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The start point for the best source of fleet information |
When in comes to modern motoring, I'd take Barbara over Margo any day, says the Insider
What's your definition of the motoring good life? Simplicity (the Felicity model) or opulence (the Penelope program)?
I ask as a fleet manager, not a car enthusiast or a fleet driver - do you prefer no-fuss, frippery-free models, or do you go with Ghia for a more contented and, at times, better protected workforce?
I'll tell you what's sparked this. The other day a Megane we've got needed a service. I had to double- and triple-check that because I know for a fact it's virtually brand new. But no - the new diesels with the particulate filter need a service every 9000 miles. Diesels without the filter are double that.
Renault further reinforced the argument for becoming a fleet Felicity with its tyre pressure sensors. These little buggers might be useful, but thwack the valve they sit in and that's £28 per corner and a visit to the Renault dealer, as opposed to a regular tyre fitter. I know staff on this magazine have had similar problems with a Peugeot.
If we'd both stuck with the base model, we'd be richer both in time and money.
“Nosing around a main dealer the other day, I discovered a chart on the wall detailing 'servicing targets'. They'd actually been set a target to service/repair a fixed number of cars.” |
The Insider |
Friend of mine takes a similar view with his old Porsche 928. To him it's a socking great V8 in a decent chassis. All else is superfluous. So when anything electrical goes wrong, which is often, he just removes the fuse and carries on. He cares not the sunroof will never open again.
But I can't be that forgiving, and neither can my drivers. If something's wrong, the need to fix it gnaws and gnaws until finally they crack and programme the satnav to find the nearest main dealer. "My automatic headlights don't work properly," they'll blurt out, and before they know it they're booked in, the dealer has established it's wear and tear and therefore not covered by warranty, and if you'll come back on Monday, Sir, we'll have the car and a £150 bill for you.
Some of this can be blamed on the opposing forces at work within car companies. Nosing around a main dealer the other day, I discovered a chart on the wall detailing 'servicing targets'. They'd actually been set a target to service/repair a fixed number of cars. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, the big boss in Europe is clamping down on shoddy build and promising better reliability. If he's successful, the dealer cries foul because he can't possibly meet his service/repair targets. So what's the solution? To 'Penelopise' the cars to the point that ever-more complex gadgetry requires frequent, dealer-specialised attention?
My solution is this. Reduce the gadgets, cut out the dealers and let all-marque service companies provide a mostly mobile care programme. Felicity always was the sexier one, anyway.
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