All the key news in fleet…

The July VRA event will look to dispel the latest diesel rumours and focus on the key facts for the new and used car markets.

July VRA meeting to separate diesel fact from fiction

The Vehicle Remarketing Association’s July member meeting will focus on the current situation surrounding diesel in the new and used car sectors as the association says the picture is less worrying than what’s being painted.

At the event, key speaker Louise Wallis, head of business development at the RMIF, will look at how factors such as CO2 and NOX emissions, the petrol versus diesel debate, the government’s clean air plans, taxation and scrappage will all affect demand for diesel.

Phil Nothard, Black Book editor at Cap HPI, will also report on the new and used car markets in the first half of 2017, as well examining current activity in the daily rental sector, online and a summary of dealer viewpoints.

The majority of the price pressure in June was seen in the fleet and lease sector, where average values slipped by 3.3% over the month.

Average fleet values down 3.3% in June

Latest BCA figures for June show average values in the fleet and lease sector declined by £347 (3.3%) compared to May, but remained above £10,000 as they have throughout 2017.

The Pulse data reveals that retained value against original MRP (Manufacturers Retail Price) fell by nearly a point to 41.91% in June, whilst year-on-year values were up by £430 (4.4%), as both age and mileage continued to reduce.

In contrast, the headline average value of a used car fell by just £66 (0.74%) to £8,795 – a very similar decline to that seen in June 2016 – as seasonal pressures came into play.

The new ProPILOT Park tech debuting on the 2018 LEAF is part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology approach.

Nissan ProPILOT Park system to debut on 2018 LEAF

Nissan’s 2018 LEAF will be the first car in its line-up to get the new ProPILOT Park autonomous parking technology.

The technology uses sonars and cameras to park in parallel, angled, front or straight back-in parking spots and take control of the accelerator, braking and steering input during the process.

Hybrid Assist versions of the Scénic and Grand Scénic are available to order.

Order books open for Renault Scénic and Grand Scénic Hybrid Assist

Fleets can now order Hybrid Assist versions of the Scénic and Grand Scénic, which bring lower fuel consumption and emissions.

Marking the brand’s first foray into Hybrid Assist, the technology marries up the dCi 110 engine with a 10kW electric motor powered by a 48-volt 150Wh battery, with a resultant official combined fuel consumption of 80.7mpg – up by more than 10% over the standard dCi 110 engine – and CO2 emissions of 94g/km.

Three trim levels – Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav and Signature Nav – are for the new Hybrid Assist models, which are priced from £25,055 OTR.

James Summerfield of Brightwells using the new app.

New app to aid Brightwells with vehicle inspections 

Auction house Brightwells has deployed a new app that help improve the accuracy and quality of inspections for auction items, including vehicles.

Developed by Gain Solutions, the software designed for WIFI-enabled handheld devices allow inspectors to input data, capture images – via the in-app camera – and link digital images to information, to further support and enhance the accuracy of assessments, as well as reducing the time needed for an inspection.

The apps joins SEAT DriveApp for Apple CarPlay and SEAT DriveApp for MirrorLink.

SEAT DriveApp updated with Android Auto functionality

SEAT is launching an Android Auto-compatible version of its DriveApp, bringing a range of feature for drivers.

Already available in Spain, the app will be rolled out in the rest of the carmaker’s markets in the next few weeks and joins the SEAT DriveApp for Apple CarPlay and SEAT DriveApp for MirrorLink.

SEAT – which says it’s the first brand in the European industry to feature an app that is compatible with Android Auto – will update the app in the next few weeks with more features and services.

The new toll prices are £5.90 during the daytime at the main toll plaza.

M6 Toll prices to rise for cars

Weekday prices for cars on the M6 Toll are to rise 40p from 7 August.

Operator Midland Expressway Limited said the rise was the first since March 2012 and reflects a partial catch-up with inflation due to prices having been held for the past five years following the economic downturn and several years of significant roadworks and disruption on the M6 during the Managed Motorway implementation.

The new toll prices are £5.90 during the daytime at the main toll plaza and £4.40 at the local toll plaza. Prices for all other classes of vehicle and all night and weekend prices remain unchanged.

The fleet of three Renault ZOEs mark the first electric pool cars for Slough Borough Council.

Slough Borough Council deploys first electric pool cars

Slough Borough Council is trialling three ZOE Dynamique iNav R90 Z.E.40 models on its pool car fleet as it explores how the vehicles reduce business mileage claims as well as emissions.

Joining the fleet alongside e-bikes, the ZOE was chosen on the basis of its low running costs as well as positive feedback after 40 staff members undertook test drives and reported back that they found the vehicle easy to drive – as well as charge – with the controls clear and simple to understand.

The council added that the 250-mile range of the ZOE, which is fitted with the new Z.E.40 battery, makes it ideal as a pool car.

There are calls for the Mayor to have the powers to cap the number of private hire licences.

Pressure builds on Uber to improve working practices

The London Mayor is being urged not to renew Uber’s licence in the autumn unless the company improves its working practices.

The call comes from the London Assembly, which says it’s extremely concerned about the effects of Uber’s practices on other PHV operators, black cabs and even their own drivers.

In addition, a motion agreed this week by the Assembly also calls for the Mayor to have the powers to cap the number of private hire licences.

Navin Shah AM, who proposed the amended motion said: “Unless Uber begins to demonstrate better working practice, TfL shouldn’t be renewing its licence in the autumn. In the meantime, the Government must respond to the Mayor’s request for a cap on private hire vehicles so their increasing numbers on London’s roads can be adequately managed.”

(L-R) Ross Joiner of Enterprise Rent-A-Car presents the cheque for Leukaemia Care to Chris Mitchinson of CLM.

Enterprise Holdings Foundation matches CLM’s fund-raising efforts 

The Enterprise Holdings Foundation, the charitable arm of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, has matched the fundraising efforts of fleet management specialist CLM, in support of the Leukaemia Care charity.

Last Halloween, staff at Newport Pagnell-based CLM, along with colleagues from parent company Maxxia, raised money for leukaemia research from a variety of fund-raising activities.

In an effort to boost the amounted raised still further, CLM, which manages a fleet of around 14,000 vehicles on behalf of corporate clients across the UK, approached Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s philanthropic arm, which has now donated a further £1,000.