All the key news in fleet…

Ken Trinder started his career in the motor industry in 1992.

Industry mourns loss of Ken Trinder

Well-known industry figure Ken Trinder has passed away at the age of 67 following a short battle with cancer.

Trinder was widely known for his work with a number of companies and started his career in the motor industry in 1992 when he joined Evans, moving on to become managing director of Evan Halshaw Contract Hire.

From 2002-2011, he was head of business development at epyx and he was in the process of launching a new career management platform company, Dalmatian Systems, at the time of his death.

His funeral will take place on 5 May at 2.45pm at Mansfield Crematorium. A JustGiving page has been set up in memoriam with proceeds to Cancer Research.

Franchised workshops have an average UK labour rate of £99.

Franchised garage labour rates 43% higher than independents

Fleets using franchised garages will pay on average 43% more for labour rates compared to using independent workshops.

The research by automotive service and repair start-up motoreasy found that franchised workshops have an average UK labour rate of £99 compared with an independent garage average of £56.

The analysis of 6,000 UK garages – which also included fast-fits – also found that maximum garage labour rates now stand at £234 an hour, with an overall UK average of £67 an hour.

The turntable solution enables HD images and videos to be captured.

New BCA solution accelerates speed to market

A new solution being rolled out by BCA will enable fleets to remarket vehicles quicker at the point of defleet.

Automotive vehicle photography specialist AutosOnShow (AOS), acquired by BCA in 2014, is rolling out a turntable solution at key defleet centres across the UK following successful trials at BCA Fleet Solutions facilities in Upper Heyford, Thurleigh and Corby.

The solution enables HD images and video can to distributed to dealer networks and pushed to consumers ahead of the physical vehicle moving.

The driveVLS app is free to download on iOS or Android devices.

JCT600 VLS launches ‘driver-centric’ app

JCT600 Vehicle Leasing Solutions has developed a new, free app that brings together a wealth of information for drivers.

Available for use on iOS or Android devices, the driveVLS app provides key data on the driver, the vehicle and the lease contract while also providing tax information and industry news in a single location. The app also offers push notifications advising drivers when vehicle servicing or an MOT is due and servicing, repair or tyre replacement bookings can be made directly through the app.

The app also underpins JCT600’s new grey fleet management service and enables drivers to upload key documents such as insurance certificates while also filling out a visual check list.

Drivers taking company cars on holiday are being urged to obtain correct documentation.

Warning for drivers taking company cars abroad

Drivers taking their company cars abroad on holiday this summer are being urged to ensure that they have the correct documentation as soon as possible.

The call comes from Arval, which says it receives last-minute requests every year from drivers at ferry terminals who didn’t realise they needed a VE103 certificate to use their lease vehicle overseas.