All articles by Girish Gupta
Girish Gupta
New car regs fall in August
New car registrations fell 17.5% in August compared to the same period in 2009, ahead of the ’60’ plate change and following the end of the government’s scrappage scheme which incentivised the buying of new cars.
Pinewood upgrades DMS software
Software provider Pinewood has updated its dealer to manufacturer software (DMS) integrations for Jaguar, Land Rover, BMW, Volkswagen and Volvo franchises.The upgrades are aimed at increasing customer service levels, dealer productivity and profitability by increasing communication between its Pinnacle DMS software and each manufacturers own systems.Neville Briggs, managing director of Pinewood, said: Effective integration is essential to modern dealer management software
Magnet sticks with Leasedrive Velo
Kitchen retailer Magnet has renewed its 650-vehicle contract hire deal with Leasedrive Velo for a further four years, covering both company cars and vans. Roddy Graham, commercial director at the Leasedrive Velo Group said: We are delighted that Magnet has renewed its agreement with us for a further four years, a sure testament to the confidence it has in our customer service delivery
Car pools hit by rise of car clubs
Car clubs have taken a bite out of traditional company car pool business as they continue to expand into the corporate market. City Club Car, for example, has 30% corporate users across the country, rising to 64% in Southampton, where its corporate penetration ishighest. James Finlayson, managing director of the company, which formed in 2000, said: “Business is a large area where we are seeing growth at the moment.
Leasedrive Velo provides Mencap fleet
Leasedrive Velo has won a four-year fleet management contract with Mencap, the learning disability charity The deal covers the buying, selling, maintenance and accident management of 250 vehicles, plus short-term vehicle rental. Roddy Graham, commercial director of Leasedrive Velo, said: “Mencap is the latest addition to our fund-raising sector client portfolio following an extensive tender process
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Online sales get vote of confidence from consumers
Simulcast, the live online auction broadcast from Manheim Remarketing, has sold £130m of vehicles since the start of 2010, with price tags ranging from £1,000 to £165,000
ING Car Lease picks Auto Windscreens
The national glazing company will deliver repair and replacement services to ING Car Leases 50,000 vehicle fleet through its fitting centres and mobile fleet. Alan Lilley, ING Car Lease head of technical services, said: “Our customers expect value for money and a first class service
HMRC eyes salary sacrifice schemes
Salary sacrifice scheme providers fear that an unfavourable ruling by the European Court of Justice on VAT for retail vouchers could affect company car schemes. Salary sacrifice schemes have grown in popularity as employers seek to boost staff morale in a cost-effective way The ruling in the AstraZeneca case forbade the company to claim back VAT on retail vouchers issued to employees.
Registrations continue to rise, but 2010 still a challenge
New car registrations for fleet reached 600,000 during the first half of 2010, up by 14.8% on last year Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which published the figures, said: “A stronger than expected first half means full-year volumes are still forecast to exceed 2009s total
VRA membership growing
The Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) has signed up its 35th member five months after launch The latest signing pushes the number of vehicles handled by the organisation to more than 1.5m a year.