Editor’s Blog

Manheim DeFleet Services has launched an innovative vehicle inspection and damage collection service to improve the recovery of end-of-contract damage and excess mileage liability costs from drivers.

As the government announces its proposals to tackle the issue of young drivers, a national survey commissioned by Autoglass® reveals:

Despite the economic and business uncertainty, Frontline Solutions (UK) Ltd, a leading supplier of software, consultancy and training for the motor industry, is rapidly expanding and acquiring new broker clients.

ATS Euromaster, the largest comprehensive tyre service provider within the UK, has signed a European-wide contract that will see Bond Talent – online recruitment & talent management software – from stock market-listed Bond International Software implemented throughout ten countries.

Using a hand-held phone whilst driving became illegal in 2003 but new figures announced by the Ministry of Justice show that more people than ever are being fined for talking on a mobile phone whilst driving. Information released this week shows that Police in England and Wales issued 164,900 fixed penalty notices in 2006 - up 38,100 on the previous year.

Men would most like to be stuck in a traffic jam with Kelly Brook and women would most like a good giggle with Peter Kay this Bank Holiday according to a survey by Swinton, the UK's leading high street car insurance retailer.

With April car sales looking set to remain at 2007 levels, carmakers and dealers are unclear where the market will head as the UK economy continues to tighten. Official SMMT figures are due to be published this week but it is understood that April 2007 sales of around 170,000 units will be matched or slightly exceeded. An SMMT spokesman said his organisation had been “surprised” by how the market was holding up. “We’ve not seen the drop off you might expect,” he said. One industry watcher said economic uncertainty was making it difficult to predict sales for the rest of this quarter. “A lot of people are waiting to see what’s going to happen with the banks. There isn’t a consistent picture,” said one source, adding that the sector was unclear how healthy the market would be “in two or three months.” He said that dealers had noticed a fall in showroom footfall “but the people going in are looking to buy.” He suggested that vehicle makers which had used discounting to sell cars when the economy was perceived to be stronger could find their profitability squeezed still further, as buyers demanded deeper price reductions. As economic conditions have worsened, car makers have also been accused of getting round rules to prevent pre-registering new vehicles to boost volumes.

Leading UK trailer rental company TIP Trailer Services has announced the launch of an innovative new range of VeriWise™ solutions, which will be commercially available from April 2008.

Visiting VIPs and celebrities will enjoy chauffeur-driven transport during the Swansea Life Film Festival, courtesy of local Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealer LHT Garages.

Device helps TV Police Trace Stolen Mercedes Sky One's new series, the successful Road Wars, highlighted the effectiveness of TRACKER, the stolen vehicle recovery system used by the Police.