Tag Archives: Nissan

New Van Registrations Down 26.4% In February

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Figures much worse than January.

New van registrations fell by 26.4% in February, compared to February 2011, according to the latest SMMT figures. The February figures are disappointing but not surprising – new van registrations also fell in January.

Van registrations for the year to date were down by 20.3%, although registrations on a rolling year basis – the last twelve months – were up by 10.3% compared to the same period a year before.

Stronger Demand For Bigger Vans

Van registration numbers for February were closely correlated with weight, with larger vans seeing a smaller fall in registrations than smaller models:

Van type % Change Feb 2012 Feb 2011
Vans < 2.0t -45.0% 1,331 2,420
Vans >2.0t – 2.5t -25.4% 1,014 1,359
Vans >2.5 – 3.5t -18.6% 4,947 6,079

Truckin’ Great

As we saw in January, truck registrations are proving far more robust than van sales, suggesting that the fundamentals of the economy are not in such bad shape as consumer demand would have you think.

Truck sales rose by 26.4% in February compared to last year, generating a 36.7% rise in truck sales for the year to date and a 23.7% improvement over the last 12 months.

Artic registrations were largely unchanged from the same period last year, falling by 1.5%. However, this figure conceals a big divide between 2-axle units (up 134.7%) and 3-axle units (down 13.8%).

Once again, rigid registrations recorded the biggest increases, rising by 46.5% overall, with strong increases across all weight categories.

Bad Year For Van Manufacturers?

So far, new van registrations in 2012 are lower than any other year since 1998, except for recession-hit 2009.

Hopefully the remainder of the year will bring good economic news (such as Nissan’s announcement about the future of its Sunderland plant) that will give business owners the confidence to continue with their usual fleet replacement cycles. In the meantime, van hire businesses look set to profit from their ability to provide vans on a flexible, short-term basis.

Nissan Launches NV400 Lorry Ad Campaign

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Nissan NV400 lorry wrap advertising campaignNissan had a very successful 2011, which included the launch of a replacement model for Interstar, the NV400. It has now launched a new advertising campaign to promote the NV400 by vinyl-wrapping fifteen HGV trailers with promotional images of the NV400.

The trailers collectively cover 150,000 miles a month, which Nissan reckons will expose them to around 18 million pairs of eyeballs.

Big Ad, Big Van

Like the Interstar, the NV400 is based on the Renault Master – in this case, the latest Renault Master, which was launched in 2010.

The NV400 is a genuinely big van and comes in a choice of four load lengths and three load heights, with load volumes of between eight and 17 cubic metres and a choice of four gross vehicle weights ranging from 2.8 tonnes to  4.5 tonnes.

It is available in both front and rear wheel drive and can be specified with 100PS, 125PS or 150PS diesel engines driving through a six speed manual or automatic transmission.

To find out more, visit www.nissan.co.uk.

Nissan LCV Sales Up 174% In 2011

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Nissan NV200

Nissan NV200

Nissan’s vans were flying off the shelves in 2011…

As I wrote recently, 2011 was a strong year for van sales – but for Nissan more than most.

The Japanese manufacturer recorded an impressive 174% rise in LCV sales in the UK in 2011, selling 10,854 commercial vehicles and increasing its market share from 2.8% to 4.2%.

If you are thinking that these figures might be skewed by the inclusion of the Navara 4×4 pickup – they aren’t. Although the Navara recorded a 187% increase in sales, the thoroughly van-like Primastar recorded a 201% increase and Nissan’s new smaller van, the NV200, saw sales rise by 191%.

Nissan’s performance was strongest in the retail section, which includes small businesses. The Primarstar, which is a rebadged, Luton-built Vauxhall Vivaro/Renault Trafic guise – is a firm favourite with tradesmen and other small businesses and remains a class act despite its increasing age.

Commenting on Nissan’s prospects for 2012, Francis Bleasdale, Nissan Motor GB’s LCV sales and marketing director said:

“There are signs that fleets in particular are starting to replace their LCVs after extending replacement cycles during 2009 and 2010 which should help fuel sales. And our dealer network is also reporting a strong demand for used Nissan LCVs.”

Bleasdale also commented that Nissan’s new Renault Master-based NV400 was only launched at the end of 2011, saying that he expected “the full impact of this exciting addition to the range will be more evident during 2012.”

None of Nissan’s commercial vehicle range is built at its Sunderland plant, but several models are built in Europe and four out of five of Nissan’s commercial vehicle models are new or have been updated for 2012 – only the Primastar remains largely unchanged from previous years.

Nissan has started 2012 extremely well with 722 sales in January, equivalent to a 5.0 per cent market share, up from its 697 sales and 4.1 per cent market share in January 2011 – a contrast to the general downward trend seen this January.

Nissan Electric Van Trial In London

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Nissan NV200 EV prototype in FedEx livery as used in London

The NV200 EV will be used by FedEx Express on a two-month trial in London

Nissan is beginning a two-month trial of a prototype electric version of its NV200 van in London. The van will be used for urban deliveries and collections by  FedEx Express, the courier company.

The NV200 EV uses the same powertrain as the Nissan Leaf electric car, which has already sold more than 20,000 units around the globe and was the world’s all-electric mass-market car.

As an all-electric vehicle, it will be exempt from the London Congestion Charge and the more stringent 2012 Low Emission Zone requirements; it is zero emission at the tailpipe.

FedEx Express currently operates 43 all-electric vehicles in London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Memphis- all of which are ideal dense urban centres.

With zero emissions, no tailpipe, and energy-recycling regenerative braking, the Nissan NV200 EV prototype is particularly well-suited for congested city streets where poor air quality is causing increased concern and the start and stop of city traffic reduces the wasteful loss of energy and thus increases the efficiency of the vehicle’s driveline. Battery charging options include a complete recharge overnight or up to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes using a Quick Charger.

Nissan is aiming to become a world leader in electric vehicles and has already trialled the NV200 EV on postal deliveries for the Japan Post Service.

New Vans Galore: Hannover IAA Van Show Review

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Despite the deepening recessions affecting many European economies, commercial vehicle manufacturers are pushing ahead with new models for the next couple of years.

In this article I’ll take a look at some of the new van models that have received their first public airing at October’s IAA Hannover Commercial Vehicle show. Popular trends seemed to be electric and hybrid versions of existing models but there were a smattering of all-new designs.

New Fiesta Van

Ford is pressing ahead with revamping each of its primary car model ranges and the Fiesta is next on the list. As in the past, there will be a dedicated van model of the Fiesta with a panelled out/windowless rear section.

Available in the UK from spring 2009, the new Fiesta Van will have a load length of around 1300mm with a loadspace of at least 1 cubic metre. Engines will be similar to the car variant – 1.25l petrol along with 1.4TDCi and 1.6TDCi diesels.

Nissan Determined To Increase CV Market Share

Nissan have announced it plans to dramatically increase its share of the LCV (light commercial vehicle) market from 2009 onwards.

The first part’s of this offensive are a new small van, to be introduced worldwide next year. It’s based on the NV220 concept vehicle that received widespread publicity when it was first shown thanks to its custom configuration for a marine biologist – including mobile office and dive gear storage.

The real version is likely to be toned down a bit but should still be a modern, high-quality vehicle, if Nissan’s other offerings are anything to go by. (Although I must admit that all the pictures I’ve seen remind me somewhat of the current Nissan Primastar, better known as the Renault Trafic.)

On the hybrid front, the Cabstar Hybrid is also due to be introduced in 2009. Nissan estimate that in a typical urban environment, its hybrid, stop-start technology will reduce CO2 emissions by around 30%.

Mercedes & VW Go Green with Blue

Both Mercedes and VW are now producing models with badges including the word ‘Blue’. This is a reference to the exhaust additive AdBlue, one of two methods available to help diesel engines meet Euro 5 emissions criteria through a process called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).

Although lorries using AdBlue have to fill up regularly, car (and I believe van) AdBlue tanks are designed to be large enough to last from one service to the next, sparing the vehicle’s owner from having to fill up with AdBlue.

Mercedes’ has chosen the BlueEfficiency moniker for their SCR vehicles and its latest offering, debuted at Hannover, is the Vito BlueEfficiency. In addition to its SCR system, it also features aerodynamic improvements and Merc’s latest Stop-Start system, which together are claimed to reduce carbon emissions by 40g/km and fuel consumption by a typical 1.5l/100km.

VW’s latest SCR offering is the Crafter BlueMotion. Featuring VW’s latest Euro 5 SCR engines, the Crafter BlueMotion promises to deliver 3.5 tonne van functionality with combined fuel consumption of 31mpg – not bad going.

LDV Going Maxus

LDV’s Maxus van model has been a steady success across a variety of markets. It offers good value, short lead times and a choice of factory conversion options.

The success of the Maxus brand has led LDV owner’s GAZ to state that they will shortly be re-branding the whole company as Maxus, losing the LDV branding (derived from Leyland Daf Vehicles) altogether.

The IAA Show also saw the debut of the Maxus Electric – a factory-built all-electric version of the Maxus. It is currently undergoing trials and promises not to compromise on payload or loadspace thanks to its batteries being installed between the chassis rails, under the floor.

LDV are also planning the introduction of a smaller van to replace the not-much-lamented LDV Cub of a few years ago. It seems likely that the new van will either be built in partnership with another manufacturer or will be purchased from another company.