Europcar Mobility Group UK awards new three-year supply agreement

Europcar Mobility Group UK has awarded a new three-year supply contract to ACIS to provide Sikkens, repair products to its approved repairer network.

The agreement follows the success of the Repair Pod facilities pioneered by ACIS at Europcar supersites at Skyport and Purfleet. Europcar said the facilities reduced vehicle downtime by a third.

The new contract includes the ongoing use of ACIS’ ‘Tracker’ software, which enables Europcar to manage its repairs in the network by monitoring progress through the body shops.

Ron Santiago, managing director, Europcar Mobility Group UK, said: “ACIS continues to demonstrate pioneering solutions to support the body repair industry, and its consistent, high-quality service backs up its strong position.

“We have no hesitation in extending the contract to support our network, ensuring Europcar can continue to keep our vehicles on hire for our customers.”

New fleet offering from Allstar ServicePoint through new partnership

A new tyre offering for fleets has been created for the Allstar ServicePoint online service, maintenance, and repair (SMR) portal through a new partnership with Colewood Automotive.

The new offering enables Allstar ServicePoint users to purchase a choice of tyre brands through the online portal for their fleet, and booking a fitting at more than 1,500 fitters, including fitting centres and mobile fitters, across the country. If required, the tyres can be delivered, the company said.

The portal enables users to filter and search tyres by brand, speed rating, standard EU tyre label gradings, summer and winter options, as well as showing the price breakdown for the tyres before purchase and deals and promotions from tyre manufacturers.

Paul Holland, managing director of UK Fuel at Fleetcor, said: “When you look at many vehicle profiles, tyres can be the single most expensive item of SMR expenditure, so helping fleets to minimise costs in this area is crucial.

“The new partnership with Colewood Automotive helps us to do this, adding the buying power of the Allstar ServicePoint user base to their existing tyre e-commerce partners to access highly competitive pricing and high service standards.”

UK Fuels card network increases to 3,500 fuel stations

UK Fuels has increased its nationwide network to over 3,500 fuel stations.

The company said the milestone has been achieved by extending UK Fuels card acceptance to an additional 75 fuel stations owned by forecourt operator Motor Fuel Group (MFG).

Jonathan Haseler, managing director at UK Fuels, said: “With their continued focus to maintain our status as the largest independent fuel station network in the UK, we are very pleased to be able to announce this expansion through the ongoing support of our network partners.”

Over the past two years, the Crewe-based company has signed up Sainsbury’s and the Co-op, adding to the existing Tesco and Morrisons supermarket forecourts and has recently added a further 28 Moto services to its motorway offering.

Alliance Asset Management secures £5m loan

Alliance Asset Management has secured a £5m facility from asset manager, Boost&Co, that will be used to help support the company’s growth of digital platforms such as car clubs and car subscriptions.

Jeremy Lavallin, chairman and chief executive officer at Alliance Asset Management, says: “I am extremely excited to be working with the Boost&Co team.

“This facility will further enhance AAM’s ability to maximise the potential of the rapidly changing mobility sector. Car subscriptions, car sharing and the ever-evolving electric vehicle market are all providing AAM with unprecedented opportunities.”

Auto Windscreens raise more than £6,000 for charity

A team including Auto Windscreens’ head of fleet and facilities, Shaun Atton, has raised more than £6,000 for charity from scaling the peaks of Scotland, England, and Wales.

Starting on July 2, the group climbed more than 3,000 meters (10,000ft) in under 24 hours.

The team’s first challenge was Ben Nevis in Scotland, where the group was met by refreshments from Auto Windscreens’ managing director, James MacBeth. They then travelled to Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

Charities supported included Cancer Research UK, Ashgate Hospicecare and The Royal British Legion.

Atton, said: “We started training in March and climbed the height of Mount Everest over four months.

“This challenge was far harder than we expected and although there were times, we felt like giving up, we encouraged each other every step of the way.

“We are so proud we completed it as a team and raised some much-needed money for charity.”