Author Archives: Van Rental

Ford Transit Custom expands blue oval role in NHS blood fleet

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NHS Blood Transfusion vehicles from FordVehicles operated by the NHS Blood and Transplant service (NHSBT) may not have the same high profile as other emergency services vehicles, but they deserve to.

Collectively, the NHSBT’s 500-strong fleet is responsible for collecting and transporting blood donations from all around the UK, and distributing them to hospitals as required — sometimes under emergency, blue light conditions.

Ford vehicles already played a major role in the NHSBT fleet, with around 65 per cent of the current fleet featuring the blue oval badge on their bonnet. This presence will now be extended by the addition of the Ford Transit Custom to the NHSBT fleet.

Current NHSBT Ford models include blue-light Ford Focus Estate models and specially-adapted Ford Transits, each of model has a key task in keeping blood supplies circulating.

NHSBT’s national fleet service manager, Larry Bannon, said:

“We are pleased to welcome the Ford Transit Custom on to our fleet and we are sure it will more than meet our expectations. The Transit is recognised throughout this industry as the perennial best in class, and it is certainly the best vehicle that fits our purpose, with excellent network support and a spare parts supply second to none.”

In addition to emergency-service livery and the fitment of special storage equipment, each van is lined in a special waterproof resin to enable power-washing of the interior to ensure cleanliness to prescribed and regularly audited levels.

Larry Bannon added:

“The Ford vans are used in every stage of the blood donation process, from collecting the blood from the village halls and schools where blood donation sessions are set up, then transporting the donated blood to our regional processing sites where it is tested, processed and sorted, through to delivering units of blood to hospitals, whether as part of a routine order or under emergency blue-light cover to meet a hospital’s urgent needs.”

Citroen takes top spot in Business Van Of The Year Awards 2015

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Updated 2014 Citroën Berlingo

The Citroen Berlingo

The Citroen Berlingo bagged the top prize at the recent Business Van Of The Year awards, thanks to its ubiquitous popularity, durability, generous specification and deceptive load-lugging ability.

The model specified by the Business Van judges was the Berlingo HDi 75 manual L1 625 Enterprise — broadly speaking an entry level standard wheelbase model that’s probably the most popular choice among Berlingo buyers.

Here’s a run-down of all the winners from this year’s awards:

  • Van of the Year: Citroen Berlingo HDi 75 manual L1 625 Enterprise
  • Best Small Trades Van: Citroen Berlingo HDi 75 manual L1 625 Enterprise
  • Best Large Trades Van: Vauxhall Vivaro 1.6CDTi 16v bi-turbo 120bhp L1H1 Sportive
  • Best Heavy Panel Van: Citroen Relay 35 L3 H2 130bhp Enterprise
  • Best Crew Van: Volksagen Transporter Kombi T30 Highline 180
  • Best City Van: Fiat Fiorino Cargo 1.3 MultiJet 75 Tecnico Start Stop
  • Best Local Delivery Van: Volkswagen Caddy 1.6TDI Highline 102PS C20
  • Best Green Van: Nissan e-NV200 Electric
  • Best Double Cab: Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 Trendline 180PS 4Motion
  • Best Utility Pick-Up: Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 Trendline 180PS 4Motion
  • Best Servicing Package: Volkswagen
  • Best Financing Package: Volkswagen

In terms of numbers, Volkswagen pipped Citroen to the post, with the German marque taking six awards compared to the French firm’s three. However, perhaps the most remarkable exclusion was Ford — this must be the first time for a couple of years that Ford has managed to avoid winning anything at an industry awards ceremony!

UK CV production down 19.7% in 2014, but December figures hint at return to growth

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Sometimes, statistics just play out the way you want them to. Last month, I suggested that the UK’s flat commercial vehicle output in November could herald the end of a long decline and the start of something better.

Today, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirmed that this was exactly what happened.

CV production rose by 12.6% in the UK last month, according to the latest figures from the SMMT. This was driven by a collossal 177% increase in home demand, that I suspect is due to production ramping up of the new Vauxhall Vivaro — gains that may not be sustainable in the medium term. However, the picture is clearly brighter than it has been for a long time:

CV manufacturing Dec-13 Dec-14 % Change YTD-13 YTD-14 % Change
Total 5,163 5,815 12.6% 88,110 70,731 -19.7%
Home 1,041 2,891 177.7% 40,200 35,909 -10.7%
Export 4,122 2,924 -29.1% 47,910 34,822 -27.3%
% export 79.8% 50.3% 54.4% 49.2%

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

This is what Mike Hawes, the SMMT’s chief executive, had to say about the figures:

“The growth of commercial vehicle manufacturing output in December represents a turning point in the sector’s fortunes,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “A ramping up of new model production, as well as a thriving home market, is expected to yield a stronger 2015, while the effects of restructuring in 2013 will no longer be felt.”

To finish off, I’ve included two graphs which show how CV production has changed since 2008, and highlight the nascent recovery the industry appears to be starting to enjoy:

SMMT CV output graphs Dec 2014

(L-R) CV output from 2008-2014 and the % change in quarterly output during 2014, compared to the equivalent quarter of 2013

All we need now is for the €1.1tn of quantitative easing planned for the eurozone to take effect and boost export demand — UK manufacturers might then be off to the races…

Big payload and small footprint make FUSO Canter obvious choice for tile firm

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Walls and Floors FUSO Canter

As you can see from the size of the fork lift truck in the picture, Walls and Floors FUSO Canters have been fitted with fairly compact curtainside bodies — any more height or length would impact fuel efficiency and be unusuable, due to the high weight of tiles.

When considering what size of van or truck will best suit your requirements, you need to consider both the weight and the size of your typical load.

At one extreme you’ll find ultra lightweight products such as polystyrene packaging, which weigh very little but take up a lot of space.

At the other end of the spectrum are compact, heavy products, such as tiles. As anyone who has ever shifted a few dozen boxes of tiles knows, despite their deceptively small size, they are very heavy.

As a result, vans and trucks delivering tiles need above-average payloads for their size if they are to be fully loaded, while staying safe and legal. The obvious answer to this dilemma is a compact 7.5t truck, rather than a large 3.5t van, and tile retailer Walls and Floors is a faithful adherent of this practice.

The Kettering-based firm recently replaced its previous fleet of Canters with eight new Euro VI models, and John Steel, the firm’s operations director, confirms that payload and footprint are key to the Canter’s appeal:

“The Canter’s industry-leading payload is, of course, key to its appeal. Its size is also important, though – the Canter has a relatively compact footprint for a 7.5-tonner, which allows the vehicle to access tight locations and makes it very manoeuvrable.

The Canter 7C18 is powered by a 129 kW (175 hp) engine that offers a useful combination of economy and performance. Walls and Floors’ vehicles are also equipped with fully automated DUONIC dual clutch transmissions, which deliver smooth, fuel-efficient gear changes and incorporate an Eco Mode feature as standard.

Like their predecessors, the trucks offer impressive payload capacities. Most can carry in excess of 3,750kg, the only exceptions being the two which are additionally equipped with 1,000kg Anteo tuckaway tail-lifts weighing in at around 250kg, which are used for building site deliveries.

Toyota Proace demolishes competition for deconstruction specialist

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GCM Services Toyota ProaceThe Toyota Proace isn’t the most commonly-sighted van on UK roads, not least because the world, the European version is essentially a rebadged Fiat Scudo. Sadly UK drivers can’t get their hands on the highly regarded HiAce model that’s sold in Africa and Australasia.

Still, Toyota’s reputation for build quality and durability means that the Proace is an ideal choice for demanding users, such as Falkirk-based deconstruction contractors GCM Services.

GCM provides its specialist services to heavy industry and the petrochemical sector, and recently purchased several Proace vans to supplement its fleet.

The new vehicles are long-wheelbase models and have been finished in GCM Service’s corporate livery. They will be used for the company’s contract services across the UK, and are expected to stay in service for three years before being replaced.

Commenting on the acquisition, Gordon Marshall, managing director, said:

“We needed vehicles that reflected the quality of our business and which delivered the right capability and reliability. The Toyota Proace fits this profile perfectly.”

Powered by a flexible, efficient 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, the Proace medium duty van is designed for ease of use. The long-wheelbase model chosen by GCM allows a payloads of up to 1.2 tonnes to be carried, while the firm’s drivers will enjoy a comfortable and safe environment, with Bluetooth, driver and passenger airbags and electric windows and door mirrors included in the standard specification.

Were there any vans in the 2015 Dakar Rally?

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The Dakar rally includes four classes of vehicles — motorbike, quad bikes, cars and trucks. For Dakar purposes, the car class includes all vehicles weighing less than 3,500kg, while the truck class is for vehicles weighing more than 3,500kg.

As it happens, there were not any actual vans models in the Dakar this year, but a number of interesting vehicles derived from pick-ups, trucks and even vans make it into the rally each year. In this article I’ve highlighted a few examples of each category — access to official Dakar photography is limited so these are pictures provided by the manufacturers concerned.

Unsurprisingly, Toyota put on a strong show, with both Hilux and Land Cruiser entries. The Toyota Imperial Hilux finished second in the car class:

Dakar 2015 Toyota Imperial Hilux

Dakar 2015 Toyota Imperial Hilux

Meanwhile — perhaps even more impressively — the Toyota Land Cruiser dominated the production 4×4 diesel class, occupying the top 5 slots in the rankings!

Dakar 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser finished occupied the top five positions in the diesel production 4×4 class!

The MINI isn’t exactly a commercial vehicle, but there was a Clubvan model for a short while (now sadly discontinued). Plus, a MINI won has won the Dakar for the last two years. Here’s the latest Dakar MINI in action (not the winner, I don’t think):

Dakar 2015 MINI

The 2015 Dakar MINI

Iveco is one of the stalwarts of the Dakar truck class, and this year was no exception, with the Italian manufacturer entering three vehicles in partnership with the Dutch Iveco DeRooy Petronas team.

The models chosen were the Powerstar — a bonneted truck model that’s not sold in the UK — and the Trakker, which is a quarry/off-road model that is available in the UK, albeit not that commonly seen:

Dakar 2015 Iveco Powerstar

The 2015 Dakar Iveco Powerstar, driven by 2012 Dakar winner Gerard de Rooy

Dakar 2015 Iveco Trakker

The 2015 Dakar Iveco Trakker — you may see one of these down your local quarry…

Here are a few more Dakar 2015 truck pics, courtesy of the Iveco Flickr feed:

Desert Work Trakker

Spirit Driver Dakar

Ranking Truck Dakar

Driver Dunes Trucks

 

Finally, it’s also not a van — but the previous model was available as a van. Peugeot discontinued the 207 Van model when the 207 was replaced, but the firm’s return to the Dakar is worthy of note, especially as the Dakar-spec 2008 is a truly awesome machine, powered by a 3-litre V6 diesel engine mounted at the rear of the car, which delivers 340hp and 800Nm of torque — truly in the same spirit as the all-conquering 205 T16 of yesteryear (showing my age, here):

Dakar 2015 Peugeot 208

The Peugeot 208 as entered into the 2015 Dakar

Save up to 20% on Europcar Van Hire in January sale

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Europcar van hire

Save up to 20% in the Europcar January sale

Europcar is currently offering discounts of up to 20% on van hire as part of its January Sale.

This is valid for bookings made by February 1st and completed by 30th June, with certain exclusions.

**THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED**

If you need a van for a trip to the tip, to move furniture or for a big DIY project, this could be a good opportunity. Europcar has also provided some helpful tips for driving and load a van (we have more tips on driving and loading vans):

All you have to do to benefit from the Europcar January sale discount is book online as normal*: click here to visit the Europcar website.

 

Tips for driving a van

  • Vans are bigger than cars – Be aware of the width, length and height of the vehicle when hiring a van, especially if you’re not used to driving one
  • Take corners slowly – it is possible for a heavy loads to move around if you take the corner too fast
  • Space for corners – Remember that larger vans need more room to turn so give yourself plenty of time and space when taking corners.
  • Stopping distance – Remember that the larger or heavier the vehicle, the longer it takes to stop, especially in icy or wet conditions.
  • Blind side – Watch out for cyclists and bikers who might be tempted to overtake on the blind side.

Tips for loading a van

  • Start loading your items at the front of the van and work your way to the back.
  • Spread the load evenly across the base, uneven loads can have a massive effect on a van’s stability.
  • Keep all items stacked as tightly as possible to keep everything from shifting during the drive.
  • When loading a van, place heavy items on the floor of the vehicle, and plastic and lighter things on top of the heavier ones.
  • You may have to take apart things like tables and desks in order to load everything tightly and to ensure safe transport.
  • Be careful not to scoot or drag furniture in the van as damage may occur to sofas, table legs and dresser bottoms.
  • When lifting a heavy load bend your legs not your back.

*Terms and conditions apply. See Europcar website for details.

Ambulance fleet introduces new concept vehicles to emergency fleet

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SECAmb Mercedes-Benz Ambulance and training vehicle

One of SECAmb’s new driver training vans, alongside a new emergency ambulance.

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has introduced a range of new vehicle concepts to its fleet. 

Although chassis cab 5.0t Sprinter ambulances remain at the heart of the fleet — SECAmb operates 300 of these A&E ambulances — the trust has started to introduce a wider range of other models and specifications for different duties.

One area of emergency care where patients may notice a difference is in SECAmb’s new fast response vehicles. Over recent years, ambulance trusts across the UK seem to have standardised on well-specified medium-sized estate cars for paramedics, but the downside of these is that they provide no room for even basic treatment, which often results in an ambulance being called to transport the patient to hospital.

To help alleviate this problem, SECAmb has replaced a number of its fast response cars with 2.8t Vito 116CDI Dualiners — panel vans with a second row of seats and purpose-built interiors which allow patients to be treated for minor wounds and injuries at the scene, inside the vehicle, eliminating the need for a trip to A&E.

SECAmb has also introduced a new class of vehicle for driver training: five 4.0t Sprinter 419CDI panel vans are now operating as dedicated Driver Training Units. Fitted with a variety of cameras and motion sensors, the vans have been specified with a second row of seats and onboard monitor and video equipment, which allows multiple students to receive tuition at once and to watch back their driving immediately after manoevures have been completed.

Elsewhere in SECAmb’s fleet, five critical care ambulances have been introduced: these are based on the standard box body ambulance specification, but carry additional equipment for treating the most seriously ill patients. The trust has also added a number of Sprinter and Citan panel vans to its fleet for logistics and support use.

As you may have noticed, all of these vehicles are Mercedes-Benz — commenting on the choices, Justin Wand, SECAmb’s Head of Fleet Operations, said:

“However, while acknowledging the need for vehicles of different sizes and specification, we also wanted to standardise on a consistent, reliable platform. Mercedes-Benz was the obvious partner, not least because in the Sprinter, Vito and Citan its range includes a model which is right for every application.

“Plus, of course, we already know from long experience that on a whole-life cost basis, taking account of factors such as fuel economy, reliability and maintenance, Mercedes-Benz products represent better value than those of its competitors.”

As we’ve seen before, Mercedes customer always appear ready to sing the praises of the three-pointed star, and their loyalty is often notable.

Mercedes-Benz safety credentials prompt switch from rental vans for rail contractor

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RSS Mercedes-Benz Vito and Citan vansRail contractor Rail Safety Solutions (RSS) has taken delivery of 22 new Mercedes-Benz vans and minibuses.

The new vehicles — a mixture of long-bodied Vito 113 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Traveliner minibuses with nine seats, Vito Dualiner models with a second row of seats, and Citan 109 CDI Extra-longs — are on a contract hire agreement and replace rented vehicles.

Key to Rail Safety Solutions’ decision to put its faith in vehicles bearing the three-pointed star was a visit made as guests of Midlands Truck & Van, by Chief Executive Richard Toy and Fleet Manager Robert Barrett to the latest Mercedes-Benz VanExperience LIVE.

“It was an excellent day, and very reassuring to experience the various safety features fitted as standard to the Vito and Citan,” recalled Richard Toy. “This reinforced the view we had already formed, which was that in terms of the level of protection they offer for our employees Mercedes-Benz Vans are without equal.”

Safety was a big factor in RSS’s decision to move away from rental vehicles and acquire the Mercedes vehicles — prior to ordering its new fleet conducted a comprehensive analysis of safety incidents involving rail industry workers. This concluded that a number of accidents occurred not while staff worked on track, but while they were en route to the location or returning home.

These findings were borne out when three track workers employed by another operator were killed and a fourth critically injured in an horrific motorway smash last year. The accident happened as they made their way home having finished a shift in the early hours of the morning.

RSS has also fitted each of its new vans with a Driver Awareness Warning System. This employs a dash-mounted device which focuses on the driver’s retina and measures their ‘blinking pattern’ at the start of the journey, then sounds audible warnings if it detects signs of drowsiness or inattention. Fitting systems like this is not usually possible in rented vehicles, so a move to a longer-term solution made sense.

In addition to this system, the Vito and Citan are equipped with an array of standard fit active and passive safety systems. These include the ADAPTIVE version of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) pioneered by Mercedes-Benz in partnership with Bosch, as well as Brake Assist and ABS, and flashing hazard warning lights that are switched on automatically under emergency braking.

Used van market won’t normalise until 2020, says Manheim

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Never mind my predictions that used van prices might start to stagnate and perhaps even soften in 2015, James Davis, head of commercial vehicles at Manheim, believes that the used van market will not return to “pre-recessionary normality” until 2020.

Things certainly aren’t completely normal now: average used van selling prices last year were 45% (£1,500) higher than they were in 2006, despite the vans being older and having higher mileages.

The logic behind Mr Davis’ thinking is simple enough: new van sales have now returned to pre-recessionary levels of more than 300,000 units per year, but most of these new vans won’t be de-fleeted by their corporate, lease and utility owners until 2019/20. At this point, the age and mileage profile of vans entering the used market will be the same as it was in 2006, before the financial crisis reared its head.

However, I reckon there are some factors that could enable the market to find a new balance a little sooner than 2020.

Average age, price and mileage (Manheim)

Average used van age, selling price and mileage at Manheim sales, Dec ’13 – ’14. (Click to enlarge)

1. The UK CV market won’t be the same in 2020 as it was in 2006, and the age and mileage profile of used van stock may not be either. Mr Davis alluded to this in his comments today, noting that daily rental and flexirent fleets have recently injected a welcome does of late model vans into the market.

Flexible long-term rental is increasingly popular in the UK van market, and part of the attraction is that you are guaranteed to always have a nearly-new vehicle without having to commit to finance or long-term ownership. The rising popularity of this type of offering could mean that a proportion of last year’s new vans will be returned to the secondary market much sooner than historical trends suggest.

2. On a similar note, fleet operators are heavily focused on minimising the total cost of ownership of their vehicles. This means maximising resale values — if above-average prices remain available in the secondary market, some fleet operators may choose to de-fleet vans slightly earlier than they have done historically. Again, this could help to bring the market back into balance sooner than expected.

3. If the UK economy does continue to recover, a greater proportion of van buyers will want — and be able to afford — new vans. After all, new car sales are now ahead of levels seen before the recession. Van sales might also continue to rise, depressing demand for used vans. This may even be happening already.

Although used van prices rose by 5.5% in December 2014, compared to December 2013, Manheim’s used van prices are below the all-time peak seen in October 2014. December’s average of £4,715 is in-line with the average seen over the last six months.

The age and mileage profile of used vans is also improving — average age at Manheim in December was 62 months, down from 63 months in December 2013. Similarly, average mileage was down by 4,000 from 84,275 in December 2013 to 80,217 last month.

This suggest to me that buyers aren’t reliably paying more for older vans, as they were doing a year or so ago.

4. There’s also another possibility: suppose the UK’s economic recovery proves short-lived and demand for new vans falls again. That could boost used van demand beyond even Mr Davis’ wildest expectations. I don’t expect this to happen, but it’s certainly not impossible.

As always, we’ll just have to wait and see.