Category : Opinions
Changing the law for autonomous vehicles
Nick Terry, a partner at Burton Copeland LLP Solicitors, explains why adapting the current law governing motor vehicles may not be enough to cater for the … Read More »
Brand with a plan: How Vauxhall’s servicing initiative will benefit fleets
A new Vauxhall fleet initiative for servicing SME vehicles is to be welcomed. Curtis Hutchinson, editor of Motor Trader, reports. Last year was a record breaking … Read More »
Supply demands: Why fleets should research their suppliers
The integrity of your suppliers is fundamental in running a successful fleet, says The Insider. The availability of robust independent data quantifying the return on investment … Read More »
Q&A: John Watkins, executive chairman of Trakm8
John Watkins, executive chairman of Trakm8, on developments within the group and the broader telematics marketplace. What are the plans for the Trakm8 group following its … Read More »
What I’ve learnt: John Ellis, MD of Nexus Vehicle Rental
First impressions count The importance of first impressions cannot be underestimated; the impact of your first interaction with a customer, supplier or member of your team … Read More »
SEAT targets user-choosers for ongoing growth
SEAT is aiming for “double digit” growth in sales by optimising its product range and focusing on higher-value segments than previously, according to chairman of the … Read More »
Canterbury tales: An interview with Longleys Private Hire Ltd director, David George
Telematics can transform a business. It certainly did for Longleys Private Hire, which installed a system and found its business crippled as a result. The Canterbury-based … Read More »
Q&A: Eric Feunteun on Renault’s EV programme
How healthy is the EV market? The growth of EV volumes is quite impressive; over 50% worldwide, and also on a European basis. Among that Renault … Read More »
Time to act on autonomous vehicles: Selwyn Cooper of Volvo
Selwyn Cooper, head of Business Sales, Volvo Car UK, on how developments in autonomous driving are likely to benefit fleets. There is not a day that … Read More »
What is the point of telematics if you don’t use it?
The majority of fleets now use one of the seemingly numerous telematics solutions available in the UK. These systems use a combination of technologies to monitor … Read More »
A question of attitude
If you use local dealers to source and service your fleet vehicles then you might find it useful to know what they think of the brands … Read More »
Phoning it in
News that the Department for Transport has opened a public consultation on the possibility of increasing penalties for using a hand-held phone while driving has left … Read More »
What I’ve learnt: FleetEurope’s John Yarroll
Taking the long-term view I’ve spent over 40 years in the rental and leasing industry; my formative years were spent in large, often multi-national corporations, the … Read More »
Q&A: James O’Neill, UK sales manager at Ensto Chago
Why is it important for businesses to have charging points for their plug-in company cars and vans? The evolution of ‘smart’ homes and offices means … Read More »
How a multi-supplier purchasing strategy can help future-proof your fleet
When the Office of National Statistics (ONS) announced the latest inflation rate for the UK, there was a snippet among its figures that should have acted … Read More »
Premium choice
No-one’s ever been fired for sourcing German cars for their company’s fleet. As well as being desirable for user-choosers, especially those with an eye for what … Read More »
Practice what you preach: The IAM’s David Batten
As one of the UK’s highest profile road safety charities, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has a commitment to making Britain’s roads a safer … Read More »
The Insider: Quantifying the unquantifiables
I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy evaluating a new product and trying to make a business case for it, and then seeing how … Read More »
What I’ve learnt: Selwyn Cooper, head of business sales, Volvo Car UK
Acting as the head of business sales Looking back over my 20 years with Volvo, I’ve been fortunate enough to work across all departments within … Read More »
Testing times: What the Government's MoT plans could mean for fleets
The Government has got itself hot under the collar about extending the first MoT for cars from three to four years. The move was announced last … Read More »
Interview: Francis Bleasdale, fleet and remarketing director at FCA
It can be hard to keep up with the various comings and goings of the Fiat Group and its various brands, which have been through many … Read More »
The Insider: Feeling the (Ad)Blues
This month, I’m suffering from the AdBlues. Having read the available information, taken on board the published advice and informed our drivers well in advance, reality … Read More »
Pimlico Plumbers: A very modern old-fashioned fleet
Stopping to chat with busy mechanics during a tour of Pimlico Plumbers’ HQ, managing director Charlie Mullins’ pride in his company’s in‐house fleet management operation is … Read More »
The Insider: A wishlist for 2016
Let’s start with the return of the spare wheel to all vehicles as standard. Damaged tyres are one of the biggest causes of trouble in fleet, … Read More »
What I've Learnt: Robert Pilkington of Ebbon-Dacs
Don’t assume you can do it all yourself Earlier in my career, when I was IT director, I felt that I was capable of designing … Read More »
The power of choice: Ford of Britain's Andy Barratt on the brand's growth plans
Only halfway through his first year as Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, Andy Barratt, may have taken on the role in one of the … Read More »
Clouds on the Horizon: a look at forecasts for 2016 new car sales in the UK
No sooner had the festive period passed and the celebration of record breaking registration levels in 2015 subsided, when the frantic new and used car trading … Read More »
On the road: a beast of burden
Not so much the elephant in the room as the Nellie on the bonnet, one of the less trumpeted pitfalls of increasingly stringent pedestrian impact legislation … Read More »
Tyred out?
Fleet managers need to do more about the tyres fitted to the cars and vans they operate. That's one of the clear messages from research conducted … Read More »
Order of service: How service plans could aid SMEs
Service plans sales have grown in the retail sector and could play a useful cost control role for SMEs too. Curtis Hutchinson, editor of Motor Trader, … Read More »