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 Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up Gets Five-Year, 120,000-Mile Warranty

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New Isuzu D-Max Pick-Up driving through waterIsuzu UK is so confident in the build quality and reliability of the new Isuzu D-Max pick-up that it is providing a 60-month / 120,000-mile warranty.

The extended parts and labour warranty is an upgrade to the manufacturer’s standard 36-month / 60,000-mile warranty and will cover any defects in powertrain components or workmanship, including engine, transmission and driveline components and major ancillaries such as the air conditioning compressor and power steering pump.

Customer deliveries of the new D-Max begin in July and Isuzu says that it already has 7,500 expressions of interest and is confident that the new model will be well received in the UK.

“Warranty cover for five years or 120,000 miles gives buyers of the new Isuzu D-Max peace of mind for longer than any other pick-up in the UK,” comments William Brown, General Manager for Isuzu UK.  “Isuzu has become renowned for producing rugged, durable pick-ups, and we’re now demonstrating our absolute confidence in the toughness of our new product.”

The new Isuzu D-Max will be available with four specification levels and three cab configurations – extended cab, single cab and double cab.  Prices range from £14,499 (CVOTR) for the single cab 4×2 derivative, rising to £21,499 (CVOTR) for the range-topping ‘Utah’ specification double cab automatic.

Even the entry-level Isuzu D-Max offers a very generous complement of standard equipment, including air conditioning, daytime running lights, electric windows and front, side and curtain airbags.

Power for the new pick-up comes in the form of a highly fuel efficient 2.5-litre twin-turbo common rail diesel engine, available with newly-developed six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmissions.  This advanced Euro5-compliant unit generates 163 PS and peak torque output of 400 Nm at 1400 rpm.

The all-new Isuzu D-Max will be a serious workhorse: it has an impressive three-tonne (braked) towing capacity and a payload capacity of over 1,000 kg. Easily enough for farmers, builders, plant contractors and vehicle transporters.

For more information, visit www.isuzu.co.uk.

Van Fleet World Awards 2012 Roundup

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Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has won the Van Fleet World Safety Award every year since 2008

The 2012 Van Fleet World Awards took place in London last week. The winner list contains a mixture of the usual suspects and one or two surprises, so here’s a quick roundup to bring you up to date:

  • Best New Van: Vauxhall Combo
  • Best Light Van: Citroën Nemo / Fiat Fiorino / Peugeot Bipper
  • Best Small Van: Volkswagen Caddy
  • Best Medium Van: Volkswagen Transporter
  • Best Large Van: Ford Transit
  • Best Pick-Up: Ford Ranger
  • Best Light Truck: Iveco Daily
  • Van Manufacturer of the Year: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
  • Environment Award: Nissan e-NV200
  • Editor’s Award: Renault Kangoo Van Z.E.
  • Security Award:  Citroën LCVs
  • Safety Award: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

No big surprises, as many of these vans have won other awards over the last year, although it’s the first award for the Nissan e-NV200, which is not in production yet but has been trialled on-road by big companies including BT and FedEx.

The Ford Transit and VW Transporter could both face hot competition later this year when the new Ford Transit Custom hits the roads – it will initially be built and sold alongside the regular Transit.

Vauxhall Adds Petrol Engines To Combo & Corsavan

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New 2012 Vauxhall Combo small van

The Vauxhall Combo will now be available with a new, more fuel-efficient 1.4-litre petrol engine.

Vauxhall is adding a new petrol engine choice to both its new Combo and Corsavan ranges. The move is in response to customer demand, according to the Luton-based manufacturer:

“The inclusion of new petrol engines to the New Combo and Corsavan ranges is in response to increased customer demand,” said Steve Bryant, Brand Manager, Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles.  “Certain Vauxhall customers want the option of a petrol engine especially with respect to both current fuel prices and the operator’s specific working environment.”

The value of a petrol engine in small van models is something I have commented on before and should help address urban operators’ concerns over DPF failures due to unsuitable usage cycles.

The Combo will get a Euro 5-compliant, 1.4-litre petrol unit with 95PS and Start/Stop technology. Vauxhall say the engine will deliver CO2 emissions of 163g/km and 40.3mpg combined cycle fuel consumption on the short wheelbase model.

The Corsavan will get a 1.2-litre petrol engine, with CO2 emissions of just 119g/km, 55.4mpg and will also have Start/Stop. Vauxhall vans are perennial favourites with small businesses and the company sold 11,436 vans to small businesses last year, with sales up 28.05 per cent in a market up 8.32 per cent.

April Van Registration Figures Down 19.8%

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New van registrations fell by 19.8% in April compared to April 2011, according to the latest  figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This continues the trend we have seen already this year, with van registrations now up just 1.1% on a rolling year basis and down by 15.7% over the year to date.

Truck registrations also followed the pattern of recent months, rising by 17.7% from April 2011 and increasing by 27.4% over the year to date.

This graph shows the changes more clearly:

SMMT April 2012 van and truck registrations

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

Van sales continue to decline, while artic sales have levelled off and sales of rigid lorries have continued to rise:

Commenting, Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive said:

“The relative strength of the 2011 van market continued to dent 2012 performance with the ‘up to 3.5t’ market dropping 19.8% in the month. Trucks remained strong, up 27.4% for the year-to-date, continuing the steady recovery seen throughout last year. Last month’s CV Show saw the launch of a host of new sophisticated and efficient vehicles that will be important to the sector’s performance through the rest of 2012 and beyond.”

Van sales fell strongly in all weight categories, with the shifting new-model related pattern of fewer sub-2.0t vans and more 2.0t-2.5t vans that I identified last month now becoming a more general decline. This graph shows just how dramatic the fall in van registrations has been, when compared to recent years:

SMMT van registrations April 1998 - 2012

Graph courtesy of SMMT

As I have observed before, van sales appear to be a direct casualty of ongoing weakness in the economy, especially in areas related to small service businesses and discretionary expenditure. The graph above shows clearly how far below historic levels new van registrations have fallen in recent years, meaning that used van values are likely to remain strong, thanks to thin supply.

Van Launch: Vauxhall Vivaro ecoFLEX

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Vauxhall Vivaro ecoFLEX

The new Vauxhall Vivaro ecoFLEX, in a suitably green setting!

Eco-versions of popular vans are increasingly common – there’s the Transit ECOnetic and the Volkswagen Crafter BlueMotion, for example.

Vauxhall has now joined the party with the Vivaro ecoFLEX, which joins the other, smaller ecoFLEX van models already in its range. There’s also an ecoFLEX version of the Vivaro Combi (9-seater minibus), for the first time.

The Vivaro ecoFLEX is Euro 5 compliant and promises CO2 emissions of just 180g/km and fuel consumption of 40.9mpg, compared with 198g/km/37.6mpg for the equivalent standard model.

That means a theoretical range of 800 miles from the 90-litre fuel tank, although you couldn’t expect to manage that in London traffic.

The Vivaro ecoFLEX is based on the standard wheelbase, low roof model, with a few changes:

  • Exhaust gas circulation cooling
  • Optimised gear ratios
  • ‘Improved thermal management’ – probably means that the engine warms up faster
  • Low rolling resistance tyres
  • An aerodynamic kit

Anyone really keen on saving fuel can also specify an optional speed limiter, which can drive fuel consumption down as low as 42.7mpg, according to Vauxhall. I cannot verify this for the Vivaro, but I can confirm that limiting top speed really makes a difference.

On holiday in my Transit campervan in Norway last year, I spent a lot of time driving on main roads at the Norwegian national speed limit of 50mph. As a result, I managed to average over 40mpg for a whole tank of fuel on several occasions – and it’s an ageing van with 100k+ on the clock.

The Vivaro is the top-selling van in the medium panel van retail segment and the Luton-based manufacturer has already put 3,351 new Vivaros on the road in 2012, after hitting an all-time sales record in 2011.

CV Show Roundup: Vans We Haven’t Seen Before

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It’s the CV Show this week at the Birmingham NEC, but most of the vans on display have been covered in these pages in recent weeks or are well-established models that you will probably already be familiar with.

Instead of an exhaustive roundup, I thought I would just feature some pictures of vans that are new or are unusual in some other way – including some more pictures of the stunning new Transit Custom!

So without further ado, here goes!

First up (in approximate alphabetical order), Chinese manufacturer DFSK was here in force, with Mini Vans of all shapes, but just one compact size:

DFSK Mini Van Tipper

DFSK Mini Van Tipper

DFSK Mini Van Crew Cab Dropside

DFSK Mini Van Crew Cab Dropside

DFSK Mini Van Minibus!

The DFSK Mini Van Minibus!

DFSK Mini Van Panel Van

DFSK Mini Van Panel Van - note the rather strange, BMW-esque radiator grill...

Next up, the delectable new Ford Transit Custom, which will go on sale in the UK sometime later this year:

Ford Transit Custom side shot

The new Transit Custom in a rather fetching shade of blue

Ford Transit Custom front shot

From the front, it could almost be a car...

Ford Transit Custom rear view

...while from behind, the Transit Custom looks rather like a Sprinter to me

Ford Transit Custom interior

Inside, the new Transit Custom is unmistakeably a Ford!

I don’t think I’ve featured the Hyundai iLoad before – nothing much to say other than it also comes in 8/9 seat minibus format and I have no doubt it will be as reliable and sensible as the company’s cars are:

Hyundai iLoad panel van

The Hyundai iLoad panel van, looking foxy in black

Nissan promised to launch its NV400 chassis cab range at the CV Show, so here’s an example in dropside tipper guise. The NV400 is of course based on the Renault Master and like the Master is quite thin on the ground so far, although I’m starting to see more of them around:

Nissan NV400 dropside tipper

Nissan NV400 dropside tipper from the company's range of off-the-shelf conversions

There were two new versions of the Peugeot Partner for fans of this popular van to drool over, a forthcoming electric version and a new ATV ‘all terrain’ version featuring the company’s Grip Control system.

Peugeot Partner ATV

The Peugeot Partner ATV - with the Grip Control traction system

Peugeot Partner Electric Van

Peugeot Partner Electric Van - coming soon...

Slightly out of order but none the worse for that is the impressive and probably very durable Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, in its new 4×4 guise:

Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 4x4

The new Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 4x4

A small van from a very big Indian name – the Tata Ace EV electric van made an appearance and also was also on display in dropside tipper format:

Tata Ace EV electric van

The Tata Ace EV electric van

Luton’s finest had a good range of vehicles on display, too, and as Vauxhall is near the end of the alphabet, you may be relieved to discover you are nearly at the end of this rather long post…

The new Combo looks set to be as successful as the previous model and comes in more, larger sizes than ever before:

Vauxhall Combo long wheelbase

The long wheelbase version of the new Vauxhall Combo - it also comes in a high roof model

Vauxhall Combo interior

Inside the new Combo; unmistakeably Vauxhall

Vauxhall Combo police van

Coming soon to a police station near you...

Finally, a treat for patriotic van buyers. It isn’t remotely new but it is still one of the most popular medium vans on the road – and it’s made in Britain. Yes, Vauxhall laid on a specially-wrapped Vauxhall Vivaro to remind visitors that it builds more vans in the UK than any other manufacturer:

Vauxhall Vivaro - built in Britain

Vauxhall Vivaro - built in Britain

I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief look at some of the new or unusual vehicles on display at the CV Show.

There were, of course, countless other vans and lorries at the CV Show, but there is only so much that I can expect readers to look at, so I thought I would restrict myself to things you might not have seen before, plus a few favourites that deserve to be featured again.

Any comments on vans or the CV Show very welcome – the comment box below is all yours!

Bombproof Sprinter Conversion For Counter-Terror Units

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Macneillie Counter Terror Operations Support vehicle

A Macneillie operations support vehicle in counter terror specification, complete with robots!

Standard police-specification cars and vans are a common sight throughout Europe, but I don’t think that I have ever seen many of these – an operations support vehicle in full counter-terror spec, complete with remote-control robots for defusing bombs and other hair-raising tasks.

Specialist converter MacNeillie is exhibiting the vehicle at the Counter Terror Expo, which takes place today and tomorrow at Olympia, in London.

It says that the van on display at Counter Terror is “configured for EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), IEDD (Improvised Explosive Device Disposal) and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear)” and will shortly enter service with an undisclosed authority.

Apparently it is a similar specification to that which MacNeillie has recently supplied to a number of overseas markets, including the Middle East. Based on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis, MacNeillie says that the cab incorporates a number of normal civilian emergency services features, such as ballistic and non-ballistic protection, screen guards and headlight protection, full suite audible and visual warning systems and runflat tyres.

In the back, it’s a more unusual story. The unit can be configured in a number of ways to cater for most requirements, including tools and kit stowage, anchor points for specialist equipment and a deluge wash facility.  Rear doors and associated ramp and lift options are offered, to accommodate equipment such as robots and UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles) such as the two fellow pictured above.

Finally, since modern emergency operations rely on advanced communications and situational awareness, this unit is equipped with high resolution digital camera equipment for all-round visibility and carries a comprehensive inventory of communications equipment, capable of interfacing with scene, silver and gold command levels.

In addition to this more exotic equipment, MacNeillie also supply a wide range of police and ambulance vehicles to emergency services in the UK and abroad. They also do a rather impressive line of military, armoured and ‘discreet protection’ vehicles – armoured cars, to you and me.

This isn’t the first of MacNeillie’s conversions that we’ve featured on these pages – for some shots of another, rather different Sprinter conversion by the company, click here.

MacNeillie is an interesting and successful British company – and one that appears to have some vacancies at the moment. Visit www.macneillie.co.uk for more information.

New Fiat Punto Van Makes CV Show Debut

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Fiat Punto Van

The new Fiat Punto Van

Having recently reported on the possible demise of the car-derived van, there seems to have been nothing else but new model launches ever since!

The new Fiat Punto Van has made its UK debut at this year’s Birmingham CV Show, which started today.

The new Punto Van replaces the Grand Punto Van and offers a load capacity of 1 cubic metre with a payload of 520kg.

By way of comparison, Vauxhall’s current Corsavan provides a slightly smaller load capacity of 0.92 cubic metres with a slightly higher maximum payload of 550kg. It’s swings and roundabouts, really, unless you have very specific requirements.

Equipment

Standard equipment on all versions includes ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), BAS (Brake Assistance System), remote central locking, electric front windows, electrically adjustable and heated body coloured mirrors, trip computer, driver and passenger airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player, electric power steering, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel and a height-adjustable driver’s seat.

One Engine, Three Choices

New Punto Van will be available with one diesel engine, the award-winning and best-selling 1.3 MultiJet II diesel, in three levels of power:

  • 75hp (55 kW) / 190 Nm max torque (at 1500 rpm)
    67.2 MPG (4.2 l/100km) combined fuel consumption and 112 g/km CO2 emissions
  • 85hp (62 kW) / 200 Nm max torque (at 1500 rpm) with Start&Stop
    80.7 MPG (3.5 l/100km) combined fuel consumption and 90 g/km CO2 emissions
  • 95hp (70 kW) / 200 Nm max torque (at 1500 rpm) with Start&Stop
    67.2 MPG (4.2 l/100km) combined fuel consumption and 110 g/km CO2 emissions

Start&Stop is standard equipment on the 1.3 MultiJet II 85hp and 95hp versions.

From £10,990 +VAT

The new range starts with the entry level 1.3 MultiJet II 75hp version at £10,990.00 (exc. VAT and OTR),  providing great value for those customers searching for an affordable price but with all the safety and comfort features included (ESP, airbags, electric windows and mirrors, radio/CD/MP3 player).

It looks nice – but I’d much rather have a MINI Clubvan – come on BMW, put it into production!

For more information visit www.fiatprofessional.co.uk.

Ford Transit Club Hits 1,000 Members

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Ford Transit Club celebrates 1,000th member

Darren Kempton (L), the 1,000th member of the Ford Transit Club, with club founder Peter Lee (R)

Seven years after its foundation, the Transit Van Club is celebrating the signing of its 1,000th member.

Darren Kempton, who owns two classic examples of Ford’s finest, is the “millennium member” and he was presented with a commemorative certificate from club founder Peter Lee.

Classic Enthusiast

Darren, whose 1986 Mk II long wheelbase Transit is in daily use with his signage and vehicle graphics business, DJK Signs, was delighted to find himself a milestone member: “It’s a great honour,” said Flitwick, Bedfordshire-based Darren:

“The Transit has been part of my life since I first started driving one in 1996, and now I have bought a second classic model, a 1969 Mk I camper van, as a restoration project.”

The Transit Van Club was founded by Peter Lee in 2005 to mark the van’s 40th birthday. Peter owns  nine classic Transits, each used regularly, and said:

“I never imagined the club would grow so quickly to reach 1,000 members, I think that says everything you need to know about the Transit and its place in people’s hearts.”

Charitable Club

Club members regularly display their vans at classic commercial vehicle events around the country and often use them to raise money for charity – the club recently donated £1,000 to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. The next big events planned are the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show on 9/10 June and the 20/22 July Transit Van Club annual rally, both at Gaydon in Warwickshire.

47 Years Of Transit Success

My fondness for Transits is no secret and I have owned two. The Transit has been a market leader throughout its 47 years of production and I believe it is still the best all-rounder on the market. This looks set to continue with the new Transit Custom, which I suspect will bring a whole new level of sophistication to panel vans, outdoing even the Mercedes Vito and VW Transporter.

The UK remains the single most important market for the Transit; of the 6.3 million Transits that Ford has sold around the world, more than 2.1 million were sold in Britain. Although some Transit production now takes place abroad (in Turkey, I think), the Transit is still designed and engineered at Ford’s Dunton, Essex site. Some of the 7,200-plus current Ford Transit model variants are also still made at the Southampton plant, with engines built at Dagenham and transmissions from Ford’s Halewood plant.

Great Wall Steed 4×4 Goes On Sale In UK

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Great Wall Steed

The Great Wall Steed, on sale in the UK now.

Great Wall’s Steed 4×4 pickup is set to become the first volume-manufactured Chinese vehicle to go on sale in the UK, when it hits dealers’ showrooms later this month.

I first mentioned the Steed last month, when Great Wall announced its UK prices, which will start at just £13,998 – substantially below most of its competitors.

The Steed is a full size, double cab pickup with a cargo bay measuring 1,380 mm x 1,460 mm x 480 mm, a payload of 1,050kg and a braked towing capacity of 2,000kg – all quite competitive. The Steed also has an insurance rating of just 7A (entry-level Steed S) – the lowest of any vehicle in the pick-up segment.

The Steed’s selectable all-wheel drive system can be engaged at speeds of up to 12mph and even the entry-level S model is reasonably well specified, with 16-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, remote central locking, a Thatcham-approved Category 1 alarm, electric front and rear windows, an Alpine CD/radio with USB/MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, air-conditioning, heated fronted seats and a full leather interior.

The range-topping Steed SE costs just £2,000 more (£15,998 CVOTR), and adds body-coloured hard-top canopy, body-coloured spoiler, chrome trim to the daytime running lights, chrome side bars, black roof rails, load bay liner, and rear parking sensors.

All models include a 3-year, 60,000 mile warranty and in case you are wondering about Great Wall’s credentials, it has been manufacturing vehicles in China for 35 years, employs 45,000 people and has an annual production capacity of 800,000 vehicles per year. The Steed sells around 100,000 units a year in its home market.

Great Wall have opened a dealer network with 40 dealers around the UK and the Steed is now on sale – for more details and your nearest dealer, visit www.greatwallmotor.co.uk.

Great Wall will also be in Birmingham at the CV Show 2012 next week – for more info visit www.cvshow.com.