All the key news in fleet…

The RAC is predicting a late spring surge on the roads this weekend.

RAC predicts busiest late May bank holiday traffic for four years

Sixteen and a half million leisure journeys will be taken by car this coming bank holiday weekend, the highest number in four years and up one million on last year, data from RAC Traffic Watch suggests.

Based on the travel plans of over 2,000 UK motorists, the RAC is predicting a late spring surge on the roads, with leisure traffic on motorways and major A-roads peaking on bank holiday Monday at nearly 5m journeys.

Saturday 27th May is also expected to see a significant number of journeys by road – around 4.3m in total – but the RAC says that it may well be Friday 26th that will be most hectic as getaway traffic mixes with normal commuter traffic.

First deliveries of new 500L start from September.

Facelifted 500L revealed

Fiat has taken the wraps off its facelifted 500L, which brings refreshed looks, components and tech.

Priced from £16,195 OTR, the model is still offered in three variants but with new designations. The standard model becomes the ‘Urban’, while the beefed-up ‘Cross’ replaces the Trekking and the seven-seat extended ‘Wagon’ is the replacement for the MPW.

New additions include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as options and a completely revamped interior.

Engine line-up comprises two diesel units: the 94bhp 1.3-litre 16V MultiJet, also available with Dualogic transmission, and the 118bhp 1.6-litre 16V MultiJet. Petrol units cover the 94bhp 1.4-litre 16V and the 118bhp 1.4-litre 16V T-Jet. First deliveries start from September.

Customers of Virgin Trains East Coast will now be offered access to Enterprise Car Club.

Virgin Trains East Coast and Enterprise Car Club partner

Customers of Virgin Trains East Coast will now be offered onward access through Enterprise Car Club as a result of a new partnership.

The deal will see vehicles conveniently located at key stations along the mainline train route, with Virgin Trains East Coast said to be the first train operator to integrate a car club service to smaller city stations in order to provide more options for travellers.

76.8% of all cars made in the UK since January have been shipped abroad.

UK car manufacturing declines in April

UK car manufacturing output fell in April, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 122,116 cars were manufactured in the month, a -18.2% decrease on April 2016, as the late Easter bank holiday affected production.

Despite the decline, year-to-date production remains strong with 593,796 cars made so far in 2017 – a 1.0% increase on the same period last year – reaching its highest level for the first four months of the year since 2000.

Demand from overseas buyers continues to drive growth, up 3.5% so far this year and offsetting a fall at home of -7.0%. In total 76.8% of all cars made in the UK since January have been shipped abroad, with the majority going into the EU.

Total Motion has more than doubled its workforce over the past three years.

Total Motion named in top 1000 companies to inspire Britain

Leicester-based vehicle management company Total Motion has made it onto the top ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ listing by the London Stock Exchange Group for the second year running.

The company has more than doubled its workforce over the past three years and now employs more than 60 people.

Total Motion managing director Simon Hill said: “We have grown rapidly over the past 12 months but we haven’t lost sight of our core values and remain committed to providing the highest levels of customer care.”