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International news
Triple whammy for UK true fleet market in April
The UK’s true fleet market fell 25.1% in April as it bore the impact of three less business days, the usual hangover from the UK
Loud and clear – The rise of DAB radio
For some drivers, in-car digital radio is a must. Having grow steadily over a number of years, there is now a drive to get more
LeasePlan fleet size and profits rise
LeasePlan has published its first quarter 2017 results, showing a rise in profits and turnover on the back of an increase in its fleet size.
New Karoq SUV to take Skoda centrestage
Skoda has revealed its new Karoq SUV, which will indirectly replace the Yeti, providing a more mainstream C-SUV.
Spotlight: Volvo XC60
Nine years after the original XC60 was introduced, Volvo has high hopes for its replacement. John Challen takes a look around the mid-size SUV.
Opel and Masternaut to offer pre-installed van telematics
Fleets can now buy Opel Vivaro or Movano vans with pre-installed Masternaut telematics devices in a move intended to eliminate deployment time, hassle, and cost.
Official van CO2 emissions continue to fall
Average CO2 emissions of new vans in the European Union fell 2.7%, marking the highest annual reduction since 2013.
ALD takes first steps towards IPO
ALD Automotive has registered its intention with the French markets regulator AMF (Autorité des Marchés Financiers) as the first step in the Initial Public Offering
Excess diesel NOx kills 38,000 per year, study claims
New research finds that 38,000 people a year are dying as a result of the global failure of diesel vehicles to meet NOx official limits
Autonomous vehicle market to impact on collision repair sector
Carmaker revenues from collision parts could drop by nearly 50% by 2020 following the introduction of autonomous vehicles, according to research by the KPMG U.S. Manufacturing Institute Automotive
New technology to help cities identify risky road infrastructure
Telematics firm Scope Technologies and specialist technology Riga Technical University (RTU) have partnered to develop new technology to help municipalities and major cities identify dangerous
Easter holidays take toll on EU car registrations
Car registrations in the EU fell in April, with the decline attributed to the Easter holidays, although the market remains up year to date.
Fleet and leasing firms urged to prepare for new EU data protection rules
Automotive finance, leasing, fleet and mobility companies are being warned to take action now to prepare for the forthcoming EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Volvo and Google to build Android-based infotainment system
Volvo is partnering with Google to develop an Android-based infotainment and connectivity solution for launch within two years.
Indicata partners with Traxio
Business Intelligence platform provider Indicata has signed a partnership with Traxio, the Belgian Confederation of Automotive Distribution & Repair.
Ford and BCA mark 20 years in Germany
Ford and BCA have marked 20 years of remarketing partnership in Germany with a special programme of sales.
New project to showcase EV savings through smart charging
A group of carmakers and energy firms has teamed up to show how electric vehicle running costs could be reduced through the implementation of smart
Real-time access to data essential for new fleet services
A coalition of automotive aftermarket operators and mobility service providers has urged EU institutions to create a robust legal framework on digital services to aid
Record Q1 for Mercedes Sprinter
Mercedes-Benz has reported the most successful first quarter ever for its Sprinter large van.
Growing fleet demand for cross-border carsharing
A growing number of motorists, including business drivers, are using carsharing across borders in Europe, according to Daimler’s car2go subsidiary.
SEAT and Saba work on parking solutions for connected cars
SEAT and Saba, which specialises in urban mobility solutions and in parking management, have signed a global agreement to develop vehicle services associated with parking.
Europcar acquires Danish franchisee
Europcar has acquired its Danish franchisee for an undisclosed amount.
BP and Aral team up for new co-branded Europe-wide fuel card
A new dual-branded international fuel card has launched by BP and Aral.
Mercedes-Benz trials new services for logistics companies and drivers
Mercedes-Benz Van Sales Germany is to deploy a new van operator concept that brings services for Amazon logistics companies and their driver, including renting of
Fresh retail approaches drive Danish growth
Autorola Denmark country manager Thomas Friis Pedersen details the health of the Danish new and used car markets, and examines the impact of the growth
Peugeot 308 gets updated styling and new engine
Peugeot’s 308 is being updated with fresh styling and a new 1.5-litre diesel engine.
LeasePlan appoints Ewout van Jarwaarde SVP car remarketing
LeasePlan has named Ewout van Jarwaarde as senior vice-president car remarketing, succeeding Wolfgang Reinhold who stepped down at the end of 2016.
White label mobility solution launches in Germany
Daimler’s moovel mobility platform subsidiary has teamed up with the Karlsruhe Transport Authority KVV in Germany to launch a mobility app.
Driverless Peugeot 3008s to take to roads in Singapore
On-road testing of fully autonomous Peugeot 3008 SUVs is to start in Singapore this autumn under a new partnership with Nutonomy.
XXImo, Visa and Q8 partner on Mobility Card
Q8 has become the first fuel supplier to launch a mobility card provided by XXImo and Visa.
UK vehicle graphics specialist expands into US
Lightweight reusable vehicle graphics specialists Spedian is expanding its operations under an exclusive licensing deal with US-based Modagrafics, the fleet services graphics provider.
Sofico listed among fastest growing companies in Europe
The Financial Times has listed global automotive finance, leasing and fleet software provider Sofico in its Top 1000 list of Europe’s fastest growing companies.
Arval launches new Total Fleet reporting platform for multi-supply schemes
Arval has launched a new global strategic online reporting platform for clients working with multiple full service lease providers.
eDriving launches smartphone telematics solution
Driver training specialist eDriving has launched a new smartphone telematics solution for fleet drivers that also debuts a new safe driving scoring system.
Car2go and Car2Share merge to car2go China
Daimler is to merge its car2go car sharing subsidiary with its Car2Share station-based car sharing programme in China.
Skoda reveals Qashqai-rivalling Karoq SUV
Skoda has revealed its new Karoq SUV, which replaces the Yeti to provide a direct rival for models such as the Nissan Qashqai and SEAT
GreenRoad launches new safe driving mobile app
GreenRoad has launched a new safe driving mobile app, said help drivers reduce risk of accident by as much as 70%.
Italian True Fleets deliver double-digit growth in March
The Italian true fleet market surged in March, with a 12.5% rise in registrations putting paid to concerns the market was slowing.
Oslo on track for emissions first
Oslo is set to be the first city to cut all emissions from its transportation network – closely followed by other European cities such as
TomTom Telematics and BP partner for fuel and driver management solution
TomTom Telematics and BP are to roll out a joint fuel and driver management solution within Europe.
Road Test: Lexus IS 300h
It’s still unusual in its segment, but the IS hybrid makes a lot of sense, says Alex Grant.
Frost & Sullivan conference to focus on latest digital mobility services
With digital mobility services expected to generate $2 trillion globally by 2025, a forthcoming Frost & Sullivan event will look at how the digital transformation
Volvo to launch first electric car in 2019
Volvo’s first electric car will be built in China and sold globally from 2019.
Volvo and Autoliv go live with autonomous driving JV
Volvo and Autoliv’s autonomous driving JV has started operations.
Hermes to trial self-driving delivery robots in London
Parcel delivery specialist Hermes is to run a pilot on the use of self-driving delivery robots in London.
Progress on European new car emissions slows
CO2 emissions of new cars sold in the EU continued to fall last year but at a slower rate.
Groupe Renault UK names new managing director
Groupe Renault UK has appointed Vincent Tourette as managing director, effective immediately.
Kia unveils China-only models at Shanghai
Kia has unveiled two new cars at the Shanghai Motor Show, both of which are designed, engineered and built exclusively for Chinese buyers.
Opel Grandland X sets sights on Ford Kuga
Opel will join the highly competitive C-SUV sector at the end of the year, previewing the Grandland X SUV ahead of its debut at the
Police across Europe to run 24-hour ‘speed enforcement’ marathon
Police officers across Europe are to run a 24-hour ‘Speed Marathon’ to clamp down on speeding drivers. Taking place from 0600 on Wednesday 19 April
AFEX launches prepaid Mastercard for expense management
AFEX, a non-bank provider of global payment and risk management solutions, has introduced a new prepaid Mastercard to help firms including fleets manage employee expenses.
