Latest news
International news
Trump’s tariffs – the impact on fleets
With his ‘America First’ mantra, President Trump is trying to protect his own county’s economy by proposing tariffs on a wide range of products –
Lighten up: How vehicle developments are driving more cost-effective fleets
New lightweight materials and body structures – and production techniques – are leading to more cost-effective vehicle fleets. By Dave Moss.
Renault partners with energy firms to advance switch to EVs
Renault has signed partnerships with European energy firms that will bring a number of innovations to help drivers transition to electric vehicles.
LeasePlan shelves IPO plans ‘due to market conditions’
LeasePlan has cancelled plans for an initial public offering “due to market conditions”.
Sofico positions self for UK growth with new regional office
Sofico has established a regional office in the UK to bring enhanced services for its growing local customer base.
Mike Todd named as new CEO at VWFS UK
Mike Todd has returned to Volkswagen Financial Services (UK), taking on the role of chief executive officer.
JLR to close Solihull plant for two weeks
Jaguar Land Rover has announced a two-week shutdown period later this month at its Solihull plant as it looks to take further action on declining
EU softens CO2 targets
EU environment ministers have rowed back on average CO2 targets for manufacturers, amid industry concerns that they were unrealistic. Last week saw MEPs vote in
Enterprise promotion brings faster access to free rental days
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has launched a new promotion that enables loyalty members to earn double points on qualifying rentals.
Opel to drop slow-sellers as new models arrive
Opel is discontinuing the Adam, Karl and Cascada next year, as it readies a streamlined range of new models in the market’s highest-volume segments.
Arval used vehicle leasing could cut costs for SMEs
Arval has launched a new used car leasing solution in the UK, said to bring substantial savings for fleets.
VW ‘turbocharges’ connected car plans with Microsoft partnership
Volkswagen is accelerating its plans for digital services under a new partnership with Microsoft.
ALD issues first-ever Positive Impact Bond
ALD has issued an inaugural Positive Impact Bond to finance green fleet vehicles in a first for the fleet industry.
Profile: Seat
Seat’s sales increases are testament to a brand on the move, with a new and popular SUV range, worldwide sales ambitions and the brand serving
Fleet Focus: Sweden
Brian Madsen, Autorola Sweden’s country manager explains the massive hike in sales in June and how export is helping balance a restricted demand for used
2019 BMW 3 Series Plug-in Hybrid specs revealed
Following the global reveal of the new generation BMW 3 Series, the forthcoming plug-in hybrid is shown as offering a 72km electric range, low CO2
MEPs vote for 20% car and van CO2 cut by 2025
The European Parliament has voted in favour of a 20% targeted reduction in new car and van CO2 emissions between 2021 and 2025, with sub-50g/km
Paragon Software Systems expands in US
Paragon Software Systems has opened a second office to expand its presence in North America.
Germany targets older diesels to curb air pollution
Germany’s biggest carmakers are to incentivise drivers in the country’s most polluted cities to swap out of Euro 5 and older diesel cars, or fund
Car2go to launch in Paris with all-electric fleet
Daimler carsharing subsidiary Car2go is to launch in the French capital in January 2019.
Bigger, tech-laden BMW 3 Series revealed
BMW’s seventh-generation 3 Series sedan will introduce a new platform along with plug-in hybrids, enhanced driving dynamics and new technologies when it goes on sale
Senior hire at Wex Europe Services
Fuel card provider Wex Europe Services has appointed Jason Stanton to the newly created role of customer services director.
Renault confirms full hybrid Clio, Captur and Megane
Renault will launch hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Clio, Captur and Megane starting from 2020, enabling customers to “go electric without changing their
Nissan launches new 1.3-litre petrol in Qashqai
Nissan has replaced the outgoing 1.2 & 1.6-litre petrol engines with a new 1.3-litre DIG-T, which debuts on the Qashqai and promises to provide better
Calls for better ULEV support, as EU votes on CO2 targets
National governments and car manufacturers are being warned that they must better support Europe’s ultra-low emission vehicle market, ahead of the European Parliament vote on
Renault goes live with all-electric car sharing service in Paris
Fleets can now access 120 Renault electric vehicles in Paris and Clichy under a new car sharing service.
FleetLocum brings interim fleet management services to UK
FleetLocum is expanding from Europe into the UK to provide organisations with access to temporary or interim fleet management services.
Škoda Vision RS concept hints at new Rapid
Škoda is to showcase a high-powered plug-in hybrid hatchback concept at the Paris Motor Show, likely to preview the replacement to the Rapid hatch as
Honda CR-V hybrid offers diesel-like CO2 emissions
Honda has published fuel and CO2 figures for its new CR-V Hybrid, which offers similar CO2 emissions to the 1.6-litre diesel it replaces, despite the
Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche to step down in 2019
Dieter Zetsche is to step down from his position as chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars in
Interview: Edward Kulperger, Geotab
With a growing global customer base, Canada-based telematics company, Geotab, reckons there’s untapped value for vehicle data that goes far beyond the traditional fleet-focused use
First Drive: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Does Mercedes-Benz’s latest C-Class rewrite the rules for the compact segment, asks Jonathan Musk…
DS 7 Crossback PHEV targets sub-50g/km CO2
DS Automobiles will add a 300hp plug-in hybrid to the flagship DS 7 Crossback SUV next year, offering CO2 emissions of under 50g/km on the
ALD Automotive France launches EV and private leasing solutions
ALD Automotive France has launched three new services and mobility solutions for its corporate and private customers.
Volvo V60 Cross Country brings offroad capabilities
Volvo is launching a new V60 Cross Country following the arrival of the standard estate model this summer.
WLTP helps French true fleet market buck summer trend
The French true fleet sector rose 28.9% in August – normally the quietest month of the year – ahead of the 1 September switch to
German true fleet registrations surge in advance of WLTP
The German new car market set a new record in August with growth seen across all channels ahead of the 1 September switch to WLTP.
Manufacturer Profile: Citroën
Prestige, quirky, innovative, cheap, luxurious – the French manufacturer has been called every name in the book and produced some of the most recognisable vehicles
European fleet sales up 38% ahead of WLTP
The European new car market saw its highest August registrations in 20 years due to a major rise in pre-WLTP fleet demand.
UK’s City Auction Group to branch out into Europe
Remarketing specialist City Auction Group is to further develop its UK facilities at Rockingham “into a dedicated defleet and vehicle remarketing fortress” as it also
Avis UK rolls used car sales onto single platform
Avis Car Rental UK has launched a new online portal that brings its used car sales under one banner.
UK fleet association extends global reach
UK fleet decision-maker association ACFO is expanding its global work as it looks to pool fleet management best practice.
Peugeot shows 49g/km 3008 and 508 PHEVs
Peugeot is to launch high-performance plug-in hybrid versions of the 3008 SUV, and the new 508 and 508 SW this autumn, offering CO2 emissions of
First Drive: Suzuki Swift Sport
Lighter and more powerful, the new Swift Sport aims to upset the apple cart, discovers Jonathan Musk…
Porsche drops diesel citing rising PHEV demand
Porsche is not reintroducing diesel engines back into its range, claiming the fuel had a ‘secondary role’ and that it will instead focus on meeting
BMW and Daimler to form urban mobility joint venture
The BMW Group and Daimler AG have formed a 50/50 joint venture to establish a standalone mobility services company, set to operate across Europe.
PSA Group trio elected International Van Of The Year 2019
PSA’s Peugeot Partner, Citroën Berlingo Van and Vauxhall/Opel Combo vans have taken the International Van Of The Year 2019 (IVOTY) title.
A6 and Touareg score five-star Euro NCAP ratings
Euro NCAP has released the results of its latest tests, which saw both the Audi A6 and the VW Touareg achieve a maximum five-star rating but the Suzuki Jimny
Seat Tarraco targets corporate fleets with flagship SUV
Seat has revealed its Tarraco seven-seat SUV, which will provide it with a flagship model, including a PHEV version, to target corporate fleets with.
EU new car market records ‘exceptional’ rise ahead of WLTP
New car registrations in Europe saw unseasonable growth over the summer in advance of the shift to the new WLTP cycle.
Renault concept shows vision for last-mile delivery solution
Renault has unveiled an autonomous, electric robo-pod concept that it says could help transform the last-mile delivery sector.
