Latest news
International news
German true fleet sector shows signs of recovery
November was a tough market for Germany but there were slight signs of recovery for the true fleet sector, according to latest Dataforce analysis.
Progress on new vehicle safety standards but not infrastructure safety
Industry and transport ministers from the 28 EU Member States have set out their official responses to three key pieces of road safety legislation, which
EU finalises car CO2 targets for 2030
The European Union is to push ahead with a controversial deal to cut new cars and van CO2 emissions over the next decade.
Trak Global Group expands into North America with IMS acquisition
Trak Global Group (TGG) is to acquire North America’s Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc (IMS) in a deal that will position it as one of the global
EU U-turn to force major changes for real-world emissions
Today, a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union will mean carmakers must take giant strides in real-world emissions performance to meet
EU new car market still suffering WLTP fallout
New car registrations in the EU fell for the third month running in November as the 1 September switch to the new WLTP cycle continued
Teletrac Navman names new VP and managing director
Teletrac Navman has appointed Richard Lilwall as the new vice president and managing director of its Europe division.
‘World’s biggest’ EV trial to test 3,000 electric vans with fleets
An electric vehicle project that will see up to 3,000 electric vans tested with UK fleets from mid 2019 has been given the green light.
Euro NCAP ‘Best in Class’ winners for 2018 revealed
Euro NCAP has announced the 2018 ‘Best in Class’ winners, reflecting those vehicles that have received the highest safety scores in recognition of their stand-out
Andrew Savvas named director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars UK
Volkswagen Passenger Cars UK has appointed Andrew Savvas as its director, effective in the first quarter of 2019.
Carlos Tavares re-elected ACEA president for 2019
The Board of Directors of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has re-elected Carlos Tavares as its president for the second year running.
Alphabet launches in Greece, Cyprus, Croatia and Bulgaria
Alphabet International has expanded into Greece, Cyprus, Croatia and Bulgaria under a new partnership with leasing expert Autohellas SA.
Why governments take the outsourcing option
A ‘perfect storm’ is forcing government fleets to outsource an activity that the overwhelming majority still complete in-house: routine vehicle maintenance. Steve Saltzgiver, a 30-year-plus
Road Test: Seat Arona 1.6 TDI
Seat’s Arona could just be what the market wants and needs, finds Jonathan Musk.
Fleet Logistics UK to drive business growth under new recruit
Fleet Logistics UK (FLUK) is looking to increase business at a local level with the appointment of Madelaine Webster as its new business development manager.
No-deal Brexit to cost UK auto sector €10bn a year
A no-deal Brexit could cost the UK automobile market some €10bn (£9bn) in annual revenue while making it hard for carmakers to justify having UK
Global fleets pledge shift to EVs
Major firms including BT Group and E.ON have become the latest to commit to deploying EVs under the EV100 initiative.
Alex Smith named MD of Volkswagen Group UK
Alex Smith is to become managing director of Volkswagen Group UK in the New Year, marking his return to the group after two years at
French true fleet sector fights WLTP effect
The French passenger car market remained less affected by the impact of WLTP than the other big European countries in October.
New-gen battery tech to provide 483km range in next Kia EV
Kia has confirmed its next major electric vehicle (EV), due circa 2020, will offer a range in excess of 483km miles and will likely be
Road Test: Peugeot Rifter
Part van, part MPV, part SUV, the Rifter is a multi-talented family-hauler, explains Alex Grant.
Škoda Scala takes fight to Golf and Focus
Škoda has taken the wraps off its Scala hatchback, which provides it with its first-ever direct rival to the VW Golf and Ford Focus.
Car sharing to bring cost savings and convenience for UK fleets, says Turo
Fleets could cut rental costs by up to 35% while also benefiting from increased convenience by turning to car sharing.
SUV future for diesel Kia models
Kia may have big plans for electric cars but diesel will still have a role in those sectors where it’s best served.
Radius debuts fuel cards for US fleet market
European fuel card provider Radius Payment Solutions is continuing its expansion in the US market by partnering with WEX to launch a new fuel card
Microlise takes 20% stake in Trakm8
Telematics giant Microlise has acquired a 20% stake in Trakm8 as it says the two firms will explore collaborations but will retain their separate operations.
Opel/Vauxhall confirms three-EV lineup in 2020
Opel/Vauxhall has confirmed plans to launch two new EVs in 2020, joining its electric Corsa – set to debut in 2019.
Country Profile: Czech Republic
The Czech Republic automotive sector has matured greatly over the past 12 months according to Rene Buzek, managing director of Autorola Czech Republic, with vehicle
Road Test: Mazda6
In a tough sector, the 6 offers something a little different to the norm, says Alex Grant.
ViaVan expands ridesharing service in London
Mercedes-Benz Vans and US technology start-up Via have expanded their on-demand ridesharing ViaVan joint venture further across London – including the scheme’s first UK airport launch.
Fiat Panda gets zero-star Euro NCAP rating
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been told to step up to the mark on vehicle safety after the 2018 Fiat Panda was given a zero-star rating
Hyundai Kona Electric driving range corrected
Hyundai has revised the official WLTP range for its Kona Electric SUV downwards after confirming it had suffered the same testing issues reported yesterday for
Whitehorn stands down as Hyundai UK president and CEO
Hyundai has announced that Tony Whitehorn is to stand down from his role as the company’s UK president and CEO at the end of this
Kia e-Niro official range downgraded
Kia Motors Europe has revised the WLTP range figure for its forthcoming e-Niro SUV as it says the previously published figures had been incorrectly supplied
Road test: Kia Sportage
There are some notable new diesel options behind Kia’s refreshed best-seller, explains Alex Grant.
EU Member States agree on new vehicle safety standards
The EU is to push ahead with introducing legislation which will require various safety features to be included on a range of vehicles with the
Italian State Police deploys Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross on fleet
The Italian State Police (Arma dei Carabinieri) has added the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross to its vehicle fleet.
PSA to supply compact van to Toyota under latest collaboration
Groupe PSA and Toyota have announced the terms of their latest deal, which will see PSA provide Toyota with a compact van while exiting its
Comment: Still little progress on WLTP homologation status
Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics, looks at the latest update for carmakers’ WLTP testing programmes in Europe.
Shared mobility and public transport ecosystems to converge
Shared modes of transport will continue to grow in significance and the ecosystems of shared mobility and public transport are likely to converge as a
ADESA Remarketing parent to acquire major European online auction company
KAR Auction Services, the US parent of ADESA Remarketing, is to acquire Belgium-based online auction company CarsOnTheWeb (COTW) in a move that will significantly extend
Tesco, VW and Pod Point to roll out UK’s ‘largest free charging network’
Tesco is to fit more than 2,400 charging bays at some 600 stores over the next three years – said to mark the UK’s largest
Kia Soul EV brings extra power and range
Kia has unveiled its second-generation Soul EV, which launches in 2019 and will bring increased power and range.
Cap to launch cross-border RV analysis tool
A new international residual value analysis tool that offers fleet operators a deeper understanding of cross-country trends is to launch from Cap HPI.
A clear policy: The fleet benefits of proactive accident management
Accidents are an unfortunate part of fleet management but they can be mitigated through proactive management programmes which puts the welfare of staff first. Curtis
No-deal Brexit would be ‘catastrophic’ for UK auto industry, survey finds
Three-quarters of carmakers in the UK say a ‘no-deal’ Brexit would hit their business, impacting on profitability and future investment in the UK.
Mazda3 to debut compression ignition engine
Mazda has revealed its new Mazda3 range, which debuts later today at the Los Angeles Auto Show and will launch the brand’s new ultra-efficient compression
Road Test: Hyundai Nexo
The Nexo SUV brings hydrogen fuel cells a step closer to mass market appeal, explains Alex Grant.
2019 Toyota Prius debuts all-wheel drive tech
The 2019 Toyota Prius will feature a new, intelligent, electric all-wheel drive system as well as updated styling and extra tech when it launches in
ChargePoint to expand network under latest funding
ChargePoint has secured investment of $240m as it looks to further expand its network in Europe and North America, and expand its fleet solutions.
Nine in 10 UK fleets plan to go electric in next decade
The majority of fleets are looking to go electric in the next 10 years, driven by rising government pressure as well as advances in technology.
