Europe’s first full hybrid supermini will be the second Toyota model to include the brand’s Hybrid Synergy Drive following the Auris Hybrid last year.

This time however, the petrol electric powertrain has been made more compact, reducing its weight by 20%, thereby boosting the model’s efficiency.

Cosmetically, the Yaris Hybrid will look and feel just the same as a regular Yaris with the same new-design face of Toyota.

The 98bhp (74kW) powertrain will aim to balance performance and CO2 emissions with drivers able to choose drive modes that cut out NOx, particulate and CO2 tailpipe emissions.

Fuel consumption figures are expected to follow closer to the model’s launch this summer.

Nearly one in ten motorists say they don’t belt up with one in five people claim the same; a shameful statistic in the view of the IAM’s Neil Greig.

Greig, Director of Policy at the IAM, said: “Everyone should look after their loved ones, especially on Valentine’s Day. There’s no greater passion killer than a car crash.

“Research shows that one in five occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seatbelts. That’s more than 300 preventable deaths a year.

“That’s why we are asking drivers and passengers to make sure everyone is buckled up this Valentine’s Day, especially the young men.”

Over a quarter of motorists on the roads for between three and six years confess to not bothering with a seatbelt; the same can be said for 17% of men under 30.

The IAM advises that drivers and passengers should always wear a seat belt, even on short journeys, and never to let extra people in without belts or let them share the same belt.

Fleets have until 15 March to put into words how they integrate risk assessments and formal structures, set and monitor safety performance targets, amongst other criteria in their application form.

The ETSC’s third annual awards are set to commence at the PRAISE seminar in Brussels this May and form an important element of the Preventing Road Accidents and Injuries for the Safety of Employees (PRAISE) project.

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of the ETSC, said: “I hope this award will motivate employers to take on the challenge and reap the benefits of managing road safety as an integral part of their working practice.

“Introducing road safety measures makes good business sense, particularly in a tough economic climate when employers should want to cut the costs of collisions in their vehicle fleets.”

To keep it fair, entrants will be split into two separate categories according to their size. Companies will be able to apply as an SME or as a larger company/employer.

Visit http://etsc.eu/PRAISE-award.php for more on how to apply.

Road Safety Analysis compiled collision risk rates for young drivers supplied by local authorities, finding that young rural drivers are 37% more likely to be involved in an injury collision than their urban counterparts.

Young drivers throughout the country are already more likely to be involved in a crash with 30% of all motor vehicle drivers involved in collisions aged between 16 and 29 years old, yet this age group only made up 18% of the population.

The report also claims that young rural drivers are two-thirds more likely to be involved in an injury collision than more mature motorists.

Dan Campsall, Director of Road Safety Analysis – specialists in examining road casualty trends – said: “Younger drivers from rural areas are much more likely to be involved in a crash where someone is injured, and we need to see a package of measures developed that can bring about a change. 

“This may require investment in transport infrastructure, community bus schemes and further driver training to affect the inequality that these drivers are experiencing.”

The full report along with a breakdown of casualty rates for all 206 highway authorities has been made available at roadsafetyanalysis.org.

In a list of the top 50 fleet cars of last year – published by BusinessCar magazine with the help of SMMT data – Ford claimed the top two spots with the Focus and Fiesta while Vauxhall’s Astra followed in third.

Volkswagen’s Golf was the only non-British model in the top six at fourth before Vauxhall flew the flag with the Insignia and Corsa in fifth and sixth respectively.

There was further recognition for British manufacturing with Nissan’s Qashqai – which is built in Sunderland – at eighth.

BMW’s 3-Series, VW’s Passat, and the Mercedes C-Class completed the top ten list.

In a separate list, Vauxhall and Ford were revealed as the two most popular brands amongst fleets last year, switching places from 2010’s list.

The blue oval offloaded 154,272 units to fleets in 2011, 1,400 short of Vauxhall’s debunking 155,688 fleet sales. The closest rival to threatening the Brits’ fleet dominance was Volkswagen with 108,352 fleet sales, lagging by nearly 46,000.

Speaking to BusinessCar, the SMMT’s Paul Everitt said that fleet and business market has been stable but didn’t expect it to change much over 2012.

Although the majority of manufacturers now offer low carbon variations on their models, the SMMT head believes it will be a few years before hybrid and electric technology bears a notable influence on fleet sales.

“I think the fact that we’re seeing a variety of vehicle manufacturers put hybrid technology into the marketplace is moving it closer to the mainstream but it’s still a relatively small part of the market although it is growing,” said Everitt.

“Electric vehicle and plug-in is a very important development but it will be a number of years rather than next year before we see a substantial number registered.”

2011’s top ten best selling fleet cars

Source: SMMT & BusinessCar

Formed on New Years Day, Saab Parts UK will write a new page in the ill-fated manufacturer’s history, providing genuine Saab parts with a two year warranty and customer service packages across the UK’s 87 authorised repairers.

Corin Richards, MD of Saab Parts UK, said the aim was to continue providing a parts and customer care facility for the 188,000 motorists still driving Saab models.

He commented: “With a dedicated network of Saab Authorised Repairers covering the whole of the UK and the Channel Islands, Saab owners can be reassured that their vehicle will still be looked after by experienced and trained Saab technicians and only genuine Saab parts will be used.

“Saab Parts UK has now established itself with its first successful month of trading and coupled with the on-going partnership from the network will continue to provide high quality vehicle care.

“Moving forwards, we will continue to expand our customer programmes offering added value.”

Around 200 ‘competitively priced’ Saab models remain unregistered in the UK and the brand’s three year Roadside Assistance will continue for all Saabs registered new before 29 November 2011.

Visit www.saab.co.uk to locate your nearest authorised repairer.

The new look saloon and ST estate – which features in our ‘Top 5 fleet saloons’ list – has been relaunched with a few vital engineering upgrades to go with its fresh face.

Bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, new alloy wheel designs, improved leather on the steering wheel and revised upholstery all maintain the Exeo’s premium look, but CO2 emissions have also been cut to 129g/km thanks to an improved 2.0 TDI common rail powerplant. Throwing Start/Stop technology in to the equation slashes the Exeo’s emissions to under 120g/km.

Fleets with the Exeo saloon can also now achieve a fuel consumption of 58.9mpg.

Peter Wyhinny, MD of SEAT UK, said that the rejuvenated Exeo range arrives in SEAT showrooms at a great time.

He commented: “With another record year under our belt in 2011, and sales continuing their upward trend so far this year, our dealers are already busy.

“The revised Exeo is yet another reason for buyers to visit – and that’s all before the new Ibiza supermini range and brilliant new Mii city car make their UK debuts.

“2012 is set to be the most exciting year in SEAT’s history, and the Exeo gets things off to the perfect start.”

Visit SEAT.co.uk for more info.

Five of the popular EVs are now available from the hire firm’s London and Paris bases for short term hire as part of a three month trial. Three of London’s five will be available to consumers with the remaining two reserved for corporate clients.

With a range of 110 miles, the fully electric, C-Charge exempt hatchback is well suited for London driving, reckoned Rafael Girona, Chief Operating Officer of Europcar.

“Europcar has long believed in electric vehicles as a sustainable means of mobility and is committed to enabling early adoption of this type of vehicle,” said Mr Girona.

“We are proud to partner with Nissan to facilitate expansion of electric vehicles and provide our customers with the greenest possible mobility solutions.”

The zero emission vehicle will certainly meet London Mayor Boris Johnson’s approval as the capital battles to reduce its CO2 output and improve air quality.

Guillaume Cartier, Vice President for Sales Operations at Nissan International SA, hoped that customers would become LEAF lovers by evaluating the car in their own time.

Ken McCall, Managing Director of Europcar UK Group, added: “Hiring a Nissan LEAF could be the ideal option for motorists keen to reduce their fuel costs and avoid congestion charges.

“At the forefront of electric vehicle technology, it fits perfectly with our philosophy of pioneering sustainable car hire solutions, giving customers a real choice when it comes to car hire.”

Both companies will assess the trial’s success in May and could roll out the LEAF to other French and British cities if it proves a hit.

Roddy Graham, Commercial Director at Leasedrive, said: “We are delighted that one of the world’s leading providers of outsourcing services should continue to be delighted with the fleet management outsourcing services it receives from Leasedrive.

“Capgemini has been a client of ours for five years and has 1,050 current and 3,500 eligible company car drivers.

“We continue to receive excellent feedback from our annual driver surveys and have fine-tuned driver choice even further over the past 24 months. The number of manufacturers now totals 16 and comprises Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes, Mini, Renault, SEAT, Skoda, Smart, Toyota, Vauxhall, Volvo and VW.

“In terms of greener vehicles, Capgemini is already running hybrid vehicles and is now evaluating electric vehicles to assess them for possible addition in the future.”

Positive, pro-active, supportive

The pleasure was shared by Ruth Makepeace, Employee Benefits Manager at consulting, technology and outsourcing service providers Capgemini.

“Their positive, pro-active and supportive approach to fleet management has enabled our relationship to go from strength to strength,” she commented.

“In addition, during the last 18 months, we have seen a 30 per cent increase in company car scheme take up. This increase is testament to the collaborative work that has taken place between Capgemini, the driver helpdesk and our account manager.”

Capgemini is currently working with Leasedrive on achieving its sustainability targets, with resultant benefits to drivers in terms of improved fuel economy and to Capgemini in terms of a lower carbon footprint through reduced CO2 levels.

Capgemini’s car eligible employees have the opportunity to opt into the car scheme at any time during the year. By offering a salary sacrifice scheme the employee saves tax and National Insurance on the monthly lease charges making it a cost effective way of leasing a car.

The money, which comes in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced at the start of 2011, will be used to promote cycling by improving cycle routes, cutting the UK’s CO2 output while hopefully strengthening the economy.

The Cycle Rail Working Group will receive £7m to improve integration between cycle and rail at stations while the remaining £8m will go to enhancing cycle paths.

The announcement will come as good news to fleets pushing drivers towards cycling as a cleaner and cheaper alternative form of transport.

Tackle climate change

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said this extra funding highlights the Government’s proactive attitude to delivering sustainable transport.

“If we are serious about reducing carbon, then we need to get more people walking and cycling, but we must do it in a way that boosts the economy,” he commented.

“I want this fund to support projects that create growth and tackle climate change by cutting our carbon emissions.

“I look forward to seeing the projects put forward by Sustrans and the Cycle Rail Working Group and working with them to deliver transport that is greener, healthier and improves quality of life in our communities.”

The two groups’ successful projects will be announced next month.

The new vans are being used by the regional technicians for fleet inspection and tyre replacement duties, serving First Group, Britain’s biggest bus operator running almost 8,000 vehicles.

Bridgestone’s Nichola Randall, the manager responsible for fleet vehicles, said the vans were the right combination of price and purpose.

She explained: “The role of the regional technician is to offer cover and support to the UK-wide team of technicians while the vehicles will be used to carry light equipment for electronic fleet inspections and heavyweight equipment such as tyres and wheels.

“When making a choice of new vans for the fleet, we found the Primastar SE to have the best specification for the price, as well as being appropriate for the job.”

The three vans are based at Bridgestone’s Suffolk, Leicestershire and South Wales depots.

Barry Beeston, Nissan’s fleet sales director, added: “The Primastar is a great match for Bridgestone’s requirements, enabling them to transport various items of equipment, whilst providing a high level of flexibility.

“The Primastar’s high specification, including Bluetooth and reverse parking sensors combined with competitive leasing rates, low maintenance costs and excellent residual values provides a strong solution for the business user.”

Andy Wilson, Sales Director with the online solutions provider, will travel 2,500 miles around India in a 145cc, two stroke motorised rickshaw for two weeks in April as part of the annual Rickshaw Run charity event.

With a measly top speed of 34mph, no doors and just 7bhp at his disposal, Andy will pilot the tuk-tuk from Kochi in the south west of India to the hilltop village of Shillong in the north east, covering mountain and desert terrain along the way.

It’ll be worlds away from his duties overseeing Ebbon-Dacs’ Leaselink e-procurement platform, used by leasing companies to source, order and track delivery of more than 100,000 new fleet vehicles a year

“least suitable vehicle on the planet”

Andy [seen left] reckons he’ll be driving between 12-14 hours a day in the rickety rickshaw and can think of more apt vehicles for the venture.

“It is prone to breaking down all the time and is completely useless at protecting you from the elements,” he said. “It is possibly the least suitable vehicle on the planet for covering the entire Indian subcontinent in a fortnight.

“There are no resources to help us if we break down, run into local difficulties or get completely lost in the mountains; it’s completely unsupported. They’ve just told us where to start, where to finish and how long we have to do it in.”

Co-driver Martin Liversage, a business manager with BT, will join Andy with around 70 teams expected to embark on the charity run.

Proceeds from the journey will go to Frank Water Projects, which helps provide clean drinking water to India, the Kidney Research Foundation and Queenscourt Hospice in Southport.