FleetNews DIESEL HAS A STRONG FUTURENews SAY EXPERTS AT CCIA2017

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NEWS 24 6 Diesel not dead say CCIA experts 9 Investment in cyber security to soar 11 Dashcam voyeurism on the rise 12 Fleets favour ‘soft Brexit’ 13 Fears over dynamic fuel pricing 14 Concerns over rising repair costs

REGULARS 18 Letters and editor’s Big Picture 21 Opinion: Travel/fleet management 58 Awards: Enterprise Rent-A-Car 66 Last word: Richard Boreham

CAR/VAN REVIEWS CoverCover ffeatureeature 60 Volvo XC60 62 Ssangyongangyong KorKorando FleetFleet iinn ffocus:ocus: LLondonondon BBoroughorough ooff HHackneyackney 63 CorporateCorporate ffleetleet mmanageranager NNormanorman HHardingarding iiss eexpandingxpanding hhisis Long-termng-term rrepoeports electricelectric vvehicleehicle ffleetleet iinn a bbidid ttoo hhelpelp tthehe eenvironmentnvironment

30 In the 8 1 spotlight: Kwik Fit Fleet sales director Andy Fern outlines his strategy as 7 8 2 company develops from tyres- only to a THINGS YOU NEED more comprehensive TO KNOW ABOUT SMR service LICENCE CHECKING 6 3 FLEET 5 4 DRIVERS& Implementing measures to ensure vehicles are looked after and maintained 44 Insight: Licence checking can ensure a fleet is efficient and effective. Ensuring employees hold valid driving licences is vital for the compliance of a fleet Find out how in our eight-page report 35 – and not doing so can have serious consequences.

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 5 NEWS Diesel has a strong future, experts tell fleets at CCIA debate

Companies urged to focus on vehicle need and stay technology neutral as fuel debate rumbles on

By Gareth Roberts Manufactures and Traders (SMMT) showed alk of diesel’s demise as the dominant greater growth in petrol registrations – up 17%. fuel for the fleet sector is premature, The slowdown in diesel was less pronounced in according to industry experts. fleet, with a 7% fall, while the increase in the Despite ‘dieselgate’, the need to meet uptake of AFVs was practically identical (fleet- EU rules on air quality and uncertainty news.co.uk, June 5). Tover the future tax treatment of vehicles, the Jayson Whittington, chief car editor at pricing message from a panel of experts at Company Car experts Glass’s, said: “Petrol is the story of the in Action was: ‘Don’t discount diesel just yet.’ moment; dealers are fielding more enquiries for The fuel currently accounts for more than 80% petrol than they have done previously.” of the vehicles used by company car drivers, and However, when it comes to fleet vehicles, he told makes up almost half of all UK new car sales. visitors to Company Car in Action’s future fuels However, with the debate raging about future debate that “diesel is still very strong”. fuel choices for fleets, diesel’s market share has He added: “Unfortunately, for those that wish it begun to fall across much of Europe. Analysts at to be the case, diesel is not dying – diesel, I believe, Experteye forecast a minimum of 5-10% drop in is here to stay.” residual values in the next two years and a Diesel has been the powertrain of choice for 15-20% drop over the next five years. most fleets after company car taxation rules In the UK, 81,489 diesel cars were registered in changed in 2002, thanks to better fuel efficiency May, down 20% compared to last year. Diesel and lower CO2 emissions. engines gaining in popularity (fleetnews.co.uk, registrations year-to-date were also down, by But, with a shift in focus from CO2 emissions to April 24). A significant number also said that some 9%, while petrol registrations showed a 6% NOx, businesses are finding it difficult to plan the petrol would make a comeback. increase and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) future make-up of their fleet. Meanwhile, more than half (52%) of respond- recorded a 27% rise so far this year. The Government has hinted at tax rises after ents to a Fleet Newss poll said they expected petrol The AFV increase was even higher last month Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond powertrains and AFVs, including plug-ins and versus May 2016, with a 47% rise helping set a promised to look at the tax treatment of diesel hybrids, to account for the lion’s share of fleet new record market share of 4.4%. vehicles, saying he will announce any changes in registrations by 2021 (Fleet News, Sept 8, 2016). Fleet specific figures from the Society of Motor the autumn budget later this year. This rose to four out of five (81%) by 2026, while just 7% said diesel’s dominance would endure for the next 25 years. FLEET REGISTRATIONS, ‘DIESEL IS WOUNDED, NOT DEAD’ Nick Molden, founder and CEO of Emissions YEAR-TO-DATE Analytics, said: “We moved from a world where “Uncertainty is the enemy of us all,” said Andy diesel was being pushed as a solution to our CO2 30% Eastlake, managing director of the Low Carbon problems to it being the source of all evil.” Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP). He told the debate he didn’t see pure EVs as a However, he said that one thing fleets can be viable fleet alternative right now. “I think it’s very 25% sure of is that all of the major political parties much a battle between diesel and the petrol share the common goal of every new car and van hybrid for the future shape of the market,” he said. 20% having zero emissions by 2040. “[Petrol] hybrids have now got to a fuel economy “They all had measures written into their level that is competitive with diesel, even in 15% manifestos to support the ultra-low emission motorway driving.” vehicle industry,” he said. “They all identify air With diesel’s CO2 advantage under threat, quality as one of the most pressing challenges for it therefore makes it all the more important that 10% transport. it can be extremely clean in terms of NOx tailpipe “It’s the perfect storm for ULEVs, but diesel is emissions. 5% wounded, it’s not dead.” The cleanest 5% of diesel cars tested by Fleet decision-makers largely agree that it is far Emissions Analytics are as clean as the average PETROL VEHICLES FUEL ALTERNATIVE (AFVS) 0% too soon to sound the death knell for diesel, but petrol car, according to Molden. “That shows fleet make-ups are changing and will continue to diesels can be clean,” he said. “The problem is no change. one knows which is which?

-5% DIESEL Respondents to ExpertEye’s fleet industry “If you go out and source one of the worst in the review said they expected to see a reduction market – 18 to 20 times the legal limit – you’ll be -10% Source: SMMT in diesel vehicles over the next two years, with contributing significantly to urban air quality electric, electric range-extended and hybrid programmes.”

6 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk For the latest news, visit: www fleetnews.co.uk/news

FLEET FACTS AND FIGURES OPINION POLL Do you think that permanent hard shoulder running on so-called ‘smart motorways’ is a good idea? Yes 37% No 63%

FleetNews view: The vast majority of respondents to our poll are yet to be convinced about the merits of hard shoulder running. Securing additional capacity for the motorway network is crucial however, and smart motorways can help ease traffic flow. Fleet Newss supports Debating team (l-r): Andy Eastlake, their adoption but urges Highways LowCVP; Ben Grocott, Chargemaster; England and the Government to Karl Anders, Nissan; Jayson Whittington, ensure all drivers know how to Glass’s; Nick Molden, Emissions Analytics use them and what to do in case of a breakdown.

Molden fears a more “draconian” approach This week’s poll: When do you from local and central government towards expect another general election to diesel if they fail to see a way of cleaning up the be called? fleet. “Diesel is still fleetnews.co.uk/polls “Ideally, what you would have is a more targeted approach to get the dirty ones out of the market probably the as quickly as possible, focus on the clean ones best choice MOST COMMENTED and then you would have a much more rapid ONLINE solution to the problem,” he said. for long But, most importantly, he stressed: “Nobody distance, needs to invent anything. It’s not a technological “Don’t assume problem; it’s about getting that technology on to high mileage the cars.” vehicles leased drivers” ‘with maintenance’ FLEETS CAN DRIVE CHANGE Andy Eastlake, LowCVP are being main- tained”, warns Eastlake believes the industry needs to start talking about ‘clean’ and ‘dirty’ vehicles. manager at Nissan Corporate, stressed fleets FleetCheck “Diesel per se is not dirty,” he stressed. “It is the need to pick fuels which are fit for purpose. implementation of the after-treatment on diesel “Instead of saying I’ve got an all-diesel policy, vehicles that has not been successful and has not I’ve got an all-petrol policy or I’ve got an all-EV delivered what we want. policy, I think fleets need to look at the individual,” fleetnews.co.uk/news “The technology exists; it is possible and it is explained Anders. proven in the heavy duty market.” “You’ve got to drill down to the individual

£ £ ££ U K Fleets can be the real driver of change, however, requirements you will have for each individual ££ £ and taking the opportunity to engage with vehicle. For a 100-vehicle fleet that might mean A V E R A G E company car and van drivers is a vital first step. 30 diesels, 40 petrols and 30 EVs. We need to F U E L PRICES “The driver is the biggest influencer on move away from a blanket policy on fleet.” emissions, the fuel economy and an EV’s range,” Eastlake agreed. “Choose the right vehicle for

Diesel (ppl) 116.93 ➜ said Eastlake, “because whatever we do with the right job,” he said. “But, diesel is not dead, it’s technology, if we put it in the hand of a numpty still probably the best choice for long distance, Unleaded (ppl) 116.13 ➜ who drives irresponsibly, the emissions and the high mileage drivers.” fleetnews.co.uk/costs/ fuel economy just go out the window.” ■ See the next edition for lots more from this fuel-cost-calculator Karl Anders, national EV and public sector year’s Company Car in Action.

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FP_FLEETNEW_335320Fleeid3001870.pdf 18.05.2017 14:09 NEWS For the latest news, visit: www fleetnews.co.uk/news Investment in cyber security to soar as hackers target vehicles

Manufacturers work to ensure connectivity software and hardware security

By Gareth Roberts ehicle manufacturers are raising Hackers are finding new ways the amount of money they spend to control connected vehicles on cyber security after hackers, and a recent ransomware attack, revealed their vulnerability. VSoftware spend will increase from $37.95 billion (£30bn) in 2015 to $80bn (£63bn) in 2020, reaching $168.8bn (£133.3bn) by 2025, while investment in car cyber security is expected to grow by almost 25% over the same period, according to analysts at Frost and Sullivan. Hackers have shown they can remotely access and control vehicle components such as braking and engine stop-start operations or tap into private customer data collected by the on-board system. Just last month, Renault-Nissan’s manufac- turing plants in Sandouville and Sunderland were hit by a ransomware attack which halted production. It came after a series of hacks by researchers, who were able to remotely control a Tesla Model projects to analyse the problem and formulate S from a distance of 12 miles and remotely protections such as hardware security modules locate, unlock and start a Hyundai car via a (HSM) and securing vehicles from internal and mobile app. “Hackers and external attacks. Niranjan Manohar, programme manager for In 2015, manufacturers formed the global connectivity and automotive internet of things cyber criminals information sharing community, the Information (IoT) at Frost and Sullivan, said: “A variety of are employing Sharing Advisory Centre (Auto-ISAC), to enhance very public cyber attacks against automotive security awareness and share vehicle cyber companies have occurred over the past few new strategies security information, threats, warnings and years, only scratching the surface of the incidents among industry stakeholders. magnitude of the risks. to exploit Daniel Thunberg, global head of automotive at “Connectivity is what consumers want, but Irdeto, said: “Hackers and cyber criminals are security will need to be a key focus area across vulnerabilities in employing new strategies to exploit vulnerabili- the vehicle lifecycle. The automotive industry today’s connected cars” ties in today’s connected cars. demands a comprehensive security solution in “Consumers crave connectivity features in the entire automotive value chain, covering Daniel Thunberg, Irdeto their vehicles, but automakers must address the hardware security, software security, network associated vulnerabilities to prevent hackers security and cloud security.” from altering their automobiles. A new white paper, ‘Cyber security for the tion, navigation and communication with other “With investments in digitisation and Automotive Industry’ from Frost and Sullivan in-vehicle infrastructure. connectivity expected to increase in the coming and digital security firm Irdeto, highlights While this connectivity is essential to satisfy years, OEMs and tier-one operators need to how one of the key challenges faced by the consumer demand, it also introduces a variety think of cyber security from the beginning, automotive market is the increasing extent of of vulnerabilities that hackers aim to exploit. by implementing a comprehensive security in-vehicle connectivity, which extends from The automotive industry is working in approach that will keep drivers safe on infotainment to mobile phones, voice recogni- tandem with a number of government-industry the road.”

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FN50-17_FPAD_knife-fork_GW.indd 1 5/5/17 12:51 PM NEWS For the latest news, visit: www fleetnews.co.uk/news Call for privacy charter over dashcam footage ‘voyeurism’

Hundreds of videos downloaded every day and shared across social media

By Tom Seymour He told Fleet News: “The AA is making some company cars, because they know drivers will he AA has said it will lobby Govern- valid points about vehicle voyeurism and the be insured and the vehicle will be covered by a ment to look at privacy laws unregulated sharing of dashcam footage. comprehensive, company-wide policy. surrounding dashcams, after it raised “Currently the system is a little out of control He said: “They specifically target vehicles concerns at the growing number of and hundreds of videos are being downloaded which are not covered by cameras. We have had people sharing footage online. each day and shared across platforms such as incidents with fleet clients where the driver has TWhile the motoring group is not calling for an Facebook and Twitter.” braked abruptly in front of them in an obvious outright ban, its president Edmund King said: Marsh said ‘cash for crash’ is still a big ‘cash for crash’ whiplash scam. “There is an element of vehicular voyeurism problem for fleets, with fraudsters targeting “Once the fleet driver has pointed out their from some individuals.” He added, however, that camera the other driver has declined to make a the majority of drivers who fit cameras do so claim – knowing their camera has exposed their to protect themselves from crash for cash fraud.” fraudsters or dangerous drivers. Marsh agreed that fleet managers should A recent survey by the Road Haulage make sure employees are not uploading footage Association (RHA) found 50% of fleets were now to social media themselves. using dashcams and another 30% were actively He said: “Footage should only be shared by considering introducing them. professionals who are trained in the law and The AA supports camera evidence being understand the potential implications of sharing submitted to police, who can assess it and speak content on a public platform. to the other party before action is taken. “A driver could get himself into a lot of trouble However, King said many victims of online videos by sharing footage irresponsibly.” could be caught out by diesel spills, black ice, Marsh said any responsible fleet will have a intimidation or trying to avoid another road user. policy in place concerning the sharing of footage. He said: “Perhaps Government needs to look In the event of an insurance claim, drivers will at a privacy charter for use of dashcam material, “Government needs to need to see the footage, but Marsh said it should before video vehicular voyeurism gets totally out be made clear the footage does not belong to the of hand.” look at a privacy charter driver – it is owned by the fleet itself. Simon Marsh, managing director of UK before vehicle voyeurism He concluded: “The fleet has control of the dashcam provider VisionTrack, said the firm’s footage. If they feel there is a powerful public dashcam sales have increased by 40% in the gets out of hand” safety message which can be made by the past 12 months. VisionTrack’s camera can sharing of the footage then we would support automatically edit out number plates to ensure Edmund King, the AA them in releasing it. But this should never be drivers are not identified in footage. done a by driver acting on their own.”

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fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 11 NEWS

There are testing times ahead in Westminster Election results casts shadow of uncertainty over fleet industry

Majority of decision-makers in Fleet Newss poll now in favour of ‘soft Brexit’

By Gareth Roberts leaving the EU, it could no longer be a member general election which was called of the single market or customs union. The party in order to provide a ‘strong and also reiterated its threat to walk away from any stable’ Government has instead “Everyone deal which failed to deliver for the UK. created uncertainty and left the knows that However, a bad Brexit deal could see fleet industry calling for clarity. manufacturers having to pay tariffs if the UK fails AThe Institute of Directors reports there has businesses to gain access to the free market. Any additional been a “dramatic drop” in business confidence costs could then be passed on to fleet customers since the result was announced, while credit thrive on through increased rentals, fewer discounts and rating agency Moody’s predicts further pressure certainty, not heftier P11D prices. on the UK’s public finances. James Hookham, deputy CEO of the Freight Matt Sutherland, chief operating officer at guesswork” Transport Association (FTA), said: “Exiting the Alphabet, said: “Now that the Prime Minister, customs union threatens the imposition of Theresa May, is running a minority Government, Matt Sutherland, Alphabet tariffs, border checks, customs declarations and with an expected shelf-life of weeks or months huge amounts of bureaucracy for the significant rather than years, the likelihood of planning and number of UK businesses that trade in the EU. implementing policies with long-term vision is LeasePlan head of consultancy services “Negotiating a replacement trade deal that remote.” Matt Walters said: “The plan might still avoids these would require a strong and Sutherland believes this will have a huge be published by that date, but what will it convincing mandate, which the election has now impact on employers that are looking for some contain now? put into doubt. certainties beyond 2020. “We’re currently in a “Will the ultra-low emission vehicle tax breaks “The decision to leave the customs union situation where fleet decision-makers are that were put on hold prior to the election still be should be reviewed as a matter of urgency and having to make medium to long-term decisions introduced? Will more concrete action on clean other ways of achieving a positive outcome for about vehicles, without knowing the tax frame- air be on the cards?” Brexit should now be considered.” work or its implications beyond April 2020,” he Walters expects that the answers to these Time will tell whether the Government’s said.“Everyone knows that businesses thrive on questions will take some time to unfold. “This approach to Brexit talks will be more consen- certainty, not guesswork.” isn’t ideal for fleet professionals, but it is typical sual and what policies it chooses to adopt around Fleets were expected to learn in the autumn of the past few years,” he said. diesel and company car taxation. budget what the Government had decided to Brexit negotiations are also due to start but, In the meantime, Sutherland warned: “It is do around the future tax treatment of diesel considering the lack of a clear mandate from the important that with the current uncertainties vehicles. electorate, many Conservative MPs – along with and lack of clarity, UK businesses do not make New company car tax bands for ultra-low the fleet industry – are now asking whether the a knee-jerk reaction which will could cost them emission vehicles (ULEVs), withdrawn from the Government should soften its approach. in the long run. finance bill to help its quick passage through A Fleet Newss poll suggests a majority (57%) of “It is also important that Government parliament when the general election was fleet decision-makers, want a ‘soft’ Brexit, with recognises the vital role that fleet vehicles have called, were also expected to be included. the UK remaining part of the single market. played – and will play – in keeping the UK Furthermore, the Government’s air quality Ahead of the election, the Conservatives economy moving, while supporting the growth plan, currently out for consultation, must be insisted they were committed to getting the best and take-up of low emission, sustainable published by July 31. outcome for Britain but, because the UK was transportation.”

122 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk NEWS For the latest news, visit: www fleetnews.co.uk/news ACFO fears impact of dynamic pricing on fleets’ fuel budgets

‘Storm of protest’ predicted if forecourt prices change several times a day

By Elizabeth Howlett oftware being touted to UK retailers, which could result in pump prices fluctuating up to 10 times a day, would impact the ability of fleets to control fuel costs, ACFO has warned. SThe system, made possible by an artificial intelligence (AI) program called Price-Cast, has been developed by Denmark-based fuel pricing company a2i Systems. Already in use across Europe and the United States, Price-Cast adapts to changing customer behaviour using a series of algorithms to predict when price increases should be implemented, in order to maximise profit. Will the sums add up on the If adopted in the UK, it would mark a significant forecourt if algorithms are change to the current pricing model of fuel in charge of pricing? retailers, where pump prices depend on signifi- cant and sustained changes in wholesale prices, and are usually amended on a weekly basis. It is “We think it will be just a matter of hours during peak times and implement rapidly for this reason the concept has caused conster- before a retailer who moves prices three or four changing rates. It is not as simple as that. If it nation among industry professionals, who see times in a day is rumbled. raised prices then the petrol station down the the technology as troublesome. “If drivers already complain about retailers, road would get the business. “This could be extremely difficult for fleets particularly of the same brand, being 2p a litre “Price-Cast is an advanced tool based on regarding fuel cards and control,” ACFO more expensive in neighbouring towns, an extra modern technology, empowering the user to chairman John Pryor said. “It adds yet another £1 or more for a tank of fuel during busy periods reach their objective in an efficient way using complexity to fleets and businesses trying to will go down badly. sophisticated pricing methods.” keep up in today’s world. “The UK fuel market isn’t like the Danish fuel Siemens commodity manager Paul Tate said “I cannot imagine businesses [operating fleets] market and I think there would be a storm of he felt it was “only a matter of time” before seeing this as an advantage – I suspect the protest if it became so.” on-demand fuel pricing came into play in the UK prices will predominantly be higher than lower.” However, a2i Systems chief executive Ulrik market. The AA’s public affairs officer Luke Bosdet Blitchfeldt defended the technology. He told Fleet He said: “It was to be expected. Many pricing shares Pryor’s concerns. “Watching the pump News: “The changes in prices would amount to structures are based on algorithms. It was only price on billboards is a national pastime, second fractions of a penny. a matter of time before fuel pricing followed suit only to weather watching,” he said. “It won’t necessarily generate higher prices to maximise profits. “The people it will affect the most are SMEs, traditional multi-vendor fuel card users and business drivers who are not paying for fuel out of their own pocket. “This could be extremely difficult for fleets “However this can be countered by fleet regarding fuel cards and control. It adds yet managers by communicating with fuel providers and/or collaborating with strategic partners. It is another complexity to fleets and businesses” possible an app could be created to counter this change in the fuel market.” John Pryor, ACFO Blitchfeldt was not willing to disclose which fuel retailers the company was talking to.

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Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 25.2 (11.2)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban: 39.8 (7.1)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km.

fleetnews.co.uk July 22 2017 13 NEWS For the latest news, visit: www fleetnews.co.uk/news ADAS technology contributes to 32% rise in vehicle repair costs

But fleets shouldn’t be put off specifying advanced driver assistance systems

By Tom Seymour hatcham has formed a working group Windscreen calibration with vehicle manufacturers to can be a particularly urgently address spiralling repair lengthy process now costs associated with collision avoid- ance advanced driver assistance Tsystems (ADAS). According to statistics from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) from Q3 2016, average vehicle bills have increased by 32% over the last three years to £1,678. Andrew Miller, Thatcham chief technology officer, said that while ADAS may not account for the entire increase, it is definitely a major contributor. This is through the need for addi- tional training and specialist equipment. He added: “Cars are only getting more complex and the repair of sensors, cameras and auto- mated vehicles will mean this problem will continue to grow.” John Pryor, chairman of fleet operators asso- ciation ACFO, agreed that ADAS on new vehicles is becoming an issue, with anecdotal evidence suggesting an increase in downtime and costs for fleets. fleets and insurers around this subject. We have factor this into their SMR costs because they He said: “We have heard of vehicles that are already established a working group to discuss can’t predict that you’re going to go through three off the road for longer due to the availability and the cost of ADAS repairs. windscreens over the life of the vehicle.” complexity of parts. “Part of the solution could be agreeing to lower Pryor suggested leasing companies could “Windscreens have been a problem for some pricing on parts and repairs to help stabilise the work to include an advisory price list menu that members with downtime affected due to not rising costs.” spells out the cost of replacement for different being able to get the right sensors, or they don’t While costs may be increasing, Miller said types of technologies. have the right screen as there are 10 different fleets should not let this put them off adopting He said: “Having said that, I also don’t want to types. It is getting crazy. The more complex cars new technologies due to the increase in safety trivialise the importance of this technology with become the more difficult this will be.” and vehicle downtime they can provide. safety. Of course these technologies aid much Miller said windscreens are proving to be a He said: “The data we have seen around auto- safer driving and in turn that can have a positive particular problem, due to them having to be matic emergency braking (AEB) is that it can effect on driver safety, a reduction in risk and a recalibrated after repair to make sure complex help with up to a 40% reduction in frequency of potential reduction in insurance premiums.” sensors and screen-mounted cameras are front and rear crashes.” Jeremy Rochfort, Autoglass national sales operating correctly. As a result some insurers are passing on manager, said his company has already worked He said: “The message is that there needs to discounts to fleets that have vehicles with AEB to address the downtime issue with new wind- be an open dialogue between manufacturers, fitted. screens, to make sure 96% of current vehicles Miller added: “My message for fleets is that the can be fixed and calibrated at the roadside. benefits still outweigh the costs, but we are He said: “ADAS functionality is designed to aware of the problem and we’re not sitting back. make vehicles safer, so their correct operation “Cars are only We are actively working with manufacturers to and maintenance should reduce accident tackle the problem.” damage, ultimately also reducing overall costs. getting more Miller said the cost of repairs for ADAS is not “However, it’s important that calibration currently on the minds of fleet managers when is carried out as quickly as possible, to get complex and considering their choice lists, with them looking motorists back on the road.” the repair of at the potential benefits rather than increased Rochfort said that while its own research repair costs. shows the majority of insurers are willing to pass sensors, cameras and Pryor said it is a “fine balancing act” to choose on premium reductions on AEB, he said they vehicles with ADAS for the increased safety tend to take a “wait-and-see” approach on other automated vehicles will benefits but also being aware of the increased new ADAS until the benefits are fully proven. mean this problem will service costs they can incur. He said: “It’s too early to say what the impact He said: “Fleets aren’t really factoring in these of ADAS will be on costs but it’s likely that it will continue to grow” costs with advanced technology, it’s more of a vary across the market as insurers become hidden cost as depending on the type of incident, even more sophisticated with data, and design Andrew Miller, Thatcham it’s usually an insurance claim. policies to suit the detailed needs of individual “Leasing companies aren’t going to want to drivers and fleets.”

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Fuel consumption information is official government environmental data, tested in accordance with the relevant EU directive. New Insignia Grand Sport range fuel consumption figures mpg (litres/100km): Urban: 25.2 (11.2)-61.4 (4.6), Extra-urban:

39.8 (7.1)-78.5 (3.6), Combined: 32.8 (8.6)-70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions: 197-105g/km. Official EU-regulated test data are provided for comparison purposes and actual performance will depend on driving style, road conditions and other non-technical factors. 2017/18 tax year. General Motors UK Limited, trading as Vauxhall Motors, does not offer tax advice and recommends that all Company Car Drivers consult their own accountant with regards to their own tax position. New Insignia Elite Nav 2.0 (260PS) Turbo 4X4 auto model illustrated (P11D of £27,155) features Dark Moon Blue two-coat metallic paint (£555), VXR Styling Pack (£850) and Driving Assistance Pack Four (£595), optional at extra cost. 3 Day Test Drive terms and conditions apply and vehicles are subject to availability. Please call 0330 587 8221 for full details. Includes 12 months of OnStar services from date of first registration and a 3 month/3 GB Wi-Fi free trial period (whichever comes first) effective from the date the customer accepts the nominated network operator Wi-Fi Ts&Cs. OnStar services and 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot require activation and are subject to mobile network coverage and availability. Wi-Fi Hotspot service requires account with nominated mobile network operator. Charges apply after free trial period. The OnStar subscription packages could be different from the services included in the free trial package. Terms and conditions apply. Check vauxhall.co.uk/OnStar for details of availability, coverage and charges. Vehicles purchased without OnStar cannot have the required technology retro-fitted. Destination download only available on vehicles with factory installed navigation systems. All figures quoted correct at time of going to press (June 2017).

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FP_FLEETNEW_3379775id3032103.pgs 08.06.2017 12:52 COMMENT

THE BIG YOUR LETTERS PICTURE

By Stephen Briers, editor, Fleet News

The sun shone, cars were out SAFETY and people were even queuing to get in: Company Car In Action EDITOR’S 2017 was a stunning success. Campaign needs PICK If you weren’t able to attend this year, here’s a taster of what you greater coverage missed (full review in the July 6 issue): 300 cars and vans, exclusive first drives of the Nissan Qashqai and Insignia Sports Tourer (among others), exclusive first looks at the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, two weeks before its official unveiling at Goodwood, and the Range Rover Velar. A well-attended Fleet200 meeting including roundtable discussions on Brexit, fleet policies, alternative fuels and fleet data (reports on the Fleet Newss website).

“The value of an internal fleet professional should not be underestimated”

Andrew Jacobs wrote: Two debates, one on fuel, one on connected anybody drove on them, but if you Having read ‘Confusion reigns over broke down you knew the hard and autonomous cars. Sample take-aways: the correct use of emergency refuge shoulder was a safe refuge. cyber security is a real issue; fleets need to areas’, (fleetnews.co.uk, June 13), I Highways England has done a create new training programmes for autono- must have missed the radio campaign reasonable job of advertising certain mous cars and diesel is definitely not dead. Highways England ran and I’m sure aspects of smart motorway driving, All this and free ice-cream too! so did most drivers. It doesn’t sound but such a safety-critical message as More than 900 fleet decision-makers and the best or the most comprehensive this needs a suitable TV and press leasing influencers attended, up 25% on last way to communicate such an impor- campaign; especially when some 400 year’s rain-affected event. We’ll release tant safety message and I hope their miles-plus of smart motorway has official figures once independent auditor BPA review tells them they need to spend already been introduced. a bit more cash. In the meantime, while we wait has validated the number – our fleet events The fact is, it has been more than for that ‘review’ to be completed, are the only ones to be audited so you can 50 years since the M1 opened in 1959 fleet managers should play their trust our figures to be true. and the rules regarding motorway part by ensuring their drivers What did we learn? Fleets are keen to driving have remained fairly understand what they should do if try a variety of models, from sector unchanged. they end up having to use an newcomers Suzuki and Porsche to Okay, no speed limit was enforced emergency refuge area, rather than established favourites such as Ford and for the first few years and hardly just leaving it to chance. Vauxhall – and everything in between. Also, off-roading is a big hit if you improve access n The editor’s pick in each issue wins a £20 John Lewis voucher. to the facilities. Fleets are concerned about taxation rules Phil Bennett added: also start ensuring that people and cash/car implications, but they are The problem with smart motorways use the hard shoulder when it is working hard to review and amend policies to is that many HGV drivers seem permitted. ensure there is minimum negative impact on unwilling to use the hard shoulder. their businesses. They instead sit in what is effectively Ian Coleman added: The final point is worth labouring as we lane two, leaving the hard shoulder Lack of information again – they want hear of yet more fleet outsourcing: the redundant and any hope of increased to make these so-called smart value to an organisation of employing an capacity lost; that’s unless you fancy motorways but do not put out any undertaking a 40-tonne truck. information to the masses on how to internal fleet professional should not be Educate drivers about the correct use them. Massive accident waiting to underestimated. use of emergency refuge areas, but happen.

18 June 22 2017 fleetnews.co.uk Contact us Fleet News, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. Email – [email protected] Burning question: What are the best and worst things about summer? Editorial Editor-in-chief Stephen Briers 01733 468024 [email protected] Best: Cool beers and BBQs. Worst: Trying ROADS MAINTENANCE to dry off after a post-exercise shower Deputy editor Sarah Tooze 01733 468901 [email protected] Best: Eating outdoors What about the Romans? Retain control of Worst: Flight prices shooting up News editor Gareth Roberts 01733 468314 Cliff Burton wrote: SMR regime [email protected] Having read ‘Call for more road investment as pothole- Best: The weather Worst: Spending most of it at work related breakdowns rise’ (fleetnews.co.uk, June 12), local Mr Bean wrote: Features editor Andrew Ryan 01733 468308 authority funding has been slashed over recent years and, Having read ‘Don’t assume vehicles leased [email protected] with more ‘pressing priorities’ such as education and adult ‘with maintenance’ are being maintained, Best: Longer evenings. Worst: Wasps Head of digital social care demanding a larger slice of an even smaller warns FleetCheck’ (fleetnews.co.uk, May 22), Jeremy Bennett 01733 468655 pie, roads maintenance has simply fallen down the pecking most cars these days will warn the driver [email protected] Best: Hot feet on cold grass. order. Repairs have increased, but a couple of winters later when the car is due for a service and with Worst: Music in neighbours’ gardens Web producer the pothole returns as what is being afforded is only a connected cars, this will be easier for drivers Elizabeth Howlett 01733 468655 quick fix. to know what’s required. [email protected] Best: Beer gardens Did the Romans have these problems or did they Some leasing companies have a proactive Worst: Not being in one understand the importance of an effective transport servicing system which makes some Staff writer Matt de Prez 01733 468277 network? assumptions and contacts the driver to check [email protected] what the current mileage is. But all this should Out of office Photos Chris Lowndes be controlled by the employer and their fleet Production manager, with the driver also taking some Head of publishing responsibility. Luke Neal 01733 468262 Best: Summer holidays. Worst: Having an office job Production editors ELECTRIC VEHICLES David Buckley 01733 468310 Out of office Finbarr O’Reilly 01733 468267 Best: Ice cream. Worst: Sunburned drunks with football shirts hanging from their Think about the back pockets Designer Erika Small 01733 468312 Best: Having BBQs savings Worst: When it rains having a BBQ

Swansswimmer Advertising LICENCES wrote: Commercial director Sarah Crown 01733 366466 Having read B2B commercial manager Sheryl Graham 01733 366467 ‘Plug-in hybrid Account directors Why view the card? market set for Sean Hamill 01733 366472 Lisa Turner 01733 366471 ‘transformational’ Stuart Wakeling 01733 366470 Diarmuid Fahy wrote: growth, says Frost Account managers Liam Sancaster 01733 363219 Having read ‘DVLA ‘could do more’ to tackle counterfeit & Sullivan’ Karl Houghton 01733 366309 Lucyy HHerbert 01733 363218 driving licences’ (fleetnews.co.uk, May 24), given that direct (fleetnews.co.uk, Telesales/recruitment validation from the DVLA database has been available for June 1), I am 01733 468275/01733 468328 many years, and it is now possible for an employer to do amazed at how many fleet managers are not Head of project management an instant online check, why would any half-competent aware of the huge cost savings available from Leanne Patterson 01733 468332 Project managers fleet operator be concerned with viewing the card? EVs. Your drivers will enjoy huge savings too. Lucy Peacock 01733 468327 Kerry Unwin 01733 468578 Looking to add things like biometrics and more unique I purchased a 30kW Leaf in March, perfect for Katie Lightfoot 01733 468338 identifiers is, in my view, overcomplicating matters and will a 50-mile each way commute and longer – up Events likely result in more resistance from drivers to checks in to 90 miles – if the office has a recharge post Event director the first place. in the car park. Chris Lester Event manager Sandra Evitt 01733 468123 Senior event planner HAVE YOUR SAY Email: [email protected] Comment online: fleetnews.co.uk Kate Howard 01733 468146 LinkedIn: UK fleet managers groupTwitter: twitter.com/_FleetNews Publishing Managing director Tim Lucas 01733 468340 Group marketing manager Bev Mason 01733 468295 Office manager Fleet Newss is published 26 times a copy or images submitted to the to ensure accuracy, the publisher is Complaints: Bauer Consumer Media Jane Hill 01733 468319 year by Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, magazine without further consent. not responsible for any errors or Limited is a member of the Independent Group managing director registered address Media House, The submission of material to Bauer omissions nor do we accept any Press Standards Organisation (www.ipso. Rob Munro-Hall Peterborough Business Park, Lynch Media whether unsolicited or requested, liability for any loss or damage, co.uk) and endeavours to respond to and Chief executive officer Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. is taken as permission to publish in howsoever caused, resulting from the resolve your concerns quickly. Our Paul Keenan Registered number 01176085. the magazine, including any licensed use of the magazine. Editorial Complaints Policy (including full No part of the magazine may be editions throughout the world. Any fees details of how to contact us about editorial Subscribe to Fleet News reproduced in any form in whole or in paid in the UK include remuneration for ISSN 0953-8526. complaints and IPSO’s contact details) can 01635 588495 part, without prior permission of the any use in any other licensed editions. Printing: PCP, Telford be found at www.bauermediacomplaints. [email protected] publisher. All material published We cannot accept any responsibility co.uk. Our email address for editorial Subscriptionip rates: remains the copyright of Bauer for unsolicited manuscripts, images or complaints covered by the Editorial £85£85 UUKK ((twotwo yyearsears ££145,145, tthreehree yyearsears Consumer Media Ltd. materials lost or damaged in the post. Complaints Policy is complaints@ £195),£195), ££135135 EEuropeurope aandnd EEireire ((twotwo We reserve the right to edit letters, Whilst every reasonable care is taken bauermedia.co.uk. yyearsears ££230,230, tthreehree yyearsears ££315)315)

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 19 CFA17_FPAD.qxp_Layout 1 07/06/2017 16:18 Page 1 Entries now open

Thursday 30 November 2017 Hilton Birmingham Metropole

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Enter online at www.commercialfleetawards.co.uk To book your tables and tickets for the Commercial Fleet Awards please contact Paige Phillips on 01733 395133 or [email protected] COMMENT

FLEET OPINION

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT FLEET MANAGEMENT Manage employees Fleet experience not the asset must be valued

By Paul Hollick By Geoffrey Bray The UK fleet market is the most mature in the Paul Hollick, chairman Fleet today appears to be overrun by so-called world, but the pace of change in terms of mobility of ICFM and managing ‘experts’ giving opinions in a sector in which they is so stuck in the slow lane that vehicle manufac- director, The Miles have little or no practical knowledge or experience. turers and leasing companies are in danger of being over- Consultancy Whatever sector people work in they need to have gradu- taken by travel management specialists. ated from ‘the university of life’ in which they have got their There is a plethora of manufacturers churning out hands dirty and truly understand every aspect of the hundreds of thousands of cars each year and most have, or segment. The nuances, the ‘what if’ scenarios, the unin- are about to launch, mobility divisions. tended consequences of taking an action and the impact that But, just as over the past 20 years corporates have over- will have can only be gained with experience. seen the demise of the fleet manager – a completely wrong- Yet, too often we hear ‘experts’ espousing views on aspects headed decision as a member of staff must be employed to of fleet when they have no knowledge of the day-to-day oversee fleet strategy and manage suppliers – so with the workings of one. advent of mobility we are seeing the emergence of the travel I have worked in the fleet industry for almost 50 years and manager (often morphed from those surviving fleet my views have been shaped by getting my hands dirty and managers). by taking on board the comments of other people that spend What they want is a focus on the total cost of mobility their days running fleet operations. irrespective of what mode of transport is used for a journey. Geoffrey Bray, That’s not to say that the views of experts in other fields Indeed, it may be multiple modes of transport – car, train chairman of Fleet – perhaps vehicle-related taxation, funding or maintenance and taxi, for example, and reversed on the return trip. Service Great Britain – should be ignored. However, they should not be swallowed However, instead of mobility being defined on a ‘per and chairman of the whole. Instead, they should be taken on board, weighed up employee basis’, we continue to see manufacturers and Fleet Industry Advisory and balanced against current policies and procedures and leasing companies defining journeys according to assets. Group discussed with current suppliers and peers. Manufacturers may be launching mobility divisions and Unfortunately, too many businesses give part-time leasing companies, as well as rental business, operating car employees fleet responsibility in a fashion similar to when clubs and advocating car sharing, but the regimes remain an individual may be responsible for buying the stationery. focused on asset utilisation and not people mobility. These businesses would not consider employing an But the world is changing. Today’s employees – particularly unqualified accountant so why would they consider putting the millennials now moving into management – are increas- an employee in charge of typically the second biggest area ingly focused on making a journey from A to B with the whole of a company’s expenditure – fleet – when they have neither trip being booked and paid for in advance and using which- the relevant knowledge nor experience? ever mode(s) of transport are appropriate. What that trend has done is give licence to the ‘experts’ to Total journey management is an area where travel disseminate their own version of knowledge which is often management companies are already starting to operate garnered from a single viewpoint – almost certainly that of and, as a result, I fear for the fleet industry as we know it. the organisation they represent. Manufacturers, contract hire and leasing companies and It is a worrying trend and one that today’s professional and rental providers will be decimated unless they accelerate experienced fleet managers must stand up to by encour- into the mobility fast lane. aging the younger generation that vehicle manage- What that means is employee – not asset – ment is a hugely rewarding career delivering huge management. benefits to businesses.

“With the advent of mobility For more fleet “We hear ‘experts’ espousing opinion from the we are seeing the emergence industry, visit views on aspects of fleet when fleetnews.co.uk/ of the travel manager” opinion they have no knowledge”

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 21 adRocket

FP_FLEETNEW_JeepFleetNid2985435.pdf 04.05.2017 14:24 adRocket

FP_FLEETNEW_JeepFleetNid2985436.pdf 04.05.2017 14:25 FLEET IN FOCUS: LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY

COUNCIL

‘KEEN TO PUSHSH THE

BOUNDARIES’ BOUNDARIES’

IntroducingI t od i more electricl t i vehicles hi l and d usingu i g biofuelsbi f ls ini other th vehicles hi l ... . thereth is little this council won’t try in bid to help the environment. Sarah Tooze reports

he London Borough of “We don’t anticipate it being totally electric company conversions” and when the Allied Hackney has set a for probably another 10 years because while conversion reached the end of its lifespan it target of having more technology is developing all the time and was replaced with the Nissan e-NV200. than 40 electric vehi- there are some manufacturers getting close The council has 13 EVs on fleet, including a cles (EVs) on its fleet of to making electric available for heavy trucks, Nissan Leaf and a Peugeot Ion, which it has T 400-plus vehicles by many of our commercial vehicles, such as had for the past three or four years. the end of the 2017/18 our refuse trucks, our road sweepers and The majority of the EVs being added to the financial year, with a our skip loaders, all require some additional fleet this year will be Nissan e-NV200s. The view to the entire fleet eventually becoming energy to run the bodies as well as the truck council has just taken delivery of three, which electric. chassis,” Harding says. will be used by its courier service for internal It also wants to introduce a small number The council’s interim solution is to use post and parcel delivery between various of electric pool bikes for journeys where the biofuel (see panel overleaf). buildings, and a further 14 are on order. employee does not need to carry anything. It has had EVs for the past 10 years – its Two vans will be used by its library service Norman Harding, corporate fleet manager first was the Citroën Berlingo Electrique. as they only travel about 20 miles a day and at the London Borough of Hackney, says the It was also among the early adopters of will therefore only need charging a few times council is “keen to push the boundaries” and electric van conversions, running an electric a week. is always willing to try different technologies. Peugeot Boxer, converted by Allied, about The council’s waste supervisors, who “Hackney Council is really environmentally seven years ago. are responsible for monitoring the quality aware,” he says. “It really wants to ensure “We managed to get grant funding through of street cleanliness, will also be using elec- the local residents and community of the Cenex programme for the Allied conver- tric vans. Hackney have the best possible life opportu- sion,” Harding says. “We had a few teething The Leaf and Ion are used by Hackney’s nities – and that includes clean air.” problems to start with – mostly down to street team who visit the local community Exactly when the fleet will be 100% electric technical issues with the conversion, which and encourage private business and local depends on how rapidly the EV market for Allied was quite responsive to – but once we residents to buy electric vehicle technology. commercial vehicles develops as the majority had ironed those out we ran that quite Arguably its most high profile EV is a Tesla of the council’s fleet is commercial vehicles successfully for five years.” Model S, which was added to – it currently has 270 vans and 103 HGVs, 16 However, that experience has made the fleet in June last year and is cars, plus plant and wheelchair-accessible Harding decide it is best, where possible, to primarily used for the speaker’s buses. “stick with global brands rather than smaller duties.

24 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk Norman Harding hopes that the council’s fleet will be fully electric in the next 10 years FLEET IN FOCUS: LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY

FACTFILE Organisation London Borough of Hackney Corporate fleet managerr Norman Harding Fleet size 470 vehicles – 16 cars, 270 vans, 102 HGVs, 32 wheelchair-accessible buses, 50 items of road registered plant Funding method outright purchase and leased Replacement cycle four years

Harding is keen to stress that how much the Tesla is costing us to charge. the Tesla works out cheaper “We had the E-Class on a lease contract on a total cost of ownership over four years and our real-world fuel basis and is saving the consumption was nearer 22mpg, bearing in taxpayer money compared to the previous mind we’re an inner London urban local executive car, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. authority so the sort of runs it was doing “When you do the business case, the Tesla meant it would never get up to its optimum is more economical to run on a wholelife fuel consumption figures.” basis so it wins on a financial environment However, the official range for a pure EV and it thrashes all the competition from an can also be unrealistic. environmental point of view,” he says. “You have to be really careful when you do “It’s about £2,000 per year cheaper to run the business case for an electric vehicle that than the E-Class. That’s largely because of you can make it work financially,” Harding the reduction in fuel spend because we says. “If you’re really pushing the boundaries know exactly how much our electricity of the vehicle’s mileage limitations, that costs and because we charge it up on a brings in an element of unreliability to your smart meter I can calculate to the penny operations. If the manufacturer claims its vehicle has a mileage range of 100 miles and you do the business case on that figure you could make the financial argument work. “But in real-world driving operations, “I think drivers were particularly in the winter when you’re also using energy for heating and lighting, it’s very surprised just how unlikely you’re ever going to get anywhere well EVs drive and near that 100 miles range. “The best we’ve ever got out of an electric more and more people van has been about 70 miles. At the moment we’re putting vans into service where the are buying into them” day-to-day mileage is really low so there are no range issues. We know the van will easily Norman Harding do a day’s work and get back to its base. London Borough of Hackney “When you’re working with any alternative technology you’ve got to match it very care-

fully to the task you expect the vehicle to do otherwise you will be setting it up to fail and FLEET COULD BE FOSSIL-FREE IN 18 MONTHS we don’t want to do that.” He adds: “As long as you’re sensible The London Borough of Hackney has treated vegetable oil which has shown about what you’re trying to do with the used biofuel made from recycled in an early emissions test in one of the vehicle then it will work. If you’re a rep cooking oil in its commercial vehicles council’s refuse trucks to reduce NOx by constantly doing 200 miles a day then it’s since 2008, cutting its CO2 production nearly 70%, as well as reducing carbon. not going to work.” by around a quarter (24.8%) last The next steps are to do further The Government’s plug-in grants (up to financial year. emissions testing, get support from £4,500 off the purchase price of an electric It currently has 20 commercial vehicle manufacturers, develop the car and up to £8,000 off an electric van) have vehicles running on a 100% blend (B100) supply chain and get the fuel “at a been essential to the business case. and around 200 on a 30% blend (B30). realistic price”, according to Harding. The council has also benefitted from Mayor “Our older fleet used to run happily on “If hydro-treated vegetable oil does of London’s air quality fund to assist with 100% biofuel but, as we are starting to prove to be as good as we think, it’s charging infrastructure. replace older vehicles with the latest feasible that once I’ve got the supply It has 38 charging points across 13 sites, emissions criteria Euro 6 vehicles, the chain set up my whole fleet operation following a formal tender process which it manufacturers’ warranties prevent us will be running on a fossil-free fuel,” carried out with help from Cenex to establish from running 100% so the ratio of he says. the specification and conduct site surveys. vehicles running 100% relative to 30% is “This would mean either electricity Most are seven kilowatt chargers but, in changing,” Norman Harding says. or a waste vegetable oil product in 18 anticipation of larger electric vehicles coming He is hoping to start using hydro- months, and that includes plant.” to market and joining the fleet over the next 18-to-24 months, the council has installed

26 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk Norman Harding with one of the council’s electric vans, a Nissan e-NV200 a handful of 22 kilowatt chargers as well. One problem Harding has encountered is that fully loaded vans do not have space for GREY FLEET DAYS LIKELY TO BE NUMBERED the charging cable and it has to be kept in the passenger footwell, which isn’t ideal when The London Borough of Hackney is Council is encouraging staff several employees are using the van, but reviewing its grey fleet (employees to use public transport there have been no other operational issues. using personal cars for business Drivers have reacted positively. journeys) with the intention of removing “When we introduced electric vehicles we their use completely – subject to legacy really hit that psychological barrier and a lot terms and conditions. of people wouldn’t even get into an EV but A number of employees have an as time has gone on a few more of them essential user allowance as part of their have ventured into trying them,” Harding employment package but the council says. “I think they were very surprised just has found it is easier for them to use how well they drive and more and more public transport rather than a personal people are buying into them and they’re car given the bus, train, Tube and quite happy to drive the vehicles.” Docklands Light Railway are all options. use their personal car for a particular As a result it is no longer offering a car journey. user allowance to new employees. If a car is the best option for a journey, It is also introducing a new payroll pool cars are available and the council For more fleet profiles, visit: system which will require employees to also intends to add a small number of fleetnews.co.uk/fleetprofiles notify their line manager if they need to electric pool bikes to its fleet.

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 27 adRocket

All-New Renault SCENIC & GRAND SCENIC Life. Style.

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Renault Scénic

(4.2); Extra Urban 74.3 (3.8) – 76.3 (3.7); Combined 70.6 (4.0) – 72.4 (3.9). The official CO2 with EU Legislation and may not reflect real life driving results.

FP_FLEETNEW_340902id3029034.pgs 07.06.2017 15:41 adRocket

Signature Nav dCi 110 and Grand Scénic Signature Nav dCi 110 are: Urban 64.2 (4.4) – 67.3 emissions are 104-100g/km. Figures are obtained for comparative purposes in accordance

FP_FLEETNEW_3409021id3029037.pgs 07.06.2017 15:41 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: KWIK FIT Kwik Fit fleet sales director Andy Fern’s style is to sell what he believes in ‘IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO CONTINUE TO DO JUST WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY’

Kwik Fit fleet sales director outlines the strategy as company develops from tyres-only to a more comprehensive SMR service. Stephen Briers reports

hen it comes that was pivotal to me taking a leap and to aftersales joining,” he says. work, leasing Fern has an interesting background. A self- companies and confessed ‘petrol head’, he spent two fleets have a decades working for Michelin, the first in its W clear choice: motor sports division including five years as use franchised a race tyre technician for the McLaren dealers or turn Formula 1 team. Despite never seeing to independents. himself as a salesman, he switched to sales It’s no secret that many have been directing in 2006 as Michelin began to scale back its more of their aftersales work to independent interests in F1. workshops – Fleet Newss leasing stats show Responsible for major accounts, one of his that 30% of work already heads their way, up clients was Kwik Fit. from just 18% six years ago. “My style is that I will sell something if I The independent sector has undergone believe in it. I like to get involved, I like to motorway, initially with 10 vans. Mobile7 considerable change in recent years. Long understand the detail and, when I do, then I extends operating hours from 8.30am to seen as a cheap and, arguably, inferior alter- will sell it. That gives me credibility with 8.30pm seven days a week with the vans native to the franchised dealers, heavy customers,” Fern says. equipped to tackle a wide range of mainte- investment has improved not just the quality In 2014, he was appointed sales manager nance requirements. Already, 40% of bookk- of repairs, but the quality of facilities, with, for fleet at Michelin. “That’s when I started ings within the M25 are for evening slots. for example, plush waiting rooms, free WiFi to understand fleet. My style is more suited Fern’s long-term ambition is to offer the and coffee on tap. to dealing with fleets and leasing compa- Mobile7 service nationwide, mirroring the The leading companies have also extended nies,” he adds. direction in which the market is moving, their offering from tyres into full servicing, “So when the opportunity to join Kwik Fit especially for tyres. maintenance and repair (SMR). came up, it felt like the right thing to do.” Fleets are being encouraged to change Kwik Fit has been at the vanguard of this Kwik Fit is only his second employer. He their drivers’ mind-set when it comes to tyre new dawn. After acquiring the business in already had a good understanding of the replacement, moving away from the tradi- 2011, its parent Itochu Corporation made a business, but has no plans to make any tional approach of turning up unannounced strategic decision to overhaul the entire changes to strategy just yet. to a Kwik Fit centre towards pre-planning network of service centres under the eye of “You have got to give it six months before tyre changes, with bookings facilitated managing director Kenji Murai and fleet you have a good, balanced view of the busi- through the company’s Fleet Web website. director Peter Lambert. ness,” he says. “My ideas are very similar to “Our strategy is two-fold,” Fern says. “We An impressive commitment when the how things are now. But it’ll be six months recognise that our centres are bigger and network totals more than 600 sites. before I understand the business sufficiently tyres are evolving – and it’s not stopped yet Lambert retired in February after almost to put my stamp on it.” regarding the number of fitment options. It’s seven years in the role. His replacement, So, currently, the priority is to continue the challenging to have every tyre in the centre Andy Fern, believes the company has push into mechanical work, with a strategy on spec so we need strong logistical support “changed massively” since the days of based around the “one-stop shop” network from our Stapletons business [acquired by private equity ownership, although one thing of Kwik Fit Plus centres and an expanding Itochu in 1994], but also from fleets and that has remained stable is the split of busi- mobile service. drivers planning ahead.” ness – two-fifths fleet, the balance retail. Kwik Fit operates 200 mobile vans around Fleet Web is a crucial component as the “Itochu has invested and has looked at the the country and late last year launched variety of tyres grows, partly fuelled by the long term. It’s a professional business and Mobile7 within the M25 London Orbital trend towards specific tyres for specific vehi-

300 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk FACTFILE Company Kwik Fit Head office Letchworth Garden City FleetFleet salessales ddirectorirector Andy Fern Time in role four months Network more than 600 centres, 200 mobile vans Stock keeping unit more than 5,000 individual tyre lines cles, such as SUVs. Auto transmission and area of the market where Kwik Fit is looking to 4x4s are also growing in popularity and they make significant inroads. Facilities investment have their own tyre requirements due to has enabled more centres to accommodate weight, complexity and speed. “It’s challenging to have vans, which has increased business, but the The proportion of work pre-booked every tyre in the centre company still has work to do. through the web remains small, but rising. This could result in the relocation of some Fern says: “We have to work with on spec so we need high street centres which do not have the customers to change their mind-sets, but it’s floor space to fit high-roof LCVs. Tyre a win-win; it helps us to plan ahead and it is strong logistical support” stocking has not been an issue, as there is a more convenient for the customer because relatively low number of sizes dominating we come to their office.” Andy Fern, Kwik Fit the market so centres are better able to Technology will help to drive the change: accommodate unplanned visits. the connected tyre is not far off. Initially, it will Kwik Fit has identified three phases to its be able to inform the driver about size and model. But the investment has also improved business: what the driver does before they tyre; ultimately, it will be able to tell the driver our ability to do a high quality job on time.” go to a centre, what happens to the car at the when it needs replacing. Fern puts fleet business into two camps: centre and what happens after the fitment. Fern recognises that Kwik Fit’s heritage lies pay monthly, typically leasing companies and Much of the investment has focused on the in tyres and he is determined to “not take our large fleets, which lean towards premium middle phase; the company now needs to eye off the ball” as the company puts greater tyres (Kwik Fit bases each centre’s stock turn its attention to the first and third stages, energy into growing its SMR business. profile on the customer base); and transac- according to Fern. This strategy revolves around the Kwik Fit tional, where the leasing company has nego- “We have to respect that the driver is the Plus centres; it has 70 with plans to add tiated its own rates with a tyre supplier and customer of the fleet or leasing company,” he more over the next couple of years. Kwik Fit follows that stipulation. says. “We are seeing increasing interest from His own sales team is divided into three: “This is where we will develop over the next leasing companies – we work with eight of leasing companies/large fleets; core fleet/ three years – that three phase approach. the top 10 – because we now offer a broad medium-size fleets; and local business “I want customers to consider us to be the section of mechanical work,” Fern says. specialists for fleets with fewer than 100 vehi- best at what we do and to be the benchmark “If you go into one of these centres, it feels cles. “We have an approach for each,” he adds. for their business. It’s not enough to continue like you are in a car dealership – it’s a similar He also has a strategic approach for vans, an to do just what we are doing today.”

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 31 THE UK’S BIGGEST FLEET EVENT Drivers hold key to safe and efficient vehicle management Experts will be on hand to advise about keeping problems to a minimum

very time fleet managers providers and risk management The findings show the number of solutions, including the role of driver hand a driver the keys to a firms, with a total of more than 100 drivers caught by bus lane cameras incentive schemes. car or van, they are taking exhibitors expected at one of the most rose by 27% last year compared with These can include rewards for a calculated risk. Assets important fleet events of the year. the previous 12 months, with the reduced accident rates or focus on are placed under the The show comes as a growing value of the fines rising by 37% over scores for daily performance, using a Econtrol of employees with varying array of issues affect fleet managers. the period. The number of parking league table to encourage drivers to skill levels, who in many cases do not For example, businesses faced a offences also increased by 34%, in compete to be the safest. consider driving an important part of sharp rise in motoring fines in 2016 2016. The cost for businesses rose by Alternatively, companies can use their role. So how can fleets ensure as the number of penalties incurred the same amount to £6m. penalties to ensure drivers adhere to that once vehicles are on the road, the by company car and van drivers rose In addition, fleet managers are company rules in order to protect any potential for problems is minimised? 21% year-on-year, according to under pressure to keep accidents benefits they receive. At Fleet Management LIVE (FML), annual figures from FML exhibitor and damage under control and there Visitors to Fleet Management LIVE which takes place on October 3-4 at Lex Autolease. The research, are additional challenges, such as the will be able to get detailed guidance the NEC in Birmingham, experts will compiled from 353,000 company need to monitor drivers for drug use, from suppliers from their stands, help with strategic advice to ensure vehicles across the UK, revealed both legal and illegal. but also at a series of best practice drivers care for cars and vans. drivers racked up a £14 million bill, up Fleets can take their most pressing seminars during the day at the show. Suppliers include fleet consultants, 26% from 2015. The figure is a steep questions direct to the experts at For full details and to register, visit risk management experts, software rise from the £7m accrued in 2012. Fleet Management LIVE and discuss www.fleetmanagementlive.co.uk.

Who should attend? Fleet managers HR professionals Finance Procurement managers Risk management Transport managers Corporate mobility managers SMEs

REGISTER TODAY AT FLEETMANAGEMENTLIVE.CO.UK/FN

Supported by For full details, visit: www fleetmanagementlive.co.uk

Exhibitor listing so far BMW Honda Jaguar Land Rover Lexus Mini Seat Toyota Vauxhall Volvo Agility Fleet OCTOBER 3-4, 2017 NEC BIRMINGHAM AID Fuel Oils Group ALD Automotive Alphabet Appy Fleet Arnold Clark Vehicle Management A chance to see Fleet inspiration from Peter Shilton Arval Footballing legend Peter Shilton, AssetWorks 150+ exhibitors Autoglass one of England’s finest goal- Bott Fleet Management LIVE has keepers, will provide inspiration BP Oil moved to a larger hall at the NEC on management and leadership BT Fleet as part of a record-breaking year at Fleet Management LIVE to Carbaya for the event. help decision-makers meet their CC Keys It has grown to incorporate the fleet goals. Chevin Fleet Solutions Commercial Fleett Van & Truck During his international career, CVM Fleet Management Solutions Show to cover every area of the Shilton established a record of Daimler Fleet Management industry, with space for more than 125 caps for his country which Dash Witness 150 exhibitors in total. remains unbroken to this day. Drive Software Solutions The expansion reflects the His experience of peak DriveTech, part of The AA wishes of vehicle operators, many performance at the highest Enterprise Flex-E-Rent of whom operate both cars and levels of sport translates well to FleetCheck commercial vehicles. Managers corporate environments and he OBE for his services to football Fleetcor with a combined fleet of more than will provide an overview of the and was awarded the Order of Fleet Evolution 500,000 vehicles are expected to self-discipline and dedication it Merit in 2002 from the PFA. FORS attend this year’s show. takes to become the world’s His impact on English football Fourways Vehicles Solutions Fuelmate Fleet Management LIVE has been best, while sharing his tactics for makes him one of the true GEFCO designed for fleets by fleet experts achieving success in business greats of the sport’s history. Inchcape Fleet Solutions and covers car, van and truck fleets, and on the playing field. Besides football, Shilton has Interactive Fleet Management both large and small. It also aims to Shilton won back-to-back made regular appearances on a Jaama deliver value to managers from European Cups with Brian host of TV programmes, including Keytracker every area of the fleet sector, Clough’s Nottingham Forest and Celebrity Come Dine With Me, Lex Autolease including fleet management, HR, was named the PFA Player of Let’s Dance for Sports Relief and Licence Bureau finance, risk management, procure- the Year for 1977-1978. the renowned BBC talent show Licence Check ment and mobility management. He earned both an MBE and Strictly Come Dancing. Lookers Leasing Marshall Leasing Nexus Vehicle Rental Nimmos Insurance Brokers O2 Parksafe Automotive Probuild Transport Systems Reflex Vans RingGo Corporate Scorpion Automotive Selsia Vehicle Accident Centres Shell UK Sortimo TCH Leasing Telogis The AA Total Motion Vehicle Management Unique Car Mats Venson Automotive Solutions vGroup International Vindis Group Fleet Volkswagen Financial Services | Fleet Zenith Advertisement feature

Changing beyond recognition AFO is fast becoming a technology-driven business supported by people

ince Henry Ford launched the Model ST, signalling the arrival of mass manufacturing, the automotive “We are calling on anybody in the sector who industry has changed beyond all recognition. Now the sector is on the brink has a keen interest in these areas to get in touch” of a similarly seismic leap, one that’s set to revolutionise our industry again. This time though it’s not just the manufacturing process that’s set to change but every element of the buying, ownership and driving process making it unrecognisable from today, moving from a part-manual/part-digital-led world to a predominantly digital one. But are we ready for such change? ■ Will driverless cars mean fewer accidents, impacting on the world of insurance as we know it or even road traffic officers? ■ Will we lose our sense of freedom and the enjoyment of ’just going for a drive’? ■ Can the industry come up with a service, satisfaction and building strong around the corner. But we want to ensure commonly accessible platform for the business relationships, AFO is changing we develop products that provide the best Connected Car that is welcomed by both from a people-driven business supported possible fit for our clients and the wider manufacturers and fleets? by technology to one that’s driven by industry’s future needs. That is why we are ■ Will a car no longer be a prized technology with the support of people. calling on anybody in the sector who has a possession but something you order at the Our first digital product, FleetFineOnline. keen interest in these areas to get in touch.” click of an app? co.uk launched at the beginning of the year AFO is looking to recruit a team of So many questions and so few answers, to a very positive reaction from the industry. knowledgeable industry professionals to yet “Tomorrow’s World” is rapidly It is revolutionising fine management, join its advisory panel and help it develop approaching. offering significant savings in terms of time, market-leading products to meet the needs Are you looking at ways your fleet will resources and carbon footprint. of the fleets of the future. This could be in be driven and managed in the next three, With more than a billion cars on the the format of roundtable-style events, five or 10 years? Do you know what the planet, congestion and gridlock in our cities webinars or surveys. connected car will mean to your company? and a shortage of parking, change is Do you want to get involved? Have you started preparing for the digital inevitable. AFO is looking to be at the disruption? forefront of this. At All Fleet Online (AFO), we’re Dave Scobie, managing director of All recognising the drivers of change and Fleet Services, explained why they are changing our business model, services and inviting the industry to help shape the products to reflect this. AFO is a brand of solutions they provide in the future: “We All Fleet Services. Focussed on digital pride ourselves on both the insight we have products supported by excellent customer and our ability to anticipate what is next

Email [email protected] or call 0800 122 3008 to get in touch and help shape the future of fleet management FLEET DRIVERS& Implementing measures to ensure vehicles are looked after and maintained by drivers can save a fleet money. Find out how in our eight-page report

36 I Benefit from a 38 I Driver buy-in key 42 I Technology makes well-cared-for fleet to policy success vehicle checks easier Well-maintained and presented Education and enforcement Regular pre-use vehicle cars and vans can promote can be used to make sure inspections can help a fleet your company, improve safety employees comply with vehicle stay compliant and cut and reduce your costs care requirements unscheduled downtime FLEET AND DRIVERS: VEHICLE CARE BENEFITS BOOST EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY WITH BETTER VEHICLE CARE

Running a well-cared for and maaintained fleet has many benefits for a commpany. Andrew Ryan reports

irst impressions count. Whether someone is going along to a job interview or an important business appointment, if they turn up looking like they’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards then the meeting is unlikely to progress well. FThe same is true for an organisation: if the car or van an employee arrives in at a customer’s premises is damaged or filthy, it could impact adversely on that company’s reputation. “To us, having a clean and well-maintained vehicle is essen- tial,” says Nick Webb, fleet manager of Millers Vanguard, which supplies and maintains equipment to the food service industry. “The first impression any store will have of us is when our vehicle arrives in its car park. It’s like a business card for us, so it has to be pristine and if it looks unsightly to us, we will change the vehicle. “We work in the hygiene industry, so customers expect that a prestigious organisation like us, which is turning up to clean, service or repair catering equipment, must adhere to the same standards they do.” However, while its appearance may be the most obvious sign of a well-cared for and maintained vehicle, there are a number of other significant benefits to fleets. The most obvious one is reduced costs, says Peter Eldridge, director of ICFM. These manifest themselves in a number of ways: reduced in-life service, lower maintenance and repair (SMR) costs, reduced end-of-contract penalty charges and enhanced residual values. “The difference between a well-looked after fleet and one that isn’t could easily improve the bottom line on a balance sheet by a six-figure sum for a 750-vehicle fleet,” he adds. Many fleets have found that fitting telematics has enabled them to reduce in-life costs. “One of the benefits [of the technology] is that drivers treat the vehicles better because their driving behaviour is being monitored and improved,” says Webb. “If they treat the vehicles better, there is less wear and tear and fewer accident repairs.” Anglian Water aimed to cut fuel use by 10% through £500 improved driver behaviour when it embarked on a telematics cost of a missing programme in 2014. service history

“A failure to maintain a vehicle in good condition is likely to significantly impact on residual values” John Pryor, ACFO

36 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk In the first year it fitted the technology to 750 vans, the INVEST IN STAFF second to 500, with the remaining vans on its 1,640-strong AND COMPANIES fleet receiving the equipment last year. WILL REAP THE The organisation saw a typical 10-13% improvement in REWARDS economy across the fleet, meaning it has saved more than £650,000 in fuel costs. However, head of fleet services Stewart Lightbody saw Looking after company another beneficial side effect: the improved driver behaviour vehicles well can help an reduced Anglian Water’s tyre costs by £10,000 a month and organisation get more its insurance premium by £60,000 a year. out of its staff. Private hire company Greentomatocars also turned to As well as portraying a telematics to cut its accident costs through improved driver professional image of a behaviour. It has fitted the technology to 300 vehicles and last business, well-cared for year made savings of £600,000. cars or vans can make “The saving was not only due to the telematics,” says drivers feel more valued, Sophie Jacobsen, head of service delivery at Greentomato- improving staff morale cars. “It was also due to performance management of the and performance. drivers following an internal reorganisation, but telematics “We feel that if we did have a huge impact on us.” invest in staff, in return As well as reduced in-life costs, taking care of vehicles also we get good service has a beneficial effect at the end of fleet life. “A failure to from them,” says Liam maintain a vehicle in good condition is likely to significantly Farrar, fleet manager at impact on residual values and, if leasing, end-of-contract Wakefield District damage charges which can be a contentious issue,” says Housing, which has a John Pryor, chairman of fleet operators’ association ACFO. comprehensive vehicle care programme. “Because our guys are SIGNIFICANT AREA OF COSTS lone workers, the van is also their office and they Last year’s FN50 research, which covers the UK’s 50 largest appreciate that we are contract hire and leasing businesses, found that the average investing in them, so we end-of-contract damage charges were £289 for cars and are seeing that the £380 for vans, making it a significant area of cost to fleets. vehicles are in a better However, this can be reduced by ensuring vehicles are condition and we tend to properly maintained and better cared for during fleet life. have less damage.” Britvic, for example, has seen its average end-of-contract The programme damage charges fall from around £900 some four years ago covers areas such as to £287 last year through employees taking better care of repairs, vehicle cleaning their cars (see page 40), and Wakefield District Housing has and driver training. an average bill of £30 per van thanks to its approach to “We want people to go vehicle care (see page 38). home safe, we don’t Fleets which buy outright will find cars or vans sold at want them to be in auction with damage will attract less interest and lower bids, accidents or go to while ongoing vehicle care should also extend to ensuring hospital or be off work,” that no documents or items such as spare keys go missing. adds Farrar. BCA estimates that the typical costs of missing items are Chairman of Fleet £500 for service history, £100 for a spare key, rising if it is a Industry Advisory Group car with keyless entry or a programmable key, and £50 for Geoffrey Bray adds: a missing spare tyre or repair kit. “There is a correlation Any missing documents may also lead to a delay in the between the attitude to vehicle being sold while replacements are sourced. vehicle care of a While taking care of vehicles will positively impact a company and the fleet company’s bottom line, Eldridge says the other main benefit decision-maker and the of ensuring a fleet is well looked after is the reduction in way a fleet performs and exposure to operational road risk. what it looks like. Cars “Quite simply, if a fleet operator promotes poor disciplines and vans are expensive with the routine elements of the vehicle operation, then this assets so they must be could be conveyed as a green light to allowing poor driving looked after.” standards and behaviour, with the inevitable outcome of increased accident rates and costs,” he says. “Worse still, it could lead to penalisation under ‘cause and permit’ legislation, which is geared to fines being imposed to the business as a percentage of their turnover.” Pryor adds: “Compliance with occupational road risk best practice and health and safety regulations means maintaining vehicles in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. There is no cost cap that can be put on that as any failure could result in significant damage – cost and reputational – and injury or even death to drivers and the public. Liam Farrar “if we invest in “Ultimately, a company car or van is company property and staff we get good service” should be looked after as any property belonging to an organisation would be.”

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 37 FLEET AND DRIVERS: VEHICLE CARE

DRIVER BUY-IN KEY TO VEHICLE CARE SUCCESS Education and enforcement can be used to make sure employees comply with a company’s requirements. AndrewAndrew RyanRyan reports

pelling out a driver’s responsibilities for their attitude, knowledge and understanding. vehicle condition in a policy is an important “It builds a picture up with these employees that, as we step in making sure cars and vans are well are so serious about transport, we expect them to be as Smaintained and cared for. well. It gives than an understanding of the ethos of the This may typically cover areas such as business before they start training for the actual job they vehicle checks, the processes for reporting damage and will be doing.” faults, as well as expected cleanliness levels. New employees at Millers Vanguard receive a formal To ensure the policy is successful, the first step should transport induction within their first week, where the be to get buy-in from drivers, says Nick Webb, fleet expected standards of behaviour, cleanliness and the manager at Millers Vanguard. standards of the vehicle are all laid out. His company does this through making driver assess- Wakefield District Housing (WDH) places a similar ment and engagement a priority during an engineer’s emphasis on driver education and training. Fleet induction. “The system manager Liam Farrar, says: “We do invest heavily in “With a lot of organisations, it’s the last thing. A new would tot-up driver training, driver awareness and toolbox talks. We member of staff will come into a business, they’ll get their also have corporate events and days, so we try to engage uniform, they’ll get education on the business, they’ll do the points at with the drivers more.” the health and safety, they’ll have a load of training, and Both Millers Vanguard and WDH have daily driver when they’re leaving their induction, someone will go ‘oh, the end of vehicle checks, while a central plank of WDH’s vehicle there’s your vehicle key mate, away you go’. Now we each year care policy is its van servicing regime. make it the first priority,” says Webb. Instead of adhering to a manufacturer’s maintenance Millers Vanguard’s process of educating engineers of and align schedule, WDH has its vehicles serviced or inspected the importance of its fleet begins even before they join every six months. the company which supplies and maintains equipment results to “From a corporate perspective and due diligence, for the food industry. it’s a good check: from a leasing company’s “They will have an email explaining why we do things pre-agreed perspective it could be a little bit of overkill, but we as stringently as we do,” he says. penalties or do lease our vehicles so it is in their best interests “In that email it asks for us to have access to their that the vehicles are maintained to a driving licence records so we can check them before they benefits” high standard,” says Farrar. are even offered a job here. So, from the onset, they are “For example, our Volkswa- thinking this organisation is hot on transport. Peter Eldridge, gens are on a two-year or “When they arrive with us, the first thing they have to ICFM 24,000-mile interval, but because complete is an online driver assessment that looks at of the way we work, our vehicles aren’t high mileage.

388 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk We have some vehicles coming up to three years old so condition is being monitored to ensure policy is being we put them in for an MOT. Some have only done 14,000 complied with. miles, so a manufacturer may look at that and say ‘well, “If drivers know there is no fleet manager undertaking we won’t bother changing the oil or the brake pads from spot checks and monitoring videos sent by email from a wear and tear perspective’. garages when service, maintenance and repair work is “From our viewpoint, we like to have a highly-main- undertaken then they will not take good care of a car or tained fleet. It puts drivers’ minds at rest and it’s good van,” he adds. “However, if drivers know that random from an audit perspective.” checks are made on vehicles, regular vehicle defect Farrar says this maintenance policy does not have a big reports are asked for and followed up and videos from financial impact on WDH because the cost is built into its garages are viewed and action taken when abuse is lease agreement. identified, vehicle condition will be top notch.” “I’ve spoken to leasing companies and they are keen to Peter Eldridge, director of fleet training body ICFM, work with the likes of us who want to overkill our fleets adds that a ‘carrot and stick’ approach usually works best on checks because the return value on that asset is very to get the desired result from drivers. high for them,” he adds. “This could be something quite simple like a points While education is a key part of ensuring drivers system, pro-rata to the mileage covered and made up of comply with policies, Geoffrey Bray, chairman of the Fleet items such as number of at-fault incidents and costs, cost Industry Advisory Group, warns they “are only of value if of rectification for ‘outside’ of normal wear and tear, and they are enforced and have teeth”. penalty charges occurred,” he says. He adds: “Too often they are ambiguous and are not “The system would tot-up the points at the end of each supported by disciplinary measures. year and align results to pre-agreed penalties or benefits “All businesses should adopt a zero tolerance to for the drivers.” employee abuse whether that is in respect of office equipment such as desks and computers or company cars and vans. PICKING UP THE CLEANING BILLS “For businesses to ignore the value of looking after vehicles is ridiculous. “Yet, too often that happens. If employees damaged a A policy to pay for we’ll refund the fuel cards. “They can desk or a computer they would, in all probability, be vehicles to be cleaned engineer the money,” go to a service station, disciplined and possibly sacked. regularly can help a says Nick Webb, of fill up with fuel, get a “Yet, in respect of company vehicles – a far more valu- company operate a Millers Vanguard. token for the jet wash able asset – all too frequently abuse appears to be well-presented fleet. “It’s got to be or foam wash and tolerated.” For example, both cleaned by paying pick what they want,” As well as its policy of daily van checks, Millers Vanguard and another organisation. says Liam Farrar. WDH employs a fleet enforcement Wakefield District It basically means our “We can pull up a officer, whose job is to perform vehicle Housing (WDH) pay drivers have to use report so we know spot checks and offer advice to drivers. for their vehicles to be somebody who has that ‘Joe Bloggs’ has “He’s not there to catch people out: he’s washed. got the skills and the washed his van twice there to support people to make sure we are “We expect it to be necessary equipment in a month. compliant with authorised maximum weights, done at least once a and chemicals to “That’s probably to talk about securing loads properly, things like week and it’s a clean the vehicles okay in the summer that,” says Farrar. no-quibble policy. If professionally.” months, but we would “He will also look at things like tyre tread and if a vehicle somebody sends us a WDH drivers can expect it to be done has been cleaned or is caked in a week’s worth of muck. receipt to say they’ve pay for vehicle once a week in He’s our eyes and ears in the workplace.” cleaned the vehicle, washes using their winter.” Bray says it is important drivers are aware that vehicle

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 39 FLEET AND DRIVERS: CASE STUDIES

CASE STUDY: BRITVIC/MILLERS VANGUARD ON ENGAGING DRIVERS Giving drivers a sense of ‘ownership’

Giving drivers an increased feeling of owner- proud of. We find that they take care of these ship by offering them a wide choice of car or vehicles significantly better than they would getting them involved in speccing their van otherwise. can improve the way they treat their vehicle. “They keep them clean, they ensure they Britvic offers its company car drivers an are serviced regularly and any scrapes or open choice list which, within their band, bumps are reported promptly.” gives them the opportunity to select a brand Millers Vanguard also involves employees they want, with the option to make a monthly in speccing vehicles, for example making contribution to trade up to a more prestig- changes to internal lighting on the suggestion ious, higher-specced low-CO2 car. of an engineer. By making this choice, the employee tends “Asking for ideas and listening to them to be better off by “probably £300 or £400 a makes the drivers feel they’ve got input into year”, says director of compensation and the vehicle and that their voice is being benefits Will Smith, as despite making the heard,” says Nick Webb, of Millers Vanguard. contribution and that car having a higher “It makes them think about the vehicle they P11D value, the employee benefits through are driving and gives them the feeling of lower BIK tax bills and private fuel cost. ownership.” It also gives them a vehicle they want to look after, he adds. The company has seen average end-of-contract recharges fall by around two-thirds from £800 to £900 around “If you give someone five years ago to £287 now. “If you give someone something they are something they are proud of, they will take better care of it and proud of they will take Will Smith believes that this principle applies to cars,” says Smith. getting drivers involved in “If drivers make a contribution towards a better care of it” speccing their van improves car, then they’ve got a financial attachment to Will Smith, Britvic the way they treat it it outside of tax and they have a car they are

CASE STUDY: COMPUTACENTER ON THE HARD-LINE APPROACH Using the ‘stick’ to change behaviour

While drivers can be educated and incentiv- insurance to claim for damage repairs, ised to look after their vehicles, some fleets although this is limited to one ‘fault’ incident find using the ‘stick’ to be an effective in a two-year rolling period. method. “Otherwise they have to pay the insurance Computacenter, for example, recharges all excess for any damage that appears on the end-of-contract damage charges to its vehicle,” says Cook. drivers. “Our biggest risk is that our policy drives Employees are informed of the details in people to make more insurance claims than their fleet policy document and vehicle we would perhaps like, but we are able to renewal guide. Drivers are also issued with monitor that. We do say that any damage we the BVRLA fair wear and tear guidelines so are claiming for must have occurred within they are aware of what condition their vehicle the past three months and if you have should be returned in. damage such as hit while parked – absolutely “It’s not necessarily popular, but because it our number one enemy – our drivers must is now so well embedded culturally, people have a crime reference number from the do look after their vehicles,” says Keith Cook, police or have evidence they have attempted deputy financial controller at Computacenter. to get one.” “I would say it’s less than 20% of the vehicles which come back with chargeable damage: typically our drivers do look after their vehicles.” “It’s not necessarily Cook says Computacenter is proactive in advising drivers how to care for their vehicles popular, but because it is as well as how to get damage repaired at the so embedded, people lowest cost by using suppliers such as mobile Keith Cook recharges dent repairers instead of booking cars into look after their vehicles” all end-of-contract bodyshops. Keith Cook, Computacenter charges to his drivers Drivers are able to use Computacenter’s

40 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk Advertisement feature Shaping driver behaviour key to cutting maintenance bills EradicatingEradicating erraticerratic actionactions can reap serious safet y an d financial rewards

hen helping drivers to take care Wof their vehicles, it is what you can’t see that is really crucial. Appearance might seem to give the most obvious measure of how a vehicle is being looked after and can often be indicative of the employee’s general approach to looking after company property. But to ensure vehicles are taken care of the biggest factor is driving style. Erratic driving – such as accelerating too quickly, braking too harshly or over-steering – increases wear and tear on tyres and parts. This is before you consider the potential for poor driving to lead to a greater prevalence of incidents, which can result in serious and immediate vehicle damage. Consequently, businesses must get a handle on driver behaviour if they are to take proper steps to ensure drivers take better care of their vehicles.

Setting the tone It must start with the establishment of a positive culture. A written road safety policy can represent a helpful step in achieving this by enshrining key principles WEBFLEET® – scores drivers based on a driver, keeping their driving style front and setting expectations for drivers, but it is seriesseries ooff pperformanceerformance iindicators,ndicators, iincludingncluding ofof mmindind aatt aallll ttimesimes aandnd ppromotingromoting a a programme of continuous analysis and speeding, harsh steering and braking, and continuous approach to performance feedback that can make the biggest impact. gear shifting. improvement. Drivers are given Employee engagement is vital and This means managers are able to performance tips before each trip, followed hinges on effective communication. quickly identify areas for improvement by predictive advice and live feedback Employers must set the tone through across a fleet and delve deeper into the during the trip. Once they have finished initiatives such as email bulletins that data to find out where drivers need help. driving they are provided with an analysis provide education on key topics, workshops Targeted training can then be provided to of performance to show them where and training sessions and regular driver help drivers improve their scores. The improvements can be made. briefings with qualified assessors. information presented within OptiDrive Such direct feedback ensures employees 360 can also enable initiatives such as are fully involved in the improvement Collecting and using data incentives or league tables that can also process, allowing them to take action The measurement and analysis of help as motivational tools, giving drivers a immediately to rectify issues. performance behind the wheel as part of reason to strive towards targets and a wider programme to improve driver adding a degree of healthy competition. Potential rewards behaviour can lead to a more proactive This collaborative, continuous approach to approach that helps to tackle the root Instant driver feedback driver improvement can reap serious causes and create lasting change. It is well known that instant feedback is the rewards. TomTom Telematics customer Telematics plays a vital role in helping to most effective way to foster learning and SGN used WEBFLEET and OptiDrive 360 identify problem trends in order to take behavioural change. When paired with a to underpin a performance programme more targeted action. OptiDrive 360 – a key TomTom Telematics PRO driver terminal that is expected to save the business component of TomTom Telematics OptiDrive 360 provides direct feedback to a £1 million on fuel and maintenance.

To find out more about OptiDrive 360 and WEBFLEET by TomTom Telematics, visit telematics.tomtom.com or call 0208 822 3605 FLEET AND DRIVERS: VEHICLE CHECKS

CHECKS BECOME MUCH EASIER IN DIGITAL AGEGE Regular pre-use vehicle inspections can help a fleet stay commpliant and reduce downtime by identifying issues early. AAndrewndrew RyanRyan rreports

egular vehicle checks can be a vital tool for a These often give fleet managers real-timme updates of fleet manager in making sure vehicles are when the checks have been carried out,, asa well as infor- being well maintained and looked after. mation if any issues have been picked up. R The checks, carried out by drivers before “Our daily pre-use checks are all loggedd ono our drivers’ they use the vehicle, provide a valuable and tablets so I get a automated report every day telling me auditable way to detect any damage or issues such as low who has done the check and who hasn’t,”” sayssa Webb. tyre tread or broken lights. “If there is any damage they have to reportt iit to us, take They can also help a fleet detect and address minor a photograph and email it through. problems before they become more serious, reducing “We will inspect it and decide if the vehicle is fiit to continue unscheduled downtime. in use or whether we take it off the road forr repair.”r “Vehicle checks are vital,” says Geoffrey Bray, chairman The move of checks to electronic devicces has also of the Fleet Industry Advisory Group. “They should be benefited fleets such as Wakefield District Hoousing (WDH), simple and quick to carry out and ingrained into a driver’s whose vans are taken home by its mobile worrkers and not psyche so they become as ‘normal’ as filling a car or van returned to a central depot overnight. up with fuel.” “Given the area has a reasonable signal, whhich most of For many fleets, the vehicle check is a daily requirement the areas we cover do, at any point of the dayy I canc go into for van drivers, with some refusing to assign employees the system and see whether the vehicle checkss hhave been their first job of the day until their check has been completed. carried out,” says Liam Farrar, fleet manager att WDH.W Regular pre-use defect checks are an integral part of the “It’s not big brother watching you, but our driverss knowk Freight Transport Association (FTA) Van Excellence Code it’s their responsibility to take 15 minutes to do thee check:c accreditation scheme. they are all fully aware of what is expected.p “If the driver does reportt thethey’ve got ann ississue, it instanntly transmits an email to theeir team leader or lineine mmanageer CHECKING EVERYTHING about it.” Traviss PerkinsP moved from a paper-based system to an “Under our checks, our drivers are looking at absolutely electronicc oone around two years ago and uses the information everything: lights, fluid levels, damage to the vehicle, tyres, produced byy its daily chchecks to identify potential issues on its the livery, mirrors, doors, suspension, etc.” says Nick commercial vehicles ass well as training needs for drivers. Webb, fleet manager at Millers Vanguard, which supplies “It’s been really impportant for us to identify faults on and services equipment for the food industry. vehicles and trends off ddefects,” says Graham Bellman, Like many fleets, Millers Vanguard uses electronic group fleet director at Travisis PerkinsP ns. devices to ensure the checks are carried out. “The system we use is really customisable, so if it’sit s a Traditionally. drivers have filled out paper forms to vehicle with a tail-lift we can add that into the check. confirm they have carried out the checks, but this has led “If we know we’ve had a problem with the left clip on the to concerns that there are no safeguards that they have bumper of a certain type of vehicle we can put a picture been carried out satisfactorily, while fleet managers have on the app and ask the drivers to check that, or maybe to wait until the form has been handed in to see the results. we’ve had mounting bolts on a mirror come loose – it could The widespread adoption of SIM-enabled personal digital be anything. assistants (PDAs), tablets or smartphones by company “Also, if it identifies that the rear lamp on the left-hand drivers has seen many fleets move these checks on to their side keeps getting knocked off every van in London we can electronic devices, often through an app. say ‘why’s that?’ and the driver can tell us that they deliver

We’ll keep your fleet working for you Talk to us today about Business Breakdown Cover Call 0800 294 2994 or visit theAA.com/business

422 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk “We will inspect it (the damage) and decide if the vehicle is fit to use or whether we take it off the road for repair” Nick Webb, Millers Vanguard to such and such a place and it’s got this problem, so we can then look at how we can address that.” As well as pre-use checks, Travis Perkins drivers are also required to inspect the vehicle at the end of the working day. “Every day our drivers sign a vehicle in and sign a vehicle out,” adds Bellman. He says this may be seen as being too stringent, but that driver is confirming that the vehicle is being returned in the same condition they took it over. “You can also ask if they’ve been stopped by any of the authorities during the day, or any other relevant information.”

LESS RIGOROUS REGIME FOR CARS

While regular checks are commonplace among van fleets, the regime in place with car drivers tends to be less rigorous. Often a fleet policy states they should carry out weekly checks on areas such as tyre pressures and fluid levels, but this is difficult to police. “We have to accept that in the modern idiom most drivers would argue that they do not have the time, skills or exper- tise to be able to carry out these checks,” says Peter Eldridge, director of fleet training body ICFM. “Worse still, the addi- tional elements, such as oil and other fluid levels checks are often a bridge too far for today’s motorists, who prefer the ‘warning lights’ systems to alert them. “The problem with ‘warning lights’ however, is that often they get ignored and as a result mechanical or other damage often ensues, usually at high cost.” John Pryor, chairman of fleet operators association ACFO, adds: “We tend to think that modern cars are reliable and can just go ‘on and on and on’, but with the new generation of oils cars can appear to burn more,” he says. “Unfortunately, some drivers tend to think a company car is a bit like the photocopier machine: always available and it works most of the time. “But, motor vehicles are hugely more valuable assets than a photocopier. Checks should be undertaken regularly and any defects reported so rectification work can take place.” So, given that van operators are having success through electronic vehicle checks, could similar systems be put in place for car drivers? Bellman says it is something Travis Perkins is looking at. “Let’s look at it realistically,” he adds. “I could say I want my drivers to walk round their car every morning, but will they do it? No. I want them to actually do the check, so I, as an individual, would probably say I want them to do it once a week. You get into your car, you get out of your car. Hopefully you will wash your car every week or get someone to wash it and you should notice if something is missing or the tyres are low. “Could we use our vehicle check app? Yes we could. Have we got the licence? Yes we have. Have we got the desire to push on it? Not just yet, but it is on our roadmap: it is one of the things we are talking about.”

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 43 INSIGHT: LICENCE CHECKING

BENEFITS IT IS AN AND OFFENCE TO DRAWBACKS OF PERMIT STAFF OUTSOURCING TO DRIVE LICENCE WITHOUT CHECKING A LICENCE

LICENCE CHECK DATA CAN SHAPE A RISK 8 STRATEGY THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LICENCE CHECKING LICENCE CHECKING CAN ONLY BE CARRIED OUT ONLINE

DATA REGULAR PROTECTION CHECKS ARE LAWS MUST BE IMPERATIVE RESPECTED

444 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk Ensuring employees hold valid driving licences is vital for the compliance of a fleet – and not doing so can have serious consequences. Ben Rooth reports

egular driving licence checks should checking, best practice invariably means knowing form a key part of any health and precisely who’s driving your vehicles and that safety policy at a company where those individuals are fully permitted to do so. employees drive on business. “In my experience, some fleets carry out detailed These should uncover whether the checks and others decide that this isn’t such a Rmember of staff is entitled to drive the type of great priority for them. Ultimately, it comes down vehicle they are allocated, and that they hold a to whether a company is prepared to stand up in current driving licence. court and defend the procedures that they have in Asking drivers is not enough: a recent RAC place if the worst case scenario occurs.” Insurance survey found that 25% of motorists Pryor adds that the ability to carry out checks surveyed who already had penalty points did not on driving licences online – either yourself or by inform any organisation when they received them, using a third-party – means that there is now “no while only 13% would tell their employer if they excuse” for not having protocol in place that works incurred any. The fact that employees could be for the benefit of both the driver and the organisa- driving for work when – in short – they shouldn’t, tion they work for. A ROBUST presents a potential legal minefield. Here, we look at eight key facts SYSTEM CAN John Pryor, chairman of fleet operators’ asso- every fleet should know about BE A LEGAL ciation ACFO, says: “When it comes to licence licence checking. DEFENCE 1 It’s an offence to permit staff to drive without a licence

“The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that as well as it being an offence for a driver to drive without a valid licence, it is also an offence for a person to permit a driver to drive without a valid licence,” says Martin Evans, managing director of fleet management software company Jaama. “The only way an employer can be absolutely certain that a member of staff can legally drive, and specifically the number of endorsement points they have on their licence, is to carry out checks against the DVLA database themselves or engage a third party agency. “Employers therefore have a duty to check the validity of employees’ driving FLEETS CAN licences both on recruitment and periodically thereafter – and at least annually.” Evans adds employment contracts should indicate that drivers must report CARRY OUT driving offences to their employers immediately so full records are maintained. ONE-OFF And for fleets with larger vans, licence checks can ensure that employees are legally entitled to drive vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3,500kg. CHECKS ON Employers also have a duty of care to employees under health and safety legislation for on-the-road work activities. DRIVERS The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Driving at Work guide stresses employers’ responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure “so far as reasonably practicable” the safety of all employees while at work.

fleet, leasing and hire so��are innovators Key 2 Industry leading so��are that gives you the strategic informa훀on to run a safe, jaama.co.uk compliant and efficient fleet of vehicles and drivers tel: 0844 8484 333 [email protected]

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 45 INSIGHT: LICENCE CHECKING

2 A robust system can 4 be a legal defence

While a company found guilty of allowing an ‘unlicensed’ or ‘improperly licensed’ employee to drive on its behalf could face a Data protection laws fine of up to £1,000, most employers will be far more concerned about the possibility of prosecution under the Health and Safety at must be respected Work Act 1974. Revised sentencing guidelines introduced last year have increased Information contained within driver the levels of fine to severely punish those organisations who flout records is classed as personal data and the law. use of this data is clearly defined by the Richard Brown, managing director of compliance company Licence Data Protection Act 1988 and the Check, says: “Here, fines can range from £180,000 to £20 million pending updated General Data according to an organisation’s size and level of culpability. Protection Regulations. “As with any legal defence, documented evidence of the checks made Consequently, employers and any and the steps taken to address specific and identified risks is critical. licence checking agencies acting on their “For optimum protection, it’s therefore important to make sure that behalf have to obtain a driver’s informed repeated checks are carried out where risk demands this, and that any consent, known as a mandate. Accessing published policies and guidance are issued to employees and audited a DVLA record without this consent is a to ensure continuing compliance.” fineable offence. Brown adds that the Health and Safety Executive’s Driving at Work: Richard Brown, of Licence Check, says: Managing Risk Related Road Safety document makes clear that the “Ensuring informed consent is important obligations to ensure the safety of employees “who might be affected and will become even more so when the by work related driving” rests squarely on the shoulders of the new regulations come into effect next employer – irrespective of vehicle ownership. May due to increased levels of fine. “They must properly assess the risks as part of their statutory obligations and must ensure that employees are suitably qualified to use the vehicle, and that the vehicle itself is safe and reasonably fit for the intended purpose,” he says. “Where particular risks – in the form of a poor driving record or “When a fleet uses missing or expired entitlements – are identified following a driving licence check, the employer must be seen to have taken steps to the licence checking remedy this in the shape of remedial or additional training.” service, they have peace of mind” Richard Payne-Gill, ADLV

“Although most employers appreciate the need to secure permission from the 3 employee, too many risk prosecution by Fleets can carry out failing to record the fact that consent has been given. It’s tempting to just get one-off checks on drivers verbal permission, or view the licence online without bothering to get a share Since June 2015, fleets in possession of a driver’s mandate have had code from the DVLA. The problem is if instant online access to the DVLA’s up-to-date Share Your Driving the driver later reports the employer to Licence system. the Information Commissioner’s Office, This allows the driver to generate a code using their driving licence there is no evidence to defend the case.” number and National Insurance number which enables an employer to Richard Payne-Gill, deputy chairman of access their penalty point information and details about the vehicles the Association for Driving Licence that can be driven on one occasion only. Verification, adds all ADLV members are This service involves both the driver and employer logging into the subject to a strict code of practice. service every time a check is performed. He says: “When a fleet uses the licence Another option is for the driver to download and complete a form checking services of an ADLV member, authorising the checks before posting it back to the DVLA with a they’ve got peace of mind that licence cheque or postal order for £5. data is consistently controlled, monitored Richard Payne-Gill of the Association for Driving Licence Verification and secure at all times. In addition, we says that these “one-off checks” remain both intensive due to its reli- require each member to commit to ance on manual procedures, and a serious compliance risk if drivers obtaining full certification throughout fail to declare points or bans between checks. their business of the international He recommends regualr checks of at least a year, increasing for standard of ISO27001:2013 to reduce staff with more points on their licence. risks associated with data security.”

46 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk 5 Regular checks 6 are imperative

Many organisations carry out licence checks once a year for drivers with a clean licence and increase the frequency if the employee is Checking can only be deemed to be at higher risk. This might be because they’ve already accrued penalty points and carried out online endorsements, or shown that they have a higher accident rate, drive high mileages, are inexperienced behind the wheel or are an The DVLA’s online system has older driver. revolutionised the speed and ease Malcolm Maycock, managing director of Licence Bureau, says: “The with which licences can be checked. law is unclear about the regularity of licence checks. John Pryor of ACFO explains: “Going “The advice from the Traffic Commissioners is to undertake checks online has improved a fleet’s ability to quarterly and accreditations such as the Fleet Operators Recognition keep on top of licence checks. In the past, Scheme (FORS) or the Freight Transport Association (FTA) state a a driver used to have to bring a copy of minimum of six monthly and even more frequently for drivers working their counterfoil. In theory, it was in high risk environments. possible for a driver to present a “The new fee of 70p (per online DVLA licence check) means we doctored photocopy of their licence when advise clients to follow the Traffic Commissioners’ guidelines.” it wasn’t free from penalty points.” He adds: “A driver will usually lose their licence or the categories of Also, fleet managers responsible for vehicles they can drive because of convictions, health or age. drivers based offsite no longer have to “Regular checks for those with more convictions are therefore wait for documents to arrive by post. essential.” Ashley Sowerby, managing director at Ashley Sowerby, managing director of fleet management software Chevin, adds: “Automated licence company Chevin, adds: “Typically, we advise that checks should be checking software enables companies to carried out at least once a year for drivers with a clean licence. carry out multiple checks for hundreds “Nonetheless, this frequency should be augmented based on of drivers in one go. This slashes the multiple parameters such as their date of birth, annual mileage, administrative burden of manual accident rate, penalty points and endorsements accumulated. This will checking while ensuring full compliance allow a relevant frequency appropriated to potential risk.” with data protection laws.”

7 Licence check data can shape a risk strategy

Data garnered from licence checks can be received and the amount of penalty points Aggregated information from across the invaluable when developing a risk they accumulate. Then, combining that driver pool can also prove instructive, management strategy. information with other data in fleet adds Richard Brown of Licence Check. “Data-led risk profiling can offer great management software packages, such as “A higher incidence of speeding value in helping reduce the likelihood of age, experience, training, accident rate, convictions than might be expected given accidents occurring,” says Ashley licence history, behaviour scores drawn the size of the driver pool could indicate Sowerby of Chevin. “Identify drivers that from telematics data, fuel economy, that a speed awareness course or represent the highest and lowest risk mileage and more, it’s possible to create training is required to effectively address based on the type of endorsement they profiles with a risk score.” a wider problem,” he says.

fleet, leasing and hire so��are innovators Key 2 Industry leading software that gives our customers the competitive edge jaama.co.uk tel: 0844 8484 333 [email protected]

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 47 INSIGHT: LICENCE CHECKING

8 Benefits and drawbacks of outsourcing licence checking

ADVANTAGES: completed promptly and provide a service doesn’t provide reporting, Specialist knowledge and expertise: clear audit trail in the event of pending ongoing management warnings, outsourcing companies will have a great prosecution or other legal action. reminders and automatic re-checking – deal of experience that can be drawn Security: where the licence checking all of which take time and therefore upon by customers. This covers the agency is a member of the Association cost money. provision of general information, the for Driving Licence Verification (ADLV) Data protection: although ADLV members effects of changes in legislation and they are required to have ISO 27001 have to carry ISO 27001 security policy guidance and support. security certification as well as an annual certification, not all third-party licence Management and reporting: in the case external test against unauthorised checking companies are ADLV members. of hosted services, there will be software system penetration. Consequently, the security of employee specifically designed to provide Links with other fleet and HR data remains a concern to some automated warnings, notifications and applications and services: a licensed customers. re-checks at scheduled times, and a full service provider will often have other Training: there is frequently a training range of management reporting tools. services to offer or can provide links to requirement for employees to learn Risk based profiling and checking: other employee management software. how to use the licence checking service. those drivers identified as high risk and/ Switching supplier: it is important or vocational can be checked more DISADVANTAGES: from the outset to ensure that the frequently. Cost: there is a cost associated with contract allows a fleet to withdraw Legal compliance with a robust audit hiring the services of a licence checking from the service or switch to another trail: A managed service will help to company, while the DVLA’s service is supplier relatively easily should the ensure that all necessary tasks are seen as ‘free’. However the DVLA’s need arise.

fleet, leasing and hire so�ware innovators Key 2 Industry leading software that gives our customers a competitive edge

jaama.co.uk tel: 0844 8484 333 [email protected]

48 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk FLEETS INFORMED

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The Fleet News Fleets Informed programme is designed to deliver comprehensive advice and knowledge to fleet decision-makers. Here, the Fleets Informed commercial partners answer questions on the essential aspects of running a fleet

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FLEETS INFORMED A company’s responsibility to employees spelt out Follow the three pillars of road safety if you wish to avoid falling foul of the law

What responsibilities do manslaughter and fined £700,000 plus employers have for staff who costs in December 2015 after being found 1 drive for business? guilty of corporate manslaughter and The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 health and safety offences when one of requires employers to take appropriate their employees was killed while driving. steps to ensure the health and safety of However, the real game changer has their employees and others who may be been the massive increase of health and affected by their activities when at work. safety fines since February 1, 2016. “This includes the time when they are The courts now consider culpability, driving or riding at work, whether this is seriousness and likelihood of harm and in a company or hired vehicle, or in the the size of a business and its turnover employee’s own vehicle.” when imposing fines. The Management of Health and Safety Research by health and safety specialists, at Work Regulations 1999 requires “the BLM, says companies across the UK have risk assessment to be reviewed paid out more than £61 million in health periodically to ensure it remains valid. and safety fines throughout 2016 – almost covering the driver’s ABC – Attitude, Employers should consider the risks to 2.5 times more than 2015. Behaviour and Competence. This provides employees on the road in the same way An example includes Travis Perkins a full driver risk profile, potentially as part as for those in a workplace.” Trading who were fined £2m with costs of of a permit-to-drive scheme. For clarity, health and safety law does £115,000 when a customer died after being not apply to drivers commuting to work; crushed by a company vehicle in the How can a fleet determine the but many commuters are killed each year. company’s yard. most cost-effective risk manage- We believe companies should therefore 4 ment measures? consider a corporate and social How can a business identify There are generally considered to be responsibility (CSR) approach covering higher risk drivers before they three pillars of road safety – enforcement, all their staff who drive. 3 cause a crash? education and engineering. Collision stats help identify higher risk Enforcement ensures drivers obey the What are the potential drivers after the event, but prediction is laws of the road and are legal. Education consequences of failing in these more challenging. Points on a licence can focuses both on driving skills (competence) 2 responsibilities? be a good guide to a driver’s risk exposure and ensuring that drivers make better The Corporate Manslaughter and but that’s not the whole story; neither is driving decisions (attitude and behaviour). Corporate Homicide Act 2007 was a telematics data showing driving style. We Engineering covers roads but also the landmark in law. One of the most high believe the best way to identify high risk vehicles that companies manage. Cost- profile examples was Baldwins Crane drivers is to combine existing driver effective risk management works best if Hire which was convicted of corporate information with a formal assessment all aspects of driving are considered as part of an integrated approach. “Initial analysis after training found a 77% reduction How can a company instil a safety 5 culture across all its drivers? in the number of collisions in the year post-training. Our experience is that ‘the top sets the tone’. Active sponsorship of a The cost per collision reduced by 27% together with driver safety programme by the leadership an overall collision cost reduction of more than 80%” team is the single most critical factor. They FLEETS INFORMED

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RISK MANAGEMENT

efficiency and lowers service, maintenance At a recent conference held by DriveTech, and repair (SMR) costs. Thatcham Research identified the effects of safety features on preventing death and What measures should a fleet serious injury. use to benchmark its safety Two examples stood out. 7 performance, and how can it Electronic Stability Controlled (ESC) compare these to similar fleets? equipped vehicles are 25% less likely to be Benchmarking between different fleets is involved in a serious or fatal crash in the challenging as many companies do not UK and EuroNCAP anticipates a 38% measure what they want to manage. Of overall reduction in real-world, rear-end those that do, many often don’t want to crashes for vehicles fitted with low speed share their benefits publicly as they see it autonomous emergency braking (AEB). is a sustainable competitive advantage. The real issue is, however, employers When used, typical measures include choosing to use EuroNCAP ratings to accidents per million miles (APMM) and determine car choice, rather than just TCO number of collisions per driver per annum costs or driver demands. or total cost of ownership (TCO) must practice what they preach. Driving is comparisons where nearly 50% of the fleet How will autonomous cars a life skill and reducing the risk for family cost – fuel, insurance and SMR – can be reduce road risk dangers? and passengers is often a great incentive influenced by driver’s performance. 10 The pursuit of autonomous driving to promote a culture of driver safety. is leading to a growing focus on collision How can a fleet control the prevention rather than systems to mitigate How can a fleet operator performance of agency drivers? the consequences of crashes. construct a business case to 8 Agency drivers, like drivers who As a fully autonomous driving environ- 6 justify the investment in training? use their private cars for working, are ment is not predicted until 2030 onwards, Some companies take a tactical, ‘tick the more difficult to manage as they are new safety technology will be used in box’ compliance approach while others see outside the traditional corporate human-controlled vehicles more widely. driving for work as strategic for their business boundaries. Our advice is first to negotiate Examples of emerging advanced driver where an investment in training delivers supplier contracts where duty of care assistance systems (ADAS) today that will real and tangible savings. DriveTech responsibilities are part of the legal improve road safety include: recently analysed one of their customer’s framework, for example, the supplier Light detection and ranging (LIDAR), pre- and post-training collision costs for high guarantees the legality of the drivers to radio detection and ranging (RADAR), risk drivers. Initial analysis after training drive. Driver assessment and training lane-keep assist (LKW) and lane departure found a 77% reduction in the number of should also be set into the relationship. warning (LDW), adaptive cruise control collisions in the year post-training. The cost (ACC), junction collision protection (JCP), per collision reduced by 27% together with What safety features should fleets reverse auto-Brake (RAB), emergency lane an overall collision cost reduction of more be specifying as standard on new keeping (ELK) and dynamic brake support than 80%. Great training also improves fuel 9 cars to improve their risk profile? (DBS).

For more information call 01256 495732, email [email protected] or visit drivetech.co.uk FLEETS INFORMED

Making the case for telematics Why it’s about more than protecting the bottom line

What is the principal information two years alone, saving valuable time drivers when their vehicle is due to be a fleet can derive from and cost for employers. serviced, warning employers when a 1 telematics? Fuel consumption can have a major service is overdue or missed. Telematics is now prolific among impact on the bottom line, so the ability to This function ensures all vehicles are businesses operating fleets of cars and accurately monitor fuel efficiency across kept up to date with vital vehicle health vans, enabling them to garner extensive individual vehicles is a major attraction checks, reducing the threat of any data about their vehicles and identify for many employers. potentially hazardous and costly opportunities to reduce risk, manage cost mechanical faults or breakdowns. and drive efficiency. How can telematics be used to The ability to accurately capture create a safer fleet? What extra arguments can a business and personal mileage is a major 2 With the appropriate driver fleet manager use to build a draw of modern telemetry systems, with consent, some telematics systems will 3 business case for investing in some providers automatically recording alert fleet managers to potentially telematics. And what is a reasonable all journey logs. dangerous or hazardous driving, such as return on investment (ROI) period? For drivers this means less time spent on harsh acceleration, excessive speeds, Naturally, a business case will address the admin that comes with running a heavy braking or excessive revving. the potential cost savings that a telemetry company car, such as calculating and Through ProFleet, employers can generate system can help a business to achieve. submitting driving expenses. Meanwhile, reports that highlight these “exception But the scope of the benefits go beyond employers can rest assured that their events”, so timely corrective action can be simply protecting the bottom line. annual fuel spend is based on accurate taken. This may include measures such Employers should consider the positive business mileage, rather than estimated as the implementation of incentive impact telematics can have on other or over-inflated calculations. With HMRC schemes to encourage positive changes in areas that are key to achieving the issuing hefty fines to businesses that are behaviour and additional driver training, business’s unique objectives. found to have submitted inaccurate helping businesses to fulfil their This may include highlighting the mileage claims – the record fine reportedly responsibility of providing a duty of care benefits to risk management that being £4.1 million – this is where telematics to their drivers. telematics offers through the opportunity can provide extra peace of mind. ProFleet has also been designed to alert to create a more positive driving culture With systems like ProFleet, another which can ultimately lead to safer driving. benefit comes from the ability to track the “Employers should Alternatively, this may involve emphas- precise location of fleet vehicles via GPS ising the contribution telematics can have tracking. This provides a clear advantage consider the positive on a company’s CSR agenda, with to businesses needing to respond to impact telematics can telematics devices now proving to be an customer call-outs by being able to invaluable tool for accurately recording a pinpoint drivers in the vicinity. It can also have on other areas fleet’s carbon emissions and vehicle usage. prove instrumental in the recovery of that are key to achieving ROI varies dependent on the success of stolen vehicles – ProFleet has assisted the the telematics implementation and the cost police in the prompt recovery of nearly the business’s unique of the system. ProFleet can cost as little as £1m-worth of stolen vehicles over the past objectives” £5 a month and, with a 10% reduction in FLEETS INFORMED

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TELEMATICS

business miles (based on 12,000 business before installing the wider fleet. Staff This also ensures they won’t lose out on miles per annum), in many cases it can pay members are also pivotal to its success, so any miscalculated or under-estimated for itself within as little as six months. Other involve them in the trial, too. business mileage. savings are longer term and may take a Finally, shortlist providers that suit your year or more, such as a reduction in needs the best – if you don’t need all ‘the If a fleet inherits more than one accidents and insurance claims. For bells and whistles’ why pay for them? telematics system through example, one of our customers operating a 6 business acquisition, how can it fleet of 130 vehicles saw a reduction of £135 How can a business reassure its harmonise the data? in insurance premiums per vehicle, or drivers that telematics is not just With the amount of telemetry systems now £17.5k per annum, plus a contribution from 5 ‘Big Brother’ watching their available, it’s not surprising that employers their insurer of £5,000 towards the cost of every move? can feel overwhelmed at the amount of the telemetry system. Fortunately, the former misconception that data at their fingertips. telematics is simply used by companies to And with data streams flowing in from What criteria should a fleet apply track and monitor the whereabouts of their numerous different providers in a variety when selecting the vehicles to be staff is now on the decline. of different formats, it can be a challenge 4 fitted with telematics? With ProFleet, drivers can be put in to say on top of an ever-growing source of One of the first considerations about control of the information they share, with information. deploying a telematics solution is to set the ability to switch the data their employer ProFleet is unique in that it consolidates clear goals and objectives, e.g. controlling can see about their vehicle on and off. If a incoming data from multiple different costs, reducing risk, improving efficiency journey is private it should remain so, telemetry systems around the world, and so on. businesses can rarely justify monitoring including manufacturer-fitted devices. It is also extremely important to gain when drivers are not at work – a good Customers can choose to link up their own driver buy-in. Therefore clear commun- system will include functionality that telemetry systems or use our in-house ication about why the system is being allows drivers to choose what information solution. installed, what information will be they share. The online portal provides a single, recorded and how it will benefit the driver ProFleet is as much a tool for drivers as intuitive dashboard with the ability to and company needs to be shared from the it is for their employer. They can make produce accurate real-time reporting and outset. information about personal and business auditable management records. Get support of the board by involving its journeys available at the click of a button, This means employers can gather insight members in a free trial of the system, so taking the pain out of recording and about their fleet and spot trends more any issues or questions can be ironed out submitting journey expenses. efficiently and cost-effectively.

Email [email protected], call 0370 00 111 81 or visit www.aldautomotive.co.uk FLEETS INFORMED No short cuts when it comes to compliance

Why it’s key to play by the rules to safeguard businesses

Which compliance issues affect responsibility benefits while also ensuring even more important to identify potential car fleets, and how do these that the law is obeyed and a robust audit functions that could be run on a self- 1 differ to vans? trail maintained in the event of a crash service basis. For example, if drivers, Employers have compliance require- and subsequent police/HSE investigation. including employees who drive their own ments under a raft of legislation governing cars on business, have to complete on-the-road activities including: Health & How can a fleet with vehicles mileage returns/reclaims then they might Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of and drivers nationwide keep as well key it straight into the system as Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, 2 track of them all for compliance long as none of the checks and balances Working Time Regulations 2005, Health purposes? are compromised. What’s more, it is vital Act 2006, Corporate Manslaughter To ensure consistent compliance manage- that daily/weekly vehicle checks are and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and ment across a company with vehicles and undertaken with data automatically Disability Act 2010. drivers located nationally it is imperative populating the system so that service, They also have duties under road traffic to have a centralised fleet management maintenance and repair matters can law – Road Traffic Act and Road Vehicle system, accessed via the web with stand- immediately be actioned, while protecting (Construction and Use) Regulations – ardised rule sets across the business. the business against any huge bills that which are administered by the police and What’s more, with the dilution of vehicle could result from a lack of intervention. the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and driver management responsibility By ensuring a holistic view of all drivers (DVSA). across departments in many employers – and vehicles is available, time and While the legislation applies to all vehi- HR, procurement, payroll, finance etc – it resource saving is assured and valuable cles, there is currently particular enforce- is important that dedicated fleet manage- assets are maximised and not left to stand ment activity around the number of over- ment software is capable of integration idle loaded vans on the roads and those with third party systems that may already In conclusion, a software system should considered by DVSA inspectors to be be in use as well as having the capability have a good report writer that enables suffering from serious mechanical defects. to take data/information feeds from data to be swiftly obtained for analysis To aid fleet compliance with all legisla- suppliers and liaise with systems used by and comprehensive report compilation for tion, managers should adhere to the the likes of the DVSA, DVLA and HMRC. management, thus ensuring compliance. Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) A failure to maximise system compati- ‘Driving at Work: Managing Work-related bility is a recipe for potential compliance What responsibility can a Road Safety’ guidance and van operators disaster due to weak spots in data collec- business delegate to drivers should become accredited to best tion and analysis that could lead to key 3 when it comes to compliance practice initiatives including the Fleet driver-related and vehicle maintenance obligations, and how can it ensure Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) issues being overlooked. Furthermore, drivers comply with the fleet policy? and the Freight Transport Association’s any need for manual intervention could The spectacular increase in fleet Van Excellence Initiative. result in inputting errors, resulting in non- administration in recent years – which is With regards to car compliance, vehicle compliance. set to continue – means that it is essential condition checks are not legislative but Additionally, particularly with drivers to ensure operating efficiency and up-to- bestbest ppractice.ractice. HHowever,owever, pprosecutionsrosecutions ccanan andand vehiclesvehicles locatedlocated nationwide,nationwide, itit isis ddateate rrecordecord kkeepingeeping tthathat ddriversrivers pproviderovide arisearise iinn rrespectespect ooff ccarars being in an information onon a ‘self-help’‘self-help’ basis,basis, negatingnegating unroadworthyunroadworthy conditioncondition and in respect of manual intervention.ervention. issuesissues suchsuch asas illegalillegal tyrtyre tread depths Responsibilityility forfor driversdrivers toto provideprovide and,and, ofof course,course, suchsuch neglignegligence can result requested informationnformation oonn a ddaily/weekly/aily/weekly/ in crashes. need-to-know bbasisasis sshouldhould bbee ppartart ooff tthehe ThereThere isis a raftraft ofof guidguidance company’s cultureculture aandnd iincludedncluded wwithinithin andand adviceadvice available,available, notnot only contracts of eemployment,mployment, ccodesodes ooff cconductonduct inin tthehe HHSESE ddocument,ocument, but on and job deescriptions.scriptions. FFailureailure ttoo ccomplyomply websites,websites, includingincluding thosethose of the shouldould bbee ttreatedreated aass a ddiscipliiscipli- DepartmentDepartment forfor Transport,Transport, Road narryy mmatter.atter. SafetySafety GB,GB, DrivingDriving forfor Better Thehe requirementrequirement toto provideprovide BusinessBusiness andand manymany otherother road infoormationrmation fromfrom a compliancecompliance safetysafety charitiescharities andand indindustry perspectiverspective startsstarts withwith valivali- bodies. datingting aallll ddrivers’rivers’ llicences.icences. TheThe eefficientfficient m amanagemnagement of compli- Today eCoonsent,nsent, wwhichhich hhasas bbeeneen anceance aandnd aadheringdhering ttoo best practice approved bbyy tthehe DDVLA,VLA, eenablesnables deliversdelivers a hhostost ooff fifinancnancial, operational, employers to rrequestequest ccheckinghecking aapprovalpproval fleetfleet a dadministrationministration a nandd c corporate social remotely ratherather tthanhan ddriversrivers hhavingaving ttoo FLEETS INFORMED

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COMPLIANCE

“Having a robust validation system deters most people with something to hide – including those who think they can cheat the system”

physically complete, sign and return a paper mandate, thus aiding efficiencies. Also, in respect of ‘grey fleet’ drivers, the information you hold regarding vehicles is no different to that of a true fleet vehicle. Grey fleet drivers should be empowered and given the tools to easily provide and IfIf drivers are genuine they will accept update information relating to vehicle drivedriver licence checks and the other in-life insurance and current documentation vehicvehicle compliance requirements including VED, V5, MoT and servicing. demdemanded by an employer. They include Meanwhile, Jaama has launched its ‘My insurinsurance clarification and safety checks Vehicle App’ following extensive customer, onon vevehicles driven by owner/drivers – technological and usability research to drivedrivers should make their own inspections ensure in-life vehicle compliance. andand best practice dictates that employers Jaama believes that the easiest and most undeundertake random daily and weekly straightforward way for drivers to provide depodepot gate checks. information in real-time is via a smart- AgAgainst the background of the current phone app. Critically the data provided terroterrorist threat, government-issued increases vehicle and driver audit trail guidguidance also includes accuracy to meet duty of care regulations advicadvice for notably in respect of who is driving which drivedrivers and vehicle and when – particularly important busbusinesses when multiple vehicles are available to opeo p e r a t i n g different drivers. vehicvehicles. What’s more, fleet chiefs should ensure TheThe ‘recognising that data/information uploaded by drivers thethe teterrorist threat’ via an app automatically updates data/ adviadvice says that information and populates records held “simp“simple precautions within their asset management system cancan make a difference” used to manage vehicles and drivers. andand that starts with a Critical information from a compliance seniosenior manager having perspective that drivers should provide “resp“responsibility for secu- includes: daily odometer readings; pre- rity”rity” and with driver journey vehicle condition checks trig- licencelicence cchecking.hecking. TThehe gering in-house rule sets and notification guidance further recommends: such service, maintenance and repair ■ Always check a driver’s references and ■ For agency drivers, ensure that the procedures; and at the scene crash-related previous employment history and speak in agency has carried out all of the above information including photographs, date/ person to previous employers. checks including criminal records checks. time, a summary of what happened etc. ■ Inform applicants that false details on ■ Use only reputable agencies that are application forms may lead to dismissal affiliated with a recognised UK trade How can a fleet maintain compli- ■ Check driving licences are valid and organisation. ance when it uses self-employed look for endorsements before employing, The best practice advice also dictates 4 or agency drivers? and then at six-monthly intervals after- security should be built into drivers’ duties Whether employed or agency, the rules wards. Drivers should report any changes and responsibilities via employment regarding drivers remain the same. Having to their licence. contracts making clear failure to comply a robust validation system deters most ■ Check if the applicant has any will trigger disciplinary proceedings. people with something to hide – including prosecutions pending or is waiting for Further information is available on the those who think they can cheat the system. sentencing by a court. gov.uk website.

For further information visit www.jaama.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 0844 8484 333 FLEETS INFORMED

One solution does not fit all when considering ways to finance fleets Different tax treatments, usage and types of vehicle are just some of the factors to ponder

By Claire Evans, head of fleet policy looking to consider a clean air Why is leasing winning a consultancy, Zenith agenda, external impacts such as changes greater market share? to taxation and legislation, and the 4 The environment is changing How viable is it for companies possible introduction of ultra-low emission and leasing rather than owning is now an to use different finance products zones (ULEZ) in cities, alongside incen- established principle, particularly among 1 to fund different vehicles on tives for ultra-low emission vehicles Generation Y who are used to streaming their fleets? through grants and possible scrappage music and renting a mobile phone then One funding solution isn’t always the most schemes will all play a bigger role outside trading it in for a newer model. cost-efficient option for all vehicles on a of pure funding costs. This trend has driven demand for car fleet. Car funding may be done differently Having a clear strategy in place for fully leasing, particularly in the salary sacri- compared to vans where there is a analysing the cars’ or vans’ usage will fice area. People lead busy lives, and for different tax treatment and requirement to help fleet operators identify the total cost all types of company cars, employees retain the vehicle for a different length of of funding various fuel types. want an all-inclusive, hassle-free package time and use the vehicle in different ways. With not just wholelife cost but also they can budget a monthly amount for, be Also, business needs and perk fleets may travel expenses such as ULEZ charging it through a salary deduction or benefit-in- result in optimum solutions being different playing a greater role outside the more bind (BIK) tax. For fleet operators having funding types to ensure the requirements traditional funding factors as we approach a leasing provider to help manage policy, of employees and cost-efficiencies are the next decade. create operational efficiencies and control maximised. costs is pivotal. Real value can be added Running a blended mix of funding has With interest rates so low, should as we move into the era of big data. become more prominent, and this can be cash-rich companies return to tied to the ability to manage it efficiently, 3 buying vehicles outright? How should businesses prepare primarily using sophisticated leasing Companies need to consider a range of for the new accounting rules company software that makes the deci- factors when comparing outright purchase 5 that will see leased vehicles sion on the best funding option for different to leasing over and above their ability to appear on corporate balance sheets? areas of fleet. fund the cars themselves. It is important to recognise that the new Fleet managers and employees do not Zenith is increasingly seeing companies leasing rules that bring contract hire vehi- want to add layers of complexity and with a growth agenda looking to utilise cles onto the balance sheet will also therefore rely on leasing providers to the cash in investment projects rather impact other types of assets often of build efficient management solutions. than tie it up in fleet vehicles, often on a greater value than cars. Indeed, most four-year term. companies will already be reporting What rules of thumb apply when In such a dynamic environment many other assets on balance sheet today identifying the most appropriate outsourcing the risk to a leasing company and therefore most finance departments 2 funding arrangements for has been an important factor for fleets when will already be geared up to report under different types of company and vehicle? looking at their funding, with a requirement the new rules. The consideration of funding options has to de-risk on the sale of the asset. It is key for fleet managers, in the build- traditionally centred on the company’s Finally, the ability of a leasing company up to this change from January 2019, to position on factors such as the VAT to utilise economies of scale and expertise work with their leasing providers to recovery available, weighted average to provide a fully outsourced in-life understand how they plan to report the cost of capital, vehicle business require- service, including a competitive mainte- information required and ensure this fits ment such as car vs. van or perk vs. nance package has seen fleet operators their needs from an accounting perspec- essential user. However, with government move away from funding their fleets. tive. Also, it may be prudent to compre- FLEETSFLEETS INFORMEDI N F O R M E D

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FFUNDINGUNDING

other initiatives are in the mix with possible plans for the further introduction of ultra-low emission zones primarily targeting older diesels that are not Euro 6 hend any impacts on financial ratios compliant, starting at the earliest in such as gearing or banking covenants, cars in salary sacrifice post the rule 2019 (for five specified cities) and 2020 for but modelling suggests these will be changes, which show the benefit is still additional cities at the earliest. minimal and it is merely a case of updating recognised. Also, we have been working Zenith continues to work with industry the relevant interested parties to the with drivers to advise them of cars bodies to influence the government and accounting change. impacted and other cost-effective alterna- highlight that diesels play a significant tives.tives. EmployeesEmployees enteringentering thesethese typestypes ofof rolerole onon fleets,fleets, ccurrentlyurrently mmakingaking uupp aaroundround How will the new BIK tax rules scheme traditionally have a figure in 80% of fleet vehicles with almost all van for salary sacrifice cars affect mind they want to spend on a car, and production being diesel-centric, and will 6 the attractiveness of these there is still a large volume of cars avail- continue to do so until there are viable schemes? able in popular price ranges. cost-effective alternatives. The tax advantage of the salary reduction Any policy introduced encouraging a played a decreasing factor in the popu- How will the lease rates of diesel move away from diesel will need to be larity and cost-competitiveness of these cars change in the next three years? considered and rolled out over a longer- schemes against retail. 7 The clean air agenda from term period. And, as such diesels will Under the new rules the other cost bene- government and a requirement to reduce continue to play a role in fleet policies with fits remain, such as the company’s VAT NOx emissions has seen a range of initia- current cleaner diesels available today position, employee NI savings, corporate tives suggested, most recently in the draft impacted less, if at all, by government discounts and competitive interest rates. release of the clean air plan. initiatives. This, therefore, ensures a Modelling completed on the types of cars The spring Budget announced a review continued demand in the secondhand drivers pick on salary sacrifice schemes of taxation on diesel vehicles that will be market and a stable lease rate in the show that only one in three are typically announced in the next Budget and some immediate future. impacted by the changing OpRA rules (where BIK is paid on the greater of the salary sacrifice value or the car benefit “We have seen new schemes launch successfully and charge). We have seen new schemes launch drivers continue to order cars in salary sacrifice post successfully and drivers continue to order the changes, which show the benefit is still recognised”

For more information about Zenith go to: zenith.co.uk, email: [email protected] or call: 0344 848 9327. BEST RENTAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR

WINNER: ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR Greater unity means Enterprise customers SPONSOR COMMENTS We’re delighted to have sponsored the best rental get joined-up service company category at this year’s Fleet News Awards. Many congratulations to Enterprise Increased collaboration with customers and no turndowns Rent-A-Car for winning this very competitive category. for corporate clients are among reasons behind the success The Grosvenor Group has been serving fleets for more than 35 years, and we have By Matt de Prez sure our corporate customers are getting the maximum seen the Fleet News Awards go nterprise Rent-A-Car is taking a more joined- value from a customer journey point of view. from strength to strength up approach to its fleet services on the back of There are lots of ways we may touch a customer during that time. We’re a customer engagement programme last year. because we have lots of parts to our business. What we’ve delighted to have been part of “Our customers said they needed us to been able to do is collaborate both internally at Enterprise its success this year. provide them with more services and to connect and with our customers allowing us to cover virtually every The awards provided a great Ethose services,” says Adrian Bewley, director of business single eventuality. opportunity to showcase easi- rental at Enterprise “At the receiving end, the customer Fleet Management, our latest didn’t feel the journey was as smooth as it could be.” FN:N: How have you adapted to suit the needs of fleet fixed-cost fleet management The company set to work developing a new accident managers? service. As with all Grosvenor management system which allows for three-way commu- AB: Our main focus has been to simplify the access points services, easi-Fleet nication between it, repairers and fleets. The goal was to for fleet managers, to allow a breadth of choice. Management has no call reduce downtime for fleets and improve key-for-key time That’s the area we’ve really worked hard on. In making centres, voice mail queues or for all vehicles off the road. acquisitions like the City Car Club brand and Burnt Tree impersonal service – just a “As far as mobility in B2B is concerned, we want to be over the past three years, what became obvious is it’s all ready-made fleet department relevant in all parts of the cycle from breakdown to repair very well having those products available but you need to saving money and freeing up to repatriation to getting the vehicle back on the road and simplify the access points for the fleet manager or busi- your time to focus on other making sure onward mobility is actually taken care of,” ness traveller. Now we can offer an unrivalled selection of tasks. Bewley says. “Today it’s less about just the rental vehicle, vehicles, available from one-hour increments all the way but gaining more relevance in every moment of truth up to contract hire. where the customer requires onward mobility.” One of the priorities has been making it easier for the Enterprise aims to provide any type of vehicle over any fleet manager to access the most appropriate mode of timetime periodperiod throughthrough itsits fleetfleet ofof moremore thanthan 97,00097,000 vehiclesvehicles transport. Acting as ‘one enterprise’ is absolutely key to and says business mobbilityility iiss aatt tthehe hhearteart ooff iitsts sstrategy.trategy. that – whether they want to complain about a car or hire Customers can accessss allall ofof Enterprise’sEnterprise’s services,services, whichwhich a HGV, it’s done through one platform with Enterprise. includes car clubs and fflexiblelexible rental,rental, throughthrough oneone onlineonline booking platform.

FFleetleet NNews:ews: How do youou eensurensure tthehe ccorporateorporate ssectorector iiss well served? AdrianAdrian Bewley:Bewley: For aallll oourur BB2B2B ccustomersustomers wwee hhaveave something called free-ssale,ale, wwhichhich mmeanseans eeveryvery ccustomerustomer is oonn a nno-turndowno-turndown aaccount.ccount. IItt meansmeans ourour corporatecorporate customerscustomers caann aaccessccess ourour servicesservices 24/724/7 alongalong with a hhigherigher llevelevel ofof priority.priority. IfIf wewe areare close to sellingselling outout atat a particularparticular locationlocation or of a particularrticular vehiclevehicle typetype wewe wouldwould turnturn to the retail mmarketarket – wwee nneverever tturnurn ooffff oourur corporate businness.ess. Our two prioritieses areare thethe replacementreplacement sideside ofof thethe business [somebody whowho isis inin distressdistress inin a breakdownbreakdown Giles Bolton, head of finance at Grosvenor Leasing, or accident] and corporateorate contracts.contracts. presents the award to Joanne Vickers, national sales WeWe’ veve uusedsed aallll tthehe rrelationshipselationships wwee hhaveave ttoo mmakeake manager – fleet and leasing, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

588 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk FACTFILE Number of branches: 420 Fleet size: 97,000 Vehicle types: Cars (inc hybrids), Vans and HGV’s Adrian Bewley (right) punches the Size of corporate business: 45% air in celebration with other members Customer satisfaction rating: 95% of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car team Delivery/Collection charge: £2.50

We have learnt to communicate as one collaboration. As FN:N: HaveHave youyou seenseen a changechange inin thethe typtype of vehicles that a sales team we are talking about the customers’ require- are being requested or demanded? ments, not products. A few years ago it’s fair to say we AB: Absolutely.Absolutely. IIt’st’s nnormallyormally tthehe exception if a were quite self-focused but now we are very customer customer doesn’t demand lower CO2 emissions focused, we listen to their problems and try to solve them now.now. WeWe buybuy ourour vehiclesvehicles basedbased around with the services and solutions we have in place. customercustomer needsneeds andand itit hashas becomebecome habhabit that We are talking to fleets from lots of different angles, CO2 levels are dropping. whether that be from a manufacturer and breakdown AsAs forfor electricelectric cars,cars, that’sthat’s slightlyslightly point of view, insurance replacement or via the fleet different. Hybrids and low-CO2 have company. It has been massively about the customer pretty much become mainstream, journey and finding ways to help all parties achieve a butbut ffullyully eelectriclectric ccarsars aarere a ccompletelyompletely ddififferent kettle of fish. smoother output – effectively reducing downtime and I thinkthink therethere isis a chancechance EVsEVs willwill havehave their day but a lot helping operational efficiency. ofof thingsthings needneed toto happenhappen first.first. TheThe infrasinfrastructure needs to bebe developeddeveloped andand thethe priceprice needsneeds toto become a lot more FN:N: Are there other areas you are looking to develop? comparable to a mainstream vehicle. AB: Yes. The next big initiative we will be looking at is to TheThe ffactact iiss aann EEVV iiss sstilltill mmoreore eexpensivxpensive for a short-term have an alternative to a grey fleet provision. rental.rental. TThehe mmomentoment iitt bbecomesecomes ffairlyairly similar to a normal One of the biggest challenges in the industry is options rentalrental vvehicle,ehicle, tthat’shat’s wwhenhen tthingshings wwillill sstatart to evolve. for grey fleet. You need a mobility suite which is wide and complex and we have that. We’ve been able to come up focus on customer service has seen Enter- JUDGES’ with a simple approach to choices for grey fleet for short- prise listen to and adapt to customer needs. COMMENTS and long-term journeys. The business has expanded to offer a suite of Enterprise Rent-A-Car Currently we are developing platforms that are going to services to support fleet operators, including has integrated its car club make and simplify the alternatives to grey fleet, which, in accident management and car clubs. services with its daily turn, will make the fleet managers’ selections for grey A Greater unity within the Enterprise group has been real- rental branches so fleet fleet become much easier. ised to ensure the highest level of service is provided and customers can be advised the business operates with one voice, according to Bewley. when an hourly rental FN:N: Are more fleet operators moving away from tradi- Customers can access vehicles 24/7 via the company’s might be preferable to a daily one. tional funding methods in favour of rental? network of 500 rental desks, including 420 dedicated It has also broadened AB: It’s less about ‘leasing is bad, rental is good’ and more branches. An online booking system streamlines the its commercial vehicle about what is fit for purpose. process. range and developed a The way we see the future is that each customer will Bewley is optimistic about the future: “We are probably new accident management have their own specific requirements and we need to have at the most exciting stage of my 22-year career. Our system in response to the ability to mould around those requirements and give customers tell us they have issues that need solving and customer feedback. them the fluidity of access. while that’s happening I have a very positive outlook.”

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 59 FIRST DRIVE

D5 INSCRIPTION VOLVO XC60 Second generation SUV puts the emphasis on safety combined with comfort

A distinctive look that projects a warm, cutting-edge image

By CJ Hubbard Q3. Prices start at £37,205 and all models benefit from he Volvo XC60 – a premium, mid-size SUV – is £37,2057, leather upholstery, LED headlights, heated front seats and now in its second generation and places a high entryentry levellevel priceprice forfor thethe a powered tailgate. emphasis on safety equipment, user-friendliness Volvo XC60 R-Design adds sports seats and sports suspension along and technology. with larger alloy wheels, while range-topping Inscription The previous XC60 was launched in 2008, and versions get nappa leather upholstery, ventilated seats and Tquickly became not only Volvo’s best-selling model, but also extra chrome trim. the best-selling vehicle in its class across Europe. To say that The Pro upgrades across the range have been designed this is an important car for the Swedish brand would be a with company car drivers in mind, combining popular options serious understatement – XC60 Mk2 needs to be good. into what essentially become additional trim levels. Volvo And it is. From the scaled-down XC90 exterior design to the says this is perfect for situations where drivers aren’t allowed luxurious, high-technology interior, it feels every bit the to add extras to their company car separately. modern family accessory. The engines are refined, the ride is A choice of four engine options is available: 190PS D4 or comfortable and performance is brisk throughout the range. 235PS D5 diesels and a 255PS T5 petrol. At the top of the It also features more standard safety equipment than any range sits the T8 ‘Twin Engine’ which utilises a plug-in hybrid of its rivals, and a distinctive look that projects a warm, electric motor drive system; this promises strong perfor- cutting-edge image without the aggression of some of the mance and a 28-mile battery range. German alternatives. The entry-level D4 diesel is expected to be the best fleet There are three main trim levels – Momentum, R-Design seller; with emissions of 136g/km and combined fuel and Inscription – though each one can be further enhanced consumption of 55.4mpg. In popular R-Design trim it costs by a bespoke Pro package, which adds specific extra kit. £39,705 meaning company car tax will be around £4,500 per The XC60 is available to order now with deliveries due in year for a 40% taxpayer. With four-wheel drive and quick-shifting eight-speed auto as standard, it does 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds, which is commendably swift. Top speed is 127mph. In contrast the Hybrid will be much cheaper for the driver at just over £2,000 tax per year in the same trim, thanks to its 49g/km CO2 emissions. However the T8 is far more expensive at £56,795, pushing into luxury SUV territory. Combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with an electric motor, it achieves a total power output of 407PS – enough for 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds. Volvo claims 134.5mpg but with all plug-in hybrids we expect this figure to be closer to 40mpg in real-world driving. At the launch we drove the D5 diesel (£45,055 in Inscription guise) which makes an excellent first impression (we’ll be testing the D4 at its UK launch). With 235PS it is very smooth, responding to your right foot exceptionally quickly for a diesel – that PowerPulse tech- The XC60 has an attractive, nology at work – with almost no sense of ‘lag’ from the twin yet simple, dashboard turbochargers at all. But a jump in emissions to 144g/km means drivers will be hit hard at £5,100 per year in tax.

60 June 22 2017 fleetnews.co.uk All-wheel drive comes as standard on the XC60 THINKING CAP

By Martin Ward, manufacturer relationships manager

Monday/Tuesday Off to Hanover to drive the all-new Volkswagen Arteon. It is larger than the Passat and has the additional advantage of being a five-door hatch. It’s a very handsome coupe-like car, with some really crisp, precise and well- pressed panels. The side swage lines are so sharp, you could almost cut your fingers on them. The Arteon will be in UK showrooms in September with prices expected to start around £38,000. Two engines will be available at launch: 2.0 TSI 280PS and 2.0 TDI 240PS and both will have seven-speed DSG and 4MOTION as standard. VW in Europe will offer the new 1.5 petrol, but not sure this engine will COSTS make it to the UK. Hope it does. It is a stunning looking bit of kit. P11D price £44,450 “To say that this is an important BIK tax band (2017/18)) 30% car for the Swedish brand would Annual BIK tax (40%) £5,334 Class 1A NIC £1,840 “The side swage lines are be a serious understatement – Annual VED £200 then £450 so sharp you could almost the XC60 Mk2 needs to be good” RV (4yr/80K) £14,425 Fuel cost (ppm) 10.41 cut your fingers on them” AFR (ppm) 11 The eight-speed automatic gearbox isn’t quite as convincing. Running cost (4yr/80K) 53.81 ThursdayThursday To Millbrook for the annual With so many ratios to choose from, it never quite seems to Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders be able to make up its mind which gear it should be in, with SPEC media test day. As always it was well an irritating habit of changing them in the middle of corners. Power (PS)/torque (Nm) 235/480 organised and the sun shone. Around 40 The XC60 does feature a choice of driving modes, however, CO2 emissions (g/km) 144 which allows you to influence the engine response, the manufacturers were there with their latest gearbox programming and – where fitted – the air suspen- Top speed (mph) 137 models – 175 in total – and some even sion and adaptive dampers. 0-62mph (sec) 6.8 brought their classics to be driven. As you Rivals such as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 certainly offer a Fuel efficiency (mpg) 51.4 walk around it becomes obvious that just more rewarding driving experience in the corners. about every manufacturer has an SUV on Still, with all-wheel drive as standard, the XC60 has more than enough traction to deal with the strength of its engines, KEY RIVAL offer, in varying sizes. Aston Martin had the and in compensation for the slightly relaxed attitude to Jaguar F-Pace 2.0d 240 R-Sport brilliant DB11 there to drive, but it was great cornering you do get plenty of ride comfort. P11D price: £44,060 to see even the smallest, cheapest cars Since the XC90 was introduced in 2015, Volvo has success- BIK tax band (2017/18)) 32% being booked out and driven. fully established a strikingly unique interior design, using Annual BIK tax (40%) £5,640 bold, high-quality materials alongside modern technology. Class 1A NIC £1,946 Friday-SundayFriday-Sunday To Majorca for a weekend The XC60 fully reinforces this trend, with an attractive yet Annual VED £500 then £450 simple dashboard that still incorporates intricate details – break. Rented an Opel Adam which was RV (4yr/80k) £17,200 such as the Swedish flag in the metal trim piece that cleverly small, compact and cosy, and just big Fuel cost (ppm) 10.98 hides the join between plastic and wooden elements. enough for two. A word of advice: when Your eyes are drawn to the central nine-inch Sensus info- AFR (ppm) 11 going on holiday, don’t be tempted by the tainment display, with its unusual (but logical) portrait orien- Running cost (4yr/80k) 50.91 tation. The screen offers tablet levels of responsiveness, and cheapest, smallest rental car. Book one the second-generation user interface featured in the XC60 that will fit in all the family and luggage. If shows a clear progression in thinking, using larger tile-style your stuff won’t fit in your car from home to icons to make it easier to operate on the move. the airport – it certainly won’t fit in a The XC60 is an excellent choice for a family SUV. While some rivals are more fun from behind the wheel, few chal- smaller rental when you get to your destination. lenge this Volvo as an overall package. It would certainly have Runningg costc data suppliedpp by a place near the top of our shortlist. KeeResourcesKeeResources (4yr/80k)(4yr/80k)

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 61 FIRST DRIVE

The Korando's front end has undergone a minor overhaul

2.2D ELX SSANGYONG KORANDO If great pulling power is a priority, this SUV leaves others in its wake

NEED TO KNOW COSTS n Available now from £17,000 P11D price £21,760 n Two-tonne towing capacity BIK tax band (2016/17)) 32% n High CO2 offset by low P11D value Annual BIK tax (20%) £1,392 Class 1A NIC £960.92 Annual VED £500 then £140 By Matt de Prez RV (4yr/80K) n/a sangYong has given the Korando SUV a second 11.24 facelift in the space of three years, upping standard Fuel cost (ppm) equipment and improving its visual appeal. AFR (ppm) 13 The Korando’s Giugiaro-designed body is Running cost (4yr/80K) n/a The ELX comes with a seven-inch largely unchanged. Its front end has undergone touchscreen and TomTom sat-nav Sa minor overhaul getting a new grille and headlight combo and the daytime running lights have been relocated to the SPEC bottom of the bumper, surrounding new fog lights. Power (PS)/torque (Nm) 178/400 puts company car tax at around £1,300 per year, while base The changes help to bring the Korando in-line with the CO2 emissions (g/km) 152 models attract a reasonable £949. family face seen on the Tivoli and upcoming Rexton. Top speed (mph) 115 There are more frugal crossovers to choose from but if The range consists of four models which are on sale now. you need off-road competence and strong towing ability 0-62mph (sec) 9.9 Base-spec SEs get two-wheel drive and cost £17,000. Adding there is little else in the sector that ticks the boxes. 48.7 4x4 brings the price up to £18,500. Top spec ELX models cost Fuel efficiency (mpg) Fleet managers considering putting the Korando on their £22,000 or £23,500 with an automatic gearbox. Real-world mpg* 35.8 choice lists should first consider the Equa MPG Index, avail- All come with heated door mirrors with puddle lamps, iPod able on the Fleet Newss website, which suggests the car will and Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning, tinted glass and KEY RIVAL only achieve between 35 and 40mpg. VED is also high in the roof rails. first year (up to £500) due to the emissions. ELX trim adds front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view Vauxhall Crossland X 1.6 Turbo D Inside there is plenty of interior space and considerable camera, seven-inch touchscreen, TomTom sat-nav, 18” 120 Elite Nav legroom for all passengers. The boot floor is almost diamond-cut wheels, leather seats, heated steering wheel P11D price: £21,185 completely flat and there is up to 1,312 litres of space when and heated front and rear seats. BIK tax band (2016/17)) 23% the seats are folded. Power comes courtesy of a 2.2-litre diesel engine which Annual BIK tax (20%) £975 Our high-spec ELX test car was comfortable and felt rela- develops a healthy 178PS and 400Nm. The powertrain gives Class 1A NIC £672 tively well made, considering the car’s price point. You can’t the car serious towing credentials with a max-trailer weight Annual VED £140 then £140 expect Audi levels of refinement in a vehicle that costs of two tonnes. RV (4yr/80k) £5,600 supermini money. Elsewhere in the sector, smaller engine crossovers offer Fuel cost (ppm) 7.75 It’s on the road that the Korando’s low price begins to make greater economy than the Korando’s claimed 53.3mpg but more sense. The steering is dull and unresponsive and, AFR (ppm) 9 lack the towing capacity. For a company car driver the emis- despite its power reserves, the engine delivers little to justify 31.90 sions figure of 139g/km may be a turn-off, but, considering RunningR ni cost (4(4yr/80k) /80k) its fuel bills. the starting price in BIK calculations, the Korando costs It’s not all bad though. The gearbox is slick and visibility is Runningg costc data suppliedpp by significantly less in tax than most of its spec-for-spec rivals. KeeResourcesKeeResources (4yr/80k)(4yr/80k) good. On our test route we found the ride to be acceptable Adding four-wheel drive bumps the CO2 to 152g/km which * Data supplied by Equa Index too. However, body roll is noticeable on twisty country lanes.

62 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk MAZDA6 2.2D VAUXHALL ZAFIRA TOURER 150 SE-L NAV

1.6CDTI SRI NAV It may sound like something Happy to get back behind the wheel of the Zafira you would find in a fighter jet rather than a four-door saloon, but G-Vectoring Control (GVC) is now a mainstay of this fleet favourite. By monitoring your steering and throttle position when you enter a corner, GVC momentarily reduces the amount of torque delivered to the front wheels, thereby transferring a fraction more weight onto the front axle which allows the wheels to turn more precisely. The result is a car which handles really well, giving you bags of driving confidence. Coupled with a 2.2-litre diesel engine and with 150PS or 175PS versions available, this is a fun car to drive. Both diesels use a two-stage The Zafira Tourer turned out to be quicker, less turbocharger, with two turbines and heavy on fuel and much cheaper to buy than the S-Max a large intercooler, producing excellent torque – even at low revs. Gareth Roberts By Luke Neal Vauxhall, too, and failed to get above COSTS fter borrowing features 39mpg. P11D price £26,785 editor Andrew Ryan’s In comparison the Zafira Tourer BIK tax band 23% long-term Ford S-Max feels lively on the road and is almost FIAT TIPO 1.6 Annual BIK tax (20%)) £1,232 for a week I found two seconds quicker to 62mph than MULTIJET Class 1A NICC £850 myself missing the the S-Max despite the smaller Adriveability of the Zafira Tourer. engine. The brakes are strong and Our regular Annual VED £0 then £30 On paper at least the two cars are responsive, the gearchange is short photographer RV (4yr/80k)) £7,150/27% similar, the 2.0 TDCI AWD S-Max and positive and the fuel economy Chris Lowndes 8.81 Fuel cost (ppm)) has 150PS/350Nm while the Zafira has reached as high as 59mpg on a has covered a AFR (ppm)) 11 has slightly lower power figures of long run which is only just below the fair chunk of the Tipo’s miles this Running cost (ppm) 62.05 134PS/320Nm. manufacturer’s claim of 62.8mpg and month as he went around helping us Kerb weight is 1,831kg vs 1,701kg significantly higher than the Equa to immortalise many of you in print. respectively and the cars are close Index real-world figure of 47.3mpg. He shares my enthusiasm for the SPEC in length at 4,796mm for the S-Max The S-Max has the edge over the Italian hatch. Its 440-litre boot holds Engine (cc) 1598 and 4,656mm for the slightly shorter Vauxhall in the ‘quality feel’ stakes plenty of camera equipment, giving it Power (PS) 134 Zafira Tourer. but it’s worth pointing out that our an advantage over the Vauxhall Torque (Nm) 320 Despite the figures I expected the long-term Zafira model is more Astra (370 litres), Volkswagen Golf CO2 emissions (g/km)) 119 slightly heavier, but more powerful, than £4,000 cheaper than our S-Max (380) and Citroën C4 (408). Manufacturer mpg 62.8 S-Max to outperform the Zafira but I which could go some way to adding Its keenest rival is the similarly didn’t find this to be the case. some premium touches such as priced Škoda Rapid which manages Real-world mpg* 47.3 The two cars are quite different on metalic paint (£555), leather seats to top the Tipo with a 550-litre boot. 54 Test mpg the road and while the S-Max 2.0 (1,060) or panoramic windscreen The Tipo redeems itself with a Max speed (mph)) 120 diesel engine has more power and and sunroof (£1,015). higher level of equipment. Škoda 0-62mph (sec)c) 10.4 torque it lacks power under I’ve also had a tyre replaced on the choosers will need to pick plenty of Current mileage 6.474 acceleration and the gear change is Zafira this month. A slow puncture options to match the Fiat’s spec. long and notchy. The brakes are caused by a small hole in the rear Drivers may also be disappointed Running cost data supplied by also lacking bite and need more of a passenger side tyre sidewall meant by the disconnect between the KeeResources (4yr/80k) shove than expected. a like-for-like replacement was Rapid’s name and its performance. * Data supplied by Equa index It’s far less fuel efficient than the needed. The 1.6 TDI lags four seconds behind the Tipo in the 50-70mph dash. TEST TIMELINE Matt de Prez Start End

AT A GLANCE – THE REST OF OUR FLEET Honda Land Rover Ford Renault Civic Discovery S-Max 2.0 Megane 1.0VTEC Sport TDCi AWD 1.5DCI Turbo SR Titanium Dynamique S-Nav

fleetnews.co.uk June 22 2017 63 Fleet News magazine The leading business publication for the fleet sector, offering insight, analysis, best practice and in-depth profiles of fleets and suppliers every fortnight. But don’t take our word for it: 96% of readers say Fleet News is the most useful fleet publication (Fleet News reader survey). Every issue is packed with information that helps companies to run efficient and effective fleets – and our readership of 16,000 is restricted to named decision-makers, running fleets of 10-plus vehicles.

Commercial Fleet magazine Commercial Fleet offersoffers insightinsight intointo thethe worldworld ofof lightlight commercialcommercial vehiclesvehicles andand truckstrucks toto provideprovide operatorsoperators withwith detaileddetailed analysisanalysis onon key topics such as operations, safety, remarketing and the envi- ronment. Case studies in every issue provide best practice advice toto helphelp youyou toto improveimprove youryour efficiency.efficiency. TheThe magazinemagazine isis supportedsupported by the commercialfleet.org website and events.

Driving Business magazine Websites and newsletters This quarterly magazine is sent to managing directors and finance directors at The Fleet News website is an extensive library of best practice advice, fleet 25,000 small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that are running fewer than 50 case studies, news and tools. Compare car and van running costs, check how vehicles. Focusing on the key elements of running cars and vans, Driving much tax employees will pay and find out which models use the least fuel Business provides practical advice to reduce cost and improve safety with a with our easy-to-use tools. We also send Ignition, a monthly newsletter which minimum of time and effort. contains car reviews and interviews not included with our print magazine. Fleet events Fleet News events are the biggest and best in the sector. Our annual awards night attracts more than 1,500 people; the FN50 Dinner sees 950 leasing, manufacturer, rental and supplier companies networking and Commercial Fleet Summit provide insight into key areas of fleet operation; monthly roundtables enable 10-15 fleets to discuss issues and share solutions.

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Van Fleet Insightgement BusinessBusiness ServicesServices andand FacilitiesFacilities ManagementMana www.mbvans.co.uk/fnwww.mbvans.co.uk/fn

Fit for purpose ReliabilityReliability Improve your business with the right van choice HowHow ttoo rrunun aann Fleet best practice profiles Kwik Fit and eeffectiveffective fl efleetet osts Stannah share their aximise on-road time and minimise c tips for success AdviceAdvice toto maximisem on-road time and minimise costs

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Bespoke publications Best practice guides Magazines, supplements, brochures and digital products are produced for Special supplements that complement the magazine, our best practice guides commercial partners. These bespoke publications inform fleets about look at areas that are core to fleet management or which are topical, such as companies and topics relevant to their business. They include manufacturer electric vehicles. They provide you with the knowledge you need to make the and supplier reports, in which Fleet News journalists interview key personnel right decisions. We also publish reports into the Fleet200, which analyse the to unearth the developments of interest to fleet operators. UK’s biggest fleets, and the FN50 contract hire and leasing sector. THE LAST WORD RICHARD BOREHAM MANAGING DIRECTOR AT V4B

First automotive role My first When Boreham founded his vehicle brokerage, his vision was automotive role involved washing to complete one deal each week. It has done rather better vans and checking the oil on vehicles. I wouldn’t want to leave than that to the extent that his ‘dream’ cars are his in reality the automotive industry because I am passionate about vehicles – My pet hate is mobile phones and the Away from the office I love my dogs, cars and whether it is making them, driving carriers, they are terrible. If my business travel. In particular I like visiting the Far them or financing them. ran like theirs I would be bankrupt. East – Vietnam and Malaysia. I thought Clients and I are always getting cut off – the rehabilitation care home for Career goals at V4B My goal is to it is the bane of my life. orangutans was fabulous. continue expanding V4B into new affinities and markets.

In the garage I have my dream cars: My first memory associated with a car Biggest achievement in business a Jaguar XJS, a Bentley Arnage, a was snapping a track rod on my Alfa My biggest achievement is surviving Bentley GTC and a Bentley Mulsanne. Romeo Alfasud. I went up a bank at 25 years in business. I founded the I would love to own a Bentayga though. 30mph and it was quite frightening. company in 1992 with a vision to complete a deal a week. We now fund, via our partners, more than The book I would If I was made Prime £100 million-worth of vehicles recommend others read Minister for the day I every year across Europe. is Best Served Cold: The would sort out the NHS rise, fall and rise again of by stopping waste and Biggest career influence I can’t Malcolm Walker. looking very closely at single one out. Along with my old the needs of patients. boss there have been lots of great clients along the way who have My favourite film made both myself and V4B what is American The most pivotal we are today. Gangster – he moment in my life followed a was meeting and Biggest mistake in business master and then marrying my Employing people who don’t hold made good in current wife, she the same vision as me. However, I the long run. has brought hours have learnt how to spot this and upon of hours of remedy it. fun and laughter I would like to – which is what Leadership style My leadership be remembered keeps us young. style is best described as ‘wacky for founding but kind’. something that offered security I would tell my If I wasn’t in fleet I would love to be to many. 18-year-old self a stock broker because adrenalin to do everything pumps when I do a deal and exactly stockbrokers do more deals the same. than me.

Childhood ambition As a child I wanted to join the Navy because I wanted to travel the world.

“I wouldn’t want to leave the automotive industry because I am passionate about vehicles”

Next issue: Peter Bonney, fleet controller, The Salvation Army

66 June 22 20177 fleetnews.co.ukk advertisement feature Mobility of the Future by Goodyear.

At the recent National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM) show Goodyear presented their How it works: thoughts on Mobility of the Future and how this will • The Eagle 360 Urban has a bionic skin with impact fleets. a sensory capacity similar to that of human skin and it can sense and capture information Goodyear believes that there is a revolution coming on road and weather conditions. above the road. The internet of things, autonomous vehicles, ride sharing and new synergies between • By being connected to different data sources car manufacturers and technology players will – other vehicles, infrastructure, traffic change the transportation ecosystem as we know it. systems - the Eagle 360 Urban has a complete picture, in real-time, of what’s The leading tyre manufacturer is anticipating and going on around it. addressing the evolving needs and challenges of consumers and customers within this new • By analyzing this data using its artificial intelligence, the Eagle 360 Urban can decide ecosystem. what actions to take.

With new mobility business models emerging, • It will communicate with the vehicle’s particularly within the fleet industry, proactive ‘nervous system’ to improve the car’s maintenance that ensures maximum uptime will braking, handling and efficiency. become imperative, and data is king to having an effective fleet. • It can transform and adapt to the road conditions by deploying its morphing tread. As the only connection between the vehicle and the road, the tyre is crucial in ensuring optimal • The concept tyre can then interact to share performance and will remain at the core of mobility. the information it has captured and the related action and its learnings with other It will provide the insight that fleets need to remain vehicles and all of the elements making up efficient. the Internet of Things. At the show Goodyear presented its most advanced vision for smart, connected tyres; The Eagle 360 Urban. The new concept tyre has the ‘brains’ and the ability to meet the demands of autonomous vehicles and an evolving mobility ecosystem by putting knowledge into practice.

It is the first concept tyre to be powered by Artificial Intelligence. The Eagle 360 Urban is ready to rapidly adapt to changing circumstances, as well as the evolving needs of Mobility as a Service for fleets and their users.

For more information about Goodyear, contact David Howe [email protected]

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