Motor Shows. I love them. The heady whiff of car makers in full flow as they unveil their latest new products as well as concepts destined for future sale.
And the Paris Motor Show didn’t disappoint.
The range of different models displayed was extensive, from the budget offerings of Dacia (which I’m sure will have an impact on the fleet market thanks to their no-nonsense offering and low prices) to the fabulous new Jaguar F-Type – definitely one for high-end user choosers.
For the rest of us, there was the new Golf – which carries on its tradition of providing smart, classless and reliable transport – and the all-new Mondeo, powered by a 1.0-litre engine. That’s petrol.
Yes, you read that right. It’s Ford’s already acclaimed turbocharged EcoBoost engine – the 2012 “International Engine of the Year” – that made its debut in the Focus model. And, says Ford, it’s about delivering lighter weight and greater efficiency for best in class fuel economy.
Away from the glam, glitz and glitter of the show, however, I was more intrigued to pick up on the latest global automotive trends.
Teased out by Prime Research and hosted by the World Car Awards, the key automotive trends emerging are efficiency and connectivity.
Efficiency is key for fleets – translated simply it means reduced running costs for companies and for the drivers lower company car tax. The new Mondeo, with its EcoBoost engine, is a prime example.
The second is connectivity: bringing all the latest mobile phone, office and entertainment tools into the interior of cars. This will undoubtedly help drivers work more efficiently but will be a key differentiator in company car choice, I suspect. (And, frankly, anything that makes it easier for me to connect my Blackberry to a car’s Bluetooth I’m in favour of!)
Following connectivity, and coming up fast, is telematics. Again this will be good news for those trying to make their fleets work more effectively. Meanwhile a declining trend is electric vehicles as problems over cost, range, and charging infrastructure become more apparent.
Finally, away from trends and back to the show, my award for the most bizarre unveil at the Paris Motor Show goes to Peugeot. They unveiled a baby grand piano!
Why? Because the shape of pianos has hardly changed in centuries, Peugeot designers were tasked with stretching their talents for a new design for tinkling the ivories.
So the Peugeot piano features, among other things, a raised keyboard so that it is flush with the top of the piano. This allows the audience to watch the pianist’s hands more easily, no matter where they are sitting.
And, on trend, provides greater connectivity between artist and audience…
Motor Shows. I love them. The heady whiff of car makers in full flow as they unveil their latest new products as well as concepts destined for future sale. And the Paris Motor Show didn’t disappoint. The range of different models displayed was extensive, from the budget offerings of Dacia (which I’m sure will have … Continued
Lumens. Do you get on with them? On the occasions I have been lured into Ikea (before desperately trying to find my way out again through the dizzying maze of Swedish home furnishings), I came across the terms ‘lumens’ in a basket full of light bulbs. I needed some light bulbs, but instead of ‘wattage’ … Continued
James Bond would be appalled. Aston Martin has been knocked off its top spot as the UK’s coolest brand. In fact, it’s now dropped to third. The British sports car maker has been displaced by two technology brands. Apple is the number one cool brand, the technology company having just launched its latest mobile device, … Continued
Now, those that know me well will probably snigger at this blog, given my general lack of internet skills. I just about stretch to Twitter, but then only occasionally. But I was really intrigued by this news snippet I stumbled across. ‘If it computes, it’s connected’ read the headline. Those were the words of Intel … Continued
I know my blogs usually follow a theme: cars, business success. More cars, more business success… And I’m really pleased there’s been so much business success to celebrate recently. But I’m going off-piste on this one. I want to celebrate the support of our team here at Fleet Alliance, and the kind donations of supporters, … Continued
In my last blog I talked about how we measure success in business. It seems quite an appropriate lead into this blog which celebrates the MINI. Sorry, the Mini. Lower case. Because it’s the Mini – the classic Issigonis designed front-wheel drive icon – that has been celebrated by Autocar magazine as the greatest British … Continued
How do you measure business success? Is it the satisfaction of a cash positive, good week’s work for a sole trader, rewarded with a pint on Friday evening? Is it clever management and worker engagement that steers a company successfully through difficult trading conditions? Or the escaping rush of champagne bubbles to celebrate the sale … Continued
So London 2012 is over and the games have been declared a triumph. Whilst the closing ceremony was never going to be as spectacular as Danny Boyle’s acclaimed opener, it was a fitting end. In his closing speech Lord Coe said: “When our time came – Britain, we did it right.” And who am I … Continued
The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games takes place later today – the moment when Danny Boyle’s extravaganza, from what I’ve seen a somewhat bucolic interpretation of our green and pleasant land, kicks off. I’m excited by the spectacle – but slightly irritated by the moaners and groaners. I was in Surrey earlier … Continued
It’s that sinking moment – when, suddenly, your day starts swiftly heading south. We’ve all been there: when you see that oh-so-deserved end-of-the-day beer before dinner slowly sinking away as you sail past the motorway exit road and just ahead is one long tailback… Congestion, traffic jams, hold-ups – call them what you will, they … Continued