Fantastic news for the Motorcycle industry as Audi moves from four wheels to two by purchasing Ducati. Audi now owns three Italian brands; Lamborghini, Ducati & Italdesign.

The main reasons for Volkswagen group moving towards the purchase of Ducati is the technology used, engine development, progressive control systems and the special combustion chamber process used in Ducati engines, which gives all Ducati engines their amazing sound.

Ducati’s manufacturing operations are in Bologna HQ and Thailand. Audi says  that experts predict that the motorcycle market will enjoy strong growth over coming years, especially in Asia. In 2011, Ducati sold around 42,000 motorcycles and generated revenue of some €480 million, employing circa 1,100 people.

This year’s Budget was presented by the Chancellor as a Budget to reward work, with the objective of having a tax system
that would be competitive for business, and encourages fuel efficient fleets.

There are a number of changes which have been announced in the Budget including:

• From April 2013, the 160g/km threshold for the main rate of capital allowances for business cars will reduce to
  130g/km.
• From April 2013, the 100%
  First Year Allowance (FYA) for businesses purchasing low emission cars is extended to 31 March 2015. However, the
  threshold eligible will be reduced from 110g/km to 95g/km.
• 2% reduction in corporation tax from 1 April 2012, followed by a 1% reduction for the following two years taking it to 22% by April 2014.
• From April 2015, the five yearexemption for zero carbon emission vehicles will come to an end.
• Tax rates for cars with emissions over 75g/km will increase by 2% in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
• Abolishing the 3% diesel supplement by 2016.
• Five year notice of future company car tax rates.
• There is continued commitment by the government to encourage a reduction in the levels of CO² emissions.
  However by 2015, the incentive to select the lowest emitting cars is removed.

 Other Changes;

From 1 April 2012 the main rate of corporation tax will reduce by 2% from 26% to 24%. There will be a further 1% reduction
for another two years, taking the rate to 22% on 1 April 2014. The small companies’ rate of corporation tax will remain at 20% from 1 April 2012.

As previously announced, from 1 April 2012 the rate for Writing Down Allowances (WDAs) for cars purchased for business purposes will decrease from 20% to 18% where CO² emissions are between 111g/km and 160g/km and from 10% to 8%
where CO² emissions are above 160g/km. WDAs will remain at 100% where CO² emissions are 110g/km or less.

From April 2013, the Government will extend the 100% First Year Allowance (FYA) for businesses purchasing low emission
cars for a further two years to 31 March 2015.

However, the carbon dioxide emissions threshold below which cars are eligible for the FYA will also be reduced from
110g/km to 95g/km, and leased business cars will no longer be eligible for the FYA.

From April 2013, the carbon dioxide emissions threshold for the main rate of capital allowances for business cars
will reduce from 160g/km to 130g/km. Consequently, from 1 April 2013, new cars will qualify for capital allowances at
only 8% if their emissions exceed 130g/km.

The threshold above which the lease rental restriction applies will also reduce from 160g/km to 130g/km. 


Changes to company car tax;

Company car tax rates from 2014/15 will see the appropriate percentage of list price subject to tax increase by 1% for cars
emitting more than 75g/km of carbon dioxide, to a maximum of 35%, and by 2%, to a maximum of 37% in both 2015/16
and 2016/17.

From April 2015, the five year exemption for zero carbon emission vehicles will come to an end, as legislated in
Finance Act 2010.

The appropriate percentage for zero emission and low carbon vehicles will be 13% from April 2015 and will increase by 2%
in 2016/17.

From April 2016, the Government will remove the 3% diesel supplement differential so that diesel cars will be subject to
the same level of tax as petrol cars.

As previously announced, the QUALEC car category will be abolished from 6 April 2012, meaning that a graduated
increase in Benefit In Kind (BIK) will apply for company cars less than 121g/km CO². This change affects existing cars on
fleet as well as new deliveries.

From July the French Government are making it compulsory for drivers to carry a breathalyser kit to add to the list of equipment you need to carry with you this summer. To date all drivers in France were asked to carry warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest with them at all times as a legal requirement.

Drivers caught without a kit will be fined 11 euro's, £9.00 at today’s rate however there is going to be a period of grace before the French Police start to issue penalties for failure to comply. From November this will be enforced.

All motorists are being advised to carry at least two breathalysers per vehicle, single use kits will be sold at the ferry terminals travelling to France costing circa £2.00.

The police will carry their own breathalysers to carry out any roadside test, the Police are expected to carry out random checks on drivers crossing into France. This is to ensure that drivers are made aware of the latest drink driving rules and regulations.

The French drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, this is much lower than the UK where the limit is 80mg.

Motorists found driving with between 50mg and 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood can be fined 135 Euros, £112 at today’s rate and lose six out of the 12 points on their driving licence. Anyone driving above that could be fined 4,500 Euros, £ 3,744 at today’s rate, lose their licence and be sent to prison for up to two years.

So for all motorists planning to drive in France, please ensure that you purchase a couple of breathalyser kits prior to your journey.

The UK Fuel Prices are to hit all time high, Analysts predict £7.50 a gallon within weeks. To add to this the Government has planned a 14p per gallon rise in diesel and petrol tax in August.
THE UK NEEDS TO ACT NOW!

The Daily Express Articles / Events as the nation fights to stop fuel price increases
http://www.express.co.uk/web/petroltaxcrusade << Today's article

http://www.fairfueluk.com/quentins_blog.php?entry_id=1328783611&title=daily-express-backs-national-fairfuel-day-march-7th
http://www.fairfueluk.com/quentins_blog.php?entry_id=1329906567


The Suns Articles / Events as the Sun newspaper launches its own fuel campaign to stop fuel price increases.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/4145027/Massive-protest-march-to-cut-pump-duty.html << Today's article

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/3367048/Transport-Secretary-Philip-Hammond-boosts-The-Suns-fuel-campaign.html
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/3351237/Join-The-Suns-campaign-to-freeze-duty-on-petrol.html

Both today’s Sun and Daily Express news papers highlight the fact ALL British citizens need to join Fairfuels Mass Lobby in a march on parliament on the 7th March. They need everyone to come to join their mass lobby of Parliament and understand that it's not easy to make the journey or get time off work But this is a time of crisis. And unless we show our MPs and Ministers the strength of feeling on this issue there will be no cut in duty, just that extra rise in August.

Fairfuel needs every motorist who is suffering to join them.  Additionally, please come along or send a delegation to this unique mass lobby day if:

• You are a business that runs cars, vans, taxis or lorries
• You are a charity or voluntary group that relies on affordable transport

Last year, with your help, fairfuel fought off a 9p per litre in additional taxes.  If everyone works together with Fairfuel we can persuade the Government to change direction and persuade them that a cut in fuel duty will increase jobs, stimulate growth and generate extra tax revenue.  Show the country that its in the Governments own interest to cut fuel taxes as even they will be better off!

Please join the Mass Lobby planned 7^th March 2012. 

Full details are at www.fairfueluk.com but all you need to do is turn up at the Old Palace Yard ‘opposite Parliament)’ at 1pm on Wednesday 7th March. 
The lobby lasts from 1pm to 4pm but there is no need to stay for the duration as long as we have the numbers needed in the first instance

All the Fairfuel team will be there to help and happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Ford have launched a New Ford Mondeo Zetec Business Edition model, it includes the likes of Satellite Navigation with USB & Bluetooth, 17” Multispoke alloys, LED Daytime Running Lights, Electric Folding Power Mirrors, Front & Rear Park Sensors and Privacy Glass all from £ 17,795 OTR. The 1.6 TDCi model emits just 114g/km, 2.0TDCi emits 139g/km & 2.0TDCi Powershift Automatic emits 149g/km CO2 Emissions.

For Car Leasing and Contract Hire Offers on the New Ford Mondeo Zetec Business Edition click here.

Last weekend Ford won the Swedish Rally in the WRC. This has come as no major surpise as in the last 7 Years Ford have won the Swedish rally 6 times.

M-Sport have now recorded there 50th Victory in WRC in the 60th Swedish Rally. As it is 5 Years since Ford have won the WRC Manufacturers Trophy they are hungry again to regain there crown.

You too can own a Ford Focus RS, for car leasing offers on the Ford Focus follow this link. Ford Focus Contract Hire & Leasing Offers


The Fiesta RS WRC, as seen on Ford's Frankfurt Motor Show stand in 2011, is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine, and based on the same advanced EcoBoost technology that powers Ford production cars.

The new 2011 Fiesta RS World Rally Car, which Ford's official team competes with in the FIA World Rally Championship. This 4WD challenger is driven in the WRC by Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala and was developed by M-Sport, the Blue Oval's long-term British-based partner, with a large amount of support from Ford of Europe.

Lease your own Ford Fiesta Zetec S Click here for Contract Hire Quotes; Ford Fiesta Contract Hire & Leasing Offers

First Hyundai introduce longer warranty periods accompanied by Roadside assistance for the term and now the purchase and leasing prices keep getting better and better;

The New Hyundai i10 5dr Hatch starting from just £ ,6995 OTR saving all customers £ 1,350 on this model and includes the likes of Air-con, Electric Front Windows, Central Locking, USB / AUX Connections and more...

**For Car Leasing and Contract Hire offers on the Hyundai i10 click here**



The New Hyundai i20 Hatch starting from £ 8,295 OTR saving all customers £ 1,600 on this model and includes the likes of Air-con, Electric Stability, Stereo RDS CD Player with MP3 compatibility and more...

**For Car Leasing and Contract Hire offers on the Hyundai i20 click here**



The New Hyundai i30 Hatch from £ 10,695 OTR saving all customers £ 3,085 on this model and includes the likes of Air-con, Electric Windows, Electric Stability, USB / AUX connections, Stereo RDS CD Player with MP3 and more...

**For Car Leasing and Contract Hire offers on the Hyundai i30 click here**


Out now with Hyundai,


The New Hyundai Veloster, a 1 + 2 door concept that proves to be both an athletic coupe and spacious hatchback.

**For Car Leasing and Contract Hire offers on the Hyundai Veloster click here**


The New Hyundai i40 Tourer, an estate that not only proves to be spacious and stylish but efficient too.


**For Car Leasing and Contract Hire offers on the Hyundai i40 Saloon or Tourer click here**

The New Hyundai iX20, a clever compact car that proves to be curvy, spacious and practical.

**For Car Leasing and Contract Hire offers on the Hyundai iX20 click here**



Due out soon,

The New gerneration Hyundai i30 Hatch, available from spring 2012. To see updates on this model click here.

Pictures shown for illustration purposes only.

FORD’S ALL-NEW B-MAX TO MAKE LANDMARK DEBUT

• The all-new Ford B-MAX will be unveiled Feb. 27 by Ford Motor Company, for the first time at the mobile industry’s influential Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
• Ford will announce new technologies that will debut on the B-MAX, making it among the most technologically advanced small cars on the market. 
• Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company,will also deliver a keynote speech at the conference discussing the company’s vision for future mobility and the growing connection between automobiles and mobile technology
• At the Geneva Motor Show on 6 March, Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will introduce the B-MAX to the automotive world

B-MAX will be one of the continent’s most technologically advanced small cars. Ford is the first manufacturer ever to unveil a car at the leading mobile industry event and will announce significant new technologies for Europe.

Bill Ford also will become the first automotive leader to speak at MWC when he discusses the company’s vision for mobility in the future and explores the potential for mobile technology and vehicles to play more integrated roles.

“Revealing the B-MAX at Mobile World Congress underlines how important technology is to customers and to Ford,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “B-MAX will raise the bar for small vehicles in Europe, combining technology and premium engineering into a compact frame.”

B-MAX will be powered by an engine range including a new 1.0-litre 120PS EcoBoost petrol engine and a 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine. It will bring a unique Easy Access Door System with central body pillars integrated into the sliding rear doors to provide easy access for passengers and luggage alike.

You can see journalists reviews on the Ford B-Max here... Ford B-Max Review

Royal Bank of Scotland announces that in an agreement with ALD Automotive it is winding down its Contract Hire and Car Leasing operation, 'Lombard Vehicle Management Ltd' as this side of the Business has been deemed unsalable and a lost cause as for many years now RBS has been looking for a buyer, last year believed to be GE with an offer to buy the 58,000 Business Cars and Vans however this never came to fruition.

Lombard Vehicle Management Ltd, deemed unsalable has arranged an agreement with ALD Automotive to offer a ‘White Label’ service while the cars and commercials currently on lease contracts run out. This will start around June or July of this year.

A RBS spokesperson said: "We are announcing that we will be commencing an orderly wind-down and exit of our current leasing and contract hire operation Lombard Vehicle Management who will not be taking on new customers."

 “and added having to cut jobs is the most difficult part of our work to rebuild RBS. The decision to close Lombard Vehicle Management was a difficult one but is a necessary step in our plan to de-risk and re-focus RBS, making the bank safer and stronger. And we will do all we can to support our staff, offer redeployment opportunities wherever possible, and keep compulsory redundancies to an absolute minimum.”

ALD Automotive already have experience handling ‘White Label’ car leasing schemes currently dealing with Car Manufacturers likes of Hyundai and Kia to name a couple.

Current Lombard Vehicle Management customers are not to worry as you can apply for Car Leasing, Contract Hire and Fleet Management Services through Next Vehicles. As a company Next Vehicles Group* are here to help you manage any future car or van leasing and contract hire requirements that you may have, and are in a position to advise regarding the return of your current vehicles.

*Next Vehicles specialise in Company Fleet Management and Personal Contracts (Personal Contract Hire & Personal Contract Purchase) schemes, you may contact us using the following link; CONTACT NEXT VEHICLES / CAR LEASING

To all customers with contracts via Lombard Vehicle Management, should you have any questions you may call them direct on: 0780 330 0330 .

UK National Fair Fuel Day, March in the house of commons on 7th Match 2012

Fair Fuel want everyone to join them and "Mass Lobby" your MPs at Westminster to help us to convince Government to cut Fuel Duty and help our economy grow!

Last year we saw rises in Fuel costs fixed saving rises of 9pence per litre, however fuel still remains far too expensive with Diesel at almost record levels. You can see you local fuel costs on-line.

FairFuel are holding a mass lobby of Parliament during the afternoon of Wednesday March 7th. 
As a citizen, you have the right to enter Parliament and ask to see your MP as this right is centuries old. 
When a large number of people agree to do this on the same day about the same issue is known as a ‘mass lobby’

Fairfuel understand that it’s probably not every day that someone suggests such a thing to you, however, as a joined force all attending push for a cut in fuel duty by the Government. It may be that you could get a group from your company to come along too.

Even if you’d never normally come to an event like this, please consider coming and supporting this important event. 
It really will make a difference.