Small Business Fleet Management

Payloads? Pay less at Macrae & Dick Ford Transit Centres.
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TRANSIT RANGE
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O cial fuel consumption gures in mpg (l/100km) for the Ford Transit Custom range: urban 35.8-41.5 (7.9-6.8), extra urban 44.8-51.4 (6.3-5.5), combined 40.9-47.1 (6.9-6.0). O cial CO2 emissions 179-156g/km. Ford Transit range: urban 29.1-40.4 (9.7-7.0), extra urban 37.7-44.1 (7.5-6.4), combined 33.6-42.2 (8.4- 6.7). O cial CO2 emissions 218-174g/km. Ford Transit Connect range: urban 44.1-62.8 (6.4-4.5), extra urban 55.4-76.3 (5.1-3.7), combined 50.4-72.4 (5.6-3.9). O cial CO2 emissions 133-103g/km. New Ford Ranger range: urban 24.8-39.8 (11.4-7.1), extra urban 38.2-46.3 (7.4-6.1), combined 31.7-43.5 (8.9-6.5). O cial CO2 emissions 234-171g/km
The mpg gures quoted, sourced from o cial EU-regulated test results (EU Directive and Regulation 692/2008), are provided for comparability purposes and may not re ect your actual driving experience.
can introduce you to a limited number of nance providers to assist with your purchase who may remunerate us for introducing you to them.
Macrae & Dick Limited, FRN 301249 of 14 Bothwell Road, Hamilton, ML3 0AY, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Macrae & Dick Limited permitted business is Insurance Mediation and to act as a Credit Broker. We
Small Business Fleet Management 51


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Ford unveils next-gen technologies
Nerve-wracking, potentially hazardous and a signi cant contributor to repair bills for low-speed bumps and scrapes – parking is a pet-hate for drivers everywhere.
In the U.K., a quarter of accidents occur in car parks.1 Almost half of drivers say they would rather travel further from their destination than attempt to parallel park.2
Cross-tra c alert with braking technology in development
at Ford is being designed to help reduce parking stress by
Safety Electronics,Ford of Europe. “Technology is already proving its potential to help make driving less stressful – and Ford’s investment in research and development
is paying o by accelerating innovation to expand our portfolio of driver-assist technologies
that deliver functionality and performance that customers will value.”
Further technologies developed at the Ford European Research and Innovation Center in Aachen, Germany, include systems designed to help drivers
and reactive when behind the wheel but driver assist technology can help,” said Edmund King OBE, president, the Automobile Association. “There are great bene ts in Ford developing new assist technologies which can aid the driver to avoid collisions, spot vulnerable road-users in blind spots or eradicate parking rage by making parking easier.”
Taking the stress out of parking
In the U.K, car park related accidents account for a one in every four accidents1 and cost drivers around £716 million in repair bills each year.3 During the past 20 years, the width of cars has increased by around 16 per cent but many parking spaces remain the same size.3
Research also shows that 47 per cent of drivers park further away from their destination to avoid parallel parking, 15 per cent avoid parallel parking completely, and 75 per cent of drivers get nervous when having to park in front of other drivers.2
“Parking is one of the most stressful experiences behind the wheel, and drivers struggling to nd suitable parking spaces in urban areas can have a knock- on e ect for tra c ow as well
as stress-levels,” said Dirk
Gunia, supervisor, Driver Assist Electronics, Ford of Europe. “Technologies like our enhanced active park assist will help drivers feel con dent about parking in spaces they might otherwise have considered too small.”
detecting people and objects about to pass behind the vehicle, providing a warning to the driver and then automatically braking if the driver does not respond. Rear wide-view camera, on the in-car display, will o er an alternative wide-angle view of the rear of the vehicle. Enhanced active park assist will parallel or perpendicular park at the push of a button.
“We’ve all become accustomed to the challenges of driving, but it remains one of the most demanding tasks most of us perform day in, day out,” said Torsten Wey, manager, Chassis &
steer around other vehicles to help avoid high speed collisions, and to warn drivers from travelling the wrong way down motorways.
These new technologies
– expected to be rst made available on Ford vehicles in the next two years, are part of the company’s commitment to triple its investment in developing driver assist features, to evolve them further and to expand their capabilities, speeding the roll-out of systems that make it easier to park and drive in heavy tra c, and help drivers avoid collisions.
“Drivers must remain alert
Enhanced active park assist
52 Small Business Fleet Management
..

LOOKERS FORD, EVERYTHING YOU NEED
LOOKERS FORD, EVERYTHING YOU NEED
FROM A FLEET SUPPLIER AND ALL IN ONE PLACE!
FROM A FLEET SUPPLIER AND ALL IN ONE PLACE!
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Running your own business is hard enough without your commercial vehicles or company cars taking up all your time. Choose Lookers Ford and we will make sure they don’t!
You can see and test drive our full range of vehicles, including our award-winning ‘What Van’ vehicles: the Transit Courier, crowned ‘What Van International Van of the Year 2015’, the Transit Connect topping the ‘Light Van’ category and Ranger collecting ‘Pick-up of the Year’.
Benefit from the expert product knowledge of our specialist sales staff too, and get help with finding financial solutions that are tailored to your needs.
With repairs, maintenance and support all under one roof, plus extended opening hours for greater flexibility, we’re here to help maximise the productivity and efficiency of your Ford vehicles. and your business.
Chelmsford
Colchester
Leeds
She eld
Sunderland
Robjohns Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3AG 01245 924 904
Newcomen Way, Severalls Industrial Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9YR
01206 914 302
227 York Road, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS9 7RY
0113 853 0922
Savile Street East, She eld, South Yorkshire S4 7UQ 01143 327 542
8 Newcastle Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR5 1JQ 0191 639 7019
Business Users Only. Ford Lease is provided by ALD Automotive Ltd, trading as Ford Lease, Oakwood Park, Lodge Causeway, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 3JA. ALD Automotive is registered in
England No. 987418. For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 the data controllers in relation to any information you supply are Ford Motor Company Limited, FCE Bank Plc and ALD
Automotive. ALD Automotive and FCE Bank plc are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCE Bank plc acts as an insurance intermediary in relation to Ford Insure.
Small Business Fleet Management 53 Images shown for illustration purposes only. Lookers Motor Group Limited (FRN: 309424) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance mediation activities only.


NEWS
controls steering, gear selection and forward and reverse motion to facilitate parking at a push
of a button. The system can automatically enter and exit
a parallel parking space, and
can reverse the vehicle into a perpendicular space. Enhanced Active Park Assist also uses sensors to locate suitable parking spaces.
Cross Tra c Alert with Braking uses radar sensors to monitor the area behind the vehicle. If the driver is backing out and does not react to the initial warning, the system is designed to automatically apply the brakes. The system is being designed to detect motorcycles and bicycles.
Rear wide-view Camera displays a wide-angle view from the rear of the vehicle on the in-car display, to o er a similar functionality to Ford’s Front Wide View Camera located at the front of the Ford Edge, Galaxy and S-MAX models. When reversing, it provides an additional view that enables drivers to see around corners as well as obstacles and objects approaching from behind the vehicle.
Steering out of trouble
Ford also is developing new technology that could help drivers steer around stopped or slower vehicles to help avoid collisions.
Designed to operate at city and highway speeds, evasive steering assist uses radar and a camera to detect slower moving and stationary vehicles ahead and provides steering support to enable drivers to help avoid a vehicle if a collision is imminent.
The system is activated if there is insu cient space to
avoid a collision by braking only and the driver decides to take evasive action. Evasive steering assist builds on existing Forward Collision Warningtechnology,
and Pre-Collision Assist, which reduces the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, or help drivers avoid some impacts altogether.
“As soon as the driver tries
to steer around a slower car in
an emergency, evasive steering assist activates to help execute the evasive manoeuvre by making
year.4
Wrong Way Alert uses a
windscreen mounted camera and information from the car’s navigation system to provide drivers with audible and visual warnings when driving through two “No Entry” signs on a motorway ramp. The system – rst available for customers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – builds on Tra c Sign Recognition that uses a forward- facing windscreen-mounted camera to scan the environment
54 Small Business Fleet Management
it easier to perform quick steering movements,” said Peter Zegelaar, technical expert brake controls, Automated Driving, Ford of Europe.
Wrong-way driving warning
It’s every driver’s worst nightmare and Ford is developing technology that could help stop it from happening − to warn drivers from entering the motorway from the wrong direction.
Wrong way crashes are more likely to produce serious injuries and fatalities compared with
other collisions. In Germany, three per cent of fatal accidents on motorways are caused by people driving the wrong way, accounting for around 20 fatalities each
for road signs and alert the driver to their presence.Wrong Way Alert uses the camera and the navigation system to help warn drivers to stop or turn around.
Tra c Jam Assist is a further technology previously announced by Ford, and expected to rst arrive for customers within two years. The system assists the driver in keeping the vehicle centred in the lane and brakes and accelerates to keep pace with the vehicle in front.
Longer term, Ford is also developing a Camera-Based Advanced Front Lighting System that widens the headlight beam at junctions and roundabouts after interpreting tra c signs.


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NEWS
Vauxhall tops Businesscar's website rankings for sixth consecutive year
Vauxhall has yet again been awarded top score by prominent eet magazine, BusinessCar, in its annual Web Rating Survey to secure the manufacturer’s sixth win in as many years.
Judged on ten key criteria, including ease-of-use, supporting applications, email response, mobile/tablet access, and tax calculator o ering, Vauxhall’s website “remains the one to beat,” according to BusinessCar.
Scoring an impressive 88 per cent overall, triumphing over
all key rivals, the website was commended for its “huge list
of extra features and tools, and the Roadtrip app now has GPS tracking.” The Roadtrip app enables business mileage and expenses to be easily tracked, while the Vauxhall website also achieved top marks for its ease
of use, both on desktop and mobile.
The judges agreed that “there have been detailed improvements to its [the website’s] tax calculator to make it more intuitive to
use.” This was supported by automotive web experts, Carmen Data, used by BusinessCar to ensure eet tax calculators are accurate and provide clear data.
“Vauxhall continues to put the eet manager at the heart of its online service and it really shows. The site is still the one to beat, and marked improvements from last year make a real di erence to the overall online experience,” commented BusinessCar editor, Debbie Wood. “Ease of use, quick response times and lots of helpful applications are just some of the reasons why Vauxhall remained at the top of our survey
again in 2016.”
Vauxhall Fleet Sales Director,
James Taylor said: “We are thrilled to receive this recognition again from BusinessCar, a reputable name in the automotive eet industry. Picking this accolade up for the sixth
year running demonstrates
our commitment to providing excellent customer service, and we are constantly working to identify what’s important to eet drivers and managers to ensure we can always deliver.”
Celebrating the ten-year anniversary of its Web Rating Survey, BusinessCar’s review independently assesses the digital strengths and weaknesses of the top manufacturers in the eet industry across ten key criteria. It is the only independent analysis of its kind in the sector.
56 Small Business Fleet Management
YOU

Vauxhall Northampton
BUSINESS USERS
Commercial Offers
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Vauxhall Northampton
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Unit 21 Carousel Way Riverside Retail Park Northampton NN3 9HG t:01604553963 www.bristolstreet.co.uk/ nd-a-dealer/vauxhall-northampton
Small Business Fleet Management 57
KNOW IT MAKES


NEWS
Brake Professional wins prestigious Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year award
Brake Professional, a membership service for eet operators run by Brake, the road safety charity, was named Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year at ACFO’s annual award ceremony on 16 November.
Brake Professional is a low- cost membership service for professionals working in the eld of eet safety, established by Brake in 1996. Brake Professional shares training, tools, and guidance on global eet safety best practice with its members, as well as networking and development opportunities.
Brake won the award after being nominated and voted for by ACFO’s members, in recognition of the support it provides to car eet operators in managing their occupational road risk.
Brake Professional provides its members with:
• Guidance reports on a wide
range of eet safety topics, containing research and best
practice advice;
• Advice sheets to give to
drivers providing key road
safety advice;
• Posters on a range of topics
to display in workplaces; • Infographics and videos
to share via social media, sta communications and intranets;
• Reports on Brake’s surveys with eet operators on road risk management practices;
• Reports on Brake’s surveys with drivers on their attitudes and behaviour towards road safety
Additionally, members receive free and discounted attendance at Brake’s annual programme
of eet safety conferences, seminars and webinars, and training courses. Members also have free access to the Brake Pledge; a training campaign to help eet managers educate at- work drivers on key road safety messages.
Special o er: to celebrate
being named Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year, Brake Professional is o ering a discounted membership rate of £42 annual membership to any company that joins before 30 November 2016. To take advantage of this o er, go to www.brakepro.org/join-brake and quote discount code ‘FSIY16’ on the membership form.
Ellie Pearson, professional engagement manager at Brake, said: “We’re delighted to have won ACFO’s Fleet Safety Initiative of the Year Award for 2016. Through Brake Professional we aim to support all eet operators by sharing best practice and providing resources and training to support them in managing occupational road risk. We’re delighted that ACFO’s members value the service we provide, and have chosen us as winners of this Award. Brake Professional can provide a lot of support to eet operators,
58 Small Business Fleet Management


>> smart Business Solutions Built around your business
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For more information please contact smart Hertfordshire Corporate directly on:
01992 721080 or email [email protected].
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Mercedes-Benz Hertfordshire Corporate Sales • Foxholes Business Park, John Tate Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 7JB
Tel 01992 721080 • [email protected] • www.landlautomotive.co.uk/fleet
smart - a Daimler Brand Engineered with Mercedes-Benz
Small Business Fleet Management 59


NEWS
Versatile, e cient and economical: Nissan NV300 arrives in UK dealerships
The all-new Nissan NV300 van has arrived in Nissan dealerships across the UK, priced from £21,300*.
Successor to the hugely successful Nissan Primastar, the new model propels the brand back into the heart of the all- important M-Van segment.
Its arrival both strengthens and completes Nissan’s impressive LCV line-up and gives the marque one of the broadest commercial vehicle ranges on the market.
And with a highly competitive pricing structure, a huge variety of variants, and a platform ideally suited to conversion
– all backed by Nissan’s comprehensive and award- winning ve-year/100,000
mile warranty – the NV300 is expected to prove popular with both owner drivers and eets.
Available through all 220 Nissan dealers nationwide, with specialist support through the
brand’s 56 dedicated business centres, the NV300 is available as a panel van, crew van and as a combi passenger vehicle with seating for up to nine people. In addition, a platform cab version is o ered as a ‘rolling chassis’ and is the perfect platform for bespoke conversions.
But its exibility and versatility does not stop there. For example, panel van customers can specify either a short or long wheelbase, each available in two heights and all (except the crew van) able to carry a minimum
of three Europallets. There are also numerous rear tailgate and side door combinations – solid or glazed – for maximum customisation potential.
Customers can further tailor the NV300 to meet their needs by choosing from one of three distinct trim options – Nissan’s now familiar entry level Visia, mid-range Acenta and feature- packed, range-topping Tekna.
Each variant is packed with advanced Nissan technology and safety features in line with the brand’s Intelligent Mobility strategy.
Under the bonnet lies Nissan’s tried and trusted Euro 6 compliant 1.6-litre dCi diesel engine, available with a choice of four power outputs – 95hp, 120hp, 125hp and 145hp – all mated with a six-speed manual transmission.
This highly e cient powerplant o ers fuel returns of up to 50.4 mpg (combined cycle) and emissions as low as 145g/km CO2. NOX emissions are reduced thanks to Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology; using AdBlue.
In addition, the proven track record of the NV300’s engine means Nissan has been able to extend service intervals to two years / 25,000 miles, keeping running costs and TCO to an absolute minimum.
60 Small Business Fleet Management


NEWS
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JUKE Visia 1.6
from £129 per month*
NissanGlastgeoshweCaedntral SMtaocnkelinygMaotteoCrslo(Nsiess, an),
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NV200 Acenta
from £199 per month**
NAVARA Visia 2.3 dCi
from £259 per month***
Terms and Conditions
BUSINESS USERS ONLY. All prices exclude VAT. Prices valid subject to no change in manufacturer prices, residual values or interest rates. Contract Hire is available subject to status and conditions on eligible vehicles ordered before 2 April 2017. AT THE END OF THE AGREEMENT YOU WILL NOT OWN THE VEHICLE. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Example based on 6+35 pro.le, 10,000 miles per annum on a non-maintained contract with non-metallic paint. Additional charges apply for metallic paint.
*Contract Hire payment example based on Juke Visia, 6 months advance payment at £774 followed by 35 monthly payments at £129. **Contract Hire payment example based on NV200 Acenta, 6 months advance payment at £1194 followed by 35 monthly payments at £199. ***Contract Hire payment example based on Navara Visia, 6 months advance payment at £1554 followed by 35 monthly payments at £259.
Further charges may be made subject to mileage and condition at end of contract. Contract hire provided by Nissan Finance, Eagle House, St Albans, Watford, WD17 1AF. Images shown are for guidance purposes. In some instances photos are of non-UK speci.cation vehicles and do not represent speci.c grade model. †5-Year / 100,000 miles (whichever comes .rst) Manufacturer Warranty for the LCV range with the exception of e-NV200. The Basic Vehicle Warranty for e-NV200, according to 3.1 of the Warranty Booklet and Maintenance Record, is extended to 5 years (from the warranty start date) / 60,000 miles (whichever comes.rst). Only vehicles registered on or after 1st November2016 are eligible for the Extended Warranty. Body parts and paint excluded during year four and year .ve. Terms and exclusions apply, for further
of this Extended Warranty is Nissan International Insurance Ltd.
information please see Extended Warranty Terms and Conditions. Apart from the afore-mentioned, all warranty conditions included in the Warranty Booklet and Maintenance Record remain unchanged. Issuer
Small Business Fleet Management 61


NEWS
Global leadership: how Ford Transit became the best-selling cargo van nameplate on earth
Fleets and tradespeople around the world are increasingly turning to Ford vans to get
the job done, making the Ford Transit family the best-selling line-up of cargo vans on the planet.
Ford Transit was the best- selling cargo van family* globally in 2015, with nearly 400,000 vans registered, based on IHS Markit registration data.
“We are focused on building our clear global leadership in trucks, vans and commercial vehicles,” says Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical o cer. “While other manufacturers only o er their van line-ups regionally, Ford has cracked the code on developing global van architecture that
can be customised to regional needs.”
Transit is building on a 50- year legacy in Europe. In the past 25 months, Ford has seen its commercial vehicle market share grow from 10.8 per cent
to 12.9 per cent in Europe. This makes Ford the No.
1-selling commercial vehicle brand in Europe for the rst time in 18 years, thanks to continued growing demand for its completely new and expanded Transit range – including Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier – based on IHS Markit commercial vehicle registrations.
Transit Custom sales in Europe grew 23 per cent to 89,800 units year-on-year during the rst three-quarters of 2016, and Transit sales grew 17 per cent to 64,800 units during the same period.**
“Ford sold more than 247,000 commercial vehicles in the rst three quarters of 2016 – an 18.6 per cent increase year-on-year
– and our Transit models are the cornerstone of that success,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe. “Equipped
with an all-new generation of powerful Ford EcoBlue diesel
engines, Transit and Transit Custom now o er even greater load-hauling capability alongside improved fuel-e ciency for reduced running costs.”
The success of Transit has also propelled Ford to become the top seller of commercial cargo vans in the U.S, accounting for 40 per cent of the full-size commercial van market in the country through September – up from 36 per cent in 2015. Strong demand for Transit is putting Ford on track for its best year for U.S. van sales since 1978, based on Ford-reported data. Transit now outsells even America’s best-selling minivan, based on industry-reported sales.
Overall industry sales for Class 1-3 vans in the U.S. and Mexico are expected to continue growing, according to work truck industry association NTEA, which predicts industry sales
will increase 10 per cent in 2016 compared with 2015.
Transit is the best-selling nameplate in the light bus and van segment in China, on track to become the best-selling nameplate there for 2016, based on data from China Insurance Information Technology Company.
Transit also remains the UK’s favourite van after over 50 years of sales leadership and after a successful March, commercial vehicle sales are on track to be at a record high at year end.
62 Small Business Fleet Management


Mercedes-Benz NEWS
Business Solutions.
Built around your business.
• A dedicated Business Advisor
• A range of award-winning vehicles
• Our bespoke Business Demonstrator Programme - with 48 hour test drives
• Competitive, exible funding solutions
• Comprehensive After Sales care plans
Contact us today to find out more. Tel 01992 721080
Mercedes-Benz Hertfordshire Corporate Sales • Foxholes Business Park, John Tate Road, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG13 7JB
Tel 01992 721080 • [email protected] • www.landlautomotive.co.uk/fleet Small Business Fleet Management 63


NEWS
Nissan X-Trail 2.0-litre diesel: bigger engine, bigger adventures
Nissan has launched a powerful new larger-capacity diesel engine for its agship X-Trail crossover. The 2.0-litre unit is available to order now, and rst deliveries are due to arrive with customers early in the new year.
The new engine has an output of 177PS, with 380Nm of torque providing excellent pulling power throughout the rev range. It’s a signi cant step up in power from the existing 1.6-litre 130PS diesel, and clearly meets the needs of consumers who require a higher- output powertrain.
New to the range is the choice of Nissan’s Xtronic automatic gearbox, linked to a four-wheel drive transmission. Added
to the options of a six-speed manual and two-wheel drive,
this will further broaden Nissan’s presence in the large SUV sector, and enhance the appeal of the much-loved X-Trail.
With the new 2.0-litre engine,
the X-Trail is the perfect partner for families seeking even bigger adventures. There are ve or seven seats, excellent luggage space, clever storage solutions and enough towing capacity to meet customers’ needs.
The X-Trail is a model in demand. Across Europe, sales are up 50% in the year to October 2016 when compared to the previous 12 months. Sales are expected to grow further with the arrival of this new model; industry data reveals high-powered models account for 46% of the medium SUV segment, and
by launching the 2.0-litre diesel the X-Trail’s market coverage increases by 41%.
Guillaume Cartier, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Nissan Europe, commented: “The new agship Nissan X-Trail is a crossover that’s focused on delivering what consumers need. O ering
4WD linked to an automatic transmission for the rst time, it’s a signi cant enhancement to the already strong X-Trail range. It’s also a compelling upgrade to our already successful 1.6-litre diesel model.
The design of the Nissan X-Trail remains unchanged. The sculpted, muscular lines of the exterior make a strong impression from any angle, distinctive yet obviously part of the wider
Nissan crossover range thanks to familiar styling cues such as the ‘V-motion’ grille.
The interior o ers premium comfort and space to meet the needs of the modern family. Available as a ve or seven-seater, its versatile seating system means exceptional room for passengers and their luggage.
The second row splits and folds 60/40 for additional luggage space, reclines for passenger comfort and slides forward for easy access to the optional
third row. This splits 50/50 and folds completely at to create maximum load space.
A powered tailgate is available, operated at the tap of a button on the boot, via the Nissan Intelligent Key or with a switch mounted by the driver. Opening the tailgate reveals Nissan’s innovative Luggage Board System, which allows for shelves and dividers
to be adjusted in any of 18 con gurations. These include a hidden compartment to keep valuables out of sight.
64
Small Business Fleet Management


NEWS
NISSAN DARLINGTON
McMullen Road, Darlington, DL1 1XP
01325 289959 | bristolstreet.co.uk/ nd-a-dealer/nissan-darlington
From £499 Advance Payment*
Small Business Fleet Management 65


NEWS The bigger picture. The new MINI Countryman
The new MINI Countryman is the biggest and most versatile model to be launched in the brand’s 57-year history. With its larger external dimensions, and increases in space throughout the cabin and luggage area, it o ers occupants even greater comfort and a genuinely premium ambience. Useful new features such as electric tailgate control with touch-free opening and unique options, including
a fold down picnic bench at the rear, add to the ownership experience.
The Countryman’s on- and o -road ability is readily apparent throughout its design, which fuses familiar MINI styling with the tough look of a crossover thanks to the extended ground clearance, large wheel arches and short overhangs.
For the rst time MINI is o ering a plug-in hybrid model with the new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. Drawing from
66 Small Business Fleet Management
expertise gleaned from across the BMW Group, this new hybrid features a turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, reducing fuel consumption to 134.5 mpg yet also enabling
a 0-62 mph time of just 6.9 seconds.
The rest of the new MINI Countryman line-up is powered by an all-new range of engines sourced from the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo generation, o ering outstanding performance and e ciency. With between
136 – 192 hp and 220-400
Nm of torque, the new MINI Countryman can sprint from 0-62 mph in as little as 7.2 seconds, while fuel consumption reaches 64.2 mpg and CO2 emissions drop as low as 113 g/km.
The new MINI Countryman is available with both manual and Steptronic gearboxes and with front- and all-wheel drive. The latter, MINI’s ALL4 system, has been further re ned for increased
driving agility and e ciency. Re ecting customer
demand for high-end features, equipment levels on the new MINI Countryman have been bolstered versus the outgoing model. Additions to the standard equipment list include MINI’s acclaimed Satellite Navigation System, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Emergency E-call and Active Guard among others. Naturally, being a MINI, there
is broad scope for owners
to personalise their new Countryman, with extensive colour and trim options, advanced technology features and a range of option packs that o er carefully selected items with signi cant cost savings for the customer. One such option is a new 8.8” inch touchscreen display as part of the MINI Navigation System XL, o ering touchscreen multimedia and navigation control for the rst time in a MINI.


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Small Business Fleet Management 67


NEWS
Agile, versatile, electrifying. The new MINI Countryman Plug-in Hybrid
Hallmark MINI driving experience with zero tailpipe emissions, the new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is the rst plug-in hybrid model o ered by the premium British brand. This new Countryman model provides the option of purely electric and therefore emissions- free mobility.
Propulsion is shared between a 3-cylinder petrol engine and
a synchronous electric motor. Together they produce a system output of 224 hp. Equally impressive is the average fuel consumption of 134.5 mpg and the CO2 emissions gure of 49 grams per kilometre (EU test cycle gures for plug-in hybrid vehicles), yet also enabling
a 0-62 mph time of just 6.9 seconds.
The MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is the
perfect vehicle for those who wish to enjoy the bene ts of purely electric mobility when commuting between home and work every day for example, while at the same time bene ting from unlimited long-distance suitability at the weekend.
MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 combines the space
and practicality of the largest model in the MINI range with
the sustainability of BMW Group eDrive technology and an electri ed all-wheel drive system.
The front wheels are powered by the combustion engine, the
rear wheels by the electric motor. MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 is able to run on electricity alone not just in urban tra c,
but for long distances too – at a top speed of 78 mph and with a range of up to 25 miles. Drawing on the power of both drive forms, it o ers driving fun away from surfaced roads as well.
“The plug-in hybrid concept perfectly matches the new MINI Countryman because it o ers intelligent all-wheel drive as well as being able to run on electricity alone both in urban areas and over longer distances, too.
This is unique in the segment,” says Uwe Seitz, MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 project manager.
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ever purely electrically powered automobile and was driven by private users in everyday tra c as part of a large-scale eld experiment. More than 600
of the MINI E, based on the MINI Cooper Hatch, were used for practical testing purposes worldwide. The project yielded vital insights into the use of electrically powered automobiles which were incorporated in the development of the BMW i3.
The MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 combines highly e cient driving fun with versatile space and all the other advancements that characterise the new edition of the all-
round model for the premium compact segment. Its powerfully expressive design and optimised use of space are just as striking as its increased ride comfort and re ned premium ambience.
The MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 comes with the MINI Driving Modes as standard. Regardless of the operating mode selected via eDrive toggle switch, the vehicle set-up can be adapted to a particularly sporty or e cient driving style, according to preference.
Small Business Fleet Management 69
MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4: the highlights.
• Thebrand’s rsteverplug-in
hybrid model
• High-quality BMW Group
eDrive components developed speci cally for MINICountrymanthatdraw on expertise gained from the development of BMW iPerformance automobiles
• 3-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor combine to produce a total system output of 224 hp
• Fuel consumption in the EU test cycle: 134.5 mpg, CO2 emissions: 49 g/km
• Electric driving at speeds of up to 78 mph with a range of
up to 25 miles
• Innovative driving experience
duetotheelectri edall-wheel
drive system ALL4
• Three operating modes
available for selection via
eDrive toggle switch
• Highstandardequipment,
including satellite navigation and Hybrid-speci c displays.
The BMW Group’s technological expertise and range of models already on o er are evidence of the company’s leading role in the area of electric mobility. MINI was an early pioneer of these developments: the MINI E presented in 2008 was the BMW Group’s rst


NEWS
BMW October news in brief
Apple CarPlay now o ered with BMW Professional Media System.
Available on almost all models within the BMW range, customers with the BMW Professional Media System now have the option to purchase Apply CarPlay preparation enabling the wireless use of their iPhone including selected third party apps in their BMW.
Unlike the integration seen
on other vehicles within the industry, the connection in
the BMW is wireless ensuring maximum convenience for the user. Smartphone content such as iMessages, SMS, Telephony, Entertainment, Apple Maps
and selected third party apps
can be displayed and operated on the iDrive either using the iDrive controller, touch or voice input. The available smartphone content can be viewed on the iDrive while still having access to information from your BMW in the split screen such as the BMW entertainment details, navigation guidance, vehicle information etc.
Alongside the optional Apple CarPlay preparation, all BMW's feature Apps Interface allowing the use of BMW Connected
as well as selected third party apps including Audible, Deezer,
Glympse, Spotify, Stitcher and more.
Apple CarPlay is priced at £235 and available on 1 Series, 2 Series Coupé and Convertible, 3 Series, 4 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6, M2, M3, M4, X5M, X6M and M6.
Three new Leasing Key Account Managers join Corporate Sales department.
BMW Group has recently strengthened its leasing company relationship management team with the appointment of three new Leasing Key Account Managers. Ian Munro joins from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles where he held a number of positions focussing on leasing company relationships and residual value management. Hollie Crumlish joins from the Manufacturer Engagement Team at LeasePlan UK and Jack Munford transfers from Alphabet and builds on experience gained in the leasing sector and BMW Retailer network. Finally, Lee Pennells takes on the newly created role of Tactical Leasing Manager, focussing on tactical sales and BMW Group’s approach to the Broker Sector.
Adam Harley, National Leasing Manager, commented: “This
new structures allows us to
build on our core strengths of collaboration and partnership. Clearly de ned Key Account Management roles will deliver even higher standards of customer service to our leasing company partners. With a
more complex market place, technological advances such as Connected Car and Teleservices and any potential changes to
the tax landscape, it remains
vital to recruit the very best candidates and I am delighted
to have recruited such high quality individuals to represent our brands. Separating the tactical sales activity and having a speci c focus on the SME and Broker Sectors will allow us to better understand how to engage with this growing market.”
The BMW X5 is class winner at The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2017 Competition.
For vehicles priced over £45,000, the BMW X5 xDrive40d M Sport stole the show with its power, poise and practicality. Also voted winner of the category “All- Wheel Drive over 1800kg” the BMW X5 beat o sti competition and impressed the judges with its towing abilities.
The Caravan Club Towcar judges, explained: “The BMW deploys a raft of technological tricks to make the towing experience as comfortable as possible- o ering a range of suspension and drive settings plus an economy setting with fuel economy in the high 40s.”
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The BMW 7 Series is crowned Professional Driver Car of the Year 2016
BMW i8 and i3 showcased in the capital
On Saturday 5 November, BMW made an appearance as part of the Go Ultra Low stand at the Regent Street Motor Show. The stand showcased the latest electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles including the BMW i3 Battery Electric Vehicle and BMW’s most advanced sports car, the BMW i8.
More than 100,000 BMW purely electric-powered cars and plug-in hybrids have
been sold to customers worldwide with the BMW i3 accounting for more than 60,000 units. This makes the BMW i3 the most successful electric vehicle in the premium compact segment. In the UK, close to 6,000 units of the BMW i3 have been sold since its launch in 2013. The BMW i3 with Range Extender remains the volume model however since the launch of the BMW i3 94Ah, the pure electric model has increased in popularity.
Meanwhile, the BMW i8 ranks rst among electri ed sports cars, with more than 10,000 delivered worldwide since the middle of 2014, of which 17 per cent are UK sales. Additionally, there are the approximately 30,000 plug-in hybrids sold to date; known today under the label BMW iPerformance. These re ect the successful broad- based transfer of BMW i technology.
The BMW 730Ld Saloon has been crowned Car of the Year
at the Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards 2016, while also taking the title of Chau er Car of the Year.
The BMW 7 Series was commended for its unrivalled mix of comfort, driver satisfaction, and outstanding features making it the ideal chau er car both
for the driver and the driven.
Its sheer quality and improved fuel consumption, along with an excellent manufacturer-backed chau er programme clinched the title.
Mark Bursa, Editor of Professional Driver magazine, said: “The new BMW 730Ld registered one of the highest average scores for any car we’ve ever seen in the history of the Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards. Factor in some
impressively low running costs and some great manufacturer back-up, and you’ve got an exceptional car.”
Richard Hudson, Sales Director for BMW UK, said: “To take home this prestigious award is a real honour. The BMW 7 Series has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2015 and we hope this continues in the future.”
The Professional Driver Car
of the Year is chosen from the seven category winners, and the awards are announced at the Professional Driver Awards dinner in November. Each shortlisted vehicle undergoes rigorous testing by more than 80 judges, comprising of invited heads of leading chau eur and private hire rms, experienced chau eurs, as well as carefully chosen motoring editors and journalists.
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NEWS
Air quality decision: FTA says government rethink required
Energy Saving Trust 2016 Award Winners 'Best Public Sector Fleet'
Winner:
West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police is a well- deserved Fleet Hero Award regular due to their maintained commitment to sustainable eet management. Telematics are used to continually examine their eet to monitor CO2 emissions, identify where e ciencies can be made
and to ensure maximum vehicle utilisation. There is a commitment to reduce grey eet mileage through low emission pool vehicles and a Green Travel Plan to encourage alternative travel modes where possible.
Runner up: Essex Police and Kent Police
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says the Government must come up with new incentives and approaches to improve air quality following today’s decision by the High Court that its clean air strategy does not meet legal requirements.
Environmental campaign group ClientEarth took the Government to the Supreme Court in April 2015, when ministers were instructed to come up with new proposals to comply with EU laws on limits for nitrogen dioxide in the air. ClientEarth said the new Air Quality Plan didn’t go far enough – and today the High Court agreed.
The Government now has a week to draw up another plan before returning to court, where a High Court judge could impose a timetable if the new proposals are not deemed su cient.
FTA’s Head of National and Regional Policy Christopher Snelling said “No-one questions the need for better air quality in order to improve people’s health but placing an unfair burden
on the freight industry isn’t the answer.
“The current Defra plan already sets in place targets in cities across the UK that will cost industry millions and could force small businesses out of their markets. This is especially true for those relying on vans because there simply won’t be enough compliant vehicles to satisfy the need.”
FTA says current air quality proposals already push beyond
what many businesses can cope with. If UK cities are to make faster progress on meeting air quality targets, wider approaches and more meaningful support from the Government are needed.
Mr Snelling added: “If faster progress in commercial vehicle eet renewal and a switch to alternative fuel is to be made, it will have to be on the basis of support from the Government. But we can’t just consider commercial vehicles. The regulations Defra
is looking at may have to take
a broader approach to road transport, not shying away from issues such as the contribution of cars just because it is unpopular with voters.
“We know that, unlike cars, Euro VI HGVs are meeting their emissions limits. So as newer vehicles populate the eet,
the contribution from lorries
will massively reduce anyway. Further regulation of HGVs will only produce a very short blip of emissions reduction, at a massive cost to industry, especially small businesses.”
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Drury’s Transport grows with new DAF three-axle tractors
Drury’s Transport, with three bases across Norfolk, has taken two DAF XF 510 FTG 6x2 tractors with Super Space Cabs as part
of celebrating its 70th year in business.
Richard Harris, a former aircraft engineer with the RAF and owner- driver, and now operations director for the busy East Anglian haulier, said, “We were looking for some new vehicles and this seemed
like a great way to do it. We have had a mixture of marques over recent years, always with a strong DAF presence, so we decided to combine getting two really strong performers for our anniversary celebrations. They replaced two 10-year-old DAFs with over 2.4m kms between them. They look tremendous,” he said, “and the drivers love the comfort of the cabs and the power in the big PACCAR engines. That comes in very handy when you’re loaded up with wet, muddy spuds straight out of the eld.”
Harris recognises the importance of the manufacturer’s dealer in his choice. Based
in Norwich near one of the company’s bases, Ford & Slater has impressed him in the ve years he has been with Drury’s. “I like
DAFs anyway, having bought my own new 480 XF back in 2001, but when you get a dealer like Ford & Slater that clearly cares about customers and is prepared to help, then that just seals the deal for me. This dealer is always prepared to go the extra mile and help us out if we need anything, and they have gone out of their way to get to know us and what we need from them,” said Harris.
On a more pragmatic level,
the new vehicles have also given Richard Harris an important opportunity to study the company’s latest venture, which saw it develop its own workshop activity into an independent business operation, in which a new MOT lane is due for completion very shortly. He has decided to take only one of the new DAFs on full R&M from the manufacturer, leaving the other to be maintained in Drury’s own service facility. “It will be an interesting learning curve for us, and will give me real-time information on just what we are doing and how well we are doing it. We are installing TomTom Telematics at the moment as well, because we need something we can roll out consistently over the mixed eet, but are also using
the DAF system as a check and measure on these two units speci cally,” he said, adding, “I want to compare the results in terms of vehicle up-time and their general performance. The idea may come back to bite me, but
I think it will prove overall to be a very valuable approach.”
The family business, based in rural East Anglia at North Walsham in Norfolk, has an understandable volume of seasonal farm produce business. It has seen them develop long-term relationships with big growers in the region, which in turn has sparked three acquisitions in the last 12 months as existing small hauliers who have wanted to retire or decided to drop the work. Of their current eet of 27 vehicles, nine have come in the last 12 months as a result of such acquisitions. Overall however, the business only has about 30% of its business in agricultural products, with a list of long-standing customers around the region supplying the general haulage business.
After 70 years you’d expect
a business to know what it is doing, and under Richard Harris’ experienced control, it clearly does.
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Transformation of Seat Business Centres continues as agship sites receive new brand identity
SEAT Derby and SEAT Birmingham are the latest Business Centre dealerships to bene t from the brand’s new corporate identity as the network is overhauled in 2016 and 2017.
The dealerships, part of the Bristol Street Motors Group, are among ve specialist SEAT Business Centres to receive the brand update so far, joining key sites in Bristol, Plymouth and York. SEAT Business Centres provide high-level eet-speci c expertise.
SEAT Birmingham, based in Star City to the North East of Birmingham, and SEAT Derby are two of the top performing SEAT dealerships in the UK.
As well as retail sales, their Business Centre status means local corporate eets and SMEs can bene t from their specialist services, eet expertise and fresh new look.
The roll-out of the new SEAT brand identity will continue apace with a number of other Business Centres also being overhauled this and next year.
As well as the 22 eet-friendly sites, the whole network of
124 dealerships will also be refreshed.
The revamp is expected
to increase footfall and drive awareness of the sites across Birmingham and Derby, as well as the Midlands area, while enhancing the customer
experience and introducing an additional dose of SEAT style.
SEAT Head of Fleet
and Business Sales, Peter McDonald, said: “Our network of eet experts is rapidly improving, and our ambitious plan to
support them in adopting the new identity is expected to start making an impact from now on.
“Particularly bene cial to our 22 regionally located eet Business Centres, the aim, ultimately, is to improve the network’s capability to sell to local business; executing the revamp is very much part of the process of enhancing the buying experience for business and retail customers and complimenting the introduction of new models such as the Ateca SUV and New Leon.
“The Business Centres each bene t from an in-house team of eet experts who provide high- level advice to larger corporate eets as well as local SMEs, supported by the national eet team.”
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BUILT FOR BUSINESS.
THE MINI COOPER D CLUBMAN.
MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £189 (PLUS £1,134 INITIAL RENTAL)1.
109 g/km CO2 68.9 mpg (combined) 21% BIK
THE MINI COOPER SD CLUBMAN WITH JOHN COOPER WORKS CHILI PACK.
MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £219 (PLUS £1,314 INITIAL RENTAL)2.
THE MINI COOPER 5-DOOR HATCH.
MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £149 (PLUS £894 INITIAL RENTAL)3.
THE MINI COOPER D 3-DOOR HATCH.
MONTHLY RENTALS FROM £159 (PLUS £954 INITIAL RENTAL)4.
Please contact our Local Business Development Manager at MINI Park Lane for more information on 020 7514 9477, or visit www.bmwbusinesspartnership.co.uk
MINI Business Partnership
Official Fuel Economy Figures for the MINI range: Urban 26.6-72.4 mpg (10.6-3.9 l/100km). Extra Urban 46.3-91.1 mpg (6.1-3.1 l/100km).
Combined 36.7-83.1 mpg (7.7-3.4 l/100km). CO2 emissions 179-89 g/km. Figures may vary depending on driving style and conditions. MINI Park Lane is a credit broker.
Business users only. 1Price shown for a MINI Cooper D Clubman excludes VAT at 20% and is for a 36 month Contract Hire agreement, with a contract mileage of 24,000 miles and an excess mileage charge of 6.01 pence per mile. 2Price shown for a MINI Cooper SD Clubman with John Cooper Works Chili Pack excludes VAT at 20% and is for a 36 month Contract Hire agreement with a contract mileage of 24,000 miles and an excess mileage charge of 7.49 pence per mile. 3Price shown for a MINI Cooper 5-door Hatch excludes VAT at 20% and is for a 36 month Contract Hire agreement with a contract mileage of 24,000 miles and an excess mileage charge of 4.36 pence per mile. 4Price shown for a MINI Cooper D 3-door Hatch excludes VAT at 20% and is for a 36 month Contract Hire agreement with a contract mileage of 24,000 miles and an excess mileage charge of 4.12 pence per mile. Applies for new vehicles ordered between 1 October and 31 December 2016 and registered by 31 March 2017 (subject to availability). At the end of your agreement you must return the vehicle and vehicle condition, excess mileage and other charges may be payable. Available subject to status to UK residents aged 18 or over. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. The amount of VAT you can reclaim depends on your business VAT status. Terms and conditions apply. Offer may be varied, withdrawn or extended at any time. Hire provided by BMW Group Corporate Finance. BMW Group Corporate Finance is a trading style of Alphabet (GB) Limited, Alphabet House, Summit Avenue, Farnborough,
Hampshire GU14 0FB. BMW (UK) Ltd, Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Registered in England and Wales 1378137. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking activities.
Small Business Fleet Management 75


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