The latest fleet news

Fleet and nearly-new values improve in static February market

BCA’s Pulse report shows that average used car values rose marginally in February, increasing by under half a percent compared to January’s figure to £5,959. Average values rose in the fleet/lease and nearly-new sub-sectors, with values falling by just £10 in the part-exchange market. The overall average value for cars sold in February was £5,959  – [...]

One month left to enter Fleet Safety Forum Awards

The deadline for entries to the Fleet Safety Forum Awards for Excellence is fast approaching on 12 April 2010. Organisations that have worked to improve fleet safety are being urged to enter the annual awards, run by the Fleet Safety Forum, a division of Brake, the road safety charity. Awards will be presented at a [...]

Average new car CO2 emissions fall by biggest ever margin

Average new car CO2 emissions fell by their biggest ever margin last year with the impact of recession and the Scrappage Incentive Scheme boosting the continued influence of technological advances made by vehicle manufacturers, according to the annual New Car CO2 Report released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The average new car [...]

Daimler sells equity in Tata Motors

Daimler yesterday sold all of its 5.34% of the ordinary shares of Indian automotive company Tata Motors to various groups of investors through the capital market. Tata Motors’ share price has risen significantly, especially last year, so Daimler will receive a substantial cash inflow of approximately €300 million from the sale of its shares. The [...]

Fleet across the pond: free admission for fleet managers at 2010 Institute & Expo

There’s no better place for a US fleet manager to be this April than NAFA’s 2010 Institute & Expo (I&E) in Detroit. With more than 175 of the leading fleet and automotive industry companies exhibiting their products and services, it’s a great opportunity to meet and do business with vendors on a one to one [...]

Boom or bust? Fleet Voice

Fleet Voice Column. Wednesday 10 March 2010 If you watch the news, you cannot have failed to notice that Portsmouth of the English Premier League is currently in big financial trouble. In fact it is so bad they are in administration and will be deducted nine points when the Premier League board meets next. Sitting at [...]

An interview with Roslyn Cumming of Brake and the Fleet Safety Forum

The Fleet Safety Forum is run by road safety charity Brake to provide risk management advice and help to fleet managers through guidance, events and resources. As around one in three road crashes involves a vehicle being driven for work, Brake sees it as a priority to help fleet managers improve safety and reduce the [...]

Inchcape ‘One To Watch’ in Best Companies survey

Employees of Inchcape Fleet Solutions, the Portsmouth-based vehicle leasing and fleet management specialist, have for the first time taken part in the annual staff survey by Best Companies, which has earned the company ‘One to Watch’ status in the ‘2010 Best Companies To Work For’ survey. Inchcape Fleet Solutions, who has more than 50,000 company cars [...]

Kwik-Fit Fleet Launch High-Tech Service24

Kwik-Fit Fleet, Britain’s largest independent fast-fit company, provides a range of driver support services to a majority of the UK’s leading contract hire and leasing companies and it has now launched its new web-enabled Service24 initiative, offering an improved fleet driver communication and  enhanced data information service. While some company car and van drivers are directed [...]

Mycompanyfleet has the answer to increased grey fleet miles

Mycompanyfleet, NorthgateArinso’s automotive software division, has listened to the needs of local authorities and responded to the Government’s call for local authorities to reduce their grey fleet miles. The fleet software and management systems provider has launched a new software solution that allows employees to locate and evaluate the cheapest options for making any necessary [...]

Highways Agency to repair the Shelton New Road Bridge over the A500 near Etruria and undertake improvements to the A5045

Highways Agency contractors will begin works on the Shelton New Road bridge (A5045), where it crosses the A500 between Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, on 15th March 2010 and work is expected to take 12 weeks to complete. Essential repairs to the bridge structure, waterproofing and drainage will be undertaken prior to resurfacing and the renewal of [...]

Comment: ABD condemn plans for M20 variable speed limits

The Association of British Drivers denounces Highways Agency plans to impose variable speed limits on part of the M20 as an unnecessary burden on drivers and a waste of money. The proposed ‘controlled motorway’ scheme between junctions 4 and 7 will see mandatory speed limits, varying according to traffic flow, enforced by digital speed cameras.  [...]

Toyota plan to introduce hydrogen fuel cells into European vehicles

Toyota and the Clean Energy Partnership announced that Toyota has become a new international auto partner for the organisation. The move will add further impetus to CEP’s programme of advancing sustainable mobility through the development of hydrogen filling stations and a fuel supply network in Germany. CEP’s activities are supported by the German Government, which is [...]

Embedding diversity into talent management strategy will give organisations the edge when building for recovery, says new CIPD research

Diversity should be threaded through all talent management activities and strategies so organisations can reap the benefits of accessing and developing talent from the widest possible pool. This is the main finding of a new Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) research report, Opening Up Talent for Business Success: Integrating Talent Management and Diversity, [...]

Honda to provide aid for Chile Earthquake victims

Honda would like to express its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of the February 27th earthquake which struck Chile. In response to this tragedy, Honda will provide the following assistance to the affected area: * Honda South America Leda. will make a cash donation of 250,000 US dollars (approx. JPY22.5 million). * Honda’s local operations in [...]

Jungheinrich man receives Services to Forklift Truck Industry Award

At the recent Forklift Truck Association (FLTA) Annual Awards ceremony, Jungheinrich UK Ltd’s Gunter Fritzsche’s outstanding work in the forklift truck market over four decades was recognized when he was awarded the 2010 FLTA Award for Services to the Forklift Truck Industry. The FLTA’s Services to the Fork Lift Truck Industry award is dedicated to individuals [...]

Toyota evaluates unintended acceleration complaints

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., has received verifiable information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about some vehicles whose owners have reported unintended acceleration after receiving the accelerator pedal recall remedies. As soon as Toyota received the vehicle owner information from NHTSA, it moved quickly to evaluate the vehicles and interview the owners. Although [...]

Volkswagen Group make their offices more energy efficient

The Volkswagen Group saves around 9.26 million kilowatt hours per year following the reorganization of its office equipment infrastructure. The project started in 2005 and came into full effect for the first time last year. The company thereby reduces its energy requirements in this area by 86 percent as compared to 2005. The savings achieved [...]

Industry Hero Award for Northgate employee

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) have noted and commended Northgate Vehicle Hire’s Claire Piggott on developing, with support from IT Analyst Programmer Stephen Thompson, a pioneering safety-focused online vehicle recall system, earning her the title of 2009 BVRLA Industry Hero in the Commercial Vehicle category at the Association’s annual dinner. Claire, Recalls [...]

HiQ: Motorists worry about cost of service whilst ignoring real cost of neglect

HiQ Network, the fast fit tyre, brakes, exhausts, batteries, MOTs and vehicle servicing and maintenance provider, are warning that 36 per cent of motorists, worried about the cost of their annual service, are electing to ignore their annual service and are therefore putting themselves and their passengers at risk by neglecting this safety procedure, relying [...]

The latest traffic information

Weekly Roundup of Roadworks in Surrey, Hampshire, South Oxfordshire and South Berkshire

A traffic management summary for both new and ongoing work All of the following work is dependent on suitable weather conditions. M4 between Baydon & Membury Service Station The final phase of the maintenance work on the M4 between Baydon and Membury Service Station is continuing this week. Narrow lane traffic management is in place [...]

New rules to improve safety and information at road works

All road works will need to be clearly signed and meet strict rules on safety under plans published today by Transport Minister Sadiq Khan. Utility firms already have to provide information at road works – including a contact telephone number and details of who is carrying out the works – as well as meeting high [...]

M6 Delivering Managed Motorways traffic management update for Thursday 11, Friday 12 and Saturday 13 March February 2010

The Highways Agency will be carrying out work overnight later this week to install new overhead gantries, signs and signals as part of the expansion of the Managed Motorway scheme on the M6. The overnight closure for Thursday 11 March is: * Closure of M6 Southbound J10 exit slip road to A454. The overnight closures for [...]

Lorry overtaking restriction made permanent to cut congestion on A1 (M) near Durham

A daytime ban on overtaking by heavy vehicles on two stretches of the A1(M) in County Durham becomes permanent on 31 March after a successful 18 month trial resulted in less congestion and improved journey time reliability. The restriction will be in place between 7am and 7pm each day on two uphill stretches of the [...]

A38 Maintenance Work at Turfdown Roundabout

Improvements and maintenance work on the Turfdown Roundabout and A38 between Carminow and Colesloggett will begin Monday March 15. In order to make journeys more reliable for road users, the Highways Agency will resurface the road and widen the surface area, improve the kerbing, lights and road signs, and clear vegetation. Narrow lanes and a [...]

M45 closure in both directions for weekend maintenance work

The M45 in Northamptonshire and Warwickshire will be closed in both directions this weekend to allow works to take place on the carriageways and verges. Drainage and road surface studies will be undertaken, and resurfacing work and tree-felling will also take place during the closures. Investigation work will start on Friday 12 March at 8pm [...]

Overnight closures on westbound A14 in Northamptonshire as part of ongoing £70 million technology upgrade

A £70 million Highways Agency scheme to install congestion-busting electronic equipment along the A14 will require five nights of closures in Northampton next week. The westbound A14 carriageway will be closed between junction 2, and the Catthorpe Interchange at junction 19 of the M1 for the technology installation work. The A14 at junction 13 will [...]

New traffic lights signal start of roundabout works

The Highways Agency will begin work to upgrade traffic lights on the roundabout at Junction 34 (Meadowhall) of the M1, on Monday 15 March. This work is the first phase of a scheme to widen the roundabout. The scheme will increase the capacity on the roundabout and reduce congestion at the junction. Before the widening [...]

Highways Agency to repair the Shelton New Road Bridge over the A500 near Etruria and undertake improvements to the A5045

Highways Agency contractors will begin works on the Shelton New Road bridge (A5045), where it crosses the A500 between Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, on 15th March 2010 and work is expected to take 12 weeks to complete. Essential repairs to the bridge structure, waterproofing and drainage will be undertaken prior to resurfacing and the renewal of [...]

East of England roadworks update: Monday 8 – Sunday 14 March 2010

NEW WORK M1 JUNCTIONS 10 TO 10A SPUR LUTON – REPAIRS TO NEWLANDS ROAD BRIDGE Work to renovate the bridge over Newlands Road on the M1 spur near Luton, began in September.  The work involves replacing the bridge parapets and carrying out drainage and resurfacing work.  While the work is being carried out two [...]

East Midlands motorway and trunk road works programme – Monday 8 to Sunday 14 march 2010

EASIER WHEELCHAIR ACCESS FOR EAST MIDLANDS LAY-BYS The Highways Agency is to construct new drop kerbs at lay-bys across the East Midlands to allow easier access for wheelchair users. Work started on Monday, 1 March to lower the kerbs on lay-bys on the A1 from Blyth to South Witham and the A46 between the M1 [...]

Yorkshire and the Humber Roadworks Update – Saturday 6 March to Friday 12 March

M1, Junction 32 (Thurcroft) to Junction 33 (Catcliffe), south of Rotherham Slight delays are expected on the M1 between Junction 32 (Thurcroft) and Junction 33 (Catcliffe) due to bridge works. There will be various lane closures in both directions between 9pm and 6am from 8 to 12 March. M1, Junction 33 (Catcliffe) to Junction 34 [...]

North East roadworks update – 6th March – 12th March

A1M Junction 61, County Durham Slight delays are expected on the A1M between junctions 61 and 60 for bridge repair works. There will be a 24 hour lane closure southbound. The works will take place until March. A1M, Junction 62, County Durham Slight delays are expected overnight on the A1M at Junction 62 for bridge inspection works. [...]

West Midlands motorway and trunk road maintenance programme 8-14 March 2010

M6 Junction 2 (Ansty) The northbound exit slip road of the M6 at junction 2 will be closed overnight from 8.00pm to 5.00am from Friday 12 March 2010 to Saturday 13 March 2010 for the installation of CCTV Cameras. A diversion route will be clearly signposted. M6 Junction 4 (Coleshill) The northbound slip road of [...]

Roadworks information for Highways Agency roads in Cumbria and North Lancashire – 7 days beginning Monday 8th March 2010

ONGOING SCHEMES A595 West Lakes Science Park to Bigrigg (resurfacing and drainage) – traffic signals for resurfacing and drainage works. Work continues until the 26th March. M6 (Cumbria) Between Junctions 39 and 40 Shap to Penrith (bridge works) – various lane closures and contraflow in both directions for bridge improvements. Work continues until the 26th [...]

Roadworks information for Highways Agency roads in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire – 7 days beginning Monday 8th March 2010

NEW SCHEMES M57 Junction 2 to Junction 1 Prescot to Huyton (safety system) – overnight closure southbound from 22.00 to 05.00 between Monday 15th March and 19th March for installation of the MIDAS traffic safety system. M53 & A41 M53 Junction 4 to Junction 5 Bebington to Ellesmere Port and A41 junction with M53 Junction [...]

M25 making good progress – work to start on next section: junctions 28 to 29 in Essex

The next stage of a major construction project to widen the M25 in Essex is being marked by public exhibition in Brentwood today and tomorrow, Friday and Saturday 5 and 6 March. The Highways Agency is widening the motorway from three lanes to four between junction 27, for the M11, and junction 30, for the [...]

Easier wheelchair access for East Midlands lay-bys

The Highways Agency is to construct new drop kerbs at lay-bys across the East Midlands to allow easier access for wheelchair users. Work started on Monday, 1 March to lower the kerbs on lay-bys on the A1 from Blyth to South Witham and the A46 between the M1 and Hykeham. The scheme will continue on [...]

New Message Signs On M54 eastbound to provide information to road users

The Highways Agency is installing new variable message signs on the M54 eastbound between Junction 4 (Shifnal) and Junction 3 (Albrighton) to give drivers the latest information about the road conditions ahead. Work to install the new ‘MS3’ signs will begin this week and they are due to come into use by the end of [...]

Highways Agency to resurface the M5 northbound near Junction 8 (Strensham)

The Highways Agency is planning to resurface a short stretch of the M5 northbound adjacent to Strensham services to improve safety for road users. The works, which are due to start on 8 March will take place on a one mile section of the M5 northbound and is due to be completed on the 26 [...]