UK commercial vehicle production up by 24.4% in January

Export demand drove a 24.4% rise in UK commercial vehicle production in January 2016, compared to the same period last year.

The figures — from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) — show that export sales were 65% higher in January than they were last year.

The majority of our CV exports are sold in Europe. This strong rise in sales suggests that a real recovery is underway in major eurozone economies:

Data courtesy of SMMT.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

“CV production got off to a great start in January, with output up by a quarter on last year. Recovery in Europe continues to benefit the sector, driving production for export up an impressive 65% last month, with more than half of all commercial vehicles in January produced for international markets.”

Here’s how the UK’s CV export history looks in graphical form. After bottoming out at the end of 2014, last year saw a very strong recovery:

Graph courtesy of SMMT

Another way of looking at these figures is that UK CV production now accounts for around 10% of the commercial vehicles registered in the UK. Although I suspect this is much lower than in France and Germany, it’s not too bad a result given the globalisation of the automotive industry.

Citroën will debut new Berlingo and Relay models at CV Show 2016 (pics)

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Citroën has announced a number of updates and additions to its popular Berlingo and Relay Ready To Run ranges. The new models will be on show at this year’s CV Show, which is expected to be well attended.

Here’s a summary of the latest additions.

Relay ‘Ready To Run’

The Relay-based range of off-the-shelf conversions have proved popular with Citroën customers. The firm has now added three new models to the range:

A new ‘Plant & Go’ small plant carrier
A new car transporter
Two new Crew Vans

Plant Carrier & Car Transporter

The Plant & Go small plant carriers and the car transporter will both be converted for Citroën by KFS Special Vehicles. Both have been designed to offer class-leading payloads and to provide cost-effective solutions to what are often seen as expensive requirements.

The Citroen Relay Plant & Go small plant carrier can carry one large or two small pieces of plant.

The Plant & Go carrier has been specifically designed to eliminate the need for a trailer. As well as cutting costs, this also simplifies driver licensing requirements. Younger drivers no longer have full trailer entitlement as standard, meaning an additional B+E test is needed before they can tow.

The Plant & Go carrier takes advantage of the low chassis height available with the front-wheel drive Relay and the load area has a floor height just 530mm from the ground. Removable lightweight alloy sideboards double up as loading ramps and help the vehicle achieve an impressive 1,860kg payload.

The new Relay car transporter is aimed at vehicle logisitics and dealer stock movements.

A payload of 1,760kg is enough for the vast majority of cars. The transporter’s 3.5t rating means that operating costs will be low and drivers won’t need any additional licensing.

Crew van conversions

The two new crew van conversions are being produced by CoTrim for Citroën and are available in L1H1 and L3H2 configurations — short and long wheelbase with low or mid-height roofs.

They provide comfortable seating for a driver and five passengers plus load space. The short wheelbase model provides 1,500mm of load floor length, while the longer L3 model has a load length of 2,535mm. Additional space under the rear seats is available subject to height restrictions.

The Crew Vans’ rear seats have been designed and tested to comply with EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval standards. The integrated, moulded bulkhead has been tested to ISO 27956 for load restraint protection.

The Relay Ready to Run Enterprise L1H1 is competitively priced at £20,450 + VAT, while the larger L3H2 is available at £26,250 + VAT.

Berlingo update

Citroën’s small van remains a popular choice with SME customers and enjoyed a sector market share of 19% last year, making it the most popular van in its class.

The Berlingo range has been refreshed for 2016. The updated models will make their debut at the CV Show and will be available from May onwards.

From May 2016, all Citroen Berlingo vans will have Euro 6 engines.

Here’s a summary of the changes:

An all-Euro 6 engine lineup, including a new BlueHDi 75 engine
Two new, stand-alone Berlingo Enterprise models
A new, high-value Berlingo Enterprise option pack

The switch to Euro 6 is no surprise. From September, it will be a legal requirement. However, the engines sound promising and it’s good to see Citroën is continuing to provide a petrol model. The new engine range will comprise:

VTi 95 PS petrol engine
BlueHDi 75, 100 and 120 PS diesel engines

The firm will also launch two new Berlingo Enterprise model vans at the CV Show.

These new, range-topping Berlingo Enterprise models are based on the newly launched BlueHDi 75 manual L1 625 van and the BlueHDi 100 S&S manual L1 850 van. Additional equipment fitted to these stand-alone Berlingo Enterprise vans includes:

Air conditioning
Touchscreen audio pack
Anti-theft alarm
Rear parking sensors
Connecting Box (Bluetooth®/USB port)

In addition, Citroën is introducing a Berlingo Enterprise Pack, which available as an option for just £800 + VAT on any Berlingo LX van. The Berlingo Enterprise Pack includes the same equipment as above.

Bedford CA Van used in “The Lady In The Van” up for auction

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A 1957 Bedford CA van, that starred in the awarding winning film ‘The Lady in the Van’ with Dame Maggie Smith, will be auctioned by Silverstone Auctions at this year’s Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show on Sunday 6^th March at the NEC, Birmingham.

The van is one of two specially prepared and cosmetically distressed for the film to mimic the true story of Miss Mary Shepherd, who resided in a Bedford CA van on Alan Bennett’s driveway for over 10 years. The van is featured extensively throughout the film and is even painted by Dame Maggie on camera.

Speaking in advance of the sale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, Nick Whale, said:

“We’re excited to be offering a piece of British cinema history at our sale which, paired with the appeal of the Bedford van to classic collectors, makes for a very exciting and unique opportunity for our customers.”

Having had restoration works prior to filming the van is in good working order and now boasts very special paintwork, hand-painted by Maggie Smith herself. It is offered for sale next month and is estimated at between £9,000 and £12,000.

The restoration of the van included an engine rebuild and it presents today in good working order with rust free bodywork and the 3-speed manual transmission and electrics reported to be in good working order.

This early Bedford is not only an important piece of film history but also an increasingly sought after classic British van. As an early split-screen example, with its two opening rear doors and sliding front doors, the Bedford CA is a rare sight on our roads nowadays, despite being the mainstay utility vehicle of the period.

First introduced in 1952, the Bedford CA was a light delivery van built on a separate chassis with production continuing through to 1969. The chassis allowed specialist bodywork to be fitted such as the Dormobile and Campervan conversions and was offered in either short or long wheelbase.

The van will be auctioned at the NEC, Birmingham, alongside 70 classic cars and restoration projects. To read more about the van visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/bedford-ca-10-cwt-short-wheelbase-van.

Budget Car and Van Rental takes 100 Citan vans for UK hire fleet

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Car and van rental giant Avis Budget has bought 100 Mercedes-Benz Citan vans to add to the UK fleet operated under the Budget Car and Van Rental brand.

Budget Car and Van Rental has taken delivery of 100 new Mercedes-Benz Citan vans.

Supplied by Dealer S & B Commercials, all are 109 CDI models and powered by smooth and efficient 90 hp engines that deliver outstanding fuel economy of up to 61.4 mpg (combined cycle), as well as low CO₂ emissions of 123-130 g/km.

Avis Budget has opted for the long-bodied version of the Citan, which offers a cargo volume of 3.1m³ together with intelligent load-securing rings for tensioning straps on the load compartment floor to protect the cargo.

Budget Car and Van Rental UK has over 50 years’ experience of providing rental services to value-conscious customers. It is emphasising its “National network – local relationships” offering, with the Citans now available from over 80 locations nationwide on flexible, cost-effective terms, including short- to long-term hires, and numerous options to bespoke the specification so they are fit for purpose.

Alan Olivier-Smith, Head of Commercial Vehicles at Avis Budget Group, stressed the importance of the Mercedes-Benz image:

“Budget is about providing our customers with exceptional value, without compromising style, comfort or safety. The Citan and the Mercedes-Benz brand offer exactly that.

“We have seen a very broad appeal for our van rental service, from small business owners requiring a temporary addition to their existing fleet, to private consumers looking for a convenient and cost-effective option for moving home.

You can find out more about Budget’s van hire service at www.budget.co.uk/vans.

10 years and 100 Sprinters: Freezerent celebrates a Mercedes centenary

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Temperature-controlled van hire specialist Freezerent has celebrated its 10th anniversary by taking delivery of a brand new refrigerated Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The van is the Wolverhampton-based firm’s 100th Sprinter.

Founder and Managing Director Lee Dorward says that offering vans bearing the three-pointed star “can help to finalise [spot rentl] deals”. Mr Dorward also believes that Sprinter quality is superior to that of competing brands:

“We’ve certainly tried vans by other manufacturers but they didn’t stand up to the job as well as a Mercedes-Benz,” he said. “The Sprinter offers outstanding reliability, fuel-efficiency and driver appeal, as well as leading the market in terms of its safety features. Everyone likes to drive a Mercedes-Benz and when it comes to spot rental in particular, it can help to finalise a deal if the vehicle you’re offering has this high level of quality.

Although Freezerent has tended to buy Mercedes Approved Used Sprinter vans in the past, the firm’s 100th Sprinter is a brand new model in 313 CDI spec with a GAH refrigeration unit fitted by Vantastec.

Freezerent anticipates that new vehicles with single- and multi-temperature configurations will now account for a much higher proportion of future purchases. The company is clearly one of the many Sprinter loyalists who believe the German van remains the best in class for demanding jobs.

Van Hire Discount Codes & Special Offers 19 Feb 2016

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Here is this week’s roundup of all the discount codes and special offers currently available on the vanrental.co.uk website and elsewhere.

Remember that this week will be the last week to ~~save up to 25% on Hertz Van Rental~~ — see discount code below.

We’ve also got big savings from ~~Questor Insurance~~, ~~Europcar~~ and Sixt.

—

Save up to 25% On Hertz Van Rental (EXPIRED)

If you need to hire a van or a minibus in February, then you may be able to SAVE up to 25% by choosing Hertz Van Rental.

This great new discount code will only be valid from 8 February 2016 to 29 February 2016.

*** THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED ***

~~Here are the details:~~

Booking period: 8 February 2016 – 29 February 2016
Pick-up period: 8 February 2016 – 29 February 2016
~~DISCOUNT CODE: 780855~~

Some terms and conditions do apply to this offer. Minimum hire period 3 days, maximum rental period 14 days. Save 25% off midweek rentals, 20% off weekend rentals and 10% off weekly rentals.

This offer is valid for van groups B4, C4, D4 and G4 and minibus groups X4 and Z4. UK customers only. Subject to availability at participating locations.

For full terms and conditions, please see the Hertz website.

Save 5% on Questor Van Hire Excess insurance

** THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED **

~~Save 5% on Questor Van Hire Excess insurance with this discount code:~~

Use Discount Code:
Valid: Until further notice

Click here to visit the Questor Insurance website

(If you need to know more about van hire insurance, check out our guide here)

Save 10% on Sixt Van Rental (EXCLUSIVE)

Our exclusive 10% discount for Sixt UK van hire is still available.

All you have to do to benefit from this discount is click through to the Sixt website using the pink button below:

Remember: You can also see details of all of these offers in the “Our Companies” section on the home page.

Mercedes-Benz Vito Urban Edition targets city van users

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Mercedes’ new Vito Urban Edition featured a number of standard features chosen to cater for the particular needs of drivers who spend their days battling through the urban jungle.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito Urban Edition includes and automatic gearbox, reversing camera and sat nav as standard.

Top of the list is Mercedes’ unusual seven-speed 7G -Tronic Plus automatic transmission. Normally an option on the Vito, it’s standard on the Vito Urban Edition. This is a ‘proper’ torque converter automatic, not an automated manual gearbox. This means silky-smooth shifts and distraction-free driving in all conditions.

A second standard feature that’s also normally an option is the Becker MAP PILOT built in navigation system. This includes lane recommendations, speed limit display and route planning, all of which can help avoid costly delays and fines in city environments.

Urban parking spaces tend to be tight at the best of times. To help ensure drivers can make use of every inch without having to worry about shunts, the Urban Edition includes a reversing camera. This takes the form of a close-range camer in the rear doors/tailgate which captures the area around the rear of the vehicle. The image is displayed in full colour on the Audio 15 head unit.

Maximum power isn’t a big concern in cities — fuel consumption is far more important. As a result, the Vito Urban Edition is available exclusively as a 114 BlueTEC van model, in compact, long and extra-long body lengths. The BlueTEC diesel engine is Euro 6-compliant and offers amongst the lowest CO₂ emissions figures in the Vito range, at just 161g/Km.

Priced from £22,720 excluding VAT, Vito 114 BlueTEC Urban Edition returns up to 46.3 mpg (combined cycle).

Nissan Primastar replacement will be Renault-built NV300

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The Nissan-Renault alliance has been a fruitful one in recent years. The outgoing Nissan Primastar van was a re-badged Renault Trafic.

It’s no surprise to find that the Primastar’s replacement, the NV300, will be built by Renault and based on the same platform as the new Trafic.

Renault confirmed yesterday that the new NV300, which will go on sale later this year, will be built at Renault’s Sandoubille plant in France on the same line as the new Renault Trafic.

Renault Trafic vans being built at the firm’s Sandouville plant in France. The Nissan NV300 will be built on the same line as the Trafic.

The NV300 nameplate is no surprise, given the existence of the smaller NV200 and larger NV400. NV stands for Nissan Van is part of the companies new global naming policy. Nissan trucks will be badged NT. Nissan pick-ups, such as the new NP300 Navara, are now badged NP.

Anyone thinking that the partnership between Renault and Nissan is somewhat one-sided may be mistaken, however. The new Nissan NP300 Navara is expected to go on sale as the Renault Alaskan pick up later in 2016.

New Volkswagen Transporter Chassis Cab now available

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The VW Transporter has always been available in chassis cab form — a driving cab with a platform to the rear onto which a custom body can be built — but it’s always been a rare beast, especially in the UK.

The new T6 Transporter launched in panel van form in the UK in autumn 2015. Volkswagen has now announced the launch of the T6 Transporter Chassis Cab, which is now available to order in the UK.

For the time being at least, the T6 chassis cab will only be available in long wheelbase format with a choice of crew cab or standard cab. Engine choice is restricted to VW’s 2.0TDI 140PS Euro 5 unit for the time being. Presumably a Euro 6 choice will be available before the 1 September 2016 deadline, after which all new vans will need to meet Euro 6 emissions standards. There will however be a choice of gearboxes, with buyers able to choose 6-speed manual or 7-speed automated DSG transmission.

The Transporter Chassis Cab will include the same standard features which are available across the Transporter range, including BlueMotion Technology as standard. This includes low rolling resistance tyres, regenerative braking and Start/Stop systems.

Other standard features include DAB+ digital radio, 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone connectivity and USB connection. Volkswagen’s acclaimed Automatic Post-Collision Braking system is also standard. This automatically applies the brakes after a collision, reducing the risk or severity of a secondary impact.

Prices for the Transporter Chassis Cab start at £21,265 +VAT.

All-new Mercedes-Benz diesel engine will cut emissions

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Mercedes says that its new four-cylinder OM 654 diesel engine will ensure the diesel is “future proof” while helping the firm to achieve “challenging global climate targets”.

Leaving aside the fact that no technology in history has ever turned out to be future proof, this does seem to be an impressive new engine.

Made from aluminium, this four cylinder , two-litre engine will make its debut in the E-Class E 200d later this year, but will eventually be used across the firm’s range of cars and vans. There are plans for several output variants as well as longitudinal and transverse installation in vehicles with front-, rear- and all-wheel drive.

The new engine replaces the current 2.1-litre model and is the first all-aluminium four-cylinder diesel engine. Despite its lower capacity it promises to deliver and increase of power from 125kW to 143kW. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions should both fall by around 13%.

One of the big challenges with diesel engines in recent years has been managing the more noxious emissions produced by these engines. Two stages of exhaust treatment are required to meet Euro 6 standards, EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction, which is what AdBlue is used for).

Unlike existing Euro 6 models, the new engine will include all of this exhaust treatment technology. Until now, this has tended to be bolted on, rather than built in. Mercedes says that this will improve fuel efficiency on short journeys and remove problems related to temperature management during cold starting — exhaust treatment systems such as catalysers generally only work properly when they have warmed up.

In fact, the exhaust gases will receive nearly all of the necessary pollution control treatment before they leave the engine, as Mercedes explains:

The exhaust gas from the turbocharger is sent first to a diesel oxidation catalyst. It next passes the downdraft mixer, in which AdBlue is added by means of a water-cooled dosing module.

Thanks to a specially developed mixing area, the AdBlue evaporates over the shortest possible distance in the exhaust gas stream and is distributed very uniformly on the surface of the downstream sDPF (particulate filter with coating to reduce nitrogen oxides).

Positioned behind the sDPF is an SCR catalyst for further catalytic reduction of the nitrogen oxides. Only then does the treated exhaust gas enter the exhaust system.

I’m not sure I’d fancy owning something this complicated when it starts to get old, but this integrated setup does sound like a worthwhile improvement on the current crop of diesel engines.

vanrental.co.uk blog

UK van news and van hire tips

UK commercial vehicle production up by 24.4% in January

Citroën will debut new Berlingo and Relay models at CV Show 2016 (pics)

Relay ‘Ready To Run’

Plant Carrier & Car Transporter

Crew van conversions

Berlingo update

Bedford CA Van used in “The Lady In The Van” up for auction

Budget Car and Van Rental takes 100 Citan vans for UK hire fleet

10 years and 100 Sprinters: Freezerent celebrates a Mercedes centenary

Van Hire Discount Codes & Special Offers 19 Feb 2016

Save up to 25% On Hertz Van Rental (EXPIRED)

Save 5% on Questor Van Hire Excess insurance

Save 10% on Sixt Van Rental (EXCLUSIVE)

Mercedes-Benz Vito Urban Edition targets city van users

Nissan Primastar replacement will be Renault-built NV300

New Volkswagen Transporter Chassis Cab now available

All-new Mercedes-Benz diesel engine will cut emissions