VOLKSWAGEN has released the first official pictures of the new Beetle Convertible, which goes on sale in spring next year.

TELEMATICS provider Cybit is reporting £1million of advance orders for its new internet-based fleet management system.

BENEFITS of using natural gas to power vehicles were outlined to fleet decision-makers during a major conference.

THE Magistrates' Association wants new rules forcing motorists to carry photocard driving licences at all times in order to cut down on time wasting and fraud.

MAZDA will unveil a high-performance concept car based on the Mazda6 at next week's Paris Motor Show, which is likely to make it into production next year.

INCHCAPE has confirmed it is to shut down the Inchcape Vehicle Contracts head office in Norwich.

VAUXHALL is addressing the problem of 'bumping and scraping' commercial vehicles with the introduction of two aftermarket parking sensor kits.

Peugeot and Citroen invited Fleet NewsNet to a preview of the forthcoming Paris Motor Show which begins next week.

A MAJOR commercial vehicle show in Hanover, Germany – the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show – is the platform for a raft of new and overhauled vans.

GROWING use of the internet to make rental bookings could make the need for car hire implants in major customers' offices obsolete within years.

AVIS has teamed up with Air Miles as the exclusive partner to the 'Great Air Miles Give-away'.

M&G Self Drive, a part of Britain's biggest rental firm Northgate, enjoyed a double celebration with the opening of a new site and the first anniversary of another location.

Northgate has launched a flexible benefits package for staff that allows them to select perks online.

CAR rental companies in London may be forced to shut down some of their outlets because of a short-sighted attitude among officials to cutting congestion, National Car Rental has claimed.

SIXT Kenning has awarded a supply contract for 125 vehicles to Speeds Volvo Business Centre in Derby.

PRACTICAL Car & Van Rental has given Volkswagen vans a vote of confidence following a review of its fleet.

AARON Bridges has been appointed key account manager with Inchcape's northern sales team.

The new car distribution block exemption which comes into force in October will impact every area of fleet business, from the acquisition of cars to service and maintenance and residual values.

OPEL'S European chief Carl-Peter Forster has highlighted problems facing the manufacturer in the European car market, and said it was placing a major emphasis on producing 'groundbreaking' new models.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S commercial vehicles division would not be unaffected by 'the negative market situation', a senior executive has warned.

TOYOTA has started the production and export of its Corolla estate at its plant in Adapazari, Turkey.

THE 750,000th Octavia has rolled off the production line at the Skoda Auto plant in Mlada Boleslav, in the Czech Republic.

DAEWOO is planning a sustained product offensive following its acquisition by General Motors in an effort to become a 'respected value' brand.

CAR registration taxes have come under renewed attack from the European Commission, which believes they should be reduced or scrapped in order to improve the movement of cars within the European Union.

SOME of Britain's largest van fleets are wasting millions of pounds at disposal time by ignoring simple techniques that can improve the value of their vehicles.

USED van experts have called for fleets to think of alternative ways for improving the value of their vehicles.

MANUFACTURERS are pushing up running costs for motorcycles because erratic new pricing is damaging used bike prices.

RESIDUAL values are undergoing a temporary revival as demand is once again outstripping supply in the used car trade.

'THE new '52' plate came and went and, if it wasn't for the advice given by sales people and leasing company personnel, then the buying public would probably be none the wiser about the change. It seems to be the best-kept secret in the motor industry.' Martin Ward, CAP national research manager.

ONE of the largest studies carried out into the health effects of diesel exhaust emissions has warned that long-term exposure could cause lung cancer.