http://www.planyourfleet.com/news/ A daily news round up of the latest motoring stories en jameslaw@plancars.com Copyright 2008 2008-08-17T08:17:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/r2rc-calls-for-block-exemption-renewal/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/r2rc-calls-for-block-exemption-renewal/#When:08:17:00Z The Right To Repair Campaign (R2RC) has launched a Europe-wide petition to lobby for the renewal of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation. R2RC is inviting both the trade and consumers to sign the petition on its website to maintain sector-specific exemptions which, it believes, create more competition in the aftermarket. It aims to present the petition to the European Commission. R2RC is also providing templates of letters for businesses and consumers to send to their local MPs and MEPs. A spokesman said: “The R2RC alliance maintains that the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation has so far guaranteed freedom of choice for consumers and furthered the creation of a level playing field for all operators in the automotive sector. Simply applying the general rules as currently worded in the Vertical Restraints Block Exemption Regulation to the automotive sector would be no equivalent alternative.” Daily News 2008-08-17T08:17:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/five-years-in-prison-for-careless-drivers-who-kill/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/five-years-in-prison-for-careless-drivers-who-kill/#When:08:16:00Z Motorists who kill whilst avoidably distracted at the wheel - including using a mobile phone, drinking and eating - will face up to five years in prison under new careless driving laws which come into force on Monday (August 18). The new offence of causing death by careless driving will, for the first time, allow courts to imprison drivers who cause deaths by not paying due care to the road, or to other road users. It is designed to plug the gap in current legislation and so prevent drivers who kill walking away from court with just a fine. Avoidable distractions which courts will consider when sentencing motorists who have killed also include applying make-up or anything else which takes their attention away from the road and which a court judges to have been an avoidable distraction. The offence is designed to cover the scenario where the driving is not so obviously bad or risky as to fall into the category of dangerous driving, but nevertheless has fatal consequences. Causing death by dangerous driving carries a maximum 14-year jail term. A second new law being introduced will penalise uninsured, disqualified or unlicensed drivers who kill and carries a maximum two-year jail term. Both offences are being introduced as part of the 2006 Road Safety Act. They come into force following guidance to courts published in July by the Sentencing Guidelines Council. Prior to the introduction of these new laws, the maximum sentence for those convicted of causing death by careless, uninsured or unlicensed driving was a maximum £5,000 fine and penalty licence points. Justice Minister Maria Eagle said: “Drivers who kill through carelessness will no longer be able to walk away from court with just a fine. Neither should uninsured or unlicensed drivers who deliberately flout the law. Driving requires full concentration at all times. A moment’s distraction can make the difference between life and death.” The Ministry of Justice said it expected the new legislation to result in a custodial sentence being imposed in about 155 cases each year. However, road safety charity Brake described the SGC’s guidelines as ‘woefully lenient’. The Association of British Insurers says uninsured drivers are among the most dangerous motorists, being 10 times more likely to have been convicted for drink-driving. Daily News 2008-08-17T08:16:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/parts-suppliers-wary-of-carmakers/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/parts-suppliers-wary-of-carmakers/#When:08:15:01Z Motor parts makers are becoming more cautious in their dealings with General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler, fearing they could be hit by the carmakers’ financial struggles. Suppliers have resorted to various ways to protect themselves including taking out credit insurance and are becoming more selective about what they supply. Michael Robinet, a vice-president at CSM Worldwide, a US-based consultancy, said: “Volume for volume’s sake is not what it used to be.” Daily News 2008-08-17T08:15:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/uninsured-drivers-get-lower-fines-but-are-killing-more-people-than-ever/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/uninsured-drivers-get-lower-fines-but-are-killing-more-people-than-ever/#When:08:15:00Z The number of deaths caused by uninsured drivers has risen by nearly a third in six years while offenders have been facing softer penalties. Figures show that the average fines for driving without insurance have dropped by 17% since 1997 from £224 to £185. But uninsured drivers are killing four people a week, more than ever before. In 2006 a total of 208 people died in road crashes caused by uninsured drivers, compared with 160 in 2000, the first year for which accurate figures are available. Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Mark Hunter said: “It beggars belief that penalties for uninsured drivers have become more lenient on this Government’s watch. “Uninsured drivers are a dangerous and often fatal blight on our roads and responsible motorists are forking out for higher premiums to pay for their misadventure.” Crashes caused by uninsured drivers cost £500 million a year in insurance claims and add about £30 each year to the policies of law-abiding motorists, according to Direct Line and the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. In 2006 a total of 263,000 uninsured drivers were convicted, compared with 255,000 in 1997. However, there are around 1.5 million uninsured drivers on Britain’s roads. Daily News 2008-08-17T08:15:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/lpg-cars-are-hot-property/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/lpg-cars-are-hot-property/#When:08:14:00Z LPG is booming - that’s the word from both car dealers and LPG convertors, according to Car Dealer Magazine. One convertor claimed a tenfold increase in enquiries, and a quadrupling of sales, while dealers are claiming that LPG cars are hot property at the moment with one saying: “It’s the only thing that’s really shifting.” Vehicle auction giant BCA recently reported a groundswell of interest in alternative fuelled vehicles with strong prices being paid at sales. So what’s causing it? Fuel prices. Motorists converting their cars from petrol to LPG can save up to 60p per litre, claim Autogas. LPG currently costs 51% less than petrol - and 56% less than diesel. It represents quite a turnaround for the LPG car, which spent a few morose years in the doldrums following the Government’s decision to end grants under its PowerShift programme. The publication commented: “It’s certainly an area you should be investigating. You can either join the rush for the few LPG cars at auctions - or consider converting models yourself, with the help of a specialist. This generally costs £1,800 to customers, but we’re sure you can strike a deal with a local convertor (approved, of course; customers are wary of non-approved conversions).” There are now over 1,400 refuelling sites across the UK. Daily News 2008-08-17T08:14:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/oleg-deripaska-denies-hummer-talks-with-gm/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/oleg-deripaska-denies-hummer-talks-with-gm/#When:08:13:01Z Oleg Deripaska, the Russian billionaire linked with a bid for Hummer earlier in the week, has denied he was seeking to acquire the brand from General Motors. Talks with his Russian Machines car unit were only exploratory and it is unlikely a bid will be forthcoming. “Russian Machines neither received any proposals to consider acquisition of the Hummer assets, nor is strategically interested in such a deal,” said the company in a statement. GM, which has lost more than $51 billion over three years and is aiming to raise up to $4 billion through asset sales, has hired Citibank to consider options for the gas-guzzling Hummer. The US carmaker is also believed to have held talks with Indian carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra about a possible deal. Daily News 2008-08-17T08:13:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/automotive-mergers-and-acquisitions-remain-robust/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/automotive-mergers-and-acquisitions-remain-robust/#When:06:26:00Z The number of automotive mergers and acquisitions during the first half of 2008 has been better-than-expected, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. The financial services firm has said the market appears to be on course to exceed 500 deals by the end of 2008. So far this year automotive M&A activity has been driven by trade buyers, whereas financial buyers have remained secondary, PricewaterhouseCoopers found. It said financial buyer activity decreased substantially in both deal volume and disclosed value. Jason Wakelam, partner in transaction services PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, said: “Overall deal volume has seen a moderate decline this year compared to 2007 and 2006, reflecting the knock on impact of the credit crunch. “We are observing the early stages of an increasing trend of emerging market players acquiring major companies in established markets in order to achieve access to global customers, markets and technology - Tata Motors’ acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover being the most high profile examples in the UK to date.” Daily News 2008-08-11T06:26:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/end-of-the-line-for-mini-convertible/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/end-of-the-line-for-mini-convertible/#When:06:26:00Z After 164,000 units produced at its plant in Oxford, BMW has called time on its first generation Mini convertible line. The last model to be driven off the production line was a metallic white silver Cooper S Convertible Sidewalk destined for the USA, the second-largest market for the little drop-top after Britain and Ireland. A replacement is not imminent due to strong demand for the second generation hatchback and new Clubman model line. Daily News 2008-08-11T06:26:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/biofuels-fall-short-of-roads-target/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/biofuels-fall-short-of-roads-target/#When:06:25:00Z Biofuels made up 2.14% of the UK’s road fuel use in the month from April 15 to May 14, falling short of the yearly target of 2.5%, according to the first report by the Government’s Renewable Fuels Agency. Biodiesel made up 86% of the supply with the remainder made up of bioethanol. Daily News 2008-08-11T06:25:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/chelsea-tractors-worthless-as-secondhand-car-prices-plunge/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/chelsea-tractors-worthless-as-secondhand-car-prices-plunge/#When:06:24:00Z The second-hand value of Britain’s family cars is plummeting so fast that garages are now branding the largest gas-guzzling ‘Chelsea tractors’ worthless - and refusing to take them in part-exchange. Some are worth more as scrap, they say as demand for steel soars. Used car values generally are set to drop by 12% between now and Christmas as the credit crunch bites, according to experts at EurotaxGlass’s. Meanwhile, experts at price guide Parkers say the slump is being exacerbated by the Government’s controversial retrospective Vehicle Excise Duty plans which they say have ‘skewed’ the market. As a result of this and soaring fuel prices, garages are refusing to take the biggest 4x4s in part-exchange because they are considered worthless and impossible to sell. Parkers’ car price expert Simon Harris said: “Large 4x4s are proving impossible to part-exchange. There’s no demand for petrol off-roaders and re-sale values are plummeting. Owners of large petrol 4x4s could find themselves stuck with their cars as dealers steer clear of thirsty off-roaders. “We have learned from trade insiders that a number of individual customers are unable to part-exchange a large petrol 4x4 for their next car.” He added: “Perversely, older gas-guzzling cars registered before 2001 will pay less tax. So the Government’s retrospective tax grab is having the opposite effect from what it intended. “It is forcing people to keep their gas-guzzlers because they can’t afford the extra tax - sometimes double - if they buy a newer and cleaner car.” Mr Harris said: “Increasing fuel prices and the prospect of owners being liable for double the amount of road tax on certain high-fuel-consumption models has meant used car buyers have been more wary before deciding on their next purchase. “There is no appetite at present for thirsty 4x4s that would typically cost £100 or more to fill up with petrol as fuel prices continue to soar, and become liable for more than £450 a year in Vehicle Excise Duty by 2010 for models currently two years old.' Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealer Association confirmed some dealers were refusing to take in some cars. She said: “The market for 4x4s has become tougher following the Government’s announcement in the budget of revised Vehicle Excise Duty rates for higher polluting cars. This may mean from time to time that they are less inclined to take certain vehicles in certain circumstances. “Fear of recession is causing consumers to be more frugal than is necessary. Some of those who would have had no problem buying a new car are holding off because they feel they should be prudent.” Daily News 2008-08-11T06:24:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/toyota-cautious-as-profits-drop/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/toyota-cautious-as-profits-drop/#When:06:23:00Z Japanese carmaker Toyota has seen quarterly profits drop less than forecast but remains cautious. Net profits fell 28% in the three months to June at 353.7bn yen (£1.6bn), from a record 491.5bn yen in the same period of last year. The company said the trading environment had taken a sharp turn for the worse, creating a ‘very tough’ quarter. Nevertheless, the drop in sales in some markets, such as the US and Europe, was offset by increasing demand in countries such as Russia and China. The weak US economy and the stronger yen, which makes Japanese goods more expensive overseas, were blamed for denting sales along with the rising cost of raw materials. But the results were slightly better than expected because Toyota took a smaller charge than its rivals against a fall in the value of its leasing fleet. Tumbling used car prices have forced carmakers to set aside cash against declining residual values. Given the tough conditions, Toyota said: “It will be crucial for us to act quickly and flexibly to overcome this.” The firm is maintaining its earnings outlook for the year to March 2009, predicting net profits of 1.25 trillion yen. As energy prices rise, customers are moving away from gas-guzzlers, helping boost sales of more energy-efficient models including Toyota’s Prius hybrid. Daily News 2008-08-11T06:23:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/vauxhall-insignia-to-read-speed-limit-signs/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/vauxhall-insignia-to-read-speed-limit-signs/#When:07:07:01Z Vauxhall’s upcoming Insignia will be the first car with a system that can ‘read’ speed limit signs and warn the driver. The optional new technology, combined with a lane departure warning system, will become available from 2009 on the Insignia and is expected to be rolled out on future new Vauxhalls. Developed by Vauxhall’s parent company General Motors and sister firm Opel, the system is claimed to ‘reduce stress and can even prevent costly speeding tickets’. Expected to be known as Vauxhall Eye, the system uses a wide-angle, high-resolution camera in the windscreen and computers to detect road signs and lane markings. A GM spokesman explained: “The notices are displayed for a few seconds as a symbol in the centre of the instrument panel between the main round dials. In addition, drivers can recall the image any time by pressing a button on the steering wheel. Traffic sign detection can be activated via a sub-page in the car’s onboard computer menu.” Daily News 2008-06-19T07:07:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/porsche-experience-centre-set-to-open/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/porsche-experience-centre-set-to-open/#When:07:06:01Z Porsche GB is set to open its new multi-million pound customer experience centre at the famous Silverstone motor racing circuit by early September. Construction is almost complete at the circular building, which resembles a Porsche dealership, alongside the Hanger straight at the circuit. As well as providing present and future customers with an opportunity to view and specify new models, drivers in the Porsche racing challenge will be able to get a full check-up. The centre is also equipped with a gym, cardio-vascular machines, hand to eye co-ordination tests, eye tests, posture evaluation and there is a fully-equipped laboratory. On race days, there is a viewing gallery, restaurant and televisions showing all the action around the circuit. The complex also includes a ride and handling circuit, plus an off-road route, for testing the latest models and the technology they contain. The automaker currently uses a number of venues around the UK to show off its cars to customers but Silverstone will give it an exclusive centre. All customers will get a visit included in the purchase cost of their car. Other people can visit for a price - yet to be announced - while dealers can also buy time for customer days Daily News 2008-06-19T07:06:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/volkswagen-boss-claims-co2-targets-are-attainable/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/volkswagen-boss-claims-co2-targets-are-attainable/#When:07:05:00Z Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn says that the European Union’s goal to cut average CO2 emissions to 120 g/km by 2015 is ‘realistic and achievable’. Mr Winterkorn said his goal was to develop a Volkswagen Golf that ran on three to four litres per 100 km, though he did not specify when. The manufacturer’s most fuel efficient Golf at the moment consumes 4.3 litres per 100 km. Volkswagen plans to achieve lower figures by replacing its aspirated engines with turbocharged direct injection versions where ever possible. Daily News 2008-06-19T07:05:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/home-working-is-rocketing-in-popularity/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/home-working-is-rocketing-in-popularity/#When:07:04:00Z Fuel prices, congestion, better telecommunications technology and corporate policies aimed at reducing CO2 emissions are all leading to employers becoming increasingly willing to allow employees to work from home. Even Government departments are getting in on the act with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) becoming the first department and public sector organisation to be awarded the Work Wise Mark of Excellence. The Mark of Excellence recognises Defra’s achievements in introducing smarter working practices, such as home working, flexible working (including condensed hours and nine-day fortnights), and mobile and remote working. Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise, said: “Many forward thinking organisations, such as Defra, are realising that the nature of work is changing and that they need to adapt and evolve to be able to recruit and retain the staff they need.” According to the latest quarterly Company Car Trends survey by GE Capital Solutions, Fleet Services, 94.5% of fleet decision makers said that home working was reducing the number of business miles travelled - up by 19.4% year-on-year. Daily News 2008-06-19T07:04:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/saic-gets-ready-to-start-mg-rover-production/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/saic-gets-ready-to-start-mg-rover-production/#When:07:04:00Z Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation will begin manufacturing of the MG Rover at the Longbridge plant in Birmingham in August or September. The company says it has established a 40-strong UK dealer network in readiness for sales to start. SAIC says that initial production will be ‘modest’, but will step it up with a view to sell MG Rovers in markets outside of the UK. Daily News 2008-06-19T07:04:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/record-fuel-price-increases-in-june/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/record-fuel-price-increases-in-june/#When:07:03:01Z Record rises in the price of both petrol and diesel have been measured by the AA, overtaking last month’s record increases. With the price of crude oil reaching nearly $140 a barrel, the AA says that nationally, unleaded petrol prices rose by 5.6p per litre to 118.2p (5.37 a gallon) in the past month. Diesel prices rose by 7.4p per litre to 131.6p (£5.98 a gallon). The price difference between unleaded and diesel has risen from 11.6p per litre to 13.4p. Daily News 2008-06-19T07:03:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/fuel-tanker-drivers-settle-pay-dispute/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/fuel-tanker-drivers-settle-pay-dispute/#When:07:02:00Z Fuel tanker drivers supplying Shell forecourts across the UK have ended their pay dispute lifting the threat of a second four-day strike scheduled to start on Friday (June 20). The drivers, employed by haulage firms Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport to deliver fuel to the forecourts, returned to work yesterday (Tuesday, June 17) following their first four-day strike. The dispute ended when talks between leaders of the Unite union, representing the drivers, and managers from the haulage company reached a secret deal. Drivers will be balloted over the coming week with a recommendation to accept the deal. Daily News 2008-06-19T07:02:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/fuel-strike-disruption-continues-as-peace-talks-resume/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/fuel-strike-disruption-continues-as-peace-talks-resume/#When:18:11:00Z Shell tanker drivers were due to return to work at 6am tomorrow (Tuesday, June 17) following a four-day strike. However, the drivers, who work for two companies contracted to the oil company, Hoyer UK and Suckling Transport, are due to walkout again for four days in pursuit of a pay rise on Friday (June 20). Reports from around the UK indicated that around 650 fuel stations had run dry, including 249 Shell garages, according to the Department for Business, Employment and Regulatory Reform. There are around 9,000 forecourts in Britain. A Devon petrol station is reportedly charging drivers more than £9 a gallon for petrol and diesel as drivers clamour for fuel. The Foxhayes station at Exwick near Exeter has put all grades of petrol and diesel up to £1.99 a litre. The manager said the move was to conserve stocks and said he was not being mean. Negotiations between the employers and the tanker drivers’ trade union, Unite, restarted today (Monday, June 16) with both sides hinting that a breakthrough was possible. However, the talks broke up without any agreement, but will resume tomorrow. Unite, the union representing the drivers, called the talks ‘helpful’. During the weekend, Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged both sides of the dispute to resume negotiations, adding that contingency plans were in place to minimise the effects of the walkout. Meanwile, motorists have reported confusion at the pumps over supplies and have complained about poor signing. Many motorists are driving on and off forecourts as it is unclear what fuel is available. Many stations have just put signs on the individual pumps which cannot be seen from the road. AA president Edmund King said: “We would like to see clearer signing at the garages as it is not always clear that pumps have run dry and motorists are wasting precious fuel by entering the forecourts. “If there is another four day strike the implications would be worse as it will take longer to restock all garages across the country. “Generally, motorists have acted sensibly and didn’t rush to the pumps. The high cost of fuel was also a factor in that many families can’t afford to fill up due to record prices at the pumps.” Daily News 2008-06-16T18:11:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/low-emission-cars-are-key-part-of-tories-green-agenda/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/low-emission-cars-are-key-part-of-tories-green-agenda/#When:18:10:00Z Hydrogen fuel cell and battery powered cars are a key part of Tory leader David Cameron’s environmental plans to both strengthen the economy and help tackle the rising cost of living. In a speech to environmental leaders, Mr Cameron outlined what he called ‘our Blue/Green Charter’, which included pledges to: Encourage business, industry and innovators to develop green products and services such as hydrogen fuel cell and battery powered cars Use green taxes to change behaviour, not just raise revenue - and use the tax increases to fund tax cuts for families Tackle the problems of road congestion and poor train services, which will help both the environment and the economy Change the way employees travel to work Mr Cameron said: “The truth is: it’s not that we can’t afford to go green – it’s that we can’t afford not to go green. When oil is moving towards $140 a barrel, when families are being hit hard every time they pay their gas bill, fill up their cars or do the weekly shop, are you telling me we shouldn’t - we can’t - go green? We’ve got to. We must wean ourselves off our dependence on fossil fuels and go green.” Referring to ‘green’ cars, Mr Cameron said: “It’s obvious we will never become truly green if our cars continue running exclusively on petrol and diesel. And it’s equally obvious that we should never expect people to give up driving. So it’s clear we that we should be doing all that we can to deliver the technology for greener cars. “This won’t happen through a retrospective tax on cars bought seven years ago [referring to planned Government changes in Vehicle Excise Duty]. If you want businesses and individuals to make green choices, green plans and green investments, they need certainty for the future, not punishments for the past. That’s why we’ve set an aggressive long-range target to bring the average emissions level for new cars down to 100 g/km by 2022. This sends the clearest signal to the market - get researching, get developing, get producing, because if you don’t, you won’t survive. “But I want us to go further. I want Britain to be the world leader in hydrogen fuel cell or battery powered cars. Can you imagine the impact, not just on our carbon emissions but on the quality of life in our towns and cities, if we moved en masse to such new, green technology?” Daily News 2008-06-16T18:10:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/bentley-recalls-thousands-of-cars/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/bentley-recalls-thousands-of-cars/#When:18:09:00Z Bentley is recalling 33,155 cars after discovering a design fault that could lead to them catching fire. The problem with four Continental models, which can cost £137,500, means that owners must take their car to their dealer to have a defective fuel filter modified. The recall affects a total of 7,538 cars in the UK and is blamed on rust caused by road salt that can lead to petrol leaks. Some 31 cars, including 26 in the UK, were sufficiently badly affected to be potentially dangerous. A Bentley spokesman said no cars had caught fire, but he admitted: “There is a potential fire risk. This is a precautionary measure.” Daily News 2008-06-16T18:09:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/raw-material-costs-put-tyre-prices-under-pressure/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/raw-material-costs-put-tyre-prices-under-pressure/#When:18:08:00Z Tyre manufacturer Bridgestone has become the latest producer to increase tyre prices to UK motorists more steeply that on the continent. Blaming higher raw material and import costs, the world’s leading tyre maker is raising tyre prices across Europe for the second time in months. UK drivers face price increases of between 8% and 12%, compared with the 5%-8% in the rest of Europe. Bridgestone, which sells the most tyres globally, is second behind Michelin in Europe with about 12% of the market compared with Michelin’s 18%. Michelin has increased the price of its tyres in Europe by about 5% in recent weeks. Daily News 2008-06-16T18:08:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/tata-motors-to-buy-hummer/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/tata-motors-to-buy-hummer/#When:20:11:01Z Indian vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors, which recently completed its acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover, has approached shareholders to ask for permission to raise a £1.5 billion war chest to fund further acquisitions. It is believed that potential targets could include Hummer, the General Motors’ owned company that was put up for sale earlier this month. Daily News 2008-06-12T20:11:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/talks-to-avert-fuel-tanker-drivers-strike-continue/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/talks-to-avert-fuel-tanker-drivers-strike-continue/#When:20:09:00Z Talks to prevent a four-day strike starting tomorrow (Friday, June 13) by tanker drivers who deliver fuel for Shell continued today (Thursday, June 12). Members of the Unite union representing more than 600 drivers met their employers to try to find a resolution to the pay dispute yesterday (Wednesday) but broke up with the strike still scheduled. If their walkout goes ahead on Friday morning it will affect Shell’s 1,000 forecourts across the UK. The government has urged motorists not to panic-buy fuel, fearing shortages. However, there have been reports of queues at some fuel stations across the country. Meanwhile, if the strike goes ahead, tanker drivers are said to be to attempt to cut off supplies from major oil refineries in an attempt to escalate the dispute. The drivers will urge unionised tanker drivers working for rival companies not to cross their picket lines. Union organisers believe a picket line blockade of refineries, terminals and depots could lead to a crisis not seen since the fuel protests of autumn 2000. The talks are taking place at an undisclosed location and are being mediated by the conciliation service Acas. The strike over pay is due to start at 0600 BST tomorrow (Friday) and continue until 0600 the following Tuesday. Daily News 2008-06-12T20:09:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/new-cars-sales-not-as-bad-as-first-predicted-says-barclays/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/new-cars-sales-not-as-bad-as-first-predicted-says-barclays/#When:20:07:01Z Barclays has revised its full-year new car sales forecast upwards, despite predicting a tough period of trading in the latter half of the year. Forecasts for the UK economy have been revised down in recent months as the effects of the disruption in financial markets on the wider economy become apparent. Research carried out for the bank now suggests that UK economic growth will be around 1.7% in 2008 and 1.8% in 2009, well below the 3 % of growth recorded in 2007. But, despite the downward economic projections, Barclays said registrations of new cars had been remarkably resilient and year-to-date sales were on a par with 2007. As a result, Rick Parry, Barclay’s relationship director for the motor sector, said: “We have revised up slightly our forecasts for the full year in recognition of this to a fall of 3% for the year as a whole. But we still expect market demand to weaken in the second half of the year in response to the current low levels of consumer confidence and as household disposable incomes are squeezed by a rise in inflation.” The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has predicted that 2008 new car sales will total 2.335 million, down 3% on last year’s total of 2.404m registrations. Daily News 2008-06-12T20:07:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/government-to-spend-90m-cutting-a14-congestion/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/government-to-spend-90m-cutting-a14-congestion/#When:19:03:00Z Drivers on the A14, which links the Midlands with the east coast ports, are to benefit from more reliable and safer journeys as Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly announced the go-ahead for an £89.5m project to install new jam-busting technology on the route. The scheme will deliver improvements over a total of 62 miles of the A14, from the M1 in the west to Felixstowe in the east, providing road users with journey time information, warnings of upcoming congestion and advice on potential alternative routes. The scheme will see automatic incident detection sensors embedded in the road surface providing real-time traffic information to electronic signs installed above the road. This will allow traffic to be re-routed following road incidents, giving drivers a better choice of routes, helping them to escape jams and reducing secondary accidents. Incident monitoring cameras will also be installed to allow Highways Agency traffic officers to respond more quickly to accidents, helping to cut road closure times and improve safety. Ms Kelly said: “The A14 is a crucial link between the Port of Felixstowe and industrial centres in the Midlands - making it both a key route both for East Anglia and for the wider economy. “This £89.5m of Government investment reflects both our commitment to assisting economic growth and to improving safety and reliability for drivers on our major roads.” Work will start on site by February 2009 and will be completed by 2010. Daily News 2008-06-11T19:03:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/credit-crunch-could-force-bank-owned-leasing-companies-out-of-sector/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/credit-crunch-could-force-bank-owned-leasing-companies-out-of-sector/#When:19:00:00Z The credit crunch could force some of the leasing industry’s big players out of the market, according to Jon Walden, boss of UK contract hire firm Lex. Speaking to BusinessCar: Mr Walden said: “We could see one or two of the top 10 decide to exit the leasing industry. It won’t reshape the industry. Could I see five? No, but I can see one or two doing it. A recession is more likely to show up weaknesses of poorly managed firms, at which point the owners may say they don’t want to be there any more.” The majority of Britain’s biggest contract hire and leasing companies, including Lex, are owned by the major banks. Daily News 2008-06-11T19:00:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/petrol-sales-fall-20-as-drivers-feel-the-squeeze-home-working-takes-off/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/petrol-sales-fall-20-as-drivers-feel-the-squeeze-home-working-takes-off/#When:18:57:00Z Motorists are shunning their cars following record rises in the price of fuel, according to the International Energy Agency. The organisation has reported that ‘British motorists are clearly driving less’ following a doubling of crude oil prices in the last 12 months. Petrol retailers have reported that fuel sales have dropped sharply over the past few weeks and the latest figures appear to show that demand for petrol in Britain has slumped by as much as 20% over the past 12 months. The IEA says that motorists are instead opting to use public transport as their cars become too expensive to run. The analysis provides some of the first hard evidence that motorists are realising that they have to change their behaviour in response to the sharp rise in petrol prices. The AA reports that average UK unleaded petrol prices are now at 116.9p a litre with diesel prices at 130.3p a litre.. A survey reported that 96.3% of fleet decision makers said that fuel costs were reducing business mileage - up 17.5% year-on-year - and 94.5% said that home working was also reducing the number of business miles travelled - up by 19.4% year-on-year. A four-day strike by tanker drivers delivering to Shell fuel stations is due to start on Friday (June 13) unless last ditch talks taking place today (Wednesday, June 11) prove successful. The strike, over a pay claim, has prompted Prime Minister Gordon Brown to issue a ‘don’t panic’ warning to drivers. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said emergency plans were in place to minimise disruption and he stressed: “We want the public to buy as normal, to avoid creating problems.” Daily News 2008-06-11T18:57:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/cars-could-be-powered-by-sugar-within-a-decade/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/cars-could-be-powered-by-sugar-within-a-decade/#When:06:35:00Z Low pollution cars powered by hydrogen produced from plant sugar could be on the road within 10 years, according to biochemists in the United States. They have developed a process that combines plant sugars with a cocktail of enzymes to produce hydrogen and small amounts of carbon dioxide. The researchers are now working to speed up their process to make it commercially viable. Daily News 2008-04-11T06:35:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/inquiry-to-be-held-into-britains-worst-road/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/inquiry-to-be-held-into-britains-worst-road/#When:06:35:00Z A three-day inquiry is to be held into traffic delays on the A12 in Essex, which has been billed as Britain’s ‘worst road’. The heavily congested road, which runs between London and Great Yarmouth, carries more than 86,000 vehicles a day ad is regularly closed for roadworks. Voted the worst road in a survey by Cornhill Insurance, the inquiry has been established by Essex County Council. It is the first in Britain to be set up by a local authority into the performance of an existing road. Sir David Rowlands, who retired as permanent secretary at the Department for Transport in May, and who lives in Chelmsford, Essex, will head the inquiry, which will look at widening more of the A12 to three lanes. Daily News 2008-04-11T06:35:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/sat-navs-threaten-damage-to-ancient-buildings/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/sat-navs-threaten-damage-to-ancient-buildings/#When:06:34:00Z Satellite navigation systems are posing a threat to Britain’s ancient bridges, roads and buildings as increasing numbers of drivers are directed to use lanes and country roads never designed for heavy vehicles. Examples of damage highlighted in the latest issue of Cornerstone, the members’ magazine of SPAB (The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) include: Lorries believed to have been using sat nav devices recently damaged the 200-year-old bridge over the river Ock at Charney Bassett in Oxfordshire as well as striking the ancient railings around Ock Green. A 300-year-old cottage near Ashton Under Lyne, Greater Manchester was wrecked when a trucker blindly followed his sat nav down a narrow country lane to escape the busy A627 At Pevensey Castle in East Sussex there are reports of damage to the Roman foundations following an increase in the number of lorries being guided along the nearby B2191 by sat nav technology. The problem at Pevensey has become so acute that residents are hoping to fight back by invoking the powers of the 1207 Pevensey Charter which could allow them to close the road through the village - on Sundays at least. SPAB secretary Phillip Venning said: “Blind reliance on satellite navigation is fast becoming a serious issue for old buildings as motorists are directed to use ancient lanes and narrow country roads that might even have posed for a problem for horse-drawn carriages. The result is thousands of pounds worth of damage to historic structures which have, until recently, stood the test of time.” Daily News 2008-04-11T06:34:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/rethink-of-vw-law-insufficient-says-brussels/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/rethink-of-vw-law-insufficient-says-brussels/#When:06:33:01Z The German Government’s proposed changes to the controversial law that protects Europe’s largest carmaker, Volkswagen against hostile takeovers do not go far enough, according to the European Commission. EU internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy has written to the German Government saying that proposed changes to the so-called ‘VW law’ were insufficient. The ‘VW law’ has been under review by Germany since the European Court of Justice ruled in October last year that its provisions restricted the free movement of capital and so breached EU rules. The key difference between the EU and the Germany authorities centres around the issue of a 20% shareholder blocking minority. At present, a majority of 80% of shareholders is required to take ‘significant decisions’ Daily News 2008-04-11T06:33:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/daimler-predicts-sales-slowdown/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/daimler-predicts-sales-slowdown/#When:06:32:01Z Global car sales will rise by 2% this year, but tighter economic conditions will hit European and United States’ volumes, according to Daimler. Growth in countries such as China, Russia and India has helped carmakers stave off the impact of the slowdown in sales, particularly in the US. However, Daimler chief executive Dieter Zetsche says the economic climate will continue to worsen impacting sales particularly in Europe and the US. In addition, tighter credit conditions in the United States and Europe are hitting some carmakers’ credit divisions, which face higher financing costs. Daily News 2008-04-11T06:32:01+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/portsmouth-drives-forward-with-city-wide-20-mph-zone/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/portsmouth-drives-forward-with-city-wide-20-mph-zone/#When:19:51:00Z Portsmouth has today (Tuesday, March 25) become the first city in Britain to introduce a wide-ranging 20 mph speed limit. A total of 1,200 residential streets are included in the scheme, which is being closely monitored by other local authorities with Norwich City Council exploring a similar initiative. The scheme has gradually been rolled out across Portsmouth and Cllr Alex Bentley, the council’s executive member for traffic and transportation, said: “Most of our residential streets are just not suitable for speeds of more than 20 mph, and we’re sending a message to the reckless minority of drivers that they must drive safely. “A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 20 mph is likely to suffer slight injuries, but at 30 mph they’re likely to be severely hurt. At 40 mph or above they’re likely to be killed. And the safer our streets are, the more people will be encouraged to walk and cycle.” Daily News 2008-03-25T19:51:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/car-costs-soar-under-labour1/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/car-costs-soar-under-labour1/#When:19:50:00Z The cost of running a family car has risen to almost £2,200 a year - a 56% increase since Labour came to power, according to an analysis of the rising expense of everyday living from the House of Commons library. It now costs an average of 2,197 to maintain, service, insure, tax and fuel most vehicles, compared with £1,409 in 1997. The price of petrol and oil alone has risen by 52.6% during more than a decade of Labour rule. In addition vehicle tax and insurance have increased by 52% on average from £395 to £601. Daily News 2008-03-25T19:50:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/government-targets-tired-company-car-drivers-with-new-campaign/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/government-targets-tired-company-car-drivers-with-new-campaign/#When:19:48:00Z Company car drivers are one of the major targets of a new Government campaign aimed at cracking down on the number of road crashes involving tired motorists. Driver tiredness accounts for around one fifth of accidents on major roads, and is responsible for around 300 deaths per year on the UK’s roads, according to the Department for Transport. Now the Department, under its THINK! safety banner, has launched a new driver tiredness campaign targeting all drivers with a particular focus on those who drive for work including young company car drivers under 30 years of age and company car drivers aged 30-44 years as well as HGV/LGV drivers. Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “We all want to finish our journeys as quickly as possible but being tired at the wheel is a proven killer that we cannot ignore. “People who drive for work are particularly at risk but there are simple steps we can all take to make our journeys safer. Plan regular stops into a long trip and if you find yourself yawning pull over and take a break - this could make the difference between life and death.” A You Gov poll of British drivers shows only 18% of motorists always take a yawn as a sign to pull over. Out of the 1,500 motorists polled only one in five (22%) always plan breaks in their car journeys, while more than a quarter (26%) admit to having driven for up to or more than four hours without a break. The campaign focuses on radio advertising as it enables the Department to target drivers in-situ, at a point when the driver tiredness message will have most relevance to them. The advertising is supported with advertising in motorway and A road service stations, online advertising, partnership marketing activity, PR activity and publicity materials that are reinforced with the key message: The campaign, focused around urging drivers that ‘Tiredness kills. Take a 15 minute break every two hours’is part of a wider driving for work campaign which has been developed by THINK! A THINK! spokesman said: “People who drive for work are an at risk group, demonstrating key risk behaviours such as talking on mobile phones whilst driving, speeding and driving whilst tired. However, although an at risk group, they do not recognise themselves as being at risk, nor do they recognise themselves as a group.” Campaigns on mobile phone use and speeding are already in place. The fatigue campaign has been developed specifically with the work driver in mind. It aims to: Encourage drivers to take a 15 minute break every two hours of driving Increase awareness of the dangers of driving while tired Increase awareness of the signs/symptoms of driver sleepiness. Daily News 2008-03-25T19:48:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/fuel-desert-fears-over-fill-up-crisis/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/fuel-desert-fears-over-fill-up-crisis/#When:12:49:00Z Parts of the UK are at risk of becoming fuel deserts with nowhere for motorists to fill up their cars after it emerged that the number of filling stations has fallen to its lowest level since 1913. Then there were around 10,100 places for motorists to fill up. Today, however, there are 9,400 outlets servicing a British car parc of more than 33 million vehicles. Due to tiny margins, fierce competition and high overheads, petrol retailing is unattractive. According to the Petrol Retailers’ Association, an efficient fuel retailing business will gross just 2% a year on investment. Such poor returns have resulted in only around 20 forecourts opening in the last five years, the majority of which are attached to supermarkets. Forecourt closures continue at about 450 every year. At such a rate of decline, it will take only a further four years for the number of filling station to drop below 7,500 - the number estimated by the PRA that are needed to keep the country moving. PRA director Ray Holloway, who has met with a cross-party group of MPs, to discuss what can be done to reverse the decline, said: “The situation could become critical if the total number of forecourts continues to drop at the rate of recent years.” Daily News 2008-02-21T12:49:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/profits-halve-at-pendragon-as-competition-hits-margins/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/profits-halve-at-pendragon-as-competition-hits-margins/#When:11:58:00Z Profits at Britain’s largest car dealership group, Pendragon, halved for the 12 months to December 31, 2007 as the market became ever-more competitive putting pressure on margins. The company reported pre-tax profits before exceptionals of £34.8 million (2006: £69.4m) on static revenue of £5.1 billion. Chief executive Trevor Finn said: “As interest rates rose last year the car market became progressively more competitive putting pressure on used car margins. We acted early, closing poorly performing sites and, as a result, are better placed to face the challenges in what remains an uncertain market in 2008. “Overall we have made good progress to improve the quality of the business. The changes we have made to our physical footprint and the changes to our customer proposition, focusing on lower priced used cars, leaves us better placed for the type of market we expect in 2008.” Pendragon is the largest independent operator of franchised car dealerships in the UK, operating 343 franchises. The company also operates 11 car franchises in California, but has pulled out of the loss-making German market. The company also has a substantial presence in the UK vehicle leasing, wholesale parts and dealership management software markets. The existing vehicle fleet reduced slightly to 17,600 units with an average lease period of 30 months. (Pendragon: February 20). Daily News 2008-02-21T11:58:00+00:00 http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/graphic-warnings-of-road-dangers-displayed-on-new-signs/ http://www.planyourfleet.com/site/graphic-warnings-of-road-dangers-displayed-on-new-signs/#When:11:56:00Z Drivers on the M42 in the West Midlands will be the first in the country to be warned about traffic conditions and dangers ahead of them via digital picture messages on overhead signs. They will be introduced this week on an 11-mile stretch of the motorway by the Highways Agency following six months of testing. The graphic images displaying a picture and words of warning such as ‘skid risk’, ‘accident’ and ‘snow’ have resulted in reduced fuel consumption and vehicle emissions as vehicles slowed. The AA said the signs would also be more easily understood by foreign drivers. (The Times: February 20). Daily News 2008-02-21T11:56:00+00:00