“Motor retailers will gain little from the Government’s three per cent business rate deferment scheme, when many are facing real-terms increases of up to 30 per cent on their rates,” according to Sue Robinson, Director of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), commenting on a new Government support scheme for business.
The scheme, going live from [...]

Statistics released yesterday by Truckersworld suggested that thefts from lorries have risen by 63 per cent in the last year; however, in stark contrast, TruckPol, a unit dedicated to combating freight crime, has disputed the claim, announcing that the rate of offences has in fact fallen.
TruckPol, a division of the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service [...]

Fleets are downsizing the company cars they choose, but while engine size is getting smaller there is no compromise on performance and the big winner is carbon footprint reduction, according to new analysis by leading contract hire and leasing company ALD Automotive.
The standout downsizing trend has been in the upper medium sector, historically, the dominant [...]

Honda (UK) has reappointed the AA to manage its Hondacare Roadside Assistance programme. The new agreement promises customers an all-encompassing package and improved levels of service.
Honda is committed to delivering a ‘first time fix’ for customers at the roadside in the event of a breakdown. This means getting customers mobile as soon as possible with [...]

The Humber Bridge tolls will not be increased, Transport Minister Sadiq Khan announced today. The tolls will remain at their current levels in light of the current economic climate.
Sadiq Khan said: “The Government is doing everything it can to protect communities and businesses from the economic downturn, and to help the country recover.
“I do not [...]

Italian carmaker Fiat has announced that it has reached an agreement with British School of Motoring (BSM) for its Fiat 500 and Fiat Grande Punto models to roll out across it’s 14,000 strong fleet of instructor cars.
The two companies signed a four year deal, after the long standing Vauxhall/BSM deal recently ended, and according to [...]

Kwik-Fit Fleet is to capitalise on rocketing demand for company car and van servicing and MoTs.
Britain’s largest independent fast-fit company is to expand its current network of 452 centres offering fleet servicing and MoTs to 500 in the next few months. Some of the new centres will be equipped with two MoT bays thus further [...]

Leading independent automotive distributor and retailer Inchcape says its ’self-help measures’ helped the company deliver strong cash flow despite unprecedented market conditions.
Inchcape plc yesterday announced its half year results for the period ended 30 June 2009. Operational & strategic highlights include an increased share in most markets, continued strong Aftersales contribution, significant like for [...]

UK drivers could face a roadside saliva drug test if they are caught not wearing a seat belt or speeding in France. The one in 20 of Brits who used cannabis recently could be on a collision course with France’s policy of zero tolerance towards any trace of illegal narcotics.
As part of their campaign to [...]

A package of measures to tackle the disruption caused by road works was announced by Transport Minister Sadiq Khan today as he approved the country’s first ever road works permit scheme.
Road user groups, utility companies, bus operators and local authorities will be called to a road works summit hosted by Ministers and a new system [...]