PEOPLE carriers are the darling of the used car market and could be a safe haven for companies investing in new vehicles, residual values experts claim.

KIA'S new Sorento off-roader made its UK debut at the British International Motor Show this week before going on sale early next year.

CHART-TOPPING pop group Atomic Kitten has helped launch a new range of special edition MG cars.

ROVER has introduced the Trafficmaster traffic alert system to its 25 and 45 models as part of a series of changes announced at the Birmingham International Motor Show.

THE European Court of Justice appears to have strengthened the right of fleets to lease cars cross-border and take advantage of different national VAT treatments of leasing.

ALD Automotive has installed a new software system for its pan-European leasing and fleet management operation.

COMPANY car drivers have a poor knowledge of tyre law, according to a recent survey.

SKODA has expanded its UK dealer network with the opening of a flagship showroom in Bradford.

TRUCK and van supplier Ryder Plc has opened a new location in Dundee.

The Proton dealer network in the UK continues to grow. Ivybridge Motors is the newest recruit with a showroom near Plymouth.

CITROEN has stunned the light commercial vehicle world by launching a brand new van after just a few months of planning and development.

CONSTRUCTION companies, agricultural businesses, distribution firms and warehouse operators are the target of a new CD-ROM developed by the Health & Safety Executive to promote transport safety in the workplace.

COMPANY car drivers north of the border will reap the benefits of live traffic information, after the Scottish Executive signed a five-year contract with traffic data company ITIS Holdings.

A NEW vehicle tracking software system aims to allow fleet decision-makers to spend more time problem solving.

A SMALL commercial heating and plumbing firm has shaved £21,000 from its insurance premium after fitting a new telematics system to its fleet of 18 vehicles.

FLEET maintenance controllers are going to have to learn a whole new jargon to cover tyre replacements if a new 'his and hers' tyre range concept from Continental fires the imagination of company drivers.

COMPANY car drivers can top up their Tesco Clubcard points when they have their car tyres replaced at National Tyres and Autocare branches.

FORD has recalled all Fiesta cars released between February and August this year.

VEHICLE repair group Howard Basford has bought out Ford's stake in the company after a three-and-a-half year joint venture.

COOPER-Avon has increased its range of tyres for the 4x4 market.

VAUXHALL fleet van customers are to be helped by a booklet detailing its 200-plus network of van specialist dealers.

LEASING companies could be thrust to the forefront of a battle to cut at-work road accidents as fleets search for advice and support to meet their duty of care to drivers.

GM Europe has reported a loss of $180 million during the third quarter of 2002, an improvement on the $287 million loss it recorded in the same period last year.

THE Environment Agency has taken delivery of a further 20 Terrano vans, bringing the total number of Nissan vehicles on its fleet to 88.

A TARTAN painted Volkswagen Beetle marked the launch of Europcar Scotland, an initiative to give the market north of the border 'the attention and devotion it requires'.

LEX Transfleet has reorganised its maintenance division ServiceCare which operates a network of 10 commercial vehicle workshops around the UK.

DESPITE three terrible years for the rental industry, National Car Rental is developing new products and expanding its network.

VANS are not sexy. And most of the time they are strictly utilitarian in form and function. They are just not that exciting.

A MAJOR German fleet has praised the use of fuel cell vehicles and predicts them as the 'most viable concept for the future'.

SAAB has appointed Joe Peter as vice-president and chief financial offer