Author Archives: Van Rental

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.

New Vauxhall Corsavan goes on sale

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New 2015 Vauxhall Corsavan

The new Vauxhall Corsavan

Late last year I attended the launch of the new Vauxhall Corsa car and reported that a new Corsavan would follow shortly.

The new Corsavan is now on sale with first deliveries expected in March. Like the new Corsa cars, the Corsavan has been generously specified with a standard spec that includes ESP with Hill Start Assist, daytime running lights, tyre pressure monitoring, digital radio plus Bluetooth, and steering wheel controls.

The popular Sportive specification has been continued as well, and buyers of this model — likely to be owner-drivers — will enjoy 16″ alloy wheels, air con and a heated windscreen too, along with a range of options.

A van like this is likely to be used for small, light cargos, but for anyone wanting to transport small, heavy objects, the payload is a competitive 560kg or thereabouts, depending on which specification you choose. Loading capacity is 920 litres.

Power plants

When I drove the new Corsa, it was clear to me and most of the others at the launch that Vauxhall’s new 1.0l turbocharged petrol engine was the best of the bunch. Torquey, relatively characterful, efficient and perfectly matched to the car.

Given this, it’s a real shame that Vauxhall has opted not to make the 1.0l engine available on the new Corsavan — the only petrol option is Vauxhall’s ageing, dull (but cheap) 1.2i 70PS engine.

The options are much better if you want a diesel, with 75PS and 95PS variants of Vauxhall’s popular 1.3CDTi engine on offer, both fitted with Start/Stop. Although ecoFLEX is only available on the higher-powered model, both engines promise combined cycle fuel consumption of more than 70mpg.

Choosing diesel may seem like a foregone conclusion when buying a van, but it shouldn’t be — especially for a small van like this that won’t have to haul heavy loads and which may often be used for low mileage, urban work, where petrol makes more sense and is far more environmentally friendly than diesel.

Prices for the new Corsavan start at £10,995 +VAT for the petrol model and £12,245 +VAT for the diesel models.

Volkswagen extends limited-run Caddy Black Edition until March

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Volkswagen Caddy Black EditionVolkswagen has decided to extend the production run of its Caddy Black Edition due to popular customer demand.

The popular new model has been on sale since 1 October 2014 and will now continue to be available until 31 March 2015. Based on the Highline specification, the UK special edition includes £2,150 of additional equipment, representing a customer saving of £1,515.

The specification includes body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and door handles, fog lights, rear parking sensors, climatic air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth phone connectivity with trip computer and multi-function display.

The Caddy Black Edition boasts striking Deep Black Pearlescent paint, unique black and polished 17-inch alloy wheels and silver roof rails and radiator grille surround. Drivers also benefit from a multi-functional steering wheel, leather gear knob and gaiter, heated wing mirrors and electric windows as standard. The also rides lower than the standard Caddy, as VW’s Dynamic Suspension is used to reduce the ride height by 27mm.

Available in short-wheelbase panel van form only, the Caddy Black Edition is powered by a VW’s 1.6-litre TDI common rail direct injection engine, which develops 102PS and 250Nm of torque, and is offered with a five-speed manual transmission. BlueMotion Technology means drivers can expect claimed fuel economy of 55.4mpg (combined) and CO2 emissions of just 134g/km.

[EXPIRED] Save up to 20% on van hire in the Hertz Winter Sale!

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Hertz Van Rental from £13 per dayThe Hertz Winter Sale is now on and includes savings of up to 20% on van hire! 

This is likely to be one of the best van hire discount offers you will see in 2015, so if you need to hire a van for use before the end of March, I’d strongly suggest you consider booking before the end of January to take advantage of this cracking offer.

** THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED **

Offer: SAVE up to 20% on Van Hire in the Hertz Winter Sale!

  • Valid from: 12th January 2015
  • Expires: 30th January 2015
  • Discount Code: 999940

 

 

 

 

 

Terms: Bookings must be made by 30 January 2015 and completed by 31 March 2015. Three day minimum rental period. Exclusions apply, offer subject to availability.

BCA used van values hit new record but sector prices tell different story

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BCA used van auction Dec 14Used van values hit a new high of £5,870 in December, according to the latest figures from British Car Auctions (BCA).

However, in the two biggest used segments — ex-fleet/lease and part-ex — values were not the highest on record. Instead they were second highest (ex-fleet/lease) and third highest (part-ex).

Presumably a greater proportion of ex-fleet/lease vans, and perhaps the influence of the small group of nearly new vans (<1 yr old), were responsible for pushing the overall average up to a new record level.

This tends to support my theory that in the main volume segments of the market, prices have flattened out.

Market review

December saw surging demand for vans for courier and parcel delivery work, as you’d expect.

Given the appalling rates of pay on offer for self-employed and subcontracting operators in this sector, it’s no surprise that they were targeting used vehicles — I wonder if a portion of these will be resold, now that the Christmas rush is over?

Anyway, here are the December figures from BCA, along with last year’s numbers:

All vans

Avg Age (mnths)

Avg Mileage

Avg Value

Sale vs CAP

Dec 2013

59.37

81,351

£5,311

102.07%

Dec 2014

56.05

78,157

£5,870

101.31%

Source: BCA (www.british-car-auctions.co.uk)

On a year-on-year basis, prices were 10.5% higher in December 2014 than one year earlier, although the average sale value slipped back slightly against CAP values, despite falling age and mileage.

Ex-fleet/lease

In the ex-fleet/lease market, which I believe accounts for more than half of BCA’s sales, the changes were much smaller: the average price of £6,669 was the second-highest on record and was just 2.8% higher than in December 2013. That’s only slightly above inflation.

Again, the premium over CAP was reduced, with vans selling for 100.3% of CAP price last month, compared to 101.5% in December 2013.

Part-ex

The other big sector for BCA is cheaper part-exchange vans, which tend to be older and higher mileage. Here, the average sale price of £3,848 was 3.4% higher than last December.

Interestingly, the average sale price against CAP rose from 103% in December 2013 to 105.4% last month, despite average mileage rising from 92,447 to 96,271 and average age rising by 5 months from 78 to 83 months.

I suspect many of these were last minute, short-term Christmas courier buys which took place after the Black Friday sales, although I could be wrong.

What’s next?

Overall, these figures still give me the feeling that the used market is quite stretched and unlikely to rise significantly higher, especially as more ex-fleet and newer part-ex vans feed into the market, as new sales rise.

Van and truck sales returned to 2007 levels in 2014

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New commercial vehicle registrations rose by 11% to 363,155 units in 2014, making last year the highest-selling year since 2007, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The growth was driven by van sales, which rose by 18.7% to 321,686 units last year, while truck sales fell by 26.2%, thanks to the introduction of Euro 6 emissions regulation: truck operators rushed to buy Euro 5 trucks in 2013 before pulling back from the new market in 2014.

UK van and truck registrations: 2014 and % change on 2013

December % change Year-to-date % change Rolling year % change
Vans 26,529 26.6% 321,686 18.7% 321,686 18.7%
Trucks 2,898 -74.5% 41,469 -26.2% 41,469 -26.2%
Total 29,427 -8.9% 363,155 11.0% 363,155 11.0%

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

As usual, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here’s a graph showing how sales have changed since 2010:

SMMT van and truck registrations 10/2010-12/2014

SMMT van and truck registrations 10/2010-12/2014 (courtesy of SMMT)

Which vans sold best?

The growth in new van registrations was not evenly distributed across the van sector.

The big winner was the 2.0-2.5t category (vans like the Citroen Berlingo and Ford Transit Connect), where sales rose by 42% to 56,257 last year, highlighting the popularity of these medium-sized vans, which are bigger and more capable than they used to be.

At the top end of the market, sales of 2.5-3.5t vans performed strongly, rising by 19.5% to 183,308 — in volume terms, this is by far the biggest segment of the van market.

Other categories that deserve a mention are sub-2.0t vans, where registrations fell by 5% — perhaps because there are very few new van models that actually fit into this category.

The pick-up segment also deserves a mention,  because sales rose by 15.1% to 33,823 last year, meaning that this formerly specialist segment of the CV market is now comparable, in volume terms, with 2.0-2.5t vans! This tends to confirm that pick-ups are the new company car of choice for many small business owners.

Tuffnells chooses ejector seat option for extra-long Merc Sprinters

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Tuffnells Mercedes-Benz SprinterLeading next-day business-to-business delivery specialist Tuffnells Parcels Express has been delivering parcels for 100 years.

Unlike many of its peers in the logistics sector, Tuffnells has not previously operated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, but following a successful trial, the company has switched a portion of its 100-strong van fleet to the German marque.

Tuffnells’ first 22 Sprinters are finished in a modified version of the firm’s familiar Big Green Parcel Machine’ livery, which highlights its 100 years of operation.

Supplied by North-West Dealer Enza, all are 313 CDI models with advanced 129 hp engines driving through smooth 7G-Tronic automatic transmissions (N.B. It’s interesting to see a big van operator choosing an automatic transmission — these have been popular in lorries for some years now, and are the default choice for many truck operators).

Although the vans are high roof, extra-long body models, Tuffnells has also arranged for the passenger seats to be removed from its van, enabling loads in excess of six metres to be carried inside the van — essential as one of the company’s customers is a blind manufacturer which makes blinds up to six metres wide.

Each van is expected to cover around 50,000 miles per year, and the vans have been purchased through a contract hire package that includes full maintenance agreement.

 

Andrew Morton, Tuffnells’ National Fleet Manager, says:

“The contract hire package was competitively priced and we had some very positive feedback from those drivers who tried the demonstrators – they liked the Sprinter’s performance and handling, while more than one reported the experience as being more like driving a car than a van.

 

Tuffnells has 34 strategically located depots throughout the UK and Ireland and offers a wide range of guaranteed delivery services, with online electronic proof of delivery available within seconds for the majority of consignments.