FLEET managers are being urged to bombard their MPs and the Government with demands for a clear message on how the proposed 2002 carbon dioxide-based company car tax system will function. Dismayed by the mixed messages emanating from the Inland Revenue, in particular the proposed penalty for diesels, fleet chiefs are calling for clarification on the finer details of the new benefit-in-kind tax system due to be introduced on April 6, 2002.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown announced the company car tax shake-up in his March Budget and gave fleets until May 31 to comment. However, since then there has been no clear guidance from the Government on the shape of company car tax. Meanwhile, company car buying decisions continue to be made daily by fleet managers, employees and boards of directors.

The plan to lobby MPs, the Government and the Chancellor of the Exchequer was hatched at the Association of Car Fleet Operators' north-east branch meeting in Bradford, where fleet chiefs were urged to act, adding their individual representations to the association's own lobbying. ACFO national chairman Tony Leigh said: 'We have already given as much guidance to our members as we can about what they can do at this stage, but without any detail, final plans for allocation lists, capital expenditure and green transport plans are on hold. We believe the current situation shows just how important it is for fleets to join us, to ensure their voice is heard and that they can be represented effectively to Government agencies.'