Sinclair Finance & Leasing

Company Car Drivers Hit in 2009 Budget

Changes announced in the 2009 Budget on the banding of company car tax could mean a cost of up to £85 million a year for company car drivers.

This change has been justified under the 'Green banner' irrelevant of the increase in revenue - The Chancellor announced the changes are designed to encourage drivers to transfer to lower emitting cars, however this move has been decribed as a 'stealth tax' on company drivers

Company Car Choice Lists - Time for Change?

With businesses struggling to keep afloat, the last thing they need is increasing fleet costs due to increases in contract hire and funding.  Therefore businesses will have to rethink their company car choice lists if they are to avoid paying more for their vehicles

As a result of rethinking the vehicle choices to be made available, downsizing or downgrading may just be the option selected but communicating to all company car drivers is vital to avoid decreasing levels of staff retention. 

Some may argue though that employees are more concerned in this poor climate about job prospects rather than car choice, so maybe this is the ideal time for Fleet Managers to take a more pragmatic view - looking at introducing car choice lists that cut costs and reduce the carbon footprint at the same time, thus creating financial and environmental benefits!

Kwik-Fit mobile solution

  Kwik-Fit Mobile has equipped its 230-vehicle tyre fitting fleet with a mobile technology solution developed with MMCC Consultants, B2M Solutions and Ryzex.

Government launches new CO2 comparison tool

The Department for Transport (DfT) has today improved the Act on CO2 website - http://www.direct.gov.uk/actonco2 - to provide a car search tool that can be used to compare CO2 emissions and annual running costs on all current editions of each make and model.

Transport minister Andrew Adonis said: "I hope this will encourage individuals and businesses to look for an economical car whilst supporting the industry and stimulating widespread environmental change."

Sinclair Finance & Leasing Sponsor Welsh Gymnastics

As shown in Team GB in Beijing, Welsh athletes can achieve remarkable results with just a little help from sponsors and partners who support them in their quest for the glory.  To show our support we have provided a fully branded Seat Alhambra - the Welsh squad can rest assure that their equipment and gymnasts can be transported to training sessions and competitions in style....

Drivers comply with smoking rules

A government study has found that almost all business drivers and their employers are complying with laws banning smoking ban in vehicles.

A report for Smokefree England found almost total compliance was across vehicles and the workplace - although a self-employed man was found "dumbfounded" by the penalty after being recently fined for smoking in his van.

Fraud rises as fuel prices increase

Rising fuel prices are leading to an increase in company vehicle drivers attempting to defraud their employers.

“Fuel fraud on fleets usually rises when petrol and diesel pump prices rise rapidly,” said Neville Briggs, managing director of CFC Solutions.

“Judged solely on what we are hearing from fleets, it could be quite widespread right now.”

Company drivers cut business mileage

Fewer company car users are getting behind the wheel for work resulting in a drop in annual mileages and fuel costs.

Fleet managers said factors, especially the rising cost of fuel, appalling levels of congestion and better communications technology, were all leading to a decrease in company car mileage.

As a result of this some fleet managers are returning to their lease provider to lower annual mileage allowances and renegotiate contracts.

Telematics slow to be adopted

Concerns of overselling, technology issues and financial viability have been reported to be the concerns that have led to Fleet managers and company car drivers avoiding vehicle tracking fitments to company cars.

Even duty of care issues have failed to stir interest - only around one in seven companies that run company vehicles use some form of tracking.  However within utility firms, 90% use vehicle tracking systems, which indicates the increased need to allocate resources, improve time management and keep track of assets in these such industries.

Risk in Fleet 2008

The Risk in Fleet conference in to be held on the 22nd April 2008, at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.

The event is an opportunity for fleet operators to attend to gain advice on financial and corporate risk.  There will be an expert briefing on the new Corporate Manslaughter Act and detailed financial briefing for fleets to help tham plan for the next year.