Watching the world from a Volvo
Talking of Volvo, I’ve been wafting around in one of these (above) for the last few days – a Volvo S80 D5 model. It’s their top end posh saloon model, but as it’s a Volvo there’s nothing flashy about it.
One of the things I’ve noticed about Volvos is how they get under your skin. Not the obvious choice if there were some other premium car makers outside in the company car park, but once inside and driving it’s another matter.
The Volvo S80 has an uncanny knack of conveying you to your destination comfortably, quietly and in such a relaxed manner you wouldn’t know you’ve spent two to three hours behind the wheel.
This model also has the charismatic five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel engine under its bonnet. It’s a tuneful sound alas we shall hear no more in the future – the five-cylinder engine is being replaced by four-cylinder Drive-E petrol and diesel units. More efficiency, greater lightness, but I fear less harmony to the ears. (Click here for our review of the Volvo S80 with the new Drive-E D4 engine.)
ACFO wants to have company car tax rates announced in Budget
I had a call from ACFO director and former chairman Julie Jenner during the week after she had met HM Revenue and Customs’ officials – part of regular series of meetings the voluntary organisation for fleet decision makers undertakes with HMRC – to make the case for ACFO’s Budget ‘wish list’.
“Top of our list for small fleet and large fleet managers is advance notification of measures so that future fleet strategy can be accommodated while continuing to ensure that business efficiency is maintained,” Julie explained.
So what was on ACFO’s list of wants?
- Company car benefit-in-kind tax rates for 2017/18 – which means we’ll return to the four-year cycle of advance notification of thresholds. Those for 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 are already known.
- Confirmation of the Government’s 2013 Autumn Statement announcement of no fuel duty increases ahead of the expected May 2015 general election.
- Clarification on Advisory Fuel Rates and Approved Mileage Allowance Payments in relation to electric vehicles.
- Encouragement for the further take-up of ultra low emission vehicles by fleets and company car drivers through the Government’s Plug-In Car Grant scheme, by announcing that benefit-in-kind tax should be calculated according to the list price of the model minus the £5,000 grant.
- A reconsideration of the rise in benefit-in-kind tax on electric vehicles scheduled for April 2015.
It’s a good wish list that’s as vital for business car managers of SME small fleets as it is for the larger corporate car fleets. Let’s hope HMRC takes ACFO’s suggestions seriously.
