AFTER three consecutive rally wins, including a trouble-free outing at the toughest event on the calendar, last week's Safari Rally in Kenya, and an award from the German Safety Standards Authority as Europe's Most Reliable Car, Ford is highlighting the reliability qualities of the Focus.

PETER Augustsson, president and CEO of Saab, has set out ambitious long-term plans for the company, powered by an increase in sales of the new 9-3 Sports Saloon.

COMPLEX vehicle options lists are leading to more incorrect orders made by contract hire companies on behalf of fleet customers, according to a motor industry software specialist.

VAUXHALL is to restructure its business-to-business operation to focus more on commercial vehicles and leasing operations.

FLEET executives are increasingly confused over the vast array of finance options available in the commercial vehicle leasing sector, according to new research.

VOLKSWAGEN Group dealers can now offer a cash-for-car calculator to assist company car drivers entitled to a cash allowance in lieu of a company car.

RECENTLY merged pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has switched all of its 5,000 eligible company car drivers to a cash allowance and employee car ownership scheme.

PENTLAND, the firm behind brands including Speedo and Kickers, has agreed a multi-million pound deal to switch its 300-vehicle fleet from outright purchase to a tax-efficient structured personal leasing.

INCHCAPE Fleet Solutions (IFS) has joined a pan-European network of leasing and fleet management companies.

HAVING been accused of arrogance towards the fleet sector, the German manufacturer is now making great efforts to redress the balance, says Bernard Bradley, BMW's general manager, corporate sales.

BMW has announced it will develop and produce a new family of petrol engines in conjunction with PSA Peugeot Citroen.

THE European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has welcomed certain aspects of the new block exemption regulations but said there was still cause for concern.

THE Government needs to intervene actively through programmes such as congestion charging and road tolls to manage traffic volumes, in moves that could seriously hit fleet budgets, according to an influential group of 28 transport professors.

COMPANY car and van drivers who leave their vehicles' engines running while stationary could face £20 fines under new powers given to local authorities.

THE first public forecourt to dispense environmentally-friendly GlobalDiesel, a blend of rapeseed oil with ultra-low sulphur diesel, has been opened by Transport Minister David Jamieson.

THE Government will be discussing regulations to oversee conversions of vehicles to run on liquefied petroleum gas in fleets following recent 'conversion cowboy' scares, Melanie Johnson, parliamentary secretary for consumer affairs, has promised.

COMPANY car drivers do not understand fundamental changes to the way they will pay tax on the receipt of free fuel for private motoring from the start of the next tax year.

FORD has signed what it claims to be the biggest telematics deal in history to give fleet managers better control over their company vehicles.

COMPANY-owned vehicles have borne the brunt of an increase in vehicle crime that costs employers and insurers tens of millions of pounds a year, according to latest Government figures.

MG ROVER owner Phoenix Venture Holdings has announced a pre-tax loss of £187 million for the year to December 31, 2001.

VOLKSWAGEN has reduced the price of its Sharan people carrier by £900. The special offer, which means the 2.0-litre Sharan SL costs £17,495, lasts until September 30.

NISSAN Motor (GB) has sold its millionth vehicle since taking over sales and distribution of Nissans in the UK more than 10 years ago.

DRIVER training company DriveTech (UK) has renewed its training partnership with MG Rover Group for a further two years.

Willis Group's Motor Initiatives team has added to its accident and fleet management service DRIVE, by including the AA as a preferred supplier of roadside assistance and vehicle recovery.

FLEET operators are being urged to make certain their vehicles are covered for breakdowns abroad as the holiday season approaches.

THE BBC has launched a new structured employee car scheme for thousands of staff, whether or not they qualify for a company car.

VAUXHALL is about to begin a six-month police evaluation programme for the new Vectra to establish a foothold in the 'blue light' sector.

REPLACEMENT hire car company Helphire Group has signed up Bristol Street Rover as a supplier.

BMW is testing a new system designed to stop drivers from falling asleep behind the wheel of a car. The manufacturer has developed a 'driving alertness assistant' that can recognise how alert or tired the driver of a vehicle is.

VOLVO Cars of North America has hit a home run fleet deal with baseball team Boston Red Sox.