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.

Rossetts get serious with Mercedes-Benz 4×4 demo fleet

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Mercedes-Benz Vito 4x4 Rossetts Commercials

Rossetts Commercials’ Oberaigner Mercedes-Benz Vito 4×4

Mercedes-Benz all-wheel drive commercial vehicles are legendary, and UK dealer Rossetts Commercials is fast developing a niche for itself in supplying all-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz vans — even models that aren’t officially imported to the UK.

The Surrey and Sussex-based dealer now has a hat-trick of all-wheel drive Mercedes vans on its demonstrator fleet:

  • Mercedes-Benz Vito 4×4 (German import, left-hand drive only, modified by German specialists Oberaigner)
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4×4 (available as right-hand drive official UK model)
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 6×6 (converted by German specialist Oberaigner, Rossett is the sole UK agent)

As you can see from the pictures below, these vans are the real deal, with raised suspension and genuine go-anywhere ability.

Although the Mercedes-Benz Vito 4×4 is available as an official Mercedes model, Rossetts isn’t importing this version — instead, the Vito 4×4 offered by the UK dealer is a Vito 4×4 with additional modifications by German all-wheel drive specialist Oberaigner. The main difference is that Oberaigner has added mechanical diff-locks for improved off-road performance.

Rossetts' Vito 4x4 and Sprinter 4x4

Rossetts’ Vito 4×4 and Sprinter 4×4

The Sprinter 4×4 is no stranger to these pages, and is available as an official right-hand drive UK import.

However, if you need something altogether more serious, Rossetts is the sole UK agent for the unique 7.0-tonne Oberaigner Sprinter 6×6 conversion, which offers a 4-tonne payload plus serious off-road ability.

Oberaigner Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 6x6

The Oberaigner Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 6×6 — this one is Rossetts’ demonstrator

More details

The Vito 4×4 is available as a Dualiner (crew cab) or panel van, and with a choice of 136 hp or 163 hp outputs from its 2.1-litre engine, which drives through an automatic transmission.

The Sprinter 4×4 comes with gross weights of 3.5 or 5.0 tonnes, and as a chassis cab or chassis crewcab, as well as with a panel van body. It can be specified with 129 hp or 163 hp versions of the 2.1-litre engine, or as a 190 hp 3.0-litre V6.

For more information on any of these models, contact Rossetts Commercials (www.rossetts.co.uk)

CV manufacturing output up 33.7% in February

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UK van manufacturing

Image courtesy of SMMT

Output from UK commercial vehicle manufacturers surged 33.7% higher in February, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Of particular note was an increase in export demand of 13.4% — the first for many months and a positive sign, given that the UK’s main export market is the recession-bound eurozone.

The figures were pretty strong at home, too, with output rising by 56.1% compared to the same month last year and by 23.8% on a year-to-date basis.

Mike Hawes, the SMMT’s chief executive, says that the outlook for the year ahead is strong:

“The surge in output from UK commercial vehicle manufacturers in February has put the sector on a strong footing for the year ahead,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “Demand from the UK’s prospering domestic market is driving growth, buoyed by a strong appetite from overseas buyers, with exports in February up by more than 13% on the same month last year.”

If you’d like more details, here’s a table with full details of February’s CV manufacturing output:

CV manufacturing Feb-14 Feb-15 % Change YTD-14 YTD-15 % Change
Total 6,239 8,344 33.7% 12,946 13,787 6.5%
Home 2,967 4,632 56.1% 6,438 7,973 23.8%
Export 3,272 3,712 13.4% 6,508 5,814 -10.7%
% export 52.4% 44.5% 50.3% 42.2%

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

New Citroën Berlingo & Peugeot Partner to make UK debut at CV Show 2015

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Citroen Berlingo 2015

New 2015 Citroen Berlingo will make UK debut at CV Show 2015

The new Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner small vans will make their UK debuts at the CV Show 2015, which takes place at the Birmingham NEC from 14-16 April.

While the styling and specification of both vans have been tweaked, the big change is that both models will now be available with Euro 6 engines.

Euro 6 is the latest European standard for emissions control and is particularly relevant for diesel engines at it includes much tougher legislation on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

These are responsible for respiratory and other health problems in urban areas, and while NOx levels should have fallen under Euro 5, it was found that the technology used for Euro 5 didn’t work very effectively in urban environments*. As a result, NOx levels didn’t fall by as much as expected following the widespread adoption of Euro 5.

Naturally, emissions control technology is getting more complex, as Citroën explains:

BlueHDi (Euro 6) powered New Berlingo models have an efficient, three-stage SCR process to treat emissions caused by combustion:

– Stage 1: an oxidisation catalyst converts the unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) in the exhaust into water and carbon dioxide (CO2)

– Stage 2: the SCR module then adds AdBlue to convert nitrogen oxide (NOx) into nitrogen (N) and water

– Stage 3: a particulate filter then eliminates 99.9% of particles in the vehicle’s exhaust emissions

BlueHDi powered New Berlingo vans have a 17-litre AdBlue tank, which will last for up to 14,000 miles, depending on the type of vehicle operation.

The Peugeot Partner is of course essentially the same van, and will have a near-identical range of engines. Both firms will wisely also offer a 1.6-litre petrol engine, which should win favour with low mileage urban operators and perhaps off-road users, such as airports, where speeds and distances are very low and do not allow a modern diesel to warm up and operate efficiently.

Peugeot will also continue to offer the Partner Van Electric, an all-electric model, while there will be a new Berlingo Electric Van (presumably using the same electric drivetrain).

What else is new?

I’ve written about both new vans previously (Berlingo & Partner), so I won’t repeat everything here, but to summarise, the main enhancements to each model are technological and safety related: Active City Brake, Hill Start Assist, tyre pressure sensors, cruise control and front and rear parking sensors and camera are all available as options, while the 2/3-seat cab seating format will continue to be available.

Payloads for the updated vans range from 625kg to 850kg, while inside a 7-inch touchscreen media system will also be available for the first time.

*https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/environment/ultra-low-emission-zone/user_uploads/ulez-supplementary-information—final-291014.pdf

Rare barn find 1968 Austin Mini Van in mint condition — for sale

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Fancy a ‘new’ van that’s 47 years old?

An almost unused 1968 Austin Mini Van is to be auctioned by Silverstone Auctions at the Birmingham NEC on March 28.

Built on the longer Traveller chassis but without side windows, the Mini Van proved popular in 1960s Britain as a cheaper alternative to the car. It was classed as a commercial vehicle and as such carried no sales tax.

1968 Austin Mini Van

This rare find is is in perfect order and will go on sale on March 28, at the Birmingham NEC

This car, estimated at between £23,000 and £25,000, was first registered on the 14th March 1968. It was bought new for a mere £400 by a Miss G. Crumcott from Northern Ireland so she could learn to drive. Miss Crumcott never managed to pass her driving test however, so the car was kept unused in her garage for nearly 30 years.

1968 Austin Mini van rear view

The car was then bought in July 1997 by a local BMC Mini dealer, Mr T. Turkington, who placed it in the Mini centre’s showroom until 2006 before selling it onto another collector in Northamptonshire. It has now been brought back onto the market, and, with so few owners, it is no surprise the car has covered a miniscule and very desirable 302 miles.

The charming classic will be sold at the Practical Classics Restoration Show sale, but the new owner is not expected to need to spend much on his or her new  steed.

Inside mint condition 1968 Austin Mini van

The van is complete, right down to the original, unopened, toolbox

This Austin Mini van is in remarkable unrestored original condition, right down to the seat protectors and rubber floor mats. Still retaining its original crossply Dunlop tyres and spare wheel, all of which are unused, the motorcar has been so carefully stored it has also preserved its initial exhaust and sealed Lucas battery. The car is also supplied with its original toolbox, which remains unopened; a delightful added extra.

According to Silverstone Auctions, the van is in perfect running order. For more information, visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.

Used van values approaching tipping point — BCA

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BCA Auction February 2015After months of waiting, it looks like I’m no longer the only person calling the top of the used van market: Duncan Ward, BCA’s Head of Commercial Vehicles — a man with much better visibility of the used market than me — believes we may have reached a turning point:

“We have been predicting a tipping point in used values for some time and possibly we are starting to see a levelling off following many, many months of average value growth.”

Mr Ward’s comments were made alongside February’s used van price report, which showed that the average used van price at BCA rose by £72 in February, compared to January. Prices were also higher against February 2014, but age, mileage and sales vs CAP price all fell, suggesting that in real terms — relative to age and condition — valuations are weakening:

All vans

Avg Age (mnths)

Avg Mileage

Avg Value

Sale vs CAP

Feb 2014

60.73

81,346

£5,345

102.57%

Feb 2015

59.35

77,754

£5,532

100.79%

Data courtesy of BCA

As seen in January, higher volumes and and a significant number of vans with issues over quality and presentation were key factors in February’s auction market. Mr Ward again:

“Corporate volumes took a slightly larger share of the market in February, although issues over quality and presentation remain as vehicles from corporate sources are returning at generally higher ages and mileages than we were seeing a year ago.”

“Notably, the average price performance for both fleet/lease and dealer part-exchange vans was lower than a year ago, a result of the generally poorer condition and higher age and mileage profiles reaching the marketplace.”

Things are set to get worse, too: Mr Ward’s believes that the approach of the Easter holidays and May’s general election could trigger “uncertainty” in the wholesale markets and make now a very good time for van dealers to “appraise any over age stock and get it sold, rather than chasing the market in a few weeks’ time if values soften.”

Strong words: in my view, suggesting that a full-scale retreat is now likely in the face of a continuous rising tide of new van registrations — as I’ve been predicting for some time.

New van registrations up 20.2% so far in 2015

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New van and truck sales continued to rise during February: new van registrations rose by 17.9% during the month, compared to the same period last year, while truck sales fared better with a 31.7% increase, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

UK van and truck registrations: 2015 and % change on 2014

February % change Year-to-date % change Rolling year % change
Vans 13,832 17.9% 35,881 20.2% 327,714 18.9%
Trucks 2,092 31.7% 4,610 35.3% 42,673 -21.8%
Total 15,924 19.5% 40,491 21.7% 370,387 12.1%

Source: SMMT (www.smmt.co.uk)

Commenting on the figures, Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

“The van market continues to expand, posting a tenth consecutive month of increases as improving confidence among SMEs and consumers takes effect. The growing demand for both vans and trucks has delivered a month of impressive performance for the total commercial vehicle sector once again.”

To save me a thousand words, here’s a picture showing how truck and van sales have changed since January 2010:

SMMT van and truck registrations 01-10 to 02-15

Graph courtesy of SMMT

As usual, it was the 2.5t to 3.5t category (e.g. Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter) that was driving the majority of sales growth. This is by far the largest section of the van market and has accounted for 20,051 of the 35,881 vans registered so far this year. Interestingly, new registrations in this category rose by 29.3% in February, while sales of smaller vans were broadly flat.

However, sales of smaller 2.0-2.5t vans (e.g. Citroën Berlingo) have risen by 40.5% over the last twelve months, so perhaps it was simply a case of no major fleet orders going through in February?

Finally, a word about the used market: I’ve written at length about my view of how the rise in new sales are beginning to impact the used van market, and that’s a subject I’ll revisit later this month, when we get the latest auction sales figures from BCA and Manheim.

New Volkswagen Caddy Maxi offers extended option for buyers

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Volkswagen recently unveiled the fourth generation of its popular Caddy. The firm has used this week’s Geneva Motor Show to launch a long wheelbase version of the van, the Caddy Maxi, along with its people-carrying version, the Caddy Maxi Life.

Volkswagen Caddy Maxi

The new Volkswagen Caddy Maxi will launch later in 2015.

The payload for the Caddy Maxi panel van, including the driver, is up to 1,005 kg, while two roads of folding seats in the Caddy Maxi Life mean that this windowed model also delivers van-like carrying capacity — especially if you remove the second and third rows of seats, which is easily possible, and provides a stupendous 3,700 litres of space, 848 litres more than in the standard wheelbase Caddy Life, with seats removed.

As with the standard Caddy, the Caddy Maxi will be powered by Volkswagen’s Euro 6 diesel engines, offering a choice of three power outputs: 75PS, 102PS and 150PS. There was no word in today’s release on whether the old stinkers Euro 5 engines will be available as an alternative, as they are in the standard Caddy, but I guess they probably will be.

The Caddy Maxi will gain the same new safety and driver assist options as the standard model, among which will be the option of Adaptive Cruise Control, which hasn’t been available on previous Caddy models.

The new Caddy and Caddy Maxi will be launched in Germany at the end of June. UK vehicles will arrive later in the year, as will UK pricing and specification details.

Updated Peugeot Partner small van boasts added tech and less CO2

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Peugeot has released details of the latest updates to its popular Partner small van — Peugeot’s version of the PSA group’s Citroën Berlingo, which has also been updated.

The new Partner will be available with the same range of five different diesel engine specifications, plus one petrol, which doesn’t appear to be offered on the Citroën, so could help the Partner gain a niche of its own among low-mileage and urban operators, or private buyers preferring a petrol (figures in brackets represent the reduction in CO2 emissions, according to Peugeot):

  • 1.6-litre VTi 98hp, 5-speed manual with CO2 emissions from 147g/km (saving 17g);
  • 1.6-litre BlueHDi 75hp, 5-speed manual with CO2 emissions from 110g/km (saving 21g);
  • 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100hp, 5-speed manual with CO2 emissions from 110g/km (saving 22g);
  • 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100hp S&S, 5-speed manual with CO2 emissions from 108g/km (saving 12g);
  • 1.6-litre BlueHDi 100hp S&S ETG6, 6-speed electronic with CO2 emissions from 106g/km (saving 12g);
  • 1.6-litre BlueHDi 120hp S&S, 6-speed manual with CO2 emissions from 112g/km (saving 22g).
Peugeot Partner 2015 model range

The 2015 Peugeot Partner van will come in four different variants, including a chassis cab model for specialist conversions.

As with all new models, the Partner has an increased dose of safety and driver assistance technology.

In addition to the standard safety equipment such as ABS, emergency braking assistance, ESP with traction control, Hill Start Assist and Direct under-inflation detection, using a pressure sensor fitted to each wheel, the new PEUGEOT Partner Van offers Active City Brake (automatic urban braking when there is a risk of collision is available as an option from trim level 1 from November 2015).

As well as potentially preventing collisions, Peugeot says that this system will also have a positive effect on the insurance group rating, and therefore running costs, a key factor for business users.

Cruise control and speed limiter are now standard from trim level 2, while a fixed limiter function also makes it possible to set four limit speeds as desired by the operator.

Finally, trim level 3 has been upgraded with the addition of front parking sensors and a reversing camera to the current rear parking sensors.

The Peugeot Partner will continue to be available in two lengths, L1 and L2, offering load lengths of 1.8m and 2.05m respectively. The Multiflex folding passenger seat will continue to be offered, the use of which enables long objects of up to 3m (L1) and 3.25m (L2) when the seat is folded up. Payloads will range from 625kg to 890kg.

Small van, big grip: Citroën Nemo now available with Grip Control

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Citroën Nemo

The Citroën Nemo is now available with a Grip Control pack

Modern traction control systems mean that old-school mechanical diff locks and four-wheel drive systems are only really necessary on serious off road vehicles.

Drivers looking for a little more grip on slippery surfaces and soft-road conditions, such as unsurfaced tracks, can choose to have a little extra electronic wizardry injected into their vehicles, instead.

The principle is simple: regular traction control systems work by cutting power and/or braking individual wheels when they sense that one or more wheels has lost traction — is skidding or spinning.

By extending this principle, traction control can be used to simulate the effect of a mechanical differential lock (a device that forces both wheels on an axle to rotate at the same speed). That’s the principle behind Grip Control, a system that’s available as an option on a number of Peugeot and Citroën vehicles.

Citroën announced today that a Grip Control option pack will now be available on its Nemo van.

The Citroën Nemo Grip Control pack will cost £630 +VAT and will include:

 

  • Intelligent Traction Control
  • Raised suspension
  • 185/65 R15 tyres
  • Under engine protection tray
  • Front & rear mud flaps
  • Door sill protection & deeper side rubbing strips
  • Washable cab floor covering

The resulting van should be suitable for light off-road use — and if fitted with winter or all-season tyres, should be awesome in snow and ice conditions.

 

Mercedes-Benz launches Citan Sport

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Mercedes-Benz Citan Sport vanHigh-specification sports vans have become popular in recent years, thanks in part to the step change in performance and sophistication that makes today’s vans so easy and pleasant to drive — and quite stylish at the same time.

Although models such as the Mercedes Vito Sport-X do provide additional performance, the Sports moniker is usually more about styling and specification levels than outright horsepower.

The newly launched Mercedes-Benz Citan Sport appears to fit into this category.

The Citan Sport is available on long wheelbase panel van models of the Citan, with both 109CDI and 111CDI engines, and features a generous specification level. Highlights include a choice of six metallic paints, colour-coded bumpers, wing mirrors and tail-light trim and 16-inch multispoke light alloy wheels.

There’s also air conditioning as standard (still surprisingly rare on vans), a leather-trimmed steering wheel, Sport mats and badging, daytime driving lights, and chrome trim elements, such as front grille, sidebars and tailgate trim.

The Citan Sport is now available from £199 per month and includes a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, MobiloVan UK, which keeps drivers and passengers mobile in the event of a breakdown or warranty repair taking more than two hours, as well as Mercedes’ Service24h roadside assistance service.