The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has appointed Commercial Fleet magazine as the official media partner for its Van Excellence programme.

A record number of commercial vehicles on the UK’s roads is intensifying competition for business and therefore making it critical that fleet decision-makers are operating at the cutting-edge of industry and commerce.

HMRC has published its latest advisory fuel rates (AFRs) to take effect from March 1.

The Cartwright Group’s van conversions division, Cartwright Conversions, will make its debut at the CV Show in April with the launch of new vehicle racking products.

Alphabet has made two new appointments to increase its focus on the SME market in 2016.

Auto Styling Truckman has extended its range of commercial hardtops for the Isuzu D-Max with the introduction of the Truckman RS and Utility.

Civil engineering, utility and construction company Peter Duffy is adopting a telematics solution from Ctrack across more than 160 vehicles within its fleet.

The latest version of Zap-Map has already logged more than 2,500 charge point updates, helping EV drivers locate suitable and operational charging systems.

Budget Car and Van Rental UK has ordered a fleet of 100 Mercedes-Benz Citan models, supplied by S&B Commercials.

New research has revealed that 31% of council parking ticket appeals are successful.

Vehicle leasing company Zenith is launching a new driver management platform called Accelerate.

Skoda UK has created a canine-friendly version of its Superb to comply with new standards set out by DEFRA and the RSPCA.

The Fleet News Awards, now in its 28th year, is recognised as the most influential and important awards in the fleet industry.

Fleet industry asset management software system provider Jaama has achieved Microsoft Gold accreditation.

By Paul Hollick, commercial director, The Miles Consultancy

Telogis has launched an app which allows drivers to view their recorded miles and choose whether a trip was business or private by swiping the screen.

According to the latest figures from Tracker, the Range Rover Sport was the most stolen and recovered vehicle in 2015.

Marshalls, supplier of hard landscaping materials, expects to reduce its fuel spend by more than £350,000 over the next 12 months by installing TomTom telematics in its 200 trucks.

Nissan and Toyota have both stressed their preference for the UK to stay in the EU after the Government called a referendum to decide the issue.

Tevva Motors has opened the order books for its electric range extender powertrain as a retrofit package to any make and model of 7.5-tonne truck.

Iveco will exhibit more vehicles than ever before at the CV Show 2016.

Volkswagen will unveil its Caddy TGI Bluemotion at the Geneva show next week - the first vehicle in its segement to be fitted with a dual-clutch gearbox.

SSI Services group, the specialist contracting arm of South Staffordshire Plc, has bolstered its fleet of over 1,200 LCVs by striking a deal with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen and Highland has been rewarded at the manufacturer’s latest celebration of truck sales and after sales excellence.

Volvo has facelifted its V40 hatchback, adding LED headlights, and reducing emissions to 89g/km.

Citroën’s ‘Relay Ready to Run’ range of ready-bodied vehicles is being expanded, and an all-new Euro 6 engine line-up is being introduced.

FTA says London mayoral candidate Caroline Pidgeon’s call for a peak-hour lorry ban is short-sighted.

Chevin Fleet Solutions has announced the release of ‘How to Become a Fleet Data Mastermind’, the first in a series of white papers from the company.

Sentinel Systems has upgraded its patented auto-braking radar system to increase protection against collisions.

Independent pharmacy chain Well Pharmacy has partnered with telematics service provider Airmax Remote to launch live in-vehicle information across its fleet.