Renault Master Low Loader Delivers For Masons Moving Group

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Masons Moving Group Renault Master with low floor and loading rampBarry-based international removals company, Masons Moving Group Ltd., has taken delivery of two new Renault Master 150.35 low loader Luton vans. 

The 150hp, 3.5 tonne vehicles have been specified with a low-floor luton body and fold down rear loading ramp, that negates the need for a tail lift, saving weight and speeding up loading. The new vans will be used to support the Barry-based company’s European and International removal and packing service, for businesses and homes across the UK.

Gordon Mason, owner, Masons Moving Group says:

“We had heard good things about the Renault Master and so decided to trial the vehicle. The low loader body appealed as it enables faster loading, with no need for a tail lift. The Renault Master’s payload is also impressive with enough space for larger, bulkier items. Another advantage is its tight turning circle – something that is a huge benefit when undertaking removals from residential areas and businesses in built up locations.”

“As a company, image is very important to us – the Master is a great looking vehicle which reflects the high standards of quality for which Masons Moving Group is renowned.”

Masons Moving Group Ltd. is an independent, family company that has been providing removals and storage across the country and the world for over 100 years. The company was set up in 1905 as a horse and cart operation and now, in its third generation, has grown to become an International removals business, offering home and office moves, storage and packing services. Based in South Wales, the company has depots in Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend and Swansea.

Van Registrations Up 11.5% In March

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New registrations of commercial vehicles — a good indicator of sales — rose by 11.5% to 43,684 in March, continuing February’s increase.

CV registrations rose by 11.5% in March, compared to March 2012, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). As we saw in February, the biggest increases were in the Pick-up category (up 29.2%) and the vans under 2.0t (up 22.8%).

Also on the up were vans between 2.5t and 3.5t, which rose by 8.8%. This is by far the largest category of vans, and accounted for 23,483 of the 43,684 vans sold last month. This class includes vans like the Ford Transit, Vauxhall Vivaro and Mercedes Sprinter — van that form the backbone of van hire fleets and courier businesses and are commonly used by tradesmen, the construction industry and many company fleets. (A whopping 10,025 of the 23,483 2.5t – 3.5t vans sold last month were Ford Transits, underlining the ongoing dominance of this great van.)

Such a solid increase in new registrations for this category may suggest that these businesses are seeing an improvement in economic conditions or in credit availability. Alternatively, it could just be that the poor supply and rising prices of nearly-new used vans are making buying new more attractive than buying used.

Trucks reversing

In contrast to the more buoyant van registration figures, rigid truck registrations (3.5t – 32t) continued to drop in March, although artic sales remained steady. The biggest drop was in small rigids (3.5t – 6.0t), where registrations fell by 37.2%, in a potential reversal of last year’s 28.8% increase in registrations for this previously unpopular category.

With a quarter of the year gone, and the new registration plate and government budget under out belts, I think the year-to-date figures are the best way of comparing registrations from the last two years:

Year-to-date YTD-13 YTD-12 % change
Pickups 8,443 6,266 34.7%
4x4s 2,005 2,156 -7.0%
Vans <= 2.0t 12,525 10,502 19.3%
Vans > 2.0 – 2.5t 9,127 8,437 8.2%
Vans > 2.5 – 3.5t 36,782 34,327 7.2%
All Vans to 3.5T 68,882 61,688 11.7%
Rigids > 3.5 – 6.0t 1,699 2,190 -22.4%
Rigids > 6.0 – 16t 2,097 2,729 -23.2%
Rigids > 16t 2,782 3,418 -18.6%
All rigids 6,578 8,337 -21.1%
2-axle artics 593 545 8.8%
3-axle artics 2,889 3,198 -9.7%
All artics 3,482 3,743 -7.0%

Figures courtesy of SMMT.

It is perhaps not a surprise that pick-up sales have taken off so well this year — not only have several new models (e.g. Ford Ranger, Great Wall Steed) gone on sale during the last twelve months, but we’ve also had above-average amounts of snow — always a good way to convince people, often mistakenly, that they need a four-wheel drive. (Of course, what they often need is a bog standard vehicle with winter tyres…)

Pick-ups remain popular thanks to the tax benefits they offer for business owners, too, although this trend seems to be fading away in the area where I live.

This graph shows how sales have increased in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period of 2012:

Van registrations Q1 2012 vs Q1 2013

Van registrations Q1 2012 vs Q1 2013 (courtesy of SMMT)

It’s a promising start to the year, although I do have some concerns over the durability of the gains, especially when truck registrations are declining sharply, suggesting that underlying economy activity and growth remains weak.

Citroën Launches New Contract Hire Van Offers From £149+VAT

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Citroen Relay, Dispatch and Berlingo models

The Citroen Relay, Dispatch and Berlingo are available on contract hire starting from £149 +VAT per month for the Berlingo. T&Cs apply.

Citroën Contract Motoring (CCM) has just launched special Enterprising Spring contract hire offers on a choice of well-equipped, top of the range Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay Enterprise vans.

These special 2 year/20,000 mile, non-maintenance contract hire deals are based on a 6 + 23 monthly payments profile and include free of charge metallic paint. Customers can also add a low-cost maintenance option (excluding tyres) from an extra £6.77 + VAT per month.

The CCM Enterprise Spring offers programme, is available on the following models registered by 30 June 2013:-

  • Berlingo HDi 75 manual L1 625 Enterprise small van for £149 + VAT per month*.
  • Berlingo HDi 90 manual L1 850 Enterprise van for £149 + VAT per month*.
  • Dispatch HDi 125 6-speed manual L2H1 1200 Enterprise medium van for £229 + VAT per month*.
  • Relay 35 L3H2 HDi 130 6-speed manual Enterprise large van for £259 + VAT per month*.

Standard equipment on Enterprise models includes:

  • Air conditioning
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Connecting Box (Bluetooth® system & USB socket)
  • Trafficmaster Smartnav (dynamic satellite navigation)
  • Trackstar (stolen vehicle tracking)
  • Nearside sliding side load door
  • Remote central locking
  • Full steel bulkhead & electrically adjustable & heated door mirrors (Dispatch & Relay Enterprise)

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

“This special set of Spring CCM contract hire deals offers business customers a very affordable opportunity to upgrade to well-equipped, fuel efficient and low emission Berlingo, Dispatch or Relay Enterprise vans. The attractive fixed cost aspect will particularly appeal to our growing number of Small and Medium Enterprise customers, a sector where Citroën is now very successful.”

*Based on a 2-year, 10,000 mile per annum, non-maintenance contract hire agreement with 6 payments in advance, followed by 23 monthly payments. Prices are applicable to customer orders declared and registered by 30 June 2013. Available at participating dealers only, whilst stocks last (full details are available at www.citroencontractmotoring.co.uk).

Toyota Confirms Prices & Specification For New Proace Van

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Toyota ProAce

The Toyota ProAce is based on the Peugeot Expert/Citroen Dispatch and goes on sale in the UK in July 2013

My 1st April post on the Toyota’s racing ambitions for the Proace may have been an April Fool, but the Japanese manufacturer’s ambition to re-enter the UK van market is serious, and its Proace van — based on the PSA Peugeot Expert — will go on sale in July.

Buyers will be able to choose from a total of 10 versions, built around two wheelbases and two roof heights, with a choice of two 1,000kg or 1,200kg payloads, three engine options, and a crew cab model. Interestingly, there will only be a single equipment grade — all Proace vans will include sliding doors on each side, 16-inch alloy wheels with wheel caps, fog lamps, daytime running lights and heated electric door mirrors.

All Proace come with driver and front passenger airbags, ABS and Vehicle Stability Control, while customers will be able to specify plain or glazed double steel rear doors and various bulkhead options. Other features include Bluetooth, electric windows, and the choice of a single front passenger seat or two-person bench, while air conditioning remains an option.

Three engines

Three Euro 5-compliant diesel engines will be available. The 89bhp 1.6-litre engine produces 180Nm of torque and is matched to a five-speed manual transmission. Two 2.0-litre diesel units are available, with outputs of 126 and 161bhp and peak torque figures of 320 and 340Nm respectively. Both of these engines come with a six-speed manual transmission.

An 80-litre fuel tank capacity and combined cycle fuel consumption figures of 44.1mpg will give the 2.0-litre versions of the ProAce a theoretical driving range of more than 770 miles before refuelling.

Proace Dimensions

The Proace will have fairly typical medium van dimensions and will be available in 4,805mm and 5,135mm lengths, with roof heights of 1,942mm and 2,276mm.

Different combinations of wheelbase and roof height will provide a load capacities ranging from 5 to 7 cubic metres, but the high roof will only be available on the long wheelbase version of the Proace.

Proace Prices

According to Toyota, launch prices will start at £22,300 (inc VAT) OTR for the basic 1.6-litre, standard roof/short wheelbase version of the Proace, and range up to £27,800 for the crew van Proace, which is only available with the 2.0D 126bhp engine.

For more details, visit www.toyota.co.uk.

 

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.

Center Parcs Takes 22 Renault Electric Vans

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Renault Kangoo Maxi Van Z.E. electric van in Center Parcs livery

Two of Center Parcs’ Renault Kangoo Maxi Van Z.E. electric vans.

Center Parcs has taken delivery of 22 new all-electric Renault Kangoo Maxi Van Z.E. models.

The new models were handed over recently at Sherwood Forest and will be used across Center Parcs’ other UK villages including, Elveden Forest, Longleat Forest and Whinfell Forest and its forthcoming fifth village, Woburn Forest, due to open Spring 2014.

The new electric vehicles form part of a fleet of 150 vehicles and will be used by the technical services and maintenance division and the “Dining-In” takeaway delivery operation which transports food and beverages to guests.

The Kangoo Van Z.E.s were chosen after a rigorous selection process, with Newark-based Center Parcs keen to ensure its vehicle fleet is as green as possible, in keeping with its overall sustainability ethos.  The Kangoo vans beat competition based on a range of factors including running costs, reliability, practicality, payload and purchase price.

Center Parcs Operations and Development Director, Paul Kent, said:

“It is important for us to ensure that Center Parcs’ commercial vehicle fleet is the most efficient and least polluting option possible. The new Kangoo Van Z.E.s take this ethos to the next level, bringing non-polluting electric vehicles to each Center Parcs village. We’re delighted to be continuing our commitment to ensure Center Parcs reduces its impact on the environment.”

Andy Heiron, Head of Electric Vehicle Programme at Renault UK, handed over the keys to the vans at Center Parcs, commenting:

“The Kangoo Van Z.E. and our electric range as a whole offer a winning combination of practicality and reliability, plus they are respectful of the environment with no tailpipe emissions at all.  We are delighted that Center Parcs have chosen our Z.E. range for their fleet requirements and know that their staff will appreciate the vans’ comfort and ergonomics.”

As I’ve pointed out several times before, electric vans make far more sense than electric cars in many cases, due to their predictable daily usage patterns and regular overnight bases, where electric charging is often easier than it would be for individuals at their homes.

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

Asda’s Boosts Home Delivery Fleet With 250 New Iveco Daily Units

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Iveco Daily Asda home delivery

Iveco is delivering a further 250 3.5 tonne Daily home delivery vehicles to supermarket giant Asda, as part of a total order for 700 identical light commercials placed during 2012.

Iveco is delivering a further 250 3.5 tonne Daily home delivery vehicles to supermarket giant Asda, as part of a total order for 700 identical light commercials placed during 2012.

Forty of the new vehicles will be operated from Leeds-based Asda’s state-of-the-art new Home Shopping Centre in Nottingham, which was officially opened on 19 February 2013.

This latest Daily 35S11 AGile order boosts the Asda home shopping fleet to more than 1,600 vehicles nationwide – of which 1,150 will be Dailys. Watford-based Iveco has secured 100 per cent of Asda’s home delivery fleet orders during 2011 and 2012, following a successful trial of 50 Dailys in 2010.

Sean Clifton, Asda’s Grocery Home Shopping Fleet Contract Manager, explains: “Asda conducted trials with the Daily three years ago and on the strength of its performance and projected whole life costs, we’ve been steadily growing our fleet with Iveco vehicles ever since.”

The latest Daily chassis cabs to enter service are mounted with Solomon multi-compartment refrigerated bodies and predominantly Hubbard temperature control units.  This specification allows Asda to transport a mix of ambient, chilled and frozen produce directly from Asda stores to the customer’s front door.

Commenting on the performance of the Dailys, Clifton adds: “Our home delivery operation is one of the most challenging applications for any light commercial vehicle, due to the length of each vehicle’s working day and the number of loads we carry every 24 hours.

“Despite this, the Daily is proving incredibly durable, and the introduction of the AGile automated transmission is making life easier for our drivers and helping to deliver important fuel savings which make our fleet even greener.”

The Dailys will be in operation seven days a week for four years, and will be serviced overnight by the Iveco dealer network, maximising fleet uptime.  All 700 of the Dailys ordered in 2012 will benefit from the latest interior upgrades, which include a new adjustable steering column, and an improved multi-way adjustable driver’s seat.

Each of the Asda Iveco Dailys is powered by a 2.3 litre FPT Industrial engine capable of delivering up to 106 hp between 2,700 and 3,900 rev/min, and up to 270 Nm of torque between 1,800 and 2,600 rev/min.

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.