All the latest news concerning ContractHireAndLeasing.com and the contract hire and leasing industry.
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
Honda have just launched a big online campaign on the biggest fleet website in the uk www.FleetDirectory.co.uk. Honda are attempting to break into the lucrative fleet sector by emphasising the benefits of running the new Honda Accord in large and small fleets. The FleetDirectory.co.uk is predominately aimed at decision makers within the fleet management arena. Honda have previously run highly successful campaigns on this website. To view car leasing prices on the new Honda Accord click on the link below:
Mercedes Benz are just about to launch a large online campaign on the industries leading retail van website www.TheVanWebsite.co.uk. Mercedes are targeting the Sole Trader, large and small fleet decision makers in an effort to drive up sales of their Vito Van range.
Contract Hire And Leasing Broker Multi Marques have just unveiled probably the best deal so far on the new Audi A4 Saloon. The deal for Business users is a 12 month contract for just £299 per month for the 2.0 Tdi Se model! Check out the deal on www.ContractHireAndLeasing.com today!
A new online service which aims to advise motorists on where they stand legally on various motoring prosecutions has been launched. Without a licence, the impact on an individual’s independence, social life, earning potential and even job security could be at risk.
Driving-Law.co.uk advises motorists whether they have a case to challenge the courts free of charge before suggesting legal representation from a specialist legal team.
With police speed traps and 6,000 increasingly sophisticated speed cameras across the country one in five drivers has already received a speeding conviction. A recent Home Office report shows the increase in speeding offences detected by cameras increased by nearly 400% over the five year period 1999 to 2004. Without expert advice the likelihood of an individual challenging such a prosecution is slim, so the points can pile up and a driving ban could follow. Motorists can also be affected by a whole host of other prosecutions for offences such as using a mobile phone whilst driving or not wearing a seatbelt.
Alex Cooke CEO of Driving-Law.co.uk says, “For the vast majority of the public, the only time they are likely to come into contact with the criminal justice system is as a result of a motoring offence. Of course we accept that a motoring offence whether it involves speeding or drink driving is both illegal and puts the lives of others in danger. To be honest, it shocks me every year to see that motoring convictions are consistently rising. Whilst we do not condone any kind of motoring offence, we do appreciate that everyone has a right to fair legal representation and frank advice.”
“With an increasing number of people receiving convictions there’s a growing need for both education and legal advice. In any other criminal circumstance a person would seek legal advice, so why shouldn’t the same rule apply for driving prosecutions? Such prosecutions can be a legal minefield creating much confusion and anxiety.”
Driving-Law.co.uk can advise drivers as to whether a driving conviction can be challenged and for more serious offences arrange specialist legal representation at a fixed and affordable cost. Advice is delivered over the telephone with written follow-ups and there is no need to take time out to make an appointment at a traditional high street law firm.
The court is required to disqualify drivers with 12 points (or six points if the driver has held their licence for less than two years) on their licence unless ‘exceptional hardship’ applies (as contained in the 1988 Road Traffic Offenders Act). Under this act courts may be persuaded by a lawyer to consider all of the circumstances of a case for disqualification and evaluate the serious repercussions to an individual’s life should a driving ban be enforced. Every order for disqualification entails hardship for the person disqualified and it is for the courts to interpret this phrase.
