Low Cost Vans

Do you believe in superstitions, such as the number 13 being incredibly unlucky? Interestingly, I have just read that motorists who buy a new car from next March will have the unpopular digit on their number plates. The rumours that drivers could choose to retain the ‘62’ plate after the 1 st of March the DVLA has confirmed to CAP, provider of vehicle valuation data and new vehicle information, that every new vehicle will automatically carry a ‘13’ plate. Oh dear, I can also see this being an issue when these new car plates enter the used car market too. I wouldn't say I have Triskaidekaphobia – fear or a phobia concerning the number 13, but I have to admit that the negative connotations of the number 13 would still enter my mind if I was to buy a car or van with those plates. I am not sure if it would be enough to put me off buying a good quality vehicle, but hopefully there will be some bargains to be had due to the amount of people who may be too afraid to buy one. If you absol...

Citroën has released details of their new enhanced Enterprise van range. Starting in August Citroën will boost availability of these new optional Enterprise Packs on Berlingo LX, Berlingo XTR+, Dispatch and Relay panels vans. Starting at £600 plus VAT, Enterprise Packs will include rear parking sensors, Connecting Box (Bluetooth® & USB port) and air conditioning. Buying the pack would constitute a savings of about £420 plus VAT if purchased separately. Customers had already been able to enjoy the Enterprise stand alone options on Nemo, Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay Enterprise models that are currently on sale. Here is the official Citroën Commercial press release information stating the pricing, release dates, and details of what will be included in each pack: Berlingo LX/Berlingo XTR+ Enterprise Packs (available August) are priced at £600 + VAT & include: Rear parking sensors Connecting Box (Bluetooth®/USB port) Air conditioning Dispatch Enterprise Packs (available Octobe...

This part of the Essential Tips and Handy Advice page will focus on checking your van thoroughly for its road worthiness. Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure your van is up to scratch and ready for the road. It has been estimated that 9,639 is the number of people successfully convicted in England and Wales last year for driving with dangerous or defective tyres. This is according to Tyre Safe, who also state that defective tyres accounted for more than two-thirds of the 'vehicle defects' category which also includes items such as faulty brakes and steering components leading to such a high number of convictions. Click here to view the Roadworthy Checklist page.

The new model GL-Class by Mercedes-Benz is reported to be the superior “S-Class” of the SUV market with First Class for seven people. It encompasses high quality design and will have permanent four-wheel drive, 4MATIC, Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) with fibre reinforced under-floor protection. Safety features include ESP ASR, ABS and the danger alert PRE-SAFE safety concept with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST and ATTENTION ASSIST available. According to Mercedes-Benz latest press release: "The ON&OFFROAD package fitted to the new GL-Class, with its six driving programs, has greatly improved the vehicle dynamics and driving safety so that the most suitable drive control for extremely varying driving conditions both on the road and going cross-country is always available." It also comes with Active-Park for easy parking. The standard package is a fully load-bearing air suspension system, named AIRMATIC, with its adaptive shock-absorbing system (ADS) as well as a load recogni...

It has been reported that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have surpassed the van market in the UK thanks to increased sales across nearly all of their range for the first six months of 2012, despite a recent SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) announcement that van sales across the board had fallen. VW now hold a strong second place in the market behind Ford. "We have Transporter, Crafter and Amarok customers to thank for our success," said Alex Smith, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. "In addition, low running costs, strong residual values and affordable finance offers continue to make Volkswagen vans a wiser and more desirable investment." With new efficient VW models coming out soon and greater availability of Amarok thanks to production made available from Germany, Volkswagen says it is hopeful the rest of 2012 will be busy for its Van Centre’s across the UK.

Ever wondered if you are getting the true miles per gallon (MPG) expected from your new car? I read a very informative article in What Car? Magazine online, discussing what cars offer the best fuel economy and what figure you can realistically expect to achieve on UK roads from your new car. The What Car? True MPG web test was launched back in April of this year, to help buyers find out what fuel economy their new car will really do per gallon. They have partnered with Tesco fuel to help you determine your true MPG. According to the article online; "There's never been a greater demand to discover which cars have the best mpg, and What Car? True MPG uses state-of-the-art testing equipment, on real roads, to give you a realistic figure." I was curious to see what the tool had to offer so I had a bit of a go using it, and although not all makes and models are included yet, it did provide some handy tips on how to save on fuel. The article is a great read with details on h...

In this next instalment of our handy advice and tips, we will be looking at Van Security. We all know how important it is to ensure our vehicle doors are locked and to take valuables out or to at least hide them from view, but here are just a few more things to consider in keeping your van secure. Visit the advice page here .  

I came across an interesting article on the MSN Car News website regarding car insurance. The piece claims that the industry is "in turmoil" as stated by an insurance industry expert. According to the article: "Director of AA insurance, Simon Douglas, highlighted the state of today’s market after it was uncovered that some providers have been HIKING their prices, while others are SLASHING premiums to build up their customer base." In a time when some insurance companies have flat out refused to start cover or extend cover for those who are or have recently become jobless and steady hikes in premiums over the past few years, I was interested to read that the average price for a fully comprehensive policy sold direct has risen by 8.5%, now at £1,034 for 12 months cover. The turmoil reference may be to do with findings that those same policies were found to be cheaper on price comparison websites for the same cover which dropped by 3.3% – just £631 in correlation. As m...

Good news from Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) latest press release news article . They have announced the need for more than 1,100 new jobs to be created at their manufacturing facility in Castle Bromwich to coincide with the launch of new Jaguar models, the new 2013 Model Year XF and XJ ranges. This is certainly a healthy boost to the economy and shows positive growth in the company. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "This is fantastic news for Castle Bromwich that Jaguar Land Rover is creating more than 1,000 jobs to support the production of new models at the plant. This expansion is a clear demonstration of Jaguar Land Rover's continuing commitment and investment in the UK." The employment details provided in the article say: "Individuals interested in applying for these and other current vacancies at Jaguar Land Rover should do so by visiting: www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com."

More to see than just athletics in London this summer, as reported in the car news section of business car manager's website: "BMW is an Official Automotive Partner to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games." BMW is expecting thousands of daily visitors to its Olympic Pavilion at London 2012 and will be showcasing a variety of their newest business and low-emissions company cars. The multi floor layout will display current and future BMW cars on the rooftops and the lower floor will provide interactive exhibits. It will be an opportunity to explore BMW's transport views for the future. The pavilion itself looks a spectacular design and is sure to draw in the crowds.  To read the entire car news article and more details about what will be on display can be found on the business car manager website .

The FTA (Freight Transport Association) has launched a new app to provide the logistics industry with up to date information for this summer’s Games. The application is free to download for iPhone's and Android users. According to the FTA's website: "The app includes the latest news, traffic updates, details of Games Lanes and Olympic and Paralympic Route Networks, information on delivery arrangements, a calendar of dates showing the expected congestion on each day of the Games, a list of venues, links to helpful sites including Transport for London (TfL) and London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and useful contact details." Apps for getting out and about London are becoming invaluable tools during this summer's games. If you think this app would benefit you, please visit the FTA's website here for more details on where you can download their app.

I've just read about another exciting event taking place this summer. Simply 4x4 will see all types of off-road vehicles gather to enjoy the very first 4x4 rally show at Beaulieu. The fun filled day takes place on August 12th, 2012 and will be held on the grounds of the Beaulieu National Motor Museum. Not only will you be able to enjoy viewing a variety of Jeep's, Range Rover's, and BMW's, but this show is offering a chance (for an additional fee) to participate in the Land Rover Experience, West Country, which gives visitors to Simply 4x4 the opportunity to try Beaulieu's very own off-road Forest Drive. Don't worry if you don't have a 4x4 yourself, you can still experience the fun of off-roading, as trained instructors can take you on the course in a 4x4 on site. The event is sponsored by Adrian Flux insurance and from the details on the Beaulieu website; it looks to be another great motoring show here in the UK, as admission to the event includes entry to ...

The next installment of my Essential Tips and Handy Advice for Van Drivers page is now available. It provides information regarding van taxation. Click here to find guidance on how company van use is taxed, how much, when you may or may not have to pay tax, and a bit about the pick-up truck loophole. Hope you enjoy!

The 28th of July is being considered the most disruptive day for driving in and about London due to a reported 9,000 road changes taking place for the Games. Tom Tom Sat Nav is assisting their customers by helping them avoid such chaos via its Map Share service, which is also available to customers who use it on their iPhone. They have worked with map experts to provide daily details regarding planned road changes and these will be available free of charge to their customers. According to Tom Tom's recent press release, "After 6pm every single day, sat nav users will be able to download the following day's road changes to their navigation device and reset any changes no longer required from the previous day." I have no plans to travel to London during the next few weeks, as I am sure it will be the cause of many headaches and frustration. We are lucky that we do have modern technology such as sat nav's and portable media devices at our disposal. I remember my pare...

I've found a great article published on the FleetNews website which recently reported that:"Michelin has received mixed responses from three of the UK’s largest tyre distributors after asking for views on the introduction of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) later this year." Michelin inquired with ATS Euromaster, Kwik Fit and National Tyres regarding their TPMS pilot operations and how they feel they will manage. The impact to fleets and maintenance costs were where the mixed responses arose. Although they are focusing on making sure equipment and training of staff are in place before the November 2012 deadline, ATS Euromaster pointed out that large business fleets may see less of an impact financially than say the average consumer due to the of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems sensors only lasting between five and seven years. Servicing costs will presumably impact on second or third-life vehicle owners making it more financially difficult. Reported in the article...

Here is another chance to attend a great motor show coming this summer. August 27th, Bank Holiday Monday, the Supercar Showdown 2012 will take place in the grounds of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. It will be worth the drive to Hampshire for a chance to see a Jaguar XJ220, Ferrari F40, F50 and 360 Spider, Lamborghini Gallardo, Mercedes SLS, Ultima GTR Can-Am, Lightning GT Carbon and my favourite, an Aston Martin GT2 on display. There are even more supercars still to confirm attendance, but according to the Beaulieu website, Porsche of Bournemouth will be there as well as other prestigious car clubs. A People’s Choice Award will be given for the best supercar in attendance, as voted for by Beaulieu’s visitors, with the winner receiving a special edition 60 th Anniversary Beaulieu Trophy. If you want a chance to get up close and personal with a supercar, then every visitor who casts a vote will be entered into a separate draw to win a ride in the passenger seat of the lead car, ...

It has been announced that Ford has joined the growing list of manufacturers involved with the FTA's Van Excellence scheme. The Freight and Transport Association scheme, founded in 2010, holds their members to a high standard of driver and vehicle operational codes amongst the light commercial vehicle sector. “We’re delighted to welcome Ford as a Van Excellence Partner” says Mark Cartwright, FTA’s Head of Vans and LCV’s. “ Together with existing partners Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, FIAT and Isuzu our manufacturer partners now represent over half of the UK’s annual registrations. Their support is invaluable particularly as we develop a Van Excellence accreditation scheme for dealers.” Van Excellence is an industry-led enterprise that aspires to: enhance standards of van operator compliance celebrate operators who demonstrate excellence represent the interests of the van industry If you would like more information on how to join the scheme or to find out more about the ...

Audi's recent press release announced that it has opened their first Digital Showroom in London this week. Audi City is a futuristic virtual showroom that digitally showcases their entire vehicle line up without taking up very much space. Audi's official press release says: "Thanks to ground breaking media technology, the vehicle manufacturer now has the ability not only to present its growing model line-up – including all colours, equipment options and functions – in its entirety, but also to offer customers the chance to experience the sheer breadth of the range in full. Visitors can digitally select their vehicle from several hundred million possible configurations and experience it in realistic 1:1 scale on screens that almost fill the entire space. Audi City combines the best of two worlds – digital product presentation and personal contact with the dealer." This is a fantastic new era in retail, one that will appeal to our growing appetite for all things visuall...

I have just read Honda's press release revealing details and pictures of their new British CR-V, built in their Swindon factory. The optional two or four wheel drive 2.0 i-VTEC petrol models and the 2.2 i-DTEC diesel CR-V are going to be available in October of this year. Honda says they considered the balance between car and SUV when designing aspects of the new styling. Exterior Designer Manabu Konaka explains: “The CR-V has always been a car for every occasion. It can be both casual and formal, but the appearance must always convey solidity and reliability.” They reduced the height and length, however, from the details they have released and from the pictures supplied, it still has plenty of room for luggage and can even fit your bicycles with ease. What makes the British SUV different from previous productions? Honda says: "The CR-V has been designed as a global car, but the European model features a number of exterior refinements developed specifically for this market. A ...

I will be posting some tips and advice regarding van driving fundamentals over the next few weeks. The first series will cover pre driving basics such as driving licenses and vehicle checks, then moving on to loading cargo safely and other essential advice once on the road. I hope that they can be a benefit to you in some way. The first one will be about the all important Driving Licence. To view the advice page click here . This information is meant to be used as helpful guides for all types of van users, but these are guides only and not meant to replace neither legal rules of the road nor manufacturer’s recommendations.    

Aside from full telematics being installed in fleet vehicles, Apps are now being used as inexpensive or better yet, free monitoring tools for companies to keep an eye on driver performance. GreenRoad, the leader in driver performance and safety management for fleets, announced the launch of their new GreenRoad Central mobile app view for managers. This newly launched mobile application has a separate view for drivers and one for managers that can help produce driver safety scores. Stated on the GreenRoad website: "The manager app view features access to live fleet location enabling fleet managers to see where each driver is, at anytime, by address; safety scores for all drivers; and real-time access to each individual driver’s mobile dashboard. Managers and drivers use the safety score to review trips and determine specific habits or skills that need attention." This application can be ideal for those companies looking to ensure their drivers remain safe on the road by follow...

Seat has introduced their new redesigned Leon via an official press release. This third generation of  Leon five door hatchbacks will be available by the end of the year. Fuel efficient engine choices include a 1.6 and 2.0 diesel, and 1.2, 1.4, 1.8 petrol. From the official pictures, it looks to be a very elegant and smart car. Seat have used the term 'Enjoyneering' to describe the design and development of this new vehicle. “The new Leon condenses all the strengths of the SEAT brand more than ever before. It is a car with sporting character and wide-ranging strengths. It brings quality and technologies from the full-size class into the compact segment. The Leon is a decisive step in SEAT’s brand and growth strategy. It will be launched towards the end of this year as a five-door and will subsequently grow with further variants into a fully-fledged family,” said James Muir, President of SEAT S.A. Based on the details supplied by Seat, the new Leon will feature: Outstanding ca...

I used to work for a company that began using vehicle tracking technology in the early stages and I can remember the van drivers taking an instant disliking to what they perceived as being "spied upon" throughout their day. No longer could they sneak off for a cheeky unscheduled stop between customer visits or take an extra long lunch, but the benefits to the company and to customers soon ensured that this kind of service was well worth it and here to stay. I recently read an article about a vehicle tracking and telematics company called Tracker , which provides telematics and tracking for a broad range of vehicles from domestic to business fleets, including the agricultural and construction industry. The benefits to companies using this service included better management of fleets, utilising work force more efficiently, the ability to track stolen vehicles, and savings on fuel costs. Stephen Doran, Managing Director of TRACKER said, “Whether you have a large fleet of vehicle...

The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists), established in 1956 to help improve road safety, has recently published their weekly advice with tips on staying safe on long journeys . If you plan to drive long distances over the summer, here are just a few of their suggestions; take frequent rest stops, plan and map out your petrol stops in advance, take your own packed meal to save money on expensive motorway eateries, share the driving responsibilities if there are other passengers and if you feel tired, to stop and have a coffee or a quick 20 minute nap if possible. Head of training at IAM, Simon Elstow said: “Getting away on holiday can be great fun, but it can also be a very stressful time – especially if you have a whole family to pack. Make sure you prepare yourself, your car and your route, for a trip that has everyone smiling from start to finish.” The IAM also have a new website offering some very handy tips and advice on all matters of motoring, from driving during the Olympic G...

Audi has introduced a new iPhone app designed to help keep track and record your business mileage. It will be done via GPS mapping. By simply inputting your per mile rate for a particular journey, this app can calculate your business expenses, allowing you to manage claims. These can then be easily downloaded to a spreadsheet for forwarding on to email. This clever application can be programmed to recall your most frequent journeys and per Audi's press release, "As the exact route taken is tracked, regardless of diversions due to roadworks or congestion, the calculation provided is always absolutely accurate.” The Audi Mileage Tracker is available as a free to download app on iTunes.  For more information on this handy business tool, you can view more on Audi’s official website here . The app details can be found on the fleet sales page.

I was surprised to read an article recently on the This is Money website regarding unemployment and auto insurance. The article claims that motorist who inform their insurance company of a job loss or significant change in their employment are seeing renewal premiums sky rocket as much as 400%! With some companies even refusing cover all together for those without employment. The article goes on to say that insurers feel that a jobless person may no longer have the financial ability to maintain or service their car properly and fear an increase in fraudulent claims by those who are facing economic strain. While this all seems highly unfair, some insurers claim that because they do not have an established relationship with a new unemployed customer applying for their policy, it is difficult to assess whether or not they may be credit risk. A few comments on the article seem to imply that this was not the case for them and saw no increase when advising their insurer. Either way, it’s al...

The Finance & Leasing Association released good news regarding growth in auto leasing figures. It’s reported that £600 million plus in finance was provided in May, leading to 42,000 new cars to be purchased by businesses. They also found that the new car finance sector grew 26% by value and 34% by volume, up from May last year. The average up front spend on a new car for business was £14,362. The number of new cars financed by businesses was up 9% and used cars increased by 11%, while consumer cars purchased through dealerships went up 8% since May 2011. Paul Harrison, Head of Motor Finance at the Finance & Leasing Association, commented: “Many businesses operating vehicle fleets have turned to asset finance in recent years because it can free up other sources of finance for their day-to-day operating expenses. And because asset finance is usually secured against the vehicle, a business’s property and other assets are not at risk.” We offer all finance options here at Low Cost ...

Just like the tale of Goldilocks or Cinderella's glass slipper, Ford has responded to motorists who have been looking for that “just right” compact car. Many compact multi-activity vehicles have often meant you had to compromise on style or substance. From September this year, the new Ford B-MAX could be the answer to many motorists desire for more space and economic demand. According to Ford's recent press release; “B-MAX is the right response to what customers are looking for in this size of vehicle. It’s small, frugal and stylish with an equipment level to satisfy customers who are down-sizing from a larger vehicle. It’s a unique offering in the segment and a car that anyone could live with and use for all their needs on a daily basis,” said Ford’s man in charge of the B-MAX project, Klaus-Peter Tamm. Here are a few details Ford has supplied about their new B-MAX: New Ford B-MAX responds to “right-sizing” trend with premium features in a compact car Ford’s new B-MAX ente...

The ACEA - European Automobile Manufacturers' Association announced that in the wake of the European Commission's outline to reduce CO2 emissions from all cars and trucks, they will be working closely with their members to achieve the fleet-average target of 95 gCO2/km for cars and 147 gCO2/km for vans by 2020. The tough economic vehicle market being what it is at the moment, some car manufacturers are feeling the strain of the proposed new measures."These are tough targets - the toughest in the world. Indeed, contrary to some claims, the proposed targets for the European fleet are far more stringent than those in the US, China or Japan. This will increase manufacturing costs in Europe, creating a competitive disadvantage for the region and further slowing the renewal of the fleet," stated Ivan Hodac, ACEA Secretary General. The ACEA members include BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, FIAT S.p.A., Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, IVECO S.p.A., ...

The transport and distribution specialist Eddie Stobart is putting the Iveco ECOSTRALIS to the test. The company have called the two ECOSTRALIS', the first ever Iveco's to be added to their large fleet, ‘Sophie’ and ‘Lynda Dawn’. These two tractor units will be closely monitored while being used for general haulage and operating with tri-axle curtain side trailers at a gross vehicle weight of up to 44 tonnes. The vehicles power comes from a unique version of the FPT Cursor 10 engine that contributes to reducing fuel consumption and to maintain optimum performance. According to Iveco's recent press release, "Iveco has matched this engine with an array of additional fuel-saving features such as the ECOSWITCH device that uses the vehicle weight information from the ECAS / EBS systems to limit engine torque according to the truck’s gross vehicle weight – ensuring overall performance is maintained in line with that of a fully laden vehicle." If all goes well, these uni...

Reported on the Guardian website recently was Ford's helping hand to musicians called, Bands in Transit. This is an über cool new 'On Demand' van loan scheme which allows new and up-and-coming bands to hire out a customised Ford Transit van for exclusive gigs that can be performed right from the back of the van. Until such success lends itself to a luxury tour bus and fleets of lorries to transport bands to and from arena's, the humble transit van has been a staple for many a band touring and performing local venues. "Despite the prevalence of manufactured TV talent shows, it can be very difficult for real bands to break through and get the success they deserve," said Ford communications manager Richard Beard. "We hope Bands in Transit will be the vehicle to help more fans discover some great new live music." The Guardian is also involved in the Bands in Transit micro app , in connection with Ford. If you are a fan of live music, you can watch video...

The new 2012 Ford Ranger is said to be the toughest and most powerful pick-up around, having been seriously tested for all manners of driving environments. The Ford Ranger's power is attributed to the advanced Duratorq diesel engines and 6 speed transmissions, which allow you to transport cargo of up to 1,340 kg and tow up to 3,350 kg. This pick-up is also the first to have achieved a Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating. The new Ranger will also offer a variety of cab styles; regular, super, and the double which can accommodate up to 5 passengers. With more consumers utilising their vehicles for family or sporty weekend activities, this option would suit a wider range of buyers. With a starting price of £18,570 and ultramodern interior, this new pick-up should be ready for any challenge. To see pictures and to view more details, visit the official Ford Ranger website here .

Land Rover has just released their new Land Rover Defender XTech Special Edition. The 2.2-litre diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission under the hood has not changed, but cosmetically the new Defender is hardier for those looking for an even more rugged appeal. It will go on sale this month with a starting price of £27,995 and is available with the 90 Hard Top and 110 Utility Wagon body styles. Based on the Land Rover press release, here are a few highlights that make this Defender XTech stand out; Striking Nara Bronze body colour unique to Defender Special Edition Contrasting black roof & wheel arches with black chequer plate to bumper & sills 16-inch Gloss Black Saw Tooth alloy wheels with MTR off-road tyres Land Rover embossed front headrests Anti-Lock Brakes with Electronic Traction Control Heated seats and windscreen

Mercedes' stylish dual-use van, the Vito Sport-X has all of the necessary work related features such as, a turbo-charged 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, sliding doors on both sides, and sturdy 18" alloy wheels. But what makes this an option for those who play as hard as they work, is the versatility to transport up to 5 passengers, is roomy enough to load all of your active weekend equipment, and not to mention the COMAND radio/CD/Navigation system. According to the Vito Sport-X official website, “The Sport-X is available as a Panel Van or Dualiner. There's also plenty of room for bikes, surfboards and other essential kit. And you get a 3 year / unlimited mileage warranty and 5 years free servicing for good measure." To view pictures of this stunning sporty van, see the official Mercedes Vito Sport-X specs here

BMW is to hold its very first UK Z-fest this summer. The event will be organised by the official BMW Car Club GB in honour of their 60th anniversary. BMW Z-Fest will take place within the Silverstone Classic on July 20-22, 2012."Every year more and more car clubs choose the Silverstone Classic to celebrate major milestones in their history and the promise of more than 500 BMW Z cars parading around the circuit in July is sure to be a major highlight," said Silverstone Classic event director Nick Wigley. The BMW car club announced that hundreds of Z1's, Z3's, Z4's, and possibly a few Z8's will be on display during the event.  With a funfair, music from Mike & The Mechanics and Adam Ant, this event will be a fantastic weekend for not only BMW enthusiast, but the whole family too. For more details and ticket info, see the official Silverstone Classic 2012 website here .

Citroën panel van drivers can rest assured that somebody will be listening if they ever need to make an emergency call using the Trafficmaster Smartnav system, which will now come standard on three of its top panel van models. The Smartnav system’s E-Call function uses both satellite and voice communications to allow a driver to summon help if their vehicle is involved in an accident or if there is a medical emergency.  This system will have round the clock monitoring via the Trafficmaster control room, ensuring every call is answered. Over 60,000 Citroën Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay panel vans have been fitted with Trafficmaster Smartnav and have the benefit of greater vehicle safety. Martin Hamill, Citroën UK’s Fleet Director, says: “We not only see this type of service as helping drivers needing assistance, but we also believe it enables van operators to fulfil their statutory Duty of Care responsibilities towards their employees.” This standard option just may be the right feature ...

Hot off the press this week is the announcement of the merger between Volkswagen and Porsche. Porsche is to be fully incorporated into the VW group. Volkswagen originally purchased just under a 50% share in Porsche in 2009, but legalities postponed a full take over. VW will now acquire the remaining stake which is to be completed by August this year. Interestingly, it was Porsche who intended to buy Volkswagen first, but the role reversal came when economic difficulties arose during its attempt to raise the money to purchase VW. What does this mean for buyers? Well, according to an article on business car manager website: "It makes the cars available to business car managers from the group immense – with many benefits for new technology and cost reductions on future company car choices." To see a list of makes the Volkswagen Group will now comprise of, you can view the bcm article here .

According to a press release on the FTA's website, the Freight Transport Association's Van Excellence Governance Group have advised van manufacturers to supply all vehicles with a speed limiter as a no-cost option, set at 70 miles per hour. The group point out benefits of restricting the speed would include lowering fuel consumption and reduced maintenance costs, as well as the  possible bonus of reducing stress levels for drivers. Gary Whittam, Chairman says: "Simply put, a van travelling at 80mph will be using significantly more fuel than one at 70. You don’t need a calculator to work out that at over £7 per gallon, that's just burning money."  To read more Van Excellence advice, you can view the press release here .

I came across an article advising all motorists to check their tyre tread and air pressure during this wetter than ever summer. With June being declared as the wettest since records began, TyreSafe have published information advising how to test your tyres for appropriate tread. In order for your tyres to grip the water logged roads and to avoid aquaplaning, it is essential that your tyres have sufficient tread depth. The website advises using this method: "The simple test involves inserting a 20p piece into the main grooves of the tyre. If the outer band of the coin is visible, then the tyre tread may not have sufficient depth and should be inspected by a qualified specialist." To view more information regarding this valuable safety tip, please go to TyreSafe's website here .

After enjoying all of the sights and sounds at Goodwood this year, I was on the lookout for more auto related shows and events taking place this summer. Camper Jam, a VW Bus Festival now in its fifth year, will be held this weekend July 7th and 8th, 2012 at Weston Park in Shropshire. Event sponsors, Volkswagen Camper & Commercial magazine say; "The show is designed to offer a chilled, laid-back family weekend in a beautiful parkland setting." For details about this event and directions click here . Shropshire Festival of Transport on the 5th of August promises to be an exciting day with loads of cars on show, family entertainment, and even an Aircraft Ariel display. It will be held at the Shropshire Agricultural Showground. If you would like more information, click here . Ford Fair is the event I am most looking forward to. I have been to one a few years ago and it truly was a great day out. It boasts the title of being the "biggest and best Ford Festival in Europe...

Kia is introducing a new high-grade Sportage. The Kia KX-4 is the most powerful SUV in the range. It’s powered by an updated version of Kia’s 2.0-litre CRDi turbo diesel engine and is only available in all-wheel drive. Here are just a few highlights that will come standard with the KX-4 model: 18” Alloy Wheels (235 / 55 R18) Parallel Park Assist System Xenon Headlights with Auto Levelling Panoramic Sunroof - Electric One Touch with Safety Function External Amp & Sub-Woofer 7" Touch screen Satellite Navigation System with European Mapping How much will all this luxury cost? The 181bhp 6-speed manual has an on-the-road price of £27,195.00, while the automatic will cost £28,500.00. Find out more on Kia's website here

Do white coloured cars really hold their market value better than any other?  According to CAP,  trusted provider of vehicle valuation data, white cars have now become the "top performer" in second hand values over the last five years. It found that white cars generally hold about 5% more of their value than the market average for a typical used car. CAP Chief Editor Chris Crow said: “Reviewing CAP’s disposal data over the last 5 years black, silver and grey all performed consistently in line with the overall market. However, colours such as blue, orange and red underperformed whilst gold, green, maroon and turquoise were complete howlers costing their unfortunate owners anywhere between 4 and 6% against CAP Clean benchmark trade values." Also near the bottom of the list were purple cars, which depreciated the most. I don't usually buy a car based on colour, but after reading these finding, I might pay more attention to re sale values in the future. How about you? Fo...

Do you use your mobile phone for GPS/Sat Nav, to contact customers, or to stay in touch with the home office while in your work van? More and more drivers are relying on their phones or mobile devices as communication tools in an attempt to procure a mobile office in their work vehicles. An interesting article in Fleet News points out the need for manufacturers to add more communications devices in the cab, to make it possible to run a small business and offer better customer services whilst on the road.  With smart-phones, iPads, and other mobile internet devices becoming essential to any mobile business, we've recently seen new van models being equipped with docking stations, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity. Hopefully this trend will continue and we can expect even more manufacturers to keep up to date with present and future technology. To read the article, please click here .

As reported by Fleet News, Citroën will once again produce a vehicle with a modified source of power for its Berlingo range, set to be available by 2013. This is not the first time Citroën has produced such a vehicle. Anyone still own a battery powered Berlingo Electrique? Citroën is slowly delving into an already strong electric zero emissions vehicle market. For more details, you can read the article here .

Most European countries have already banned HGV driving on Sundays, but the rule is not currently in place in the UK. This could change according to an article published in Fleet News last week. Richard Hayes, the new president of the IHE (Institute of Highway Engineers), is the driving force behind the Sunday ban recommendation. The wide variation in truck driving regulations, which are imposed by the European Union, make it essential for truck drivers to know the driving rules of any country they pass through because the laws apply to all drivers, regardless of their country of origin. No driving faster than 56 mph and in some countries, larger trucks are not even allowed to pass; these are just some of the limits already being applied in various countries. Read more about the proposed UK Sunday ban here