Fleet provider Alphabet UK and BMW UK have launched a service and maintenance programme for company cars which utilities telematics and teleservice data directly from the vehicle.

The two launched a pilot in the UK in January, using information provided by connected vehicles to allow Alphabet to contact customers and provide a more proactive and informed service booking experience.

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Under the scheme, teleservice service alert data is sent to Alphabet autonomously from the vehicle when it requires some form of attention, at the same time the warning light appears for the driver. At this point, Alphabet will call or message the driver in order to arrange the required action or service.

The basic idea behind the scheme is to reduce fleet downtime and charges while increasing overall safety. For fleet drivers, the programme looks to streamline the servicing and maintenance of their company car.

Currently the programme is available with select BMW and MINI vehicles in the UK, however Alphabet said it was in discussions with other manufacturers about enabling the service on more makes.

Kit Wisdom, head of technical services at Alphabet UK, said: Not only does the car tell us what it needs now, but it also tells us the status of other key aspects of the vehicle, such as the oil and brakes. So when we contact the driver we are fully informed about what service action is required and how long it will take"

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The next phase for the Teleservice initiative, scheduled to start in mid-2016, is to integrate live access to online service booking systems so that a reservation slot can be booked directly into the BMW Centre while the customer is on the phone.