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.

New VW Caddy BlueMotion Delivers 800-Mile Range

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The new Volkswagen Caddy BlueMotion

The new Volkswagen Caddy BlueMotion boasts fuel consumption of 62.8mpg and an 800-mile range.

Volkswagen has released details of the latest version of its popular Caddy small van, which will make its official debut at the the IAA Show in Frankfurt, which opens on September 12.

The new Caddy boasts official fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100km, which equates to 62.8mpg (in Europe, l/100km is the standard measure of fuel consumption).

At the heart of the new Caddy BlueMotion is the familiar 1.6-litre TDI with common rail direct injection and 75 kW / 102 PS which has a maximum torque of 250 Newton metres. Compared to the already very fuel-efficient Caddy 1.6-litre TDI with BlueMotion Technology, fuel consumption was further reduced by 0.5 litres per 100 km.

Compared to the Caddy without fuel-saving technology, it is a full 1.1 litres per 100 km better. As a result, the commercial version of the versatile urban delivery vehicle consumes just 4.5 litres per 100 km, which equates to 117 g/km of CO2. Values for the passenger-carrying version are 4.6 litres and 119 g/km. Thanks to its 60 litre fuel tank, the Caddy BlueMotion therefore has a theoretical range of over 1,300 km (over 800 miles).

The vehicle’s low fuel consumption values were made possible by a combination of aerodynamic and engineering measures such as an engine stop-start function, low rolling resistance tyres, recovery of braking energy (battery regeneration), ride height lowered by 27 mm and efficient engine control.

A Caddy BlueMotion with a short wheelbase is available in four equipment versions: as a panel van and kombi as well as in passenger-carrying versions. Equipment features such as standard hill hold assist, cruise control system, exclusive seat upholstery and air vent surrounds in high-gloss black (passenger version) are all standard.

Van Registrations Up 11.1% In August

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New van registrations rose by 11.1% to 10,344 in August, taking the total gain for the year so far to 9.4%, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

A rise in truck registrations (goods vehicles over 3.5t) helped cancel out losses in the first half of this year and means that total commercial vehicle registrations so far in 2013 are up by 7% on the same period in 2012:

August % change Year-to-date % change Rolling year % change
Vans 10,344 11.1% 161,938 9.4% 253,572 2.6%
Trucks 3,107 29.0% 28,221 -4.8% 44,279 -7.3%
Total 13,451 14.8% 190,159 7.0% 297,851 1.0%

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

The graph below shows how van, rigid truck and artic sales have changed since the end of 2009. The picture presented by this graph is fairly positive … :

SMMT CV registrations August 2013

Truck and van registrations 2009 to August 2013 (courtesy of SMMT)

… but SMMT appears to have fallen victim to the temptation to put a positive spin on its statistics. Until a few months ago, the graph above, which is issued every month, included van and truck registrations from the end of 2007. These have now been removed, and a glance at the graph below suggests why this is.

In this graph from November 2012, we can see that van registrations remain approximately 30% below 2007/8 levels at the moment, while rigid truck registrations are down by around 25% from their 2008 peak. Artic registrations have remained more robust, but the picture is still concerning, as it suggests that smaller business — typical users of vans and light trucks — have struggled to survive and grow, something which is likely to inhibit wider economic growth and recovery:

SMMT van and truck registrations Dec 2007 - Nov 2012

Van and truck registrations Dec 2007 – Nov 2012 (courtesy of SMMT)

Despite the poor comparisons with pre-recession levels of van registrations, iIt is certainly good news that van registrations rose by 11.1% in August, and that truck sales started to recover from the falls we have seen so far this year.

What’s more, SMMT Commercial Vehicle Manager Nigel Base believes there is more good news to come during the second half of this year:

“The commercial vehicle industry can take heart from a respectable performance in August with customers boosting registrations by almost 15%. For vans, August is always a quieter month ahead of the September plate-change but the 9.4% year-to-date rise in volumes is set to be maintained through to year end. We predicted a turn-around in truck fortunes through the second half of this year and the robust performance in August is a signal that volumes should catch and pass 2012 totals.”

Let’s hope so.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Launches Approved Used Scheme: ‘Das WeltAuto’

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A Volkswagen Van CentreVolkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched a national scheme that gives customers a wider choice when buying a used vehicle.

Das WeltAuto is part of Volkswagen’s commitment to improving the way it sells used commercial vehicles by providing customers with options in a similar way to those available to new van buyers.

For many businesses Das WeltAuto will help reduce the time spent looking for the right vehicle.  Benefits of the programme include a full history check, 12-months warranty and roadside assistance, vehicle data and mileage checks and a 30-day exchange or return policy.

Andy Waite, Head of Sales for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the UK, said:

‘The launch of Das WeltAuto is part of our commitment to develop long-term partnerships with our customers, enabling our dedicated Van Centre network to sell used vehicles customers can trust.

‘What sets Das WeltAuto apart from other used vehicle schemes is that it takes into consideration the complete buying experience and the importance of a flexible package to meet customers’ requirements.’

Any commercial vehicle, Volkswagen or otherwise, which is under 100,000 miles can now be sold as an approved Das WeltAuto van (subject to achieving the required standards), broadening the range of vehicles available and enhancing the choice available to customers.

The Das WeltAuto programme includes:

  • Minimum 12 months comprehensive warranty
  • Minimum 12 months Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Roadside Assistance, providing breakdown and recovery services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in the UK and Europe
  • Vehicle data and mileage checks
  • Technical quality checks
  • A replacement vehicle – in the event of a breakdown or warranty repair
  • Vehicle customisation – from a comprehensive range of accessories
  • 30-day/1,000 miles ‘Right of Exchange’ policy
  • Finance options – a comprehensive range of finance options including Hire Purchase, Lease Purchase, Finance Lease and service plans
  • Test drive – test drive the vehicle before committing to purchase
  • Trade in – part exchange your current vehicle, irrespective of age and mileage
  • Seven days complimentary Volkswagen Insurance

For each vehicle advertised, a Volkswagen Van Centre will suggest a number of approved accessories to enhance and personalise the vehicle, such as alloy wheel upgrades, parking sensors, cruise control, satellite navigation or Bluetooth / iPod connectivity.  The prices shown will include VAT and fitting costs (where appropriate) to make the process as transparent as possible.

Heading Back To Uni? Book Van Hire Now Before It’s Too Late

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vanrental.co.uk vanIf you or your parents are planning to book a hire van to help transport your stuff back to uni (or maybe you’re sharing with a friend), you may face availability problems for your chosen dates if you have not already booked.

Many van hire companies report a surge of demand in August/early September as the UK’s two million undergraduate students all head back to university within a few days of each other.

Here at vanrental.co.uk, we can help by allowing you to compare prices from most of the UK’s major van rental companies in one place (we’ll be adding live prices from more companies very soon, too — watch this space).

You can start comparing van hire prices here, or get more information on student van hire and self-storage here. If you’re planning on driving yourself, then you made need one-way hire — our comparison system can also compare prices for one-way UK van hire quotes, so whatever your requirement, we should be able to help get you started.

Finally, if you or your co-driver hasn’t driven a van before, then I’d recommend you check out our guide to driving a van for the first time, too. It’s short, sweet and packed full of essential tips, based on my many years’ experience of driving a van as my daily drive.

Engine Remapping Company Wins Award For £30m Fuel Cost Saving

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Remapped BT Ford Transit

Viezu’s BlueOptimize technology uses ECU remapping to cut fleets’ fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Cutting fuel costs has become a key operational requirement for fleet operators over the last few years. Manufacturers are increasingly helping by including advanced telematics and driver training aids as standard, but one approach that has proved successful for some operators is to have an advanced, bespoke ECU remap.

Remapping is normally associated with performance gains, but it can also be used to reduce fuel consumption and cut emissions. Viezu is a company that specialises in ECU remapping, and its BlueOptimize technology recently won a Motor Transport 2013 Award after BlueOptimize helped save one of the UK’s largest fleets save an estimated £30m in fuel costs over eight years.

Through a clever combination of speed, rev and throttle limiting which are tailored to the user’s specific vehicle use and needs, BlueOptimize offers savings of up to 15 percent in fuel costs and 20 percent reductions in CO2 emissions.

Viezu didn’t mention which fleet contract led to the award, but it did say that “bespoke software files were written for each of the company’s 24,000 vehicles over a six month period by Viezu’s centrally located team of software development engineers. New remap files were supplied back to the customer’s 63 garages with an average response time of just five minutes.” This matches the company’s description of its BT fleet contract award, which was announced late last year.

Whoever, the client, the gains delivered by BlueOptimize are impressive and demonstrate the advantages of intelligently limiting vehicle performance to optimise fuel consumption and emissions. It’s a similar but more sophisticaed approach to the Zeta ExcelArate I first mentioned back in 2010, which restricts the performance of empty vans and trucks so that they drive as if they were fully loaded, all the time, saving up to 10% on fuel in the process.

Similar technology has since become available as original equipment on a number of vans and trucks — expect more to follow, as this is a definite winner from a fleet operator’s perspective.

UK CV Manufacturing Output Down 11.8% In July As Home Demand Slumps

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After a brief resurgence in June, the UK’s commercial vehicle manufacturing sector returned to its year-long decline in July, as output fell by 11.8%.

So far this year, the story has been one of strong home demand, but poor export demand. However, this situation reversed last month, as UK CV exports rose by 20.3%, while home demand slumped by a massive 45%, compared to July 2012.

So far this year, total UK CV manufacturing output is down by 13.3% on a year-to-date basis (compared to the same period last year). The falls are likely to continue in August, as Ford’s Southampton factory closed down at the end of July, marking the end of Ford Transit production in the UK.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and these two graphs show how the UK’s commercial vehicle manufacturing has been decimated — and completely failed to recover — since 2008:

UK Commercial vehicle output 2007-2013

UK CV output remains at less than half the peak level reached in 2008, and output continues to decline on a year-on-year basis (graphs courtesy of SMMT)

Commenting on the figures, Nigel Base, SMMT Commercial Vehicle Manager, said:

“Commercial vehicle manufacturers continue to battle against weak demand, despite a moderate increase in exports in July,” said Nigel Base, SMMT Commercial Vehicle Manager. “The outlook for commercial vehicle manufacturing for the rest of the year continues to be tough, especially following the closure of the Ford facility in Southampton at the end of July. However, there are some areas, such as  bus and coach production, where we are continuing to see growth as operators take advantage of the wide range of vehicles built in the UK.”

It’s certainly true that one or two UK CV manufacturers — such as bus builder Optare — are doing ok, but in general, the picture does seem pretty grim, as the SMMT figures for July show:

CV manufacturing Jul-12 Jul-13 % Change YTD-12 YTD-13 % Change
Total 9,004 7,942 -11.8% 65,100 56,459 -13.3%
Home 4,362 2,358 -45.9% 26,270 26,232 -0.1%
Export 4,642 5,584 20.3% 38,830 30,227 -22.2%
% export 51.6% 70.3% 59.6% 53.5%  

Data courtesy of www.smmt.co.uk

With UK CV manufacturing at half of pre-recession levels, you have to question whether the volume manufacturing sector of the UK’s CV industry will ever seriously recover — or whether we will depend on car manufacturing, which continues to grow, and was up by 7% in July, for our automotive exports.

Škoda Monster Truck Is World’s Biggest Ice Cream Van

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Skoda vRS Ice Cream van

Free ice cream! The world’s largest ice cream van will be coming to an event (or a television screen) near you very soon!

Fancy an ice cream? It’s free, but you’ll need a ladder to get to the counter!

The Škoda vRS giant ice cream van was launched at Great Yarmouth today and is the latest stage in the firm’s marketing campaign to celebrate the launch of the Octavia vRS, which is the fastest Škoda ever. A crack team of Škoda engineers were given the task of bringing the same qualities that go into the car to other everyday objects.

The result is every child’s dream – a giant ice cream van complete with 5 foot monster truck wheels and four mega speakers. Other objects that have already received the vRS treatment include a giant toy ‘trike’, lawnmower with multiple exhaust pipes and flaming go-faster stripes, and the vRS Man-Pram.

The giant ice cream van, which measures over 21 feet, weighs in at a chunky 5.5 tonnes.  It took the team of engineers over 3 weeks to create and stars in the new advert for the Octavia vRS, which hits TV screens on Sunday 25 August.

What is it really?

As this is a van blog, I thought I should try and identify the vehicle behind the giant ice cream van. Naturally, Škoda wasn’t saying, but I reckon I’ve worked it out. Although my first thought was that it was an old Mercedes Unimog, it didn’t look right, and a closer look at the press photo reveals Škoda’s giant ice cream van has a ‘Step Van 30’ badge.

A quick Google later, and I’m fairly sure it’s an American import — a Chevrolet Step Van 30. To show you how they normally look, here’s an example of a road-going Step Van 30 ice cream van.

Where can I see it?

The giant ice cream van will be visiting and serving free ice cream at:

The new advert will feature in commercial breaks during the Premier league matches between Manchester United and Chelsea and between Cardiff City and Manchester City on Sky Sports. The advert will also appear on Channel 4 during the return of BAFTA nominated drama Top Boy as well as on Five during the final Ashes test between England and Australia.

Volkswagen 2013 Brazil T2 Kombi vs 2013 Euro Transporter: Some Things Haven’t Changed

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You may not be able to imagine walking up to your local Volkswagen dealer and ordering a new rear-engined Kombi van like the one pictured below, but if you lived in Brazil, you could.

Volkswagen started producing the Kombi vans in Brazil on 2 September 1957, and is still making them today — making it the longest-produced model in automotive history, according to the firm. However, after 56 years, VW is calling time on the Brazilian T2 Kombi and ceasing production of the model, which is getting a little long in the tooth.

The Kombi Last Edition is a 600-unit special edition model that’s been designed to commemorate the end of Kombi production in Brazil, so to mark the occasion, I thought it would be interesting to compare the current-day Kombi with the model that has since replaced it in Europe, the Transporter T5.

Volkswagen Brazil Kombi vs T5 Transporter

Volkswagen’s Brazil-built T2 Kombi Last Edition alongside a current T5 Transporter Sportline. Hard to believe both vans are in current production!

The Kombi’s 80hp 1.4-litre petrol engine may have a comparable power output to the current base model T5’s 84hp 2.0TDi diesel engine, but the similarity stops there. The present day van offers a whopping 220Nm of peak torque from 1,250-2,500 rpm, whereas the Kombi only offers its 124Nm of peak torque at a fuel-guzzling 3,500rpm.  What’s more, the top of the range T5 offers a jaw-dropping 180hp and 400Nm of torque — figures that couldn’t even be imagined when the Kombi was designed.

The drivetrain changes don’t stop there. While the T5 transmits all of that lovely torque to the front wheels via a slick, modern six or seven-speed gearbox, Kombi drivers have to make do with a somewhat rustic 4-speed gear box and rear-wheel drive.

Fuel economy is not officially specified for the T2 Kombi, but it’s probably fair to assume that this brick-shaped oldster won’t come anywhere near the 37.7 combined mpg figure that Volkswagen specifies for its modern-day sibling.

Long-distance drivers would be well advised to stick with a T5, too — while the modern Transporter can cruise at 70mph all day long, cossetting its occupants in air-conditioned, audio-enhanced luxury, the T2 Kombi has none of these features and will struggle to maintain a solid 70 on the motorway. As a special concession, Volkswagen has pushed the boat out with the specificiation of the Kombi Last Edition, which will include an MP3 sound system “with red LEDs” and auxiliary and USB ports!

Although the Kombi has been hugely popular in Brazil, and its robust simplicity presumably makes it much cheaper and easier to repair than a T5, the T2 isn’t as cheap as you might expect. According to this Autocar review, the T2 Kombis cost £14,800 in Brazil, while T5 Transporters start from £18,085. I’m not sure that’s a big enough discount for such basic technology.

However, there is one area where nothing has changed over the years: practicality. The Kombi’s ability to be both load lugger and people carrier was always one of its defining features and selling points, and this hasn’t changed. Both vans offer a large, flat load area and a sliding door that allows a surprisingly wide range of loads to be carried in the van. Both can be converted into comfortable 9-seaters that are no bigger than a large car, and both can be turned into the compact, flexible campervans that have been the vehicle for so many dream holidays.

The Kombi is a true design classic that has stood the test of time remarkably well. Sadly, the world around it has grown up and got all sophisticated and safe — and much faster moving. I’m not sure it’s more fun, though.

Niki Lauda’s Rush Ferrari Team Van Is For Sale

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Niki Lauda Team Ferrari van from Rush

1979 Renault Estafette Niki Lauda Ferrari Team van

I’m always a sucker for a smart classic van. Although I wouldn’t necessarily want to own one as an everyday vehicle, they’ve got real character, especially when they have a smart paint job and an exciting provenance.

This 1979 Renault Estafette van must be pick of the bunch — Niki Lauda’s Team Ferrari van as used in the upcoming film Rush. Although this isn’t an original Team Ferrari van, it is an original vehicle that has been faithfully adapted.

With just a few weeks left before Ron Howard’s epic film ‘Rush’ — which documents the epic rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda — appears in cinemas nationwide, this van is being auctioned at CarFest South by Silverstone Auctions on Sunday 25th August, at Laverstoke Park Farm.

This particular van Renault van started life as a fire truck on the French/Swiss border, but has been faithfully modelled for its new role, with authentic factory paint and decals from one of Formula One’s most exciting eras, the late 1970s.

Will Smith, classic car specialist, Silverstone Auctions, said:

“With ‘Rush’ set to thrill cinema goers, our CarFest South auction couldn’t be better timed for one of its star characters, albeit one with four-wheels.

“It’s a great little van, which even comes complete with fat Avon racing tyres on the period roof rack, and I’m sure it would be the ultimate addition to any Ferrari collection or race team.”

Niki Lauda's Team Ferrari van in Rush

1979 Renault Estafette Niki Lauda Ferrari Team van

Estimated at between £15,000 to £20,000, the van is one of more than seventy lots being offered in the ‘Pride & Joy’ auction. Also being offered are a variety of charity lots where all the money raised will go to BBC Children in Need.

For more information this Renault Estafette, or any of the lots on offer, then visit www.silverstoneauctions.com.

Used Van Values Flatline In July: Still Up 12.8% On Last Year

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Van at BCA auctionUsed van values remained largely flat in July, compared to June, according to the latest figures from auction specialists BCA.

BCA’s July sales figures show that the average light commercial vehicle sold for £4,772 in July, just £6 more than in June. Average age remained largely unchanged at 58 months but, average mileage rose for the third consecutive month.

Despite monthly falls over the last three months, used van values remain 12.8% (£543) higher than they were in July 2012, and vans are selling at an average of 101.3% of their CAP values — up from 99.6% during July last year.

Looking beneath the headline figure, BCA says that fleet and lease values fell, but dealer part-exchange values rose strongly, to the third-highest monthly average value on record.

Commenting on the figures, Duncan Ward BCA’s General Manager – Commercial Vehicles, said:

“The summer holiday period is typically a weaker time for demand but values have been maintained at a similar level to last month largely as a result of the low levels of supply.  Trade buyers are continuing to focus on the very best retail vehicles which are routinely making exceptional money, while vans in poor condition may struggle for attention. ”

BCA used LCV values 2011-13

Average LCV values from June 2011 – July 2013 (courtesy of BCA)

As the graph above shows, the trend in used van values has been relentlessly upwards over the last two years, but Duncan Ward believes this could moderate come September, thanks to an influx of realistically-priced dealer part-exchange vehicles:

“Sellers should consider adjusting valuations now on poorer condition vans with a view to remarketing them before volumes begin to rise and buyers have more choice from mid-September onwards.”

“Vans entered from dealer part-exchange sources have outperformed the market in recent weeks, and values rose sharply during July.   Dealers are valuing their part-exchange vans realistically to tempt buyers in and have reaped the rewards of rising average values, a CAP percentage that is ahead of the wider market performance and good sale conversions as a result.”

The dramatic and long-lasting fall in new van registrations since 2007 has helped support used van values, as the supply of decent quality, one-owner vans has fallen steadily as operators have held onto their vans for much longer than previously, or reduced their overall requirements.

New van registrations have recently started to turn up, and this seems to be being reflected in both UK CV manufacturing output, which has risen recently, and in used van values, which have started to weaken after reaching record highs.