News - Page 2380

TRAFFIC congestion is a major problem for company car drivers causing late arrival for meetings, impaired job performance and increased cost to companies, according to a MORI's survey of 100 fleet managers for traffic information provider Trafficmaster.

FORD has restructured its light commercial vehicle sales department bringing together the previously separate sales and marketing functions under the direction of new commercial vehicles director Robin August. In addition five people have been recruited to boost the light commercial vehicle sales forces in pursuit of further sales.

FORD has restructured and simplified its Escort range incorporating a one price strategy which sees estate model prices cut by up to around £1,000 to give them price parity with four and five door models. In addition 1.6 16v 90 PS and 1.8-litre 16v 115 PS engined models are now available at the same price as are LX and Si models, CL models replace L models, a GTi Escort is to go on sale shortly and among specification changes LX - excluding the 1.4 - Si and Ghia models are now available with air conditioning as standard in lieu of a sunroof for an additional £250.

PEUGEOT has revealed specification and prices of the restyled and rebadged 306 range which goes on sale in the UK on Thursday (April 17). The new range will consist of three, four and five door models, with a choice of three specification levels badged L, LX and GLX in place of the existing Style, XL and XT versions. The four-door's Sedan badge has also been dropped, but the six sports models will still be badged XS, D Turbo, XSi, GTI-6, Cabriolet and Roadster.

THE war of words between the Cowie Group and Neil Pykett continued this week, despite the decision of Pykett to resign as a director of the company just three days before an extraordinary general meeting of Cowie shareholders was due to convene to remove him from the board.

Conservative pledges

MASTERDRIVE has held an open day for more than 100 customers and other guests at its new headquarters in Middlesex.

VAUXHALL is set to introduce a satellite-linked in-car communication system which will put drivers in touch with a 24-hour information centre offering everything from emergency assistance to directions to the nearest car park.

MITSUBISHI'S perceived value as a franchise has slumped to 29th out of 30 according to dealers in the new half-yearly Dealer Attitude Survey by the Retail Motor Industry Federation's National Franchised Dealers' Association.

MORE than 2,000 right hand drive Chrysler Voyagers have been sold or ordered during its first month on sale in the UK.

RCR Contract Hire, the Coventry-based contract hire and fleet management company, is changing its name to Paragon Vehicle Contracts. The company was acquired by the NHL Group - previously known as National Home Loans - last year, which has subsequently changed its name to The Paragon Group of Companies. Businesses within the group are now being re-branded.

ASHINGTON-based electrical company Bals Engineering believes switching to contract hire for its 50 strong fleet will save around £89,000 over three years.

NISSAN has added a trio of aggressively priced extra models to its 'all action' Almera line-up. The Action and Activ special editions and the new 1.4 version of the four-door adds to an already extensive range.

RAF High Wycombe has awarded Ryder a five-year contract to run its transport operations. The £1 million a year deal follows Ryder winning the £160 million, five year contract to fleet manage and maintain British Airways' Ground Fleet Services operations at Heathrow and Gatwick.

ROVER has unveiled a new 600 range with revised suspension, new styling features, and a 1.8% average increase in prices - simultaneously there is a 1.4% rise on Rover 800 models. A new model, the 620Di, joins the line-up, offering air conditioning as standard for an on-the-road price of £16,940. The new entry-level diesel is set to offer the lowest cost of ownership of any 600 model.

TWICE as many cars are stolen in Britain than in any other European country, according to the latest annual car crime study by Eagle Star Direct. The study, based on the latest European Union and insurance organisation statistics, found that the UK's car theft record was double that of the next worst country, France.

ROVER will increasingly reject fast-turnover deals and focus on small and medium fleets as part of its future corporate strategy. The BMW-owned manufacturer said its strategy was already beginning to pay dividends, and would win significant new corporate business among 100 to 300 car fleets.

FEARS of a dramatic fall in residual values across the MPV sector are being exaggerated, according to industry experts. Major growth in new registrations, together with a wide range of new entries to the market, have led to predictions that residuals will continue to fall.

VAN sales increased slightly year-on-year last month with sales of vehicles up to 1,800 kgs being 7,007 (March 1996: 6,788) and sales of vans 1801-3,500 kgs reaching 11,758 (11,528).

FLEET diesel sales fell last month by 15.6% year-on-year to 17,165 from 20,349 in March last year - the second largest fall on record. SMMT figures reveal that the largest fall in fleet diesel sales was in December 1995 when they were down 16.9% year-on-year in a total diesel market down 19.1%.

NEW car sales could reach 2.11 million this year with fleet sales accounting for 985,000 units if consumer and business confidence remain intact. A new report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - 'Review of the UK New Car Market: 1996 including an Outlook for 1997 and 1998' - believes this year's new car sales figures will be the third highest on record but will slip back in 1998 to 2.065 million.

FLEET sales dropped last month for the first time since November last year, but despite the slight weakening motor industry experts were concerned at the last-minute registrations of some manufacturers - in the last three registration days Fiat registered 48% of its monthly sales, Citroen 43.3%, Nissan 38.3%, Renault 32.1% and Peugeot 30.3%.

PEUGEOT has announced prices of its new 406 Coupe models, two months before they go on sale in the UK.

MANCHESTER-based motor dealer Quicks has reported 1996 pre-tax profits up 13% to £5.2 million (1995:£4.6 million) on turnover up 11% to £365 million (1995: £328 million).

SKODA bosses are celebrating pulling off a trailblazing deal which has opened the door to Britain's fleet car market.

EURODOLLAR has won a three year £20 million solus deal to supply leasing and fleet management company Lease Plan with all its daily rental vehicles.

A NEW range of 850cc budget-priced Malaysian cars is due go on sale in the UK later this year. The five-door hatchbacks, made by Perodua, will be imported into the UK from August by European Motor Holdings, which has acquired a 90% interest in Perodua Cars (UK) - the subsidiary set up to operate the import franchise.