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.

Toyota Proace To Feature In New British Touring Van Championship

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Toyota Proace Racing VanIf it’s got an engine, you can race it. True to that principle, Toyota is lining up its new Proace van for a summer of high speed track action in the new Touring Van Championship.

Racing commercial vehicles isn’t without precedent — Volkswagen Caddys compete very successfully in the VW Racing Cup and truck racing is a terrific spectacle that is great fun to watch.

Today’s vans offer much better performance and handling than their predecessors and I expect to see van racing grow in popularity as the Touring Van Championship takes off.

Toyota’s three UK independent touring car teams have jumped at the chance to be the first to the grid in the new series, parading their race-prepped Proace machines in full team livery.

“The Touring Van Championship is just the kind of cost-conscious racing Britain needs,” said championship spokesman Gideon “Gig” Gleman. “The Proace carries up to 1.2 tonnes in its 7m3 loadspace, so everything you need to go racing can be carried in the back. No big trucks, no catering wagons, no fancy-dan hospitality units – if it won’t fit in the Proace then it’s not needed at the circuit.”

Eagle-eyed motorists may have spotted the racing Proace undergoing its intensive test programme. Its handling has been fine tuned through 24-hour lane-switching manoeuvres on the M62, while the sequence of traffic lights along the A4 west of London have helped hone its off-the-line acceleration. This month Proace will also undergo full race assessment at the Nürburgring, competing in the annual Lastkraftwagenpokal meeting around the legendary circuit’s Flair Loop.

Teams are confident Proace will be the van to beat when the championship bursts into action in July. In fact, negotiations are under way for it to join the Avensis touring cars in the British Touring Car Championship proper before the end of the season – the racing aloons will be rebranded Avansis in honour of the occasion.

“Volvo raced an estate car back in the ‘90s, so we see it as a natural evolution of touring cars to embrace vans as a holistic, 360-degree engagement with stakeholder behaviours. If you want inclusivity in British motorsport, count us in!” said Gleman.

I bet you can’t wait to see the racing Proace in action — watch this space for more details…

Vauxhall Scores Twice With Combo & Luton-Built Vivaro

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Vauxhall Vivaro ecoFLEX

Vauxhall’s Vivaro ecoFLEX was chosen as diesel ecoVan of the Year at the VansA2Z.com awards 2013.

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles picked up two gongs at the VansA2Z.com awards 2013 with the Vauxhall Combo winning Best Light Van and the Vauxhall Vivaro ecoFLEX honoured as Diesel ecoVan of the Year.

Launched last year, the Combo achieves the highest payload (up to 1,000kg with driver), largest load volume (up to 4.2m3), highest rear axle capacity (1,450kg) and longest wheelbase in its sector.

Also new-to-the-range, Vauxhall’s British-built Vivaro ecoFLEX Euro 5 panel van boasts low CO2 emissions of just 174g/km and combined fuel economy of 42.7mpg.

‘With Combo what really impresses is the breadth of model choice available,’ said Neil McIntee, VansA2Z editor. ‘Combo rides and handles well with the rear suspension coping admirably, both laden and unladen.’

‘Super-efficient modern diesels of all sizes are returning lower fuel consumption figures than ever before and one of our favourites is the Vauxhall Vivaro ecoFLEX.’

‘We’re delighted to collect these two awards from VansA2Z.com,’ said Steve Bryant Brand Manager, Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles. ‘The versatile Combo has impressed since launch and it’s great news that it has won yet another award. Having been first with a van eco-range, we are very pleased the Luton-built Vivaro has been honoured in ecoFLEX guise. The ever-popular Vivaro has been a lynch pin of our commercial vehicle range for over a decade.’

Vauxhall was the first manufacturer to introduce an eco-model across each van in its range when it launched ecoFLEX commercial vehicles back in 2011.

The Luton-based manufacturer built over 58,000 vans in the UK last year, making it Britain’s number one commercial vehicle manufacturer for an incredible eleventh straight year.

Fiat Scores A Doblò at Trade Van Driver Awards

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Fiat Fiorino

Florino – Best City Van, Trade Van Driver Awards 2013

Hot on the heels of the Fiat Doblò Cargo’s recent Best Light Van category win at the VansA2z.com awards, the Fiat has added two more trophies to its collection.

The Fiat Fiorino compact van was named Best City Van, and the recently introduced Doblò Work Up winning the Best Small Pick-Up award in the 2013 Trade Van Driver (TVD) Awards.

I’m not sure there is all that much competition in the Small Pick-Up category, but it’s a worthy award for a useful niche model, all the same.

The TVD awards are judged not only by an expert panel of journalists at the magazine but also by a panel of readers who use light commercial vehicles as part of their businesses.

The goal of the awards is to recognise manufacturers, firms and people who, in the opinion of the judges, offer the very best to retail van buyers.

Trade Van Driver Magazine editor Matthew Eisenegger commented:

“Trade Van Driver Magazine prides itself on offering a true reflection of the thoughts and feelings of its readership. Now in their second year, it is great to see some products taking the accolade for a second time, as well as new products scoring a first win. We have also introduced a number of new categories which demonstrate the diversity of interest of our specialist professional trade sector.”

Fiat Doblò Work Up

Doblò Work Up, Best Small Pick-up Trade Van Driver Awards 2013

The Doblò Work Up is a dropside pick-up vehicle that’s designed for on-road use, with compact external dimensions that allow easy manoeuvring in urban areas.

The external dimensions are not, however, a limit to its performance. The load box is 2.30 m long and 1.82 m wide, with 4.2 m2 of loading area which can accommodate a payload of up to 1,000kg. Additionally, the Bi-Link suspension permits a rear axle load up to 1,450kg.

Both the Doblò Work Up and the Fiorino will be on display on the Fiat Professional stand at the forthcoming Birmingham CV Show, providing potential buyers with a chance to have a good look around each one.

Full details on Fiat Professional’s range of commercial vehicles is available at www.fiatprofessional.co.uk

Ford Transit Custom Doubles Up With Another Award

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Ford Transit Custom front view

The Ford Transit Custom was chosen as ‘Best Medium Van’ by the Trade Van Driver magazine award judges.

Ford’s newest commercial vehicle models, the Transit Custom and Ranger, have received two more industry awards, bringing their total to 15 awards in 12 months.

Brentwood-based Ford’s bulging trophy cabinet will need to be expanded soon, following the firm’s double victory at the 2013 Trade Van Driver (TVD) Awards, where the highly acclaimed Ford Transit Custom and Ford Ranger pick-up received top honours.

The Ford Transit Custom is “Best Medium Van”, hailed by TVD judges as “a quantum leap forward” over its predecessor. The Transit Custom’s intelligent design, more fuel-efficient engine line-up, and introduction of advanced vehicle technologies like SYNC – Ford’s in-car connectivity system – were all praised.

The Ford Ranger is “Best 4×4 Truck” against stiff competition – praised for its robust appearance, its car-like ride and handling and supreme ability to cope with rough terrain. The variety of different Ranger models was also highly commended by the judges.

The TVD Awards aim to give recognition to manufacturers, firms and people who, in the opinion of the judges and readers using light commercial vehicles daily, offer the best solution to retail van buyers.

Ford sales director, Andy Barratt, said:

“The awards for Ford’s exciting commercial vehicle range keep on coming. We’re delighted with Transit Custom’s very healthy sales start, contributing to Ford’s overall 21 per cent share of the UK CV market for the year to date. Ranger continues to sell remarkably well having nearly doubled its presence in the pick-up segment to 16.6 per cent so far this year, compared with 2012.”

The Ford Transit Custom and new Ford Ranger have won 15 awards between them in the last 12 months, including the prestigious International Van of the Year 2013 and International Pick-up Award 2013 titles.

UK CV Manufacturing Down 17.1% On Export Collapse

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UK commercial vehicle manufacturing output fell 17.1% in February, after falling by 20.5% in January, compared to the same periods in 2012. 

Stable domestic demand for new UK-built commercial vehicles is doing nothing to offset the dramatic collapse in export volumes, which fell by 31.4% in February compared to February 2012. The fall comes on the heels of a 37.2% drop in exports in January — clearly the eurozone crisis (most exports are to Europe) is nowhere near abating, whatever the politicians and bankers would have us believe.

Here’s a snapshot of the latest UK commercial vehicle manufacturing figures:

CV manufacturing Feb-12 Feb-13 % Change YTD-12 YTD-13 % Change
Total 9,655 8,005 -17.1% 19,499 15,827 -18.8%
Home 4,060 4,165 2.6% 8,126 8,361 2.9%
Export 5,595 3,840 -31.4% 11,373 7,466 -34.4%
% export 57.9% 48.0% 58.3% 47.2%

Data courtesy of Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (www.smmt.co.uk)

As the graph below shows, UK commercial vehicle exports are now lower than they were at the depths of the 2009/10 downturn, and while total CV manufacturing remains higher, flat UK demand — which is below historical norms — is not sufficient to support a recovery in manufacturing:

UK CV output 2008 - Feb2013

UK commercial vehicle manufacturing output rolling year Feb 2008 – Feb 2013 (courtesy of SMMT)

Commenting on the figures, Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive, said:

“Manufacturing of commercial vehicles in the UK continues to struggle with the fall in European demand. However, with the Commercial Vehicle Show coming up in April, we have an opportunity to showcase the very best in new technology, environmental performance and safety of these vehicles which are so crucial to the UK economy.”

Sadly, I don’t think that a lack of desire for new technology is the cause of the slump in sales. I suspect that companies (and public sector buyers) across Europe simply don’t have the spare cash or the confidence necessary to ramp up spending on new vehicles when they don’t strictly need to.

What Does Budget 2013 Mean For Van Owners?

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Budget 2013: Van owners are will see road tax increase in-line with inflation and and will pay slightly less fuel duty than they would have done, but there were no earth-shaking changes in today’s budget.

Here’s a quick summary of the announcements in today’s budget that may affect van owners and operators:

Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax)

The government has no plans to reform road tax in the current parliament.

From 1 April 2012, road tax will increase in line with Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation. For van owners, this means £5 per year more:

Vans (up to 3.5t) registered before 1 March 2001
Engine size 2012/13 tax year 2013/14 tax year
1,549cc or below £135 £140
Above 1,549cc £220 £225
Vans (up to 3.5t) registered on or after 1 March 2001
Emissions rating 2012/13 tax year 2013/14 tax year
Euro 4/5 compliant £135 £140
All other vans £215 £220

Fuel Duty

The Chancellor also announced that the proposed 1.89p increase in fuel duty that was planned for 1st September 2013 will be cancelled.

In a possible sign of things to come, the budget included confirmation that in 2015-16 “the duty differential for liquefied petroleum gas will be reduced by the equivalent of 1 penny per litre.” 

Anyone thinking about buying a van with an LPG conversion might want to consider this — cost savings of using LPG are solely down to its favourable tax treatment. You certainly don’t get better mpg and the fuel itself isn’t intrinsically cheaper.

If LPG’s favourable tax treatment is reduced or removed, there is no real cost benefit. Interestingly, the difference between the main rate of fuel duty and the rate for compressed natural gas (CNG) is going to be maintained. I wonder what the logic is in the different treatment of LPG and CNG?

Van Benefit Charge

Van benefit charge will be frozen at £3,000 in 2013/14 and will be increased in line with RPI from 6th April 2014. The fuel benefit multiplier (Fuel Benefit Charge) will also increase in line with RPI from 6th April 2014.

Fiat Doblò Cargo Bowls Out Competition At VansA2Z Awards

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Fiat Doblò CargoFiat Professional’s Doblò Cargo small van was named Best Light Van in the VansA2Z Van of the Year Awards for 2013 announced yesterday at an industry lunch at Lords Cricket Ground, London.

The award was presented to Sebastiano Fedrigo, director, Fiat Professional UK, who said:

“Our Doblò Cargo has been a huge success ever since it was launched and is widely recognised as a class-leader in its category.

“We are delighted to receive this honour from the VansA2Z team. It provides further proof of the all-round qualities of this excellent vehicle.”

Commenting on the award, Neil McIntee, Editor of VansA2Z.com, said:

“Fiat’s Doblò Cargo is one of the most impressive vans of its size to have been launched over the past few years. That is why we have made it our Light Van of the Year for 2013.

“One of the aspects that really appeals is the unique and intelligently designed rear suspension system. A bi-link independent set-up, it has been installed with an eye to enhancing ride and handling, and has done just that. Light in weight, it’s compact too.

“What really impresses is the breadth of model choice available. Drivers are going to be happy too. It rides and handles well with the rear suspension coping admirably, both laden and unladen. A great piece of functional design from the Italian manufacturer.”

Fiat Doblò Work Up - dropside

The Doblò also comes in an unusual dropside version, called the Work Up.

Fiat Professional’s Doblò Cargo is the first LCV to have a bi-link rear suspension which ensures a smooth ride, lower loading height and better width between wheel arches. Additionally, the bi-link suspension permits a rear axle load up to 1,450kg.

Fiat Professional’s Doblò Cargo sits on an all-new platform and has great carrying capacity in both weight and size terms: up to 1 ton payload and up to 5.0 m3 volume.

The award-winning Doblò is available with a choice of five Euro 5-specification engines, and comes in several different forms – Cargo, Cargo Maxi, Cargo SX, Cargo Tecnico, Cargo Maxi SX, Cargo Maxi Tecnico, Combi, Combi Maxi, Platform Cab, Work Up, and XL – to offer solutions for a wide spectrum of commercial vehicle users.

The engine line-up comprises a 1.4-litre 16v 95bhp petrol unit and four MultiJet 16v diesels – 1.3 (90bhp), 1.6 (105bhp), 1.6 Comfort-Matic (90bhp) and 2.0 (135bhp).

Full details on Fiat Professional’s range of commercial vehicles is available at www.fiatprofessional.co.uk

Nissan eNV200 Will Make UK Debut at CV Show 2013

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Nissan eNV200 electric van

Nissan eNV200 electric van

Nissan’s eagerly-awaited eNV200 electric van will make its UK debut at the CV Show in Birmingham on the 9th – 11th April 2013.

The eNV200 has already generated strong positive feedback from fleet operators who have carried out long-term trials of the vehicle and tried it at a recent test event and were impressed with its zero CO2 emissions at the point of use, driving comfort and generous carrying capacity and payload.

Nissan will round out its display of new vehicles with the UK debut for the NV200 taxi, Nissan’s proposed replacement for the London black cab. The NV200 taxi is based on the company’s multi-purpose NV200 compact van and redesigned to fully comply with the host of TfL Taxi Conditions of Fitness.

As well as seating to comfortably accommodate five passengers, the NV200 Taxi has also been modified to accommodate a wheel chair passenger and achieve a 25ft (7.6m) turning-circle – a legal requirement for all Hackney Carriages.

Finally, Nissan will display the latest version of its Navara double cab pick-up. The Navara Visia is an entry-level model that’s designed to provide a practical solution at an affordable cost (funny how several manufacturers are rolling out such models in the wake of the Great Wall Steed pick-up launch!).

The Nissan stand is in Hall 3a (stand number 3A80) and will also feature a Cabstar, NV200, NV200 Fridge, NV400 panel van and a Red Bull Formula 1 car.

Ford’s A Hit For Six At VansA2Z Awards

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Ford Transit Custom

The Ford Transit Custom is VansA2Z.com Van of the Year 2013

Ford demonstrated why it remains the UK’s favourite commercial vehicle manufacturer by hitting the ball out of the park and winning an unprecedented six awards  at the recent VansA2Z Awards 2013 (apologies for the mangled sporting metaphors — the awards took place at Lords Cricket Ground, London).

The Brentwood-based company took home trophies for the following categories, with its new Transit Custom model (a direct competitor to the Mercedes Vito and Volkswagen Transporter) bagging no fewer than three:

  • Ford Transit Custom – Van of the Year
  • Ford Transit Custom – Best Small Panel Van
  • Ford Transit Custom – Best Innovation
  • Ford Transit – Best Minibus
  • Ford FiestaVan – Best Small Van
  • Ford Ranger – Highly Commended Pick-up

The Ford Transit Custom also claimed the overall Van of the Year award as well as winning in the Best Small Panel Van and Best Innovation categories. Its win in the Best Innovation category is particularly well deserved, as it is the first vehicle in its segment to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Ford Transit won Best Minibus for the third year running, and the frugal new Fiesta Van – which accounts more than 60 per cent of its segment – won Best Small Van. Ford Ranger, International Pick-up of the Year 2013, was highly commended.

Neil McIntee, VansA2Z editor, said:

“We’re delighted to award the Transit Custom Best Small Panel Van and the overall Van of the Year accolade. Ford has raised the bar to new heights with the introduction of Transit Custom. In terms of dynamics, refinement, safety and clever, functional design features, it is untouchable.”

The all-new Ford Transit Custom claimed the International Van of the Year 2013 title when it was launched last year and has sold more than 1,100 units since November 2012.

Citroën Bags VansA2Z Award For Ready To Run Conversion Range

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Citroen Ready to Run range

Citroën’s Ready To Run range has won the first Vans A2Z One-Stop Shop Award.

Citroën’s award-winning Ready to Run range of factory van conversions continued its winning ways earlier today.

This unique ready-bodied specialist programme, the most comprehensive of its type available in the UK, has just won the VansA2Z One-Stop Shop Award.

In making the first VansA2Z One-Stop Shop Award, the judges commended Citroën for the range and quality of the Ready to Run conversions available for its Nemo, Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay models.The Vans A2Z Van of the Year Awards 2013 One-Stop Shop Award-winning Citroën Ready to Run range includes:

  • Dropside trucks
  • Glass carrying vans
  • High-cube, low-loading vans
  • Luton vans
  • Temperature-controlled (chiller/freezer) vans
  • Tippers

Scott Michael, Citroën’s Head of Commercial Vehicles & Business Centre Programme, remarked:

“The Ready to Run programme has been successful in widening Citroën’s LCV customer base, enabling the company to compete in new markets. I am very pleased that the Vans A2Z Van of the Year Awards judges have recognised Ready to Run’s success with the first One-Stop Shop Award.”

As I’ve commented several times in recent years, most manufacturers are now offering ready-built body conversions and the popularity and relevance of these schemes will only increase when the EU type approval rules come into force in April, despite the recently announced common-sense exceptions.