THE National Association of Police Fleet Managers Conference was attended by hundreds of fleet decision-makers from the blue light sector. John Maslen reports on what suppliers had to offer them.
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A range of new models were on show for police forces at the NAPFM show. Here is a summary of the key models and launches. We have also provided email contact details with each story.
BMW bikes and cars were on show at the event, with the stand giving a front row seat to the MINI as a potential rival to the smart for forces looking for small community patrol vehicles. Also on show was a full range of cars from 1-series to 7 series and its complete bike range, including the R1200 shown for the first time in full livery.
Contacts: Cars - Andrew.buxton@bmwauthorities.co.uk; Motorcycles – barry.pharoah@bmw.co.uk
Ford offers string of debuts for police fleets
A string of new models were on show at the Ford stand for the first time, including the S-MAX and Galaxy. The S-Max was being shown as a potential police cycle carrier. The complete Ford Transit range was also on show, including the first showing of a liveried vehicle. The new Ford Range was also on show showing its carrying abilities.
Contacts: tadams11@ford.com
Honda shook hands on a deal to supply the Metropolitan Police with hybrid vehicles in the largest ever deal of its type. The force has ordered 117 Honda Civic Hybrids for its Community Support Officers to use as part of a Safer Neighbourhoods scheme – an initiative to increase police presence on the streets.
Also on show on the stand were the full range of Honda cars and motorbikes, including the new Legend.
Contacts: sue.goddard@honda-eu.com
Iveco was showing the vast range of uses to which its vehicles could be put, including a small fire-fighting appliance. Using the Iveco Daily 65C15 , the vehicle has an integrated 1,000 litre integrated water tank and double-cab layout.
Contacts: yandle@iveco.com
Luxury and speed were the name of the game on the Jaguar stand as the new XK was put on show. It sat alongside the full Jaguar range.
Contacts: mclinks1@jaguar.com
The tough Land Rover range was on show, including liveried models, so police fleets can show they are a force to be reckoned with. Among the vehicles on show were a V8-powered Range Rover and the Freelander.
Contacts: d.easton2@landrover.com
Following all the stories about changing ownership at LDV, the firm had the chance to show police fleets its vehicles were still up to the job. The new Maxus range was out in force at the show in a range of bodystyles.
Contacts: jbentley@ldv.com
Lexus puts hybrid power on show
Lexus was showing its luxury hybrid, the GS450h, which combined class-leading power with sharply reduced fuel consumption.
Contacts: Alison.christie@lexus-swindon.lexus.co.uk
Mercedes-Benz unveils 200bhp van
The engineers at Mercedes-Benz have been working hard to get their 200bhp Vito 120 V6 diesel ready for police use. After passing the police handling test, the van, which can hit 115mph when fully-loaded and hit 62mph in 12.9 seconds, is now available for forces to use. Eight have already been ordered.
Contacts: jim.lindsay@daimlerchrysler.co.uk
Mitsubishi helps Highways Agency fleet
The Highways Agency has taken on a fleet of liveried Grandis MPVs to help its supervisors cover the road network more effectively. Already the Agency takes vehicles from a number of manufacturers, mainly off-roaders, but it opted for an MPV specifically because of its people carrying role. The Agency will take on six vehicles, which will cover 50,000 miles a year and will run on three year/150,000 miles with maintenance contracts with LloydsTSB autolease.
Contacts: a.wertheim@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk
Nissan beats a Pathfinder to fleets’ doors
Nissan was showing its full range of vehicles in police livery, including its popular Pathfinder. Also at the stand were the Navara, making its debut as a cell van, and X-trail, while the Note MPV was on show for the first time.
Peugeot Boxer mades national debut at NAPFM
The new Boxer made its national debut at the NAPFM show, while the 207 was also shown for the first time in livery. The 307 was being demonstrated as a dog van, which includes acoustic protection to avoid drivers receiving ear damage from barking dogs. The vehicle has already received several orders.
Contacts: jonathan.morton@peugeot.com
SsangYongs’s off-roader range was being targeted at police fleets as an alternative to their current supply of vehicles.
Contacts: stevewalker@syukcars.co.uk
Vauxhall’s police fleet offering grows
For the first time, the Vauxhall stand included both Saab and Chevrolet models. Included in the line-up was the new Corsa, while the Chevrolet Captiva was also making its debut at the show. Also unveiled was an Astra dog estate with a removable cage.
Contacts: Mike.roberts@vauxhallsvo.com
The spotlight was put on safety systems on the Volvo stand, with models including the new S80 and a stripped out the diesel-engine equipped V50.
Contacts: stottle@volvocars.com
VW Group offers police a show of strength
VW Group companies covering Audi, SEAT, Skoda, and Volkswagen joined forces to show the nation’s police forces the range of vehicles they have on offer.
Among the models on show included the new Volkswagen Crafter van, the Audi Q7, Skoda’s new Roomster and the SEAT Leon.
Contacts: Katie.trott@audi.co.uk; seat@businesssales@seatcars.co.uk; jane.barker@skoda.co.uk; Helen.pickering@volkswagen.co.uk; Stephen.murchie@vwcv.co.uk
The all-new FJR1300A was hailed as the most complete police spec machine available by the force when it attended the show.
Contacts: miles.taylor@yamaha-motor.co.uk
Fleet managers weren’t at the show just the for cars. Support services are also essential to keeping a fleet running. Here is a summary of the key products that fleets were able to review. We have also provided email contact details with each story.
British Car Auctions protects police residuals
BCA has a network on 22 auction centres in the UK and was showing the nation’s police forces what it could offer. The company has a national contract with the National Association of Police Fleet Managers to remarket ex-police vehicles through its auction centres.
cfc solutions benchmarking module launched
The global supplier of fleet management software was showing blue light fleets its software, including the premiere of the firm’s benchmarking module, a service aimed specifically at the public sector, designed to work with its existing FleetPlus software currently use by several forces.
Chevin’s online assessments on show
Fleet software specialist Chevin Fleet Solutions was running a live fleet software demo of its FleetWave web-based fleet management software to customers. The software can include online driver assessments to help fleets manage road risk.
Cranfield University and Driver Metrics cut accidents
Driver Metrics is wholly-owned by Cranfield University and specialises in helping organisations reduce the risk of employees being involved in work-related road traffic accidents. Its research-based psychometric risk assessment – the Driver Risk Index – aims to provide targeted safety solutions.
Cycle Force UK offers pedal power
Cycle Force UK are the UK distributors of the Smith and Wesson range of mountain bikes designed specifically for use by the police, EMS and security organisations. It already has contracts to supply forces including Sussex, Hampshire and the Met Police.
Diesel Alert warns of misfuelling danger
Diesel Alert has a live demonstration of its system designed to stop mis-fuelling. The system provides an audible warning – at 90dB - to warn drivers which fuel they should use. It was also inviting fleet to meet ‘Miss Fuelling’.
Disposal Services Agency helps fleets
The Disposal Services Agency was showing its proud history of providing disposal solutions offering everything from advice to consultancy, with a collect and dispose service of anything from equipment to vehicles.
Rental companies play an important role in helping police forces to ensure their fleets are flexible enough to cope with the demands of their modern role and Enterprise was showing fleets how its services could help forces.
EurotaxGlass’s offers fleet value
The residual value expert was showing police fleets its services which ensure they can benchmark their disposal proceeds against the value they should be expecting in the open market.
Jaama’s hi-tech services on show
Specialist software firm Jaama was showing its unique range of programmes, which range from fleet management to road safety services. It’s core services are based around the Key 2 package of fleet management software, which was on show at the firm’s stand.
Manheim Auctions off to market
Manheim Auctions showed off its full range of remarketing services, including its web-based products that increase the potential audience for vehicle sales and improve residual values.
Motorcycle Management provides fleets with leasing products focused around motorbikes, including specialist models that have been adapted by the firm. Among these is a ladder-carrying motorbike and a model which has been adapted to carry posters.
RAC Auto Windscreens celebrates awards
Winner of the 2006 Fleet News Award for Best Glass Repair Company, the firm was showing how its expertise in repair and replacement can keep police fleets on the road.
REACT quick to clean up force’s problems
When criminals play dirty, React has a range of services to clean and decontaminate vehicles and premises. With health and safety a key issue for modern police officers, the firm says demand for its services is growing.
Ricardo is the largest independent automotive consultancy in Europe, offering turnkey solutions for manufacturers which supply blue light fleets.
Siemens VDO tracks down police errors
‘Black box’-style accident recorders have proved a great success with some forces in reducing accidents or proving the driver’s innocence in the event of disagreement over the cause of an incident. Siemens VDO was showing its UDS Incident Data Recorder, digital tachograph and associated training accessories.
Traka helps with asset tracking
The firm was showing its asset management technology under the Traka Asset Management brand. The system can be used to control handsets, weaponry, access to buildings and other buildings, as well as other applications.
VT Software Solutions turns on
The Tranman fleet and workshop software is used by 35 of 52 UK police forces and was available to demonstrate to the few forces that have yet to sign up to the system.
West Oxfordshire Motor Auction’s alternative solution
The auction house has been to NAPFM for 13 years and has the support of 23 police forces, providing a valuable alternative to national chains.
Contacts: enquiries@bca-group.co.uk
Contacts: s.pearson@cfcsolutions.co.uk
Contacts: gavin@chevinfleet.com
Contacts: enquiry@drivermetrics.co.uk
Contacts: ron@cycle-force.co.uk
Contacts: info@dieselalert.com
Contacts: Dlodsacs5b@deso.mod.uk
Contacts: ukinfo@erac.com
Contacts: jacki.norbury@eurotaxglass.co.uk
Contacts: martin.evans@jaama.co.uk
Contacts: louise.newton@manheimeurope.com
Contacts: tdraycott@motorcyclemanagement.co.uk
Contacts: salessupport@autowindscreens.co.uk
Contacts: Samantha.dent@autoclenz.co.uk
Contacts: special.vehicles@ricardo.com
Contacts: Jackie.dougall@siemens.com
Contacts: pm@traka.com
Contacts: enquire@racsoftware.co.uk
Contacts: paulk@woma.co.uk
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