POINTED my Audi northwards today, towards Chesterfield.

In company with our new sales director Paul Webb, we were off to talk to Auto Windscreens, the replacement glass company about some future proposals for the magazine.

So with satnav plumbed in, heated seats on, we set off for the three hour journey - to be honest, a delight in the big Audi A6. It's comfortable and relaxed. Although the lack of storage areas is a careless omission. It's ok for one with its cup holders and so on; but with two in the car the lack of storage becomes noticeable.

This aside, Paul confessed that he liked big Audis. Paul, who also works for Professional Driver magazine, the magazine for chauffeurs and executive car hire firms also added. "I'm surprised Audi don't do more with the A6 in the chauffeur market. It would be ideal.

"I tell you what, they currently do a cracking deal on the Audi A6 Le Mans Edition - a £349 a month contract hire deal. I'm going with the Professional Driver publisher to have a look at that."

I'm sure he won't be disappointed - especially with the additional kit featuring on the Le Mans edition. One of the things that really impressed me today was the A6 TDIe's fuel economy - I got 53.3mpg on the run, which is absolutely bang on its official fuel consumption. That's terrific for such a big, luxury executive car.

It's been a long time since I was last at Auto Windscreen's Chesterfield HQ - at least 12 years. Inside the building it looks very smart with a busy call centre. Auto Windscreens is Chesterfield's third biggest employer, apparently. And the company is growing. Our meeting was in a 'breakout room', which surprised me with its wallpaper and leather sofas. Very upmarket - and quite different to what you might expect.

Both Anna Melton, the company's head of pr, and Ben Snowdon, the marketing manager, were full of some of the exciting developments the company has in store. Unfortunately I'll have to keep these close to my chest for now.

But one of the news elements will certainly be of help to small business with company cars. It sounds like it should take much of the grunt work out of expenses and will provide easier administration processes, something any small business needs - watch out for it during quarter two. Could be a real winner.

TAGS: Audi A6, Auto Windscreens