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International news
LeasePlan net result down as CarNext investment rises
LeasePlan has posted Q2 2019 results that saw the net result fall 79% in line with long-term investment decisions.
Karhoo and iVcardo partner for global first and last-mile travel solution
Ride-hailing platform Karhoo has teamed up with booking and dispatch platform iVcardo in a move that expands its services globally as part of expansion plans.
ARC Europe and EVBox partner for pan-European EV assistance
ARC Europe, which provides B2B roadside assistance and mobility solutions in Europe, and electric vehicle charging stations specialist EVBox are partnering to bring assistance services
WorkWave enhances GPS and route planning with HERE mapping
WorkWave has switched to using mapping data, routing and geocoder solutions from HERE Technologies for its global route planning and optimisation tools.
VW-backed used car platform expands into UK
The Heycar used car marketplace has launched in the UK, backed by Volkswagen and Daimler.
BMW 225xe Active Tourer treated to 25% more electric range
BMW has launched the new and improved BMW 225xe Active Tourer plug-in hybrid (PHEV), featuring 25% more electric range and 15% lower CO2 emissions, taking
Eworks Manager gains video telematics under SmartWitness tie-up
The Eworks Manager workforce management software is being augmented with video telematics functionality, available to all global clients.
Dutch corporate drivers look to employers for charging their electric vehicle
Three-quarters of Dutch corporate drivers with an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle report that there are not always enough charging stations available at the workplace.
Mercedes-Benz to show off new electric EQV at Frankfurt Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz has announced it will show for the first time its high-capacity electric “sedan” EQV, alongside other plug-in vehicles and trade-fair firsts at the IAA
Cryptocurrency to the rescue of road safety?
Dolphin Technologies’ Mobilio cryptocurrency could be the answer to saving lives by reducing the desire for drivers to check mobile phones when behind the wheel.
Juvare expands operations in European market
Juvare – maker of incident management system, WebEOC – has announced significant expansion in Europe, following a key hire.
BMW 530e gets 30% range increase and 20% lower CO2
The popular plug-in hybrid BMW 5 Series, 530e, has been updated with the latest battery cell technology, which sees it offer an electric range of
ViaVan launches app for first/last mile service
ViaVan has announced a new public transportation deployment on behalf of Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) to bring first-and-last mile delivery solutions to train stations in the
Opel Combo Life gets new three-cylinder petrol engine
Opel has added a new top-of-the-range petrol engine to the Combo Life range.
SEAT to offer corporate carsharing through Respiro
Announced at ‘Madrid on the move by SEAT’, the company will begin offering carsharing services through Respiro.
Fleetondemand acquires FleetEurope
Mobility technology provider Fleetondemand has acquired Buckinghamshire-based vehicle management company FleetEurope for an undisclosed sum.
Audi introduces new cheaper reduced-range e-tron
Audi’s smaller battery pack and lower power e-tron 50 quattro should offer more fleet appeal for the company’s first pure-electric car.
Citycarver model adds off-road appeal to Audi A1
Audi is launching a new Citycarver version of its A1 supermini to bring offroad appeal.
Jochen Sutor joins LeasePlan as chief financial officer
LeasePlan Corporation NV has named Jochen Sutor as its new chief financial officer (CFO) and member of the Managing Board, effective 1 October 2019.
Brexit deal crucial to continued Ellesmere production, PSA reiterates
Unfavourable Brexit conditions could see Vauxhall parent PSA ship Astra production out of the UK, the firm has warned again.
New Sportback added to Audi Q3 range
The new Audi Q3 Sportback will be available to order next month, complementing the second generation Q3 range.
Avis Budget Group launches new mobility solution in Italy
Avis Budget Group has launched a new, pay-per-kilometre, mobility brand in Italy, dubbed Smile Rent.
First Drive: Mazda CX-30
Not just the Mazda3 on stilts, the CX-30 strengthens the Japanese brand’s SUV range, thinks Martyn Collins.
Over-emitting Euro 6 vehicles jeopardise clean air zones
Both the UK’s DVSA and Allow Independent Road-testing (AIR) have conducted tests on Euro 6 cars, finding most emit higher NOx emissions than the limit
B2B customers gain access to Free2Move Rent’s database
As part of its short-term car rental business, Free2Move, Groupe PSA’s mobility brand, is opening up the Free2Move Rent database to B2B customers.
European car market drops in June, as SUV sales decline
Following two consecutive months of growth, the European car market dropped in June by 7.9%, with 1.49 million vehicles registered, reports Jato Dynamics, with fingers
VisionTrack appoints new european sales director
VisionTrack – a provider of connected vehicle cameras and video telematics – has appointed Vernon Bonser as European sales director.
Nissan to cut 12,500 jobs globally
In the wake of its first quarter results, Nissan will cut 12,500 jobs across its global workforce, as well as a reduced model line-up.
Daimler Financial Services becomes Daimler Mobility AG
Today, 24 July 2019, Daimler Financial Services AG will begin operating under the name of Daimler Mobility AG.
Trakm8 expands in Ireland
Trakm8 is expanding its telematics, vehicle cameras, optimisation and fleet management solutions presence in Ireland by signing up as an associate member of the Freight
Driving bans imposed in Paris and Lyon
French temporary environmental zones are already in place following the current heatwave in Europe.
Škoda releases two new equipment packages for Fabia
New Black and Comfort packages will join the Škoda Fabia line-up for the 2020 Model Year.
BAIC invests in Daimler
Beijing Automotive Group Co. Ltd. (BAIC Group) becomes the latest investor in Daimler AG with a 5% stake following a strategic partnership that has been
Volvo recalls more than 500,000 cars following engine fire risk
Investigations by Volvo Cars has identified that in very rare cases, the plastic engine intake manifold may melt and deform on certain models.
European emissions ‘mixed progress’, says EEA
Only “mixed progress” has been made by EU Member States in reducing emissions under their UN convention obligations, with 2017 observing increases in several emissions
New technology gives fleets real-time, independently verified CO2 data
New cloud-based technology is being launched globally to allow fleet managers to control the environmental impact of their individual drivers and curb their business carbon
Renault and JMCG establish JV for electric vehicles in China
Renault and Jiangling Motors Corporation Group (JMCG) have officially established a joint venture to further promote the development of the EV industry in China.
LeasePlan’s CarNext.com acquires tech platform AutoManager
LeasePlan’s CarNext.com has acquired technology company AutoManager for an undisclosed amount.
Alphabet extends European remarketing partnership with BCA
Alphabet International has extended its pan-European remarketing partnership with BCA until the end of 2023.
ALD Automotive launches ALD Carmarket in UK
ALD Automotive has launched a new digital sales platform, offering ex-lease vehicles to buy at a fixed price, auction, sealed bid or countdown price drop.
MG confirms launch of three new EVs by 2021
MG is setting its sights on electrified vehicles to act as the tip of its fleet sales increases with two new plug-in hybrid models and
UK Government urged to accelerate E10 introduction
E10 fuel should be introduced to the UK by 2020 latest to help save the equivalent emissions of 700,000 cars and safeguard the future of
EU car registrations down 3.1% in first half
New car demand in the European Union continued to struggle in the first half of 2019, with registrations down 3.1%.
AstraZeneca to switch global vehicle fleet to EVs
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has committed to switching its global 16,000-strong vehicle fleet to electric by 2030.
Bynx 12.9 puts remarketing and compliance in the spotlight
Bynx has released version 12.9 of its eponymous fleet and mobility management platform, which brings new, improved design and functionality including an emphasis on remarketing.
Deadline approaches for 2019 Prince Michael Road Safety Awards
Organisations have just a fortnight left to enter the 2019 Prince Michael International Awards, which recognise the ‘most outstanding’ road safety initiatives.
Autonomous Lexus LS takes to roads in Belgium
A Lexus LS fitted with Toyota’s autonomous driving technology is to start trials on public roads in Brussels.
CarsOnTheWeb becomes ADESA Europe
Global remarketing giant KAR Auction Services Inc has launched its ADESA Europe digital auction after rebranding the former Belgium-based CarsOnTheWeb (COTW).
NEVS and AutoX tie-up to bring large-scale ‘RoboTaxi’ pilots by 2021
Swedish EV manufacturer NEVS and autonomous vehicle start-up AutoX have signed a partnership that could see the first large scale RoboTaxi pilots in Europe by
Via launches first autonomous vehicle service
US mobility technology firm Via has launched its first public autonomous vehicle (AV) service.
Ford and Volkswagen alliance advance electric and self-driving car developments
Ford and Volkswagen are to invest billions in advancing electric and self-driving car developments under an enhanced global collaboration.
