Category: Fleet News

UK fleet operators are being urged by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) to review their policies in relation to upcoming changes in the WLTP standard.

Prior to the introduction of more accurate data on April 6th, businesses will have to rely on less accurate calculations for CO2 figures for their vehicles, which could impact their level of taxation when new rules come into force from April 1st.

Bridging the data gap

Due to the average lead time of between nine to 12 weeks when ordering new fleet vehicles, companies making purchases prior to the release of the new data are being asked to invest in vehicles that may become more expensive to operate in the very near future.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney stated: “The BVRLA and its members are working with OEMs and third-party data providers to bridge this gap, but in the meantime, we would recommend customers consult with their lease providers to assess the impact on their fleet policies and procurement.”

He added that the introduction of new WLTP-based taxation for VED and Company Car Tax means it is important that businesses have a clear understanding of the environmental impact of their fleets.

As a result, the BVRLA has stated it is now in contact with other bodies, including the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and HMRC, to support the smooth transition to new WLTP-based costs for fleets.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “With potential disparity between the expected cost to operate new vehicles and their realistic cost after new tax rules are introduced, it may be wise for businesses to hold off on any major fleet purchases until this situation is resolved.”

Rolls-Royce has announced the official opening of applications for individuals to take part in its 2020 Sir Ralph Robins Degree Apprenticeships Programme.

Offering degree-level training for the next generation of automotive engineers, the scheme – now in its 14th year – allows its entrants to gain nationally-recognised qualifications and work alongside world-class craftspeople.

Developing the next generation of skilled professionals

Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said: “Our Apprenticeship Programme is one of our greatest achievements, providing unique professional and personal development opportunities for talented people.

“I am delighted that so many of our previous apprentices are still with us.”

He added it gives the organisation great pleasure to know that graduates of the programme are contributing to the wider success of British manufacturing.

That said, many graduates of the programme go on to progress into senior supervisory, technical and management roles with Rolls-Royce.

Applications for positions on this year’s programme are now open and the closing date for entrants is March 15th.

All those hoping to make the cut will be subject to a rigorous selection process, designed to assess their individual strengths, aptitudes, personal qualities and potential.

Successful applicants will join the programme in August this year, with the number of available places having been doubled in 2020.

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Rolls-Royce should be applauded for its commitment to developing the skills of the next generation of professionals in the UK automotive sector.”

There’s a lively debate taking place in the UK at the moment – one that fleet managers will have a particular interest in – relating to the safety of the country’s busiest roads.

Smart motorways use various methods to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, one of which is to turn the hard shoulder into an active driving lane.

Operating on stretches of the M1, M4, M5, M6, M42 and M62, this practice has raised safety concerns because motorists who break down could be stranded in traffic.

A recent report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Roadside Rescue and Recovery went as far as to call smart motorways “death traps”. This followed a BBC Panorama investigation which found that 38 people have been killed on these stretches of road in the last five years.

Road safety should be the number one priority for fleet managers, who could be concerned by these figures. There are always steps you can take to improve safety, such as introducing telematics to better understand driver habits and behaviours.

‘Shocking and careless’

The parliamentary group, which is made up of MPs from various parties, agreed that the introduction of smart motorways had led to the deaths of road users. It described the change as “shocking and careless”.

Concerns have also been raised by Police Federation chairman John Apter, who told the Daily Telegraph the technology was introduced on the assumption that it would be able to instantly detect any lane obstructions. This would allow help to be dispatched, while overhead gantries would be updated to warn drivers and close the affected lane.

“We … have been completely misled and a poor system has been introduced,” he added.

Sir Mike Penning, the former government minister who approved the smart motorway rollout, said the system is endangering people’s lives.

“There are people that are being killed and seriously injured on these roads, and it should never have happened,” he told the BBC.

Highways England responds

Highways England, which is responsible for managing motorways and major A-roads across England, responded to the recent controversy by releasing an official statement saying that “any deaths on our roads is one too many”.

The agency said the transport secretary had asked the Department for Transport to carry out an urgent “evidence stocktake” to gather the facts about smart motorway safety.

“We are committed to safety and are supporting the department in its work on this,” Highways England added.

As far as regular road users are concerned, RAC research released in November showed that nearly seven out of ten drivers (68 per cent) think removing the hard shoulder puts people at greater risk if their vehicle breaks down in a live lane.

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “Smart motorway safety is a big issue that – quite rightly – has attracted a lot of attention of late. Fleet managers should be sure to keep up with the latest developments in this area and take all necessary measures to help keep their drivers and other road users safe.”

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

If you’re a fleet operator currently looking into potential additions to the range of vehicles used by your business, you might be interested to know that Suzuki has once again been named the top car brand for UK customer satisfaction.

As well as topping the list of motor industry manufacturers, the Japanese company was ranked fifth overall in the UK Customer Satisfaction Index, published this month by the Institute of Customer Service.

The findings were based on the views of 45,000 people, who were asked to rate their experiences of dealing with 259 different brands across 13 sectors.

Climbing up the rankings

Suzuki received an improved index score of 84.1 this year, compared to 83 in the January 2019 index, which meant it rose ten places up the rankings.

It was at the top of the list of all vehicle manufacturers listed, 11 places in front of the next automotive brand.

The survey asked respondents for their views on various aspects of how they were treated when dealing with brands, including:

• Experience
• Customer ethos
• Emotional connection
• Ethics

Suzuki said it scored “very strongly” in all categories, which helped it tie with Amazon in the overall customer satisfaction ranking, not far behind John Lewis and Next.

Nobuo Suyama, the company’s managing director in the UK, said: “We are very proud of our achievement to have again been recognised as the best car brand in the index. Continuing to evolve the Suzuki customer experience has been a core focus during recent years, and the ongoing efforts have clearly paid off.”

Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Suzuki has obviously been doing something right in recent years, and if these findings are to be believed, its customers are pretty happy. This could be worth bearing in mind if you’re thinking about refreshing your fleet anytime soon.”

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has published its ‘2020 Industry Outlook for Commercial Vehicles’ report, which provides insights into key challenges and trends in the sector at the moment.

One of the key findings of the research underlined the growing importance of data collection and analytics in connection to commercial vehicles.

Fleet managers could realise various data-based benefits – including increased fuel efficiency, safety and lower operating costs – by introducing telematics.

‘Big business’

The report from the BVRLA – which comprises more than 1,000 member organisations accounting for a fifth of all trucks and vans on UK roads – offered an industry view on seven key areas.

Among them was big data, with the headline finding in this space showing that the capture and analysis of information is “big business and becoming increasingly important” in the commercial vehicle sector.

The deployment of telematics across your fleet allows you to collect detailed data on things like mileage, fuel consumption, routes and driver habits via tracking devices installed in every vehicle.

Other key findings from the study suggested:

• Operator demand for rented or leased commercial vehicles is increasing
• Brexit-related uncertainty continues to affect the road transport supply chain
• Local devolution of air quality strategies has led to inconsistencies
• Retaining and recruiting skilled staff while combating skills shortages is a key priority for businesses

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “Commercial vehicles are the lifeblood of the UK economy and… operators are looking for flexible and adaptable support with their fleets. Many truck and van operators are delaying re-fleeting decisions, largely due to a lack of confidence in their ability to forecast as a result of continuing uncertainties.”

Jenny Smith, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “There are some interesting findings in this BVRLA research. It certainly seems beyond any doubt that the collection and application of data has never been more important in the commercial vehicle space.”

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