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German cities win right to ban diesel
Germany’s highest administrative court has ruled that cities can ban diesel cars to tackle air pollution in a move that could set a precedent worldwide.
Honda CR-V debuts hybrid power and seven-seater option
Honda’s new CR-V will debut a hybrid powertrain for Europe and a seven-seat option while ditching diesel powerplants.
Sofico opens German office
Software provider Sofico has opened a new German subsidiary with a local office to enhance its service to customers in the country.
CoolKit introduces Melform to UK & Ireland
CoolKit has secured the sole distribution rights for Melform products, enabling it to offer the firm’s range of insulated and temperature-controlled containers in the UK
Next-gen Toyota hybrids to offer all-wheel drive
Toyota has announced a variety of new engine and transmission technology, the core of which will see its next-generation hybrids offering all-wheel drive.
Lexus reveals X1-rivalling compact SUV
Lexus has unveiled more details of its UX compact crossover, which will bring the fight to the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.
UK true fleet market continues to decline
The UK’s true fleet fell for the 10th month running in January with a continued decline also seen in the private market.
Kia Optima upgrade brings new engines
Kia has facelifted its Optima saloon and Sportswagon estate models with a new, lower-emission diesel and new mid-range petrol unit alongside new safety equipment.
Hyundai Kona Electric revealed with 292-mile WLTP range
Hyundai has revealed the electric version of the Kona compact SUV, confirming a range of almost 300 miles under the new WLTP cycle and rapid
Q&A: Michael Cole, COO Kia Motor Europe
Michael Cole, chief operating officer at Kia Motors Europe talks to Martyn Collins about alternative vehicles, new products and the future of fleet.
Higher taxes on road fuels could plug Brexit budget gap
Increasing taxes on road fuels could be one of the ways to help mitigate a future €12bn-a-year gap as a result of the UK’s departure
Rising EU car registrations bring no relief from diesel decline
European car registrations increased 7.1% in January but drivers continued to turn away from diesels.
Alphabet grows operational lease portfolio 5.5%
Alphabet International saw growth in both its operational lease portfolio and overall order volumes in 2017 while also outperforming the new car market on uptake
Geely chairman acquires 9.7% holding in Daimler
Li Shufu, founder of Chinese automotive firm Geely, has acquired a 9.7% share in Daimler, becoming the biggest shareholder in the company.
EU commercial vehicle registrations put in strong start to year
The EU market for new commercial vehicles rose 7.9% in January with increases seen across all segments, according to latest ACEA figures.
Nissan and DeNA to start autonomous taxi trials
Nissan and tech firm DeNA are to trial a new autonomous taxi service from next month with a view to launching the service from the
Advertising standards ruling to take toll on Irish used car market
The ASA ruling on the value of ex-fleet cars could result in a large influx of stock into Ireland, with a potentially “disastrous” effect on
Volvo XC60 takes UK Car of the Year title
Volvo’s XC60 has taken the overall winner title in this year’s UK Car of the Year Awards.
UK government loses third case over illegal air pollution
The UK and Welsh governments will be required by law to draw up new plans to cure illegal levels of air pollution, following a third
Volvo reveals new V60 estate
Volvo Cars has unveiled the new V60 estate, which will renew its presence in the compact executive sector when it goes on sale later this
Rotary power returns as part of Mazda’s eco range
Mazda has confirmed its first electric car will be available with an optional range extender; the first rotary engine fitted to its production models since
New UK MD at Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi has named Rob Lindley as its new UK managing director from 16 April, succeeding Lance Bradley.
Europcar and SnappCar develop car sharing solution
Europcar Group and peer-to-peer car sharing firm SnappCar have launched a new car sharing solution in Germany and Denmark following an initial trial.
New Peugeot 508 targets the premium brands
Peugeot hopes to attract fleets back to the D-segment with the new 508, re-designing it as a four-door coupe with a view to improving residual
Tougher action needed to curb rising oil demand, says BP
Global oil demand and CO2 emissions will be higher in 2040 than in 2016, even with a total worldwide ban on all new combustion engine
Lexus UX crossover to bring fight to X1 and Q3
Lexus has teased an image of its forthcoming UX compact crossover, which will provide a rival to models including the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and
Seat enters carsharing sector with Respiro acquisition
Seat is expanding its mobility services focus with the acquisition of Spanish car sharing firm Respiro.
Global light vehicle sales up 2.4% in 2017
Soaring demand in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America helped the LCV and car market rise 2.4% in 2017.
Italian true fleet market rises as private registrations fall
The Italian fleet market put in a strong start to the year, although private registrations didn’t fare so well, according to latest Dataforce figures.
Vans, lorries and buses should come with standard alcohol interlocks, says new report
Alcohol interlocks should be mandatory in all new professional vehicles and retrofitted to cars used by repeat drink-driving offenders.
Seat reveals Tarraco seven-seat SUV
Seat has released the first image of its seven-seater SUV, confirming it will be named ‘Tarraco’ when it launches later this year.
LeasePlan’s Sandra Tappermann-Pieper on future fleet strategies
Sandra Tappermann-Pieper, global director of marketing and branding at LeasePlan, speaks to Natalie Middleton about global marketing campaigns and new propositions for the corporate, SME
Smaller electric vans hit parity with diesels
Running costs for smaller electric vans are already on a level as diesel rivals, enabling an extra 80,000 to take to Europe’s roads, a new
EU car registrations up 7.1% in January
Car registrations in the EU rose 7.1% in January although the rise was attributed to a positive calendar effect.
Enterprise expands into Finland
Fleets will now be able to access Enterprise Holdings’ services in Finland following the appointment of the LänsiAuto Group as its franchisee for the country.
Countdown begins to International Fleet Meeting 2018 at Geneva
Fleet managers have just a few weeks left to register for this year’s International Fleet Meeting, which will bring senior industry speakers, a panel discussion
Arval targets non-company car drivers under growth plans
Arval plans to significantly grow its international business by targeting non-company car drivers within its clients’ organisations.
Subscription models underpin LeasePlan strategy
LeasePlan is placing increasing focus on usership and subscription models as it announces global fleet and profit growth for 2017.
Arval spearheads flexible EV solution as global fleet increases
Arval has announced new product launches, including a flexible electric vehicle leasing solution with Renault, Nissan and NewMotion, as it expand its global fleet.
Europcar Group appoints group corporate sales director
Tony Mikkelsen has joined Europcar Group as group corporate sales director.
New BMW X4 revealed
BMW has revealed the second-generation X4 coupe-SUV, replacing a model which has sold 200,000 units since it launched in 2014.
Jean-Roch Piat named divisional CEO Europe at BCA
BCA has appointed Jean-Roch Piat as divisional CEO Europe with overall responsibility for the firm’s European business.
UK accounts for one in six hybrids registered in Europe
The United Kingdom was the largest-volume market in Europe for electrified vehicles during 2017, accounting for one in every six registered across the region, figures
Exceptional year for EU-5 true fleet market
The EU-5 true fleet market stepped up a gear in 2017 with one exception, according to latest figures from Dataforce.
Commercial Vehicle Partnership brings wide range of fleet services
A new commercial vehicle ‘one-stop shop’ provider has launched, bringing a range of services for anyone running a CV fleet.
South European project to bring ultra-fast charger network from late 2018
A new project that will bring a high-power electric vehicle charging network from late 2018 is now underway.
TomTom expands On-Street Parking Service
TomTom’s On-Street Parking service is now available in 100 cities across Europe, including 13 new locations in the UK.
Hyundai Kona Electric details leaked ahead of reveal
Hyundai has begun taking pre-orders for the Kona Electric in South Korea, hinting at a model range which is likely to be echoed when it
Iveco and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions offer Green Finance Schemes
Fleets can now get preferential financing conditions on a range of Iveco Natural Power models under a new scheme.
Remarketing notes: Land Rover Discovery
Dieter Fess analyses the resale value of Land Rover’s seven-seat family SUV Discovery.
Updated Skoda Fabia drops diesels
Škoda’s updated Fabia will introduce an exclusively petrol engine line-up as it drops the 1.4-litre TDI.
