Fleet magazine

Issue 001 • June 2014 • £2.50

TITANIC 2015 NEW VENUE FOR BUSINESS MOTORING’S TOP EVENT Features:

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27

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Hands Free...

Legal or Illegal

Business Eye Fleet Industry Awards

Care Now & Benefit Later

BiK 15%† FROM

COMBINED

MPG 76.3mpg* UP TO

An incredibly efficient 76.3mpg – and just 98g/km emissions.

CO2 98g/km* FROM

BEAUTIFUL EFFICIENCY

P11D £16,244 FROM

NEW INSIGNIA

A natural winner, New Insignia has just been awarded ‘Fleet Car of the Year’ by Business Eye. With class-leading CO2 emissions of just 98g/km*, its sensational economy also comes with superb standard features such as alloy wheels, Bluetooth®, cruise control, CD/MP3 CD player and USB connectivity.

VAUXHALL FLEET Visit www.vauxhall.co.uk/fleet

Official Government Test Environmental Data. Fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km) and CO2 emissions (g/km). New Insignia range: Urban 24.8 (11.4)-62.8 (4.5), Extra-urban 46.3 (6.1)-88.3 (3.2), Combined 34.9 (8.1)-76.3 (3.7). CO2 emissions 189-98g/km.

*

Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. † = 2014-15 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their particular tax position. (May 2014).

Contents

Summer 2014 ISSUE 001

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RSA... Keeping You Moving Insurance giants RSA have a dedicated operation based in Belfast and the company is setting out to capture more local fleet car operators.

The launch of an FIA-backed Grand Prix race series for electric cars shows just how far electric power has come from the early days of battery-powered vehicles.

Auctions Speak Louder Than Words

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22

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Care Now & Benefit Later

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It’s long been a maxim of the motor trade.....and it’s one that holds true in today’s motoring environment. Invest in proper servicing now and the odds are that you’ll reap the benefits later.

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Charities and road safety campaigners argue that hands-free telephones should not be legal in vehicles here in Northern Ireland. We look at the arguments on both sides.

Buckley Publications 20 Kings Road Belfast, BT5 6JJ Tel: (028) 9047 4490 Fax: (028) 9047 4495 www.businesseye.co.uk

Smart Motoring Comes Of Age Telematics has developed beyond recognition from the days when it means vehicle tracking and little else. Today’s systems can save fleet operators thousands of pounds on their motoring costs.

Fuels costs – both petrol and diesel – have been on a downward trend of late. But that doesn’t mean that fleet operators can be complacent when it comes to the biggest motoring cost of all.

Hands Free...

Legal or Illegal?

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Range Anxiety...

It’s Official Don’t know what range anxiety is? It’s a condition suffered by those of us who won’t buy an electric car because we’re worried about how far we can drive in one. And it’s official!

Michael Tomalin of City Auction Group puts the case for auctions as the most effective means of vehicle disposal for the fleet industry here.

Lower Fuel Costs...

But Will It Continue?

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A photographic look back at the memorable Business Eye Fleet Industry Awards, staged recently at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel near Bangor, Co. Down.

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Motor Sport...

It’s Electric

Business Eye Fleet Awards 2014

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Nissan Plans Major Assault The success of models like the Qashqai and Note aren’t just flashes in the pan for Nissan.

The company has major plans for further market development.

Editor Richard Buckley

Sales Manager Claire Dickson

Commercial Director Brenda Buckley

Features & Promotions Manager Ciara Donnelly

Design Hexagon Tel: (028) 9047 2210 www.hexagondesign.com

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

Motoring with Derek Black dbmotoring@btinternet.com

FIAT WHEELS OUT A ‘BIG’ 500 TO COMPETE WITH COUNTRYMAN Space and style are what the Fiat 500L Trekking are about. My bright yellow example certainly caught the eye as something rather different. It is an Italian take on the ‘big’ MINI Countryman.

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hile it does not have all-wheel drive, the high-slung Trekking has a few features that help when you are off the road.

There is a Traction plus system that switches drive between the two driven front wheels that allows you to ‘waddle’ out of sticky spots. Mud and snow tyres are also fitted as standard.

Inside, the first impression is of sheer roominess with lots of stowage spaces. Finish is quite impressive too and with a few quirks. This is a more practical machine than its butch cosmetics would suggest.

City Brake Control is standard - so the car will stop itself at lower speeds if it detects an obstacle such as a pedestrian.

The 1.6 litre turbo diesel engine provides steady if not exciting performance. It takes 12 seconds to reach 62mph from rest. When pressed, the engine lets you know it is there, but is more subdued on motorway cruising.

But the bot-tom line is quite respectable with 60mpg combined and emissions of 122g/km.

Other engine choices include the 900cc Twin Air petrol engine and 1.3-litre turbo diesel.

So we have the makings of a decent company runabout here with cheeky looks to attract attention to your business. Bigger than a MINI but smaller than a Yeti it is priced from just over £17K. Kit includes a panoramic sunroof, a touch screen, hill start control, dual zone air con, parking beepers and automatic lights and wipers.

That is a lot of gear on a stylish machine that can still do a sterling day’s work.

a big towing ability of 3500kg.

Given the size and power of the vehicle, you have to admire how its handling remains unruffled. Of course, it is not a sports car but it can move get more sharply than most of them when needed.

Off roading is made simpler by the latest Dynamic Response system - you just dial in the type

of terrain and the car works out the best use of its four wheel technology to cope. There are front and rear view cameras for negotiating tight spots.

The Autobiography model that I drove is priced from £94,700 and has a lavish spec as befits a captain of industry.

Nice work if you can get it.

NEW RANGE ROVER OFFERS LAP OF LUXURY - AT A PRICE! Few cars can quite match the sheer feel good factor of driving a Range Rover. Riding high, floating over the bumps, enjoying the effortless performance and knowing that you can tackle almost any kind of terrain all make for an impressive experience.

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he newest model has simpler, more understated looks but is still instantly recognisable as a Range Rover.

An aluminium monocoque body is among the weight saving measures that have been taken, but this is still a big, heavy car by any comparison. Above all, it is about luxury with air suspension and a host of refinements.

My car had a mighty V8 turbo diesel engine, whisper quiet most of the time but with a more

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urgent note when pressed. Good enough to propel this mobile sun room to 62mph in under 7 seconds. Stated urban mpg is 32 with emissions of 229g/ km - good for its power and bulk but unlikely to bring much sympathy from the tax man!

Other engine options include a more sensible V6 diesel and an even more potent supercharged V8 petrol. (A diesel hybrid is planned.)

But the V8 engine just seems to take everything in its stride with

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

Motoring with Derek Black dbmotoring@btinternet.com

SMALLER ENGINE, MORE POWER THAT’S THE NEW BMW M3!

BMW is one of the few companies who could ‘downsize’ an engine from a 4.0 litre V8 to a twinturbo straight six-cylinder unit and end up with more power, more torque and more economy!

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hat is the story of the latest M3 and its coupe cousin, the M4. Use of lighter materials such as carbon fibre in the roof and aluminium in the suspension have helped bring about this ‘miracle’.

Has much been lost other than the rumble of the V8? The new car sizzles up to 62mph from rest in 4.1 seconds with the superb seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox getting there a tad quicker than the manual. All this is to its own special bellow!

The main benefits of the ‘smaller’ engine are to be seen in economy and emissions - with 32mpg on the Combined Cycle and emissions of 194g/km.

Relative to the old car, this is progress though it is far from catching the eye of the Great Green God! I was surprised at the lack of protest from the tyres when 431bhp was applied quite violently. Credit goes to a sophisticated limited slip differential that anticipates wheel-spin. For enthusiastic

drivers, BMW provides a setting to allow some drifting but with a safety margin. Or you can turn off the stability control completely if you are brave!

Experienced drivers will also like the way you can dial your drive mode on buttons beside the gear shift. These allow you to tailor reactions from the steering, suspension, and stability control to your preferences. For those taking their car on the track,

there is a £6,250 option of big ceramic brakes that are less likely to fade with brutal driving!

A superb driving machine with great balance and precision - but at prices from £56,175, sales are likely to be in hundreds rather than thousands. So why do they bother? Well, this is a halo car that attracts buyers to the brand and helps sell a lot of Msport bits on the lesser models. All very clever.

CITROEN TARGETS EXECUTIVES WITH NEW C4 GRAND PICASSO

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Citroen has gained quite a niche with its Picasso pack family people carriers, but can it now carve out a place in the business world against the likes of the Ford S-MAX and Galaxy?

y press car was short on modesty with a Nappa leather ‘serenity pack’, metallic paint, xenon headlamps and Park Assist on top of its already lavish ‘Exclusive’ spec bringing the price tag up to a cheeky £31K! Well, the new 2.0 litre Blue HDi turbo diesel is certainly a step in the right direction for business drivers. It has a useful 150bhp to offer and that gives an impressive 10.2 second dash to 62mph.

Another executive touch is a sixspeed conventional automatic gearbox with paddle controls - a bit incongruous in this type of vehicle but giving slick changes.

Company car users will like the critical figures for the Blue HDi. It returns 61mpg on the Combined Cycle and emits a modest 120g/ km. This slots it into the 19% benefit in kind rating and means

zero road tax in the first year.

Insurance is in Group 25E. This is the flagship model, of course, and there are lesser versions at lower prices that will appeal more to the company accountant. The 1.6 turbo diesel is the chief miser with an 89bhp e-HDi version that may struggle with the C4 Picasso’s bulk but returns 74mpg and 89g/km with its automated manual gearbox.

There is also a familiar 114bhp turbo diesel, at just 110g/km, that could be a compromise choice. All the diesels have stop-start and an auto option of some sort.

Inside, the Picasso has a space age look with touch screen and instruments offset to the centre of the dash. There are three rows of seats and a lot of plush features. It scores on comfort but is perhaps not just as focussed as those Fords.

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

Motoring with Derek Black dbmotoring@btinternet.com

BIG AND BOLD YUKON IS A REAL GRAFTER WITH BELLS ON Stepping out of a smart executive saloon and into the Isuzu D-Max Yukon pick-up was a bit of a shock to the system. It felt so big and a bit ponderous to steer - I had moved into another world of motoring.

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fter a few days, I adjusted to the reality of driving a serious workhorse and began to appreciate its sterling qualities. The D-Max replaced the Rodeo last year and is a step forward in many ways. With 4 wheel drive and satellite navigation, the Yukon 4x4 model packs a few surprises.

The 2.5 litre turbo diesel engine offers 163PS and has oodles of grunt from quite low revs. Okay, it growled a bit

when pushed but I found its strong performance - top speed 112mph - appealing and the new six-speed gearbox worked well.

On and off road, this pick-up has strong legs in most situations.

Not the most modern of engines, it still meets Euro5 standards. Emissions are 194g/km and owners report between 35 and 38mpg on longer journeys. These figures should be judged against the work credentials of this vehicle.

The D-max is just over 5 metres long and has a braked towing capacity of three tonnes. The payload capacity is over 1,000kg.

Access to the covered load area is via a stout tail board and an upward opening window - slightly awkward as it has a different key!

The double cab feels roomy

and has luxury touches such as air-conditioning, six speaker sound, reversing camera and sat nav. For this type of machine comfort levels are better than you might expect. Ex-VAT prices for this flagship model are just below 20K. Cheaper two wheel drive versions are available.

MERCEDES MOVES IN ON THE CROSS-OVER COMPETITION The sleek-looking Mercedes-Benz GLA makes its direct competitors, the Audi Q3 and BMW XI, look positively boxy. It is a compact hatchback with a high driving position and the option of all-wheel drive.

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t first sighting, the GLA looks quite a chunky car but there is a reality check when you try out the interior.

Front seats are roomy enough, but the back is a bit tight due to the sloping roofline and the boot is a tad restricted. From the driving seat the car feels bigger than it is.

While not the quietest diesels

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around, the Mercedes units score on economy against the competition.

They are best on the cruise and this is an easy car to drive.

The 200 CDI is the cheapest to purchase, but the more powerful 220 CDI with 168bhp mates better in terms of performance and comes with all-wheel drive.

The smaller engine returns

62mpg with 119g/km emissions so will win favour with the bean counters. The larger diesel is nicest to drive and still does 55mpg Combined.

Inside, this has all the finish and equipment of a quality car. There’s a nice mix of plastics and metal.

Everything feels solid and works with precision. Six-speed manual transmission is standard but a seven-speed automatic is optional.

Safety equipment is impressive - seven air bags including one

to protect the driver’s knees come as standard. Optional is a blind spot monitor, lane assist and active cruise control.

The GLA scores on style and economy and adds choice to the premium cross-over sector.

Residual values should be above average compared with more mainstream makes.

Prices range from £25,850 and you get air conditioning, automatic headlamps and wipers, digital radio and Bluetooth on all models.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

Eddie Irvine Acquires Race School Ireland Formula one hero Eddie Irvine has launched his very own race school with the acquisition of the prestigious Race School Ireland.

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ace School Ireland was the starting point for Eddie’s successful racing career and his new venture - Eddie Irvine’s Race School Ireland - will offer professional coaching and mentoring to up and coming racing drivers seeking to break into motor sport.

It will also offer motoring enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of driving single seated racing cars at high speed around Kirkistown, Co. Down – one of Ireland’s most famous racing circuits.

The significant investment includes the acquisition of Formula Ford, Formula Zip and Radical racing cars from Race School Ireland and the deployment

of 20 staff, with further recruitment targeted for 2014.

Eddie Irvine’s Race School Ireland further expands Eddie Irvine Sports’ portfolio of leisure and corporate entertainment services that includes indoor karting, paintball, laser combat, 3G football, Room2Race simulator centre and snooker.

Speaking at the launch, Eddie Irvine said: “The acquisition of Race School Ireland has helped strengthen Eddie Irvine Sports’ position as Ireland’s leading leisure and corporate entertainment provider and I am very excited about the latest addition to our service offering.

“Throughout my career I have enjoyed a very close relationship

with Race School Ireland. It helped me develop the necessary skills to go on and win a number of championships early in my career, such as the Formula Ford Festival.

“I am now in the privileged position to be able to acquire this prestigious racing school and the aim is to harness not only my racing experience, but the extensive experience of our instructors to help guide and nurture the next generation of local racing drivers.”

He added: “We can now offer every motor enthusiast the opportunity to fulfil their dream of getting behind the wheel of a single seated racing car to experience the thrill of racing around a high speed circuit.”

For more information on Eddie Irvine’s Race School Ireland or Eddie Irvine Sports, please visit: www.raceschoolireland.com or www.eddieirvinesports.com

Agnew Corporate Supports Fusion Fleet Expansion Fusion Heating has further cemented its relationship with Agnew Corporate, the largest fleet Company in Northern Ireland by recently taking delivery of another commercial vehicle to add to their growing fleet of vehicles.

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usion Heating has already taken 12 new vans earlier in the year from Agnew Corporate, so this additional vehicle now takes their total fleet size to 25. These vehicles range from small to larger vans for engineers and cars for business development employees.

Bill Cherry, Director Fusion Heating said, “We are delighted that as our business has grown,

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Agnew Corporate has been able to accommodate and adapt to our growing needs. We have recently been awarded a major contract with Airtricity Energy Services, so this latest van is a timely addition. Their bespoke Fleet Manager Software package is indispensable allowing us to track on a weekly basis the entire fleet in order to keep on top of servicing, driver management

Bill Cherry, Director Fusion Heating, and Linda Jamshidi, Business Development Executive, Agnew Corporate with Fusion’s most recent delivery of company vehicles, bring to 25 the number in their fleet.

and most importantly in today’s climate, fuel usage through a miles per gallon league table.”

Linda Jamshidi, Business Development Executive at Agnew Corporate said, “This is the fourth year of our relationship with Fusion Heating and with us providing and supporting them in their

ever expanding fleet, it allows them to focus on their core business. We have developed the Fleet Management software in response to what business owners need in order to keep a tight control on costs, and will continue to work with all our customers to ensure the best added value for them.”

Think you’ve got an efficient fleet?

Think again.

Hyundai i30 Classic 1.4 £179.99 plus VAT per month

Hyundai ix35 S 1.7 CRDi £194.99 plus VAT per month

Hyundai i40 Tourer Active 1.7 CRDi 115PS Blue Drive £229.99 plus VAT per month

Think about what makes an efficient fleet. Low CO2 and high mpg are a given. Eye catching design, a spacious interior and impressive features all come as standard with the i30, ix35 and i40 Tourer.

Mileage Warranty†, including 5 Year Roadside Assistance and 5 Year Annual Vehicle Health Checks.

And because quality is at the forefront of everything we do, we can confidently give every car in the Hyundai range our industry leading 5 Year Unlimited

Experience the Hyundai range for yourself.

Book a test drive at Mellon Hyundai..

When you think about an efficient fleet, think again.

Sammy Mellon & Sons

028 9127 0444 40 Bingham Street, Bangor, County Down BT20 5DN www.mellonhyundai.co.uk Offers available to business users for orders received between 1st January and 31st March 2014, inclusive. £179.99 figure is based on an i30 Classic 1.4 5 door on a non-maintenance contract hire package over 36 months, 10,000 contract miles per year. Advance payment equal to 3 monthly payments is payable followed by 35 monthly payments. £194.99 figure is based on an ix35 S 1.7 CRDi on a non-maintenance contract hire package over 36 months, 10,000 contract miles per year. Advance payment equal to 3 monthly payments is payable followed by 35 monthly payments. £229.99 figure is based on an i40 Tourer Active 1.7 CRDi Blue Drive on a non-maintenance contract hire package over 36 months, 10,000 contract miles per year. Advance payment equal to 3 monthly payments is payable followed by 35 monthly payments.

Excess mileage charge applies if contract mileage is exceeded. For full terms and conditions and specification please refer to the Hyundai Contract Hire Master Agreement and your local dealer. All quotations are subject to availability, status and agreement. Free metallic paint is only available in conjunction with Hyundai Contract Hire offer and applies to selected models only. Guarantees may be required. Terms are unavailable to existing customers under specific end-user terms with Hyundai Contract Hire. Details correct at time of publication and may vary, eg: if list price changes. Hyundai Contract Hire does not offer tax advice to individuals: company car drivers should consult their accountant on their tax position. Contract hire by ALD Automotive Ltd., trading as Hyundai Contract Hire, Oakwood Park, Lodge Causeway, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3JA. †5 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty terms and exclusions apply. Please see www.hyundai.co.uk or ask your local Dealer. Fuel consumption: figures shown are based on official EU test figures. These are to be used as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect all driving results.

Fuel consumption MPG (l/100km) for Hyundai range: Urban 25.2 (11.2) - 78.5 (3.6), Extra Urban 38.7 (7.3) - 94.2 (3.0), Combined 32.1 (8.8) - 88.3 (3.2), CO2 Emissions 231 - 84 g/km.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

BIO... THE FUELS OF THE FUTURE Electric vehicles might be the main green development on our roads at the moment, but one of the largest oil companies in the world reckons that bio-fuels will be even bigger.

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he viewpoint comes from BP which as the result of a major investigation into all forms of alternative fuels.

According to Olly Mace, BP senior executive in downstream oils and biofuels, the team “decided they wanted BP to invest in biofuels as the best option for the future”.

He told delegates at the annual ICFM conference that biofuels were “not a miracle or a curse”, adding: “They have to be done well but if they are, then they are a powerful solution to climate change.”

Mace pointed to two key challenges. First is how to make the crops through a sustainable process. The answer, BP believes, is cellulose, using all of the plant.

“We can select plants that

grow fast in poor soil – it’s very sustainable,” he said.

The second is to develop higher-quality biofuels. The mix in the UK tends to be 5% biofuel although most modern cars are compatible with a 15% mix.

BP has developed Isobutanol, a substitute for ethanol which is kinder to the car’s engine.

Using this process, it had the BMW London Olympics fleet running on a blend of 24% biofuel without any issues. The cars can simply switch back to a conventional fuel if necessary.

However, those challenges are around finding practical solutions to tangible problems; a far greater test comes with trying to persuade government, manufacturers and fleets to switch their

attention away from EVs. Mace recognises the issue.

“EVs have their place; they are legitimate in certain applications, but it’s about sorting hype from reality.

There are those in Government that are happy to jump on the hype bandwagon when it comes to electric vehicles.”

He believes you can’t beat liquids for their density and ease of use as a fuel; batteries have to “fight hard to offset that fundamental disadvantage”.

Mace also points to the billions of pounds that have been invested in the fuel infrastructure over many years.

“That will influence the share of the market that EVs can take,” he said. “You would have to spend billions of pounds on

infrastructure. If all cars went electric we would have to increase capacity by 50% and energy firms are already worrying about increasing by 10%.”

REAL TIME CAMERAS CAN HELP CUT ACCIDENTS New safety camera integration from Isotrak is assisting fleet operators improve safety by capturing video evidence of on-road incidents in real-time.

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his camera integration helps to reduce speeding by as much as 97 percent and cuts accident rates by almost 80 percent. In addition, the solution is proven to further improve fuel economy on top of the savings available from using vehicle tracking alone.

The vehicle tracking and driver safety monitoring enhancement provides transport managers with high resolution images that are date and time stamped for any point of the journey, and recording whether the vehicle is moving or stationary. The cameras integrate seamlessly with Isotrak’s vehicle tracking and telemetry solution, providing telemetry

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data and camera footage to backup any claims made by the driver or dispute any claims made by third party plaintiffs.

The detailed video images give a clear view of how a vehicle was being driven immediately prior to an incident, helping prove whether the driver was at fault or not. With the rising cost in insurance, the technology reduces accident costs by up to 70 percent and also helps with defending against fraudulent claims by providing better understanding of what actually happened.

Fleet operators can also use the safety camera video to help them with driver training and to stop unsafe driving behaviour.

Megan Turner, head of marketing at Isotrak, said: “We have partnered with market leading safety camera providers to provide a fully integrated solution that gives customers a real-time video view of how their fleet is performing right down to individual driver and vehicle level. This is an important enhancement to the live vehicle location and telemetry we already provide and we

encourage fleet operators to consider how integrating safety cameras with their Isotrak system could help them drive further improvements through their operation. Video evidence is proving its importance in fighting claims, but even more importantly when coupled with Isotrak real-time vehicle tracking it can help fleet operators make significant improvements to operations and services.”

LOOKS LIKE IT SHOULDN’T BE ON YOUR LIST.

THE NEW 129 G/KM XF R-SPORT. The XF 2.2 Diesel 163PS R-Sport with 8-speed automatic transmission delivers 129 g/km CO2 and sits perfectly within the 18% Write Down Allowance.

And with a choice of sports Saloon or versatile Sportbrake, isn’t it time you put the Jaguar XF R-Sport at the top of your list? To book a demonstration contact our Fleet Sales Specialist team on 0845 366 0341 or visit Charles Hurst Jaguar.

CHARLES HURST JAGUAR 62 BOUCHER ROAD, BELFAST BT12 6LR

WWW.JAGUAR.CO.UK/FLEET

HOW ALIVE ARE YOU? Official fuel economy figures for the XF 14MY range in MPG (l/100km): Urban 16.7–48.7 (16.9–5.8). Extra Urban 32.8–64.2 (8.6–4.4). Combined 24.4–57.7 (11.6–4.9). CO2 Emissions 270–129 g/km. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation. A vehicle’s actual fuel consumption may differ from that achieved in such tests and these figures are for comparative purposes only.

Vehicle shown is an XF R-Sport Saloon with metallic paint and 18" dealer fit accessory wheels.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

TITANIC 2015 NEW VENUE FOR BUSINESS MOTORING’S TOP EVENT Belfast’s iconic Titanic Building and the Titanic Slipways around it will be the unique setting for the 2015 Business Eye Fleet Awards & Motor Show.

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he Fleet Awards along with a Ride & Drive Day were first held in late March of this year at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel near Bangor in County Down.

But the team behind the business motoring industry’s showpiece event has decided to give the venture a vote of confidence and move it to what is set to be a highly popular central Belfast venue.

The whole event will span two days – Friday 24th April and Saturday 25th April, 2015. The prestigious Business Eye Fleet Awards will take place in Titanic Belfast on the evening of Friday, 24th April, with leading fleet operators, fleet suppliers and car manufacturers bidding for awards across a total of 14 different categories:-

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This year’s winners of the top awards included the Vauxhall Insignia (Fleet Car of the Year), Kia (Fleet Manufacturer of the Year), Fleet Financial (Best Local Fleet Provider) and Colin McNab, Operations Director, Charles Hurst Group (Lifetime Achievement Award).

During the day of Friday, 24th April, fleet buyers and business motorists will have a chance to view the very latest fleet models and sample them as part of a ride & drive day, with a number of routes set out around the area.

In addition, Belfast City Auction Group will be conducting live car auctions just outside Titanic Belfast, with a series of business vehicles up for sale.

While Friday’s events – both daytime and evening – will be for the fleet and business motoring industries and business car buyers, Saturday, 25th April will be open to the public and will see Northern Ireland’s first ever open air motor show packing the area around Titanic Belfast.

Best Fleet Manufacturer

Best Green Fleet

Best Fleet Car of the Year

Lifetime Achievement

Best Leasing Company of the Year

Customer Service Award

Best Fleet Funder

Road Safety Initiative of the Year

Best Local Fleet Provider

Risk Management Project of the Year

Fleet Manager of the Year

Best Small Light Commercial of the Year

Service Maintenance Dealer of the Year

Best Short Term Rental Company

All of the leading car manufacturers are expected to have a presence at the Titanic Motor Show, and thousands of visitors could flock to the area to see the vehicles on show.

“We’re really looking forward to bringing the Business Eye Fleet Awards & Titanic Motor Show to Titanic Belfast for the first time, and we’re hoping that the business community and public will respond well to an action-packed two days in late April,” says Brenda Buckley, Commercial Director of Business Eye. “The event was a success when we held it at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel earlier this year, but we believe that this iconic and spacious new venue will lift it up into a whole new level for 2015.”

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Fri 24th & Sat 25th April

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Business Eye Launches Fleet Industry Show For 2015 Business Eye has announced the details of the second Fleet Industry Motor Show and Awards along with a Prestige Vehicle Live Auction courtesy of The City Auction Group at Titanic Belfast.

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unique event which brings together the whole industry in one place and on one day. Top manufacturers plus a series of key companies and suppliers to the company car market will be in attendance.

Promoted by Business Eye and it’s sister publication, Fleet Industry Magazine - the two day Fleet and Motor Show will give fleet buyers, company car drivers and members of the public the chance to see, discuss and drive a wide range of vehicles.

The event which also includes a fleet forum discussion and exhibition will culminate with the highly acclaimed Fleet Industry Awards with awards going to top vehicles, companies and suppliers to the industry.

For more information regarding this prestigious event please contact Donna Hosking on 028 9047 4490 or 07892 406262

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Award Categories Best Fleet Manufacturer

Best Green Fleet

Best Fleet Car of the Year

Lifetime Achievement

Best Leasing Company of the Year

Customer Service Award

Best Fleet Funder

Road Safety Initiative of the Year

Best Local Fleet Provider

Risk Management Project of the Year

Fleet Manager of the Year

Best Small Light Commercial of the Year

Service Maintenance Dealer of the Year

Best Short Term Rental Company

To register for the forum or for more information on sponsorship opportunities and entry process contact Donna Hosking on 028 9047 4490 or alternatively 07892 406262.

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meet the

extended famiLy Fiat 500L MPW • 7 seats • 632 litre boot^ ‡

Fiat 500L trekking Fiat 500L • 5 seats • 400 litre boot^

• Traction + • City Brake Control • Bold bumpers & side mouldings

• 22 storage compartments

The Fiat 500L Range

For more infomation contact your local Fiat Dealer or call us on 01753 519442.

fiat.co.uk Fiat, the car brand with the lowest average CO2 emissions in Europe†. Fuel consumption figures for the Fiat 500L range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 33.6 (8.4) – 62.8 (4.5); Extra Urban 53.3 (5.3) – 76.3 (3.7); Combined 44.1 (6.4) – 70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions 149 – 105 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO2 figures based on

standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. ^The Fiat 500L and Fiat 500L MPW boot space is based on 5 seat version with rear seats pulled forward. ‡Based on 5+2 seat version. 5 standard seats and two extra seats for persons up to 1.65m. †Source: JATO Dynamics. Based on volume weighted average CO2 emissions (g/km) of the best selling brands in Europe, full year 2012.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

CHEVROLET BRAND EXITS EUROPEAN MARKET General Motors has announced that it is to withdraw its Chevrolet brand from Europe from 2016. The company says in effect that market conditions have become too difficult. Ironically, GB’s decision came just before news that new cars sales across the board in the UK at least have hit highs not seen since before the downturn and recession began.

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nstead GM will focus its efforts more on the Opel and Vauxhall brands . The Chevrolet brand won’t die off completely on this side of the Atlantic, though. Iconic American-style Chevvies such as the Corvette will continue to be available. And Chevrolet will continue to have a broad presence in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent Sttates in Eastern Europe.

GM also announced that Cadillac, which is finalising plans for expanding in the European market, will enhance and expand its distribution network over the next three years as it prepares for numerous product introductions.

‘Europe is a key region for GM that will benefit from a stronger Opel and Vauxhall and further

emphasis on Cadillac,’ said GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson.

‘For Chevrolet, it will allow us to focus our investments where the opportunity for growth is greatest.’

‘This is a win for all four brands.

It’s especially positive for car buyers throughout Europe, who will be able to purchase vehicles from well-defined, vibrant GM brands,’ Akerson said.

‘Our customers can rest assured that we will continue to provide warranty, parts and services for their Chevrolet vehicles, and for vehicles purchased between now and the end of 2015,’ said Thomas Sedran, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe.

‘We want to thank our customers and dealers for their loyalty to the Chevrolet brand here in Europe.’

Sun • Even in winter, keep sunglasses in your car. The low angle of the sun may mean the visor is not adequate to stop the glare.

Prescription sunglasses are a good option for wearers of spectacles

• Let safety take precedence over punctuality • See clearly • Ensure your windscreen is smear free • Clean headlights regularly • If you need glasses to drive, wear them!

• Keep a spare pair of glasses in your vehicle • Have your eyesight checked at least once every two years, or as advised by your optometrist

EYE CARE IS VITAL FOR DRIVING HEALTH Police forces, road safety organisations and some of the UK’s leading optician/eye care chains have joined forces to encourage more motorists and fleet operators to ensure that eyesight is up to scratch... particularly to meet the challenges of winter driving.

H

ere’s some timely advice to emerge from a report issued by the leading High Street optician chain, Specsavers Fog • Avoid driving in fog unless absolutely necessary.

If you must drive: • Allow plenty of extra time • Check your car lights before you set off and ensure you know how to switch on your fog lights • Reduce your speed • Use dipped-beam headlights and fog lamps if visibility is reduced • Do not ‘hang’ on the rear lights of the car in front of you. This will not allow enough stopping space

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• Do not speed up immediately when visibility improves – the fog may come in bands or patches • Do not park on the road in foggy conditions Rain and Snow • Both rain and snow reduce visibility. Slow down and use your dipped headlights • If you have to clear snow from your car, remember to do so from the front and rear lights as well Frost • In cold weather, never start to drive until your windscreen is fully defrosted • Ensure you have adequate antifreeze mixed with your screenwash

General • If the conditions are dangerous, do not drive unless your journey is urgent

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The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Renault range are: Urban 27.2 (10.4)–n/a (n/a); Extra Urban45.6 (6.2)–n/a (n/a); Combined 36.7 (7.7)–n/a (n/a). The range’s official CO2 emissions are 178–0g/km. EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary with driving styles, road conditions and other factors.

BUSINESS USERS ONLY. All prices exclude VAT. *Prices based on Contract Hire agreement. Rentals are for non-maintenance and based on 36 months (3+35 rental) and 10,000 miles per annum. ^Based on Contract hire of 48 months (3+47) and 10,000 miles per annum. Offers ends 30th April 2014.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

New Technology Helps Crash Investigators A

state of the art laser scanner is helping an English police force to collect essential data which can be used to calculate the speed of impact of vehicles involved in road traffic collisions.

The RIEGL VZ-400, purchased from 3D Laser Mapping, is being used by Herefordshire Police to build highly accurate virtual 3D models of vehicles after their involvement in a crash.

These computer generated simulations can then be compared to models of the same type of vehicle, prior to damage, to help estimate the speed of impact and other factors that may have impacted on the incident.

“While conventional measurement

methods still work by using the RIEGL laser scanner, we collect more accurate data, much faster and more safely,” said PC Matthew Hollingsworth a forensic collision investigator at the Beds, Herts and Cambs Collision Investigation Unit.

“With the laser scanner there is no need to touch the vehicle which may have sharp edges or be contaminated with vehicle fluids such as oil and battery acid.

“Not touching the vehicle also helps to preserve other evidence, so that forensically a vehicle can still be analysed.

This is significant as it allows the Collision Investigator to obtain essential data without having to wait for a Forensic Examination to be completed.”

ELECTRIC GRAND PRIX SET TO CHANGE PERCEPTIONS

What better way to change public perceptions of electric cars than to show what electric power can do out on the track and in the hands of serious racing drivers.

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hat’s the rationale behind the new Formula E Championship, backed by motorsport’s governing body, the FIA. According to a study by EY

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(Ernst & Young), the new zeroemission race series could help contribute to the additional sale of 77 million electric vehicles worldwide from 2015 to 2040, with resultant local

and global economic, social and environmental benefits.

The study says the additional sales would total €142m (£119m) worldwide for the car industry and create 42,000 permanent jobs. From an environmental viewpoint, this would lead to the saving of four billion oil barrels – the equivalent of Japan’s current consumption over 2.5 years – together with the prevention of 900 million tonnes of C02 – comparable to Italy’s current annual emissions over two years.

In addition, the research forecasts savings of €25bn (£21bn) on healthcare costs and productivity from the reduction of pollution in cities and a significant improvement in quality of life.

Juan Costa Climent, EY global climate change & sustainability services leader, commented: ‘Our research has shown the huge potential that Formula E has to accelerate not only the technology, but also to breakdown many of the

misconceptions around electric vehicles. With an estimated 77 million more electric vehicles on the road by 2040, as a result of Formula E together with all its stakeholders, today’s unveiling of the latest racing car technology is the first step in an exciting journey for the industry.’

The Formula E championship uses fully electric single-seater race cars capable of speeds in excess of 140 miles per hour.

Beginning in September 2014, the series will compete in the heart of 10 of the world’s leading cities – including London, Los Angeles and Monte Carlo – with 10 teams, each with two drivers.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoters Formula E Holdings, added: ‘We want Formula E to act as a catalyst between companies, leaders, experts, cities and policymakers and together to drive the change towards the greater use of sustainable mobility.’

Charles Hurst Toyota Business Centre of Excellence Charles Hurst Toyota’s Business Centre of Excellence, was re-launched 12 months ago and since then has gone from strength to strength, supplying the local fleet market with a range of cars and commercial vehicles with low emissions and unbeatable fuel economy all delivered with a comprehensive 5 year warranty^.

Located in the Toyota showroom on Belfast’s Boucher Road we have a dedicated Specialist with the ability to offer expert advice and flexible finance solutions that are cost effective, Along with tailored packages to suit all business needs.

Ross Graham Sales Manager

At Charles Hurst Toyota, it is our aim to establish strong and lasting business partnerships with local and national companies. We offer the personal touch and whether you want to visit the showroom or have our Business Centre Manager come to you.

If you’re looking for an individual Toyota company car or an entire fleet, we can give your business the saving and image it needs to surpass any of your competition. Our dedicated Fleet Team is well equipped to help with every aspect of running your fleet effectively.

Liam Patterson Fleet Specialist

‘We’ve thought of everything so that you don’t have to’

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62 Boucher Road Belfast BT12 6LR 0844 6590835 www.charleshurst.com/toyota ^5 year warranty supplied with passenger vehicles, commercials with 3 years warranty. *Based on lease. Business users only. VAT not included.

Based on 6 rentals upfront, and 10,000 miles per annum. Offers end 30th June 2014.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

Insight: Auctions speak louder than words...

by Michael Tomalin

Used cars outsold new models in the UK last year by a staggering five million units according to an industry report. Sales of used vehicles hit 7.1 million units in 2012 against just over two million new cars sold in the same period.

Michael Tomalin M.I.P.A.V. (NI) MCEI Managing Director - City Auction Group

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eanwhile, used car sales rose by 6.4 percent in 2012 and dealers accounted for 57.2 per cent of all those sales shifting just over four million used vehicles. The report also confirmed that 78 per cent of motorists intend to buy a used car next time they change their car however it’s worth noting that manufacturers have new models being offered at competitive prices with finance packages to match, therefore the new car market should develop to ensure the volume of used cars can sustain the demand in the foreseeable future. Late year fleet and finance auctions in Northern Ireland have been swamped with motor trade professionals

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from across the UK and Ireland in 2013 who compete for high grade, well maintained vehicles.

The Irish market is suffering with a major shortage of quality used vehicles with an upsurge in UK vehicles being exported from Northern Ireland to supply the demand. Competing with the UK buyers enhanced residual values are being achieved for both ‘ready to retail’ and ‘budget’ vehicles for leasing and contract hire companies, financial institutions, manufacturers and major dealer groups. The growth of managed part exchange sales programmes at auction in the region has also developed with professional remarketing solutions being introduced and supported by new concepts such as transparent mechanical health checks, refurbishment programmes and technology to ensure the process from start to finish is seamless. With text valuations being provided by major auctions direct to the showroom advising trade values the system is risk free and painlessly easy. From vehicle collection to payment is as swift as five working days with an enhanced brand awareness marketing campaign by smart phone technology and financial gain which is proven to equate to between £200 £500 per unit sold. Northern Irish franchised dealers have lagged behind the rest of the UK marketplace by continuing

to trade vehicles rather than using the transparency of public auction even with the two major dealer groups in the region positioning their vehicles the most efficient way to market and achieving the highest possible profit per unit. This vehicle remarketing solution is well proven and should be proactively supported by dealers both franchised and non franchised.

It appears many trends are changing following the Autufura study of fleet and leasing stock over the last three years, which confirms some key trends.

Contracts are getting shorter, there has been a gradual shift back to petrol, vehicles now have a better Co2 and finally there are more automatics and 4x4’s. The statistics show that the average term is down to 44 months in 2010 to 37 months in 2013.

Down too is average mileage, with a drop to 56,088 this year from 67,900 in 2010. What’s more there has been a steady growth of petrol vehicles and over the last three years, with volumes increasing by nearly 40 per cent. Petrol now accounts for 20.4 per cent of the fuel mix.

Vehicle auctions in Northern Ireland report that they have witnessed a shift in the profile of stock however the uplift in petrol variants has yet to hit the remarketing arena and currently diesel remains the dominant fuel type at auction. Finally the major bugbear in the industry at the moment is the DVLA beginning to close its 39 regional offices which is affecting the UK market with transfers and other requirements. The DVLA is under pressure to cut its costs so major changes need to be introduced. The feedback

from the corporate sector is the impact has been ‘very difficult’ for fleet and leasing companies processing the taxation of vehicles. However redemption could be at hand if the DVLA get rid of tax discs altogether.

In this technologically advanced world we now live in they are unnecessary, in fact a circular piece of paper in the windscreen is not required when police computers link directly to the DVLA. Next they will be phasing out paper licences… oops just confirmed already planned for 2015!

Contact Michael Tomalin Mobile: 07808 791210 Email: mt@cityauctiongroup.com Belfast – Omagh – Dublin Head Office: 10 Comber Road, Carryduff, Belfast BT8 8AN Tel: 02890 813775 Fax: 02890 814518 www.cityauctiongroup.com

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

NEW APP RECORDS VEHICLE DATA A number of companies have found a new app, which allows drivers to record their mileages and condition of their vehicles while out in the field, to be ‘hugely beneficial’.

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ake the case of ECG Services which provides building services maintenance, repair and refurbishment to commercial and industrial sectors across the UK. It runs a mainly Vauxhall and Ford badged fleet of around 150 company cars and vans, which are managed by Fleet Alliance with some 80% on contract hire and 20% outright purchased.

ECG service engineers are constantly on the road across the UK visiting customers, but keep in touch with head office through the latest generation Samsung Galaxy S3 smart phones.

Tim Muir, operations health and safety manager at ECG, said the ability to record business mileage and the condition of vehicles remotely, without the need to be in front of a PC, was a great benefit to drivers and helped in

the efficient running of the fleet.

He sadi: “Thanks to the new e-fleet mobile app, our drivers can easily upload their mileages and condition of their vehicles every month while away from the office.

“This helps me to keep a close eye on the mileages of all our vehicles to ensure we do not exceed our contracted mileages.

“When it is clear that some vehicles are getting close to their contract mileages, we then discuss with Fleet Alliance where can fine tune things and pool the mileages to avoid excess mileage charges.

“I also use the mileage information as part of a monthly report for our directors, and run an overdue mileage report from the e-fleet system to help send reminders to drivers to record their mileages.

“We now have around 95%

of our drivers recording their mileages in this way,” he said.

Fleet Alliance’s new e-fleet mobile app allows company drivers to update mileages, electronically complete vehicle inspection reports and more easily access key support services from suppliers.

The new app is fully compatible with the latest iPhone, Android and Blackberry hand-held devices, and integrates with Fleet Alliance’s online e-fleet fleet management system.

The app is registration number specific and provides drivers with all the main contact numbers and access points for their individual car, covering a number of key support services including tyres, automotive glass, servicing, maintenance and breakdown and recovery.

Drivers can also electronically confirm the condition of their vehicles in vital areas such as fluid levels, tyre tread depths, lights and auto-glass, and that they are maintaining their vehicles to

the standards laid down by their company, thereby providing a clear audit trail in line with health and safety requirements.

Martin Brown, managing director of Fleet Alliance, said: “We were delighted to help ECG manage its fleet more effectively and to avoid unnecessary excess mileage charges thanks to the accurate recording of business mileages through the use of e-fleet mobile.

“Our new e-fleet mobile web app provides company drivers with enhanced functionality to ensure their vehicles continue to operate effectively.

“They can access support services at the touch of a button, update mileage records remotely and electronically confirm they maintaining and servicing their vehicles as required.

“This in turn helps the fleet manager run the fleet more effectively in a number of key contact areas and through the effective recording of vital driver information.”

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

PETROL & DIESEL COSTS ON DOWNWARD SPIRAL Supermarket price wars, the strength of sterling and recent falls in the wholesale cost of oil are among the main reasons why petrol and diesel prices have dropped to their lowest levels for more than two and a half years.

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owever, some experts believe prices are set to rise, due to a combination of increased global demand for oil over winter and ongoing political uncertainty in the Middle East.

In addition, a £2.40 rise in crude oil prices in the past couple of weeks could add 2p to pump prices in the coming weeks.

According to the AA, the average cost of diesel in the UK fell from 142.5 pence per litre (ppl) in mid-September to 139.12ppl in mid-October, its lowest since March 2011, when diesel retailed at 139ppl.

The average cost of a litre of unleaded petrol fell from 137.64ppl to 132.16ppl over the

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same period, its lowest price since February 2011, when the average price was 128.8ppl.

Although the AA has yet to release its official November figures – collated by research firm Experian Catalyst – according to the price sharing website whatgas.com, these average prices have dropped further still.

The average cost of unleaded petrol in the UK was 129.73ppl on November 20, while the average price of diesel was 137.1ppl.

Mike Waters, head of insight and consultancy at vehicle leasing and fleet management company Arval, said: “Some of the recent falls in forecourt prices can be attributed to the relatively strong

value of sterling – it’s currently around $1.61 to the pound up from $1.5 a couple of months ago. When the pound is strong, then you should see something filter through at the pumps.

“Over the past few weeks, the supermarkets have been the quickest to respond to any opportunity to reduce their price – and this tends to lead the market.”

Prices are affected by movements in the dollar to pound exchange rate because crude oil and refined petrol are both priced in dollars.

The wholesale price also fell 4p in the middle of last month, which has been working its way through the pricing system.

At the end of October, supermarket chain Asda announced that it had capped prices nationally and said drivers filling up at its forecourts would pay no more than 126.7ppl for petrol and 133.7ppl for diesel.

Tesco and Morrisons reacted

quickly to make reductions while Sainsbury’s cut prices by 3p.

AA public affairs spokesman Luke Bosdet said the wholesale price was now starting to rise – which means the prices of petrol and diesel are likely to go up in the coming weeks.

“If you look at what’s happened over the past couple of years, the market loves to bottom out at around 132ppl for petrol and at the moment, it’s a shade above 130p.

“Based simply on what’s happened in previous years, there’s a likelihood that the price will go back up slightly.”

“The price of diesel is vulnerable to the cost of imports because we don’t process as much of it as we do petrol and consequently we can be hostage to those producing nations if they don’t decide to release their stock,” Bosdet said.

“There remains the potential for this to pump up the price of diesel and there lies a stark lesson about what could happen if refineries in this country are shut.”

He added that increasing unrest and instability in the oil-producing nations of the Middle East – including Libya, Egypt and Iran – as well as concerns over the financial stimulus package in the US, were also likely to result in the price of oil increasing in coming weeks.

kia.co.uk

9.0

Read 2,424 reviews

out of 10

04/12/13

Downeys

39 Portaferry Road, Newtownards, County Down, BT23 8NN 028 9123 3293 www.dealers.kia.co.uk/downeyskia Over 10,000 customers have now posted their honest reviews of our cars, so you can be sure that the Kia Sportage has something for both fleet driver and fleet manager. A beautifully designed car with great fuel economy as standard with mpg up to 54.3 and CO2 emissions from 135g/km. It also boasts P11D from £17,265 and BIK from 22%. Isn’t it time to review your current fleet? Call the Kia Business Centre on 01932 283943 or go to kia.co.uk/fleet to find out more.

Model shown is the Sportage ‘4’ with a P11D of £24,800 combined mpg of 52.3, CO2 of 143g/km and BIK of 24%.

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100k) for the Kia Sportage is between Urban: 31.0(9.1) – 47.1(6.0), Extra Urban: 46.3(6.1) – 58.9(4.8) and combined: 39.2(7.2) - 54.3(5.2). The official CO2 emissions for the Kia Sportage are between 189 - 135g/km. For Business users only. 7

year / 100,000 mile manufacturer’s warranty. For terms and exclusions see your local dealer or visit www.kia.co.uk. MPG figures based on official EU laboratory testing. Figures should be used as a guide only and may not reflect varying vehicle usage and traffic conditions. Price, Reevoo score and number of reviews correct at time of going to press and specification is subject to change without notice. Reviews quoted relate to the Kia Sportage range.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

CHARITY URGES CHANGE TO HANDS-FREE LAW 24

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine The road safety charity Brake is urging drivers to turn off their mobile phones and for more employers to ban phone use, including hands-free phones, for employees driving on company time.

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he national campaign launched by Brake at the start of Road Safety Week at the tail end of last year calls on drivers and employers to prevent appalling crashes caused by multi-tasking at the wheel.

Brake, and partners Specsavers and Romex, have revealed statistics confirming the extent of driver distraction on UK roads, and its impact on vulnerable road users.

More than half a million UK drivers (575,000) have points on their licence for using their mobile phone at the wheel or being otherwise distracted (available by region and postcode).

One in 15 (6.5%) of these drivers have six points or more for driving distracted and four in five (78%) are male.

In addition, six in 10 children (62%) report being driven by a driver talking on a phone and nearly eight in 10 (79%) have spotted drivers on mobile phones outside their school or home suggesting the majority of children are being endangered by drivers for the sake of a call or text.

The campaign is being supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers, who are coordinating a week-long campaign of heightened police enforcement across the country targeting drivers on hand-held phones.

New research from Newcastle University highlights the increased risk of turning your car into an extension of the office.

It shows the harder you have to concentrate on a task, such as dealing with work-related calls, the slower your reactions.

This demonstrates why talking on hands-free is just as risky as hand-held, because it’s concentrating on the conversation that’s the main distraction.

Distraction reduces hazard perception and increases reaction times in a similar way to drinkdriving, making drivers much more likely to cause deaths and injuries.

While employers wouldn’t dream of allowing employees

to drive under the influence of alcohol, most still allow and even encourage mobile phone use at the wheel, putting their employees and other road users at serious risk, says Brake.

By introducing clear policies requiring drivers not to make or take calls while driving, even hands free, companies can empower drivers to follow best practice safety advice and focus on the task at hand.

Those that do can reap the benefits of a safer and therefore a more cost-efficient fleet.

Companies can get straightforward advice on implementing such a ban and other measures to improve fleet safety by subscribing to Brake’s Fleet Safety Forum enabling them to access discounted and free places at Brake’s professional events, and a host of online guidance and other resources.

The tune in to road safety campaign iwas launched during Road Safety Week by events and activities in workplaces, schools, universities and town centres across the UK, highlighting the dangers of taking your eyes, hands or mind off the road.

It is being supported by families who have suffered the horror of a bereavement or serious injury in a distracted driving crash and want to speak out (see below).

Thousands of people in organisations, schools and community groups are working together to promote lifesaving awareness during Road Safety Week, for example: Energy supplier npower is using the week as an opportunity to raise staff awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, including daily intranet posts followed by a quiz to test people’s knowledge and engagement with the messages, with a prize for the winning entry.

The company is also running a series of hour-long workshops for staff covering defensive driving and avoiding distractions.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief

executive of Brake, said: “We’re living in an age when being constantly connected is the norm; more and more of us have smartphones and find it hard to switch off, even for a minute.

“While there are enormous business benefits to this technology, it’s also posing dangerous temptations to drivers to divert their concentration away from the critical task at hand, often putting our most vulnerable road users in danger.

“Many people who wouldn’t dream of drink-driving are succumbing to using their phone and other distractions while driving, oblivious that the effect can be similar and consequences just as horrific.

“We’re calling on drivers to tune into road safety: turn off your phone or put it in the boot, and never try to multi-task at the wheel. We’re also appealing to everyone to refuse to chat to someone on the phone who’s driving, to help them arrive safely.

“Companies can help to make this common practice by introducing a complete ban on phone use at the wheel and on staff speaking to anyone who’s driving.”

Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill said: “The UK has one of the best road safety records in the world and improving this record remains a top priority for the Government.

“That is why we have increased fines for using a mobile at the wheel, made it easier for the police to tackle bad driving behaviour and we are looking at how we can improve young driver safety.

“I welcome Brake’s Road Safety Week initiative which helps raises awareness of the

importance of road safety.”

The RAC’s head of external affairs Pete Williams told Fleet News that turning off your mobile phone if it is not connected to a hands-free device is the right advice to remove any temptation to answer or use your phone.

But he added: “It is not illegal to use your phone if you have a hands-free kit installed in your car and such devices are used safely by millions of UK drivers on a daily basis.

“Holding a phone and talking or, for that matter texting, when driving is adding a massive physical distraction and impediment to being fully in control of your vehicle.”

The RAC believes that the issue is about enforcement to get the message across to drivers who persist in using a hand-held phone while driving.

Williams continued: “Our own research has revealed that 21% of motorists admit to using a handheld phone when at the wheel which amounts to more than seven million drivers on the road and yet only 575,000 drivers have been prosecuted for doing so.

“We also know from the RAC’s Report on Motoring that other people using hand-held mobile phones is the biggest stress factor (77%) for drivers ahead of tailgating (74%) and road rage (64%).

“But with funds for enforcement decreasing all the time we perhaps need to talk less of fines and more about how we create a united campaign that aims to make speaking, texting and using social media on a hand-held mobile as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving.”

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

INSURANCE PREMIUMS CONTINUE TO RISE

Two-fifths of UK businesses have suffered from rising company car insurance premiums over the past 12 months, new research by TomTom Business Solutions has revealed.

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ompanies could be doing more to address the risk factors affecting premium costs, however, as the survey 71% of companies do not provide regular training for drivers.

Only 36% monitor driver performance as a means of assessing and reducing risk, with less than a quarter of those

(22%) using technology to do so.

Giles Margerison, director UK & Ireland, TomTom Business Solutions, said: “Too often cars are viewed as an employee benefit rather than a place of work, so more can be done by businesses to improve safety, reduce collision rates and drive down the cost of insurance premiums.

“Initiatives such as regular staff communications, safety discussions, driver training and schemes for measuring and improving driver performance are powerful mechanisms for the reduction of road risk.”

The research also revealed that 81% those questioned include work-related road safety as part of their company’s health and safety policy, but only 57% operate regular risk assessments across their vehicle fleets.

Furthermore, 39% do not have systems or procedures in place to manage driver fatigue

and almost a quarter (24%) admit they are not fully aware of their exact requirements for managing road risk.

“Duty of Care can often be viewed as a complex issue but that does not need to be the case, especially given the variety of tools available to identify and manage risk factors,” added Margerison.

“Fleet management technology, for example, provides access to a wealth of actionable data which allows management to quickly identify areas of risk and take action to implement best practice.”

POOR PARKING...

IT’S A NATIONAL TRAIT Around half (51%) of drivers admit to some form of antisocial parking behaviour, according to a survey of more than 2,800 British drivers by Purple Parking.

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he irresponsible actions include damaging vehicles (either their own or another person’s), damaging public or private property, getting involved in an argument or leaving the scene of a parking incident without leaving details.

Both men and women consider men to be significantly better at parking, according to the survey.

However, men appear to be the most irresponsible parkers, accounting for two thirds (65%) of all anti-social parking.

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High parking costs, small spaces or not enough spaces are seen as the main cause of frustration with parking.

Only a fifth of drivers consider personal distractions, such as lack of concentration, tiredness or nerves to have a negative impact on their parking abilities.

Road safety charity Brake has a different perspective and is campaigning for drivers to tune in and stay more aware on the roads.

Joe Burns, spokesman from Brake, said “Distractions are a real danger

whenever we’re out driving – driving is one of the most dangerous things we’re likely to do on a daily basis, and it requires our full attention.

“Most of us can’t multi-task as well as we think we can, and one study has estimated that one in five potentially devastating crashes are caused by driver distractions, such as phone use at the wheel.

“That’s why we’re calling on

everyone to ‘tune in’ to road safety at all parts of the journey, from when we’re setting off, to when we’re parking up.”

To help drivers test their own parking skills and knowledge, Purple Parking has this week launched a quiz with questions on some of the toughest manoeuvres, road signs and parking general knowledge.

Eye on Awards

Business Eye Fleet Industry Awards 2014 Winners Take Centre Stage The Business Eye Fleet Industry Awards for 2014, a brand new awards scheme for Northern Ireland, has been staged for the first time.

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lmost 350 guests took their seats at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel in Bangor for the inaugural Fleet Awards, which followed on from a successful Fleet Motor Show, Industry Forum and Ride & Drive event which took place at the same North Down venue.

In the all-important vehicle categories, Kia was named as Northern Ireland’s Fleet Manufacturer of the Year whilst the Vauxhall Insignia took the Fleet Car of the Year Award. Amongst the cars for the future, the electric vehciles and

hybrids, Renault’s innovative electricpowered Kangoo Van came out on top while the Citroen Berlingo was chosen as Light Commercial Vehicle of the Year.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to one of the characters of the Northern Ireland motor trade, Colin McNab, Operations Director at the Charles Hurst Group and a man who has been in the business for more than 30 years.

Fleet Financial, now part of the Charles Hurst Group, was named as

Fleet Provider of the Year, chased home by Ogilvie Fleet, which also won the category for Fleet Service Company of the Year while the award for oustanding Customer Service went to tyre giants Kwik-Fit. The two top dealerships for service and maintenance were named as Charles Hurst Group (national) and Downeys Kia of Newtownards (independent).

All of the awards on a memorable night for the fleet industry are covered in the pages that follow...

Eye on Awards

Road Safety Initiative of the Year The Road Safety Initiative of the Year is for the most innovative vehicle product or programme aimed at reducing casualties on our roads. Highly Commended - Toyota for its Integrated Safety Management programme spanning all of its models. Winner - TomTom Worksmart Fleet Management is a real time driving tool widely accepted by the fleet and insurance industries as a major contributor to safer driving behaviour.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

HIGHLY COMMENDED Highy Commended Liam Patterson - Charles Hurst Toyota and Fiona Cambridge Axa

Winner - Philip Bailie Tom Tom, Fiona Cambridge Axa and Harry Girvan Fleet Simplicity

Risk Management Project of the Year Award Risk Management Project of the Year Award. - open to companies making a significant contribution to making our roads safer for everyone. Highly Commended - Tracker’s Driving Style monitoring drivers and their individual behaviour. Winner - Fleet Simplicity - for a range of vehicle management and driver safety systems.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

HIGHLY COMMENDED Highly Commended Pauline Nelmes TRACKER and Derek Quinn Hughes Insurance Winner - Neil Girvan Fleet Simplicity, Derek Quinn Hughes Insurance and Harry Girvan Fleet Simplicity

Service / Maintenance Dealership of the Year Service/Maintenance Dealerships of the Year. The best dealerships, in other words, when it comes to looking after their fleet customers.

Winner - The Group category - Charles Hurst Group is, by some distance, our biggest multi-franchise dealership and a company which prides itself, despite its size, on its dedicated approach to customer care and service

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WINNER

SPONSORED BY

Winner Group - Colin McNab Charles Hurst Group and Adam Campbell Europcar

Eye on Awards

Service / Maintenance Dealership, Independent Service/Maintenance Dealerships of the Year. The best dealerships, in other words, when it comes to looking after their fleet customers. Winner Independent Downeys Kia is a well-established local dealership which has been instrumental in Kia’s remarkable growth in Northern Ireland over recent years.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Mark Thompson Sammy Mellon - Adam Campbell Europcar and Ivan Mellon Sammy Mellon

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Stephen Stewart - Mervyn Stewart and Adam Campbell Europcar

Winner Downeys- David McCulla and Emma Canmore Downeys and Adam Campbell Europcar

Customer Service Award This award recognises the very best of customer service across all of its many aspects.

Highly Commended - Ogilvie Fleet, a company with a wide range of customer service initiatives in place. Winner - Kwik Fit Fleet wins our award for the comprehensive range of services it offers fleet customers, from mobile units to winter safety checks, from tyre management to fleet accounts and from phone apps to customer surveys.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

HIGHLY COMMENDED Highly Commended - Jim Humphreys Ogilvie Fleet and Pauline Nelmes TRACKER Network UK

Winner - Aidan Neeson Kwik-Fit, Pauline Nelmes TRACKER Network UK and Martin Towers Kwik-Fit

Electric Hybrid Vehicle of the Year There was a really strong entry list to consider, including class leaders like the Nissan Leaf, Toyota’s Prius and the Hyundai ix35. Highly Commended - Vauxhall Ampera.

Winner - The Renault Kangoo Van ZE Electric Van was given the nod by our judges because of the very clear suitability of electric vans to urban delivery and transport fleets.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

HIGHLY COMMENDED Highly Commended Paul Thompson Charles Hurst Vauxhall, John Henry ContraFlex and Nicola Weir Vauxhall

Winner - Paul Charlton Renault UK and John Henry ContraFlex

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Eye on Awards

Fleet Manager of the Year Northern Ireland’s Fleet Manager of the Year. The individual who the fleet industry reckons exemplifies best practice on the fleet management front. Winner - Raymond Coulter is Facilities Manager at one of the largest private sector companies here in Northern Ireland. The Henderson Group operates the Spar, Vivo and Eurospar franchises throughout Northern Ireland as well as the Henderson Foodservice distribution operation and has one of the largest fleets anywhere on the island

SPONSORED BY

WINNER

Winner - Raymond Coulter Henderson Group and Jim Humphreys Ogilvie Fleet

Northern Ireland Fleet Provider of the Year The overall top fleet provider right across the board and an award that was made with the view of the Northern Ireland business community taken into account. Highly Commended Award - Ogilvie Fleet. Winner - Fleet Financial was a clear choice as the winner in this category. Now part of the Charles Hurst Group and, in turn, Lookers Plc, Fleet Financial has a first-class reputation as a local leader in the field.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

HIGHLY COMMENDED Highly Commended - Jim Humphreys Ogilvie Fleet and James Dempster NIIB

Winner - Philip Miley Fleet Financial, James Dempster NIIB and Brian Casey Fleet Financial

Fleet Service Company of the Year The Fleet Service Company of the Year rewards specialist fleet companies serving the Northern Ireland marketplace, and the fleet company demonstrating an outstanding level of support to its customers. Winner Ogilvie Fleet might be a relative newcomer to the Northern Ireland fleet marketplace but the company has made quite an impact, bringing a new approach in areas such as transparent charges, driver risk management and end of contract fees

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WINNER

SPONSORED BY

Winner - Jim Humphreys Ogilvie Fleet and Lynne Girvan City Auction Group

Eye on Awards

Fleet Manufacturer of the Year The Best Fleet Manufacturer Award isponsored by Business Eye magazine,, Brenda Buckley from Business Eye, presented one of the most important envelopes of the evening. Highly Commended Awards . These went to two of the giants of the fleet industry – Vauxhall & Nissan.

Winner - Kia was chosen by our judges for a number of clear reasons....for its excellent range of products, for its build quality and reliability, for its whole life costs and for its unbeatable 7-year warranty

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

Russell Perry Downeys Kia and Brenda Buckley Business Eye

HIGHLY COMMENDED

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Highly Commended Karen Hendry - Nissan, Pete Molloy Charles Hurst Nissan and Brenda Buckley, Business Eye

Andrew Shillan and Nicola Weir Vauxhall and Brenda Buckley Business Eye

Northern Ireland Fleet Car of the Year This category was sponsored by Fleet Industry Magazine, a new venture by Business Eye alongside the lady who has been the driving force behind the awards this evening - Donna Hosking. The judges emphasised that this was by far the most difficult decision they had to make, such was the quality of the various cars nominated for the award.

Highly commended - Not surprisingly, we had two Highly Commended Awards to make. And these went to the Nissan Qashqai and the Mazda 6.

Winner - The Vauxhall Insignia was chosen in a hotly contested category or its all-round appeal. For its good looks, for its driveability, for its low emissions and for its proven whole list costs... to name a few of the factors considered.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

Winner - Andrew Shillan, Nicola Weir and Donna Hosking

HIGHLY COMMENDED

HIGHLY COMMENDED The Mazda6 blends the appeal of sports car design with outstanding driving dynamics. Featuring the award-winning SKYACTIV Technology the Mazda6 offers drivers the ultimate combination of outstanding efficiency and performance, making the Mazda6 the company car of choice.

Karen Hendry Nissan, Pete Molloy Chales Hurst Nissan and Donna Hosking Fleet Industry Magazine

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Eye on Awards

Most Innovative Company of the Year The fleet organisation demonstrating outstanding innovation in products or customer service producing tangible results. Winner The City Auction Group has developed into the marketleading remarketing solution at its auction sites in Belfast, Omagh and Dublin. It has transformed its facilities, it has embraced digital technology and it has brought vehicle auctions into the 21st Century.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

Winner - Michael Tomalin City Auction Group - Dona McLafferty Specsavers and Raymond Hill City Auction Group

Best Small Light Commercial This award recognised the Best Small Light Commercial Vehicle in the Northern Ireland marketplace. There was a strong group of the very latest vans to consider, Highly Commended. - Fiat Doblo. Winner - The Citroen Berlingo was chosen for its versatility, the fact that it offers two carrying capacities, its fuel economy and the excellent value for money that it offers.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

HIGHLY COMMENDED Highly Commended Ian Munro Fiat, Harry Girvan Fleet Simplicity and Michael McCulloch Donnelly Group Fiat

Winner - Raymond Donnelly Donnelly Group and Harry Girvan Fleet Simplicity

Lifetime Achievement of the Year We had a number of motor trade and fleet industry personalities to consider, but we did come up with a worthy winner.

WINNER

SPONSORED BY

Winner Colin McNab Charles Hurst Group and Barry McMullan Maxol

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Eye on Awards

BR: Mark Payne, Alaine Wallace, Scott Collins , Raymond Harvey , Dorothy Gourley, David Dempster. FR: Fiona Cambridge, Ronnie Knox, Derek Quinn and Crystal Weir

Alan Tyndall

BR: Ciara Donnelly, Brenda & Richard Buckley, Claire Dickson of Business Eye. Front Row: Paul Hosking, Richard and Debbie Cassells

Donna Hosking with Irish Guards

Helena O’Neill, Cheryl Carson, Chris Lamb (Avis), Lynne Girvan, Rachel Watson – the ladies at the City Auction Group.

Dona McLafferty and the Specsavers team

The team from Philip Petersen: Back, Joan Rae, Julie Parkinson, Arlene McVeigh, Olivia Hughes, Iain Hughes, Michael McVeigh. Front, Helen Ward, Scott Wills, Maurice Carter, Quinton Parkinson.

SPONSORS

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Eye on Awards

(1)

(3)

(2)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(1) Eddie Irvine’s Race School Ireland Cars with the PR girls. (2) Claire Butler, Laura McFarlane, Debbie Irwin & Eddie Black. (3) Gillian Moore and Lisa McQuoid.

(4) Team at Suzuki. (5) Plum Tyndall, Thomas Fegan and Keith Mallin. (6) Kevin Rand, Joanne McClelland, Amanda Purchase , Lisa McQuoid , Gillian Moore and Craig Best.

(7) Pete Molloy - Charles Hurst Nissan.

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Eye on Awards

(8)

(9)

(10) (11)

(12)

(14)

(13)

(8) Michael McVeigh, Arlene McVeigh, Olivia Hughes and Iain Hughes. (9) John Henry, Richard Buckley, Brian O’Kane, Lawrence Speers, Harry Girvan and Ronnie Knox.

(10) Team from Toyota: Adam Fletcher, Paul O’Connor, Louise McLoughlin and Liam Patterson. (11) Team from Europcar. (12) Team from Fiat. (13) Liam Patterson and Adam Fletcher. (14) Ciara Donnelly, Richard Buckley, Brenda Buckley of Business Eye, Paul Beattie of Hexagon Design.

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Eye on Awards

(15)

(16)

(17)

(18)

(19)

(20)

(21)

(15) The team at Downeys Kia. (16) Team from Specsavers: Patricia Gibson, Brian O’Kane, Dona McLafferty and Leigh Nelson. (17) Back Row - Mark Thompson, Tony Hammond, Ivan Mellon, Brian Kennedy. Front Row - Linda Fulford Alex Mellon. (18) The Skoda Team. (19) The Jaguar F Type. (20) Tony McKeown, John Speer. Conn Williamson, Martin McRandall, Harry Douglas, Barry Crawley. (21) Nicky Gibson of BRG Auctions.

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Eye on Awards

(22)

(23)

(24) (25)

(26)

(28)

(27) (22) Andrew Shillam, Jessica Kelly and Hayley Ingram. (23) Claire Dickson with the Promotional Girls. (24) Chris Bate Hyundai and Ivan Mellon - Mellons Hyundai.

(25) Greg Swail with PR ladies. (26) David Dempster - Hughes Insurance & Francesca Hill - AA Drivetech. (27) David McAdams and Craig Scott, Donnellys Honda.

(28) Specsavers team at the forum: left to right is Patricia Gibson, Andrea Ridgway, Lynn Johnston and Leigh Nelson.

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

WHY IS MAZDA GETTING ‘SKYACTIVE’ WITH FLEET SALES? Mazda says it is making inroads into the fleet market on the back of its SKYACTIV technology which gives tax advantages with lower fuel consumption and emissions.

It is a simpler approach than hybrids and electric cars.

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have been driving the Mazda3, their latest model to get this ‘green make-over’. It is an impressive hatchback, all round, with qualities that lift it to near the standards of the VW Golf. Well built, refined and with driving zest, it is well worth a closer look.

Improved aerodynamics, weight

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reduction, chassis development and new manual and automatic transmissions all add up impressively. Even with a relatively large 150PS 2.2 litre diesel engine you get worthwhile dividends.

They are talking up to 72mpg combined with emissions of up to 104g/km depending on model.

Company car benefit-in-kind tax on the Mazda3 model is from just £44 a month for a basic rate taxpayer, while on the larger Mazda6 it is from £59 a month.

Petrol models also benefit from Skyactiv treatment. The 120PS Sport model that I drove uses a non-turbo 2.0 litre petrol engine to good effect. As well as a responsive drive, you get 55mpg combined and 119g/km. With these re-turns Mazda thinks more buyers will look at the petrol models.

Inside, the car has much more of a premium feel than before especially

with the optional leather interior.

The black of the fascia is relieved by tasteful metal trim. There are touches of upmarket makes with a head-up speed display and a central control knob for the sat nav and the other functions displayed on the seven-inch colour touch screen.

The top Sport model justifies its £20K price tag with 18 inch alloys, keyless entry and an electrically adjustable driver seat.

It also features a lane departure warning, rear-view camera, adaptive front lighting and a ninespeaker BOSE sound system.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

BMW GIVES ITS X5 A TOUCH OF THE M FACTOR The coveted BMW M Sport spec is normally found on one of their most powerful saloons or estates. So what is it doing on something as practical as an X5 four-wheel drive machine and a diesel one at that?

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his is not just any diesel, but a 3.0 litre straight six with an amazing three-stage turbo that boosts its output to a mighty 375bhp! Of course, this is a heavy and high machine, so you are never going to match the road ability of a lowslung car or coupe. Yet it does provide an exhilarating drive.

There is a wonderful surge of power, if you need to overtake.

When you press the loud pedal, there is also a rather sensuous

rumbling gurgle - engineered no doubt. There is loads of grip, too, from very wide tyres on the 20 inch alloy wheels.

When you are not in a hurry, the m50 is a relaxed cruiser, ticking over at less than 2,000rpm at the motorway limit. It has a superb eight-speed auto gear-box that can be controlled by paddles on the steering wheel or just left to its own device. Either way, you get fast and smooth changes and precise control.

Given its massive output, the m50 returns a relatively respectable 42mph Combined with emissions of 177g/km.

Brakes are crucial with all this mass and they are superb at pulling you back into the bends.

Suspension has various settings but is perhaps happiest on the comfort settings. After all, this is best as a high-performance

cruiser. Plus you might need to cross a bumpy field now and then.

BMW say this is their most luxurious X5 ever and it is hard to dispute this. Seats are mega comfortable, the upholstery is leather and you have electrical controls for almost everything.

That big 10 inch screen with the i-control knob is excellent for controlling the sat nav and the rest..

Less fuel in.

More miles out.

Go further with the new Honda engine.

CR-V 1.6 Diesel • Low fuel costs 62.8 mpg • 119 g/km CO2 • Band C VED • BIK rate from 18% • Two wheel drive

Civic 1.6 Diesel • Low fuel costs 78.5 mpg • 94 g/km CO2 • Zero VED • BIK rate from 13% • Insurance group from 15E

Civic Tourer 1.6 Diesel • Low fuel costs 74.3 mpg • 99 g/km CO2 • Zero VED • BIK rate from 14% • Insurance group from 15E

DONNELLY HONDA

8 & 8A Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6HR Call 028 9044 5900 or visit www.honda-belfast.co.uk Fuel consumption figures for the Honda range in mpg (l/100km): Urban Cycle 23.2 – 70.6 (12.2 – 4.0), Extra Urban 40.4 – 85.6 (7.0 – 3.3), Combined 32.5 – 78.5 (8.7 – 3.6). CO2 emissions 201 – 94g/km. Fuel consumption figures sourced from official EU-regulated laboratory test results, are provided for comparison purposes and may not reflect real-life driving experience.

Models shown for illustrative purposes: Civic 1.6 i-DTEC S in optional White Orchid Pearl, CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC S in optional Passion Red Pearl and Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC SR in optional Twilight Blue Metallic.

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

CALL FOR LORRIES TO BE CAMERA-EQUIPPED A road safety expert has called for all lorries to have compulsory side, front and rear CCTV cameras in response to a series of fatal road accidents involved lorries and cyclists.

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elvyn Hodgetts, who was in charge of safety on Royal Mail’s lorry fleet for more than 20 years, said: “These tragic cycle accidents on London‘s roads illustrate how hazardous our roads have become.

“Despite the best efforts of road designers and early start traffic controls these latest incidents prove that more is still needed.

“One essential improvement would be to push for greater in-cab technology to reduce driver blind spots.

“CCTV has progressed enormously in the last few years and can be a vital addition for drivers and help them to be aware of cyclists and pedestrians when their attention is being competed for by all manner of distractions.

“The latest on-vehicle camera

systems not only provide blind spot coverage to give the driver vital vision of moving cyclists around them, but also gather data on driving behaviour, vehicle speed and positioning.

“This data is a valuable tool for employers and can help identify the risks being faced daily by their drivers and can be used to both educate the driver and help develop practical measures to help them. Technology can make all the difference to reduce these tragic accidents.”

Research shows that a high proportion of accidents are the result of lorry drivers who have blind spots on their vehicle and fail to see nearby cyclists in their wing mirrors.

One firm that installs safety cameras – Smart Witness – has seen huge

reductions in accidents for the haulage firms that have installed them.

The company designs and fits video systems for HGVs. They include side and back cameras, which give drivers a clear view of any cyclists or other road users, all around the lorry.

The video is relayed to a monitor in the cab so that the driver can clearly see the side, rear and forward facing views around the vehicle.

Smart Witness managing director Simon Marsh said: “The number of tragic deaths can be reduced significantly if lorries, coaches and construction trucks are fitted with safety cameras that clearly

show HGV drivers if cyclists or other road users are nearby.

“Long vehicles often have several blind spots and wing mirrors are simply not effective enough for the driver to see what is on his inside or outside, which is especially important if the driver is about to make a turn.”

He added: “We have found that the haulage firms who have installed the Smart Witness video cameras have seen a significant reduction in accidents.

“Our system of cameras fitted around the lorry or coach give the driver a much better view of both the left and righthand sides of his vehicle and can show if vehicles are directly behind as well.”

we were told that more would be done to address the issue. Incredibly, we now have someone driving with 45 points.

“The DVLA must rapidly overhaul their systems and working relationships with the courts to ensure that the whole principle of 12 points and you are off the road is not undermined.

“Any suggestion that some drivers may be able to speed with impunity and then talk themselves out of a ban puts our whole approach to enforcement into question. The police and the motoring public need to have confidence that those caught speeding or breaking other

motoring laws will be dealt with equally.”

Drivers reaching or exceeding the 12-point threshold where a ban is considered may be allowed to continue to drive in some circumstances at the discretion of the courts. If the court considers a disqualification from driving is likely to cause exceptional hardship such as losing a job or failing to provide care for a dependent it might allow the defendant to continue driving, although a fine would still be imposed.

Good to see that there’s no one from Northern Ireland near the top of the driving penalty points infamy list.......!

THE 45-POINT MOTORIST...

A motorist from Liverpool accumulated 45 licence penalty points in just one month last year, according to figures released by the DVLA.

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he points were all for failing to disclose the identity of the driver or exceeding statutory speed limit on a public road, between 01 October 2012 and 20 June 2013. It beats the previous record of 42 points.

The second-highest points total, 36, went to a man from Warrington, Cheshire, who was caught driving without insurance six times in less than two weeks, between 20 February and 2 March 2012. Other notable offenders include: • A woman from Lincoln with 34 points, who was caught speeding three times and failed to give information to identify the driver four times between January 15,

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2012, and September 26, 2012 • A woman from Hull with 31 points, who was caught speeding eight times in two months, between September 29, 2011, and November 29, 2011 • A man from Westcliff-on-Sea, with 30 points who was caught speeding six times in just two weeks, between September 30 and October 13, 2012.

Failing to give the identity of the owner, speeding, and driving uninsured are the most common reasons for points.

Of the top 20 licence-points holders, only three are women.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Last September, the IAM highlighted a driver with 42 points on their licence and

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

GO SMALLER & CLEANER... CAR MAKERS ARE TOLD Cost conscious consumers are driving car manufacturers to focus on smaller engines and cleaner, more efficient vehicles, according to KPMG International’s 2014 Global Automotive Executive Survey.

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he downsizing of engines, driven by consumer cutbacks, is one of several significant influences shaping the global automotive sector.

Automakers are undergoing changes on many other fronts: fuel efficiency being the number one priority for cash-strapped consumers, the rise in popularity of hybrid cars in the e-vehicle race, the continued emphasis of mobility solutions and technology as critical to original equipment manufacturer survival in the automotive value chain, and the increasing power of Brazil, Russia, India and China.

“Continuing consumer concern with fuel efficiency and pollution

is urging automakers to focus on plug-in hybrid engines for the near future,” said John Leech, KPMG’s UK head of automotive.

“Since the development of e-vehicle technology takes time, in parallel, automakers are also maintaining a strong grasp on downsizing the internal combustion engine, which is expected to deliver substantial improvement in fuel efficiency during this decade.”

Ninety-two percent of respondents say that fuel efficiency for cost reasons is the primary factor in vehicle purchasing decisions, as consumers vote with their wallets in the face of fast-increasing prices at the petrol pump; the same

PSA Peugeot Citroën Hybrid Air concept exhibited at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

consensus as the KPMG 2013 global auto survey. Enhanced vehicle lifespan has risen in importance for the third consecutive year, with 70 percent of respondents citing this factor as influential.

Environmental concerns such as reducing CO2 emissions are still important to the consumer, but slipped from second place in the KPMG 2012 global auto survey to fifth this year.

Consumer preferences for alternative fuel technologies have taken a lower priority in the quest to economise. Fewer than half of

respondents feel that this factor is critical to buyers. Furthermore, more than seven out of ten say state-subsidies for e-car sales are key to further expansion.

Plug-in vehicles are expected to attract the greatest demand of any e-vehicle, for North American, (western) European and Japanese and the BRIC markets. Fuel cell vehicles are also experiencing a rise in popularity with 69 percent of respondents considering this technology as critical to future growth by the end of the next decade.

KIA TO BUILD ELECTRIC CARS IN 2015 Kia’s first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle will begin production in 2015, beginning with a small run of around 1,000 units, in line with the present lack of infrastructure, according to an engineer.

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he carmaker is developing a portfolio of electrically-powered vehicles, including hybrid, plugin hybrid and battery-electric models, but sees hydrogen fuel cells as its eventual goal with mass production expected to begin in 2020 once the refuelling infrastructure has expanded.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is being shared with Hyundai, which recently began series production of 1,000 ix35 FCEVs now being leased to fleets across Europe.

For now, though, Kia is preparing to launch its first electric vehicle sold outside Korea. The Soul EV will go on sale globally

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in the second half of 2014 and a version is being developed for European customers.

This offers a LEAF-rivalling 109bhp and a range of over 124 miles on a single charge, but will be available with either a new Combined Charging Standard plug in Europe, or CHAdeMo plug for Asian markets, allowing a full charge in 25 minutes.

Kia has yet to show what the production version will look like, revealing only that it will feature an aerodynamic blade-style alloy wheel design and wider use of recycled materials in the cabin.

It also features the carmaker’s latest battery technology, with a claimed 40%

Hyundai ix35 FCEV.

higher energy density than the LEAF’s.

However, volumes are expected to be very small as Kia investigates demand.

Just 30 Soul EVs will be brought to the UK at the end of next year, and the carmaker has yet to decide whether it will offer a leasing option for the batteries in the UK. Thomas Oh, executive vice president and COO, Kia Motors Corporation, said: ‘The new Soul EV will be at the forefront of Kia’s new

“Clean Mobility” program to provide environmentally-friendly transport to our customers around the world when it goes on sale globally next year.

‘Although it is Kia’s first globally-sold allelectric vehicle, the Soul EV is our secondgeneration battery electric vehicle and significantly benefits from our in-depth experience gained from development of the Ray EV and proven daily operations of the Ray EV fleet for the past three years

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

NEW TOYOTA SETS THE STANDARD A sub-100g/km diesel Toyota Yaris will be available in 2014 as range structure changes bring the car in line with other Toyota models.

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he Yaris adopts a new four-grade structure for 2014: Active, Icon, Icon Plus and Trend. Active and Icon replace the previous T2 and TR designations, while Icon Plus offers a better specification and extra styling elements.

The 2014 Yaris 1.4 D-4D has CO2 emissions of 99g/km, reduced from 104g/km, and is in Band A for Vehicle Excise Duty, with no annual charge.

Less money will be spent on filling up as well, as combined cycle economy has improved from 72.4mpg to 74.3mpg.

Active becomes the new entry level model, and has a six-speaker audio system, aux-in and USB connector, steering wheelmounted audio controls, electric front windows, height-adjustable driver’s seat, seven airbags (including a driver’s knee airbag) and electronic stability control.

Icon adds 15-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured electric heated

door mirrors, body coloured door handles, Toyota Touch multimedia system, rear-view camera, rev counter, air conditioning, leathercovered steering wheel and gear knob, and Bluetooth integration.

Icon Plus adds front foglamps, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, LED rear lights (except 1.0-litre manual), automatic dual-zone climate control, electric rear windows, raised centre console (manual only), cruise control with speed limiter, air conditioned glove box with interior light.

The Trend model adds 16-inch alloys, exterior chrome trim, matt black C-pillar and rear privacy glass

and white interior trim inserts.

Hybrid models all come with LED daytime running lights, but otherwise the equipment reflects the rest of the range.

A Smart Pack (£300) offers keyless entry and push-button start, while the Appearance Pack (£750, Icon Plus only) adds a matt black C-pillar decal to create a ‘floating roof’ effect, plus dark-tinted rear privacy glass and a fixed panoramic roof.

The Protection Pack (£700) provides front and rear parking sensors, floor mats, mud flaps, black side mouldings and boot liner and a rear bumper protection plate.

The Style Pack (£500), includes LED daytime running lights, aluminium scuff plates and chrome trim on the tailgate and exhaust pipe.

In addition, Icon, Icon Plus and Trend versions of the 2014 Yaris can be upgraded with Toyota’s Touch & Go multimedia system (£650), providing satellite navigation, Google Local Search connection and access to a range of useful, downloadable applications.

Prices start at £10,895 on the road for the petrol range, £15,670 for the 1.4 D4-D Icon Plus and £15,495 for the Yaris Hybrid.

The car will be offered in one specification level, based on the High-up! petrol model, and includes DAB radio, heated front seats, cruise control and EV-specific

navigation based on the Maps and More system. Battery and charging status, climate control, doors and lighting can be controlled remotely using a smartphone app.

VW’S ELECTIC DEBUT What a truly awful name... Volkswagen’s first electric car, the e-up!, is available to order in the UK, priced at £19,250 on the road after the government’s £5,000 plug-in car grant.

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ased on the petrolpowered up! supermini, the e-up features an 82bhp electric motor and lithiumion battery, offering a range of 93 miles depending on ambient conditions and driving style.

Eco and Eco+ driving modes cut the power output to 67bhp and 53bhp respectively and reduce the drain from on-board systems to extend the range.

Volkswagen will offer the e-up! with a home charging wallbox, capable of recharging the battery in six hours from flat. The e-up! is also one of the first cars to feature DC charging based on the new Combined Charging System connector which is likely to become the European standard.

This allows an 80% charge to be reached in 30 minutes.

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

RANGE ANXIETY...

NOW IT’S OFFICIAL The majority of people who decide not to opt for an electric vehicle do so because of something called ‘range anxiety’... and it’s a real state of mind according to some English university researchers.

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hey’re worried, in other words, that electric vehicles won’t have enough range to get them where they want to go on a regular basis.

Leicester-based De Montfort University’s (DMU) Department of Technology along with CENEX, the Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies have spent £375,000 on project which aims to develop innovative ways of making electric vehicles go further on one charge.

Three areas will come under focus, including the vehicle’s performance, which will be individually modelled to develop a battery charge algorithm that maximises the effectiveness

of the traditional fuel burn.

In addition, artificial intelligence will be used to manage the range extender – replacing the “recharge when low” approach. Finally, data from a SatNav coupled with a journey planner will be used to decide when to recharge the vehicle battery.

The project will also examine whether it is better to use a hydrogen fuel cell range extender instead of a petrol or diesel model.

The £375,000 project is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, with the rest of the funds being supplied by the DMU. Dr Eric Goodyer of DMU said: ‘Electric vehicles are now an established

AAA Mobile Electric Vehicle Charging.

technology, and available from many major vehicle manufacturers.

‘They are of particular value in urban environments, and are supported by a growing infrastructure of charging points.

‘However their perceived lack of range is holding back market penetration for travellers who make long journeys.

This is where Range Extenders can make a major contribution.

‘Existing techniques consist of little more than a traditionally powered motor that is used to recharge the vehicle’s primary drive battery pack.

‘They can add literally 100s of miles to the vehicle’s range, but are little more than a simplistic battery charger that cuts in when the battery is getting low. This research project will examine more fuel-efficient means of delivering range extension.’

Europe’s second largest car market and the only one to grow consistently throughout the year. However, it added its forecast that the 2014 market is expected to stabilise with sustainable growth of around 1% over the year.

‘With its best year since a prerecession 2007, the UK new car market has helped stimulate the country’s economic recovery,’ said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. ‘While the European

market is only now showing signs of improvement, the UK has consistently outperformed the rest of Europe with 22 consecutive months of growth. The 10.8% increase in 2013 reflects the attractive financial offers available, as well as increased demand for more technologically advanced new cars. We expect new car registrations to remain stable in 2014 as customers return to a more regular replacement cycle.’

FLEET REGISTRATIONS UP AS RECOVERY GATHERS PACE Fleet car registrations in the UK as a whole saw an impressive increase of 25.8% in December, helping to push the sector’s full-year result up 5.7% as the new car market put in its best performance in five years.

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atest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) show that a total of 2,264,737 cars were registered in 2013, up 10.8% on 2012 and exceeding the organisation’s 2.25 million forecast for the year. On average, an additional 600 extra cars registered per day in 2013 than in the previous year.

Within the fleet sector, fullyear registrations rose 5.7% from 1,025,501 to 1,084,279 units. Private registrations rose 15.6% but it was actually the sub-25 “business” sector that saw the highest percentage

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increase, with a rise of 18.0% from 89,668 to 105,836 units.

The full-year results were reinforced by a strong performance in December, marking the 22nd consecutive monthly rise. Fleet registrations saw an impressive 25.8% rise from 66,960 to 84,213 units whilst private registrations were up 19.8%. However it was the sub-25 sector that again saw the highest percentage increase, with registrations up 35.9% from 5,617 to 7,631.

The SMMT said that the results show that the UK is firmly secured as

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

SAVE LIVES With Proper Safety Policies Fleets are failing to implement policies aimed at keeping their drivers safe after a survey suggested a series of major failings.

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early half (46.3%) of respondents did not have a policy on tired driving, while more than a third (36.6%) offered no advice on drink or drug driving.

The findings, from a Fleet News survey carried out in association with TrackCompare, come in the wake of research from Lex Autolease that suggests at-work drivers were responsible for 40% of all accidents involving a company vehicle last year.

The data, which was based on an analysis of Lex Autolease’s accident management fleet of 120,000 vehicles, revealed that company drivers were involved in 43,293 accidents last year and were ‘at fault’ in more than 18,000 cases.

Almost one in five accidents were caused by a company driver colliding with an immobile object such as a bridge, a building or a wall and 22% were the result of company drivers hitting a third party vehicle.

The average cost of each ‘at fault’ claim including repair costs, third party liabilities and rental costs for replacement vehicles was £1,033, meaning that Lex Autolease customers paid out more than £18.6m due to poor driving by their employees.

Richard Harper, head of accident services at Lex Autolease, said: “The fact that company drivers were responsible for 40% of accidents last year suggests

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that businesses need to do more to raise standards and eradicate poor driving behaviour.

“The starting point for businesses is to understand why accidents occur. Once they have this information they can take steps to reduce collisions such as driver training programmes, assessing time and work pressures on their drivers and eliminating unnecessary journeys.”

The TrackCompare survey of nearly 250 fleets, which was carried out in October, reveals that up to 78% of fleets allow their drivers to use hands-free phones while driving. This is despite figures from Brake, the road safety charity, that show using a phone, including any hands-free

phone, is a major distraction and contributes to accidents.

It also suggests that guidelines from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), which recommend a 15-minute break for every two hours of driving, are generally not understood.

Kjell Anderton, a director of TrackCompare, said: “Some of the results are really quite disturbing.

“Of course, we’re pleasantly surprised that more than 40% of companies pay for their drivers’ eyesight tests; this is a positive sign good vision is being recognised as a key safety concern.

However, he added: “It’s highlighted a number of problems that need to be addressed urgently.”

Launched in 2009, TrackCompare.co.uk represents more than 50 tracking and telematics companies across a wide range of technologies.

The company’s online service is backed by a team of experienced fleet consultants, who help more than 2,000 new fleets every month.

TrackCompare.co.uk assists organisations large and small to identify the most effective tracking and telematics solutions for their operations.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

TELEMATICS...

THE SMART WAY TO AVOID PROBLEMS Businesses failing to correctly use their telematics systems to monitor – and act upon drivers’ behaviour could be leaving themselves exposed to costly legal action in future.

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he warning comes from vehicle-to-business technology provider, In-Car Cleverness, as it highlights the risks of being found guilty of ‘wilful blindness’.

“Having visibility of potentially dangerous or poor driving habits and then not acting upon it appropriately, leaves individuals and businesses liable in the eyes of the law,” explains Tim Eaves, commercial director of In-Car Cleverness.

“Given the advances in the analytics available, the concern is whether or not those responsible have the requisite skills to interpret the data, or spot the early warnings.

“There is also a question mark over whether or not there is there enough

training and benchmarking support to complement the technology.”

Fleet News recently looked at how legal concerns and a lack of resources are becoming major reasons why fleets decide against implementing telematics systems: if the data shows they have a driver who regularly speeds, they feel they do not have the time to act on the results.

Nevertheless, by the end of 2014, it’s estimated that more than half a million vehicles will be equipped with some form of telematics.

As the technology becomes more prevalent and ‘mainstream’ for business, Eaves says that simply by not using it to improve risk management could soon constitute ‘wilful blindness’.

He adds: “The number of companies adopting and relying on telematics is only going to grow. As it does so, those who are slow to minimise the risk of accidents could eventually be seen as culpable by their inaction - once an accident has happened, it’s too late.

“In simple terms, ‘wilful blindness’ means turning a blind eye and, quite apart from the material cost savings that telematics can deliver, fleet operators may soon find there’s a legal reason to further underpin the financial benefits.”

In-Car Cleverness features a unique accident detection system, which helps to minimise liability disputes after crashes as well as flagging erratic, dangerous and inefficient driving.

Eaves says that the system is proven to deliver saving of at least 10% by reducing fuel, insurance and maintenance costs and will also represent “a significant improvement in risk management and duty of care” through its combination of advanced vehicle monitoring, dashboard analytical tools and benchmarking data.

FLEETS CAN DRIVE DOWN INSURANCE COSTS Fleets should do more to drive down the cost of insurance premiums through a targeted road risk management programme. So says TomTom Business Solutions as new research shows that two-fifths of UK businesses have suffered from rising company car insurance premiums over the past 12 months.

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he firm’s survey also found 71% of companies do not provide regular training for drivers – a clear indication more could be done by companies to address the risk factors affecting premium costs.

Only 36% monitor driver performance as a means of assessing and reducing risk, with less than a quarter of those (22%) using technology to do so.

Currently, a third of all road traffic accidents are believed to be workrelated so the onus is on businesses to make such improvements for the benefit of themselves, employees and other road users.

‘Too often cars are viewed as an

employee benefit rather than a place of work, so more can be done by businesses to improve safety, reduce collision rates and drive down the cost of insurance premiums,’ said Giles Margerison, director UK & Ireland, TomTom Business Solutions.

‘Initiatives such as regular staff communications, safety discussions, driver training and schemes for measuring and improving driver performance are powerful mechanisms for the reduction of road risk.’

The research also revealed 81% of those questioned include work-related road safety as part of their company’s health and safety policy, but only 57% operate regular risk assessments

across their vehicle fleets.

Furthermore, 39% do not have systems or procedures in place to manage driver fatigue and almost a quarter (24%) admit they are not fully aware of their exact requirements for managing road risk.

‘Duty of Care can often be viewed as a complex issue but that does not

need to be the case, especially given the variety of tools available to identify and manage risk factors,’ added Giles.

‘Fleet management technology, for example, provides access to a wealth of actionable data which allows management to quickly identify areas of risk and take action to implement best practice.’

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

CARE NOW....

BENEFIT LATER Keeping your vehicle in good working order might prove difficult in the working world, but it can make all the difference when it’s time to trade it in.

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iven that vans are subjected to much harsher conditions and treatment than cars, it’s no surprise that, when the time comes to sell them on, many have bumps, scrapes or scratches. However, just a bit more TLC can be beneficial to vendors, and ensure that they maximise the value of the vehicles at auction.

“The remarketing rules for vans are really no different than they are for cars – proper preparation and good presentation are vital if your LCVs are going to achieve the best possible price in the auction hall,” says Duncan Ward, BCA’s UK business development manager – commercial vehicles. “And with the current high demand for wellpresented vans, there is a massive opportunity for sellers. On any used van, condition is important – panels should be straight and clean, and trade name deletion must be done to a good standard.”

Ward highlights BCA’s Smart Preparation – the process of bringing vehicles back to so-called showroom condition – through paint technology, cold metal dent removal and repairs to interior and trim – as one approach that can make a difference. “The technologies involved help vendors maximise returns in the auction hall, by ensuring vehicles look their best when they are sold,” he explains.

Smart repair would be costeffective on a 10,000-mile 2011 van in good condition but with a few small dents for example, says Ward, who warns that not all vehicles will yield such a positive

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outcome: “The return on the investment to bring a 100,000mile, five- or six-year-old van, without a straight panel to its name, back to showroom condition is likely to be less rewarding.”

Lucy Hill, head of operations at leasing firm Hitachi Capital, believes there are further financial benefits to keeping vehicles in good condition.

“If a vehicle is returned to us in a good condition, it not only shows that a driver has looked after it, but they won’t be subject to any penalties. If there is interior damage, the penalty is directly linked to the cost of repair,” she says.

Hill also advises caution when considering the type of policy at the beginning of a contract because a vehicle that has operated on a one-driver, one-vehicle rule will be able to command a good price, but with other deals, it is more difficult.

“Where companies have multiple drivers for a vehicle, they suffer with resale value, and when the van comes back to us with damage, we have to bring that vehicle up to the same standard as the one-driver, onevehicle level,” she explains. “But even where there are multiple drivers, best practice companies will operate within a defect management policy, as outlined by [the FTA’s] Van Excellence scheme, and this is where we can mitigate the risk. No customer likes a surprise at the end of a contract, and penalties will be at the end of the contract.”

Inside out Damage to a van’s exterior might be easy to spot, but Ward and Hill both agree that an interior in good condition is equally, if not more, important.

“Selling unprepared vans sends all the wrong messages to buyers and particularly affects the enduser buyer, who has a considerable presence at most commercial vehicle sales these days,” says Ward. “While a trader or dealer will see a dirty van and try to buy it below-book to polish some profit into it, the end-user buyer will often draw the conclusion that the van has not been cared for and will move on to another vehicle.”

Cabin, seating and dashboard damage will discourage many buyers because it is difficult or expensive to repair, reasons Ward: “A builder’s van, for example, with paint over the seats, and concrete ground into the carpets, will require those items replacing as they are effectively irreparable. Damage to a dashboard will often require an expensive replacement, too.”

Hill advises that looking after the inside of the van will help add value when it comes to remarketing.

“Interior damage is often seen to affect values a lot more than exterior damage,” she states, adding that damage to the seats, dashboards and carpet provide the biggest financial hit for operators.

“The costs involved in repairing these items can be very high, while parts can sometimes be hard to source, and, as a result, the penalties that we would have to charge at the end of a lease are directly linked.”

Sometimes vans can get sold regardless of condition, but this approach shouldn’t be taken for granted, says Ward: “Buyers’ approaches can vary widely –

some are happy with vans that need extensive reconditioning because they have the facilities to manage that process, but that will be reflected in their bidding. Others will only buy to order, or only consider LCVs in near ready-to-retail condition.”

In Hill’s experience there is a small percentage of people who will buy certain vehicles, regardless of condition. “Generally, the only time that damaged vehicles can command a premium price is when they are very desirable with a good specification, such as a VW Transporter Sportline, or a very rare vehicle, such as a Sprinter LWB in a colour,” she says.

Not only is importance placed on how the van’s interior appears, but also what it contains.

Specification can play a big role in resale values, with certain must-have items that can help vehicles stand out at auction.

Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

“The load area should be plylined to stop inside-out damage, and the rear doors should be solid – no windows for prying eyes to see a builder’s toolbox, for example,” says BCA’s Ward.

“Side loading doors and highrooftops are often favoured, and don’t forget the driver – they work in the van, so comfort is just as important to them as it is to a car driver. If you are selling a fully loaded example, with every manufacturer extra, including metallic paint, you really will get the buyers’ attention.”

The value of a full service history and all appropriate documentation and spare keys when it comes to remarketing shouldn’t be overlooked, says Ward, who says BCA offers a service called Docusafe that manages this process for volume sellers.

“In the remarketing arena, a full set of documents is highly

valued by professional buyers when offered with the vehicle at the time of sale,” he says. “The presence of the V5 means no delays in onward selling, while a full service history shows the vehicle has been well maintained by the previous owner and confirms that a warranted mileage is correct as declared.

“And it is the latter that can have a real, tangible effect on the potential prices vehicles might achieve. Building buyer confidence is hugely important and even hardened trade buyers value the comfort of knowing their judgement is supported by a comprehensive history file.”

The advice from Hill is to keep all servicing and maintenance details, regardless of who carries out the work.

“Maintenance history commands a higher value because you can see that a vehicle has been kept

in a good condition throughout its life. The relevance of a main dealer or authorised dealer work isn’t so much of a consideration – it is more important that the event has been undertaken,” she reasons. “If they have been done by a premium garage it would add value, but that is a ‘nice to have’ option.”

There are still opportunities to sell damaged vehicles, but it is very dependent on the model and type of vehicle being remarketed.

“It does vary, but tolerance of a generally acceptable level of damage would be higher on large panel vans, dropsides and tippers than medium and small LCVs,” confirms Hill. “If you have a lifestyle vehicle such as a double cab, or high-spec VW Transporters or Mercedes-Benz Vitos, the tolerance of damage and poor condition is very low. The people that are buying it would look

at it more how you would view a car, so it is veryimportant to get them back in good working order and good condition.” For those that cannot view in person, or prefer to buy over the internet, BCA has a new initiative that offers extra peace of mind. Video Appraisals allow buyers to view every aspect of both the exterior and interior of each vehicle, helping them to decide on the condition of the vehicle, says BCA. “LCV buyers have found the BCA Video Appraisals service to be helpful when planning their ‘shopping list’ as it delivers information on condition – both inside and out – efficiently and effectively,” says Ward.

“For Live Online buyers – who do not get to see the LCV ‘in the metal’ – Video Appraisals have been anecdotally described as the next best thing to actually being there.”

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

Nissan is planning a growth offensive across Europe to establish itself as the number one Japanese car manufacturer for sales.

NISSAN PLANNING MAJOR SALES OFFENSIVE S

peaking at the fleet unveiling of the new Qashqai in London at the tail end of last year, Guillaume Cartier, Nissan senior vice-president for sales and marketing, told an international audience of several hundred fleet decision-makers that Nissan aimed to become the top Asian brand in Europe, intent on seeing off competition from Kia and Hyundai, as well as established Japanese rivals Toyota, Honda and Mazda.

He said to achieve Nissan’s ambition it needed to grow in the fleet market in Europe by 50% to achieve a 5.3% share.

However, Nissan in the UK already has a higher share of the fleet sector, although its head of fleet, Barry Beeston, told Fleet News there was still room to increase fleet sales on the back of models such as the new Qashqai.

He said: “We already have a 7.1% share of the fleet market, but it’s even higher when we apply the same factors as they do for the rest of Europe. We will see a small level of growth in our fleet share in the UK in line with market demand.”

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He said class-leading low CO2 emissions from 99g/km, improved fuel economy, higher residual values and reduced labour time of up to 8% will all help make the new model a more compelling package for fleet operators than the outgoing Qashqai.

As well as being popular with company car drivers, the Qashqai has also been in demand as a Motability car. Although Nissan will continue to support the car in Motability, Beeston is seeking to rebalance the sales mix with a greater share of true fleet sales.

So far in 2013, around a quarter of Nissan’s sales have been into Motability.

The proportion should reduce following the launch of the new Qashqai.

Beeston said: ”The current vehicle has performed extremely well in the fleet market as well as with SMEs and in the public sector.

“The new model is a great evolution of the current product with significantly improved credentials, including lower servicing costs and better fuel economy.

This will help contribute to a lower running costs package, and will have greater appeal to user-choosers.

“We will see a balanced mix of this vehicle.

We will continue to serve the Motability sector, as our dealers buy the majority of those cars at the end of their term and it provides them with a profit opportunity on the used vehicles.

“While we will support the vehicle in that channel there will be a balance. We’ll keep short cycle to a minimum with a mix below 5% of our volume, but we see an opportunity to increase our share with user-choosers and corporates.”

The new Qashqai is available to order with deliveries to customers beginning in February 2014. The car is lighter than the original Qashqai, and combined with a revised engine line-up including new petrol engines as well as a more efficient 1.5-litre diesel, CO2 emissions are reduced across the range.

The car is also offered with a suite of new safety technology, an automatic gearbox option for the 1.6-litre diesel, while the 1.6-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel also have the option of all-wheel drive variants.

Beeston added: “The way the car drives, its performance, its low-CO2 credentials, the quality of the interior will give it broader appeal that the current model.”

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

Clear Vision

By Dona McLafferty, Corporate Account Manager, Specsavers Corporate Eyecare in Ireland.

Responsibility Employers have a responsibility for the safety of their employees who drive for work purposes.

While regulations across Northern Ireland and Great Britain differ slightly from those for the Republic of Ireland, they are equally clear that health and safety laws apply to all at-work activities, including driving. While many employers still mistakenly believe all driving standards are a matter for road traffic law alone, the HSE and HSA actually both make it quite clear that there is a joint responsibility and it is an area where employers have a distinct duty of care1.

High risk The risks are higher for those driving for work. Studies in Ireland show that company car drivers have 30% to 40% more collisions than other drivers and the Road Safety Authority states that the number of work-related

deaths from road collisions is double that of any other cause2.

In fact, RoSPA states that driving is the most dangerous work activity that most people do and that research indicates around 20 people are killed and 220 seriously injured every week in crashes involving someone who was driving, riding or otherwise using the road for work3.

Foresight It should go without saying that having adequate eyesight is essential for safe driving but it is staggering how many people may be driving when their eyesight is not good enough to do so. A simple option to help improve work-related road safety is to implement a driver eyecare policy. Not only will this help the employer to meet their duty of care, it can also be extremely costeffective: Research suggests that the real cost of a road accident could be between four and 32 times the `bent metal’ cost4 and at-work road crashes are estimated to cost UK employers £2.7 billion a year5.

Valued Eyecare is highly valued as an employee benefit. Furthermore, an eye examination can detect far wider-reaching problems than just those of poor eyesight.

Ocular conditions including cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, optic neuritis and ocular tumours can be detected, as can conditions affecting the whole body. Through the eyes, it is possible to detect and monitor systemic conditions, such as diabetes, raised blood pressure, high cholesterol, brain tumours, thyroid problems, multiple sclerosis. Eyecare can, therefore, be a big factor in preventative care and reducing sick leave.

Full test A full eye examination will include all the tests relevant to driving – visual acuity (sight over distance), peripheral vision, the ability to focus between near and far objects (such as the road and the dashboard display). It will also include checks on the health of the eye and the indicators of many wider health issues.

Solution Specsavers Corporate Eyecare offers eVouchers for driver eyecare, making the process of providing eyecare, including payment, management and distribution, possible online, in minutes. Vouchers can be bought in quantities as small as just five.

A voucher covering Optical Care for Drivers, for example, costs the employer just £35 (€42 for ROI) and will provide not only the full eye examination but will also include a pair of glasses, if required, from the £45 range (€59 range for ROI), fitted with single vision Pentax CR39 lenses and an anti scratch treatment as standard.

In addition, the tangible benefit of discounts for employees and their families is added at no extra cost to the employer and the vouchers can be used as a contribution towards higher-priced ranges and can even be used in conjunction with other deals, like ‘two for one’.

Clear Driver eyecare enables the employer to take action in their duty of care towards employees who drive for work. It is cost-effective and viewed as a tangible benefit by employees.

With the implementation now being so simple and the consequences of failure to act being so vast, employers must surely be left with a clear view.

Further information visit www.specsavers.co.uk/ corporate www.specsavers.ie/corporate

1. Northern Ireland and Great Britain - www.hse.gov.uk/ workplacetransport/drivingforwork.htm Republic of Ireland – www.hsa.ie/eng/ Vehicles_at_Work/Driving_for_Work/ 2. www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Professional-Drivers/ Driving-for-work/ 3. www.rospa.com/roadsafety/info/workfitness.pdf 4. www.rospa.com/drivertraining/morr/ background/employers-intervention.aspx 5. Insurance for Small Businesses: A Guide To Protecting Your Business, Association Of British Insurers

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Eye Fleet Industry Magazine

DRIVERLESS CARS TAKE TO THE SWEDISH ROADS It’s a frightening thought, at least to some of us, but it seems that a bunch of driver-less cars will be taking to the roads of the Swedish city of Gotherburg, home of Volvo.

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he project, Drive Me – Selfdriving cars for sustainable mobility, is a joint initiative between Volvo Car Group, the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, Lindholmen Science Park and the City of Gothenburg. It also has government support.

The aim is to pinpoint the societal benefits of autonomous driving and position Sweden and Volvo Cars as leaders in the development of future mobility.

“Autonomous vehicles are an integrated part of Volvo Cars’ as well as the Swedish government’s

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vision of zero traffic fatalities,” says Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Car Group. “This public pilot represents an important step towards this goal. It will give us an insight into the technological challenges at the same time as we get valuable feedback from real customers driving on public roads.”

The pilot will involve selfdriving cars using approximately 30 miles of selected roads in and around Gothenburg. These roads are typical commuter arteries and include motorway conditions and frequent queues.

“Our aim is for the car to be able to handle all possible traffic scenarios by itself, including leaving the traffic flow and finding a safe ‘harbour’ if the driver for any reason is unable to regain control,” explains Erik Coelingh, technical specialist at Volvo Car Group.

The ‘Drive Me’ project will focus on a number of areas, such as:

• How autonomous vehicles bring societal and economic benefits by improving traffic efficiency, the traffic environment and road safety • Infrastructure requirements for autonomous driving • Typical traffic situations suitable for autonomous vehicles • Customers’ confidence in autonomous vehicles • How surrounding drivers interact smoothly with a self-driving car The project will commence in 2014 with customer research and technology development, as well as the development of a user interface and cloud functionality. The first cars are expected to be on the roads in Gothenburg by 2017.

“The public pilot will provide us with a valuable insight

into the societal benefits of making autonomous vehicles a natural part of the traffic environment,” says Coelingh. !Smart vehicles are part of the solution, but a broad societal approach is also necessary to offer sustainable personal mobility in the future.

We believe that this crossfunctional co-operation can give this development a boost.”

The project also includes fully automated parking, without a driver in the car. This allows the driver to walk away from the car at the parking entrance while the vehicle finds a vacant spot and parks by itself.

“Our approach is based on the principle that autonomously driven cars must be able to move safely in environments with non-autonomous vehicles and unprotected road users,” says Coelingh.

247901_Mervyn Stewart_BESPOKE_Octavia Hatch Spaceback Fleet_FP_Business Eye_270x183

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Business users only. Prices exclude VAT. Contract Hire offers based on 3 years (3+35 profile) and 10,000 miles per annum, initial rental plus 35 monthly rentals. Excess mileage charged at 10p per mile with Rapid Spaceback modeland 6p per mile with Octavia model. Terms and conditions apply. Further charges may be payable when the vehicle is returned. All prices subject to VAT. Indemnities may be required. Subject to status. Over 18s in mainland UK only. Excludes Channel Islands. ŠKODA Finance, Freepost, ŠKODA Finance. Prices and specifications are accurate at time of print. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time and are not available in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability on orders placed before 31 March 2014.

Official fuel consumption in mpg (litres/100km) for the ŠKODA range: Urban 21.7 (13.0) to 74.3 (3.8), Extra Urban 40.4 (7.0) to 94.2 (3.0), Combined 30.4 (9.3) to 88.3 (3.2). CO2 emissions for the ŠKODA range are 217 to 85g/km. Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results.

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