THALES Telematics has expanded its operation with the launch of a new business based in France.

The operation has been designed to offer French fleets the same benefits as services available in the UK.

Homaira Akbari, chief operating officer at Thales said: 'With only 25,000 or so commercial vehicles in France equipped with telematics systems in 2002, the French market provides us with an excellent platform for expansion in Europe.'

Thales currently has bases in the UK, South Africa and Australia providing telematics services to fleets.

The group will be introducing a host of new international services this year.

Richard Cartland, UK managing director at Thales, explained: 'We have recently introduced four primary solutions which will be rolled our globally over the coming months.

'They consist of packages tailored to tracking and security, fleet management logistics and road tolling applications.'