FORD has sharply improved the emissions of the liquefied petroleum gas-powered Transit so that the van qualifies for a higher subsidy and will avoid future congestion charges in London.

BRITISH business could face tough limits on the number of hours van drivers can work in a week, after a German MEP lobbied the European Parliament to restrict van drivers to a maximum 45-hour working week.

TO help hands-on fleet executives meet the major challenges ahead, ranging from environmental issues to health and safety responsibilities and new company car funding schemes, Fleet News is organising in September the Hit for Six Conference, sponsored by Mazda, that will deliver practical guidance and solutions.

A NEW survey on car security has shown the most effective way for company drivers to protect their vehicles is to look after their keys.

A COMMERCIAL vehicle recovery company claims the real cost of an incident involving a commercial vehicle could be as much as 10 times the standard industry estimate.

ONE of the UK's largest fleets has added the MINI to its choice list for staff looking to reduce their company car tax bills.

FUEL provider Total this week launched a new internet-based reporting service for fleet customers as part of a four-year plan to double the size of its fuel card business.

FLEETS are being offered a fixed cost vehicle maintenance package by Car & Commercial Vehicle Solutions and sister company Cold Chain Vehicle Solutions.

Inchcape is planning to shut a main office to streamline its vehicle funding and management arms, Inchcape Fleet Solutions (IFS) and Inchcape Vehicle Contracts.

SUBARU has achieved significant fuel consumption and emission improvements for the 2003 model year Legacy range.

VOLKSWAGEN has upgraded the specification on some Bora models and cut the prices of those at the top of the range.

MITSUBISHIS are back on the list of Motability vehicles after an absence of 18 months.

ONE million company car drivers could be putting lives at risk by driving with defective eyesight, according to new research.

THRIFTY Car Rental claims internet bookings were up by more than 60% during the first half of the year compared to the same period last year.

UNCERTAINTY over the future level of fuel duty makes it 'almost impossible' for van fleet operators to predict wholelife running costs for eco-friendly fuel vehicles, claims Glass's Information Services.

A SPECIALIST electric vehicle manufacturer has launched a new range of vehicles that it is importing from Italy.

ONE of Europe's biggest pharmaceutical companies, GEHE, has signed a three-year vehicle supply contract with Lex Vehicle Leasing for nearly £9 million worth of vehicles.

HONDA is moving the next generation Accord to the premium end of the upper-medium sector, with no five-door available and no engine smaller than 2.0-litres.

PREMIUM franchised dealer group Johnsons Cars has launched a new contract hire company.

HIGH street retailer Boots has sold its Halfords car parts and bicycle subsidiary to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners for up to £427 million, after years of speculation about its future.

SKODA has announced details and prices of its new entry-level diesel Superb.

FLEET bodies and environmental campaigners have clashed over congestion charges after the High Court ruled that there were no legal restrictions to delay the introduction of £5 per day tolls for vehicles entering London.

NEVER shy of coming forward with dazzling technological innovations, Mercedes-Benz has moved the goalposts again – this time in the LCV sector.

USED car prices are set to fall by 10% in the next three years, driven down by over-supply of diesels, according to a leading leasing firm.

THE new MG TF roadster made its official auction debut at a special sale at BCA Blackbushe this month.

FLEETS disposing of large estate cars are now making gains compared with saloons under current market conditions, according to Glass's Information Services.

FLEETS are being urged to review their replacement cycles to keep up with the changing needs of the used car market.

'WE are now heading into the de-fleeting season, but in a wobbly used market like we have at present the good news is that fewer will be coming back than in recent years.' Martin Ward, CAP national research manager.

THE Health and Safety Executive is raising the stakes on fleet safety by demanding to see corporate road risk policies during company safety audits.

THE real-life practicalities of running company car fleets have deterred UK businesses from exploiting European pre-tax car price differentials and buying cars abroad.