Call for national vehicle service history database to protect residual values

Vehicle manufacturers, dealers and technology providers are being urged to collaborate to create a new national database of vehicle service histories. The call, from the UK’s Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA), comes amid concerns that residual values for thousands of cars are being reduced because their printed service histories are not available, even though vehicles may have been properly maintained. Sam Watkins, chair of the VRA, said: “Service histories are seen by traders and buyers as proof that a car has been properly maintained and cared for, and yet at auction, around a quarter of vehicles are presented without a service history.”

Call for national vehicle service history database to protect residual values

Jul 15, 2019

Vehicle manufacturers, dealers and technology providers are being urged to collaborate to create a new national database of vehicle service histories. The call, from the UK’s Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA), comes amid concerns that residual values for thousands of cars are being reduced because their printed service histories are not available, even though vehicles may have been properly maintained. Sam Watkins, chair of the VRA, said: “Service histories are seen by traders and buyers as proof that a car has been properly maintained and cared for, and yet at auction, around a quarter of vehicles are presented without a service history.”

Company car remains core transport option amid growing interest in mobility services

Companies see mobility solutions as value-added services to support their vehicle fleets, rather than a service that will replace them, new research shows. Only a minority of companies say they are ready to give up all or part of their fleet for alternative mobility solutions, although a substantial proportion say they are already using some mobility services or would consider them in the next three years to supplement their fleet. The pan-European survey of nearly 4,000 transport executives was conducted by the Arval Mobility Observatory. Shaun Sadlier (pictured), head of the observatory’s UK arm, said: “What is clear above all is that the company car looks set to remain the core transport method for the foreseeable future. “While decision makers and employees in organisations are interested in mobility solutions, it appears that the vast majority see them as supplementing or being a partial alternative to the traditional fleet.”

Company car remains core transport option amid growing interest in mobility services

Jul 15, 2019

Companies see mobility solutions as value-added services to support their vehicle fleets, rather than a service that will replace them, new research shows. Only a minority of companies say they are ready to give up all or part of their fleet for alternative mobility solutions, although a substantial proportion say they are already using some mobility services or would consider them in the next three years to supplement their fleet. The pan-European survey of nearly 4,000 transport executives was conducted by the Arval Mobility Observatory. Shaun Sadlier (pictured), head of the observatory’s UK arm, said: “What is clear above all is that the company car looks set to remain the core transport method for the foreseeable future. “While decision makers and employees in organisations are interested in mobility solutions, it appears that the vast majority see them as supplementing or being a partial alternative to the traditional fleet.”

High-tech vehicles force up fleet insurance premiums

The latest complex vehicle technology is forcing up insurance premiums because it is so expensive to fix in the event of an incident, industry experts warn. In the UK, claims repair costs at the start of 2019 reached the highest level on record, totalling £1.2 billion. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) blamed a part of the rise on “increasingly sophisticated technology used in cars”. Although much of it is safety focused and intended to reduce claims, when incidents occur, the damage tends to be much more costly. The leasing industry is responding by offering insurance services with their vehicles to try to reduce costs for customers.

High-tech vehicles force up fleet insurance premiums

Jul 10, 2019

The latest complex vehicle technology is forcing up insurance premiums because it is so expensive to fix in the event of an incident, industry experts warn. In the UK, claims repair costs at the start of 2019 reached the highest level on record, totalling £1.2 billion. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) blamed a part of the rise on “increasingly sophisticated technology used in cars”. Although much of it is safety focused and intended to reduce claims, when incidents occur, the damage tends to be much more costly. The leasing industry is responding by offering insurance services with their vehicles to try to reduce costs for customers.

Europe

Volkswagen enters expanding car-sharing market with launch of WeShare in Berlin

Jul 04, 2019

Volkswagen has launched a new car-sharing service, called WeShare, offering electric vehicles to customers in Berlin, Germany. The manufacturer will provide 1,500 electric versions of its iconic Golf for the service, with an additional 500 e-up! city cars added at a later date. It will also add the new full-electric ID.3 to the fleet following its official launch next year.

Americas

Geotab signs telematics deal for 217,000 vehicles with GSA Fleet

Mar 27, 2019

Geotab, a global specialist in the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected transportation, has been awarded the largest single-source telematics contract to date by GSA Fleet, a division of the General Services Administration, which provides centralized procurement for US federal agencies. With one of the largest fleets in America, GSA Fleet will equip its 217,000 vehicles with Geotab’s fleet management technology. Since 1954, GSA Fleet has been providing vehicles and fleet management services to more than 75 participating federal agencies.

Asia Pacific

McMillan Shakespeare and Eclipx agree merger

Nov 21, 2018

McMillan Shakespeare and Eclipx have agreed a merger to create a new market leader in salary packaging and fleet management for Australia and New Zealand. As part of the deal, the MMS board will expand to include three Eclipx directors, while current MMS CEO and CFO, Mike Salisbury and Mark Blackburn, will retain their titles in the combined group. The deal requires shareholder approval, but the businesses say it brings major financial benefits, including efficiency savings. The combined businesses provide salary packaging, novated leasing, fleet leasing and fleet management services throughout Australia and New Zealand.