Category Archives: Vans In Business

News and information relating to the use and function of vans by UK businesses.

Jones Lang Lasalle Banks On Citroën Berlingo For HSBC Team

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Jones Lang Lasalle Citroen Berlingo vansReal estate management company Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL) has just taken delivery of 77 Citroën Berlingo HDi 75 standard wheelbase vans and 21 Dispatch HDi 90 manual long wheelbase models.

The vehicles will be used by JLL’s specialist service engineers who look after the building maintenance for the HSBC UK banking network, whose remit includes working on air conditioning, lifts, electrics, and plumbing, along with day to day repairs.

After an extensive purchase review that considered capital and whole life costs, Citroën was placed ahead of the competition by JLL.  JLL in particular were very keen on the Berlingo’s standard Citroën Trafficmaster telematics system, which includes Smartnav intelligent satellite navigation and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking. This system includes the option to upgrade, at low cost, to include Fleet Director real-time fleet management, which enables JLL to supply their engineers with a fully integrated PDA communication system.

JLL spokesperson, Karen Ainge said:

“It is very important to us that our engineers’ vehicles help them deliver their required tasks, the Citroën team understood our requirements and went the extra mile to secure the deal. In particular, the Fleet Director real-time communication system has helped us move our engineers away from form filling to using time efficient and fully connected PDA systems.  Fleet Director made this an easy move for JLL, as it meant we did not have to fit additional hardware into the vehicles.  What’s more, the engineers are very happy with this move.”

JLL’s Berlingo vans are fitted with rear parking sensors and half height bulkheads with upper mesh grilles.  The Dispatch vans have rear parking sensors and full steel bulkheads.  All the vehicles have bespoke Bott racking and tooling, including fold-out vice platforms and general accessories such as skin care systems, first aid kits and fire extinguishers.

Autoglass Reports 15% MPG Improvement With Lightfoot Telematics

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An Autoglass technician driving a van fitted with LightfootIt’s no secret that one of the main causes of poor fuel consumption is the person operating the pedals, and fleet drivers with no accountability for fuel or maintenance costs can sometimes be costing their companies a significant amount of money — often without even realising it.

At the same time, drivers can resent heavy-handed monitoring and telematics. One system that aims to tread the fine line between helping and interfering is Ashwoods Automotive ‘s Lightfoot Eco-Drive system, which aims to provide drivers with real-time feedback enabling them to reduce fuel consumption and improve their driving technique.

Autoglass was the first major UK fleet operator to roll out the Lightfoot system, and the company has already reported a 15% saving in fuel costs across the Autoglass fleet, which is estimated to be equivalent to 1,000 tonnes of CO2 each year. Commenting on the Lightfoot roll out, Matthew Mycock, Managing Director, Autoglass said:

What we love about Lightfoot is that its sole focus is on improving driver efficiency from the moment they turn on the ignition. Within a couple of days of using the tool we see many of our drivers go from spending 55%-60% of their time in the green zone to hitting 90% and higher.  Our savings in fuel costs speak for themselves.

The Lightfoot system monitors acceleration, revs and idling and provides traffic-light style greed, amber and red feedback to the driver, who is able to adjust their driving technique in real time. Feedback to fleet managers is limited to a single email every week, summarising each driver’s performance and the associated fuel cost and CO2 savings, so Lightfoot isn’t overly intrusive or time-intensive to manage.

I know from personal experience that driving technique and a heavy right foot can make a big difference to the fuel consumption of modern vans, and 15% sounds pretty realistic to me — it is broadly the same as what I’ve achieved in my own Ford Transit. The Lightfoot system is essentially a more sophisticated version of the gear change indicators that have already appeared on current model Fords (and other marques), and I expect to see this kind of thing become more widespread over the next few years, as high fuel prices continue to motivate drivers to improve their vehicle’s efficiency.

London Evening Standard Stays Loyal To Merc With Fuso Canter Fleet

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London Evening Standard Fuso CanterLondon’s Evening Standard newspaper has moved its transport operations back in house with the help of a 33-strong fleet of Fuso Canter 7.5-tonne trucks.

The newspaper was formerly known for its orange-and-white striped Sprinter vans, but following the newspaper’s change of ownership in 2009, and its subsequent transition to a free title, its transport requirements changed. The Sprinter fleet was stood down, in favour of using space in rental vehicles alongside other newspapers, such as the other major free London title, The Metro.

Following the opening of a new warehouse, the Standard’s management has taken the decision to bring its distribution back in-house again, and the higher volumes and smaller number of drops that have resulted from its free distribution model mean that panel vans are no longer viable — hence the decision to switch to the 7.5t Canters, which have a class-leading payload of nearly four tonnes and an unusually compact set of external dimensions, which make manoeuvring in London much easier.

As Tim Freeman, the London Evening Standard’s Head of Distribution explains, payload and manoeuvrability were key considerations:

“The Canter’s turning circle and outstanding manoeuvrability are big plus points given that we are working in central London. But payload is even more important, as we strive for maximum efficiency to contain fuel costs and minimise our carbon footprint.

“The Canter’s carrying capacity of almost four tonnes is roughly half a tonne more than that of a conventional 7.5-tonner. This equates to about 3,000 extra copies per vehicle, which represents a major saving.”

Based at the newspaper’s new distribution centre in Greenwich, the Canters are used to collect newspapers from the printing facility in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, then distribute them to retailers and newsstands. They will be maintained under a CharterWay contract hire agreement from Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, by South London agent SG Smith.

The trucks are all Canter 7C15 models, powered by fuel-efficient 110 kW (150 hp) engines mated to DUONIC gearboxes – the first twin-plate, dual-clutch automated transmission to be fitted to a light truck, DUONIC provides smooth shifting and economical performance with none of the frictional losses found in traditional automatics. Features include a ‘creep’ function for low-speed manoeuvring, which is sure to be invaluable to drivers working on London’s congested streets.

The trucks’ lightweight curtainside bodies, meanwhile, are by TLC Auto Refinishing, of Feltham, and also feature a promotion for ESTV’s London Live, the first 24-hour, seven-days-a-week general entertainment television channel for the capital, which launches next year.

Autoglass ‘Vanbrella’ Cuts Cancellations As Wet Weather Starts

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Autoglass Vanbrella

The Autoglass Vanbrella allows chip repair and windscreen replacement jobs to be performed outdoors in wet conditions.

Autumn is here, and while the temperatures have remained unseasonably mild, there’s been a marked increase in the quantity of wet stuff falling out of the sky.

Heavy rain, of course, is the enemy of the mobile windscreen fitter, who cannot fix chips or replace windscreens if its pouring and your car or van isn’t under cover — unlikely, when fittings are often done at the roadside or in workplace car parks, for example.

Autoglass has managed to reduce this problem with an impressive-looking piece of kit known as the ‘Vanbrella’, which is something like a standard roll-out awning on steroids, as you can see from the picture on the right!

According to Autoglass, it rains for approximately 145 days of the year in the UK, so the company’s mobile repair team — who perform 90% of the work done by the firm — often cannot rely on the skies staying dry for the 30-60 minutes they need to complete a chip repair or to allow a replacement windscreen to bond successfully.

Having used Autoglass’ mobile service when my van’s windscreen needed replacing after a 60mph incident with a pheasant, I know that the service is fast and efficient, but the technicians do still need a guaranteed ‘dry’ period for a job to be performed successfully. I’d imagine the usefulness of the Vanbrella is limited in windy conditions, but other than that it seems a seriously good piece of kit.

The Vanbrella was designed and patented by the in-house technical research department at Autoglass, and will be fitted to 400 vans by the end of this year.

Plantforce Mercedes-Benz Sprinters Demolish Opposition

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One of Plantforce's new Sprinters

Plantforce has equipped its Sprinters with welding equipment and a sink, in addition to a wide range of spare parts

The construction trade is known for giving its equipment a hard time — on and off the road. That applies to service vans too, which have to cover big miles and work on building sites where conditions are more suited to a JCB than a 3.5t road vehicle.

Given this, it’s no surprise that West Country plant hire specialist Plantforce has been impressed with its first three Sprinters, which recently joined the company’s fleet and are expected to cover up to 60,000 miles per year on a five-year maintenance contract.

Plantforce was founded 14 years ago by Managing Director Claire Trott and its growing fleet now extends to some 380 pieces of equipment, which its hires out to customers on a self-drive or operated basis.

“We rely on our mobile engineers to keep our machines up and running when they’re out working in the most challenging of conditions,” she says. “It’s a tough job and their vans will be worked hard, covering up to 60,000 miles a year, so they must be able to last the pace.

“Our engineers are delighted with their Sprinters, which represent a big step forward for us in terms of specification and cab comfort.

“Given the mileages they’ll be covering the fact that these new vans offer better fuel economy than our previous vehicles was another big attraction, as were the many high-tech safety systems that come fitted as standard.

Plantforce’s Sprinters are 313 CDI medium-wheelbase models, which carry a wide range of tools and spare parts, in addition to welding equipment and a sink. Two fo the vans are based at Plantforce’s headquarters in Bristol, while the third is based at its Exeter depot.

Iceland Switches To Mercedes For Home Delivery Fleet

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Iceland Mercedes Sprinter delivery van

Coming to a suburb near you — Iceland’s new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter home delivery vans.

Iceland Foods is switching its entire fleet of home delivery vehicles to Mercedes-Benz Sprinters driven by staff trained in a smart new Centre of Excellence sponsored by the manufacturer.

The move follows the high-profile retailer’s recent return to the online shopping arena it pioneered, back in 1999, before abandoning it until recently, when it re-launched its online service at nearly 300 stores.

All but a handful of Iceland’s 800 stores already offer the firm’s well-known home delivery service, which is used by up to 190,000 customers every week, and Iceland is replacing the 1,300 vans currently assigned to this operation with Sprinter 313 CDI chassis cabs fitted with temperature-controlled box bodies.

More than 300 of the new vans will be on the road by the end of this year, and to ensure that driver’s conduct and efficiency matches the quality of their vans, Iceland has invested £250,000 in a ‘Centre of Excellence’ at which drivers will be given vehicle familiarisation training outlining the Sprinter’s key features then providing practical guidance on applying anticipatory and defensive techniques at the wheel – not only do these save fuel, they also improve safety and cut maintenance costs.

Drivers will also be given ‘hearts and minds’ customer service training, and Iceland’s Head of Home Alex McKinlay says that the company is expecting drivers to live up to the standard set by the new vans:

“We’ve said to them: ‘We’re providing these fantastic vehicles but we want something from you in return, in the shape of the very best customer service and a reduction in our accident repair bill’. Their response has been every bit as positive as we’d hoped – the drivers love their new Mercedes and really appreciate the investments we’re making in them.”

Iceland undertook a comprehensive vehicle evaluation exercise before committing to Mercedes-Benz. Key to that decision was the Sprinter’s reputation for reliability and proven fuel-efficiency, as well as its market-leading armoury of safety features, and the round-the-clock repair and maintenance back-up of the Mercedes-Benz dealer network.

Powered by smooth and economical 129 hp engines, Iceland’s Sprinters are air conditioned and equipped with hands-free Bluetooth telephony, as well as telematics systems that monitor driving style, and forward- and driver-facing cameras (a trend I discussed recently).

Crucial, too, was the availability of a fully automatic transmission. Alex McKinlay confirms:

“Not only does the auto ’box make a difficult job that bit easier for our drivers, it will also improve safety and help to reduce wear and tear on the driveline. This, coupled with the 24-hour support of Mercedes-Benz dealers, will keep vehicle downtime to a minimum.”

Nearly 1,300 of Iceland’s 1,600 drivers are scheduled to attend this course during the first year, while longer-term staff development initiatives will also be introduced.

Their purpose-designed, dual-compartment bodies are being built by Gray & Adams and Paneltex, with refrigeration by GAH and Alex. The vehicles carry up to 72 crates in a one-third, two-thirds split – the front, frozen section operates at minus 22ºC, while the bigger compartment is used to carry chilled and ambient products at 4ºC.

Ford Opens 100 ‘Transit Centres’ Across UK

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A new Ford Transit Centre specialist van dealer

Hartwell Ford in Abingdon is the first Transit Centre to launch in the UK.

Ford is launching 100 “Transit Centres” across the UK, offering new high-tech showrooms, elevated after sales and service standards and extended opening hours.

The new Transit Centres will provide a cutting-edge environment for Ford to showcase its next generation of commercial vehicles to customers, and will enable the launch of Ford’s Transit24 aftersales programme, announced in February this year, which is aimed at minimising vehicle downtime and reducing whole life costs for commercial vehicle operators.

The 100 Ford sites will be upgraded by the end of 2014 as part of the company’s on-going investment into Britain’s largest dealer network.

Each Transit Centre site employs a dedicated CV sales team as well as Ford-trained technicians and offers specialised workshop equipment, tools and training, and can manage all service, maintenance and warranty work (all Ford CVs come with a 100,000 mile/3 year warranty).

Transit24 will offer while-you-wait servicing to suit the customer, including regular late night appointments, and will respond within 20min to online service booking requests made through the 1Link online booking service. Collection and delivery of vehicles can also be arranged and every vehicle leaves the dealership washed and ready for work.

Jon Wellsman, Ford customer service division director, said:

“The launch of Ford’s new Transit Centre network will provide first class sales, service, maintenance and repair for all of our commercial vehicle operators across the UK. Ford has the largest and widest-spread dealer network in the country, offering a class-leading range of commercial vehicles and technologies and will continue to deliver the best care and assistance to customers.”

The launch of Ford’s Transit Centre network is aligned with the complete transformation of the blue oval’s commercial vehicle range, introducing four new models – Transit Courier, Transit Connect, Transit Custom and Transit – by 2014.

E.ON Orders 120 New Ford Transit Customs For Meter Fitters

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One of E.ON's new Ford Transit Custom vansEnergy company E.ON has taken delivery of nearly 120 new Ford Transit Custom vans for use by its meter fitters nationwide. The E.ON fleet currently comprises around 2,000 vehicles, the majority of which are Ford-badged.

The 118 Transit Custom vehicles – all of them 310 short wheelbase models equipped with the Dagenham-built 100PS 2.2 TDCi power unit – will slot into the fleet once they have undergone conversion by Qi Van Systems, including the fitment of special racking in the load area, Trakm8 telematics and an AVI alarm system.

The vehicles are the first to join the E.ON fleet which have been through the new Whole Vehicle Type Approval ‘enhancement’ scheme, which covers conversions and the addition of after-market equipment.

The Ford Transit Custom offers outstanding fuel economy from 46.3mpg, thanks largely to fuel-saving ECOnetic technologies such as Auto-Start-Stop and Smart Regenerative Charging. It also boasts class-leading load-carrying ability, including innovative features such as the load-through hatch in the bulkhead for extra-long items, and an integrated roof rack which can be folded away when not in use. It retains strong residual values and has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Stephen Gafson, Ford Direct sales manager, said:

“Ford has enjoyed a long and mutually successful business relationship with E.ON and I’m delighted to see them place a large order for the multi-award-winning Transit Custom. The new van is already well on the way to establishing its own market niche, and will be key to the continued success of the Transit range.”

In September 2012, the Ford Transit Custom became the fourth winner in 12 years from the Transit family to claim the International Van of the Year crown at the Hanover IAA Commercial Vehicle Show.

Ford has sold more than 7,500 Transit Custom vans so far this year – exceeding targets to achieve the expected first year UK volume of 10,000.

Used Van Values Reach All-Time Record In September

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Used vans at BCA AuctionUsed van values continued to soar in September, according to vehicle auctioneers BCA, as the supply crunch in the used sector continued to force professional buyers to up their bids to secure sufficient vans to meet demand.

The average September figure of £5,158 for all LCVs represented a 2.8% increase over the August value, with average age rising slightly to 59.3 months and average mileage static at just over 80,000.

Year-on-year values remain well ahead, up by £934 equivalent to a 22.1% uplift over the twelve month period.  Average CAP performance climbed again to 105.19%, rising by nearly three points compared to August and up by 4.5 points compared to a year ago.

Read that again: values are up 22% over the last year and buyers are paying an average of 105% of CAP book price. What’s more, buyers are buying older, higher mileage vans at these new high prices, too, as this table shows:

All vans Avg Age (mnths) Avg Mileage Avg Value Sale vs CAP
Sept 2012 57.93 78,805 £4,224 100.72%
Sept 2013 59.33 80,217 £5,158 105.19%

Duncan Ward BCA’s General Manager – Commercial Vehicles commented:

“BCA saw exceptional levels of demand for light commercial vehicles during September, with a number of 100% conversions for corporate sellers and notably higher average values for fleet/lease vehicles.   The market remains very short of good quality stock and with anecdotal evidence suggesting retail activity picked up in September there was very competitive bidding right across the remarketing sector last month.”

This graph shows how used van values have risen steadily over the last two years, leaving you to wonder when van values really will peak (after their false peak in April this year):

BCA two-year used van values September 2013

Average used values from Aug 2011 – Sept 2013 (courtesy of BCA)

Recent increases in new van registrations will take 2-3 years to filter through to the used market, during which time supply is likely to remain tight. Duncan Ward doesn’t think this trend will end anytime soon, as it is underpinned by the shortage of new vans registered since the recession:

“With professional buyers increasingly looking at buying older, higher mileage vehicles we have seen values rise in the dealer P/X sector, while demand for the very few late year, low mileage LCV’s remains intense. As always, good condition is the key and vans with a nice specification and in an attractive retail colour are very desirable.”

“Looking ahead, there are no signs that stock availability is going to rise substantially this year or even into 2014.  There is an ongoing shortage of younger used LCVs in the marketplace because of the lower new van sales following the onset of the recession.”

Tyre Vans’ Tough Life Show Why Sprinter Is Hire Company Favourite

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Lodge Tyres Mercedes-Benz SprinterDespite this best efforts of Mercedes-Benz competitors, the Sprinter remains the most popular large van with most drivers and van operators in the UK and in many European countries.

Hire companies — especially those which serve demanding business customers — buy Sprinters by the hundred, as do courier firms and other companies that need their vans to be able to shrug off tough use, day-in, day-out.

One example is Lodge Tyres, which operates a fleet of 90 vans across the Midlands, providing a 24-hour mobile tyre replacement service for many of the region’s largest haulage operators. Lodge recently purchased an additional six medium-wheelbase 313CDI BlueEfficiency Sprinters, and is currently awaiting an order for a further six.

The firm’s fleet is dominated by Sprinters, and the vans stay on the fleet for five years, by which time they have done around 250,000 miles, including a fair amount of off-road site work. Martyn Lodge, who is the financial director of the family firm, says that the firm’s decision to stay loyal to Sprinters was simple:

“When we stand down our vans after a five-year life they’ve often covered 250,000 miles or more but invariably they’re still running well, and because of that they still command a strong resale value. Operating costs over that sort of lifespan are extremely competitive, largely because they just don’t break down.”

“The Sprinters are also very well-liked by our drivers, not only for their comfortable cabs but also because they’re the safest vans on the road.”

Although Sprinters aren’t the cheapest vans to buy upfront, their strong residual values, high build quality and unique driver and operator appeal mean that they are likely to cause less stress and have lower ownership costs than some cheaper alternative, especially in demanding operations.