FLEETS with cars travelling from one country to another stand to benefit from a new European Commission proposal to modernise European insurance law.

The Canon Group expects savings of up to €2 million after a pan-European fleet deal with leasing firm GE Capital Fleet Services. Mike Roberts talks to executives from both companies.

Europe's daily rental industry is set to emerge 'leaner and fitter' after suffering a downturn in business following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US.

As pan-European fleets increasingly restrict the number of their suppliers, Professor Peter Cooke assesses where companies will source their new cars - from dealers, leasing companies, or directly from manufacturer captives.

A fleet of just three cars in a newly-developing market can be more problematic than a much larger fleet in a mature market, says AT&T pan-European fleet manager Gareth Wilsher.

Strong demand for rental in Italy, France and Germany helped Europcar shrug off an international crisis in car rental last year as it pushes to become the biggest car rental company in Europe by 2003.

Hertz claims to have become the first global car rental company to operate in China

Belgian-based international vehicle leasing and fleet management association Interleasing has announced a raft of new members and a name change.

A major deal signed in the United Kingdom between National Car Rental and catering company Compass Group could be expanded across Europe.

The European Car and Truck Rental Association (ECATRA) is to give extra resources and staff to its Brussels-based headquarters.

International medical company Baxter has chosen Leaseplan International as sole supplier for its 1,900-strong fleet in 14 European countries.

A European vehicle leasing alliance is looking to further exploit its pan-European purchasing leverage, after finalising a major deal with three tyre manufacturers which could save its members up to €400,000 a year.

THE new Renault Megane is due to be unveiled officially today.

BRITISH fleets have been severely criticised for their 'irresponsible' attitude towards the recycling of used tyres in the week when the Environment Agency stepped up its efforts to ensure tyres are disposed of in environmentally-friendly ways.

FLEET safety and risk management company Peak Performance Management claims calls to limit company car drivers' journeys to 350 miles a day do not go far enough to reduce accidents.

SCIENTIFIC advice promoting the use of caffeine-based energy drinks to prevent sleepiness at the wheel has been adopted by driver training firm DriveTech (UK).

VAUXHALL has reported a doubling in sales of the Zafira to police fleets to meet everyday and emergency needs.

SKODA'S vehicle finance arm has announced its own contract hire rates for the new Superb upper-medium saloon.

PEUGEOT has simplified the 406 range in the lead-up to its replacement by the 407 in 2003 with fewer model variants but increased specification on some models.

NICK Illsley has been appointed by Transport Minister David Jamieson as chief executive of Transport Direct, the UK's first national travel information service.

THE company that builds Hyundai's world rally cars is entering the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) conversion industry, with the intention of converting up to 10,000 vehicles annually for fleet use by the middle of next year.

SCOTTISH Power has invested in a new integrated fleet and workshop software package for its 5,000-vehicle fleet.

VOLVO Car UK managing director Gerry Keaney has been appointed vice-president of sales for Volvo Car Corporation.

LAND Rover has opened its first off road experience centre at the Bluewater shopping complex in Kent.

FLEET operators will be able to send SMS text messages to the their company car and van drivers' mobile phones from a PC with a new software system.

NATIONAL Car Rental has signed up a new franchisee to operate three existing branches in the south west, plus a new site at Taunton.

NORTHGATE has opened a new commercial vehicle hire site at Plymouth under the name of Trident Vehicle Hire.

FRUDD, a construction, building services and contract maintenance company, is converting its entire fleet to Citroën.

DEALERSHIP group Ryland has announced its financial performance is ahead of expectations for the year amid a strong level of demand from buyers.

THE chairman of the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) has praised a local authority's plans to introduce workplace parking charges, despite opposition to the scheme from some of the country's best known companies.