F&I Management & Training

Fleet managers were queuing up at the recent Fleet World Show, held at the world famous Silverstone complex in Northamptonshire on Wednesday, 9 April, to put Mazda's sixth generation SKYACTIV-D diesel engined models -  all-new Mazda3, Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 - through their paces.

Mazda's emission-cutting, fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology powering its key company cars - the all-new Mazda3, Mazda6 and Mazda CX-5 - is one of the reasons why fleet decision-makers and company car drivers are so attracted to the brand.

Operating company cars that deliver financial savings to both employers and employees as a result of low emissions and excellent fuel economy as well as reducing an organisation's carbon footprint is among the key issues on fleet managers' agendas.

Both the all-new Mazda3 and the ever-popular fleet favourite Mazda6 deliver CO₂ emissions from just 104g/km* from their 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel engines meaning company car tax bills for drivers from just £44 a month**, while simultaneously returning up to an incredible 72.4 mpg* - unmatched performance and economy from the available power.

Meanwhile, the Mazda CX-5 powered by the same 2.2-litre 150ps SKYACTIV- D diesel engine mated to 2WD returns up to 61.4mpg*** and emissions from 119g/km***, which outclasses models from rival marques. Company car benefit-in-kind tax bills are from only £71^ a month.

Robert Lucas-Garner, director and general manager of Telford-based adhesive applications business Valco Cincinnati, which operates a small  user-chooser fleet, said after driving the Mazda6 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D 150ps Sport: "The old Mazda6 was a good car, but the new model is a great car."

The company has on its fleet a Tourer version of the current and previous generation Mazda6 and, he added: "The SKYACTIV model is extremely smooth and the fit and finish of the interior is fantastic.

"Company car benefit-in-kind tax is an important issue for staff and the business. We also continue to offer drivers a fully expensed company car although we now also offer the option to make a contribution towards their private fuel use to reduce their overall tax bill and more are making that choice, which means that fuel efficiency is important to them. The Mazda ticks both boxes; it is an extremely good car."

Tony Overton, fleet manager at Sutton Coldfield-based Contract Fire Security, is looking to further "green" the company's vehicle choice list.

In charge of a fleet of 145 company cars and 40 light commercial vehicles, Overton said both the all-new Mazda3 and Mazda6 could potentially feature on the new fleet policy.

"The CO₂ and MPG figures on both models are very attractive," he said. "We are aiming to give our company car drivers increased model choice with the new policy, while also delivering benefit-in-kind tax savings to employees compared with current models.

"Additionally, as a business we want to be seen to be "greener" in our choice of cars because that is important from our customers' perspective."

After viewing the Mazda6 diesel, which delivers benefit-in-kind tax bills from £59 a month in 2014/15, Overton said: "It is a good looking car I think that our drivers will be attracted to the model if we decide to include it on our choice list."

James Jeffery, fleet manager at Northampton-headquartered Travis Perkins, was also visiting the Show on an environmental fact-finding mission as the company continues to seek out opportunities to further "green" its 2,000-strong car fleet.

After driving the all-new Mazda3 Sport diesel, Jeffrey said: "Both the all-new Mazda3 and the Mazda6 would fit into our company car choice list. The MPG and CO₂ figures stack up very well and the car was very comfortable to drive."

Sheffield-based steel company Cogne UK operates a 22-strong user-chooser company car fleet, and is also seeking to introduce an environmental element to the policy.

Group transport manager Robert Mulgrew said after driving the Mazda6 diesel: "Our current company car policy is cost led, but that is changing to also include CO₂ and MPG factors. We want to encourage our drivers into "cleaner" cars.

"I was very impressed with the Mazda6. Visiting the Show it was one of the cars I wanted to drive. The power, ride and handling were all very good and it definitely ticks all the boxes."

Chris Stableford, Mazda's National Fleet Sales Manager, said: "Interest in our cars at the Fleet World Show has been fantastic and we are confident that the new business opportunities created will translate into sales."

DATED: 01.05.14

FEED: HA