Driveway Vehicle Solutions, Lithia UK’s fleet and leasing arm, has announced the acquisition of Agility Fleet, the Bromsgrove-based contract hire and leasing business, in a move that accelerates its growth strategy.

The deal, which completed on 29 April 2026 will see Driveway Vehicle Solutions absorb Agility Fleet’s managed vehicle portfolio, FCA registration, and operational expertise. The acquisition adds more than 1,200 vehicles to the Driveway Vehicle Solutions fleet overnight, marking a significant step forward in the business’ expansion. It follows the recent rebrand of the business to Driveway Vehicle Solutions in March 2026, which marked a new chapter for the business, focused on growth, customer experience and long-term capability.

Phil Wilbraham, Managing Director of Driveway Vehicle Solutions, said: “We are delighted to welcome Agility Fleet into the Driveway Vehicle Solutions business. The team has built a fantastic operation with a strong reputation for service, and we are grateful for the opportunity to now build on that solid foundation. We extend a sincere thanks to Agility Fleet’s outgoing owner and CEO, Keith Townsend, and COO, Jacki Stevenson, for the business they have built and their contribution to the sector.

“This acquisition represents the next step in our journey, focused on scaling the business at pace. With the backing of Lithia UK, we are in a strong position to bring new businesses into the Driveway Vehicle Solutions family and continue to expand our capabilities.”

Over the past 12 months, Driveway Vehicle Solutions has delivered strong performance, including 14% growth, 100% customer retention and a significant improvement in its Trustpilot rating from 1.3 to 4.5. With a fleet of 12,000 vehicles prior to this acquisition, the addition of Agility’s fleet further strengthens its position and supports its ambition to scale rapidly.

This move underlines Driveway Vehicle Solutions’ ambitious growth plans, with a target of reaching 20,000 vehicles as part of its long-term growth plans. It also signals the activation of the business’s acquisition strategy, demonstrating tangible delivery against its vision for expansion for the months ahead. Additionally, the deal enables Driveway Vehicle Solutions to deliver a broader range of fleet solutions, offering customers more choice, faster delivery and enhanced support.

Neil Williamson, Operations President of Lithia UK, added: “This is an important milestone for Driveway Vehicle Solutions and for Lithia UK more broadly. It reflects our appetite to grow and invest in areas where we see clear opportunity.

“By bringing Agility Fleet into the business, we are increasing scale, strengthening our offering, and enhancing what we can deliver for customers. Backed by Lithia UK’s purchasing power, supplier network and infrastructure, Driveway Vehicle Solutions is well placed to offer even greater value, flexibility and service.”

Keith Townsend, Chairman of Agility Fleet, commented: “Driveway Vehicle Solutions shares a very similar outlook to Agility when it comes to customer service, which made them the natural partner to take the business forward as part of their wider group. After more than 20 years at the helm, I’d like to thank all of our staff and customers who have helped make Agility the business it is today, and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

Customers of both businesses will not see any immediate changes as a result of the acquisition. Instead, they can expect a seamless continuation of service, with the added benefit of Driveway Vehicle Solutions’ scale, supplier relationships and access to the wider Lithia UK Evans Halshaw and Stratstone retail networks.

Media Contact: for further information, contact Aimee Soudry at The Maverick Group

Email: aimee.soudry@maverick-group.com

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In a resounding testament to the strength and resilience of the automotive industry, company car registrations in May 2023 experienced a remarkable 36% surge compared to the same period last year. This encouraging growth brings with it a wave of optimism, indicating positive signs for the industry’s recovery and future expansion. In this blog post, we explore the reasons behind this upturn and delve into the implications it holds for both the automotive sector and the wider economy.

Economic Recovery and Business Confidence:

The surge in company car registrations serves as a barometer of the overall economic recovery witnessed in recent times. As businesses regain their footing following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased investment in company vehicles signifies growing confidence in future market stability. The rise in registrations suggests that companies are expanding their operations, upgrading their fleets, and preparing for an upswing in economic activity.

Technological Advancements and Sustainability Initiatives:

Another key driver behind the significant increase in company car registrations is the rapid advancement of automotive technology and the increasing focus on sustainability. As electric vehicles (EVs) become more accessible and offer improved ranges, businesses are keen to embrace these eco-friendly options. With governments and organisations promoting environmental sustainability, the surge in EV registrations which was up almost 59% compared to May last year demonstrates a commitment to reducing carbon footprints and embracing greener transportation alternatives. Battery electric vehicles now hold an impressive 17% market share.

Tax Incentives and Cost Efficiency:

Governments worldwide have recognised the significance of company car fleets in driving economic growth and have implemented various tax incentives to encourage their adoption. These incentives, such as reduced tax rates and exemptions, make company vehicles an attractive proposition for businesses. Moreover, the lower running costs of EVs, including reduced fuel and maintenance expenses, contribute to their growing popularity among companies looking to optimise their operational efficiency.

Positive Implications for the Automotive Industry:

The substantial increase in company car registrations provides a welcome boost for the entire automotive industry. All can expect increased sales and revenue, leading to a healthier bottom line. The demand for company vehicles also creates a ripple effect across the entire supply chain, benefiting component manufacturers, logistics providers, and service centres, thereby stimulating more economic activity.

Conclusion:

The 36% surge in company car registrations witnessed in May 2023 paints an optimistic picture for the automotive industry, indicative of its resilience and capacity to rebound from challenging times. The remarkable growth reflects the combined influence of economic recovery, technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, tax incentives, and evolving workforce preferences. As companies embrace greener and more efficient transportation options, the automotive industry stands poised for continued growth and expansion.

However, while the surge in company car registrations is undoubtedly a positive sign, it is essential for stakeholders to maintain a balanced approach. Continued investment in research and development, infrastructure development, and government support for sustainable mobility are crucial to sustain this growth trajectory. By doing so, we can ensure that the automotive industry continues to drive innovation, economic prosperity, and a greener future for all.

If you would like to lease vehicles for your business or find out more about our services then get in touch here.

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The BlueCruise system is based on advanced camera and radar sensors that work in tandem with high-definition mapping data to provide drivers with a safe and reliable autonomous driving experience. The driver must remain focused on the road and an infrared system positioned behind the steering wheel will know that they are doing so by scanning their eye gaze and head position, even with sunglasses on. If the car notices that the driver is not looking it will flash up a warning and if those instructions are further ignored then the car will gently pump the brakes to alert the driver. Ignoring all of these safety measures will bring the car to a minimum speed of 7mph while keeping lane assist technology on.

The technology has been in development for several years in the United States and Canada, and is now going to be available on Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs with the necessary software updates in the UK. This is ground-breaking for Ford and the automotive industry as it is the first part autonomous system of its kind to get approval within Europe.

The system has been extensively tested and validated by Ford engineers on over 100,000 miles of European roads and millions of roads in the United States. It is expected to be one of the most advanced autonomous driving systems on the market.

One of the key benefits of the BlueCruise system is that it allows drivers to take a break from driving on long motorway journeys, reducing driver fatigue and increasing safety. The technology has been designed to work seamlessly with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 driver assistance suite, which includes features such as lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control to further enhance safety and convenience. Once the driver is on an approved stretch of motorway they can activate the system with a simple press of a button and away it goes. If the driver needs to change lanes then the vehicle will do so by itself once the driver has prompted it by using the indicator.

However, it is important to note that the BlueCruise system is not a fully autonomous driving solution, and drivers must remain alert and ready to take control of the vehicle at any time. The technology has been designed to work on pre-qualified routes and in specific driving conditions, and drivers must follow all relevant laws and regulations when using the system.

Overall, Ford’s BlueCruise motorway self-driving system represents a significant step forward in the development of autonomous driving technology. By enabling hands-free driving on pre-qualified motorway routes, the technology has the potential to significantly enhance safety and convenience for drivers, while also reducing driver fatigue on long journeys. The BlueCruise system is paving the way for a future where self-driving cars are a common sight on our roads.

Want to find out more about leasing contact us here.

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But Andrew isn’t just running for personal achievement. He is also raising money for a fantastic charity, Phab Kids, which has been inspiring and supporting disabled and non-disabled children, young people, and adults for the last 60 years, breaking down community barriers and reducing social isolation.

As for his running journey, we can’t help but compare Andrew to Forest Gump. Both have a passion for running and have taken on incredible challenges. But, unlike Forest, Andrew is not running for three years, two months, 14 days, and 16 hours straight! We think Andrew’s approach is much more reasonable, and we are excited to see him crush the London Marathon and continue to inspire us all.

Andrew’s dedication to his training and fundraising has been inspiring, and he has already raised an incredible amount of money for Phab Kids totalling £1,724 as it stands today. We are incredibly proud of him and wish him all the best for the London Marathon.

So, let’s get behind Andrew and Phab Kids and donate whatever we can to support this fantastic cause using the link below. Good luck, Andrew – we know you’ll do us proud!

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-wright105

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The company, which is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), announced on 20th January that it will stop producing vans at this plant in the Abruzzo region until further notice. Stellantis have said this is because of what they called “a temporary interruption” in supplies of some components from parts manufacturers abroad.

The high demand for Stellantis’ products has led to an increase in production needs but without adequate supplies of key components that require microchips, they have had no choice but to temporarily shut down factories until further notice.

Unfortunately, this is not the only Stellantis plant to be halted and highlights the severity of the parts shortage across Europe. While the halts are not positive news, Stellantis does seem to be in a strong position as a company and has since announced expansions into other automotive areas such as used cars and EVs.

As Stellantis is one of the major players within the commercial sector this latest production halt is likely to add further pressure to the already restricted supply of commercial vehicles. We at Agility Fleet have a wide range of suppliers enabling us to source stock from multiple manufacturers. Contact our team for help or further information at 01527 571605

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This is based on the latest data analysed by the AA, showing that as drivers returned to the roads in 2021, following a year of lockdowns and travel restrictions, the number of drug driving cases increased by 54% to 21,411. Speeding cases also rose to 208,496, compared to 167,596 the year before.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “Our analysis shows a shocking return to the roads after the pandemic.

“With record highs of dangerous driving, drug driving and speeding, it is a timely reminder to every driver that being behind the wheel is a serious responsibility and that poor driving can have serious consequences.

“Drug driving has increased year-on-year since records began and while more Police Forces are carrying out roadside tests, it seems some people are willing to try and chance it. We need to put more focus on this issue and eliminate it completely from our roads.

“We hope this is a short-term blight in the figures and that driving standards have improved when the 2022 statistics are announced.”

A total of 638,044 motoring cases were taken to court last year with 565,440 people found guilty, showing that 85.5% of motoring related court cases end with a conviction.

This is why company and driver handbooks play a crucial role in your business. Within this documentation you can, as part of your due dilligance under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Transport and Works Act 1992, perform regular drug and alcohol testing.

Drivers of road vehicles must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol whilst driving, attempting to drive or when they are in charge of a vehicle.

For more information on how we can assist you with your company and driver handbooks, or drug and alcohol testing, please get in touch with our team on 01527 571611 or contact us here.

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COVID-19 Pandemic

During the last few years of economic uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, people were hesitant to buy new cars. They also didn’t want to use public transport, for higher risk of infection. As a result, we saw more demand for used cars, which in turn drove up used car prices.

The pandemic was also one of the main reasons for the global shortage of semiconductors and chips, for which many new cars rely on as components.

Semiconductor Shortages

Production facilities shut down as a result of global lockdowns, causing stock to deplete. Additionally, more individuals were forced to stay at home and therefore chose to improve their electrical equipment (computers, cameras, monitors) to keep them connected. The high demand for phones and tablets saw a shortage in semi-conductors, which meant fewer new cars could be produced, impacting supply and in turn increasing the demand for used cars. The figures published by SMMT report that UK car production has fallen by 20% with only 68,790 units produced compared to the previous year’s production of 86,052.

Brexit

The country’s departure from the European Union (EU) caused more economic uncertainty about the future, which also saw people investing in second-hand cars instead of new ones. Car manufacturers were impacted by the movement of products across Europe, with the change in import/export processes and additional time getting through Customs causing damaging delays to production lines.

Ukraine War

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has impacted automotive supplies and caused delays in the production of new cars,  also contributing to the higher prices of used cars. Some of Europe’s largest car manufacturers have plants in Ukraine which were making vital components and have, for obvious reasons, currently stopped production. On top of this, 50% of the high-grade neon used to make semiconductor chips comes from Ukraine.

Whilst we continue to live in a global recession, the cost-of-living prices, amongst high inflation, have continued to soar, affecting petrol, diesel and EV drivers. The cost of leasing a vehicle has also increased, but why:

New Car Prices On The Up

As mentioned above, the supply vs. demand factor plays a huge role in the increase in vehicle prices, which in turn has an impact on vehicle leasing costs. The want for new cars again is high in demand, with low supply, so their price has increased. The cost of energy is a huge expense in the manufacturing of new vehicles, accounting for 17% of final energy consumption in the UK (Carbon Trust). This has a knock-on effect causing the cost of new vehicles to rise to cover this overhead.

Maintenance Costs

The cost of vehicle maintenance and repair has also increased in the current economic climate. According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), car maintenance costs have risen by 3.7%. A combination of a shortage in parts, higher energy bills and increases in labour rates have all contributed to the rise in costs.

Finance Costs & Interest Rates

People are much more likely to purchase a new vehicle via finance rather than cash. This has driven the base rate up, meaning the monthly price of new vehicles has also increased. Central banks are also rising their base rates to combat inflation and slow down spending. With businesses having wide access to capital, manufacturers are being stung by the additional costs, causing the majority of manufacturers to have to raise their prices.

Whist we can’t negate all of these issues affecting the average cost of a vehicle lease, as we are an independent vehicle leasing company we can help you search the market for vehicles that meet your needs, and work within your budget. Call us now on 01527 571605.

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According to gov.uk, the grant had successfully kickstarted the UK’s interest in electric cars and supported the sale of around half a million electric cars. Since the start of the scheme in 2011, the sale of electric cars has gone from less than 1,000 a year, to almost 100,000 in the first 5 months of 2022 alone.

Transport Minister, Trudy Harrison said: “The government continues to invest record amounts in the transition to EVs, with £2.5 billion injected since 2020, and has set the most ambitious phase-out dates for new diesel and petrol sales of any major country. But government funding must always be invested where it has the highest impact if that success story is to continue.

Having successfully kickstarted the electric car market, we now want to use plug-in grants to match that success across other vehicle types, from taxis to delivery vans and everything in between, to help make the switch to zero-emission travel cheaper and easier.

With billions of both government and industry investment continuing to be pumped into the UK’s electric revolution, the sale of electric vehicles is soaring.

We are continuing to lead the way in decarbonising transport, with generous government incentives still in place, while creating high-skilled jobs and cleaner air across the UK.”

To continue the government’s drive towards net zero and ensure the effective use of taxpayer’s funds, they have said the £300 million in grant funding will now be refocused towards extending the plug-in grants to boost sales of plug-in taxis, motorcycles, vans and trucks and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

What does this mean for new plug-in electric cars?

Basically, it means that any private electric vehicle below the £32,000 price point will no longer be eligible for the £1,500 grant. In our research, with the recent price increases, there are only a handful of vehicles that would be eligible if it was still running.

What is the new plug-in vehicle grant?

The new grant is focused on commercial vehicles. For each business or organisation a limit of 1,000 plug-in van grants can be applied for each financial year subject to the following terms:

• Small vans: These vehicles are less than 2,500 kilograms (kg) gross vehicle weight, have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and can travel at least 96km (60 miles) without any emissions at all. The grant will pay for 35% of the purchase price for small vans, up to a maximum of £2,500.
• Large vans: These vehicles are between 2,500kg and 4,250kg gross vehicle weight, have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km and can travel at least 96km (60 miles) without any emissions at all. The grant will pay for 35% of the purchase price for these vehicles, up to a maximum of £5,000.
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles: You may be able to get a grant towards the cost of converting a passenger vehicle into a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Please contact us for more information.

What do I need to do when I order a van or wheelchair-accessible vehicle through Agility and how do I find more information?

Our team are available to guide you through the process and provide you with information about the vehicle grant amounts. You can contact a member of the team on 01527 571 605 who will be able to answer any questions you have regarding the grant and be able to give you information on eligible vans and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

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What is the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS)?

It was identified early on that many electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle owners do most of their charging at home, so a grant was created aimed at helping with the upfront cost of installing a charge point at your property.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) oversees the grant for the buying and installing of a wall box charger, up to a maximum of £350.

How did the scheme work before April 2022?

Before the 1^st of April 2022, any homeowner living in a single property such as a bungalow or any type of house (detached, semi-detached or terraced) who had off-street parking could apply to receive £350 off a new home charger. Typically these grants were collected by the company installing the charger and you paid for the installation minus the grant.

The scheme covered those who could prove they ordered and bought an electric vehicle. Those leasing an electric car and company car drivers were eligible too. As a homeowner, you also had to have off-street parking such as a driveway.

What is the scheme now? (April 2022 onwards)

From the 1^st of April 2022, the scheme for the grant changed. The £350 grant is no longer available for private homeowners with off-street parking. The new grant targets:

• Rental properties
• Social housing
• Apartment blocks

If you rent or live in a flat you will be able to get up to £350 off the cost of a fully installed charging point. However, you will need to have an eligible electric vehicle and off-street parking.

Social housing providers, along with landlords, can get paid up to £350 per charging point up to a maximum of £70,000. Having EV chargers on your properties can make them more attractive to potential tenants, especially if they are more eco-conscious.

If you own an apartment block you can also apply for the new grant. It works a little differently as you will be paid £850 per parking bay/charger. This has a cap of £30,000 per building with a maximum of 30 applications per year, per applicant.

If you’re not ready to install chargers, you can access £500 to install the electrical infrastructure needed to put a charger in place. This will allow you to make the parking bays electric ready.

What to do next?

If you’re looking at an electric vehicle, or you want to give your tenants information about the benefits of electric vehicles then you can speak to the team on 01527 571 605 or download our ‘alternative fuel vehicle’ guide here.

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Agility Fleet  appeared in International FleetWorld as the story broke.

To find out more, read the full story  

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