Supertrucks 7 Day Fleet Deal Showcases Lightweight Glass Racking

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7 Day Windows Volkswagen Crafter

Volkswagen Crafter fitted with Supertrucks racking for 7 Day Windows

Hot on the heels of its German export success, racking specialist Supertrucks has delivered six vans to window company 7 Day Windows, on hire from commercial truck and van hire firm Burnt Tree Group.

The six VW Crafter vans have been fitted with full interior and exterior glass racking from Supertrucks‘ lightweight, all-alloy range, and are designed to provide maximum operational versatility for 7 Day Windows, as they can carry double-glazed windows, doors and sheet glass.

Externally the Crafters have an off-side mounted, all-alloy 4250mm long x 2540mm high rack, which is equipped with three System 1 retaining poles.  These external racks, like most Supertrucks racks, are installed without the need to drill the side panels of the van.  Also the vans are fitted with full length, all-alloy, roof racks.

Supertrucks’ latest light-weight, all-alloy glass racks fitted to the 7 Day Windows Crafters incorporate a unique range of standard features, including:

  • rubber base blocks, incorporating side reflectors, to provide better in-transit load protection and improve vehicle visibility
  • reflective white safety markers, to effectively define the rack edges front and rear in poor visibility

Inside the vans are fitted with the company’s latest, light-weight twin, all-alloy racks, with retaining poles. All the racking comes with Supertrucks’ standard 3 year/100,000 mile warranty, which should allay any fears about the quality of the kit.

Peter Wright, Supertrucks chairman, explains:

“This latest fleet order demonstrates Supertrucks’ ability to meet both customer requirements and those of contract hire and leasing companies.  Unlike many other racking companies’ products our racks have been extensively tested and have industry-leading warranties.

In addition most Supertrucks external racks are installed without the need to drill the van’s side panels – a feature that has significant value to customers wishing to maximise residual values at the end of a three or four year operational life.”

Speaking as someone who has bought used vans with screw holes from previous racking fittings, I certainly agree with the last point!

Birmingham CV Show 2014 Is Not Merging With Multimodal 2014!

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The organisers of the Commercial Vehicle Show have put out a slightly odd announcement, confirming that the CV Show is not merging with Multimodal 2014, despite both events being held at the same time at the Birmingham NEC next year.

Here’s what the CV Show organisers had to say:

From 29 April-1 May 2014, Birmingham’s NEC will be the venue for the 2014 Commercial Vehicle Show and also Multimodal 2014.

This is essentially a ‘one off’. Despite both shows being held at the NEC, each will continue to have its own identity and ticket registration. The CV Show will occupy Halls 3a, 4 and 5 while Multimodal will be in Halls 6-8, a 10-15 minute walk away across the Skywalk.

There will be no combined events, no joint marketing programmes; even the opening hours will be different. So, for those who have assumed that two shows at the same time in the same place mean a merger of the two events, please be aware this is certainly not the case.

They’re not merging, then?

Great Wall Delivers Pick-Up Solution To Derry

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The Great Wall Steed SE

The Great Wall Steed SE is the official partner vehicle for the UK City of Culture 2013, Londonderry.

The Great Wall Steed SE has been chosen as the official Vehicle Partner to the UK’s City of Culture 2013, which is Derry — or Londonderry — in Northern Ireland.

With more than one million people expected to attend events in the historic walled city in Northern Ireland during the year, the Steeds will be essential for transporting artists and their equipment, as well as media and guests between the many venues and events.

Great Wall has supplied two co-branded Steed SE pick-ups, which will be used to facilitate logistics for the many events planned to celebrate Derry~Londonderry’s UK City of Culture status, and as part of the agreement Great Wall will also provide additional vehicles to help carry the load during peak times in the schedule.

Sarah Hughes, Sponsorship Manager for the City of Culture, commented:

“This vehicle partnership with Great Wall provides essential support to our logistics operations.  From transporting drum kits and amplifiers to marketing materials and key personnel, Great Wall’s Steed SE is the perfect workhorse for our purposes, offering high load and passenger capacity, excellent durability and a comfortable ride.”

The Great Wall Steed SE is the UK’s best-value high specification 4×4 double-cab pick-up. With a load capacity of 1,050kg, a spacious cargo bay measuring 138cm x 146cm x 48cm (length, width, depth) and features including a body-coloured hard-top canopy, rear parking sensors and a cargo load-liner, the two five-seater Steed SE’s are perfectly suited for the challenging job.

“The strategic vehicle partnership with Culture Company 2013  is a fantastic opportunity for Great Wall to work exclusively with the City of Culture and support the many exciting events taking place in Derry~Londonderry,” said Neville Mathews, Managing Director of Great Motor in Ireland.  “The demanding schedule will demonstrate the Steed SE’s considerable strengths to the full. With excellent build quality and reliability, copious load capacity, generous equipment levels and excellent fuel economy for its class, the Steed SE will show it is more than equal to the task.”

All Great Wall’s vehicles benefit from the ‘Great Wall Promise’, which includes inflation-proof servicing plans, a six-year anti-perforation warranty, three-year paint warranty, three-year roadside assistance and free service pick-up and drop-off.  Great Wall recently announced an extended six-year/125,000 mile warranty (special offer valid from 1/4/13 to 30/6/13) on all Steeds purchased in the UK, underlining the company’s confidence in the Steed.

All Steeds feature Great Wall’s 2.0-litre 16-valve turbocharged diesel powerplant that delivers class-leading fuel economy, making it one of the most economical pick-ups currently available on the UK market (34.0 mpg combined), as well as a low-range gearbox and an ‘on-demand’ four-wheel-drive system that can be selected by the driver when needed.

US Army Humvee Replacement Cuts Fuel Consumption By 72%

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Ricardo FED military troop carrier under testingAs it’s the Friday before a bank holiday weekend, I thought I’d end the week with something a little different.

Its size and weight is similar to that of a large van, but that’s where the similarity ends.

The Ricardo Fuel-Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) is a potential replacement for the US Army’s legendary Humvee troop carrier.

More precisely, British engineering firm Ricardo hopes that the FED will replace the M1151 HMMWV, which is the latest, standardised version of the Humvee.

The FED is still in testing but one of the most remarkable things about it is that it has demonstrated a 72% improvement in fuel economy over the HMMWV.

“We implemented a relatively conservative approach using near or in-market technology to reach our fuel economy objectives, and we have proven they are achievable,” said Wesley Scharmen, Ricardo chief engineer on the project. “This kept costs down and increased the production feasibility of the end product.”

The Ricardo-led team that developed the FED started with a blank sheet of paper and a remit to take a total-vehicle approach to improving fuel economy, without using any exotic — and unproven — technology. The resulting vehicle uses a supercharged Cummins I4 engine, low-rolling resistance Goodyear tyres, an Alcoa Defense developed aluminium structure and other driveline improvements from Ricardo.

The Ricardo Fuel-Efficient Demonstrator

The Ricardo Fuel-Efficient Demonstrator (FED) could be a future replacement for the U.S. Army’s M1151 HMMWV Humvee troop carrier.

Such a massive improvement in fuel economy should give the FED an advantage when it’s deployed in the field, because fuel is the second most delivered commodity to ground troops, after water. The FED has been very successful in testing and has validated all of Ricardo’s simulation models of its expected performance — so you could be looking at the next Hummer. I wonder whether they’ll make a road-going version of this?

Van Manufacturers Score At Fleet World Awards

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New 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be the first van to meet the Euro 6 emissions standard.

The Fleet World Honours Car Awards took place at the Royal Automobile Club in Central London on the 21st May, bringing together representatives of all of the major UK car and van manufacturers with the luminaries of the fleet world.

Big fleets are key buyers for many van models, and all manufacturers are keen to do well in this key sector, where a few big orders can help baseline production planning for an entire year.

In the van sector, awards went to a wide variety of models from almost all the main manufacturers. Here’s a rundown of the highlights:

Best Light Van

  • Peugeot Bipper / Fiat Fiorino / Citroën Nemo

Peugeot’s pint-sized van (which is also sold as the Fiat Fiorino and Citroën Nemo) bagged one of two awards for makers PSA, thanks to its large, flexible load area and modern, economic diesel engines, which combine to make the Bipper extremely practical and affordable, as well as being easy to drive.

Best Small Van

  • Fiat Doblò Cargo / Vauxhall Combo
Fiat Doblò Work Up - dropside

The Doblo Work-Up is one of the more unusual Doblo Cargo variants.

Fiat’s recently updated Doblò Cargo model is the first LCV to have a bi-link rear suspension, which permits a rear axle load of up to 1,450kg and provides a smooth ride and lower loading height, according to the manufacturer.

The van, which is also sold as the Vauxhall Combo, has already won the International Van of the Year award, and Fleet World’s John Kendall said:

“Low fuel consumption and emissions, the option of automated transmission, and a crew van option … the Work-Up pick-up model and the recently added XL long wheelbase high roof model … gives Fiat Professional one of the broadest model offerings at this weight.”

The Vauxhall Combo isn’t available in Work-Up spec, so if a small pick-up is what you’re after, you’ll have to choose the Italian option.

Best Medium Van

  • Ford Transit Custom

Ford Transit CustomIn what must surely be a record, the Ford Transit Custom took home three awards from the Fleet World Honours — Best Medium Van, Best New Van and the Innovation Award.

The Transit Custom has proved a massive hit with the motoring trade press and has scored an impressive five stars in its first Euro NCAP safety test, so I guess the next test will be how popular it is with actual buyers.

Ford says the new model has already sold 3,100 units, and the Fleet World judges said that the new model won the Best New Van and Best Medium Van categories thanks to its “extended service intervals of two years/30,000 miles, reduced ownership costs, and a significant uplift in residual values – all helping to benefit fleet customers”.

Best Large Van

  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

There’s only one Mercedces Sprinter, and however hard other manufacturers try to emulate the success of the mighty Sprinter, they tend to fail. The Sprinter picked up the Best Large Van award thanks to its comprehensive range of variants, advanced safety systems, robust quality and diverse appeal.

As Fleet World’s John Kendall pointed out: “A new model is due in the autumn and it says a lot for the current design that Mercedes will not be changing the basic structure.”

Best Pick-Up

  • Isuzu D-Max
isuzu-d-max-3-sm

Isuzu D-Max pick-up

The Isuzu D-Max has been well received since its 2012 launch and has cemented the Japanese manufacturer’s reputation for robust off-road vehicles, while allowing it to move into the lucrative leisure and dual-use market, as Fleet World’s John Kendall explains:

“With the introduction of high specification double-cab models, the company now appeals equally to dual-use and leisure users.

Isuzu has also taken an innovative approach to distribution, marketing its utility models through an unusual spread of dealers, including agricultural machinery outlets and competitive 4×4 dealers.  Good to drive, with strong performance and frugal economy, the D-Max range is a big step in the right direction for Isuzu.”

Safety Award

  • Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has an outstanding record of fitting safety systems to its commercial vehicles (and cars) and it remains the class standard in this field, although the new Citan’s three-star Euro NCAP score was a little disappointing.

Commenting on the award, John Kendall said:

Mercedes-Benz was the first van manufacturer to offer Electronic Stability Program on the Sprinter 11 years ago and is the only van manufacturer to fit the safety system as standard to all its vans – Citan, Vito and Sprinter.

Peugeot Partner Electric Van

Peugeot Partner Electric Van

Environment Award

  • Peugeot Partner Electric/Citroën Berlingo Electric

PSA’s second award went to the Berlingo Electric/Partner Electric.

This model has only been on sale a short time, but Fleet World Van Editor John Kendall says that it “demonstrates how EV prices are continuing to fall with a list price starting from £21,300 (ex-VAT), making it an affordable alternative to a conventionally powered van.”

The Partner Electric has a quoted range of up to 105 miles and also offers a rapid charge facility to address range anxiety issues.

Van Manufacturer of the Year

  • Ford

In addition to its three van awards for the Transit Custom, Ford won the Design of the Year Award for the new, pillarless Ford B-Max SUV and it bagged the Van Manufacturer of the Year award for its continued innovation and market-leading new model range.

Commenting on the award, Fleet World Managing Editor Ross Durkin said:

“This was without doubt the hardest year ever for the judges. The industry is seeing the introduction of some really exciting new products and technologies, and Ford is continuing to lead the way.”

The new Ford Transit Custom is the first in a series of Ford commercial vehicle launches, to be followed this year by the new Ford Transit Connect, and next year by the all-new Ford Transit (two-tonne model) and all-new Ford Transit Courier.

Ford Transit Custom Rolls the Reels at Cannes Film Festival

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Movie fans at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival will once again be able to watch the cream of independent film as the Ford-supported “Cannes in a Van” team hits the streets in their Transit Custom movie theatre.

Ford Transit Custom - Cannes In A Van

Cannes In A Van — A Ford Transit Custom with a 55″ plasma screen is showcasing independent film-making at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Powered by Ford for a second year, and featuring the new Transit Custom as their support vehicle, the film enthusiasts behind Cannes in a Van will champion independent film at an expanded range of festivals and events in 2013, including the spectacular annual Van d’Or Film Awards in September.

The Cannes in a Van programme kicks off with its annual visit to the glamorous Cannes Film Festival, where the Ford Transit will enable film fans to view screenings of independent movies.

These include the 2012 Van d’Or Awards winners and nominees while the van is parked on the Boulevard de la Croisette near the festival site in Cannes.

Andy Greenhouse, Cannes in a Van co-founder, said:

“Inspired independent productions like ‘82’ and ‘Taking Life’ made our 2012 Awards a special occasion, and it’s a real privilege to take films like these down to Cannes and give them much-needed exposure within the festival. We’re also really excited to have the new Transit Custom as our home for the sixth year of Cannes in a Van.”

Following its 2013 pilgrimage to Cannes this month, the Ford Transit Custom – complete with its signature yellow and orange design – will support a variety of other film festivals and ‘pop-up’ events in Europe. The year culminates with the international Van d’Or Awards for independent film which will be held in September in London.

The Cannes in a Van team’s long-wheelbase Ford Transit Custom has been specially prepared for its role as a four-wheeled film festival, featuring a 55-inch plasma screen in the load area to display the films. To help movie goers locate the vehicle, roof-mounted advertising panels have been created, which are fixed to the Transit Custom’s unique integrated roof rack system.

London City Airport Stays Loyal To Toyota With Three New Hilux Pick-Ups

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London City Airport Toyota Hilux pick-up London City Airport has taken delivery of three new Toyota Hilux Double Cabs to serve as airside support vehicles.  The new pick-ups are replacements for three previous Hilux pick-ups, which have provided great service over the years.

The new Toyotas will be used for carrying out various airfield activities and will spend most of their time ‘airside’ — on the operating roads and runways of the airport. To support some of the airport’s special requirements, the vehicles are fitted with extra lights, communication equipment and bird scaring equipment.

London City Airport is the UK’s leading business airport with flights to more than 40 destinations across the UK, Europe and the USA. It is located in Docklands close to Canary Wharf and financial heart of London.

Kevin Wincell, Airfield Operations Manager at London City Airport said:

“The Airfield Operations team at London City Airport is responsible for making sure that the airfield is safe and running smoothly.  They need to be able to mobilise officers quickly in an emergency scenario and it is essential that we are able to have confidence in reliable and well equipped vehicles.  We look forward to continuing our relationship with Toyota.”

The Hilux – two HL2 models and an Invincible – were supplied through the Business Centre at Hills Toyota Woodford, which will also be looking after their servicing requirements. The purchase was funded via Toyota Financial Services. Not only is Hilux one of Toyota’s longest established models, it also has a global reputation for being one of the hardest wearing and most reliable too.

Mercedes-Benz Citan Scoops HonestJohn.co.uk Award

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Mercedes-Benz Citan

The Mercedes-Benz Citan

The new Mercedes-Benz Citan small van has won its first award, the honestjohn.co.uk Most Popular Van award, at the website’s 2013 awards ceremony, which took place in London recently.

The Citan went on sale in March, and Dan Harrison, who is the editor of honestjohn.co.uk, says that the website’s review of the new Citan has been the most popular van review it has published so far:

“The review which has stood head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to our users is the new Citan.

This is the first ever small van from Mercedes-Benz and it feels a cut above the competition in terms of quality and refinement.”

The Citan is based on the current Renault Kangoo, and is built by Renault in the same factory in France.

Although it is trimmed and specified to Mercedes’ levels, it has disappointed in one area where Mercedes cars and commercial vehicles usually excel — safety. As I reported in April, the Citan only managed a three-star Euro NCAP crash test score when the MPV variant was tested earlier this year.

UK CV Manufacturing Output Falls 3.3% In April (But Home Demand Slows Decline)

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UK commercial vehicle manufacturing output fell by 3.3% in April, the smallest decline so far this year, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Home demand for UK-built commercial vehicles rose by 24.5% to 3,897, compared to 3,131 in April 2012 — a remarkable increase — but this was outweighed by the 18.3% slump in export demand, which fell to 4,726 from 5,782 in April 2012.

CV manufacturing Apr-12 Apr-13 %
Change		 YTD-12 YTD-13 %
Change
Total 8,913 8,623 -3.3% 38,284 32,477 -15.2%
Home 3,131 3,897 24.5% 15,177 16,563 9.1%
Export 5,782 4,726 -18.3% 23,107 15,914 -31.1%
% export 64.9% 54.8% 60.4% 49.0%

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

So far this year, home demand has risen by 9.1%, while export demand has fallen by 31.1%, compared to the first four months of last year. Overall, CV output is down by 15.2% so far this year, compared to the same period last year:

UK CV manufacturing output April 2013

UK CV manufacturing output April 2013 (courtesy of SMMT)

The SMMT says that while some CV manufacturers are performing better than others, net volumes are expected to fall over the full year. Weak European export markets are the problem, as Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive, explains:

“Demand for UK-built commercial vehicles continued to fall in April, with output dropping 3.3%. There is growth at some UK plants which helped to ease the rate of decline compared to previous months this year. 2013 is proving to be a difficult year for our CV manufacturers as they experience weak demand from export markets, particularly Europe. Rising output for the home market is encouraging, demonstrating that UK operators are keen to exploit the diverse variety of CVs made in the UK from light vans to double-decker buses and large trucks.”

As I’ve highlighted before, Luton-based Vauxhall is the UK’s biggest CV manufacturers, thanks to the enduring popularity of its medium van, the Vivaro. The Vivaro continues to have a strong following amongst retail van buyers, and may soon be the only volume production van model made in the UK, thanks to Ford’s decision to end Transit production at its Southampton plant.

British Gas Opts For Same Again with 520-Van Transit Order

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British Gas Ford TransitBritish Gas central heating engineers have got used to their Transit vans — and it seems they don’t want to part with them.

The firm has just ordered 520 new Transits to replace its current fleet, saying that the choice was a “no brainer” from both a financial and a driver perspective.

Brentwood-based Ford has long been the top choice of UK van fleets, and this latest order from British Gas should help cement the firm’s position at the top of the pecking list — and with good reason, as British Gas fleet manager Colin Marriott explains:

“It was a no-brainer really, the vans used by our central heating installation engineers are a vital resource for them and they love the Transit. When we asked, they said: ‘Give us the same again, please.’ On top of that, by sticking with the same body shape, we have been able to take fantastic advantage of being able to recycle all the racking systems, saving tons of steel, energy and a lot of money.”

The Transit also offers class-leading economy and low emissions from its Dagenham-built 125PS 2.2-litre TDCi diesel engine, and the vans meet British Gas’ sophisticated vehicle whole life cost model, which determines the replacement timing for its vehicles.

All the Ford Transit vans being supplied are 330 medium wheelbase, medium roof models, equipped with air-conditioning, speed limiter and winter tyres, enabling the engineers to carry out their work in the toughest of environments. Thirty-two of the vans will be four-wheel drive versions, which will be located strategically around the country by British Gas, for use in the most severe weather.