March 2013

Monthly Archives

  • Posted in:

    EU commercial vehicle registrations plummeted 13.3% in February

    In total, 109,331 new vehicles were registered in the month. Looking at the major markets, the UK was the only one to post growth (+4.2%) thanks to positive results in the van segment. France (-12.3%), Germany (-14.4%), Spain (-19.5%) and Italy (-31.3%) all faced a downturn. The For the first two months of the year, overall […]

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    FTA's head of vans & LCVs gives van outlook for next 12-24 months

    Commenting on his view of the outlook for van operators and the cost considerations, Mark said: ‘Something I find interesting with van operations in general is that they don’t always seem to manage operational costs with the same obsession that truck operators do! Few seem to be able to quote mpg figures, manage the impact […]

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    Auto Windscreens adds Ford vans to fleet following network expansion

    The new vehicles increase Auto Windscreens’ fleet by 20% to over 300 vehicles and are in the process of being delivered by Chesterfield’s GK Group Ford dealership to the Auto Windscreens’ HQ where they are then kitted out with mobile windscreen and glass replacement equipment.  Auto Windscreens has a longstanding relationship with GK Group and […]

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    New Microlise app offers affordable proof-of-delivery solutions

    Crucially, the Microlise SmartPOD application runs on Android Smartphones. It offers a “Pay-as-you-go” pricing structure where a charge is levied for every delivery or collection made via an itemised bill at the end of each month. In terms of functionality, the new software offers all of the key features of a traditional ePOD solution including […]

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    2013 Budget: Chancellor confirms fuel duty rise scrapped

    However, there was no mention of a three pence per litre reduction, as recently called for by industry lobbying group, The Freight Transport Association. The news was welcomed by Green Flag, with spokesperson Miranda Schunke commenting: 'We welcome the Government’s decision to cancel the planned increase in fuel duty. Household budgets are already being stretched […]

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    2013 Budget: Government to spend extra £3bn per year on infrastructure

    Mr Osborne said that the move, which equates to an extra £15bn of spending over the next decade, would ‘invest in the country’s economic arteries to get growth flowing to every part of it’. David Brennan, managing director of LeasePlan, commented: ‘The Chancellor’s extra £3bn annual infrastructure spend will help deliver much-needed road improvements. Keeping […]

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    2013 Budget Summary: Positive news for fuel duty and CTT rates

    Fuel Duty The 3p per litre rise in fuel duty scheduled for September has now been cancelled. Company Car TaxTwo new thresholds will be introduced from 2015/16 that will benefit drivers opting for ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs). From April 2015, two new CCT bands will be introduced at 0-50 grams/kilometre of carbon dioxide (g/km CO2) […]

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    Cold weather tyres prove hot choice for Tesco.com

    The supermarket’s 3,200-strong fleet of light commercials carries out 500,000 deliveries each week, and was fitted with Michelin’s Agilis Alpin tyres in autumn 2011. After experiencing the specialised tyres for two full winters, Tesco.com fleet and equipment manager Dino Papas says the tyres have been invaluable in increasing driver safety and ensuring customer deliveries arrive […]

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    Budget 2013: GE Capital UK welcomes freeze on van benefit charge

    In the 2013 Budget the Government announced that the van benefit charge will be frozen at £3,000 in 2013-14 and will be increased only in line with the Retail Price Index from 6th April 2014. Forthcoming changes will now be announced one year ahead. Commenting on the news, Gary Killeen, fleet services commercial leader for […]

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