] at the sharp end and this is new. But the car is still key – we haven’t had anyone turn around and say they don’t need cars anymore.”
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FLEET FINANCE
TRIMMING COSTS IN INTERESTING TIMES
FLEET TAXATION GURU PROFESSOR COLIN TOURICK RICK PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON FLEET COST OPTIMISATION TION IN AN UNCERTAIN MARKET.
SCHEDULED AND UNSCHEDULED COSTS COMPARISON (PENCE PER MILE) 8 7 1.6
PENCE PER MILE
6 2.35
5 4
2.1 2.1 1.35 1.75
3 1.35 0.8
2
1.1 0.6
0.9
0.8
2.1
5.5
0.85
4.1
0.9
1.15
2.7
1 1.1
1.15
1.25
1.4
0.14
A
B
C
D
E
1.7
1.8
1.8
2
F
G
H
I
1.8
J
2.2
2.6
3
0 K
MAKE AND MODEL KEY
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SCHEDULED
UNSCHEDULED
L
M
N
O
P
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I
f we were living in normal times, this article would be looking at how fleet managers should now be reacting to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, in which he would have announced how the Government planned to mitigate the impact of the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test on company car tax and vehicle excise duty, and the Benefitin-kind tax rates that will apply from April 2021. But we aren’t living in normal times, and, despite the industry calling for clarity and the Government saying last year that it would review the impact of WLTP and report back this spring, all we have heard is that there will be a consultation on WLTP, whilst on BiK we have heard nothing. To say that this is creating uncertainty for fleet managers would be an understatement. How on earth are you expected to be able to choose cars – and fuel types – without knowing the tax cost of those cars over the next 3-4 years? In defence of the Government [four words you will rarely hear me say], they have been somewhat preoccupied recently and have moved large numbers of staff onto post-Brexit planning, so perhaps it’s not surprising that fleet issues have been pushed into the long grass. Nonetheless, it’s a bit of an insult to the 900,000 or so employees who pay BiK tax, and to their employers. Rant over. This creates a small problem for me – how to fill the rest of this article. I always try to deliver something that fleet managers can act on, so I think I’ll now bash out 750 words on a topic that has been exercising my mind a great deal of late, fleet cost optimisation, and I offer here two cost-saving ideas for you to discuss with your leasing company or data supplier. Idea No. 1 This is for those fleet managers who use maintenance-inclusive contract hire. I’m a fan of the leasing and fleet management companies. They do a great job delivering complex products to a diverse group of clients in an increasingly complex economic, commercial and regulatory environment. Their businesses will change out of all recognition once fully autonomous vehicles are authorised for use on UK roads, but until then they will carry on doing what they have always done – leasing cars and delivering services, whilst taking RV and maintenance cost risk. Those risks are a problem for leasing companies. If they assume that a car will sell in three years’ time for
£10,000 and it actually sells for £8,500, and that it will cost £2,000 to maintain but it actually costs £2,500, this will wipe out the profit they expected to make on that car over the whole three years. And if they get the sums that wrong across their whole fleet, it could wipe out their capital. Goodbye leasing company. So when setting your rentals they are cautious whilst still hoping to be competitive. This means that every rental you pay assumes that the market will perform in a certain way and that your drivers will behave in a certain way. Wouldn’t it be great if your leasing company would give you a discount if your drivers drove prudently, without accelerating or braking harshly, speeding or careering round corners? Cars that are thrashed have more damage, more problems and are off the road more
Wouldn’t it be great if your leasing company would give you a discount if your drivers drove prudently?
frequently, meaning your employees are less able to do their jobs. Differential pricing based on driving styles would be a win-win-win for your company, your drivers and your leasing company. You save money, the leasing company would spend less on tyres and brake pads, and your employees would be safer whilst making a few extra pence per mile if you continue to reimburse them at the same business mileage rate whilst their car’s mpg improves. Telematics units – black boxes that can record and transmit information about the car and driver behaviour – get cheaper every year, and simple units can now be supplied and fitted for under £5 per month. This gives you an opportunity to say to your leasing company: “You know how some insurance companies offer insurance to young people who agree to put telematics units to their
cars? How about fitting those units to our cars – at your expense – and sharing with us the financial benefits you will enjoy? You’ll save money on tyres, brakes, etc. And you can use the telematics data to develop a report showing how prudently the car has been driven, which you can attach to the windscreen when the car is sold at auction. Buyers will pay more for a car that has been driven prudently.” Idea No. 2 This is for those fleets that pay for their own maintenance, perhaps using a leasing company’s pay-and-recharge service. The graph (left) shows the cost per mile for 16 car models, split between scheduled and unscheduled work over several years. This is actual data from a very large car fleet run by a UK Plc and the cars are typical mid-range models. (I’ve hidden the model names to avoid incurring the wrath of the manufacturers.) Scheduled work here refers to standard service and maintenance, whilst unscheduled work typically arises when a warning light comes on, for example when a component fails. Every leasing company has this data for every vehicle model. Note how for some models more than 50% of the cost is for unscheduled work, whilst for others it is a far smaller percentage. Wouldn’t it be great if you could see data like this when deciding which cars to let onto your fleet? Unscheduled maintenance costs you money. First there is the cost of the work itself. If some models are likely to have more unscheduled maintenance events, wouldn’t you want to know this in advance? Second, every unscheduled maintenance event takes the a car off the road and makes it more difficult for the employee to do their job. And finally, if a particular model has a high probability of failure of one particular component after a certain period and mileage, wouldn’t it make sense for you to ask for that component to be replaced before it fails, as part of a standard service visit, rather than having the disruption of an unscheduled failure and the vehicle being off the road? Predictive maintenance is an emerging technology that some leasing companies are beginning to use in order to reduce costs. If you pay for your own maintenance it might be worthwhile asking your leasing company or a data supplier to provide you with some of this type of data so that you can make informed decisions about likely component failures and take pre-emptive action.
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Software & Apps
Airmax Remote - the leading telematics and data provider Airmax is at the forefront of UK telematics technologies. We have been since 2004, So, we know a thing or two about the industry and the ability to maximise your fleet potential. Specialising in providing integrated, telematics services to Corporate Fleets and White Label Solutions to the Leasing and Contract Hire Sectors. Integrated with Vehicle Fleet Procurement system, Leaselink we are able to provide seamless delivery of services throughout the dealer network, prior to vehicle delivery. But what is telematics? It is a black box device installed in a vehicle, whereby we utilise the OBD port to collect and generate vehicle specific data from the vehicle CANBus, providing an insight led approach to reporting. By creating visibility of field assets to achieve expected residual values and complimenting existing SMR and FNOL processes. Once installed, customisable services create value added services to fleets such as driver behaviour, driver and vehicle performance, Vehicle Track & Trace and mileage capture for HMRC compliance, all accessible through a central, configurable application. sales@airmaxremote.com www.airmaxremote.com
Keeping you legal and fiscally sound When it comes to compliance and saving money, we have your back. For fleets, the legal and fiscal landscape is forever changing - and changing fast. In the UK, HMRC now requires all businesses to submit electronic VAT returns. In the UAE, new plate rules and robust regulation to clean up the automotive spare parts market are being implemented on top of the recent VAT introduction in the GCC markets. The UAEs new licence plate changes alone could equate to over 6,000 Euros of unexpected cost for a reasonably sized fleet! Whilst UAE Auto parts manufacturers, dealers and mechanics are trying to estimate the cost of complying with the new UAE Vehicle Control System ESMA (Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology) kitemark. Meanwhile, Europe is taking the lead on utilising the new WLTP measures and cities across the region are expanding their low emission zones, forcing fleets to accelerate vehicle policy reviews and selection. All of this has a bearing on fleet costs, reporting and record-keeping. The Bynx fleet and mobility management platform can help offset additional mandatory costs by increasing efficiency and instilling better management of fleet overheads. In addition, recent Bynx versions - including the newly-released v12.8 - supports all the legal and fiscal changes required to keep your fleet compliant. Stronger reporting capability continues to influence corporate governance and precise record-keeping. www.bynx.com
Theft recovery solutions to beat the thief
Integrating mobility management through fleet management software
We offer integrated theft recovery solutions and real time driver behavioural data to many of the UK’s leading fleet providers and operators. Access to information is critical. Critical in providing real time and historic data, that serves as an enabler to make efficient and effective decision making to drive financial and operational enhancement. CanTrack GPS consolidates big data and presents it in a clear, visible and highly intuitive live dashboard and reporting suite. Protecting billions of pounds worth of equipment on a daily basis. With a recovery rate of less than 55% in the UK when vehicles are stolen, vehicle theft is becoming a national epidemic. That’s where CanTrack Protect comes in. We have an average recovery rate of 91% and are the only non-wired stolen vehicle solution to be accredited by Thatcham and Secured by Design. Our theft recovery solutions safeguard high value assets in the plant, construction, logistics, marine, agricultural, medical and specialist sectors. Since our inception, we have reunited partners with over £20m worth of equipment. In today’s environment visibility of your assets isn’t just nice to know, it’s need to know. Asset data and recovery solutions that help operators stay ahead of the game. marketing@cantrack.com 01908 330385
With traditional fleet management progressing towards mobility management, selecting the best transport options will be based on an understanding of both the needs of the business and its employees. Whilst a company car may provide the best transport solution in terms of a door-to-door service, mobility management considers the other transport options available to provide an employee with a similar flexibility and productivity at lower costs. In addition to company cars, mobility management travel options include allowances for personal vehicle use, pool cars, short term rentals, public transport options and even private hire companies such as Uber and Lyft. Fleet management software can apply the principles of both the Total Cost of Ownership and the Total Cost of Mobility to help determine the most efficient, streamlined and cost-effective options. As mobility becomes an integral part of fleet management, better transport decisions can be made across all fleet assets within a business – and this includes the workforce too! Existing fleet management software such as Chevin’s FleetWave is an integral part of mobility management. Such technology capabilities needed to successfully move towards a mobility management structure are already available to fleets. www.chevinfleet.com
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Our panel of leading suppliers helps you get the most out of your fleet...
Award-winning software with integrated business-critical apps
Putting a wealth of information in the hands of your drivers
Technology including Jaama’s multi award-winning fleet solutions Key2 asset and driver management system and ‘MyVehicle App’ - are essential tools in driving forward vehicle operating efficiencies and reducing the administration burden for fleet operators. Fleet management software should act as the hub of a wheel with the spokes being the data feeds drawing on information from numerous disparate sources into one central repository. Effectively collecting data from multiple sources enables fleet decisionmakers to obtain a holistic view of the entire operation and ensures strategic informed decisions are made with regard vehicles, drivers and journeys. Add in the growing use of smartphone apps, that crucially deliver the ability for drivers to provide data back into the fleet system instantaneously, and it means that the availability and volume of real-time information to fleet decision-makers is unprecedented. ‘MyVehicle App’ from Jaama delivers exceptional levels of efficiency and integration with Key2 which is unique in the marketplace. It also helps employers meet their driver and vehicle compliance obligations by ‘pushing’ information out to drivers. Martin Evans, managing director of Jaama, said: “Key2 and ‘MyVehicle App’ are revolutionising vehicle and driver management and significantly reducing burdensome manual tasks. Our vision, along with our customers, is the paperless office and we are taking huge strides to achieve this vision.” enquiries@jaama.co.uk www.jaama.co.uk
Keeping on top of every car in your fleet can be difficult for any business. For many companies their fleet management is conducted across varying departments or as a secondment to a primary role which can be challenging and time consuming. State-of the-art, data rich online systems are proving to be the best solution for a business to manage their fleet; reducing paperwork, improving efficiency and ultimately saving the fleet operator time and money. Our innovative driveVLS app makes the drivers’ lives easier too. The app, which is exclusive to our customers, is designed to put a wealth of information in the hands of your drivers; bringing real-time driver, vehicle and contract information together into one place. Its unique features include sending push notifications to advise when key events such as service and MOT are due and allows your driver to quickly and easily view their vehicle’s current maintenance history. When it comes to booking a service, repair or MOT the GPS enabled app uses the vehicle manufacturer and satellite position to locate the nearest approved dealership or Kwik Fit centre. By using JCT600 VLS online reporting and the driveVLS app it will empower your business and drivers – providing total control of fleets, improve efficiency and allow staff to concentrate on their core duties. sales@jct600.co.uk www.jct600vehicleleasingsolutions.co.uk
Evolution
From fleet management to multi-modal mobility services.
The time has come to make managing vehicles simple. The technology now exists to deliver everything as pro-active services leaving you to focus on managing your business. At ODO we have a single platform bringing together all the best service providers in the market and integrating them to deliver real business benefits. By combining our App, ODO On the Go, with telematics, automated driver license checking, MOT monitoring we deliver complete grey fleet management. Using the App for inspections, the 24/7 driver’s concierge service, pro-active service / MOT management, telematics and fuel monitoring you ensure your Vans are used efficiently for the work intended. And for leased vehicles odometer monitoring prompts likely under / over contract mileage. Total Cost of Ownership and lease rate vehicle searching let’s you optimise the vehicles on your fleet. With ODO vehicle management as a service is a reality. Why stick with fleet management systems where you do all the work and move to a solution that actually works for you. www.ododrive.com
Suppliers of automotive finance and fleet management services can play a broader role beyond leasing or asset financing. The contracted vehicle usage (the finance/leasing perspective) can be linked to user centric, value-added mobility and connected car services via digital self-serve channels. By enabling such an endto-end on-line customer journey, a broader and more complex supply chain of multi-modal mobility services can be managed. To support this evolution from a systems point of view, we expanded our Miles product with a cloud-native micro-services architecture and decision support framework, dubbed Miles.next. This turns our existing Miles Core ERP application into a hybrid solution platform that can cover both automotive and multimodal mobility; integrate seamlessly with other systems (through APIs in the cloud); provide high available web and mobile front ends and connect 3rd party apps, services and platforms. Miles.next’s cloud-native micro-services architecture enables modular feature delivery, 24/7 availability and elastic on-demand scalability. Its real-time data integration, paves the way for predictive analytics and smart contracts. With a strong focus on integration, customer self-serve and straight through processes, this puts our customers in a position to explore new business opportunities as true mobility aggregators. contact@sofico.global www.sofico.global
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FLEET FINAL REPORT VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON R-Line 2.0 TDI DSG P11d/BiK: £35,430 (28%) MPG/CO2: 50.6mpg* / 116g/km** Test MPG: 48mpg
AS our time with the Arteon neared an end, taking it abroad seemed a fitting conclusion to the past six months. I’ve already documented its fleet qualities, but getting onto continental tarmac brought it to life. In the UK, R-Line extra sporty suspension and 19-inch alloys made for a firm ride often at odds with the rest of the machine. It’s amazing the difference decent tarmac makes, with the car finally finding its rhythm the moment its tyres touched the gloriously smooth French asphalt. Cruising at 130km/h, fuel consumption didn’t take much of a hit either, thanks to the low drag design and it seemed happier to hold seventh gear too, which wasn’t the case when travelling at the UK’s 70mph maximum speed. My six months with the car has given plenty of time to consider its strengths and weaknesses - an obvious positive being the enormous interior capacity (that we’d put to the test with a boot full of foreign delights). And, though the following could have been improved by a manual gearbox, over the 3,000 miles spent in the car, the 2.0-litre 150hp diesel returned an impressive average of 48mpg. Overall, the Arteon has impressed with its appealing looks, ample space and economy. Jonathan Musk
MAZDA CX-3 Sport Black+ 2.0 2WD P11d/BiK: £22,195 (29%) MPG/CO2: 42.8mpg* / 141g/km** Test MPG: 41.5mpg
AS befits its range-topping Sport Black+ specification, our CX-3 wants for very little in the trim department. As well as boasting all of the usual goodies, the Mazda has a headup display (HUD) that pops into view when you start the engine. The little full-colour screen shows current speed alongside the prevailing speed limit and also clearly points out the next direction if you are using the sat nav. However, as the HUD folds out of the top of the dash, rather than being projected onto the windscreen, it only sits a few inches above the actual speedo. That means that
046 • fleetworld.co.uk
you still have to look down to see what’s being displayed. I am a fan, but a higher mounting or a screen projection would have made the HUD a more vital bit of kit. Mazda is sometimes unfairly criticised for its rather dated looking main nav and entertainment screen, when compared to some of today’s widescreen displays. But, in combination with the rotate and click dial in the centre console, it works really well, accurately and clearly guiding me to wherever I need to be. As they say, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Dan Gilkes
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VOLVO V60 D3 R-DESIGN P11d/BiK: £36,960 (29%) MPG/CO2: 60.3mpg* / 123g/km** Test MPG: 32mpg
VOLVO kindly sent me home from the UK launch in one of its new Cross Country models, which made for an interesting comparison with my V60. But, after a week behind the wheel, there’s a couple of things I’d like to change on my D3 R-Design. Firstly, the 2.0-litre diesel in D4 tune might have just 40hp more, but
on the road, it feels far more willing and energetic than my D3. Selfishly, the other is the optional Harmon Kardon sound system, which has more power and clarity than the already good standard kit. That’s it though, the V60 is that good, and continues to impress. Martyn Collins
HONDA CIVIC 1.6 i-DTEC EX Manual hatchback P11d/BiK: £24,750 (23%) MPG/CO2: 61.4mpg* / 93g/km** Test MPG: 47mpg
AFTER several months of testing the Honda, there’s still something I can’t decide if I love or hate: the two-tier ‘technology centre’ console. It’s essentially a space-saving, rather intelligent way of providing storage, in particular for devices etc. So it’s got a bit in the front of the gear lever where you can store smartphones, which comes with an integrated wireless smartphone charging pad from the Sport Plus trim up. Then there’s another tray hidden behind the centre console with access to the HDMI and USB ports, as well as the 12v power socket and space to hold change etc – it’s even got a slot so you can pass cables through. My husband loves it and it is a very clever methodical way of sorting things, but I am struggling a bit when it comes to accessing things on the second level and resorting to sticking my posterior out of the car door every time I want to put a USB stick in. I do pity the neighbours. Natalie Middleton
ALPHACITY VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.6 CDTi SRi Nav Bookings: 14 Mileage: 19,399 Test MPG: 50.4mpg
I HAVE been using the AlphaCity corporate car sharing system for a little over a year now and it’s great. On average I schedule between 3-4 bookings per month, mostly for client meetings, and I find the online booking system an easy and stress-free way of checking the car is available and then booking it out. What’s even better is the introduction of the Alphabet app, which is not only great when you aren’t able to access the site, but has also helped me extend my end time in the middle of a booking. Whilst I miss the cruise and comfort of the BMW 320D we previously booked through AlphaCity, the Vauxhall Astra has been great for its economy driving and its more compact feel. I’ve only had one issue after accessing the vehicle through the card system and that was when the engine wouldn’t start. However, it was only a short 10-minute delay before I was underway again, after calling the helpline and waiting for them to reset the system. All in all, I think it’s great technology to use for both booking and accessing a vehicle and I’ll be continuing my bookings through AlphaCity. Lloyd Ramsdale *WLTP
** NEDC Correlated
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FLEET FINAL REPORT CITROËN C4 SPACE TOURER BlueHDi 160 EAT8 P11d/BiK: £32,295 (30%) MPG/CO2: 58.9mpg* / 128g/km** Test MPG: 43mpg
TIME to bid a fond au revoir to the Space Tourer as this Citroën finishes its stint on the FW fleet. It will be missed! As I’ve mentioned before, MPVs might not be as popular as they used to be – or seen as trendy as the new ‘crossovers’ on the block - but there is so much to love about this one in particular. Space – there’s a tonne of it. The C4 happily consumes seven people (and some belongings) with ease thanks to a clever seating layout and more storage options than most people could attempt to fill (it took a couple of checks to make sure I had found and emptied them all). The seats are comfortable, the extra options make life that bit easier and on the road the big Citroën is comfortable and quiet. Plus, the steering wheel mounted gear lever that I initially dismissed as too quirky also now seems to make sense, freeing up more room between front passengers and I find I naturally look for it in other cars. The Space Tourer isn’t perfect though. Even still now, I find myself confused by some of the infotainment controls – sometimes simplicity is key. And it doesn’t offer the performance some
SUPPLIER DIRECTORY electric vehicle charging Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com
people might like, but when you’re five-up and on a cross-country journey, that’s not really an issue. It’s a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. And we did – many times. John Challen
ev cOntract hire, leaSing & Finance Lex Autolease
Tel: 0344 824 0115 www.lexautolease.co.uk
Arnold Clark Vehicle Management
SEAT ARONA 1.0TSI FR Sport 115PS
Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com/electric-vehicles
P11d/BiK: £21,435 (23%) MPG/CO2: 48.7mpg* / 114g/km** Test MPG: 52.8mpg
UNLIKE a couple of my colleagues, I am yet to get behind the wheel of SEAT’s new seven-seat Tarraco but it sounds as though it has Arona and Ateca’s DNA running through it… That is to say: well made, excellent infotainment systems, sharp to drive and extremely comfortable. A new Tarraco would actually have been a godsend in the last couple of months, as my current never-ending saga of house renovation means that there is always a requirement for a little more space in the Arona – and that’s with the back seats down and without having any kids to worry about. That said, for its relatively modest footprint, SEAT’s most compact SUV is extremely practical, and the Arona is an important part of the brand’s fleet proposition, leading to Fleet World’s Fleet Manufacturer of the Year Award 2019. Clearly, the improvements that SEAT has made with its vehicle line-up are being mirrored by its fleet customer service. Luke Wikner
GKL Electric Leasing Greener Fleet Consultancy Tel: 01844 852252 www.evcarleasing.co.uk
Driver licence checKing Jaama Tel: 0844 8484 333 www.licence2check.co.uk
driver licence checking TMC Tel: 01270 525 218 www.themilesconsultancy.co.uk
Licence Bureau Tel: 01442 430980 www.licencebureau.co.uk
*WLTP
048 • fleetworld.co.uk
** NEDC Correlated
Chevin Fleet Solutions Tel: 01773 821 992 www.chevinfleet.com
SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_FW_Apr19.qxp_SUPPLIER DIRECTORY_Aug'07 05/04/2019 13:15 Page 2
SUPPLIER DIRECTORY cOnTracT Hire, leasing & finance Maxxia 020 7520 9450 www.maxxia.co.uk
dailY renTal
Zenith Tel: 0344 848 9327 www.zenith.co.uk
Alphabet (GB) Limited Tel: 0370 50 50 100 www.alphabet.co.uk
Nexus Vehicle Rental 0871 984 1947 www.nexusrental.co.uk
DriveTech (UK) Ltd Tel: 01256 610907 www.drivetech.co.uk
Lex Autolease Tel: 0344 824 0115 www.lexautolease.co.uk
Thrifty Car & Van Rental Tel: 01494 751 550 www.thrifty.co.uk
daysfleet.com
ALD Automotive Tel: 0370 00 111 81 www.aldautomotive.co.uk
Venson Automotive Solutions Tel: 08444 991402 www.venson.com
sgfleet Tel: 0845 154 0721 www.sgfleet.com
Tel: 01484 551060 www.edriving.com
Tel: 01905 887884 www.bespokedrivertraining.com help@bespokedrivertraining.com
Tel: 0141 332 2626 www.acvm.com
GKL Leasing Tailor Made Contracts Tel: 01246 572181 or 01844 852000 www.gkluk.com
Europcar Tel: 0871 384 0201 www.europcar.co.uk
fleeT managemenT sOfTware Jaama Tel: 0844 8484 333 www.jaama.co.uk
Promote your company here and online for just £500/year.
Arnold Clark Vehicle Management
0845 2172 608
Fourways Vehicle Solutions Tel: 0344 8000 385 www.fvsl.co.uk
risk managemenT
Promote your company here and online for just £500/year. Chevin Fleet Solutions Tel: 01773 821 992 www.chevinfleet.com
Bynx Tel: 01789 471600 www.bynx.com
Sofico NV Tel: +3292018040 TH THE CE H ACNHGA EN G YE O UY RO B U S I N E S SS UR B U S I ND EDSEESREVREV E S NESS ESS DES ERVE BUSI OUR S GE Y CHAN THE
www.soficoservices.com
fleeT managemenT .
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Fleet Operations Ltd Tel: 0844 567 8000 www.fleetoperations.co.uk
fleeT insurance fuel managemenT The Fuelcard Company Tel: 0845 073 0873 www.fuelcards.co.uk
insureFLEET Tel: 0333 202 3133 www.insurefleet.com
Tel: 01792 222133 www.daysrental.co.uk
Promote your company here and online for just £500/year.
Promote your company here and online for just £500/year.
fleeT cOnsulTancY
claims managemenT
PVS Ltd Tel: 01278 550270 www.puddyvsolutions.co.uk
Opus claim solutions ltd 01905 641664
asseT prOTecTiOn and recOVerY
accidenT managemenT
BP Oil UK Ltd Tel: 0845 603 0723 www.bpplus.co.uk
euroShell Card Tel: 0800 915 6021 www.shell.co.uk/euroshell
CanTrack Global Ltd Tel: 01908 330385 www.cantrack.com
www.opus.claims
Selsia Tel: 0845 468 6800 www.selsia-vac.co.uk
For more information, please contact Tracy Howell on 01727 739160 or email tracy@fleetworldgroup.co.uk EV FLEET WORLD Tel: 01727 739160 www.evfleetworld.co.uk
smr Autoserve Limited Tel: 0121 521 3500 www.autoserve.co.uk
TelemaTics & Tracking
fuelGenie Tel: 0345 371 2490 www.fuelgenie.co.uk
TMC Tel: 01270 525 218 www.themilesconsultancy.co.uk
Telogis Tel: 0203 005 8805 www.telogis.co.uk
TomTom Telematics Tel: 0208 822 3605 www.tomtom.com/telematics
www.quartix.net
VeHicle ccTV & safeTY
Tel: 0870 013 6663 Airmax Remote Limited Tel: 0333 358 3488 www.airmaxremote.com
Tel: 0345 055 8555 Ctrack www.ctrack.co.uk
Teletrac Navman Tel: 0345 604 8813 www.teletracnavman.co.uk www.navmanwireless.co.uk
Parksafe Automotive Tel: 01773 746591 www.parksafeautomotive.com fleetworld.co.uk • 049
LTT_FW_Apr19.qxp 05/04/2019 15:18 Page 4
FLEET
FIRST REPORT MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV 4hS P11d/BiK: £41,965 (16%) MPG/CO2: 139mpg* / 40.3g/km** Test MPG/MPkWh: 48mpg / 2.5MPkWh
THE 2010s will likely be remembered as a decade of unrelenting change for the automotive industry, and particularly as the era where electric mobility moved from quirky city cars to mainstream, versatile products. And it’s hard to imagine that transition without the contribution of the Outlander PHEV. Change has come so quickly since that it’s easy to forget how forward-thinking this was in 2014. The first UK cars arrived in a market where 50% of registrations were dieselpowered, air quality was relatively low on the political agenda, charging networks were mostly local and EVs typically offered a range of around 100 miles. Mitsubishi’s offer was unique; a practical SUV with a tax-efficient drivetrain and usable electric range, priced to match its diesel counterparts and with no worries about range. For many company car drivers, this will have been their first plug-in – and probably their first Mitsubishi too. Of course, a lot of those early barriers to EV ownership have
broken down since, and there’s no shortage of plug-in hybrids to choose from, so Mitsubishi hasn’t stood still with its bestseller. Last year’s heavy technical update introduced a new 2.4-litre petrol engine, which can switch seamlessly between the conventional Otto combustion cycle (suited to heavy loads) and the efficiency-focused Atkinson cycle (which cuts consumption while cruising). Paired with a slight uplift in electric power output and a larger-capacity battery, this kept CO2 emissions under 50g/km despite the move to WLTP-derived fuel economy figures. Brochure figures aside, this should make what was already a mainstream car even more viable as an alternative to petrol or diesel power. So we’ll be spending the next few months getting to grip with that technology, tasking it with the sort of mixed usage drivers would throw at a conventional SUV to see whether it’s still ahead of the pack. Alex Grant
AUDI A6 AVANT 40 TDI S line S tronic P11d/BiK: £43,210 (32%) MPG/CO2: 60.1mpg* / 129g/km** Test MPG: 37.3mpg
PART of my rock and roll life these days is to act as general gofer for the parents’ association of my daughter’s school. Whenever there are tables to be moved or marquees to be shifted, the nice ladies of the PA kindly volunteer me and my big car to step in. Which, when you have an E-Class estate, is not a problem. However, the E-Class is now gone and the ladies of the committee were a little concerned about my abilities in the load-lugging department. Happily, I am pleased to report that their fears have been allayed (slightly). The good news, I told the ladies, is that my new A6 Avant is a similarly large estate car so load lugging is still very much within my repertoire. Although, I
told them, there is a slight caveat – the A6 is just not quite the load lugger the Mercedes-Benz is. Not by much, but by enough to make a difference. An example: the overall length of the boot space means that I can’t collect the absurdly large wooden village fete game they use every summer for an event. This two-metre long piece of wood fitted snugly in the Mercedes (load length 2,005mm) but it just won’t fit in the A6 (load length 1,978mm). Bad news for the PA, but good news for me as I won’t give myself a hernia trying to manhandle the game into the car. Instead, I shall volunteer for tasting duties on the cake stall. Julian Kirk *WLTP
050 • fleetworld.co.uk
** NEDC Correlated