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THE REVIEW<br />
O N T H E G R O U N D<br />
AVIS UPDATE<br />
Geared up for changing<br />
customer demands<br />
Research warns of<br />
‘grey fleet’ dangers<br />
INCREASING use of ‘cash for<br />
cars’ schemes are potentially<br />
creating a duty of care<br />
nightmare for businesses,<br />
according to a new study<br />
from Europcar.<br />
Changes in Benefit in Kind<br />
tax rules means many<br />
employers now give staff<br />
money to run their own<br />
vehicles for work, yet these<br />
so-called 'grey fleets' present<br />
a legal headache unless they<br />
are properly maintained,<br />
taxed and insured. Europcar<br />
research suggests one-third<br />
of businesses now utilise<br />
grey fleets, yet many do not<br />
[ ON TRACK ]<br />
have systems to monitor if<br />
the vehicles are safe.<br />
<strong>The</strong> average grey fleet<br />
vehicle is older and more<br />
polluting than a company<br />
car, and is also more prone<br />
to breakdowns.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> high usage of grey<br />
fleet vehicles underlines the<br />
importance of monitoring<br />
employee travel,” says Gary<br />
Smith, Managing Director,<br />
Europcar Mobility Group UK.<br />
“Worryingly, nearly one in<br />
five said they don’t monitor<br />
employee travel at all. Only<br />
45% of businesses monitor<br />
fuel expenses.”<br />
>> VIRGIN HYPERLOOP ONE will conduct a study with Saudi<br />
Arabia’s Economic City Authority (ECA) about building a 35km test<br />
track – the longest to date. Hyperloop could cut the journey time<br />
between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi from 8.5 hours to 48 minutes >><br />
Rail booking platform LOCO2 will be rebranded RAIL EUROPE<br />
from <strong>Nov</strong>ember 6, giving it a consistent name in the UK, Germany,<br />
Spain and Italy >> All-electric cab operator SHERBET LONDON<br />
TAXIS has invested £7million in adding 125 vehicles to its fleet.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’s been a real shift in<br />
consumer behaviour in recent<br />
years, with a noticeable change<br />
in attitudes towards vehicle<br />
ownership. This trend is<br />
reflected in corporate travel,<br />
where businesses are seeing the<br />
benefits of corporate car hire.<br />
Corporate car hire offers<br />
businesses increased flexibility,<br />
particularly with shorter or<br />
medium-term rental options<br />
that don’t tie customers in to<br />
lengthy contracts.<br />
It means that employees are<br />
renting vehicles that are newer<br />
and more efficient – a real<br />
positive considering Britain’s<br />
grey fleet (employees’ own<br />
vehicles used for business) is<br />
responsible for some of the<br />
oldest cars on UK roads,<br />
whereas rental cars are on<br />
average less than a year old.<br />
Louisa Bell<br />
General Manager, UK,<br />
Avis Budget Group<br />
Not only does corporate hire<br />
benefit businesses by providing<br />
better vehicles, but it also helps<br />
the environment, with rental<br />
cars emitting 26% less CO2 than<br />
the average car on the street.<br />
As our customers’ mobility<br />
requirements continue to<br />
evolve, so do we. We have<br />
developed our services to suit a<br />
range of needs and this includes<br />
our recently updated Avis App,<br />
which lets users manage their<br />
own rental experience from<br />
start to finish.<br />
More than just being a<br />
booking system, Avis Preferred<br />
members can also benefit from<br />
self-serve functionality, allowing<br />
them to select their exact<br />
vehicle model and, in some<br />
stations, bypass the rental desk<br />
altogether and get straight on<br />
the road.<br />
THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM<br />
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