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Industry & Market News

Local businesses push for major transport changes

LOCAL businesses want a nationwide package of transport changes from the next government.</p><p>The prioritisation of 13 crucial transport projects over the life of the next Parliament - 12 regional and one national - would bring the UK economic benefits worth a massive L85 billion, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), which represents over 100,000 businesses.</p><p>These UK businesses have highlighted the key transport projects they believe are crucial to successfully growing regional economies. The projects include:</p><ul><li><strong>London - Crossrail:</strong> Cost: L15.9bn l Benefit: L36bn</li><li><strong>South East - M20 Operation Stack:</strong> Cost: L48m l Benefit: L75m</li><li><strong>South West - A303/A358 Improvement:</strong> Cost: L184m l Benefit: L1.1bn</li><li><strong>East of England - A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton Scheme:</strong> Cost: L765m l Benefit: L2bn</li><li><strong>East Mids - A453 widening (M1 J24 to A52 Nottingham): </strong>Cost: L98m l Benefit: L320m</li><li><strong>West Mids - Birmingham Motorway Box:</strong> Cost: L149m l Benefit: L399m</li><li><strong>Wales - M4 Relief Road:</strong> Cost: L478m l Benefit: L2.1bn</li><li><strong>Yorkshire and the Humber - East Coast Mainline:</strong> Cost: L606m l Benefit: L1.7bn</li><li><strong>North West - Manchester Hub:</strong> Cost: L937m l Benefit: L3.7bn</li><li><strong>North East - A19 junction upgrades:</strong> Cost: L171m l Benefit: L707m</li><li><strong>Scotland - Forth Replacement Bridge:</strong> Cost: L1.4bn l Benefit: L6bn</li><li><strong>Northern Ireland - M1/Westlink</strong>: Cost: L46m l Benefit: L201m</li><li><strong>National - 3rd Runway at Heathrow:</strong> Cost: L9bn l Benefit: L30.7bn</li></ul><p>The BCC said it recognised the pressure on the public finances, and the need for spending cuts to bring down the UK
Industry & Market News

Low-cost misfuelling insurance

THE COST of misfuelling is a bill totalling L30 million for drivers. Just because you accidentally put the wrong fuel in the car.</p><p>According to the AA, the number of the motorists who put the wrong type of fuel in their car in the UK has doubled over the last 10 years, and now affects an estimated 150,000 drivers. The cost to remove the fuel is around L200.</p><p>However, a new misfuelling insurance product from Complectus, which has been underwritten by AXA Assistance, removes the financial pain of accidentally using the wrong fuel pump.</p><p>The yearly cost is as low as L10 per car, and has been designed for sole traders with just one car, or businesses with fleets of up to 50 company cars or more.</p><p>"Our policy is to get rid of that gut-wrenching moment when you know you've done something really awful," explained Complectus managing director, Peter Powell. "The insurance is perfect for multiple user fleets when there can be confusion over the right fuel to put in the car."</p><p>Misfuelling most commonly occurs when unleaded fuel, with a smaller nozzle, is used to fill a diesel tank. Misfuelling, in most cases, is excluded from motor insurance policies and breakdown cover.</p><p>"On average, 150,000 drivers a year make the error of misfuelling. With modern engines running quieter, mixed fleets and with multi-car ownership, it's easy to see how in a momentary lapse of concentration this happens. We believe our policy covers the key issue of misfuelling at a very reasonable price," added Mr Powell.</p><p>The misfuelling insurance from Complectus covers draining and flushing the fuel tank on site using a specialist roadside vehicle, or recovery of the car and up to six passengers to the nearest repairer to drain and flush the tank. Cars are replenished with 10 litres of the correct fuel.</p><p>The cost for businesses with 1-10 cars is L12 per vehicle (or L30 for three years' cover). For companies with 11-50 cars the cost is L10 per car (or L25 for three years' cover). Those companies with fleets of over 50 cars can expect further discounts.</p><p><strong>Further information</strong></p><p>There's additional commentary on the issue of accidentally putting the incorrect fuel in your car in the Editor's Blog <a href="https://www.businessmotoring.co.uk/pages/blog.asp?id=451">The misery of misfuelling</a>.</p>
Industry & Market News

New Juke provides stylish MINI crossover rival

NOT everyone wants a MINI. Or a Fiat 500. But how about this?</p><p>A Nissan Juke.</p><p>OK, odd name, but then Nissan is doing it differently again.</p><p>After the innovative Qashqai model gave business buyers an alternative family hatchback with SUV style, now the Juke does the same for the supermini sector for those company car drivers wanting something more compact.</p><p>And it promises to rival some of the style icons like the MINI for driving fun, with engines ranging from a 1.5-litre diesel to a 190PS direct injection petrol turbo model with the choice of two- or four-wheel drive.</p><p>There's innovation on the outside with its SUV style looks, and innovation inside with a Nissan Dynamic Control System. This, says Nissan, is a central command and display module like that allows the driver to alter dynamic drive settings as well as easily control functions such as climate control.</p><p>In addition, the system adopts different displays, colours and functions depending on the mode selected by the driver.</p><p>Prices start from L12,795 for the 1.6 petrol Visia - more expensive than the MINI First (L11,160) and One (L12,620) and the L9260 Fiat 500 Pop, although substantially cheaper than MINI's crossover, the Countryman 1.6i One at L15,990.</p><p>However, apart from offering an innovative new shape, the entry-level Juke Visia comes equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, anti-skid ESP, six airbags, sports seats and air conditioning
Industry & Market News

ix20 puts on the style but not the cost

THE spacious new supermini alternative from Hyundai, the ix20, continues where Hyundai's last ix model - the ix35 - left off: providing stylish, good value and well-equipped business alternatives.</p><p>From November, the Hyundai ix20 will be available from L11,595 with the choice of 1.4 petrol and 1.6 petrol engines, and a 1.4 CRDi diesel.</p><p>All manual models are fitted with automatic engine stop-start to save fuel in heavy traffic. A 1.6 with automatic gearbox is also available.</p><ul><li><strong>1.4 petrol</strong> 50.4mpg, 130g/km CO2 emissions</li><li><strong>1.6 petrol</strong> 43.6mpg, 154g/km CO2 emissions</li><li><strong>1.4 diesel CRDi</strong> 65.7mpg, 114g/km CO2 emissions</li></ul><p>There are three trim grades on the new ix20: Classic, Active and Style.</p><p>Classic trim includes a height adjustable driver's seat, anti-skid ESP, air conditioning, six airbags, active head restraints, radio/CD audio system with six speakers, plus CD, MP3, RDS and USB-/AUX-/iPOD-input capabilities.</p><p>In addition to Classic, the mid-range Active
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Industry & Market News

Volkswagen Passat on small business roadshow

SMALL businesses can take the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the new VW Passat in a special nationwide tour presented by Volkswagen.</p><p>Specifically for SMEs, VW believes it will help small business owners and directors understand how the new Passat might fit into an SME business car or company car policy.</p><p>The new Passat is being shown to small businesses at business parks across the country starting today (January 24) in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. VW will then continue the tour over the next 50 days.</p><p>VW says it will have a hospitality unit, with complimentary refreshments, hosted by staff from local Volkswagen Retailers at each location. In addition, VW says there will be business specialists available to explain contract hire and finance packages, as well as providing information on company car tax and BiK implications.</p><p>The new Volkswagen Passat