Category : Opinions
Reasons to be cheerful – National Franchised Dealers Association poll
Ever wondered what dealers think of the car brands they represent? Clearly you would rather your drivers take their cars to a dealer who is fired … Read More »
What I’ve learnt: Malcolm Maycock of the Licence Bureau
Dealing with people The police force taught me a number of skill sets at the outset of my working life for which I am most grateful. … Read More »
Interview: Andy Barratt, chairman, Ford of Britain
How does Ford see the fleet sector developing at the moment? The fleet sector is hugely important to us both on car and commercial. The car sector … Read More »
Interview: Paul Philpott, president & CEO, Kia Motors UK
How is 2015 shaping up so far? We’re on track to do about 80,000 units this year, that’s the first time we’ve broken through 80,000. Last … Read More »
The Insider: Medical schooling
The Glasgow bin lorry crash, together with other similar cases that are now coming to light, is incredibly sad, and highlights a number of areas where … Read More »
Breaking traditional perceptions of the vehicle finance broker network
Alphabet's broker network is celebrating its one year anniversary. Its strategy to work only with established broker businesses that focus on renewals, retention and referrals is … Read More »
Interview: Jeremy Hicks, MD, Jaguar Land Rover UK
How will Jaguar convince fleet buyers that JLR has the right products for them? You can pin nearly all our growth in the last five years … Read More »
Hour by hour
How much do you pay for service, maintenance and repairs? The answer, invariably, is too much. However, you could actually be paying over the odds … Read More »
Interview: Ken Ramirez, MD, Renault UK
What are your plans for next year? Next year is an important year for us. We’ve already outgrown the market this year, we’ve had 17% growth … Read More »
Interview: Jim Wright, MD, Nissan Motor GB
How has 2015 been for Nissan, so far? In terms of car share, we’re about 5.8% which is about 0.6% up year-on-year, and in fleet it’s … Read More »
Have you got the Power?
When it comes to surveys there's one particular researcher that can strike fear or joy into carmakers. For over 40 years JD Power has held … Read More »
What I've Learnt: Auto Windscreens' Chris Thornton
Share your goals and dream big To really develop a business in a meaningful way, develop a clear vision and a strategy to get there, most … Read More »
The Insider: Energy conversation
Now here’s a thing. We recently tackled our ESOS transport energy audit and, reading through all the preamble, I was pretty sure I’d got it taped. Our … Read More »
Is a pool car always an expensive luxury?
Short-term rental versus long-term lease is a debate that will undoubtedly continue to rage in the offices of finance directors and fleet managers for years to … Read More »
Should we be worried?
It is worth reflecting on how far vehicle development has come over the last 40 years. Without delving into great detail, it does not require too … Read More »
What I've Learnt: Alphabet's Martin Quail
The value of keeping it personal In the business world, it is vital to ensure the tone you are using is relevant for the person you’re … Read More »
The Insider: Getting into scrapes
We are all good at complaining about end of contract damage charges, but the thing is, whether damage is incurred during the contract or at … Read More »
Q&A: Andrew Goodwin of Lex Autolease
How will it work? Customers of the RAC’s Business Club will now have the added capability to lease vehicles, provided by Lex Autolease, through the portal. … Read More »
What’s in store for dealers?
When it comes to choosing a dealer to do business with the overall look and feel of the showroom is an important deciding factor for fleet … Read More »
Fleet industry lacking a vibrant start-up innovation
After starting and growing two successful fleet businesses from the ground up in the last 10 years, entrepreneur and CEO of Fleetondemand Justin Whitston believes the … Read More »
Colour blindness
Ford famously once offered customers any colour they wanted so long as it was black. These days customers are more discerning and new cars can be … Read More »
Q&A: Peter Bridgen of FleetCor UK
What is the Allstar One card? Customers have informed us that they find using two separate cards for Allstar and Keyfuels transactions a bit cumbersome, … Read More »
The Insider: Ensuring insurance
I’m slightly surprised that the idea of bundling motor insurance together with vehicle leasing is growing, even though it has a certain logic. It was … Read More »
What I've Learnt: David Hosking of Tusker
On developing a strategic mind Spending time away from the operational side of the business to really focus on strategy and the future is, and was, … Read More »
Transformers coming to a vehicle near you – soon
The blockbuster franchise Transformers may have once seemed far-fetched and futuristic, but events last week proved that the so-called ‘Internet of Things’ is the here and … Read More »
Q&A: Martin Port of BigChange
Martin Port, the UK founder of Masternaut, on the latest developments in the telematics market and his new venture, BigChange.
What I’ve learnt: Jo Elms, commercial director at LeasePlan
On having a work-life balance As a working mum with three children my life is pretty full on and not in a way which allows much … Read More »
The Insider: A dystopian future
The suggestion that UK cities could have devolved powers to run their transport infrastructure fills me with dread. This seems to be on the grounds that … Read More »
What I've Learnt: Alphabet's Nigel Trotman
Don’t underestimate the value of networking One of the main things I have learnt is how valuable networking with others within the industry can be. When … Read More »
Popular road tests
The Insider: The emissions scandal and the tip of the iceberg
First let me say that I don’t dispute that it is totally and utterly wrong to knowingly mislead the public and we could debate the moral … Read More »