Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Are Apps useful in lease cars and company cars
Very soon, most mobiles will be smart phones, capable of running Apps, whether they are Android or Apple. Some Apps are really useful others of course are more of a toy.
Forgetting the obvious racing games and car stealing games, some Apps can be really useful.
Some of the most popular are parking Apps and vary from the
AA backed Parkopedia to Free Apple ones such as Share Free Parking, Car parking UK . It seems from blogs on line that the parking Apps are very city based and I suppose that its not really surprising as that is usually where the highest concentration of car parks are.
AA backed Parkopedia to Free Apple ones such as Share Free Parking, Car parking UK . It seems from blogs on line that the parking Apps are very city based and I suppose that its not really surprising as that is usually where the highest concentration of car parks are.
In so much as an ear piece or Bluetooth kit makes a mobile legal in a car, texting is of course illegal.
A number of Apps are available, such as SMS, My Car and Me, that turn a text into a voice message. Apple have equivalents such as Text’n Drive, which is available free. Apps are already available for theory tests and driving tests, but some are actually useful to company car drivers that are after all doing the most miles and using the most fuel. iTunes has an App that covers thousands of petrol stations all over the UK and then reports the cheapest prices in a twenty mile radius.
A number of Apps are available, such as SMS, My Car and Me, that turn a text into a voice message. Apple have equivalents such as Text’n Drive, which is available free. Apps are already available for theory tests and driving tests, but some are actually useful to company car drivers that are after all doing the most miles and using the most fuel. iTunes has an App that covers thousands of petrol stations all over the UK and then reports the cheapest prices in a twenty mile radius.
Other, equally useful Apps 
let you view traffic cameras, find and book a hotel, check traffic conditions and recently, the Radio Player App was added to itunes.
let you view traffic cameras, find and book a hotel, check traffic conditions and recently, the Radio Player App was added to itunes.
Most of these Apps will be some use to lease car drivers, as phones advance, then they will run ever more.
Lex Autolease have an App that can manage your services and history, for the administration of your company cars, you can get an app to work out company car tax. For those who have to record their mileage, Company Mileage logger lays out an easy to use recorder
The only question is, what is next?
It’s not just about the size of your boot
Many of the lease cars that leasing companies supply are estate cars. But they are not all the same, boring, rep-mobile built for mile crunching runs up and down the country from Manchester to London then to Liverpool, oh you get the picture.
As cars have evolved, engineers have reduced the amount of space that rear suspension takes out of your boot. This means that some medium sized estates now have the boot space of some older large estates.
Boot space is measured in litres and of course is the total volume, which is not necessarily usable But, if you think of a large suitcase as 100 litres and a set of golf clubs as 100 litres, you can perhaps more relate to the volume.
The 3 Series BMW at £252 per month, has 495 litres on offer before you fold the rear seats, this grows to 1500 litres,
enough for a dozen suitcases. It is in our opinion, and the business car users, the best company car available right now.
Out soon is the Volvo V60 plug-in Hybrid. You know by now that we love our eco-cars and this is no exception. All we know is that it is a diesel and electric motor so expect great economy figures and some really good benefit in kind figures. The boot is a bit smaller than that of the BMW,
Next up, two absolute barnstormers: The Jaguar XF Sportbrake
,from £371 per month, weighing in with a meaty 1700 litres of boot space and the Mazda 6 Estate at 1680 litres.
There is obviously more to choosing your next lease car than its boot size, but these are some of the best. If you would like me to cover another area or type, let me know and I will get my info together.
As cars have evolved, engineers have reduced the amount of space that rear suspension takes out of your boot. This means that some medium sized estates now have the boot space of some older large estates.
Boot space is measured in litres and of course is the total volume, which is not necessarily usable But, if you think of a large suitcase as 100 litres and a set of golf clubs as 100 litres, you can perhaps more relate to the volume.
The 3 Series BMW at £252 per month, has 495 litres on offer before you fold the rear seats, this grows to 1500 litres,
enough for a dozen suitcases. It is in our opinion, and the business car users, the best company car available right now.Out soon is the Volvo V60 plug-in Hybrid. You know by now that we love our eco-cars and this is no exception. All we know is that it is a diesel and electric motor so expect great economy figures and some really good benefit in kind figures. The boot is a bit smaller than that of the BMW,
Next up, two absolute barnstormers: The Jaguar XF Sportbrake
,from £371 per month, weighing in with a meaty 1700 litres of boot space and the Mazda 6 Estate at 1680 litres.There is obviously more to choosing your next lease car than its boot size, but these are some of the best. If you would like me to cover another area or type, let me know and I will get my info together.
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Mercedes-Benz and the OFT Cross Paths
Commercial and van leasing companies, along with dealers and manufacturers have in no uncertain terms been given a very serious message by the Office of Fair trading.
Three Dealers, along with Mercedes Benz, have been fined £2.6 million by OFT .
Mercedes Benz and three of its dealers have agreed to pay the total of £2.6 million in fines after an investigation that has taken 10 months. A fourth dealer that came forward about the isssue, will avoid fines.
It appears that the dealers, along with Mercedes Benz, agreed to stick to pricing structures with fix discount levels and also allocated areas of responsibilty in several areas of the UK, including the North West. Although not all of the dealers were involved in all of the infringements, the element of cross over between them has led to the OFT investigating the whole as one.
One of the OFT senior directors and head of cartels said “The OFT will always take firm action against colluding companies to deny customers the benefit of fair competition.”
In essence, dealers are not allowed to fix prices or services in order to maintain profit levels. At any moment in time, there should be no collusion between separate businesses.
Mercedes Benz UK has been fined £1,492,646. The three dealers involved have been fined varying amounts. Car manufacturers, and car leasing companies (including CarLease UK) have to take note of this sort of behaviour. In no uncertain terms is it possible (or legitimate) to engage in price-fixing or price-controlling activities.
Three Dealers, along with Mercedes Benz, have been fined £2.6 million by OFT .
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe
It appears that the dealers, along with Mercedes Benz, agreed to stick to pricing structures with fix discount levels and also allocated areas of responsibilty in several areas of the UK, including the North West. Although not all of the dealers were involved in all of the infringements, the element of cross over between them has led to the OFT investigating the whole as one.
One of the OFT senior directors and head of cartels said “The OFT will always take firm action against colluding companies to deny customers the benefit of fair competition.”
In essence, dealers are not allowed to fix prices or services in order to maintain profit levels. At any moment in time, there should be no collusion between separate businesses.
Mercedes Benz UK has been fined £1,492,646. The three dealers involved have been fined varying amounts. Car manufacturers, and car leasing companies (including CarLease UK) have to take note of this sort of behaviour. In no uncertain terms is it possible (or legitimate) to engage in price-fixing or price-controlling activities.
The Mercedes-Benz ML
Carlease UK, the first choice car leasing company for Eco Cars, Hybrids and Benefit in Kind tax saving cars
One of the partners at Carlease UK is a greenie, with solar panels, too much insulation and jumpers. He even has chickens but no he does not have goats or a pig. Any way, as a result, we have always encouraged our customers to consider the benefits of going green in their choice of company car. Eco cars are not only more economical and so cheaper to run, but they also reduce CO2 emissions and will therefore attract less Benefit in Kind tax for your staff member.
From your company point of view, the car is cheaper to run because of reduce fuel cost, lower road fund licence costs. From your staff pint of view, think about reducing driving hours where possible to save fuel and ensure that all cars are serviced up to date, maybe consider a maintenance package. Staff with lower tax bills are normally happier staff. Real savings of 20 to 30% can be made on a drivers benefit in kind.
Some advanced technology will mean that a business with company cars will be able to claim Enhanced Capital Allowances, meaning a higher proportion of the cost of your lease vehicle will be written off against tax in year one. This enhanced level will start at 95 g/km from April of 2013, an emissions figure that was simply unattainable just five years ago has been driven by successive government tax incentives.
Going green saves money in London as well, were under 100 g/km emissions or Euro 5 emissions qualifies your car for 100% discount from the congestion charge scheme. Most Hybrids
are already qualifying for 100% discount with some very efficient diesels following in their track.
We offer a range of Eco Cars of course, but we work hard to provide a choice of economical cars within more sectors, such as medium family cars, small and even 4×4. If you, like us, are really serious about your green car, have a look at the Hybrid Honda and the Vauxhall Ampera (International Car of the year).
Customers
using the Ampera in real life situations have been returning over 150 mpg, its only a matter of time before this beauty is the car of choice in California.
From your company point of view, the car is cheaper to run because of reduce fuel cost, lower road fund licence costs. From your staff pint of view, think about reducing driving hours where possible to save fuel and ensure that all cars are serviced up to date, maybe consider a maintenance package. Staff with lower tax bills are normally happier staff. Real savings of 20 to 30% can be made on a drivers benefit in kind.
Some advanced technology will mean that a business with company cars will be able to claim Enhanced Capital Allowances, meaning a higher proportion of the cost of your lease vehicle will be written off against tax in year one. This enhanced level will start at 95 g/km from April of 2013, an emissions figure that was simply unattainable just five years ago has been driven by successive government tax incentives.
Going green saves money in London as well, were under 100 g/km emissions or Euro 5 emissions qualifies your car for 100% discount from the congestion charge scheme. Most Hybrids
are already qualifying for 100% discount with some very efficient diesels following in their track.We offer a range of Eco Cars of course, but we work hard to provide a choice of economical cars within more sectors, such as medium family cars, small and even 4×4. If you, like us, are really serious about your green car, have a look at the Hybrid Honda and the Vauxhall Ampera (International Car of the year).
Customers
using the Ampera in real life situations have been returning over 150 mpg, its only a matter of time before this beauty is the car of choice in California.
Thursday, 21 February 2013
US Tyre Giant Stepping on French Work Ethics
The USA appears again to be facing the wrath of the European Automotive industry. Already less than popular, after the closure of Ford’s Belgian production plant, comments from Maurice Taylor, CEO of the US tyre manufacturer Titan, seem to continue to ignite frustrations towards the US way of handling delicate situations.
Due to financial constraints and cutbacks, Ford had to undergo a closure of the production plant in Belgium, moving production elsewhere. Unhappy Belgian workers are continuing to challenge this decision, as production of the Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy are moved elsewhere. Talks between the workers, unions, Government and Ford are still ongoing.
Amidst this, Maurice Taylor seems to have caused added frustrations with the French contingen of Titan’s tyre production. According to reports at the BBC, Mr Taylor was unhappy with the working style of the French, in particular Mr Taylor contended that the workers received a disproportionate level of remuneration in comparison to the hours worked. France currently adopts of a 35-hour working week, which critics, like Mr Taylor, believe if affecting the economic development of the country.
In response to this, both workers and unions have been very critical of Mr Taylor’s response and communication between the parties seems to be ongoing as a conclusion to this matter is reached.
It is no secret that the automotive market in Europe is not at its best. Citroen Peugeot recently announced huge losses and with the contraction of the German economy, pressure continues to build. At CarLease UK we do hope that an adequate resolution can be reached and that no drastic measures are taken, as investment needs to continue in Europe to avoid any further stifling. The success of the automotive industry in Europe is clearly intertwined with our car leasing offering, so the team at CarLease UK do hope these continuing problems are rectified.
Maurice Taylor | CEO Titan Tyres | CarLease UK Blog
Amidst this, Maurice Taylor seems to have caused added frustrations with the French contingen of Titan’s tyre production. According to reports at the BBC, Mr Taylor was unhappy with the working style of the French, in particular Mr Taylor contended that the workers received a disproportionate level of remuneration in comparison to the hours worked. France currently adopts of a 35-hour working week, which critics, like Mr Taylor, believe if affecting the economic development of the country.
In response to this, both workers and unions have been very critical of Mr Taylor’s response and communication between the parties seems to be ongoing as a conclusion to this matter is reached.
It is no secret that the automotive market in Europe is not at its best. Citroen Peugeot recently announced huge losses and with the contraction of the German economy, pressure continues to build. At CarLease UK we do hope that an adequate resolution can be reached and that no drastic measures are taken, as investment needs to continue in Europe to avoid any further stifling. The success of the automotive industry in Europe is clearly intertwined with our car leasing offering, so the team at CarLease UK do hope these continuing problems are rectified.
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
The one remaining area for web-connectivity and as yet mostly untapped is the car
In 2003 it was made illegal to use your mobile whilst driving without the use of an ear piece or a proper Bluetooth connection to the car. As a result, the bulk of company cars leased have Bluetooth fitted, the demand for which has driven the price down and made it available even on a cheaper lease vehicle at a small cost.
Latest generation smart phones are as capable as laptops of just two years ago and already, car manufacturers are tapping in to the abilities of the iphone 5 and Samsung Galaxy by producing Apps that can optimize your fuel use, remind you of service and even start your car to defrost it whilst remaining locked. Additionally, the latest navigation systems are making use of the accelerometers built in to the phones, some of the most accurate and smallest on the market, to improve accuracy and estimate distances when signal is lost.
Using the processors on the phones, distance advice systems are faster and more accurate and the much reported self driving car is already relying heavily on a phone being plugged in to process info.
Proposals include for finding car parks with free spaces and a car sharing system in the US is already making use of good 3G connection to reduce emissions per passenger mile.
Web connection is clearly a must for all this to happen. Cross border European charges, currently under their third review, need to be aligned country to country before all of this can be put to good use on a grand scale.
With the processing comes the obvious accessibility to your music collection, but what if you could access Spotify on the go or download a similar song from iTunes? Local petrol stations are already posting their prices daily on line in theUS, enabling people to buy the cheapest fuel.
A system in Germany is close to launch that uses an app and WI Fi from the traffic lights to count down the lights to changing,
in reality this has lead to people approaching lights a little more slowly because they know when they will change in a few moments. This is really an offshoot of something developed by Audi to save fuel.
Right now, manufacturers and worried about the distraction of such technology. But it seems inevitable that it will come. An entire generation not yet driving will expect it be part of the whole car experience .
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