Category Archives: Van News

News and articles about UK vans – especially information relevant to the van hire market. Coverage of new van model launches from all the major manufacturers – Ford, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Peugeot, Fiat and Citroen.

Fiat Ducato Euro 6

Fiat steers clear of AdBlue for Euro 6 Ducato vans

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The Fiat Ducato is now available with Euro 6 engines. But unlike some manufacturers, the Italian firm has opted to avoid using AdBlue to meet the Euro 6 emissions standard.

Fiat Ducato Euro 6

Euro 6 Fiat Ducato vans will not require AdBlue, thanks to an updated EGR system.

AdBlue is required for Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), the process used by most vehicle manufacturers to meet Euro 6. The other main approach to emissions reduction for diesel engines is Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR).

Fiat has developed a system it calls Low Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (LPEGR) which the firm says avoids the need for SCR by channelling exhaust gasses away after the diesel particular filter (DPF), cooling them in a low-pressure EGR cooler and recirculating them ahead of the turbo charger.

Interestingly, the LPEGR system will be fitted to van and motorhome versions of the Ducato. Minibus versions of the Euro 6 Ducato will use SCR and will have a 15-litre AdBlue tank with a filler point next to the diesel tank cap.

New engine choices for Ducato

Alongside the switch to Euro 6, Fiat has introduced a new range of engines for the Ducato.

At the bottom of the range is a new entry-level 2.0-litre MultiJet II 115hp LPEGR engine. This will replace the current Euro 5 2.3-litre 110hp model and offer fuel consumption of up to 47.9mpg on the combined cycle. I’d probably only choose this engine for urban/short wheelbase vans, though.

In the middle of the range are updated versions of the firm’s  core 2.3-litre MultiJet II 130hp and 150hp engines. Both engines now have LPEGR to meet Euro 6 standards.

At the top of the range, a new 180hp 2.3 MultiJet II has been introduced to replace the previous 3.0-litre 180hp version. Fiat says that the new, smaller engine will offer a significant improvement in efficiency and emissions, with a combined cycle figure of 46.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 160g/km.

The FIAT Professional Ducato Euro 6, with LPEGR, is available to order now priced from £21,445 plus VAT and on-the-road charges.

Mercedes-Benz Citan van

Mercedes-Benz improves approved used van offering

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Mercedes-Benz Vans has redeveloped its Approved Used offering, enabling all UK van operators to access the right van for them, whatever their vehicle requirement.

The Mercedes-Benz Approved Used range of vans are all now available up to 6 years old, with a maximum mileage of 150,000 miles. The vans come with a full service history and have to meet a multi-point pre-sale check to qualify, with outstanding finance, theft and insurance write-off checked.

Mercedes-Benz Citan van

Approved Used vans come with a 12-month MOT, 12-month insurance-based ‘wear and tear’ warranty (which can be extended), and are serviced as required if there is less than 5,000 miles to the next service. The corrosion warranty is renewed and there is a minimum of 5mm tyre tread depth remaining. All vehicles are treated to a full valet.

Mick Glover, Head of Vehicle Remarketing at Mercedes-Benz Vans, said:

“We have redeveloped our Approved Used criteria to better serve the needs of van operators – it is very clear exactly what standards all of our Approved Used vans now adhere to, and enables customers to have a broader spectrum of vehicles that could better suit their needs.

MobiloVan, free UK and Europe-wide roadside assistance is also reactivated for all approved used vans, giving drivers up to 30 years roadside assistance from date of registration, with an average attendance time of under 60 minutes and roadside repair rate of 80%.

To view the full range of Approved Used vans, please visit the Mercedes-Benz Used Van Locator:www.usedvans.mercedes-benz.co.uk.

Fiat Fullback

Fiat Fullback: UK price and specification details announced

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Having received its global launch in Dubai last November, the Fiat Fullback pickup is due to arrive on UK shores shortly. The Fullback’s UK launch is scheduled for 4 July.

Fiat Fullback

The new Fiat Fullback will be launched in the UK on 4 July 2016.

To raise the profile of this Mitsubishi L200-based pickup model ahead of its arrival in right-hand drive land, Fiat has released pricing and specification details ahead of the launch.

UK buyers will be able to choose from three versions initially, the 2.4-litre 150hp SX, the 2.4 180hp LX and the 2.4 180hp LX automatic. All engines will be diesel, as you’d expect.

The entry-level SX has a less powerful 150hp engine, which will deliver 380Nm of torque and official combined cycle fuel consumption of 44.2mpg / 169g/km CO2. The SX will be fitted with a standard six-speed manual gearbox and on demand four-wheel drive system with three electrically-selected settings, 2WD and 4WD high range, plus 4WD low range.

Power and torque are increased to 180hp and 430Nm for the LX model, pushing official combined-cycle fuel economy figure down to 42.2MPG (6.6L/100km) and lifting CO2 emissions slightly to 173g/km.

A more sophisticated full-time four-wheel drive system is fitted to the LX model, offering four electrically-controlled settings: 2H, 4H plus 4HLc and 4LLc. These last two settings utilise a locking central differential for improved traction.

The braked towing capacity of the LX is 3,100kg, while the SX is slightly lower at 2,700kg. Load bed payload is one tonne, and the load offers a maximum length up to 1.52m.

Standard equipment on the LX includes keyless go, leather upholstery, electrically-adjusted and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, bi-xenon headlamps with washers, enhanced body styling, privacy glass and a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with DAB, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation as standard.

Fiat Fullback cab

Inside the Fiat Fullback

Lane Departure Warning, a reversing camera and a comfort-oriented “Touring” suspension are also including in the generous LX specification When equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission, the LX version adds an upgraded 7-inch infotainment system and transmission paddle gear shifters.

The Fullback will be available as a double cab, four-wheel drive model only in the UK. Prices start from £20,995 +VAT +OTR costs.

Fiat Fiorino

Updated Fiat Fiorino with Euro 6 now available to order

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September’s Euro 6 deadline is fast approaching. All new vans sold in the UK after this time will have to meet Euro 6 emissions standards.

So it’s no surprise that model refreshes accompanied by new engines are coming thick and fast. The latest van to receive the Euro 6 treatment is the compact Fiat Fiorino.

Fiat Fiorino

The updated 2016 Fiat Fiorino with Euro 6 engines

The new model is now available to order. Here’s what’s on offer:

  • Choice of two turbo-diesel 1.3 MultiJet II engines with outputs of 80 and 95hp
  • Also available with a 77hp 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated engine
  • New diesel EcoJet model which uses fuel-saving technology including a Start & Stop system, a “smart” alternator and a variable displacement oil pump. Paired with a Comfort-Matic robotised transmission, the Fiorino EcoJet promises a combined fuel consumption figure of 74.3mpg with 100g/km of CO2. That’s a fuel saving of 14% on the standard Fiorino with manual transmission.

Other changes to the Fiorino appear to be fairly minor and cosmetic. The front bumper design has been updated, and new wheel trims and 15-inch alloy wheels are available.

For drivers wanting a more robust and capable vehicle, the FIAT Adventure is available. This soft-roader model offers 15-inch wheels with mud-and-snow tyres, a raised suspension, oversized body protection, a front bumper with skid plate and, of course, the Traction+ electronic differential lock system which assists driving in low-grip conditions.

Available in Cargo and Combi body styles, orders for FIAT Professional’s new Fiorino are now open priced from £11,315, excluding VAT and OTR charges.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Premium Edition

Mercedes-Benz launches Sprinter Premium Edition

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The success of last year’s 20th anniversary edition Mercedes Sprinter has prompted the firm to produce a follow-on model for this year. The new Sprinter Premium Edition will be on sale to retail customers buying a van through a Mercedes-Benz Vans dealership.

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Premium Edition

The Premium will be available Available for 2-Series (3.0t GVW) and 3-Series (3.5t GVW) panel van models across all engines. In addition to the Sprinter’s standard specification, the new model will include:

  • Integrated Becker® MAP PILOT satellite navigation
  • Chrome effect radiator grille
  • Audio 15 colour screen infotainment unit
  • TEMPMATIC air conditioning
  • Comfort driver’s seat with inner armrest
  • ‘Premium Edition’ badging on the rear of the van
  • Outside temperature indicator
  • Full wheel trims

Also includes as standard will be  Crosswind Assist, which supports the driver in strong, gusty side winds through automatic brake interventions, Adaptive brake light, to indicate a critical braking manoeuvre, Adaptive ESP®, the dynamic control system that also takes vehicle load into account, and Rescue Assist QR code stickers, which gives emergency services critical information at the scene of an accident.

Every Mercedes-Benz Vans vehicle purchase also comes with free MobiloVan 30-year free roadside assistance cover across the UK and Europe, as well as a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

For more information about the Sprinter Premium Edition, please visit: MBVans.co.uk/SprinterOffers.

Back to uni in a van

Van overloading convictions rose by 19% last year

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Heavily-loaded vanOverloading vans is a big problem. The number of convictions for overloading rose by 19% from 290 to 345 during the last financial year, according to government figures. Although this figure is pretty low, it’s worth noting that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is increasingly good at identifying and targeting overloading vans.

Of the 2,381 vans stopped and weighed by the DVSA, 88.5% were found to be overloaded, up from 84% during the previous year.

If you drive around in a swaying van with a saggy rear end (no pun intended), then expect to be stopped and perhaps fined. The average fine for van overloading during the 2014/15 tax year was £751.74. That’s a fair chunk of money.

I suspect that the van overloading is probably made worse by the fact that many van drivers and operators are not in the transport business — vans are just a means of shifting their stuff from job to job.

The SMMT estimates that implementing a HGV-style licensing regime for van operators could cost businesses £2.6bn. That’s not something any of us want to face, so as van owners and users it behoves us to make sure that we aren’t the cause of the problem.

Learn about the weight of the stuff you carry in your van, don’t carry equipment or materials that aren’t needed and think of driving a van as a serious part of your job. If you’re unsure where to start and are looking for more tips, check out this DVSA video on overloading:

(For more information, visit  www.van-smart.uk)

Van operators and drivers are not subject to any of the regulation and training requirements imposed upon HGV operators. And that’s good news — modern vans are safe, easy to drive and extremely useful.

But with a record 4m vans now in use on UK roads, we think it may now be time for drivers and employers to take a stricter approach to compliance.

BCA LCV auction

Used van prices level out in May – BCA

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Used van prices were broadly unchanged in May, according to auctioneers BCA. The average price of a van sold by BCA last month was £5,892, down marginally from £5.966 in April.

BCA LCV auction

Falling age and mileage continued to drive year-on-year gains, however, with prices 6% higher than in May 2015:

All vans Avg Age (mnths) Avg Mileage Avg Value
May 2015 58.07 78,012 £5,558
May 2016 54.42 71,121 £5,892

Source: BCA

Interestingly, a closer look at the underlying numbers suggests that used van buyers may be getting better value for money than they were one year ago. Here’s the year-on-year price table for the Fleet & Lease sector, which accounts for the majority of volume and value in BCA’s LCV business:

Fleet/Lease Avg Age (mnths) Avg Mileage Avg Value Sale vs MRP
May 2015 42.62 70,195 £6,447 35.66%
May 2016 40.36 61,840 £6,786 35.70%

Source: BCA

The key thing to note here, in my opinion, is that the Sale vs MRP (Manufacturer’s Recommended Price) has remained virtually flat, at 35.7%. Yet average age and mileage have fallen by 5% and 12% respectively. So buyers are getting newer and lower mileage vans for the same price as last year, relative to manufacturer’s list prices.

A summer lull?

Duncan Ward, BCA’s LCV Operations Director, sounded a note of caution about the near-term outlook for the market, citing typical seasonal trends and one-off factors which could affect sales this year:

“With the summer months upon us, the market is now moving into a period when demand and values typically remain relatively flat and this year we still have the distractions of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament, the EU referendum and the Rio Olympics all to come. History tells us events such as these have notable if short-term effects on the LCV sector and this year will probably be no different.”

Despite this, Ward believes underlying market conditions remain strong, with demand being driven by the construction and civil engineering industries, as well as the home delivery market.

Are rental firms flooding the market with battered vans?

As always, when market conditions soften, condition and quality will be key. Unfortunately, Duncan Ward cites the van rental sector as a volume source of “basic specification” white vans which “are often in poor condition”. Buyers will refuse to pay top dollar for such models, he says.

Maximising residual values is a constant concern for rental companies, as it can have a big impact on their profitability. But it’s inevitable that many rental vans will be white and basic specification, because that’s what customers require and will pay for. It’s equally inevitable that some of these vans will be fairly scruffy by the time they’re defleeted.

I suppose Mr Ward’s warning to rental sellers is that they need to price realistically to ensure a prompt sale. Such is life.

Ford Transit Custom at CV Show 2016

New van registrations hit new record in May

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New van registrations rose by 1.9% to 28,480 in May, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Although down on April’s 11.8% gain, it’s nevertheless another strong result that suggests the UK economy remains in reasonable health. As it happens, last year’s strong growth also means that last month’s figure of 28,480 new van registrations is the highest ever record for the month of May.

UK van registrations May 2016

UK van registrations May 2010 – May 2016. Numbers are rolling-year totals. Graph courtesy of SMMT.

Commenting on the figures, Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said:

“Although May was a record breaking month for the UK’s light commercial vehicle market, the pace of growth is easing and is indicative of the performance we anticipate this year following the very high levels of demand seen in 2015.

Providing there are no political or economic shocks to business confidence over the coming months, we expect the LCV sector’s good health to prevail during the remainder of 2016 as consumer appetite for online deliveries continues to grow.”

Mr Hawes’ comment regarding “political or economic shocks” are presumably a reference to the possbility that the UK electorate will vote for a Brexit in this month’s EU referendum.

Leaving unquantifiable political risks aside, it’s interesting to note that little has changed recently in terms of the type of vans that are selling.

Heavy vans (>2.5-3.5t) continue to dominate the market this year, enjoying the largest growth with a 13.3% increase on 2015 and LCVs in this segment making up 62.0% of total registrations. Much of the growth in this segments is thought to be due to growth in the logistics and home delivery sectors.

According to the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) recent Logistics Report 2016, 20% of non-food sales are now made online. A total of 860m parcels were delivered to homes last year, up 43% from 600m in 2012. Those are seriously big numbers.

Less obviously, pick-ups are also fuelling the overall rise in demand – 18,674 were registered in the first five months of the year, up 9.6%. It’s hard to say how much of this demand is purely down to fashion and how much is the result of operational requirements. I’m leaning towards fashion, personally!

Best sellers

Topping the best sellers list once again in May was Ford, which sold 9,022 LCVs last month. That’s 158% more than second-placed Volkswagen, which managed to shift 3,495 units. Vauxhall, Peugeot and Mercedes-Benz occupied 3rd, 4th and 5th places respectively.

Ford is by far the biggest brand for light commercial vehicles in the UK. The Blue Oval has sold 48,371 LCVs so far in 2016, 168% more than second-placed Volkswagen (18,051). The firm’s vans are among the newest and most modern models on the market after the comprehensive range renewal program of the last few years. This launch of the firm’s new EcoBlue diesel engine this summer (review here).

The quality and breadth of Ford’s range means — I suspect — that’s its domination will remain complete for some time yet. Put differently, Ford would have to really mess things up to lose such a big home advantage.

SMMT CV Output rolling year Apr 2016

UK CV production wobbles in April as Euro demand weaknes

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I commented last month on how a drop in domestic demand for UK-built vans and trucks had caused UK commercial vehicle production to drop 13% in March.

In April it was the turn of our European customers to hesitate. An 11.2% drop in export demand pushed total UK CV production down by 0.9% to 8,548 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Weaker European demand was however offset by a 13.6% rise in UK demand, which rose to 4,047 units.

What this shows, of course, is that one month’s data does not make a trend. Large fleet orders and seasonal factors can easily push CV demand up or down by a few hundred units each month, without signifying any change in overall market conditions.

However, Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive sounded a cautious note when commenting on the outlook for the rest of the year (my bolding):

“Although April saw a slight decrease in CV production, the sector continues to perform well with positive year-to-date figures. Following the substantial rise in volumes last year, we can expect production growth to ease slightly over coming months. However, with continued demand for British-built vans and trucks at home and around the world, the sector’s outlook is positive.”

At present, the overall trend remains positive — just. UK CV manufacturing output is up by 0.4% so far in 2016, as changes in home and export demand have largely offset each other:

SMMT CV production April 2016

Source: SMMT

It’s too early to get a clear idea of the trend for the year at this point, I’d suggest, although the situation certainly seems a little less clear cut than last year, as this graph shows:

SMMT CV Output rolling year Apr 2016

Source: SMMT

Nissan NV300

Nissan hints at fresh style for NV300

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Nissan has given van buyers their first taste of the firm’s new NV300 van, which will replace the Primastar.

Like the Primastar, the NV300 will be built on the Renault Trafic production line in France. It will essentially be a rebadged version of the popular Renault model. However, Nissan was at pains today to emphasise the new styling of the vehicle and the teaser photo does suggest that it will have distinctively Nissan-like front end:

Nissan NV300

The new Nissan NV300

According to the Japanese firm, “Nissan’s latest Emotional Geometry design language – well-known from its class-leading Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail crossovers – is clear to see on the NV300, with the familiar ‘V-motion’ grille dominating the front end.”

The van should gain some useful exposure among potential buyers thanks to Nissan’s role as the Official Light Commercial Vehicle Partner of the UEFA Champions League.

When it arrives in showrooms in the autumn, the NV300 will extend Nissan’s LCV range, which already includes the smaller NV200, the Renault Master-based NV400 plus the new Navara pickup and the zero-emission electric e-NV200.

However, in my view the NV300’s biggest attraction over its Renault Trafic and Vauxhall Vivaro stablemates will be its market-leading warranty. Nissan is offering a unique five-year/100,000-mile pan-European, manufacturer-backed policy that’s fully transferrable to second and subsequent owners. It includes five years’ roadside assistance cover.

In contrast, Renault’s 4+ package provides similar cover for four years. Vauxhall only guarantees new Vivaro vans for three years. For this reason alone, I’d be tempted to buy a NIssan NV300 rather than a Vivaro or Trafic.

However, I doubt that a generous warranty package alone will be enough to steal the Trafic and Vivaro’s established share of the SME and fleet market. The NV300 is also a relative latecomer in this segment, as it won’t go on sale in the UK until autumn 2016.