{"id":4683,"date":"2013-05-21T16:27:30","date_gmt":"2013-05-21T16:27:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/?p=4683"},"modified":"2013-05-23T18:17:11","modified_gmt":"2013-05-23T18:17:11","slug":"van-manufacturers-score-at-fleet-world-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/4683","title":{"rendered":"Van Manufacturers Score At Fleet World Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_4585\" style=\"width: 330px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4585\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4585\" alt=\"New 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/mercedes-sprinter-1-sm.jpg\" width=\"320\" height=\"213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/mercedes-sprinter-1-sm.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/mercedes-sprinter-1-sm-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4585\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be the first van to meet the Euro 6 emissions standard.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/fleetworldhonours.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\">Fleet World Honours Car Awards<\/a> took place at the Royal Automobile Club in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/london\">Central London<\/a> on the 21st May, bringing together representatives of all of the major UK car and van manufacturers with the luminaries of the fleet world.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>In the van sector, awards went to a wide variety of models from almost all the main manufacturers. Here&#8217;s a rundown of the highlights:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best Light Van<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 13px;\">Peugeot Bipper \/\u00a0Fiat Fiorino \/ Citro\u00ebn\u00a0Nemo<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Peugeot&#8217;s pint-sized van (which is also sold as the Fiat Fiorino and Citro\u00ebn\u00a0Nemo) 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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best Small Van<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 13px;\">Fiat\u00a0Dobl\u00f2 Cargo \/ Vauxhall Combo<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2405\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2405\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-2405 \" alt=\"Fiat Dobl\u00f2 Work Up - dropside\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/fiat-doblo-work-up-2-sm-300x198.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/fiat-doblo-work-up-2-sm-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/fiat-doblo-work-up-2-sm.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2405\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Doblo Work-Up is one of the more unusual Doblo Cargo variants.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Fiat&#8217;s recently updated\u00a0Dobl\u00f2 Cargo model\u00a0is 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.<\/p>\n<p>The van, which is also sold as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/2513\">the Vauxhall Combo<\/a>, has already won the International Van of the Year award, and Fleet World&#8217;s John Kendall said:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Low fuel consumption and emissions, the option of automated transmission, and a crew van option &#8230;\u00a0the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/2404\">Work-Up pick-up model<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/3713\">recently added XL long wheelbase high roof model<\/a> &#8230; gives Fiat Professional one of the broadest model offerings at this weight.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The Vauxhall Combo isn&#8217;t available in Work-Up spec, so if a small pick-up is what you&#8217;re after, you&#8217;ll have to choose the Italian option.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best Medium Van<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 13px;\">Ford Transit Custom<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-3233\" alt=\"Ford Transit Custom\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/ford-transit-custom-1-sm-300x204.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"204\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/ford-transit-custom-1-sm-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/ford-transit-custom-1-sm.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>In what must surely be a record, the Ford Transit Custom took home three awards from the Fleet World Honours &#8212; Best Medium Van, Best New Van and the Innovation Award.<\/p>\n<p>The Transit Custom has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/4414\">proved<\/a> a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/4392\">massive<\/a> hit with the motoring trade press and has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/4219\">scored an impressive five stars in its first Euro NCAP safety test<\/a>, so I guess the next test will be how popular it is with actual buyers.<\/p>\n<p>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 &#8220;extended service intervals of two years\/30,000 miles, reduced ownership costs, and a significant uplift in residual values \u2013 all helping to benefit fleet customers&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best Large Van<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 13px;\">Mercedes-Benz Sprinter<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p>As Fleet World&#8217;s John Kendall pointed out: &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/4584\">A new model is due in the autumn<\/a> and it says a lot for the current design that Mercedes will not be changing the basic structure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best Pick-Up<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 13px;\">Isuzu D-Max<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_4690\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4690\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-4690\" alt=\"isuzu-d-max-3-sm\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/isuzu-d-max-3-sm-300x190.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"190\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/isuzu-d-max-3-sm-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/isuzu-d-max-3-sm.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4690\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Isuzu D-Max pick-up<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Isuzu D-Max has been well received since <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/3341\">its 2012 launch<\/a> and has cemented the Japanese manufacturer&#8217;s reputation for robust off-road vehicles, while allowing it to move into the lucrative leisure and dual-use market, as Fleet World&#8217;s John Kendall explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWith the introduction of high specification double-cab models, the company now appeals equally to dual-use and leisure users.<\/p>\n<p>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&#215;4 dealers.\u00a0 Good to drive, with strong performance and frugal economy, the D-Max range is a big step in the right direction for Isuzu.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Safety Award<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mercedes-Benz<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/4557\">Citan&#8217;s three-star Euro NCAP score<\/a> was a little disappointing.<\/p>\n<p>Commenting on the award, John Kendall said:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>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 \u2013 Citan, Vito and Sprinter.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_3285\" style=\"width: 250px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3285\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-3285 \" alt=\"Peugeot Partner Electric Van\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/peugeot-partner-electric-1-sm-300x200.jpg\" width=\"240\" height=\"160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/peugeot-partner-electric-1-sm-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/peugeot-partner-electric-1-sm.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3285\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Peugeot Partner Electric Van<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Environment Award<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Peugeot Partner Electric\/Citro\u00ebn Berlingo Electric<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>PSA&#8217;s second award went to the Berlingo Electric\/Partner Electric.<\/p>\n<p>This model <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/archives\/4195\">has only been on sale a short time<\/a>, but Fleet World Van Editor John Kendall says that it &#8220;demonstrates how EV prices are continuing to fall with a list price starting from \u00a321,300 (ex-VAT), making it an affordable alternative to a conventionally powered van.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Partner Electric has a quoted range of up to 105 miles and also offers a rapid charge facility to address range anxiety issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Van Manufacturer of the Year<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"line-height: 13px;\">Ford<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Commenting on the award, Fleet World Managing Editor Ross Durkin said:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThis 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.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A round-up of the van winners from the prestigious Fleet World Honours Awards 2013, which took place on the 21st May.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8],"tags":[1714],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4683"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4683"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4683\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4688,"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4683\/revisions\/4688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vanrental.co.uk\/vanblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}