Travel Business Class With Citroën Vans

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Citroen's four year business class warranty promotion

Citroen's 4 Year 'Business Class' Warranty deal...

Citroën vans are now available with a new no-cost ‘Upgrade to Business Class’ extended four year warranty, servicing and Citroën Assistance package.

This is an attractive upgrade to the standard Citroën van package, which is made up of a two year unlimited mileage manufacturer’s warranty and a no-fee customer option of one year’s dealer provided 100,000 mile warranty.

The fourth year of warranty will be an insurance product providing cover up to 120,000 miles — so not suitable for high mileage users but very attractive for tradesmen and others employed on local work.

Participating Citroën dealers and Business Centres are offering the no-cost ‘Upgrade to Business Class’ package on any Euro 5 Citroën Nemo, Berlingo, Dispatch or Relay ordered by qualifying customers and delivered by 31 July 2012.

The no-cost Citroën ‘Upgrade to Business Class’ package includes:

  • 4 years/60,000 mile servicing (whichever comes first), allowing customers to have their LCVs serviced annually over this period
  • 4 years Citroën Assistance (provided by the AA), with Roadside Assistance, At Home Assistance, Recovery, Onward Travel and European cover
  • Warranty extension to 4 years/120,000 miles (whichever comes first)

Scott Michael, Citroën’s Commercial Vehicle Operations Manager, commented;

“Prior to the introduction of the  ‘Upgrade to Business Class’ programme we carried out extensive consultation with our dealers to develop the optimum package to meet the needs of our LCV customers – particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs).  Now, with ‘Upgrade to Business Class’, Citroën customers are able to purchase not just competitively priced, well-equipped LCVs with class-leading fuel efficiency and low emissions, but they can also take advantage of all the benefits of a comprehensive four year motoring package.”

The ‘Upgrade to Business Class’ package can also be used by Citroën LCV customers in conjunction with a Citroën Finance Lease product. This is a popular finance solution for many business users including partnerships, limited companies, self-employed and sole traders. With Citroën Finance Lease, the customer pays a monthly rental on an LCV for the contract period, which can be up to 60 months.

Hertz Joins Van Excellence Scheme

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Hertz UK is to become the first van hire company in the UK to promote the Freight Transport Association‘s award-winning Van Excellence Code (VEC).

Some of the UK’s largest van operators, including Sainsbury’s, DHL, City Link and Carillion, have already signed up to the scheme and Hertz’s participation will focus on its Owner Driver Van Hire Scheme customers. This scheme serves the needs of large numbers of self-employed van drivers who provide distribution services on a sub-contract basis for the express parcels industry. The SME sector accounts for most of the three million vans on the road in the UK and is where Hertz can play a key role in helping to promote the new VEC standard.

The VEC is aimed at establishing a comprehensive and realistic code of conduct for van operators which will benefit businesses, the environment and all road users. It sets standards in three primary areas: vehicle maintenance, driver competence and behaviour, and environmental impact. Following its tradition for leading innovation and excellence, Hertz will be the first vehicle rental company to endorse the VEC and promote the benefits of Van Excellence accreditation amongst its van hire customers.

Mark Cartwright, Head of Vans and LCV’s at FTA, commented:

“It is a pleasure to welcome Hertz into our association. The success of any initiative on such a large scale requires the support of all the biggest players in the industry. With a reputation for exceptional services and a large customer base, we have no doubt that our relationship with Hertz will be a great asset in our efforts to set the standard for future working practices in the van sector.”

Michel Taride, President of Hertz International, said:

“As one of the world’s leading provider of transport solutions, we are committed to the development of all sectors of the transport industry and have always implemented rigorous standards in all our operations.  As vans are one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK and also critical to the small and medium business economies, it is extremely crucial to have high standards such as the voluntary Van Excellence Code. Combining our strengths with the expertise, knowledge and services of the FTA, we are confident of the success of Van Excellence and are proud to support the FTA in this initiative.”

To find out more about the Van Excellence Code, visit www.vanexcellence.co.uk

Toyota Hilux Sold Down The River

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Toyota Hilux belonging to The Broads Authority

The Broads Authority has chosen Toyota Hilux pickups for its rangers and construction teams

The Toyota Hilux has an enviable and global reputation as a supremely capable and tough off-road vehicle — so it should come as no surprise to find that it was the first choice of The Broads Authority, a member of the National Park family, when it came time to buy nine new pick-ups to add to its fleet for use by rangers and construction maintenance teams across its sites around the Broads.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads is Britain’s largest protected wetland and third largest inland waterway. Holding national park status it is home to some of the rarest plants and animals in the UK.

The Broads Authority was set up in 1989 and holds responsibility for conservation, planning, recreation and waterways.

With a real need for reliable, excellent off road robust vehicles that meet the requirements of the Broads onsite teams, the organisation favoured the outright purchase of the Toyota Hilux HL2Double Cabs from Dingles Toyota in Norwich.

The cars will be used by rangers in their bid to patrol the Broads sites and maintain the surrounding countryside. They will carry equipment for countryside management and attend events to tell people about the Broads and the work of the Authority. The construction and maintenance team undertake a variety of duties, from dredging mud to maintaining the moorings, and so again need vehicles that can accommodate tools with a good towing capacity.

Rob Holman, Director of Resources at The Broad Authority, commented: “The Authority is striving to reduce its CO2 emissions at every opportunity and these vehicles will help us achieve that – and save money.

“Our Rangers and Construction & Maintenance Teams need vehicles that have a good towing and carrying capacity, together with the ability to ‘rough it’ off road. The new Toyota Hilux met all our operational requirements and will cut the equivalent of their own weight in CO2 emissions in a year compared to some of our existing vehicles.

“They are much more fuel efficient and buying them, as opposed to leasing our current fleet, will save us a significant sum within a few years. It goes to show that going green is not always more expensive.”

The model chosen, the 4WD Toyota Hilux HL2 Double Cab costs £18,290 on the road and has a 144bhp 2.5-litre D-4D engine with a combined fuel consumption figure of 38.7mpg. Features include air conditioning, Auto Disconnecting Differential, rear locking differential, remote central locking and heated electrically adjustable door mirrors.

Ford Slams New Transit Custom

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Ford Transit Custom side door slam testing

How many times have I told you not to slam that door...

The all-new Ford Transit Custom made its debut at the recent CV Show in Birmingham and is due to hit the road in the UK towards the end of this year. Transits have always had a reputation for being fairly durable, and the Brentwood boys are keen to make sure that this new version lives up to expectations.

With that in mind, engineers at the company’s Dunton Technical Centre, near Basildon, have been subjecting the new Transit Custom to a wide variety of abuse, including slamming the doors a total of 550,000 times to make sure than it can withstand the day-to-day usage of some of the most demanding customers over the course of many years.

Ford slammed the Transit Custom front doors 250,000 times, the sliding side door 150,000 times, and the rear cargo door 150,000 times in a special test facility where temperatures can be plunged to -40 degrees Celsius, sent soaring to 82 degrees Celsius, and deliver 85 per cent humidity.

“This is a modern-day torture test, more than half-a-million slams, in everything from tropical heat to Arctic cold,” said Barry Gale, Ford’s chief commercial vehicle engineer, based at Dunton Technical Centre, in Essex – Ford’s research and development centre for all its vans.

The all-new Ford Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle will go on sale in the UK later this year and made its debut at April’s CV Show in Birmingham.  The Transit will be available with advanced technology including Ford SYNC, which enables hands-free voice-controlled use of mobile phones and MP3 players, plus fuel-saving technologies such as Auto-Start-Stop and smart regenerative charging.

The 550,000 door-slam test is just one of a range of rigorous testing procedures Ford has used to make sure the all-new vehicle further enhances Transit’s reputation for superb reliability.

The 250,000 front door slams compare to 84,000 slams delivered by the equivalent car test. This reflects the greater frequency of door-use and tougher treatment of working vans.

Ford records and analyses real-life slams so the test machinery replicates real-life customer behaviour. This includes observing and recording the speed and the degree of force used to slam a door, including both regular and severe slams. The test replicates the fastest speeds used by 90 per cent of customers.

Testing takes place within a purpose-designed automated rig at Ford’s development centre, with engineers monitoring the precision testing and checking the doors regularly for any sign of damage or weakness.

Freight Transport Association Warns Over Olympic Disruption

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The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has issued a warning about the disruption the Olympic Games will cause to its members operating in London and the need for tolerance and common sense from London’s enforcement authorities and the general public.

Speaking to the House of Commons Transport Committee, Natalie Chapman, FTA’s Head of Policy for London gave evidence to the Olympics Inquiry alongside representatives of London Councils, the Federation of Wholesale Distributors and the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association.

The inquiry was looking at the transport challenges posed by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the impact of Games Lanes and the Olympic Route Network on road transport in London.  Also providing evidence were Justine Greening Secretary of State for Transport & Peter Hendy, Commissioner of Transport for London.

Chapman said:

“We are pleased to assist the Transport Committee in its investigation into the robustness of transport arrangements for the Games. Without efficient logistics, there will be no Games. And without an appreciation of the likely disruption, Londoners and London’s business community will find it difficult to keep functioning.

It is therefore important that everyone interested in making this summer a success is working together to ensure an efficient supply chain is maintained.  There is a tendency not to notice freight until it doesn’t work, so the challenges of the next few months give the industry the ideal opportunity to showcase how effective and efficient it really is.”

Natalie Chapman told the inquiry that the industry was largely prepared and ready for the challenge that the Games will pose.  However, FTA members are concerned how those reliant on logistics are preparing and adapting for the challenges of the next few months.

She also raised concerns regarding the additional costs that the industry will face in servicing customers during the Games.  Many companies have had to hire in additional vehicles and drivers for the summer even if these do not foresee an increase in trade as productivity will slump due to a reduction in road speeds and an increase in congestion.

Chapman continued:

“The vast array of additional restrictions that will be implemented for the Olympics and Paralympics such as the Olympic Route Network, Games Lanes, banned turns and loading bans are likely to cause confusion even to drivers how know London’s streets like the back of their hand.  We hope that the boroughs and Transport for London will take a sensible approach to enforcement and will focus their efforts on compliance and assisting drivers.

We are of course delighted that the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Transport listened to FTA’s concerns on this issue and did not approve the increase in PCN levels to £200 as requested by London Councils and the Olympic Delivery Authority.  However, if £130 fines are issued like confetti, we will as an industry, have a very big bill to pick up at the end of the summer.

Here at vanrental.co.uk we have been warning of potential disruption and shortage of hire vans in London and the south east for some time – let’s hope that companies’ are now prepared and that with the support of the London authorities, everything will work well.

Volkswagen Finance Deals From £199+VAT/Month

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Volkswagen Transporter T5Volkswagen is running a range of attractive finance deals for new Caddy, Transporter and Crafter vans until the end 30th June 2012.

The headline figures for new contract hire and finance lease deals are:

  • Caddy from £199/month
  • Transporter from £239/month
  • Crafter from £309/month

All prices are plus VAT and have an initial rental charge.

If you prefer traditional hire purchase, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering flat rate finance at 3.99% and three year’s free servicing. This isn’t available for the Crafter, which gets a £2,000 deposit contribution instead.

If you need a new van and fancy a Volkswagen — as well you might — then get yourself over to www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk for more information.

Mitsubishi Launches L200 Barbarian Black

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Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Black

The new Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Black

This, er, mean moody beast is the new Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian Black Edition.

It costs £1,000+VAT more than a standard Barbarian, for which buyers get this stylish range of extras (that’s what it says here!):

  • Black 17” alloy wheels
  • Black wrapped roof
  • Black front resin guard
  • Black fog lamp surrounds
  • Black front sports grille
  • Black wing mirrors
  • Black door handles and recess covers
  • Black side steps
  • Black fuel filler cap
  • Black tailgate handle cover
  • Black rear bar
  • Stunning new embossed leather design
  • Outside Temperature/Direction/MPG display panel – a conveniently located complement to the Kenwood system
  • Barbarian Black side decals

It comes in a range of colours as well as white and can be specified as a manual or automatic.

What else can I say? You either love it or you don’t. If you do, then get yourself along to www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find out more.

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.