News - Page 1620

ALPHABET is offering businesses free copies of a drivers' guide to the ban on smoking in work vehicles, which comes into force in Wales on Monday.

RENAULT has this afternoon strongly denied claims made by its former PR manager Graeme Holt that it had ignored safety concerns surrounding the bonnet catch of its Clio II and Campus models.

THE new vehicle first registration fee is to increase from May 1 from £38 to £50.

RENAULT has been accused by a former employee of deliberately downplaying a design fault that causes the bonnet of some of its cars to open while being driven.

FLEETS are reminded that The Health Act, which bans smoking in company cars and commercial vehicles, comes into force in Wales from Monday.

THE fleet industry gave a collective shrug to last week’s budget, which provided more questions than answers after major decisions were delayed again on key issues such as the reviews of employee car ownership schemes (ECOS) and approved mileage allowance payments (AMAP).

MERCEDES-BENZ’S new C-Class range will cost from £22,950 when deliveries begin in June – a slight price increase over the outgoing model.

FLEETS are being overcharged by dealers that are failing to keep on top of the latest service schedules for new vehicles.

CONTRACT hire company Grosvenor Contracts Leasing is the latest company to sign up as an exhibitor at this year’s Company Car in Action.

THE Land Rover Freelander 2 has become the first small off-roader to be awarded a maximum five stars for adult occupant protection in Euro NCAP crash tests.

AUTOGLASS has launched a new online booking facility.

MASTERLEASE has expanded its European presence with a move into Ireland.

ROAD safety charity Brake is offering fleets a free information sheet on tackling the problem of drug-driving.

FLEET News’ sister title Sewells Information & Research has published its Automotive Industry Pay Guide that reveals, on average, dealer principals running franchised dealerships now earn more than £60,000 a year.

REPORTS of a salesman caught eating a sandwich behind the wheel of his car receiving a £60 fine and three penalty points on his licence should send a warning to business drivers, experts say.

FLEET operators needing commercial vehicles to carry out work on the 2012 Olympics or the Thames Gateway Regeneration project could benefit from a six-year partnership signed between two companies.

THE government has been criticised for arguing that because the likes of restaurant waiting staff are unable to work from home, there will be no tax incentive for home working.

CASE studies and practical advice on fleet risk management will be at the heart of the Fleet News Risk in Fleet Conference when it takes place on May 15.

RENTAL company Europcar has posted a 15% increase in pre-tax profit for 2006.

VOLKSWAGEN’S new Polo Bluemotion is making its debut at this week’s Sexy Green Car Show in Cornwall.

COORS Brewers has appointed Nobilas Claims and Fleet Solutions as sole supplier of accident management services for its UK fleet.

AVERAGE fuel prices in the UK.

A STOLEN vehicle recovery system led police to a haul of drugs with a value of £1 million, a machine gun and ammunition.

LETTERS to Fleet News’ editor Martyn Moore.

MARTIN Ward, CAP’s manufacturer relationships manager, scours the globe for the week’s insider fleet intelligence.