The latest fleet news

CFC Solutions warns how crucial maintenance checks are for extended life fleets

CFC Solutions, the market leader in the supply of fleet, contract hire and workshop management solutions, is warning companies extending their vehicles into a fifth year of operation that maintenance must be made a priority in order to ensure that their fleets are kept in a good and safe condition. This helpful advice comes at a [...]

VermillionMVT: How businesses can benefit with PDA mobile job management

VermillionMVT, the Preston based fleet management business and a leading provider of application tracking software and flexible technology solutions for businesses and individuals, is eager to explain the broad range of benefits of PDA mobile job management to those businesses that may not be familiar with such technology that offers an immediate return on investment. PDA [...]

Continued surge in student numbers enables unemployment to fall

Continued surge in student numbers enables unemployment to fall, despite fewer people in work as private sector sheds jobs, says CIPD Dr John Philpott, Chief Economic Adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) comments as follows on official labour market statistics published earlier today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which update [...]

Almost 50% agree with plans to fine drivers who leave engines running

Nearly half of people agree with plans to fine drivers who leave their engines running unnecessarily according to a new poll by Motorpoint. Some 47% of motorists surveyed by the car supermarket giant backed the move by North Lincolnshire Council to charge drivers £20 every time they leave their engine running for too long while loading [...]

IMI honour top industry achievers

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) celebrated the achievements of automotive companies and individuals in the Skillmiles scheme at its Annual Dinner last week in the presence of the Institute’s Patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent. In front of an audience of more than 340 industry executives who attended the prestigious annual event at The [...]

Honda: affected models are not sold in Europe

Honda will recall approximately 344,000 Odyssey and 68,000 Element vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years in the US to modify the Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA®) modulator. Honda has received customer complaints of brake pedals that feel "soft" or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops. In [...]

Too expensive to fill up! Fleet Voice

Fleet Voice Column. March 17, 2010. The 2010 Formula One Season kicked off in Bahrain and saw Spaniard Fernando Alonso take a win on his Ferrari debut. It was a mixed event for British challengers, as Lewis Hamilton made it onto the third step of the podium, however reigning world champion, Jenson Button had a frustrating [...]

Responsible young drivers can earn insurance savings

As part of its campaign to address the most at-risk drivers on our roads – young drivers – the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) has provided an incentive for young drivers to be safer. IAM Surety Insurance, offered exclusively to IAM members via Adelaide Insurance, has until now been targeted at drivers aged 21 and above. [...]

Lex Autolease survey reveals company cars mean fast cash for UK businesses

Lex Autolease, the UK’s largest company car and van provider has recently commissioned a survey, in partnership with YouGov, which has highlighted the growth funds being raised through ‘sale and leaseback’ agreements with one in four (27%) financial directors intend to offload company-owned vehicles in a bid to raise more cash. The survey reveals that [...]

Lombard: Fundamentals of Salary Sacrifice need to be understood by fleets

Lombard Vehicle Management, the UK’s largest asset finance company are warning that fleets need to have a better appreciation of the fundamentals when it comes to salary sacrifice. Whist they may be flavour of the month a lack of understanding of what is involved in this type of scheme may spell problems for both employer [...]

‘Not a drop; not a drag’ campaign steps up a gear

Road safety charity Brake and Direct Line today reveal an overwhelming cry from the British public for Government action to 20curb the menace of drink and drug driving. The call comes in the same month as the findings from an inquiry on drink and drug driving by Lord Peter North for the Department for Transport are [...]

Toyota say recall programme on course

One month on from the launch of Toyota’s accelerator recall campaign, work has been completed on more than half – 90,000-plus – of the cars that have been identified as requiring attention. An even larger proportion of recalled Prius models have received adjustment to their braking software programme with 58 per cent of the affected vehicles [...]

The CIPD People Management Awards to celebrate good practice through recession in 2010

Nominations for the 2010 Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) People Management Awards are now officially open. Standard categories such as Employee engagement and Organisational learning will be contested as normal, alongside The Michael Kelly Outstanding Student Award, introduced this year to recognise the contribution CIPD students make to business success. An overall winner [...]

Bank of England study adds dose of realism to assessment of UK labour market outlook

Responding to today’s analysis in the latest Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin of UK labour market adjustment during the recession, the CIPD’s Chief Economic Adviser, John Philpott, says that Bank officials have produced a realistic assessment of the outlook for jobs: “The Bank of England study adds a dose of realism to the view that [...]

April’s bike tyre safety month

Free campaign materials are now available for motorcycle dealers, tyre retailers, specialist repairers and motorcycle accessory shops enabling them to participate in April’s bike tyre safety month. The campaign is being organised by leading tyre safety action group, TyreSafe, and aims to raise awareness about the importance of correct tyre care and maintenance at this [...]

Ian Lucas plugs in to the UK’s first solar-powered electric vehicle charging point

Business Minister Ian Lucas yesterday announced £8.4m funding for a new training centre for the low carbon vehicle industry, meeting students from Gateshead College who will be using it to learn new low carbon skills. The new centre will train those already working in the sector, young people and adults, and students from age 14 upwards [...]

Ebbon-Dacs warns companies of the cost of using outdated technology

Ebbon-Dacs, the Oxford-based online solutions provider, is warning companies that employing outdated technologies to source and buy their new vehicles could be costing their businesses dearly. The supplier of the fleet industry’s leading e-procurement solution, Leaselink, used by 10 of the UK’s 15 largest contract hire and leasing companies to source and procure new vehicles electronically, [...]

New LPG rental service set help businesses save

A new vehicle hire company aims to provide businesses with a low cost, low carbon vehicle hire solution. As the UK’s first all-LPG vehicle hire firm, Wolverhampton-based Auto LPG Vehicle Hire provides business customers with a range of LPG vehicles including Ford Transits and Citroen Berlingos, available for short term hire. The firm offers flexible [...]

Comment: Brake urges cross-party support on lower drink-drive limit

The Sunday Times has reported that Lord Adonis, the transport secretary, expects an official review of the drink and drug drive laws by Sir Peter North to recommend reducing the legal drink-drive limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg. He said he would take this “very seriously” and added: “A strong [...]

January’s motor finance sales up almost a quarter on previous year

The latest motor finance figures from the Finance & Leasing Association showed that the return of the 17.5% VAT rate and heavy snowfall impacted on sales in January, but consumer new car finance sales were up almost a quarter on last year. Consumers bought 23% more new cars using motor finance through dealers in January than [...]

BENTLEY consumer reviews

Richard, Essex on the Bentley Continental GT

I test drove the GT Continental. A very good car car but not a great one. Then I drove the GT Speed. What a difference! The handling and acceleration show a significant improvement and the car is slightly lower on the road giving it a sportier look, particularly with the distinctive wheel trims. A GREAT CAR THAT PUTS A SMILE ON YOUR FACE!

Jasim, Berkshire on the Bentley Azure

I have always loved Bentleys, they are a car in a class of their own. To own this car makes a statement and I very much enjoy using this car when attending meetings. It is the hight of luxury indeed but is also a car that will hold value and will never let you down which makes it an investment. Not a car you would use for everyday errands but something to be cherished and use for enjoyment.

Mark, Lancashire on the Bentley Continental Flying Spur

I run a luxury chauffer business and the Bentley CFS is very much a favourite, especially for our VIP airport taxi service. A beautifully crafted car and as fantastic to drive as you would expect. The CFS costs less to buy and run than other luxury cars out there but has a real touch of class about it that others lack. 5 out of 5.

Frank, Hampshire on the Bentley Continental GT

Great car, fantastic performace, all let down by: The engineers must have left the tea boy to design the Sat Nav, no post codes, rubbish interface, slow and the tea lady must have designed the blue tooth phone system. How can Bentley spend so much on the development of a car, could then not have ask one of their mates at Audi how its done!!

Peter, Surrey on the Bentley Continental GT

The GT has great presence, handles the road very well, is VERY comfortable and has an excellent stereo. If you spend the extra on a Mulliner specification you won’t regret it. The main thing about this car is its sheer speed - the acceleration is utterly relentless - it simply keeps going and is simply phenomenal for its weight. You have to drive it to truly understand. On the downside - heavier steering than you would imagine (because it is 4WD), not as noise proof as you would imagine (despite being double-glazed), tyre noise (because it is 4WD and has 20 inch rims), the bluetooth set up is very poor (limited to certain phones if you want to use your phone book or voice command) and the Sat Nav does not even use postcodes (it really is shockingly awful). Going back to the speed of the car, the same of it is that all that power is going to waste as there is very little opportunity to enjoy it. Oh, one more thing - you worry whenever you park it - will it will be scratched, bumped or have "extra" hand prints on it when you return? Honestly - a truly great car but I am not going to buy another one after I sell this one.

Dave, Yorkshire on the Bentley Continental GT

Superb luxury car. Indeed a Ferrari in a Saville Row suit. I’ve owned it for 12 months and I’m always excited as soon as I sit in the car and fire the beast up. Highly recommended. What more could you ask for?

Chris, Lincolnshire on the Bentley Arnage R

Charisma. Some cars have it, some don’t. Then there are the cars that have it leaching from every component part. These are few and far between and time with these cars is something to be treasured. It’s about setting the alarm for that 4am blast through the city, plotting a route across a continent that takes in roads that look like an industrial accident in a noodle factory and never being able to walk away from the car without a backwards glance. Cars like the Bentley Arnage R do that to you.

Dave, London on the Bentley Continental GT

Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Edition - a fantastic everyday supercar with fabulous comfort, performance and space. This car would be hard to beat.

Terry, Buckinghamshire on the Bentley Continental GT

Powerful, stylish and with great handling. You get what you pay for.

Peter, Lancashire on the Bentley Continental GTC

Probably one of the best cars that you can buy! Simply fantastic. Bit less room that on the coupe, boot a bit smaller but who cares. As quiet & refined as the superb coupe with the roof up & the best looking convertible with the roof down. Mulliner specification is the one to get.

The latest road tests

Alfa Romeo Mito - Following on from Alfa’s popular new MiTo launched in 2009 comes the MiTo MultiAir. MultiAir is much more than a marketing buzzword as it unquestionably signifies a major advancement in petrol engine [...]

Vauxhall Insignia - Vauxhall’s inspired replacement for the functional yet incredibly dull Vectra, the Insignia, has certainly blown away the design cobwebs at the manufacturer. It is without doubt one of the prettiest c [...]

Nissan NV200 - Nissan introduced the NV200 to the European market as a concept at the Hanover Motor Show back in 2008 and the production model has set the tone for its future LCV line-up. The NV200 is a nimble packa [...]

Toyota Auris - Launched in 2007 as the successor to the long-serving, record-selling Corolla, for 2010 the Auris has been restyled inside and out with revised suspension, newer Optimal Drive engines and spec enhance [...]

Skoda Roomster - The Roomster is the least known of the current model line up at Skoda even though it has been an integral part of their family for several years and in many ways it’s easy to see why. There’s no doubt [...]

Ford Galaxy - The Galaxy gains a new turbo petrol engine and twin-clutch gearbox, while the diesel engine line-up is also revised. Upgraded trim levels bring more standard equipment, but the Galaxy’s impressive sev [...]

The latest traffic information

M2 Medway Bridge, Kent: Maintenance Inspections

To ensure that the M2 Medway Bridge is effectively maintained, the Highways Agency will be inspecting the bridge near junctions 1 to 3 on the M2 in Rochester, Kent from Monday 15 March until the end of May. Work will take place first on the coastbound carriageway and then later on the London-bound carriageway. All [...]

Boost to Economy as £8 Million Improvement Work On M4 Start Early

Advance work to improve safety and tackle congestion on the M4 in Berkshire started this month. Work is now underway on an improvement scheme to the M4 between junction 8/9 at Maidenhead and junction 10 at Wokingham costing £8 million – £4 million of which is Government fiscal stimulus funding. The Highways Agency is strengthening [...]

Highways Agency to install protective screens on Woodway Lane footbridge after objects thrown from bridge

From next Monday, the Highways Agency will begin work to install protective screens on the Woodway Lane footbridge which crosses the M6 between Junction 2 (Coventry) and Junction 3 (Bedworth). This follows repeated incidents of objects being thrown from the bridge, resulting in more than ten vehicles being struck. A local partnership, including the Highways [...]

Good News for Motorists – M4 Works between J18 and 19 completed eight days ahead of schedule

Work to replace 4.3 miles of steel central reservation barrier with a safer concrete barrier between junction 18 (Bath) and 19 (M32 Bristol) of the M4 has been completed a week ahead of schedule and half a million pounds under budget. A combination of careful planning and good weather has helped the project team complete [...]

New traffic lights for A628/A57 junction, Hollingworth

The Highways Agency will be carrying out work to install new traffic lights at the junction of the A628 and A57 in Hollingworth Village near Glossop. Work will start on Monday, 22 March and will be completed on 30 April. As well as installing new traffic lights, work will also take place to provide pedestrian [...]

West Midlands motorway and trunk road maintenance programme 15-21 March 2010

M6 Junction 14 (Stafford North) to Junction 13 (Stafford South) The southbound M6 between junction 14 and junction 13 will be closed overnight from 8.00pm to 6.00am from Saturday 20 March to Sunday 21 March for the removal of narrow lanes as part of hard shoulder strengthening. This will include the entry slip road at [...]

Yorkshire and the Humber Roadworks Update; Saturday 13 March to Friday 19 March

M1, Junction 30 (Barlborough) to Junction 31 (Aston), south of Sheffield Slight delays are expected on the M1 between Junction 30 (Barlborough) and Junction 31 (Aston) due to sign repair work. There will be two lanes closed on the northbound carriageway overnight from 9pm on 18 March until 5am on 19 March. M1, Junction 32 [...]

Overnight closures to install bridge beams over the A421

The project to improve safety and cut congestion on the A421 between Bedford and the M1 at Junction 13 moves a step forward next week, Monday 15 March, weather permitting, when work will begin to place the beams on the two new bridges at Marsh Leys Junction. The bridges are being built to carry the [...]

Roadworks information for Highways Agency roads in Cumbria and North Lancashire – 7 days beginning Monday 15th 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 15th March 2010

ONGOING 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 [...]

Highways Agency meet with project partners and local residents to address M6 work concerns

The Highways Agency are working closely with Walsall Council and the residents who live closest to the M6 roadworks near Junction 10 (Walsall) to find solutions to their concerns and develop new ways of working for the remainder of the project. Last week, the Highways Agency met with project partners Carillion and Mouchel at the [...]

North East roadworks update – 13th March – 19th March

A1M, Junction 62, County Durham Slight delays are expected overnight on the A1M at Junction 62 for CCTV camera installation works. There will be one lane open north and southbound on the slip roads and circulatory between 8pm and 6am. The works will take place until 13 March. A1 Newcastle Gateshead Western Bypass, [...]

M25 widening making good progress – work to start between junctions 18 and 21

The next stage of a major construction project to widen the M25 in Hertfordshire is being marked by public exhibition at Hunton Bridge in Abbots Langley. The Highways Agency is widening the motorway from three lanes to four between junction 16, for the M40, and junction 23, for the A1(M). The M25 is also being [...]

Good News For Motorists – Mere A303 Works Completing Nine Days Ahead Of Schedule

Major resurfacing and maintenance work on the A303 near Mere is being completed nine days ahead of schedule and around £1 million under budget. All traffic management and diversion routes will be lifted by the evening of Friday, March 12 marking the end of these major works in Wiltshire. A combination of careful planning and [...]

Driver Advice Crufts 11-14 March 2010

Visitors to Crufts this week are being advised by the Highways Agency to plan their journey and allow plenty of time to get to the event. With around 150,000 people expected to attend the show, surrounding roads, particularly the M42 and M6, are likely to be very busy. The Highways Agency has had the electronic [...]

Work to repair A47 carriageway

Repairs to a section of the A47 west of Dereham are set to start on Thursday 11 March. The work involves replacing several concrete carriageway slabs with an asphalt surface on the westbound carriageway as well as repairs to Scarning Bridge on both east and westbound carriageways. The work will be carried out between 8pm [...]

Smoother road surface for the A46 at Winthorpe, Nottinghamshire

A scheme to resurface the Winthorpe roundabout, and repair sections of the A46 carriageway near Winthorpe will start on Monday, 22 March. The work will take place overnight between 8pm and 6am for four nights, but while the resurfacing and carriageway patching repairs take place there will be lane and carriageway closures. From Monday 22 [...]

A500 Stoke on Trent (Etruria to Porthill) improvement update

Work on the A500 Etruria to Porthill improvement scheme is continuing on schedule despite setbacks caused by the recent adverse weather. The majority of street lighting columns have been erected and work to reconstruct the footpath is ongoing. From next week, as announced in the original notification of works, the speed limit through the roadworks [...]

Weekly Summary of Roadworks for M25 – 11/03/2010

A traffic management summary for both new and ongoing work All dates and times subject to weather conditions M25 Widening M25 junction 27 The anti clockwise link road leading to the M11 northbound will be closed overnight for 11 nights from 10.00pm to 05.30am from Monday 15 March 2010 until Friday 26 March [...]

Weekly Summary of Roadworks in Kent & Sussex – 11/03/2010

A traffic management summary for both new and ongoing work All of the following work is dependent on suitable weather conditions. M20 Junction 8 Ashford Road The A20 Ashford Road Bridge, which runs above the M20 junction 8 overbridge will be closed until mid March. The work is being carried out in order [...]

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