Guide book EurotaxGlass has shook up the LCV market. It has claimed the sector needs to take a more realistic approach to determining values for hard-used vans.
Instead of continuing to benchmark against unrealistically low mileages EurotaxGlass claims most van manufacturers are primarily car-makers, and they typically calculate residual values for commercial vehicles against a three-year, 60,000-mile standard mark.
However, this is a glaring inconsistency, given that the majority of panel vans are doing upwards of 30,000 miles a year, explains George Alexander, Chief Commercial Vehicle Editor at
EurotaxGlass’s.
Alexander said: “The industry yardstick for average mileage falsely favours those less robust products that will survive intact to a modest mileage, but would fare far worse as the 100,000-mile mark approaches. The need is to determine values for hard used vans at the end of a contract and not for the cleanest most popular models, with modest warranted mileage. In the current marketplace, stock which has covered 60,000 miles or less is in great demand and will command strong prices. The danger is that, if an assessment of future residual worth for competing products starts from such a point, there is little chance that stock returning with 90,000 miles or more will have a chance of meeting vendors expectations.”
Simon McBride
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Another year, another Budget, and with a raft of tax reforms and realignments affecting the fleet operator, it’s good to know Audi has measures in place to reduce their impact.
The good news starts with the A3 and A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI Special Edition models, which with their CO2 emissions of just 119g/km, fall into the new 13% tax band for diesels in 2008/9. These models will also be exempt from the London Congestion Charge when the punitive new £25 daily charge comes into force on 27 October.
And those looking to consolidate their exposure to the charge can also take comfort that the A8 2.8 FSI - officially the cleanest luxury car on the market - and the A8 3.0 TDI quattro fall below the 225g/km threshold, incurring only the £8 rate rather than the £25 daily charge from October. An attractive proposition for our chauffeur customers and for those needing to drive in Central London.
Iain Carmichael, Head of Fleet Sales, Audi UK
S line and Avant join A4 range
The new Audi A4 range is strengthening all the time with the addition of the sporting S line trim specification, the introduction of the new A4 Avant, plus a new entry model positioned at under £20,000 ROTR.
Powered by a 120PS version of the 1.8 TFSI engine, the A4 1.8 TFSI Standard model marks the new entry point to the A4 range, priced at £19,900 ROTR and including 16 inch alloy wheels, climate control, a Chorus radio-CD player, ESP and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm/immobiliser.
The more overtly sporting S line trim, which adds £2,500 to the price of the equivalent SE model, introduces equipment including 18 inch alloy wheels, a 3-spoke S line sports steering wheel, S line body styling, 20mm lower S line sports suspension, S line sports seats, Xenon headlights with daytime running lights and matt brushed aluminium inlays.
Adding useful extra practicality and a class-leading load area of 1,430 litres with rear seats folded, the new A4 Avant belies its versatility with its sleek lines.
At just £1,150 more than the equivalent Saloon model, the Avant is available to order now, with prices starting at £23,400 ROTR.
2.0 TDI quattro joins the TT range
Blending the sporting appeal of the Audi TT with the latest in TDI technology, new Euro 5-compliant TT 2.0 TDI quattro Coupe and Roadster models offer a unique opportunity in tax-efficient sports motoring.
The statistics make compelling reading, with the Coupe returning combined consumption of 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 140g/km, a 20% reduction over the 2.0 TFSI. With 170PS, performance is brisk, too, with a top speed of 140mph and 0-62mph in 7.5sec.
Such figures make a drastic reduction in company car tax liability compared with the 2.0 TFSI: a 40% tax payer in 2008/9, for example, can expect to pay £160 a month for the 2.0 TDI Coupe quattro, compared with £200 a month for the 2.0 TFSI.
As well as quattro permanent four-wheel drive, TT 2.0 TDI models come with 17 inch Trapez alloy wheels, leather and Alcantara trim, climate control and an MP3-compatible Audi Concert radio/CD. The Roadster adds a fully automatic soft-top with wind deflector.
Both Coupe and Roadster models are now available to order, priced from £26,350 ROTR for the Coupe and £28,350 ROTR for the Roadster.
Audi TT Coupe lease prices
Audi TT Roadster lease prices
A8 3.0 TDI escapes congestion penalty
A reduction to 224g/km in the CO2 emissions of the Audi A8 3.0 TDI SE quattro and Sport (including Long Wheel Base variants) has ensured these models will not incur the £25 a day London Congestion Charge when new rules come into force on 27 October 2008.
Together with the 2.8 FSI SE and Sport models, which are by some margin the cleanest cars in the luxury sector, it brings to six the number of Audi A8 derivatives that will incur only the £8 daily charge.
Audi Q7 S line for price of SE
With its unrivalled blend of quattro permanent four-wheel drive, seven seats as standard, adaptive air suspension and choice of two FSI petrol and two TDI diesel engines, the Audi Q7 offers real luxury and style with full quattro capability.
Now, the price is the same for both SE and S line models, giving drivers the opportunity to select the specifications that best suits their requirements. Prices start from £41,330 ROTR for the 3.0 TDI quattro 240PS.
Furthermore, the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI S line is now available from Audi Finance on a 24-month/10,000 miles a year basis from £539 a month with £1,617 deposit.
Super luxury for Audi Q7 coastline
Shown alongside the new V12 TDI super-SUV at Geneva, the Audi Q7 coastline design study offers the ultimate in luxury, with a distinctly nautical theme.
Dark waxed American walnut veneer covers parts of the armrest, inner door sill trims, gear knob and luggage compartment floor, giving it a deck-style look that complements the ultra-luminous white exterior and plush velvet and leather-upholstered seats.
Audi A4 voted No1 in Europe
Readers of Auto Express and its 25 European sister publications have voted the new Audi A4 the magazine’s prestigious 2008 Auto 1 award winner at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The overall champion is selected by editors, experts and racing drivers linked to the 26 magazines, but their 40 million readers also play a key role in the judging process.
Players and staff at Durham County Cricket Club have acquired a new fleet of Jeep and Dodge models, through Daimler Fleet Management (DFM).
DFM is one of the UK’s leading fleet management companies, operating a UK fleet of over 49,000 vehicles from all leading manufacturers, which forms part of a pan-European fleet approaching 470,000 vehicles.
The vehicles are being supplied by Stockton dealership Kings Teesside Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge with assistance from Chrysler UK Ltd. DFM are providing the vehicles under a contract hire agreement.
Nicola Kilkenny, Corporate Sales Manager at Daimler Fleet Management, said: “We have supplied 16 vehicles to the Club in total - ten Dodge Nitro models for players and six Jeep Patriots for promotional and other staff.”
David Harker, Chief Executive of Durham County Cricket Club, said: “We’re delighted to have the support of Daimler Fleet Management. The players are really pleased with the vehicles they have been provided with and the Jeep Patriots have proved to be hugely beneficial to our Promotions team.”
Faye Sunderland
Western Power Distribution has renewed its contract with Ford to supply all its light commercial vehicles and small business cars. The new agreement is for two years, with an option to extend.
The electricity distribution company for South-West England and South and West Wales, based in Bristol, runs 600 diesel-powered Ford Transit T300s and T350s, Transit Connects and Rangers, as well as Ford Focus hatchbacks.
WPD delivers electricity to 2.5 million customers over a 10,000 square mile area. Its technicians use Ford vehicles, for construction and maintenance of its large network.
“We’re very pleased with the vehicles,” said WPD’s Fleet Manager John Brooks. “They’re reliable, and delivery and service from the main dealer is very good. The drivers are happy too – it’s an all-round good-quality product.”
www.ford.co.uk
Faye Sunderland
Nissan’s commercial vehicle boss, Mark Lovett has left to join leasing giant Lex. It is understood that he will be running Lex’s van operations.
Lovett has established a good reputation and is recognised as with vastly improving Nissan’s commercial vehicle sales.
Faye Sunderland
John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business and Regulatory Reform, has told drivers not to panic over possible fuel shortages.
A 48-hour walkout this weekend at the Grangemouth refinery in Scotland could lead to a shortage of fuel supply. The action comes after workers union, Unite called the two-day strike following a bitter row over workers pensions. The plant is responsible for delivering 10% of the country’s fuel to forecourts.
The government could invoke emergency powers if the situation escalates, possible limiting the amount of fuel non-essential users can purchase.
Faye Sunderland
The Sheffield division of Stirling based Ogilvie Fleet is delighted to announce their sponsorship of the 2008 Play-Off Champion Sheffield Steelers with the provision of a “special car” to none other than team captain, Jonathon Phillips.
The Sheffield Steelers are the UK’s premier professional Ice Hockey club, playing out of the Sheffield Arena in front of regular crowds of almost 6,000 people. Jonathon Phillips, the Steelers Captain, is one of few unique British players in the league who holds his own against the many import (Canadian, American and European) players as well as leading the team and providing the kind of dressing room morale proven to win championships.
In front of a crowd of over 7,000 people at the Nottingham Ice Arena, the Steelers were crowned Play-Off Champions recently and Jonathon Phillips was the man of the moment proudly holding the trophy aloft.
Nick Hardy, Ogilvie Fleet Divisional Director comments:
“I have been involved with the Steelers organisation for many years, as well as a rather enthusiastic fan since the day they started out here in Sheffield back in 1991. To sponsor Jonathon Phillips car is a privilege and an honour. From a business perspective, who wouldn’t want the captain of one of the most successful sports organisations in the country driving around in their yellow VW Beetle Cabriolet with their logo on the side! I’m delighted to be involved with the Steelers and feel sure that this involvement will be continued for many years yet”.
Faye Sunderland
Lookers have announced they are to acquire Bramall and Jones VW Ltd. The deal rumoured to be worth £2million, strengthens Lookers representation of Volkswagen cars and allows them to make a more substantial impact on the contract hire market.
The deal is expected to be completed on May 1. Tony Bramall, director of Lookers already owns 51% of the shares of Bramall and Jones.
Faye Sunderland.
http://www.lookers.co.uk/
Fleet department grows to meet customer demand
Based at Knutsford, Cheshire, Mangoletsi, which is the country’s largest and longest established Alfa Romeo dealership, has expanded the department to meet a massive rise in customer demand.
Fleet sales for Alfa Romeo have jumped by a huge 103 per cent since last year, with Fiat also up an impressive 10 per cent, and Fiat van sales are also up by 50 per cent year to date in the business market
Now, Mangoletsi hopes to continue the trend ready for the launch of the new Alfa Romeo Mito at the beginning of 2009.
Paul Jones, Head of Corporate Sales at Mangoletsi, puts the increased demand down to the newly launched Fiat 500, and the enduring allure of the stylish Alfa Romeo range. The increase residual value and the improvement in reliability are making the Alfa Romeo brand extremely competitive in the business and personal contract hire market.
“The stunning Alfa 159 TI is now available to company car users and we have already seen enormous demand.
“Add to that the appeal of the new Fiat 500 which is proving to be a strong competitor in the Mini market, and you can see why sales are so good,” he said.
Alfa Romeo also offers business users the Alfa 159 Business Contact - the best back up service you’ll ever need.
Paul believes the professional and personal approach by Mangoletsi to customers is a big selling point.
“We have the ethos of a family business and know that offering a tailor made, personalised service to our customers is the way to build on our continued success,” he said.
Paul is supported by Celia Dutton, Fleet Sales Manager, and Phil Murdy, Fleet Sales Executive, plus a full administration team.
For more details on any of the above please contact the Corporate dept on 01565 722 899 or go to http://www.mangoletsi.com/
Vauxhall has confirmed that it will wow the crowds and unveil three concept vans at the CV show in the NEC, Birmingham on April15. The ‘Black Edition’ models show according to the maker, what can be done by applying a little extra style – in the case of the Corsavan and Astravan by using extra specification already available through Vauxhall retailers.
The Corsavan Black Edition Concept will garner a lot of interest as it is based on the Sportive 1.3CDTi (90PS) model and adds extra specification in the form of 17-inch Sports Star alloy wheels. The van is also equipped with front, side and rear spoilers and a unique chequered livery on the bonnet, roof and tailgate while on the inside it has Recaro part-leather sports seats.
The Astravan Black Edition Concept is based on the Sportive SE 1.9 CDTi (150PS). It comes with 18-inch Sports Star alloy wheels, a twin pipe rear exhaust, sports steering wheel, leather Recaro seats and a similar chequered livery.
Finally the Vivaro Double Cab Black Edition Concept has a unique front bumper plus side and rear spoilers, 17-inch alloys, twin split-pipe rear exhausts, stainless steel front fog light surrounds and a full leather interior, along with the distinctive chequered livery of its siblings.
For contract leasing offers on the latest Vauxhall vans always check www.contracthireandleasing.com for the most competitive deals.
Simon McBride
