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Mobile apps to open up EV opportunities, says Frost & Sullivan
Entitled “Leveraging Mobile Apps in the Electric Vehicle Market”, the report finds that the market for mobile apps for EVs is still at a nascent

BMW Brilliance VP to head up Infiniti in China
Mr Kirchert succeeds Allen Lu who has been appointed managing director, Asia & Oceania operations (all countries in the region with the exception of China)

NV2500 is flagship vehicle for Mexican Red Cross
After proving its versatility and functionality, the Mexican Red Cross decided to integrate Nissan as a partner for its ambulance fleet this year. The vehicle’s

Iveco reinforces Middle Eastern plans with Iraq contract
Valued at €125m, the deal specifies the delivery of vehicles from Iveco’s light and medium ranges from 3.5 to 18 tonnes, including Daily vans and

Renault Flins plant in France to produce new Nissan Micra
Renault said it decided to assign the production to the Flins plant after having recently signed a new labour contract with its union representatives that

EU commercial vehicle registrations slump 11% in Q1
The figures, published by the ACEA, show that the Q1 downturn was seen across all segments. In total, 401,838 new vehicle registrations were recorded. All major

Mercedes Citan gets three stars in latest Euro NCAP safety tests
The recently launched van/MPV scored a three-star rating, with a 74% rating for adult safety, 69% for child safety, 56% for pedestrian safety and 33%

Economic downturn leads to 18% drop in European traffic congestion
Traffic patterns in 2013 continue on a downward spiral, with Q1 of 2013 showing a further 23 percent decline in European congestion, with drivers across

ALD Automotive hosts electric experience event for Eiffage Construction
In line with its mission to provide advice, ALD Automotive has running the events for the last year to help fleets take another step towards

New CO2 emissions policy proposes 95g/km target by 2020
The announcement by the European Commission’s Environment Committee also saw the call from MEPs for indicative targets for post-2020 CO2 emissions, with a range of

TomTom to offer tachograph services under DAKO partnership
The remote download, which will be available using the standard in vehicle on-board unit TomTom LINK 510, forms part of TomTom’s new partnership with DAKO,

Long-term CO2 targets must not be political, says ACEA
The organisation has stressed that the European automobile industry fully supports the pathway to achieving the EU’s long-term climate goals for 2050, and is committed

Robert Johnson appointed global head of automotive finance at CHP Consulting
Mr Johnson brings over 21 years of financial services experience to the company, which is a leading supplier of software and consultancy services to automotive

More action needed on EU lorry safety rules, says T&E
Under the recent European Commission proposal, new rules on the weights and dimensions of lorries would be introduced that would make them safer and more

Fleets invited to enter EuroTra Safety Award 2013
The award is sponsored by Volvo Truck Corporation of Sweden and is designed to recognise excellence through practices, techniques or procedures that directly relate to

MINI Clubvan
Sector: Car-derived van Price: €18,100-€22,600 Range: 3.9-6.6l/100km CO2: 103-152g/km MINI says its new Clubvan is a commercial vehicle for growing companies. So while it’s not going to be

Fleet Focus – Italy
The Italian new car market has been hit hard by the economic conditions faced by countries in the Euro with many dealers struggling to survive.

Shanghai Motor Show: Kia JV announces Chinese market brand
Speaking at the Shanghai Motor Show, Dongfeng announced the new brand will be called "Horki", which combines two Chinese characters "Hor", signifying China, and "Ki",

Smart to launch fortwo electric drive in China
The two-seater model features a 55kW electric motor with 130Nm of torque, giving it a 0-60km time of less than five seconds and a top

Shanghai Motor Show: SEAT embarks on Chinese model offensive including Ibiza launch
All three versions of the Ibiza will go on sale in China: the sporty compact three-door SC, the Ibiza ST estate, and the five-door model.

Shanghai Motor Show: Ford resurrects Escort name to cater for Chinese market
The concept model has been debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show and covers the affordable "middle ground" in the Chinese car market, above the locally

VW Group sales offensive in China to have eco focus
The investment programme, said to be the largest in China’s history according to CEO Prof Martin Winterkorn, will see the brand invest more than €9.8bn

US auto finance and leasing trends and prospects for 2013
At the turn of the year, I wrote that the global auto market looked set for a year of subdued growth outside of hotspots such

New car registrations down 9.8% in Q1, reports JATO
That’s the finding of the latest analysis from JATO Dynamics, which shows that registrations in the European new car market declined by 9.8% in Q1

Europcar launches new website for complete mobility solution
The company says the branding conveys its total commitment to the customer and to shaping a better future for customers’ mobility. It adds that the

ARI introduces enhanced call center technology for US and Canada
The new system – which began pilot testing in January 2013 and has been fully deployed throughout ARI’s five technical call centers located in the

Hyundai maintains European Q1 market share in challenging market
New figures from Europe’s automotive industry body, the ACEA show Hyundai has maintained its market share during the first quarter of 2013 at 3.5%, up

Enterprise branches into Austria, Hungary and Slovakia with new partnership
Enterprise’s expansion into Austria, Hungary and Slovakia deepens the company’s presence in central Europe through its wholly-owned operations in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain and

US: GE Capital Fleet Services announces safety recall reporting system with Carfax
Currently, recall notices are distributed directly from manufacturers to vehicle operators, putting the initiative to bring vehicles in for servicing with individual drivers rather than

Toyota hybrids save 34 million tonnes of CO2
The landmark achievement comes as the carmaker announces plans to continue working to further raise performance, reduce costs and expand its hybrid product range. Cumulative

Honda reports strong Q1 sales in Europe & UK
Over the first quarter of the year, the brand registered 40,499 units in Europe – up by 16.3% compared to 2012. This follows the announcement

BMW to start MINI Countryman production in India
The first models to be locally produced in Chennai will be the MINI Cooper D Countryman and the MINI One Countryman. India is becoming an

UK report calls for ‘unprecedented’ action to promote ultra-low carbon vehicles
The IPPR’s report provides a roadmap for the actions needed to develop the UK’s comparative advantage in the expanding international ULEV market. The IPPR advocates

GM addresses customer criticism with new, more efficient engine line-up for Europe
One new unit has already debuted in the new Cascada convertible and more petrol and diesel engines ranging from 1-litre to 2.5-litre are on the

CarCharging continues expansion of US network
The acquisition is CarCharging’s second this year, with Beam Charging’s 400 parking garages in New York City, and units in Boston, Washington and Philadelphie added

Chevrolet Spark EV begins production in Baltimore
The Chevrolet Spark EV is based on the conventional petrol-powered supermini, and uses a GM-designed permanent magnet motor said to offer high efficiency, reliability and

EU new car demand down 9.8% for Q1, reports ACEA
Over the first quarter of 2013, new car registrations amounted to 2,989,486 units, down 9.8% compared to the first three months of 2012. From January

CEA cuts carbon with Twizy Way car-sharing
A fleet of 20 shared Twizy electric quadricycles is now available for employees to use on site, located via a smartphone application which can also

Japanese carmakers have to put quality and safety first in supply chain contracts
Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda have had to recall 3.4 million vehicles across the world because of faulty airbags supplied by Takata Corp, which are

Jurgen Stackmann to succeed James Muir as chairman of SEAT
Mr Stackmann began his career at Ford in 1989 where he held various posts in Germany and the UK, including marketing director for German plants,

Increasing biofuel use to cost UK motorists £1.3bn a year
That’s the finding of a new report by Chatham House, which adds that biodiesel from vegetable oils is found to be worse for the climate

Chrysler management changes intended to 'reinforce its leadership ranks'
The changes, which are effective immediately, see Reid Bigland named president and CEO of the Ram Truck Brand. He continues as head of US sales, and president

Renault Clio
Sector: Supermini Price: €9,600-€14,900 (ex-taxes) Range: 3.2-5.5l/100km CO2: 83-127g/km The ongoing European economic problems have focused the minds of the motor industry and none more so than

Emissions caps can save tens of thousands of Euros, says PwC
The guide shows that the company car is already inextricably linked to carbon emissions-based taxes in 20 Member States across Europe, while other countries are

Motor Show – Geneva
Geneva has always been a showcase for the desirable and exotic, and the show excelled itself this year with models such as the McLaren P1,

Top road transport managers awarded by IRU
The award honours top managers of road transport companies, engaged in the national or international transport of goods or passengers by road, including taxi companies,

Shanghai Motor Show: Citroën outlines dual offensive for China
The brand has more than 20 years’ experience in the country but expanded this in 2012 with the market launch of the DS line models

European Commission proposes safer & greener lorry design rules
The changes include the introduction of a more rounded cabin at the front and aerodynamic flaps at the back to eliminate the current blind spots

Strasbourg Plug-in trial reveals 46% fuel savings
A fleet of 70 cars was deployed in the city in April 2010, and has since covered almost 2.5 million miles as part of the

Shanghai Motor Show: World premiere of MG CS urban SUV concept
The CS marks the brand’s first urban SUV and will rival models such as the Nissan Juke. The concept is the latest result of a

60-70% of drivers looking to book servicing online
The “After Sales Goes Online" study, conducted by the automotive consultancy wolk after sales experts in August 2012, questioned a total of 1,062 car drivers