Author Archives: Van Rental

Ford Slams New Transit Custom

Ford Transit Custom side door slam testing

How many times have I told you not to slam that door...

The all-new Ford Transit Custom made its debut at the recent CV Show in Birmingham and is due to hit the road in the UK towards the end of this year. Transits have always had a reputation for being fairly durable, and the Brentwood boys are keen to make sure that this new version lives up to expectations.

With that in mind, engineers at the company’s Dunton Technical Centre, near Basildon, have been subjecting the new Transit Custom to a wide variety of abuse, including slamming the doors a total of 550,000 times to make sure than it can withstand the day-to-day usage of some of the most demanding customers over the course of many years.

Ford slammed the Transit Custom front doors 250,000 times, the sliding side door 150,000 times, and the rear cargo door 150,000 times in a special test facility where temperatures can be plunged to -40 degrees Celsius, sent soaring to 82 degrees Celsius, and deliver 85 per cent humidity.

“This is a modern-day torture test, more than half-a-million slams, in everything from tropical heat to Arctic cold,” said Barry Gale, Ford’s chief commercial vehicle engineer, based at Dunton Technical Centre, in Essex – Ford’s research and development centre for all its vans.

The all-new Ford Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle will go on sale in the UK later this year and made its debut at April’s CV Show in Birmingham. The Transit will be available with advanced technology including Ford SYNC, which enables hands-free voice-controlled use of mobile phones and MP3 players, plus fuel-saving technologies such as Auto-Start-Stop and smart regenerative charging.

The 550,000 door-slam test is just one of a range of rigorous testing procedures Ford has used to make sure the all-new vehicle further enhances Transit’s reputation for superb reliability.

The 250,000 front door slams compare to 84,000 slams delivered by the equivalent car test. This reflects the greater frequency of door-use and tougher treatment of working vans.

Ford records and analyses real-life slams so the test machinery replicates real-life customer behaviour. This includes observing and recording the speed and the degree of force used to slam a door, including both regular and severe slams. The test replicates the fastest speeds used by 90 per cent of customers.

Testing takes place within a purpose-designed automated rig at Ford’s development centre, with engineers monitoring the precision testing and checking the doors regularly for any sign of damage or weakness.

Freight Transport Association Warns Over Olympic Disruption

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The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has issued a warning about the disruption the Olympic Games will cause to its members operating in London and the need for tolerance and common sense from London’s enforcement authorities and the general public.

Speaking to the House of Commons Transport Committee, Natalie Chapman, FTA’s Head of Policy for London gave evidence to the Olympics Inquiry alongside representatives of London Councils, the Federation of Wholesale Distributors and the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association.

The inquiry was looking at the transport challenges posed by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the impact of Games Lanes and the Olympic Route Network on road transport in London. Also providing evidence were Justine Greening Secretary of State for Transport & Peter Hendy, Commissioner of Transport for London.

Chapman said:

“We are pleased to assist the Transport Committee in its investigation into the robustness of transport arrangements for the Games. Without efficient logistics, there will be no Games. And without an appreciation of the likely disruption, Londoners and London’s business community will find it difficult to keep functioning.

It is therefore important that everyone interested in making this summer a success is working together to ensure an efficient supply chain is maintained. There is a tendency not to notice freight until it doesn’t work, so the challenges of the next few months give the industry the ideal opportunity to showcase how effective and efficient it really is.”

Natalie Chapman told the inquiry that the industry was largely prepared and ready for the challenge that the Games will pose. However, FTA members are concerned how those reliant on logistics are preparing and adapting for the challenges of the next few months.

She also raised concerns regarding the additional costs that the industry will face in servicing customers during the Games. Many companies have had to hire in additional vehicles and drivers for the summer even if these do not foresee an increase in trade as productivity will slump due to a reduction in road speeds and an increase in congestion.

Chapman continued:

“The vast array of additional restrictions that will be implemented for the Olympics and Paralympics such as the Olympic Route Network, Games Lanes, banned turns and loading bans are likely to cause confusion even to drivers how know London’s streets like the back of their hand. We hope that the boroughs and Transport for London will take a sensible approach to enforcement and will focus their efforts on compliance and assisting drivers.

We are of course delighted that the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport listened to FTA’s concerns on this issue and did not approve the increase in PCN levels to £200 as requested by London Councils and the Olympic Delivery Authority. However, if £130 fines are issued like confetti, we will as an industry, have a very big bill to pick up at the end of the summer.

Here at vanrental.co.uk we have been warning of potential disruption and shortage of hire vans in London and the south east for some time – let’s hope that companies’ are now prepared and that with the support of the London authorities, everything will work well.

Volkswagen Finance Deals From £199+VAT/Month

Mitsubishi Launches L200 Barbarian Black

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The new Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Black

This, er, mean moody beast is the new Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Black Edition.

It costs £1,000+VAT more than a standard Barbarian, for which buyers get this stylish range of extras (that’s what it says here!):

Black 17” alloy wheels
Black wrapped roof
Black front resin guard
Black fog lamp surrounds
Black front sports grille
Black wing mirrors
Black door handles and recess covers
Black side steps
Black fuel filler cap
Black tailgate handle cover
Black rear bar
Stunning new embossed leather design
Outside Temperature/Direction/MPG display panel – a conveniently located complement to the Kenwood system
Barbarian Black side decals

It comes in a range of colours as well as white and can be specified as a manual or automatic.

What else can I say? You either love it or you don’t. If you do, then get yourself along to www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find out more.

New Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up Gets Five-Year, 120,000-Mile Warranty

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New Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up driving through water Isuzu UK is so confident in the build quality and reliability of the new Isuzu D-Max pick-up that it is providing a 60-month / 120,000-mile warranty.

The extended parts and labour warranty is an upgrade to the manufacturer’s standard 36-month / 60,000-mile warranty and will cover any defects in powertrain components or workmanship, including engine, transmission and driveline components and major ancillaries such as the air conditioning compressor and power steering pump.

Customer deliveries of the new D-Max begin in July and Isuzu says that it already has 7,500 expressions of interest and is confident that the new model will be well received in the UK.

“Warranty cover for five years or 120,000 miles gives buyers of the new Isuzu D-Max peace of mind for longer than any other pick-up in the UK,” comments William Brown, General Manager for Isuzu UK. “Isuzu has become renowned for producing rugged, durable pick-ups, and we’re now demonstrating our absolute confidence in the toughness of our new product.”

The new Isuzu D-Max will be available with four specification levels and three cab configurations – extended cab, single cab and double cab. Prices range from £14,499 (CVOTR) for the single cab 4×2 derivative, rising to £21,499 (CVOTR) for the range-topping ‘Utah’ specification double cab automatic.

Even the entry-level Isuzu D-Max offers a very generous complement of standard equipment, including air conditioning, daytime running lights, electric windows and front, side and curtain airbags.

Power for the new pick-up comes in the form of a highly fuel efficient 2.5-litre twin-turbo common rail diesel engine, available with newly-developed six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions. This advanced Euro5-compliant unit generates 163 PS and peak torque output of 400 Nm at 1400 rpm.

The all-new Isuzu D-Max will be a serious workhorse: it has an impressive three-tonne (braked) towing capacity and a payload capacity of over 1,000 kg. Easily enough for farmers, builders, plant contractors and vehicle transporters.

For more information, visit www.isuzu.co.uk.

Van Fleet World Awards 2012 Roundup

Vauxhall Adds Petrol Engines To Combo & Corsavan

Van News: Electric Vans In Business & Market News

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British Gas put an OEM electric van on the road, Volkswagen van sales hit new highs and the Berlingo scores another repeat customer fleet refresh deal.

OEM Electric Vans For British Gas

Nissan NV200 electric van British Gas trial

A Nissan NV200 electric van being is being trialled by British Gas

British Gas has said that it will only consider buying OEM electric vans, not aftermarket conversions. Colin Marriott, general manager of the British Gas fleet was discussing the performance of a recent Nissan EV200 electric van trial when he confirmed that the utility company would only consider OEM choices:

“Aftermarket conversions can interfere with a vehicle’s reliability. Our engineers are only efficient if they are busy looking after customers. By choosing OEM products we can guarantee that if a problem occurs a vehicle is fixed quickly and efficiently”

This is a pretty sensible approach and one that is likely to be emulated by most other large fleets.

Another benefit not mentioned by Marriott is that the risk of the aftermarket converter going bust is eliminated – a problem that affected the buyers of the Ford Transit Connect electric van recently, when its converter, Azure Dynamics, closed down.

British Gas has been testing out an electric version of the Nissan NV200 at its Leicester and Newbury depots to assess which of its 14,000 drivers’ daily travel patterns are most suited to an electric van’s typical working range, including getting to and from work.

Volkswagen Van Sales Up 6.1% On 2011

Volkswagen light commercial vehicle range

L-R, Volkswagen Caddy, Amarok, Transporter & Crafter

Sales of Volkswagen light commercial vehicles are up 6.1% worldwide over the same period (Jan-Apr) last year.

The German automaker has sold 174,200 LCVs so far in 2012, up from 164,200 in 2011. Unsurprisingly, Germany was the highest volume European market for VW, with customer deliveries up 9.8% to 39,600 so far this year.

However, Eastern Europe was the biggest grower, with deliveries up a massive 35% so far this year compared to the Jan-Apr 2011. Despite this, the total sold was only 13,700 – around a third of those sold in Germany.

In total, sales of the Crafter (up 35.2%) and Amarok pickup (up 36.2%) showed the biggest growth, with sales of the more established T5 inching up by 3.5% and sales of the Caddy declining slightly by 0.2%. The T5 remains the biggest seller, with 52,700 units sold so far in 2012.

Berlingo Wins Another Repeat Customer

One of Hewer FM’s new Euro Citroen Berlingo vans

Gloucester-based Hewer Facilities Management has just taken delivery of 36 new Citroën Berlingo vans as part of its latest fleet refresh deal.

The new Euro 5 Berlingos will replace the company’s existing Euro 4 Berlingos, as Robert Willmott, Hewer FM’s Contract Manager, explains:

“We have had a long and successful operating experience with Berlingo vans, which now form the majority of our 65-strong fleet. As an environmentally conscious company, every fleet renewal time we carry out a comprehensive review to see whether there is a van that can beat the Berlingo.

To date we have continued to acquire Berlingos because of their unbeatable combination of environmental, operational, financial and driver benefits. These latest Euro 5 Berlingos are nearly 10% more fuel efficient than the Euro 4 versions they replace and their CO₂ emissions are 13g/km lower.”

“Berlingos also provide us with other cost savings and productivity benefits, as they are running on 30 per cent biodiesel fuel. Also, the standard fit Trafficmaster Smartnav satellite navigation system and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking means we have achieved additional cost savings and lower insurance premiums.”

The vans were supplied by Citroën Business Centre, Warners Citroën of Cheltenham, who arranged for a number of additions to enhance the Berlingo Enterprise’s high level of standard equipment. In addition to the standard air conditioning, Bluetooth, reverse park sensors and a dual passenger seat, Hewer’s new vans have also been fitted with a full steel bulkhead, polypropylene load compartment lining, non-slip composite flooring and roof bars.

VanRental.co.uk Is 5 Today!

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Happy Birthday vanrental.co.uk! Five years, millions of visitors and one big recession later, we’re still here.

That’s right – vanrental.co.uk is five today. What started out as a directory of local van hire branches called MyLocalVanHire.co.uk in 2007 is now the UK’s largest dedicated van hire price comparison website, with more than 1,000 branches in over 400 locations around the UK.

We’ve even changed our name – from MyLocalVanHire.co.uk to vanrental.co.uk – but our core goal of providing helpful, genuine information for people who need to hire a van hasn’t changed one bit.

Our pricing policy hasn’t changed either – we don’t add a penny onto the quotes we get and the prices you pay are the same as the ones you get direct from the hire company

What’s Changed?

Some things have changed, however.

Back when we started, diesel was 96.8p/litre and I could fill up my Transit for £77. Today, it costs me £115 – but funnily enough, the rising price of diesel was a popular complaint back in 2007, just as it is today. Some things obviously don’t change!

Fuel consumption has improved, though. The average fuel consumption of a new car in 2007 was just over 44mpg; today it’s 52.5mpg.

Manufacturers are getting to grips with CO2 emissions, too: in 2007, the average new car emitted 164.9g/km of CO2, but today it’s just 138.1g/km. Back then, no one even bothered measuring the CO2 emissions of vans, but they are now under control too and falling fast. Today’s new vans emit an average of 199.2g/km, down from an estimated average of more than 210g/km in 2007.

Finally, back in 2007 the credit crunch and the end of the housing boom were just a twinkle in overpaid bankers’ eyes. How things have changed… Today, the average house price has fallen from £177,863 in 2007 to £160,372 today, according to the Land Registry.

Here’s To The Next Five Years!

It’s been an exciting five years for us and we feel privileged still to be here, running this website. This year has already seen the launch of our price comparison system and we are not going to rest on our laurels now. We are planning several big improvements for the rest of 2012, including a brand new mobile site.

In the meantime, I would like to thank everyone who has visited, used or commented on MyLocalVanHire.co.uk or vanrental.co.uk over the last five years – it would be nothing without your usage and support.

April Van Registration Figures Down 19.8%

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New van registrations fell by 19.8% in April compared to April 2011, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This continues the trend we have seen already this year, with van registrations now up just 1.1% on a rolling year basis and down by 15.7% over the year to date.

Truck registrations also followed the pattern of recent months, rising by 17.7% from April 2011 and increasing by 27.4% over the year to date.

This graph shows the changes more clearly:

SMMT April 2012 van and truck registrations

Graph courtesy of SMMT (www.smmt.co.uk)

Van sales continue to decline, while artic sales have levelled off and sales of rigid lorries have continued to rise:

Commenting, Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive said:

“The relative strength of the 2011 van market continued to dent 2012 performance with the ‘up to 3.5t’ market dropping 19.8% in the month. Trucks remained strong, up 27.4% for the year-to-date, continuing the steady recovery seen throughout last year. Last month’s CV Show saw the launch of a host of new sophisticated and efficient vehicles that will be important to the sector’s performance through the rest of 2012 and beyond.”

Van sales fell strongly in all weight categories, with the shifting new-model related pattern of fewer sub-2.0t vans and more 2.0t-2.5t vans that I identified last month now becoming a more general decline. This graph shows just how dramatic the fall in van registrations has been, when compared to recent years:

SMMT van registrations April 1998 - 2012

Graph courtesy of SMMT

As I have observed before, van sales appear to be a direct casualty of ongoing weakness in the economy, especially in areas related to small service businesses and discretionary expenditure. The graph above shows clearly how far below historic levels new van registrations have fallen in recent years, meaning that used van values are likely to remain strong, thanks to thin supply.

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