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
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
We’ve all heard the stereotypes bandied around concerning van drivers, including the idea that they’re more likely to have a sausage roll in their hand than a piece of fruit.
However, new research has shown just how inaccurate those preconceptions might be – and that Britain’s van drivers could actually be at the forefront when it comes to adopting healthier lifestyles.
Swapping fatty snacks for low-fat lunches
A poll carried out on more than 1,100 UK van drivers by Vauxhall Motors and On The Tools found a lot of people who drive for long periods of time are treating their health as more of a concern than they did in the past.
Indeed, 34 per cent of respondents said they have been ditching greasy, fatty lunches in favour of cooking low-fat options in advance to take to work with them, with 19 per cent also trying meat-free meals.
Furthermore, 37 per cent reported exercising at least once a week in order to counteract the negative effects that sitting behind the wheel for long periods of time could have.
Research has previously shown these dangers may include high blood pressure, raised blood sugar and greater fat storage around the waist, all of which can lead to heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Vauxhall Motors spokesperson Patrick Fourniol said: “Van drivers often spend a lot of time at the wheel which can make it trickier to prioritise healthy eating and exercise, but our research shows many are making it a priority.”
This study also appears to demonstrate a strengthening of trends seen in research by Volkswagen in 2018, when one in seven van drivers reported making their own packed lunches and one in ten reported trying to eat more fruit, vegetables and salad while on the road.
Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “We’re really pleased to see van drivers leading the charge when it comes to making the nation healthier. It seems we could all take a leaf out of their book and implement some changes this January.”
Ensuring your vision is up to scratch is one of the most important aspects of being a safe driver.
When out on the roads, it’s imperative you are able to see everything that is going on around your vehicle, so regular eye checks are a must.
Regular eye checks are crucial for safe driving
With that in mind, road safety and vehicle recovery specialist GEM Motoring Assist believes the start of 2020 could be the perfect opportunity for all fleet operators to make sure their drivers have 20/20 vision.
GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: “What better time than the year 2020 to get your vision checked properly and ensure the risks you face as a driver are as low as possible?”
Indeed, he noted that poor eyesight is linked to more than 3,000 fatal and serious collisions on the UK’s roads every year.
As a result, scheduling regular eye tests for staff should be a key part of safe driving policies for every business.
Mr Worth concluded: “We are encouraging drivers to ensure their eyesight goes beyond 20/20. After all, 20/20 is only an expression of normal visual acuity, but the requirements for safe driving go beyond clarity of central vision.”
Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “Your eyesight is potentially the most essential tool at your disposal to be able to avoid serious accidents when driving. If you ever feel there has been any change in your vision then it’s important to have your eyesight tested.”
We love our cars and we know you do too, but their impact on the environment cannot be denied. According to government figures, greenhouse gas emissions from road transport have been growing since 1990, despite efforts to make vehicles more efficient.
As traffic levels increased, the effects of fuel-efficient technology were mitigated and emissions from vehicles now make up more than a fifth of the UK’s total output of harmful substances in the environment.
Hybrid vehicles have been around since the late 1990s, but they are now becoming ever-more popular as a solution to the problem of pollution. With the government’s announcement that sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030, this is likely to increase over the next decade as carmakers invest more money into the technology.
But what exactly are hybrid vehicles? In case you haven’t really been keeping up with the lingo and are feeling left behind, here’s everything you need to know.
Hybrids in a nutshell
While the first hybrid car (the Prius in 1997) looked completely different to anything else on the roads, this isn’t the case anymore. In fact, you may not even realise you’re looking at a hybrid when you see one.
Basically, hybrids bridge the gap between traditional vehicles that are powered by petrol or diesel and those that are completely powered by electric energy because they combine a typical engine with a battery-powered electric motor.
There are a number of different types of hybrid:
1- Parallel hybrid
This is the most common type, with an example being the Toyota Prius. It can be powered solely by the engine; solely by the motor; or using both together. Electricity is produced and stored when the brakes are applied.
2- Range extender
Like the BMW i3, the engine in these cars never drives the vehicle and is instead used to produce energy to recharge the batteries.
3- Plug-in
These cars can be charged while they are being driven, or by being plugged in at a designated charging point. The Mitsubishi Outlander is a good example.
You might also hear the terms ‘strong’ or ‘mild’, which simply refers to the amount of battery power available – strong hybrids can drive further than mild ones.
How do they combine for driving?
Typically, the electric motor in a hybrid car applies at low speeds and when setting off from a stop to power the drive wheels. Once you reach around 35 mph, the fuel-powered engine takes over and powers the wheels instead.
Benefits of hybrid vehicles
Not only are they looking increasingly saintly when compared with traditional vehicles, but the other main advantage of hybrid cars is that they use up to 30 per cent less fuel per mile.
For fleet owners, this means having to splash out a lot less cash at the petrol pumps because there aren’t as many fill-ups.
You may also find that greener company cars are eligible for benefits such as lower road tax and company car tax in their first year, as well as being exempt from certain congestion charges.
Finally, although they may be more expensive to buy in the short term (potentially by up to 20 per cent more), hybrid vehicles could offer higher resale values further down the line should you come to sell your fleet and upgrade.
What’s more, with many manufacturers now offering plug-in variants for the majority of models in their line-ups, you shouldn’t be short of choice.
What about range anxiety?
You might have heard the term ‘range anxiety‘, which boils down to fear of running out of power before you have completed a journey. However, this needn’t worry you at all if you have a hybrid, because you can rest assured that the engine will kick in should your battery ever get low on juice. This is currently a significant advantage over full-electric cars.
Aren’t charging points few and far between?
You might have heard people scoffing that there’s no point in hybrid vehicles or full-electric cars because there’s nowhere to charge them up. Actually, this is no longer the case. Estimates suggest there are now 35,000 public charging points in the UK, with 7000 of these added in 2020 alone.
According to Arval figures, 25 per cent of UK fleets have already begun adopting hybrid cars, so don’t be left behind; join the revolution!
Ellie Baker, brand manager at Fuel Card Services, comments: “We hope this has cleared up some of the myths behind hybrid car ownership. As you can see, they’re actually really simple and could offer significant benefits for your fleet – not least the knowledge that you’re doing your bit for the planet.”
