'The pan-European fleet' is a grandiose title for operating vehicles in a number of markets; however, with a steady growth in internationalisation of products, services and markets, the picture is changing and that grandiose title is becoming reality in more and more fleets.

A new system of company car leasing has been launched in Germany by fleet management company AMS together with Opel MasterLease and insurance company DBV Winterthur. By Marc Winter.

Dr Lars Kreul, president and chief executive officer of Wingcast, the joint telematics venture created by Ford and QUALCOMM, stresses the importance of fleets to the company's ambitious European growth plans

Yeoman Group's VoxNav system, in which drivers use a mobile phone for access, is claimed to be a world first. Mike Roberts reports.

German-based DaimlerChrysler Services Fleet Management claims its internet-based fleet management service gave it the competitive edge to win three new contracts and expand its fleet by more than 3,000 new vehicles.

German-based leasing company LHS plans to grow its network across Europe by acquiring or forming partnerships with other leasing companies.

A NEW survey into the salaries earned by Britain's fleet chiefs reveals a canyon-wide gap between the highest and lowest paid.

THE Health and Safety Executive is investigating the concept of a fleet road safety best practice programme, administered by the fleet industry itself, as a weapon to tackle work-related road accidents.

A HOME Office minister has conceded that the Government's drive to improve car security is partly to blame for the rise in car-jacking incidents.

VOLVO has launched a ground-breaking flexible contract hire package offering company car drivers access to two cars for the cost of contract hiring a single vehicle.

LEGISLATION banning the use of mobile phones while driving has moved a step nearer with new research showing the use of phones can have a greater effect on driving than drinking alcohol.

FLEET managers can now connect with Nissan through a new website which promises to take the strain out of fleet buying.

THE first Fleet News /ATS Euromaster Fantasy Rugby Challenge has reached its conclusion.

THE first cracks in London's congestion charging scheme have started to appear as a Government minister backed the concept of an employer paying the congestion fee for its employees.

THE Fleet News Budget Briefing will be held on Tuesday, April 23 following the Chancellor's Budget on April 17.

MULTI-MARQUE car leasing company Alphabet has launched an 'off-the-shelf' employee car ownership plan (ECOP) that promises clients annual savings of up to £2,000 per car.

VAUXHALL has given the first indication of company car taxation on the new Vectra with the announcement of carbon dioxide emissions for the new model.

FLEETS will have a simple colour-coded guide to a car's environmental credentials thanks to a new labelling scheme unveiled by the Government.

DIRECTORS and senior managers at Ford driving to work or on business will be expected to use Ford cars and leave their Jaguars, Land Rovers and Volvos at home.

THE long-term future of MG Rover looks more secure this week after the manufacturer signed a partnership agreement with China's third largest vehicle manufacturer to develop future products and open more markets for each other's cars.

VELO customers have been promised cost savings following the appointment of Kwik-Fit as the contract hire company's preferred tyre supplier.

'THE recent Fleet News Awards were another great reminder of the real quality of today's new car market. But the car market moves faster than ever and while we were talking about new cars then the vehicles in question are already used cars now.' Martin Ward, CAP Network's national research manager.

THE UK is suffering the highest depreciation in Europe, according to new research.

A RECENT sale at BCA Measham achieved a 100% conversion rate for the 250 vehicles put on sale, with an average return of 103% CAP Clean.

SPORTS fans have a chance to bid for a piece of rugby memorabilia and raise some money for charity at BCA's next Classic & Historic sale, at BCA Bridgwater on April 8.

VOLVO is to launch a battle plan to encourage sales of high-mileage ex-fleet cars in a bid to bolster residual values for customers.

CITROEN has today confirmed it will be bringing six of its new small car, the C3, to Fleet News Drive.

Proton has redesigned its UK website two years after it was first introduced. It has also revised the microsites it launched last year for the Impian saloon and Satria GTi hot hatch to help browsers navigate their way to detailed information about these models.

FLEET decision-makers have just days left to get their applications in for grants of up to 75% towards the cost of acquiring or converting vehicles to run on 'green' fuels.

TAX consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers is advising companies to keep well-documented evidence that double-cab vehicles are used exclusively for work if they intend to recover VAT on the acquisition price of the vehicles.