Author Archives: Van Rental

What Type Of Van Makes The Best Ambulance?

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Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulanceIf you’ve ever wondered which vans make the best ambulances, then let me explain.

At the top of the pyramid, the kings of the emergency medical jungle are coachbuilt Mercedes Sprinter conversions.

Amongst the lower orders, you may occasionally see ambulances based on the Renault Master, Iveco Daily, Volkswagen Crafter, Fiat Ducato, Citroen Relay and even the humble Ford Transit, but there’s no doubt who’s boss.

An example of the Sprinter’s supremacy in action is the latest order from the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, which has just started taking delivery of a 147-ambulance order worth some £15m. All the new ambulances are based on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519 CDI chassis, fitted with purpose-designed box bodies by German specialist WAS.

At the beginning of this year, the Trust’s fleet contained 283 ambulances, of which 45 were non-Mercedes models. However, these outsiders are being systematically replaced as the fleet is renewed, and by the end of this year, every one of the newly-expanded fleet’s 310 emergency ambulances will be a Mercedes-Benz.

The Trust’s Head of Fleet, John Hole, explains why:

“The 5.0-tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is well proven in operation and offers the combination of performance, reliability, safety and carrying capacity that allows us to provide a high-quality service to patients.”

The Trust’s latest Sprinters are powered by smooth and fuel-efficient 190 hp V6 common rail turbodiesel engines and additionally equipped with Telma electro-magnetic engine retarders to reduce wear and tear and enhance braking performance. Key to the model’s appeal for ambulance services nationwide is the availability of a fully automatic gearbox.

“This makes life a lot easier for our drivers, particularly when they’re on a ‘blue light’ call, as it leaves them free to concentrate fully on the road,” says Mr Hole.

Other optional features specified to ensure the Sprinters are ‘fit for purpose’ include air conditioning, adjustable steering wheels, an outside temperature gauge, halogen fog lamps, Comfort seats for driver and front-seat passenger, and an airbag for the passenger (the driver’s bag is standard).

The Sprinter’s well-known performance, durability and sophistication mean that it continues to be the preferred choice of courier fleets and other demanding van users — and it’s no surprise that the heavyweight 5t version continues to be the base vehicle of choice for amublance fleets.

I suspect that Ford’s new two-tonne Transit may edge into the emergency service market when it appears later this year, but its short history and lack of proven conversion options may work against it for the first year or two.

Celebrate Pancake Day With £15 Van Hire From Hertz*

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Hertz pancake day promotional offerIt’s Pancake Day this week, and what better way to celebrate (apart from with a stack of syrup-laden pancakes) than by hiring a van from Hertz from just £15 per day?

This week’s special rates mean you to save up to 5% on regular Hertz rates, if you use this discount code:

 

*Price from £15 per day, terms, conditions and exclusions may apply.

New Nissan NT400 Cabstar Goes On Sale In UK

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Nissan NT400 Cabstar

The new Nissan NT400 Cabstar is available in single and double cab models.

The new Nissan NT400 Cabstar has gone on sale across Europe. The updated range benefits from improved payload, a new high output engine option and longer service intervals, as well as improvements designed to make coachbuilt conversions easier to integrate with the base vehicle.

All engine options are fully compliant with Euro 5b+ emission regulations while the new 145hp (107kW) high output engine option is 45kg lighter than the unit it replaces, benefiting both economy and improving the vehicle payload.

The new Cabstar is available in single and double cab forms, in three different wheelbase lengths, five gross vehicle weights from 2.8t to 4.5t, and three power output options all from the same common rail 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine. The three power options are low (121hp/90kW, 250Nm), mid (136hp/100kw, 270Nm) and high (145hp/107kW, 350Nm).

The 145hp option replaces the previous 3.0-litre ZD30 unit and is new to the NT400 Cabstar. Although it is produced by a smaller engine, torque is identical and power is just 5hp less than from the old engine, and Nissan believes the benefits it provides in terms of fuel economy, emissions and operational efficiency are worth the slight cut in outright power.

To make the job of the specialist body builders as easy as possible, Nissan has equipped the NT400 Cabstar with a comprehensive array of connectors, electrical pre-equipment and warning lamps to enable a virtual ‘plug and go’ operation.

The cab has also been upgraded, with new USB/iPod compatible audio equipment and integrated Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone use. The dashboard instruments have also been tweeked, while a winter pack is now available, which provides a rear heater in the crew cab model, a heated driver’s seat and heated and electrically adjustable wing mirrors.

Volkswagen Crafter To Get Euro VI Engines

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Volkswagen Crafter vanThe Volkswagen Crafter will soon be availabe with Euro VI engines, making them some of the cleanest in their class.

The Euro VI standard is the most stringent European standard for exhaust emissions and Volkswagen says that a combination of three systems — Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems, and a built-in Diesel Particulate Filter — will be used to stay within the limits imposed by Euro VI.

Volkswagen’s Euro VI range will be available on selected Crafter models with kerbweights between 2,355 kg and 2,815 kg in medium and long wheelbases.  The firm’s Euro VI engine is a 2.0-litre TDI engine with an output of either 163 PS or 114 PS, the latter of which is new to the Crafter range.  The 114 PS EURO VI engine can also be specified with Volkswagen’s BlueMotion Technology, which will provide fuel economy of up to 35.3 mpg (combined) and emissions of just 210 g/km — not bad for a large van.

Crafter Euro VI model prices will start from £28,935 ex. VAT.

Carlisle Van Rental: Northern Vehicle Hire

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Northern Vehicle HireI’m very pleased to welcome our newest advertiser, Northern Vehicle Hire, to the vanrental.co.uk website.

Northern Vehicle Hire is based on the south side of Carlisle, just off the A6 London Road, and only a few minutes from junctions 42 and 43 of the M6.

This independent firm offers a good selection of modern vans, covering all popular sizes:

  • Compact van (e.g. Citroen Nemo)
  • Medium panel van (e.g. Citroen Relay SWB)
  • Long wheelbase panel van (e.g. Citroen Relay LWB)
  • Luton van (tail lift available, ideal for removals)
  • Tipper van (1.2t payload)

Northern Vehicle Hire’s day rates start from just £25 (correct at the time of writing).

To find the firm from the centre of Carlisle, head south on the A6 (Botchergate / London Road) then turn right onto Petterill Bank Road and follow the road across the railway line, when it becomes St Ninian’s Road. Northern Van Hire is in the Michael Thompson Building (postcode is CA2 4NE for sat nav users).

For more information, a quote, or to make a booking, contact Northern Vehicle Hire direct:

Citroën To Unveil New Relay At April’s CV Show

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Citroen Relay

The new Relay is expected to be an updated version of the current model (shown above).

Citroën will unveil an updated version of its popular Relay large van at the Birmingham NEC CV Show this April. The new Relay, which is due to go on sale during the third quarter of this year, will go head to head against the all-new two tonne Ford Transit, which has had outstanding reviews from early press tests.

Full details of the New Relay will be released at the CV Show. However, the range is expected to include all the major model configurations found in the current Relay range.

As such there will be a wide choice of panel vans, chassis cabs, chassis crew cabs and back-to-back cabs. All will be offered in a variety of gross vehicle weights, with a range of low emission, fuel-efficient HDi diesels. In addition the New Relay range will include ready-bodied Specialist Models, such as dropside trucks, tippers and Luton vans – and a full range of Ready-to-Run conversions.

I’ll publish photos and more details when they become available following the launch, which will take place on April 29 2014 at the CV Show.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Save 10% On Hertz Van Rental & Collect Nectar Points

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Hertz logoIf you need to hire a van this week, then I’d strongly suggest you take a look at Hertz.

vanrental.co.uk has managed to negotiate an exclusive 10% discount code with Hertz for one week only — and you can collect Nectar points on your hire, too!

THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED.

Here are the details — remember, this offer is exclusive to vanrental.co.uk, so make sure you click through on the link below:

  • Save 10% on Hertz van hire 
  • Collect Nectar points on your hire
  • Valid from: 24th February 2014
  • Expires: 2nd March 2014
  • Pick up period: 24th February – 23rd March 2014
  • Code: 778649

>>> Click here to visit the Hertz website <<<

 

Hertz offers a comprehensive UK van hire service, with small, medium and long wheelbase panel vans and luton vans available to rent. Hertz is also one of the best companies for student van hire, and often runs special offers aimed at drivers aged 19 and over.

Hertz 24/7 Hourly Van Hire Now At Costco

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Hertz logo

The Hertz 24/7 hourly van hire service has been available at selected B&Q branches for a number of years now, but the firm recently announced that it had signed an agreement with cash-and-carry chain Costco to make the Hertz short-term van rental service available to Costco members (see here for more info on hourly van hire).

The Hertz 24/7 service will be available at all 25 Costco branches in the UK, with van hire rates starting from just £13 per hour. At present, only one type of van — a long wheelbase Ford Transit — is available. Costco customers wanting to use the Hertz 24/7 vans will need to set up an account, following which they will be able to book vans as needed, in advance, or on the spot for immediate use.

Commenting on the expanded service, Michel Taride, group president, Hertz International, said:

“We have been growing our global van rental offering through Hertz 24/7 for over five years. Our Hertz 24/7 service enables Costco to provide its members with an attractive and efficient van delivery service.

“Hertz takes care of providing and maintaining the fleet and handling all customer transactions while Costco’s members can enjoy the convenience of taking their purchases home straightaway, rather than waiting for the goods to be delivered in the future.”

You can find out more about the Costco/Hertz 24/7 short-term hire service on the Hertz 24/7 website.

Hire A Van With Europcar From Just £14.50 Per Day!

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Europcar van hire

Hire a van with Europcar from just £14.50 per day

According to the Met Office, winter ends in 7 days, on the 28th February.

Personally, I think it’s a little early for spring cleaning, but with the housing market taking off and mild weather making gardening a reality, tips to the tip and DIY removals are definitely the order of the day.

To help you get things off to a flying start, Europcar is running a special spring offer:

THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED

Most cars aren’t really suitable for jobs like this, and using a hire van instead can take the strain off your car and prevent you having to make multiple trips and protect the inside of your car from scratches, dirt and damage. Although driving a van is a little different to driving a car, modern vans are quite easy to drive, here at vanrental.co.uk, we’ve put together these tips to help you get started.

Commenting on the offer, Ken McCall, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group, said:

“Removing clutter that’s been taking up precious space is a liberating experience and there is no better time to do this than during the traditional ‘spring clean’ period. With van hire from as little as £14.50 per day, hopefully that will provide families with the motivation needed to have a clear out and make a fresh start for spring.  And, because driving a van is different from driving a car, we offer advice to customers to help them stay safe, both on our website and when they pick up the vehicle.”

Europcar has over 200 locations across the UK, including a presence at all major UK airports, with many branches open 24 hours a day. The firm’s fleet contains a wide range of vans, and all popular van sizes are available, including Iveco Daily and Ford Transit panel vans, right up to bigger luton box vans. All Europcar vans are fully maintained to manufacturer specifications, and are covered by 24 hour breakdown, for added peace of mind.

UK Commercial Vehicle Manufacturing Down 14.6% In January

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Commercial vehicle manufacturing output fell by 14.6% in January compared to January 2013, continuing a decline that has seen output drop by 32% since January 2012.

The decline shows no sign of slowing, and perhaps worryingly, demand fell faster at home (down 17.9%) than it did in our primarily European export markets (down 10.8%):

CV manufacturing Jan-13 Jan-14 % Change YTD-13 YTD-14 % Change
Total 7,822 6,681 -14.6% 7,822 6,681 -14.6%
Home 4,196 3,445 -17.9% 4,196 3,445 -17.9%
Export 3,626 3,236 -10.8% 3,626 3,236 -10.8%
% export 46.4% 48.4% 46.4% 48.4%

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

CV output rolling Jan 2008-2014

Graph courtesy of SMMT.

Mike Hawes, the SMMT’s chief executive, believes the change is due to various companies’ restructuring their manufacturing activities in 2013, and to the introduction of Euro 6 emissions legislation for lorries:

“New Euro-6 engine emission legislation came into effect from January this year, a change which invariably results in a lull in UK heavy commercial vehicle manufacturing and a contributor to January’s 14.6% fall in output,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

While van production was strong in the month, the 2014 market will, for some months, continue to be affected by the Europe-wide restructuring that occurred last year.”

It’s true that there was a dip in truck registrations in January, following the surge seen during the second half of last year, but it also seems clear to me that the UK’s CV manufacturing industry is now unlikely ever to recover the capacity lost by the closure of Ford’s Southampton plant and as a result of the other restructuring that took place in 2013.