Author Archives: Van Rental

Best-selling vans Nov 2016

UK new van registrations hit record high in November

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A grand total of 29,784 new vans hit the roads in November — a 20-year high — according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

A 43% surge in registrations of vans in the 2.0-2.5t weight bracket drove the gains in total registrations, but much of this gain was offset by falls in other segments. Total van registrations were only 2.5% higher than in November 2015:

November 2016 LCV registrations

November 2016 monthly LCV registrations (Source: SMMT)

What’s more, I’d hazard a guess that a 43% increase in registrations of 2.0-2.5t vans corresponds to the delivery of a major fleet order. Perhaps Royal Mail, for example. Registrations of 2.0-2.5t vans are down by 4.2% so far this year, so I don’t think this has suddenly become a fast-growing segment of the market.

November 2016 YTD LCV registrations

November 2016 year-to-date LCV registrations (source: SMMT)

Indeed, only two classes of LCV have seen growth across the year so far. Pickups, which are up by 15% to 43,875 units, and 2.5t-3.5t vans, registrations of which are up 7% to 216,046. Interestingly, registrations of big vans (2.5-3.5t) actually fell slightly last month.

It’s probably too early to say whether any of these figures signify changing trends. Comments from Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, certainly seem to suggest that he’s unclear about the outlook:

“The new van market’s growth in November is welcome news and an encouraging sign of ongoing business confidence. With almost 350,000 light commercials registered so far this year, the sector remains on track to beat 2015’s record-breaking performance. For this success to continue in 2017 and beyond, however, it is essential that the economic conditions that have kept this sector so buoyant in recent years are maintained.”

One thing we can be sure of is that Ford maintained its stranglehold on the LCV market last month. The group sold more than twice as many vans as second-placed Volkswagen:

Best-selling vans Nov 2016

Source: SMMT (www.smmt.co.uk)

Volkswagen mobile servicing

Volkswagen launches mobile service centre vans

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Volkswagen has launched three new Mobile Service Clinic vans to offer commercial vehicle customers the choice of on-site maintenance and repair work.

Volkswagen Mobile Service Clinic van

One of the first three Volkswagen Mobile Service Clinic vans to be deployed in the UK.

The Mobile Service vans have been designed specifically for the needs of fleet customers and will be capable of delivering service work, inspections, A/C servicing, MOT repairs, minor warranty work and software updates remotely at the fleet base location.

Commercial vehicle operators are under pressure from their own customers to minimise downtime and hit demanding service level agreements. Being able to get servicing and repairs done at base, rather than at a dealer, as the potential to save significant amounts of time.

Each of the Mobile Service Clinic Crafter vans has been equipped by specialist conversion company, Surrey-based Winton Engineering. An array of on-board tools including compressed air jacks and even a hand wash basin lets technicians carry out a wide range of work.

Volkswagen mobile servicing

Ten more Mobile Service Clinic vans are expected to join the network by summer 2017, with nationwide coverage planned towards the end of next year.

David Bodily, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Service Development Manager, said:

“I’m delighted with the Mobile Service Clinic vans; they look fantastic and will provide a great alternative for fleet customers.

“We’ve found the main concern for fleet customers is downtime and how long their vehicles are off the road. The Mobile Service Clinic van is a convenient alternative for these businesses and demonstrates how we are dedicated to fulfilling our ‘Working with You’ promise to customers.

Volkswagen’s first three Mobile Service Clinic vans will operate from bases at Cordwallis VW dealerships in Maidenhead, Heathrow and Oxford.

Van rental in Oldham: introducing Oldham Van Hire

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Oldham Van Hire logoI’m very pleased to welcome Oldham Van Hire to vanrental.co.uk.

Oldham Van Hire is a new venture by van specialists Oldham Van Centre Ltd.

Based on Vanguard Business Park in Oldham, Oldham Van Hire offers clean, reliable vans with full breakdown cover and insurance.

Business customers are welcome, as are younger drivers (minimum age 21). Weekly and monthly hire rates are available on request. Oldham Van Hire currently offers the following vans for hire:

  • Ford Transit Connect LWB (or similar)
  • Ford Transit Customer SWB (or similar)
  • Citroen Relay long wheelbase/high roof (or similar)
  • Luton box van with tail lift
  • Dropside/tipper vans

Alongside its rental business, Oldham Van Centre also offers a wide range of used vans for sale, plus servicing, repair and storage facilities. You can find them at:

Vanguard Business Park,
Hamilton Street,
Oldham,
OL4 1DA

For more information to arrange van hire, contact Oldham Van Hire directly:

 

If you’d like to see your van hire company listed on vanrental.co.uk, visit our advertising page for details or get in touch.

Ford Transit Custom Colour Edition

Ford expands Sport range for Transit Custom buyers

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Ford has introduced some new models to its Transit Custom range. The new Colour Edition and Sports series models will target buyers looking eye-catching looks and those looking for improved driving dynamics and more aggressive styling.

Ford Transit Custom Colour Edition

Ford Transit Custom Colour Edition in Race Red

Colour me happy

The new Colour Edition models are all about style. They will be available in four colour schemes, Race Red, Deep Impact Blue, Frozen White and Shadow Black. Each van will have a contrasting roof, mirror caps, skid plate and side straps, along with black 17-inch alloy wheels.

All models will have a short wheelbase and a standard roof, and will be based on the 290 Trend model. Under the bonnet will be Ford’s new 170PS 2.0-litre Ford EcoBlue diesel engine, with a 6-speed manual transmission. The enhanced chassis settings used on the Sport series van will also be used on the Colour Edition, which should sharpen the driving experience.

The Colour Edition will be available for delivery in Spring 2017, but UK availability will be limited to just 400 units. There’s no word on price, but with so few vans, it might be worth contacting your local dealer if you’re interested.

Sport series gains new body choices

The Transit Custom Sport has hitherto been available in just one body style, the single cab short wheelbase van. Ford has heard the cries from its customers and has now expanded the Sport series to include no fewer than six different variants.

As before, the range-topping Sport series will feature a body kit and a fully colour-coded exterior, including body-colour bumpers, side mirrors and door handles. There will also be body-side mouldings and wheel arch extensions that have been redesigned for the latest model.

The van’s bold appearance will be complemented by new 17-inch alloy wheels in a two-tone silver and black design – with optional silver 18-inch alloy wheels – and twin bonnet stripes in a contrasting colour.

Inside, the seats will boast half-leather trim and the latest interior technologies such as the Ford SYNC connectivity package.

The Sport vans will use the same 170PS Ford EcoBlue diesel engine as the Colour Edition, but buyers will be able to choose between a 6-speed manual and the new 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission option on three of the Sport series variants.

All Sport models are based on the 290 series Transit Custom, with driving dynamics enhanced by a unique chassis specification that’s expected to deliver improved handling, ride and feel.

Changes include a thicker front anti-roll bar and the addition of a rear anti-roll bar. On the van model, this is combined with softer rear springs for increased comfort when lightly laden, along with unique damper tuning, with firmer settings on the rear, for enhanced ride and steering control. Double-cab-in-van models have different spring and damper settings optimised for both handling and rear passenger comfort.

The expanded Transit Custom Sport series is available to order at the end of the year for customer delivery in spring 2017.

City Harvest Vauxhall Vivaro

Vivaro van donation helps City Harvest collect unwanted food

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London-based food charity City Harvest collects surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, and distributes it to homeless and vulnerable people.

The group has received a donation of two refrigerated Vauxhall Vivaro vans from dealer groups Now, Tony Le Voi, and GO Vauxhall which will enable City Harvest to extend its work. Currently City Harvest delivers six tonnes of food to more than 100 charities, such as homeless shelters and soup kitchens. Other supporters of the charity include Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Charlie Bigham’s, Nandos and Whole Foods.

City Harvest Vauxhall Vivaro

The two Luton-built Vivaro 1.6-litre CDTi L2H1 panel vans, with temperature-controlled conversions by Cold Consortium, were handed over on Friday at the Vineyard community centre in Richmond, one of the locations to benefit from the service. The vans were liveried free of charge by Kent firm Motormode.

Laura Winningham, CEO of City Harvest, says the vans will make a big difference to some of the most vulnerable people in the capital:

“The generous donations from Now, Tony Le Voi and GO will make an enormous difference to those facing hunger across London.”

These Vauxhall vans will enable City Harvest to deliver thousands of nutritious meals each week to people in need and rescue tonnes of perfectly good food from being wasted.  We look forward to this partnership and working together in the community to make a daily impact.”

The level of food waste in the catering and supermarket sector is rightly seen as a scandal. It’s good to know that businesses are coming together to help charities such as City Harvest reduce this waste and put it to good use.

Volkswagen Amarok

New VW Amarok boasts stump-pulling V6 power plant

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Are we nearing peak pickup? News that the updated 2017 Volkswagen Amarok will be powered exclusively by a 3.0-litre V6 engine suggests to me that the fashion for big off-roaders may be approaching a peak.

Volkswagen Amarok

The new Volkswagen Amarok is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine.

I’m not suggesting that the Amarok won’t be a worthy and capable work horse. I’m sure this V6-powered example of German engineering will be a pleasure to work with. But a V6 soundtrack and in-cab opulence comes at a price. How many commercial buyers will opt to buy an Amarok (starting price £26,255+VAT) when they can opt for — say — a Mitsubishi L200 (starting price £17,999 +VAT)?

In my opinion, Volkswagen’s move to become the only marque offering a UK-spec pickup with a V6 diesel is as much about kerb appeal as it is about functionality. So what will the firm’s affluent buyers able to get for their cash?

UK customers can choose from selectable (with manual gearbox) and permanent (with auto) 4MOTION four-wheel drive. An optional mechanical rear-axle differential lock is also available for demanding off-road use.

The outside of the new Amarok features an updated bumper and radiator grille design, together with new-look lights and V6 badging.

Inside the cab, it’s more luxury car than beast of burden. The new Amarok will be equipped with Volkswagen’s MIB infotainment system with touchscreen, radio and new technology including the option of navigation, Guide & Inform, Car-Net and App-Connect systems. Bluetooth and DAB digital radio are also now standard features.

Inside new Volkswagen Amarok

Inside the new Volkswagen Amarok. More luxury car than off-road workhorse.

As you’d expect, the list of standard safety features is long and very reassuring. All new Amaroks will be fitted with four airbags, Electronic Stabilisation Programme and Volkswagen’s award-winning Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. Optional extras such as Park Pilot and a rear-view camera offer boost convenience and safety. After all, fitting this beast into a tight town centre parking space won’t be easy!

Here’s a summary of prices and specifications that are now available to order. Trim levels are carried across from VW’s UK van range, so an entry-level Startline model will be available at a later stage:

Model Engine  Basic RRP exc. VAT  Total RRP inc. VAT  Total RRP inc. OTR exc. VAT  Total RRP inc. OTR inc. VAT
Trendline 3.0 V6 TDI 204 PS 8spd auto 4MOTION  £26,255.00  £31,506.00  £27,125.00  £32,493.00
Highline 3.0 V6 TDI 204 PS 8spd auto 4MOTION  £29,995.00  £35,994.00  £30,865.00  £36,981.00
Highline 3.0 V6 TDI 204 PS 8spd auto 4MOTION  £30,495.00  £36,594.00  £31,365.00  £37,581.00
Aventura 3.0 V6 TDI 204 PS 8spd auto 4MOTION  £31,995.00  £38,394.00  £32,865.00  £39,381.00

Source: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK

I’m sure the new Amarok will be popular and capable. But I reckon there are cheaper options that are equally capable for trade crews needing a work pickup for genuine off-road use.

Out There Volkswagen Crafter vans

Volkswagen Crafter gets Out There in Northern Ireland

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Northern Ireland’s largest grounds maintenance and landscaping contractor, Out There, has taken delivery of its first batch of 13 Volkswagen Crafter vans. The delivery is part of an ongoing refresh of its 70-strong fleet.

Out There Volkswagen Crafter vans

Out There’s new Volkswagen Crafter vans

The vans will be used by the Out There staff to cover various grounds maintenance and landscape contracts all across Northern Ireland and soon in London, where they have secured their first mainland UK contract.

The purpose built vehicles have been modified to ensure that each is able to carry the firm’s plant equipment.  All panel vans have been fully ply-lined, feature bulkhead protection and are fitted with a heavy duty towbar. In addition, a number of the vehicles have been converted to accommodate further crew members with a second row of seats installed and glazed side windows fitted.

Steven Thompson, Managing Director at Out There said:

“This is an exciting time for everyone at Out There and it’s great to finally unveil the new brand and fleet to everyone. We have around 70 new vehicles that are going to be renewed over the next 18 months, and we are pleased to have partnered up with Donnelly Commercial Vehicles for this first phase.

Out There’s fleet also includes a number of Volkswagen Caddy vans, as well as flatbed and tipper variants of the Crafter.

Nissan NV300 van and minibus

Nissan NV300 now on sale in UK showrooms

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The new Nissan NV300 is now on sale in UK dealers, with prices starting from £21,300 +VAT.

Nissan NV300 van and minibus

The new Nissan NV300 van and minibus

Like its predecesoor, the Nissan Primastar, the NV300 is of course based on the Renault Trafic/Vauxhall Vivaro. But as I’ve mentioned before, it enjoys one very special advantage over these two European models: a five-year/100,000 mile warranty.

Renaut and Vauxhall only offer a four-year warranty, so all else being equal (and it pretty much is) you might as well plump for the NV300, in my opinion. Certainly, if I was equally close to a Nissan and (say) a Renault dealer, I’d probably opt for the Nissan.

The new NV300 fills the gap between Nissan’s in-house small van, the NV200, and the Renault Master-based NV400. Available from all 220 of Nissan’s UK dealers, the NV300 is available in three trim levels and as a panel van, crew van, minibus or chassic cab version.

Panel van customers can choose between short and long wheelbase and two roof heights, while a choice of tailgate or barn doors is also available to suit different usage scenarios. All the panel van models are able to carry at least three Europallets.

The NV300 is powered by Nissan’s popular 1.6-litre dCi diesel engine, available in a choice of 95hp, 120hp, 125hp and 145hp power outputs. All models have a six-speed manual gearbox and fuel consumption can be as high as 50.4mpg.

Service intervals have been extended to two years/25,000 miles, in order to minimise the total cost of ownership. That may be good news for the van’s first owner. But as I’ve said before, my personal opinion is that two years and 25,000 miles is too long for any vehicle to go without a mechanical inspection or a change of oil.

That’s just my opinion. Just don’t expect me to rush to buy a four-year old van, that’s only ever had one oil change, and has spent most of its life doing short urban journeys with lots of cold starts.

Lyreco Renault Master

Office supplies firm gives new Master stamp of approval

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Office supply firm Lyreco has updated its UK fleet with 172 new Renault Master vans. The marque replaces another brand in the fleet, and will be used to deliver items from Lyreco’s 10,000+ catalogue of office and workplace supplies.

Lyreco Renault Master

One of Lyreco’s new Renault Master vans

Lyreco is a long-standing partner of Renault. These new vans were chosen after Lyreco engaged ERA Fleet Cost Management to conduct a tender including other manufacturers and suppliers. The Renault Masters replace vehicles from another brand and won the tender based on their whole life costs, impressive payload and the reliability of the other Renault vehicles that Lyreco operates.

Nick Dacey, Logistics Director, Lyreco, emphasised that the Masters were chosen under competitive circumstances:

“Although we have a long relationship with Renault, we still like to re-evaluate our fleet on a regular basis and, once again, the Renault Master has proved to be ahead of its rivals and the ideal fit for our requirements.”

With a maximum payload of 1,530kg from the factory, Lyreco’s Renault Masters have been supplied in (LM35) Long wheelbase, medium roof specification. All feature the French firm’s 135hp 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine and are specified with front-wheel drive, maximising load space and payload and providing a driver-friendly low floor for easy loading and unloading.

All of Lyreco’s new Masters have been specified in Business trim, which includes standard features as a DAB radio with Bluetooth, electric front windows, remote central locking, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with HSA (Hill Start Assist) and Grip Xtend; an advanced electronic traction control system which acts on the vehicle’s driven wheels to optimise traction on loose surfaces.