Author: Simon Pavey

Car subscriptions

Will car subscriptions become the new norm?

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

Owning a car could soon become a thing of the past, with buying outright or on loan set to be replaced by vehicle subscriptions and personalised rentals.

This is the opinion of many motorists questioned by Avis Budget Group for its The Road Ahead: The Future of Mobility Report, with 44 per cent of drivers in the UK saying they would be willing to swap to this type of on-demand mobility in future.

Alternative solutions to showroom purchases

Globally, the firm found 54 per cent of those surveyed are open to alternative mobility solutions, with 68 per cent saying they don’t think car ownership will be the norm within the next decade.

Some 59 per cent suggested they expect to see a growing number of subscription models for cars and vans coming soon – as long as these on-demand services are offered at a reasonable price.

President of Avis Budget Group Keith Rankin said: “People today want to consume and access products and services at the click of a button. It’s imperative that different mobility players work together to ensure the future needs of consumers are met.”

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “We’re so used to our on-demand products like Netflix that it seems many drivers can’t see why the same model can’t be applied to mobility. We’d agree with this and look forward to seeing if these predictions come true.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

Commercial fleet production remained stable

Commercial fleet production ‘remained stable’ in October

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

New figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have highlighted a stabilisation in UK commercial fleet production in October.

It marks a return to positivity for the sector after several months of lacklustre performance.

Stable at home and growing overseas

According to the SMMT’s findings, a marginal reduction of 0.2 per cent was seen in commercial vehicle output during October. This compared favourably to year-to-date performance, which has witnessed an 11.8 per cent decline in comparison to the same period of 2018.

Overall, the sector remains strong, even if recent months have taken a toll on confidence across the industry. Indeed, output for UK exports saw a 9.3 per cent increase in October, highlighting continued resilience among manufacturers and a growing appetite for UK vehicles overseas.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes commented: “Some stability for commercial vehicle production in October is welcome, but it’s far too early to tell if this will last, not least due to a fluctuating fleet buying cycles and model changeovers affecting output.”

He went on to add that one of the major factors in any sustained renewal of confidence will be the securing of favourable trading conditions with the EU when the UK finally actions Brexit.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “A return to some form of stable market is great news for the UK’s commercial fleet sector. However, with issues like Brexit still to face in the new year, it’s too early to celebrate this latest upturn.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

M Movers great customer service to partnership

M Movers: Great service leads to a growing partnership

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

Hearing how we’ve helped to satisfy the needs of our customers is always a highlight of the day for everyone here at Fuel Card Services.

As such, it was with great pleasure that we received a glowing testimonial this month from a longstanding client.

 

Helping our customers to do more

Mark Bates, transport manager at M Movers, commented that the business has been a customer of Fuel Card Services for several years, but recently the company has seen a significant push to use the service more fully.

He singled out Tabitha, his account manager, for special praise, saying her help has proven invaluable in explaining the most suitable fuel cards for motorway travel and town use, with the firm choosing to expand its use of both the Esso and BP fuel cards as a result. It’s a decision that has proved to be highly beneficial for the business in recent months.

“The benefit to M Movers has already been seen, with our drivers out on the road overnight now able to use the fuel card instead of transfer of cash,” Mr Bates stated. “Our daily fill up routine, 6am, has become easier at the local Esso, in that we can trust a card to a driver, who helps out with the lorries, etc, as required.”

He concluded that the whole process and switch has now given them “much more flexibility.”

M Movers operates a fleet of between eight and ten transit vans and artic trailers. Each month’s spend on the BP and Esso fuel cards move up and down depending on seasonal demand, but the company has witnessed considerable savings in recent months.

Furthermore, Mr Bates is currently exploring the use of vehicle trackers through our Tele-Gence services, with the prospect of taking on further products in the coming months.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “It’s great to hear about the outstanding support Tabitha has been able to provide to M Movers to date, while the fact the company is considering expanding its partnership with Fuel Card Services is also a fantastic development.”

 

Truck platooning

First successful trial of autonomous truck platooning by Hyundai

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

Hyundai Motor Company has completed a landmark test that successfully saw a platoon of trucks travelling autonomously as one.

The test took place earlier this month on the Yeoju Smart Highway and replicated real-world traffic conditions.

A significant step forward for self-driving vehicles

The trial was carried out using two trailer-connected Xcient trucks. The Yeoju Smart Highway is a 7.7 km testbed constantly populated by vehicles for autonomous driving research, making it quite similar to the conditions of an actual highway.

A demonstration of the capabilities of Hyundai’s new platooning system for automated driving saw vehicles moving in and out of the connected trailers with each vehicle maintaining safe distance and connection to the rest of the platoon.

Emergency braking systems were also tested and operated successfully, while communication between the two trailers was monitored at all times and was shown to operate effectively.

The test saw a constant speed limit of 60 mph adhered to by all vehicles, meaning future tests will be required to more closely replicate real-world conditions with shifting speeds.

“We are confident that our industry-leading autonomous driving technology in commercial vehicles showcased in this platooning truck demonstration will lead into a revolutionary paradigm shift in the freight and logistics industry,” commented Jihan Ryu, head of Hyundai Motor’s Commercial Vehicle Electronics Control Engineering Group.

What does it mean to reach Level 5?

There are five levels of autonomous driving, rated as:

  • Level 0: No automation – the driver performs all tasks.
  • Level 1: Driver assistance – some individual automated assistance available, but the driver is in full control at all times.
  • Level 2: Partial automation – some combined automated functions, but the driver must remain in control at all times.
  • Level 3: Conditional automation – driver not required to monitor the environment in specific circumstances but must always be prepared to take control.
  • Level 4: High automation – vehicle has full automation in some conditions; driver has the option to take over if needed.
  • Level 5: Full automation – vehicle is capable of performing all driving functions under all conditions, but driver has option to take charge.

At present, many vehicles can claim to be at Level 3 or 4; Level 5 automation is proving elusive. This latest successful test, however, may mean full automation could be just around the corner.

Mr Ryu concluded: “We will strive to create constructive synergy by sharing our knowhow and experiences of developing autonomous driving technology between commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle sectors to expedite Level 5 autonomous driving technology.”

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “This successful test could be a landmark moment in the development of fully-autonomous vehicles for the freight and logistics sector. It represents a significant step forward in autonomous vehicles.

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

Speed awareness

Speed awareness ‘crucial to avoiding repeat offending’

Posted on | by Simon Pavey

Speed awareness is one of the most important aspects of being able to drive safely.

As such, motorists up and down the country are being urged to keep a closer eye on their speedometer and to avoid the urge to speed due to the significant danger this poses to themselves, pedestrians and other road users.

Helping to avoid repeat offending

New research published by Kwik Fit has highlighted how 44 per cent of all drivers in the UK have been guilty of speeding and, of this figure, more than half (54 per cent) have done so on multiple occasions.

Repeat offending is therefore a major issue for the country’s drivers and one that Kwik Fit believes could be effectively tackled through greater awareness of the dangers of excessive speed.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, commented: “One of the biggest dangers on our roads is excessive speed, and the findings of our research indicates that speed awareness courses have a greater impact on drivers’ behaviour than many perceive.

“Of course, while any measure which reduces the number of drivers repeatedly speeding is hugely welcome, we must focus on educating drivers not to speed in the first place – drivers should not need to be caught to be given a wake up call.”

The dangers of speeding

Speeding poses a host of dangers to motorists and those around them, with excessive speed linked to an increased likelihood for drivers to lose control of their vehicle, as well as greater stopping distances and an increased severity of injuries in the event of an accident. Consistent speeding also risks damaging the vehicle itself, creating potential for more accidents in the future.

According to Kwik Fit’s findings, the different punishments handed out by authorities do have an impact on repeat offending rates.

It found that 58 per cent of drivers who received a verbal warning were found guilty on another occasion of speeding. This compared to 55 per cent who received three points and a fine, and a staggering 90 per cent who received six points and a fine – although this final statistic may be skewed by the severity of the individual’s first offence and a correlation between how far over the speed limit a person was found guilty of travelling.

Overall, just 24 per cent of motorists who have been on a speed awareness course were found guilty of reoffending, with many stating this had a significant impact on their driving behaviour in future.

Despite this, Kwik Fit believes that more now needs to be done to address this dangerous issue and get through to motorists that speeding is one of the most dangerous things you can do in your vehicle.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Speeding poses one of the biggest risks to all road users and it’s an issue that motorists must not ignore. Greater awareness is therefore needed around the dangers of this behaviour, especially given the high proportion of repeat offenders who don’t appear to be getting the message.”

The thought that drivers in your fleet could be speeding is not a pleasant one. However, with Tele-Gence, you’ll be given reports on driver behaviour. You’ll know which drivers are safely operating their vehicles, and if any could be considered reckless. Get in touch today and find out what Tele-Gence could do for you.