Author Archives: Van Rental

Ford Transit ‘Pharmavans’ For AAH Pharmaceuticals

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Ford Transit Pharmavan for AAH PharmaceuticalsFord has produced a special ‘Pharmavan’ version of the Transit for long-time customer AAH Pharmaceuticals.

The firm, which is a major UK distributor of pharmaceutical products, needs to be able to keep its goods at ambient temperature while they are being transported. At the same time, a full-blown refrigerated van is costly overkill, as the products do not need to stay at a precise temperature in the way fresh food does.

Geoff Wright, head of corporate services for AAH, said: “Most pharmaceutical products have to be kept at a steady ambient temperature. Using a fully refrigerated vehicle with dual compartments for this role comes at a high price, including increased fuel consumption, running costs and CO2 emissions.

“When the temperature in the Pharmavan’s load bay dips below 10 deg C, the heat kicks in independently of the driver. When it nears 25 degrees, the air-conditioning brings the temperature down. The system is only in use when required making it extremely cost-efficient and easy to operate.”

Lest you think that Ford will produce special versions of the Transit for just anyone, it is worth bearing in mind that the vans were part of an order for 270 vans which join AAH’s existing 800-strong van fleet. AAH has also been buying Transits for the last 46 years, ever since the first model was introduced. The Pharmavans are based on a long-wheelbase Ford Transit 300 model.

To find out more about the Ford Transit, visit www.ford.co.uk.

Jolly Good Van Hire Opens Ely Branch

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Jolly Good Van hire logoLong-time vanrental.co.uk advertiser Jolly Good Van Hire has opened a new branch in Ely.

The Ely branch means that the company, which specialises in European van hire, now has three branches:

  • Shrewsbury
  • Wrexham
  • Ely

Jolly Good’s Ely branch offers all the services that customers of the company have come to expect, including UK daily rental, monthly rental and European van hire. Vehicle tracking is available for business customers and a nationwide collection and delivery service is also available.

Jolly Good’s van fleet is all under twelve months old and includes the following types of van:

  • Small vans (e.g. Volkswagen Caddy)
  • Medium vans (e.g. Ford Transit SWB)
  • Long wheelbase vans (e.g. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter LWB)
  • Luton vans with tail lifts

Jolly Good Van Hire also offers a range of cars and nine-seater minibuses.

To find out more or arrange a quote or booking, contact Jolly Good Van Hire directly:

Stunning New Ford Transit Shows Shape Of Future

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Ford Tourneo Concept - new Transit shapeFord has released the first pictures of its all-new Ford Transit, which will be unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

The new Transit is first being shown in Tourneo people carrier form but will also be made with a panel van body, as at present.

According to Ford, the Tourneo Custom Concept (i.e. the new Transit) “adopts the same Kinetic Design language as Ford’s latest passenger cars to take a fresh approach to space, style and functionality.”

It certainly looks stunning and should combine very well with Ford’s current Euro 5 engine line-up.

The Tourneo Custom Concept is based on a new Ford global platform which has been engineered to deliver car-like dynamics, including agile, responsive handling, enhanced ride comfort and reduced noise-levels.

The new models will use the latest Ford ECOnetic technologies to reduce emissions and fuel consumption and will have a car-like interior quite different to current medium-sized vans.

Ford Tourneo Concept - new Transit cab shot

The Tourneo model pictured is technically a concept vehicle but is expected to form the basis of Ford’s new commercial vehicle range, set to be introduced later this year. Given how close the launch date is, the production models should look very similar to the van we’ve pictured.

New Generation of Ford Commercial Vehicles

The debut of the Tourneo Custom Concept has added significance in heralding the arrival of a completely new generation of Ford commercial vehicles. The full range of models will be revealed during 2012.

Kicking off this major series of introductions, the Tourneo Custom Concept itself highlights a new family of Ford people movers and one-tonne vans which will be launched in Europe and other global markets, but will not be sold in North America.

This new range will be powered by enhanced versions of the new 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, which was initially introduced in 2011; with Auto-Stop-Start technology fitted as standard, Ford is targeting best-in-class fuel economy.

Three power ratings will be available: 100 PS, 125 PS and 155 PS.  All versions are paired with a six-speed manual transmission and feature front-wheel drive.

The model range will include a wide choice of body styles and two wheelbases (SWB and LWB) allowing for extra luggage or goods capability where required.

New Ford Transit concept - rear viewNew Ford Transit concept front viewFord Transit conceptFord Tourneo concept vehicle

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

EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval Threatens Independent Bodybuilders

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The last few years have seen most European light commercial vehicle manufacturers introduce ready-built conversion options to their van ranges.

Common conversion, such as lutons, dropsides, tippers, minibuses and even refrigerated vans are increasingly available direct from the factory – or else via a factory-approved converter with the conversion included in the original sale.

This offers manufacturers and customers a number of advantages in terms of quality, consistence and simplicity – and may even have been good news for some larger bodybuilders who have managed to secure OEM contracts. On the other hand, it probably has not been good news for smaller independent bodybuilders who have lost some of their bread and butter work

Introducing EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval

What is more certain is that the latest EU rules are not going to be good news for independent bodybuilders. From 29th April 2012, manufacturers, converters and bodybuilders of Special Purpose Vehicles (category M1) will have to seek Type Approval to register vehicles across Europe. No type approval will mean that the vehicle cannot be registered.

 Bodybuilders making all sorts of products from motor-caravans, ambulances and hearses to armoured vehicles and wheelchair accessible vehicles (up to eight seats) will have to adhere to the new rules.

Whole Vehicle Type Approval means that the whole of the finished vehicle must be approved – not just parts of it. For example, a manufacturer chassis cab will already have type approval, and until now, an independent bodybuilder could fit a suitable body to it without requiring the whole vehicle to be recertified. That will no longer be the case.

All vehicles sold will need to have whole vehicle type approval and will need either a certificate of conformity (for production models) or an Individual Vehicle Approval Certificate (for one-off models) to prove it. From 29th October 2012, these rules will also apply to trailers.

The SMMT has put together a guide to the approval process that is probably a good starting point for anyone who feels that they might be affected: senta.smmt.co.uk.

Record Diesel Prices Put Pressure On Van Operators – But Who Is Profiting?

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Diesel prices have hit record average levels in the UK, according to the latest fuel price reports from the AA.

The average price of diesel in the UK has overtaken the record set in May last year, hitting 143. 05 p a litre.

Since peaking at 143.04p a litre on 5 May last year, the pump price of diesel fell back to 137.59p in July before starting to climb again. Two years ago, diesel in the UK averaged 113.62p a litre.

Average UK diesel prices, courtesy of www.whatgas.com

(Graph courtesy of www.whatgas.com)

For a commercial van with an 80-litre fuel tank, the cost of filling up has risen from £90.90 in February 2010 to £ 114.44 now, having dropped to £110.07 in July.

Edmund King, the AA’s President said:

“A stronger pound has staved off this moment for longer than might have been expected, but diesel drivers across the country will have been watching in trepidation. They hoped that below-record prices would hold until the spring, when winter price pressures on diesel traditionally ease.”

Diesel Prices Rising Faster Than Oil Prices

These graphs from WhatGas.com show that diesel prices have been accelerating steadily away from underlying oil prices:

Oil prices vs diesel prices - courtesy of whatgas.com

(Graph courtesy of www.whatgas.com)

The fuel market is far from transparent and the effects of financial market speculation on oil prices can be dramatic – and unpleasant for ordinary motorists. There is no way for us to know whether we are paying a fair price for petrol and diesel – and the profits accumulated by the major oil companies suggest that we might not be.

The AA has written to the Chancellor calling for an investigation of the oil, refining, fuel product and retail markets to ensure UK families and business are protected from over-inflated prices and supply difficulties.

In the meantime, I would expect the van hire market to continue to do well as high fuel prices and uncertain business conditions prompt owners to delay fleet replacements but to seek out the most fuel efficient vans – both objectives that can best be met by daily rental or contract hire.

New Electric Vans: Introducing Mia Electric

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The Mia U electric van

The Mia U electric van

We take a look at the forthcoming Mia Electric van, which is eligible for the plug-in grant.

Following yesterday’s announcement of the initial list of electric vans eligible for the government’s plug-in grant scheme, I thought it might be interesting to take a look at one of the lesser-known names on the list, Mia Electric.

Mia Electric is a French company with three models, the Mia, Mia L and Mia U. The Mia and Mia L are passenger models – the L is a longer wheelbase variant.

The Mia U is the company’s electric van offering and is based on the Mia L.

Although it is just 3.19m long, it has a load capacity of 1,500 litres and is a single seater – the driver’s seat is centrally located in the cab.

I don’t know about you, but I think it looks rather good, in a Smart Car kind of way.

How Much Does It Cost?

The plug-in grant scheme gives buyers of qualifying electric vehicles a discount of 20% or £8,000 – whichever is less. Mia Electric’s van and car models do not go on sale in the UK until May but the company says that any motorist wishing to buy a mia electric vehicle when they go on sale in the UK market later this year will be entitled to a discount of around £5000.

This additional Government support means the mia’s standard short wheelbase model (mia-U) will retail at approximately £21,000 and the two extended models, the mia L and the mia box van, will both retail at approximately £22,000.

Mia says that the Mia U is currently on trial with a “major UK company” that is considering a large-scale switch to electric vans and Mia Electric’s Head of UK Sales, Richard Deslandes, said:

“The box van is a key component of the product range mia electric plans to bring to the UK market later this year. We hope the Government’s decision to extend the grant to cover vans will incentivise business owners to use electric vehicles and so reduce their carbon emissions.”

More About Mia Electric

The Mia Electric range was designed by the former head of design at Volkswagen, Murat Günak, and comes in three configurations – the standard short wheelbase model and two extended models, the mia L and the mia box van. The models were first shown in the UK at the 2011 EcoVelocity show at London’s Battersea Power Station.

The standard model weighs only 765kg (extended models weighs 786kg) giving it extremely economical power consumption and low running costs, which Mia estimates at approximately £1.30 per 62.5 miles.

All three vehicles are powered by an 18kW electric motor at the rear of the car that gives a top speed of 68 mph (100km/h). A 120 to 130km range is available from the 12 kWh battery pack that comes as standard and the lithium iron phosphate batteries can be fully charged in five hours. This technically sound battery system is exceptionally safe and helps alleviate range anxiety by allowing “no memory effect” charging. This means the battery can be charged for short top-up periods with absolutely no adverse effect to the life of the battery. (e.g. a ten minute charge will give an extra 8km of range).

The standard short wheelbase mia has three seats in total, while the extended mia L has four. Instead of three back seats, as in the mia L, the mia box van features a cargo capacity of 1,500 litres.

To find out more, visit www.mia-electric.com.

MINI Announces Clubvan Van Concept

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MINI Clubvan concept van

The MINI Clubvan concept van

MINI is to reveal a new van concept – the Clubvan – at the Geneva International Motor Show 2012.

Update: The MINI Clubvan will go into production, according to Autocar. Production should start later this year.

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More than fifty years ago, the first Morris Mini Van rolled off BMC’s Birmingham and Oxford production lines. Today, MINIs are still being made at Cowley and BMW is set to add a new variant to the mix – the MINI Clubvan.

Currently only a concept, the MINI Clubvan is based on the MINI Clubman, the current estate car version of the MINI.

Although I am not too keen on the standard MINI, I am a big fan of the Clubman shape, which lends itself superbly to becoming a small van and to other customisation options, as BMW points out in its press release…

Premium Van Would Be Promotional Gem

BMW says that the MINI Clubvan would be “a compact van for business and leisure, and the first premium model in the small car-based van segment.” That’s certainly true – although it says something about my powers of foresight when less a month after I questioned the future of car-derived small vans, the sexiest car-derived van of all time arrives on the scene.

There is no doubt that a van like this would create an excellent promotional effect for certain types of business – whether used as a delivery or work vehicle or simply as a promotional tool.

MINI Clubvan rear view

The Clubvan might also be the ultimate company car for a van hire company owner.

Practical Too

To criticise the Clubvan for not being as practical as a Citroen Berlingo would be to miss the point. Despite that, the Clubvan is more practical than you might think, offering a flat load area from behind the front seats to the rear doors, with an integral bulkhead and attachment loops for strapping loads down.

MINI Clubvan load area

The Clubvan also retains the Clubman’s rear-opening rear side doors and van-style rear doors, providing good rear and side access to the load compartment.

The sides of the van provide a surprisingly large expanse of flat space for signwriting and graphics and the rear windows are dark-tinted for security and style.

Will The Clubvan Go Into Production?

At this stage the Clubvan is just a concept, but I have a strong feeling that it will go into production: it is just too practical and desirable not too.

Besides, can you imagine jut how much fun a Cooper model would be?

Scroll down for more pictures, or visit www.mini.co.uk for more information.

MINI Clubvan passenger compartmentMINI Clubvan with side doors openMINI Clubvan front viewMINI Clubvan loaded with boxes

Citroën Confirms Relay Chassis Cab and Luton Models for 2012

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Citroen Relay 35 Euro 5 model

2012 Euro 5 Citroen Relay

All three of the new models use Citroën’s new Euro 5 HDi 150 diesel engine, supplementing the existing choice of HDi 110 and HDi 130 engines:

  • Relay 35 Heavy L3 HDi 150 6-speed manual Chassis Cab
  • Relay 35 Heavy L4 HDi 150 6-speed manual Chassis Cab
  • Relay 35 Heavy L4 HDi 150 6-speed manual Luton van

These latest additions mean that the Citroën Relay range now includes the following models, which are available with a choice of up to four Euro 5 engines: HDi 110, HDi 130, HDi 150 and the HDi 180:

  • Panel vans (8.0 – 17.0cu.m load volume & 3.0 – 4.05 tonne gvw)
  • 3.5 tonne gvw chassis cabs, with a choice of  in three wheelbase lengths
  • 3.5 tonne gvw chassis crew cabs
  • 3.5 tonne gvw back to back cabs
  • 3.5 tonne gvw Relay Specialist Luton vans
  • 3.5 tonne gvw Relay Specialist dropsides
  • 3.5 tonne gvw Relay Specialist tippers
  • Ready to Run minibuses, glass carriers, temperature controlled vans, tippers, dropsides and lutons

Scott Michael, Citroën’s Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager comments:

“The recently introduced Euro 5 150 engine provides a useful power and torque boost over the already impressive HDi 130 engine for those operators requiring additional performance. By now having Relay chassis cabs powered by the HDi 150 engine, we can offer an optimum combination of performance and economy for those customers wanting vehicles fitted with special bodywork.”

The Relay model range certainly seems to cover all the bases and should provide a suitable option for most operators’ requirements.

You will be able to see all of Citroën’s updated van models at the Birmingham NEC CV Show 2012

Do you operate Citroën vans? If so, leave us a comment below with your thoughts on them.

Electric Vans Eligible For Plug-In Grants Confirmed

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The Department of Transport has published a list of the first electric vans to be approved for the plug-in grant scheme for electric vehicles, which was extended to include vans in January.

Buyers of qualifying vans will be able to receive up to 20% – or a maximum of £8,000 – off the purchase price of a new electric van.

The first seven vans to be made eligible for the grants are;

  • Azure Dynamics – Transit Connect Electric
  • Mercedes-Benz – Vito E-Cell
  • Renault – Kangoo ZE variants Kangoo VAN ZE, Kangoo Van Maxi ZE, and Kangoo Van Maxi Crew ZE
  • Smith Electric – Smith Edison variants SE2 and SE3 (Ford Transit-based van)
  • Faam – ECOMILE (available March 2012)
  • Faam – Jolly 200 (available March 2012)
  • Mia-Electric – Mia U (available May 2012)

Vans used in towns often have predictable, low-mileage routes and return to a fixed base every night – ideal operating conditions for an electric van.

Businesses that run electric vans can benefit from reduced refuelling costs, are exempt from the van benefit charge, attract capital allowance concessions, and also receive a 100% discount for the congestion charge in the London. British Gas looks set to become one of the first large UK businesses to adopt electric vans in scale; Gearoid Lane, Managing Director of British Gas New Markets said:

“Extending electric car grants to cover fleet vehicles is a positive step in lowering emissions on our roads. With our network of engineers repairing boilers around the country we are keen to include electric vans in our own fleet, with 100s scheduled to be introduced over the next few years. We are also at the forefront of helping people with their own electric cars by installing charge points in homes up and down Britain.”

You can find full details of the plug-in grant scheme here: www.dft.gov.uk/topics/sustainable/olev/plug-in-car-grant/

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has also published a guide to electric vehicles, which can be downloaded free here.

Are you considering an electric van for your business? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Nissan Launches NV400 Lorry Ad Campaign

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Nissan NV400 lorry wrap advertising campaignNissan had a very successful 2011, which included the launch of a replacement model for Interstar, the NV400. It has now launched a new advertising campaign to promote the NV400 by vinyl-wrapping fifteen HGV trailers with promotional images of the NV400.

The trailers collectively cover 150,000 miles a month, which Nissan reckons will expose them to around 18 million pairs of eyeballs.

Big Ad, Big Van

Like the Interstar, the NV400 is based on the Renault Master – in this case, the latest Renault Master, which was launched in 2010.

The NV400 is a genuinely big van and comes in a choice of four load lengths and three load heights, with load volumes of between eight and 17 cubic metres and a choice of four gross vehicle weights ranging from 2.8 tonnes to  4.5 tonnes.

It is available in both front and rear wheel drive and can be specified with 100PS, 125PS or 150PS diesel engines driving through a six speed manual or automatic transmission.

To find out more, visit www.nissan.co.uk.