Low Cost Vans

Autoblog posted an article recently titled, " What impact will Hurricane Sandy have on car production? " written by George Kennedy. That question was pondered and explored by Wards Auto, a US website featuring information for and about the global auto industry, in which Autoblog has taken its information from. The details are speculative, but give an indication of how the so called 'Super Storm' may effect the future output from General Motors and Volvo who have plants on the east coast of America in Maryland and how other vehicle manufacturer plants in Canada and New York may fare. Now that the storm is over, I will be sure to look for updated information, but in the meantime, you can read the interesting article by clicking  here .

Kwik Fit , one of the largest independent automotive parts, repairs and replacement specialists, is appealing to drivers to make sure their entire vehicle lights are working. In this study, research carried out by ICM amongst a nationally representative sample of 2017 UK adults, Kwik Fit found that a surprising 1/3 of motorists polled never check their car’s lights. The study for Kwik Fit reveals that 12.5 million (35%) drivers have suffered at least one blown bulb in the last 12 months. The research also shows that 35% of drivers don’t check their lights from one year to the next, so rely on others to tell them when a lamp has blown. 23% have been told by friends, 8% by other drivers but 3% of motorists have faced the ultimate sanction and been pulled over by the police. The most common way drivers spot that one of their own lights has blown is when they see their car’s reflection (17%). I have to admit to using this inexact method. More people spot a blown bulb in this way than throu

Subaru UK has shown they put their customers first and have announced that they are launching a free winter vehicle level check and top-up of essential fluids for all Subaru models at its nationwide dealer network. It's fantastic to see auto makers take an active approach and offer useful after sales services. With many road safety charities advising drivers to give their vans and cars a winter health check before severe conditions arise, Subaru UK is making it easier for their customers to do just that. According to the Subaru UK press release, recent research from the AA suggests that 80% of roadside breakdowns could be avoided if fluid levels were checked and topped-up regularly, and Subaru is offering this service to customers, absolutely free. The inspection, carried out by trained Subaru technicians, includes checking tyre pressures, and topping up engine and gearbox oil, the engine coolant and screen wash. A full visual health check will also ensure that cars are operating t

Renault Trucks just posted a new press release announcing the introduction of their new Renault Master ECO, a key addition to its versatile LCV range. Optimised for fuel efficiency, the Renault Master ECO uses 7% less fuel than its predecessor and is specifically designed to drive down operating costs across all applications. Renault Master ECO is available in a wide range of body styles including panel van, chassis cab, crew cab, minibus and platform cab versions, with gross vehicle weights of 2.8 to 4.8 tonnes.  Front wheel drive models benefit from new air suspension, as well as a new radio and sat-nav system. Productivity is increased through improved payload and load space, with the Renault Master ECO panel van benefiting from up to 17m 3 of usable volume and 2,254kg of payload; while the chassis cab version has a payload of up to 2,529kg. Nigel Butler, Renault Trucks Commercial Director, says: “With significantly lower consumption, the new Renault Master ECO provides excellent f

IAM , the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, has published the findings of their recent survey - the Emergency Services vehicles web poll, which had 2,506 respondents. Of those who responded, nearly half of motorists believe that traffic stopped at an incident should keep a lane space free for emergency service vehicles and agree that those who refuse to move out of the way of an emergency vehicle should be fined. The poll also found that 35% did not even know what the rules or regulations are on how to deal with an approaching emergency service vehicle. It was surprising to read that some respondents said they would go through a red light to let an emergency vehicle through, which is absurd, not to mention illegal and downright dangerous. Were you aware that it is illegal to enter a bus lane during its active hours of operation to let an emergency vehicle past? You can be fined if you do, yet almost a third polled have entered a bus lane to allow access to an emergency vehi

Volvo has released a new game that can be played online, on your iPhone/iPad, or android devices called ‘Transporters’. It's a game in which you can get behind the wheel of one of the Group’s many vehicles and carry out a variety of logistical tasks. By driving different vehicle types, picking up objects and avoiding obstacles in a variety of environments, you take part in a virtual journey through everyday life at the Volvo Group, but where the aim is to think fast and respond accurately. The game was launched to promote and attract players into visiting Volvo's Global News site. They plug the new site as their "window to the world, where news and events relating to the Group are presented." I had a go at playing a version of the game on the new Global News site and it’s not as appealing or as much fun as I had hoped. You simply use the left and right arrow keys and try not to hit the carnage on the road. Perhaps the app versions are more entertaining. The news websi

Lexus just announced today the launch of the first Lexus Design Award, an international design competition aimed at designers working across a great range of fields, from architecture and product design to fashion. Through this initiative, Lexus intends to nurture creativity and support the skills and vision of young designers working around the world. The winners will have the chance to develop prototypes with world-renowned designers, and display their work at Milan Design Week 2013. A panel of six experts will select 10 finalists from the initial entries, with two given the opportunity to work with product designer Sam Hecht and architect Junya Ishigami as their mentors. They will also receive financial support to cover their prototype and production costs. The theme of the Lexus Design Award 2012 is motion , a concept that is directly connected to people’s everyday lives. Taking up this theme, Lexus welcomes entries that share the values of its own design philosophy, while demonstr

Michelin winter tyres have been given the Which? brand seal of approval. In a recent press release, Michelin announced that their Michelin Alpin A4 has once again been affirmed as a ‘Best Buy’ in both the 14 and 16 inch sizes tested. The 165/70 R 14 Alpin A4 was described by Which? testers as: ‘The highest-scoring 14in winter tyre in our test. Best for handling and stability on dry roads and stopped in the shortest distance when braking on ice. Good fuel economy and a projected lifespan of 47,000 miles make it easily the most hard-wearing tyre on test.’ Malcolm Scovell, Commercial Director at Michelin, said: “The publication of this test, just ahead of the introduction of tyre labelling on 1 November, will hopefully help continue to raise awareness of the safety and mobility benefits of fitting cold weather tyres during the winter months." Michelin recommends that drivers fit cold weather tyres in the UK and Ireland during the winter months from October to March. In many Europea

What Van? posted an interesting article last week giving details of a new smartphone-based driver performance app. Apparently, this new app is so advanced that it may replace the need for the hardware currently used in in-cab telematics. Telemetry firm GreenRoad, whose slogan is, "Delivering the best drivers on the road" with headquarters in California USA and offices in the UK and Israel, have developed the smartphone edition they have named Asimov to alleviate the intrusive feeling some drivers have of being 'spied on'. The app displays the data it collects right on the smartphone screen so the driver knows exactly what information is being supplied back to the fleet managers. The article explains more on how the app works and what benefits it provides to van drivers and fleets. Please click here to read the post titled, "GreenRoad launches smartphone-based driver performance app" on the What Van? website

There has been strong reaction to the government’s response to the Transport Select Committee’s inquiry into road safety last week. Both road safety charities Brake and IAM have issuesd press releases voicing their concerns. The charities have campaigned and are passionate about the recommendation to initiate an independent review of driver training,  especially where young drivers are concerned. Read their responses below: The IAM is continuing its call for post-test training for young drivers in the light of the government’s response to the transport select committee. IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said:  “We welcome the MPs’ call for more central government responsibility.  We want to see national targets to reduce death and injuries on Britain’s roads.  Getting rid of them was a mistake. We support a review of driver training, especially for young drivers.  The current system of learning to drive abandons them when they need help most – in the first six months o

Did you see lower prices at your supermarket fuel pumps from the middle of last week? Asda was the first to announce that their fuel customers will see a whole 2p reduction, meaning the average Asda fuel customer would pay no more than 133.7p a litre for their petrol. Its diesel was to remain at 139.7p a litre. Of course the other big supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury's followed in announcing that they would be offering fuel savings 'up-to' 2p off as well. Considering the recent AA price report showed a 4p drop in petrol wholesale prices, although the 2p reduction is gladly welcomed, it still seems like a paltry savings. Is there a petrol price war in your neck of the woods? Let me know how much you pay at the pumps.

It's that time of the week again, when Driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive release their weekly driving tips. This week they are offering motoring tips to drivers from its head of training, Simon Elstow. With the clock changes soon approaching, he advises drivers on driving in the dark. One good tip on the list is; to look beyond the lights to the left if an approaching car forgets to dip its lights. Be sure to visit the IAM website to read the full list of handy tips and advice on driving in the dark. Elstow said: “The risk of fatal accidents increases in the dark as visibility is reduced.   Have regular eye examinations to ensure you are wearing glasses or contact lenses if you need to.” To help drivers stay safe this winter, the IAM has launched its winter driving campaign which includes a dedicated website, with traffic updates, weather forecasts and tips on how to drive safely in winter. The website also covers winter fuel saving tips and advice on driving du

Great news for radio/music lovers has just been released from Vauxhall. Van drivers can now tune into the latest audio entertainment, with Vauxhall’s excellent value DAB upgrades, available for Astravan, Corsavan, New Combo, Vivaro and Movano. Offering crystal-clear reception of national and regional radio stations, Digital Audio Broadcasting allows van drivers to enjoy high quality radio behind the wheel. Available as an upgrade for all Vauxhall commercial vehicles, the DAB systems can be quickly and easily fitted by a Vauxhall retailer for just £195. As many radio broadcasters, including the BBC and Absolute Radio offer digital only stations that can’t be heard via a conventional FM based radio, this news is music to Vuaxhall customers ears. They can now listen to a variety of stations from Radio 4 Extra, Jazz FM, BBC 6 Music, Absolute 80s, Smooth Radio 70s, TalkSPORT, Planet Rock, and more. Although there is an extra cost, many who don't already have an MP3 player or smartphone

Fantastic news from Volvo Trucks has just been released in regards to their newly introduced Fuel Advice service. Fuel costs can represent between 25% and 35 % of total haulage firm costs. At the same time, the hauliers' profit margins are often very small, which means that every saving makes an important difference. Volvo Trucks' Fuel Advice service can help haulage firms reduce their fuel costs by appointing a fuel advisor to assist them with planning and follow-up of their fuel consumption. The aim is to help hauliers cut their fuel costs whilst at the same time maintaining these improvements and in the long-term perspective, the results can mean a savings as high as 5%. "In order to succeed in cutting the haulage firm's overall fuel consumption, the part played by the drivers is vital. Our driver training courses in eco-driving have proven themselves to be effective, but without professional follow-up the results are often short-term," says Mikael Lidhage, Fue

The BVRLA , British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, has issued comments on the new work-related road safety report funded by the Metropolitan Police Service. The Association of Chief Police Officers has called for the introduction of a national standard for the management of work-related road risk and greater involvement by the Police in disseminating safety information. BVRLA Chief Executive, John Lewis, has this to say about the report, which was published by the UK’s leading transport research organisation, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL): “We were delighted to be able to contribute to this report and wholeheartedly endorse its recommendation for a national standard for the management of work-related road safety. The awareness of work-related road risk has improved in recent years, largely thanks to the efforts of organisations including Brake and Driving for Better Business. A national standard would help focus attention on a single, well-understood framework that w

This week's Essential Guide to Van Specification will focus on basic van types. The first step towards producing a specification is to develop a clear understanding of the types of van available and their main characteristics and benefits. Different vans and light commercials are suited to different types of job, but we can put vans into general categories, each of which has certain advantages and disadvantages. For the guide, the types of vans have been classified by size; smallest to largest. Whatever van you are looking for, you should find it in one of the following categories: • Car-derived vans • Micro vans • Light vans • Panel vans • Chassis cabs Please click here to read the latest instalment from the Essential Guide to Van Specification.  

The World's Leading Low-Energy Driving Challenge, the RAC Future Car Challenge (FCC), is taking place on November 3rd, 2012. The event is a motoring challenge for Electric, Hybrid, Low-Emission, Hydrogen and ICE vehicles to use the lowest energy on a 63 mile route from Madeira Drive, Brighton to Imperial College and Regent Street, London. This is the Royal Automobile Club's annual opportunity to promote and demonstrate new clean-energy motor cars and to publicise tomorrow's pioneering technology. This event is to be held alongside the  Veteran Car Run and will exhibit just how far low energy vehicles have come. Both old and new vehicle technology will be on display that weekend and is sure to appeal to a great many motor enthusiasts, so make plans now to attend. For more details on participants and event times, please visit the RAC Future Car Challenge website here .

TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk has posted an informative article titled, " What are stop/start cars ?" written by Faye Sunderland, that explains in simple terms what is and which cars use stop/start technology. Basically, a start-stop system automatically shuts down and restarts the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the engine spends idling. This aids in reducing fuel consumption and emissions, especially if you are stuck in traffic or spend significant amounts of time waiting at traffic lights. It was mostly present in hybrid electric vehicles, but can now be found in many new vehicles. The post does a great job of describing how it works, why you may want to chose a van/car with this technology, and gives a list of current vehicles in the market that already have it installed. To read the article, please click here .

Earlier this month, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) called for an overhaul in how young people learn to drive. The proposal from ABI wanted time restrictions to be placed on a young person’s driving habits for the first six months after they have passed their test, banning them from driving between 11pm and 4am. The suggestions were brought forward following a recent report from ABI into how to reduce the high crash risk young drivers represent and to bring down their motor insurance premiums. However, I just read an update from a post on Confused.com's website that says the government admits that it has no plans to introduce these new laws and quotes road safety minister Stephen Hammond, who said he has ruled out implementing these proposals, but will "keep the policy under review". The Confused.com post includes the ABI's response to this and also balances the debate with comments from organisations who don't think such restrictive driving laws should

The latest buzz coming from Volkswagen is the announcement of their latest concept car called the Taigun. Volkswagen has unveiled it at the São Paulo motor show, and previews the look of a possible small SUV based on the New Small Family platform, which underpins the award-winning up!. But, don't get too excited just yet, as Volkswagen will be monitoring public reaction to this vehicle before taking a decision on whether to put the Taigun into production. So this is what they have released about the new concept car so far: the Taigun is small on the outside – at just 3.86 metres long and 1.73 metres wide – but big on the inside, thanks to a generous 2.47 metre wheelbase. These dimensions give the Taigun short overhangs (708 mm front and 681 mm rear) and purposeful proportions, while the clear, concise exterior styling follows the unmistakable Volkswagen design DNA. A new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 110 PS at 5,000 rpm and pushing 175 Nm (129 lbs f

Mitsubishi Motors UK has just announced that British Gas will be the exclusive supplier of electric vehicle charging solutions for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. Customers of Mitsubishi Motors UK will have access to a range of British Gas charging solutions and can provide them with a dedicated circuit from £375, which protects their home electrical supply from overload. Alternatively, British Gas can install a wall-mounted charging solution from £799, which can cut charging time by around a third (charging times assume the battery is charged constantly at the max rate with 100% efficient charging). Thanks to a partnership between British Gas and POLAR, customers in London, the East of England, the Midlands and Milton Keynes may be eligible for a free Chargemaster Homecharge–i unit, as well as access to a network of public charging points(the density of charging points varies by region). Mitsubishi Motors were the first mainstream manufacturer to the global market with the pure-EV Mitsub

Jaguar Land Rover has just issued a press release revealing how they harnessed advanced digital technology to offer its customers virtual “hands-on” access to its model ranges, thus breaking free from the limitations that dictate what can be displayed in a conventional showroom. The system, Virtual Experience, is the most sophisticated yet produced for the motor industry, enabling interaction with an almost 1:1 scale representation of any Jaguar or Land Rover model. Jaguar Land Rover’s Virtual Experience will allow customers to engage and interact with an almost life-size high resolution rendering of any Jaguar or Land Rover vehicle. Users can take 360-degree exterior and interior views, open doors, and start the ignition. System includes industry-first feature that allows users to trigger functions simply by pointing. Designed to be a highly portable system that can be used in showrooms or public spaces, including places where actual vehicles cannot be displayed Through a touchp

The RAC , Royal Automobile Club, will be hosting the world's oldest motoring event, the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday November 4th. The event will feature 500 pre-1905 vehicles making their way from Hyde Park in London to Madeira Drive, Brighton. The annual event attracts some celebrity faces and this year the RAC expect to see; Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason - who has taken part every year since 1985, TV adventurer Charley Boorman , Coronation Street actor Tony Hirst and former Formula One drivers Jochen Mass and Sir Stirling Moss OBE along the route . Other personalities due at the event include car enthusiast, Joy Rainey, who has taken part many times. This year's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is a warm-up for her planned 2,826-mile trip across the USA in her faithful 109-year old Oldsmobile in 2013. Meanwhile, ultramarathon runner, Duncan Philips, will run from London to Brighton as he has a friendly wager that he can beat Dan Suskin from the USA

In a press release today, Toyota has proudly announced that the West Midlands Fire Service is putting the Toyota Hilux Invincible to the test as part of a review of its fleet of Brigade Response Vehicles. The details provided by Toyota are as follows: The fire service, which provides a fire and rescue response to a population of more than 2.7 million across an area of 350 square miles, has a compelling need for reliable, robust and excellent off-road vehicles. It has chosen the Toyota Hilux Invincible to meet these needs after conducting a thorough evaluation of the most suitable vehicles best equipped to the rigorous demands of the fire and rescue service and compliant with BSEN1846 standards. The initial pilot will include three Toyota Hilux Invincibles, with the potential for further vehicles being added to the fleet dependent on the successful outcome of the trial – all will be deployed around the region as rapid response vehicles. Chris Beebee, Fleet Manager at West Midlands Fire

Would you still do a majority of your Holiday shopping online if the beneficial 'free delivery' options were suddenly no longer offered? It's one of the main reasons that I choose to shop from certain online stores, as it obviously saves on my petrol costs.  Free delivery adds the conveniences of not having to brave the busy crowds during the Christmas season or fight the weather and not to mention, trying to find parking. Sadly, I just read an article on Fleet News titled, " Free delivery from online retailers under threat from rising fuel costs ", that hints of the possible discontinuation of this significant service, as online retailers say they are feeling the current fuel related pinch just as we are. To read the post, which provides information taken from research by The Fuelcard Company, please click here .

In their latest press release, Ford is pleased to share that Barnes and West, a Nottingham brickwork firm, has ordered two short-wheel-base and one long-wheel-base Transit Connect models in vibrant Mars Red, a standard colour from Ford’s palette. However, with some creative thinking from the dealer’s decal designer, dark cream paint has been added to represent brick mortar. Once sign-written with the company’s name and contact details, the result is a finish that makes Barnes & West stand out from the competition. The particular models chosen, supplied by Sandicliffe Ford dealership, are all top-of-the-range Limited models with alloy wheels, air-conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. Inside, the load area has been fully ply-lined and specialist roof racks have been fitted to allow external large load carrying, and for added security, vehicle tracking devices have been installed. Barnes & West owner, Colin Barnes, has operated more than 30 Ford vehicles during the

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has announced that they are calling for changes to British Summer Time (BST). They are calling for the change to give us more daylight hours in the evening. The IAM say, "Bringing the British time zone forward by an hour in both winter and summer, would mean lighter evenings, when crashes are more likely. Figures from the Department for Transport show that changing the daylight hours could prevent about 80 deaths and at least 200 serious injuries on our roads each year.It would also align the hours of daylight to the waking and working hours of the vast majority of the population." IAM point out that road casualty rates increase with the arrival of darker evenings. The information below was provided by the IAM's recent press release on the proposed time change. In 2011: The number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured in November was 14 per cent more than the monthly average. The number of cyclist casualties was 5 per cen

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced that they are introducing Trendline and Highline models across their Caddy and Transporter van ranges. These will now offer greater value to Volkswagen van customers. The Trendline Caddy specifications include: Bluetooth connectivity Upgraded CD/radio with ParkPilot display for rear parking sensors Cruise control Electric windows Height adjustable passenger seat Heated and electrically operated door mirrors Storage compartments under the front seats Vanity mirrors in the sun visors A cover for the dashboard centre storage compartment. Externally, the Trendline is enhanced with wheel trims and body-coloured bumpers, door mirrors and door handles. These upgrades are worth £1,555, but will only set you back a premium of £900 above the standard model plus VAT. Similarly, the Caddy Highline costs £1,900 (plus VAT) more than the standard model, with additional specification worth up to £3,245 (plus VAT). This includes all the Tr

The Road Haulage Association ( RHA ) has just announced that they are glad to hear news that plans for a new £5 million, state-of-the-art truckstop at Leeming Bar in North Yorkshire has been officially given the green light. RHA Manager for Infrastructure, Chrys Rampley said “This is excellent news. The RHA has lent its support to Michael Exelby and has been working with him in his bid to build this new truckstop and I am delighted that the urgent need for such a facility has now been recognised. It has been a long and difficult process but we have got there in the end. This is a good result for the road haulage community”. Exelby Services submitted plans to move from its current site at nearby Londonderry because the A1 upgrade has meant trucks have to travel down the A1 (M) service road to reach it. The new truck stop will be adjacent to both the new Leeming Junction on the A1 (M) and the Leeming Bar Industrial Estate. For more details, please visit the RHA website by clicking here .

According to Confused.com , 50% of motorists are still not aware of the EU gender directive which comes into effect on 21 December 2012. The directive, by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that the practice of appointing insurance prices according to gender should be considered illegal discrimination and will no longer be allowed by the end of this year. This will significantly increase insurance costs for women aged 17-25 by a whopping 24% says confused.com.  On the other hand, it will see the cost of insurance for men of all ages, decrease by as much as 8% as the rates will now be on an even playing field. To read more about the new gender directive and to view the new insurance (rise) cost tables provided in the post titled, " Why is the EU interfering with our car insurance prices? " written by Naphtalia Loderick, please click here .

  If you were asked to name which vehicle you consider to be the most reliable in the SUV/4x 4 categories, would a ŠKODA Yeti come to mind? I'm not sure I would say that either, but in a Which ? survey completed by owners of 47,000 vehicles, the petrol-powered model ranked number one in the SUV/4x4 classes with a 98% reliability score. And with the Yeti petrol receiving the highest total of any class winner, it was declared the overall champion with ŠKODA's diesel Yeti taking the 6th spot. “All the owners who gave feedback in our survey said they hadn’t suffered a single breakdown in the previous 12 months, and annual repair bills averaged just £6 a year,” the Which? magazine stated. Alasdair Stewart, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK, commented: “Reliability is at the heart of the ownership experience because what drivers value most is a vehicle that starts every morning like clockwork. ŠKODA has worked hard to make sure its cars are the best they can be and recognition from Whic

Nissan  were proud to announce in their latest press release that their van range has been awarded two recognitions at the recent British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards (BIVSA) 2012. Nissan say the highlight was the van manufacturer award which saw their extensive six vehicle van range (NV200, Primastar, NV400, Cabstar, Navara and Pathfinder Van) beat stiff competition from the rest of the light commercial industry. By winning the BIVSA van manufacturer award, Nissan are pleased that this acknowledges all of the work they've done across their van range to protect vehicles from being stolen or being broken into which ultimately helps insurers reduce premiums for operators. The other accolade was for the Nissan Primastar, which won the heavy van category for the second year running. The Primastar van, with its car-like smoothness and starting price from £17,250, surpassed the Renault Trafic, Ford Transit and Vauxhall Vivaro. “Insurance is a major outlay for all van operators and N

How would you like to drive around in a new VW Transporter BlueMotion for 3 months without having to pay to hire one? I just read about a new competition from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles who are partnering with newspaper Mirror.co.uk, offering just that. It's easy to enter and wouldn't it just be fantastic to try it out for an extended period of time before you buy? Here are the details from their recent press release: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched a competition in conjunction with Mirror.co.uk for someone to win an economical, new Transporter BlueMotion for three months to see for themselves how much it could reduce their fuel bills and running costs. The van will come complete with a full tank of fuel, which means it could travel for over 780 miles without having to stop to refuel. The new Volkswagen Transporter BlueMotion offers the ultimate in efficiency thanks to combined fuel economy of 44.8 mpg from its 2.0-litre 114 PS TDI turbocharged engine, as well

During this time of year it seems that there are a lot of recent posts and articles offering advice on winter tyres. Each offering sound advice, but it’s been a challenge to keep track of what advice is the correct one to follow. Not to confuse you any further, but I found this unique web post titled, " Debunking the myths of cold weather tyres , " on Van User . The article offers a Q&A style format that may help answer some basic questions you might have about cold weather tyres, such as; Will fitting cold weather tyres affect my insurance? Van User, established in 1985, is Britain’s Top Trade van magazine which offers leading coverage of the LCV market, listening to its needs, researching and reacting to new subject areas and providing constantly updated sources of information. You can read the web post by clicking here

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SMMT ), one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK, has announced that car and van output fell 5.8% in September, but remains up 10.2% over the year-to-date. They also report that UK engine production declined 12.8% in September, with January-September levels down 0.4%.  Most worrying is the data which shows that commercial vehicle output fell 20.2% in the month, accelerating the 7.5% decline seen over the year so far. "Declining demand for cars and vans across the major European markets impacted UK vehicle and engine production in September," said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. "Total UK vehicle manufacturing in the year so far has increased 8.7%, but monthly output fell by 7% in September. The strong demand for UK products outside Europe and the investment committed by major vehicle manufacturers will secure future growth, although the coming months will be challenging for companies at all

This week's section of the Essential Guide will highlight the kind of questions you need to ask to determine exactly what you'll use your van (fleet) for. This information will allow you to select the vans and features that are most appropriate for you or your company. Although the advice is not by any means exhaustive, the aim is mainly to help you understand your business and transport needs better and will hopefully help you specify the vehicle appropriate to your needs. To read this week's Essential Guide to Van Specification: Identifying your Van Requirements , please click here .

Coleman’s ABC, East Sussex-based drinks wholesaler, has just announced that they have replaced half of their commercial vehicle fleet with new Iveco’s, including two 12 tonne rigids built onto Iveco’s special ‘EL’ low height chassis. They are also joined in the 10-strong fleet by a new Daily 70C17 and two Daily 35C15 vans. They will be on the road six days a week, carrying a full range of soft drinks, alcohol and cellar gas refills for the company’s extensive customer base. The specialist low-height urban distribution vehicles are built on the regular Eurocargo production line but give an overall height more than 75mm lower than the standard model, which combined with its ‘one-step’ entry design, significantly eases access to the cab and body. To achieve this lower frame height, the side-members are shallower by 45mm and the frame itself is carried on 17.5 inch rather than 19.5 inch wheels and tyres. "Whenever we procure new vehicles we evaluate a range of different models, to ens

Did you happen to see Wednesday night's BBC Watchdog programme? They did a segment about spare tyres and how they are now no longer being included as standard when purchasing a new vehicle. According to the show, manufacturers claim that in the interest of fuel economy, the tyres had to go. Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, was on the show being interviewed by one seriously intimidating Anne Robinson. He held his own while explaining the importance for van and car owners to familiarise themselves with their new vehicles and encouraging buyers to ask about spare tyres before purchasing your vehicle. The SMMT have also posted information on their website regarding the spare tyre issue and include a video of Mr Everitt giving a briefing on the new spare wheel changes that many of us seem to be unaware of. To view the briefing and to read the SMMT post, please click here . If you missed the BBC's investigative programme, you can view the latest episode on the BBC Watchdog webs

Fleet News posted an enlightening article on October 16th, 2012 titled, " High fuel prices encourage eco driving ", which gives details on research conducted by Autoglass. The research found that due to economic stresses and higher fuel costs, there has been a considerable change in people’s attitudes towards driving during this time. It seems that half of the men polled chose not keep their foot down on the accelerator, as they once used to, and are also opting not to drive as aggressively either. Autoglass commissioned the research to mark its 40th birthday. It was not surprising, but rather a sad fact of driving costs nowadays as they discovered that less than half of UK motorists don’t see driving as a relaxing activity at all anymore and one quarter dislike driving more than they used to. To read the informative post in its entirety on the Fleet News website, please click here .

Delticom, Europe’s leading online tyre retailer (operates in the UK as mytyres.co.uk), has recently posted a press release warning van drivers of the dangers of overloading and under inflation of tyres. They say that tyres on vans and light commercial vehicles are often put through a lot of punishment during their life. Arguably tyres on light commercial vehicles or vans are subjected to more abuse than other vehicles. Most recent figures from the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency‘s (VOSA) roadworthiness checks has shown that 26 percent of these vehicles were prohibited because of the condition of their tyres. Delticom have drawn attention to what they feel is the major causes of tyre problems on vans. Overloading coupled with under inflation and the stress placed on tyres under these circumstances. Tyres carrying excessive loads can lead to heat to build up in the tyres which can adversely affect their grip and handling characteristics. Should the tyre fail because of these issues,

Make plans to attend the largest free motor show in the UK on Saturday November 3rd. As part of the free weekend of motoring hosted by the Royal Automobile Club, which was founded in 1897, the Regent Street Motor Show will take place in London from 10.30am until 4.00pm. The event is on the same weekend as the world's oldest motoring event, the  London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and the RAC Future Car Challenge , which runs from Brighton to London and showcases the performance of low energy use vehicles and is being held for the third year running. Regent Street will be closed all day – with shops open until 10.00pm. On display will be over 300 cars including iconic vehicles to celebrate the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries of motoring will be the main attraction. Joining the 100 pre-1905 vehicles in the prestigious EFG International Concours d'Elegance will be low energy use vehicles as they arrive from Brighton having completed the RAC Future Car Challenge – some of these will

TyreSafe has issued a press release encouraging motorists to consider fitting winter tyres, which are the safest option when the temperature drops below seven degrees celsius. TyreSafe is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of correct tyre maintenance and the dangers of defective and worn tyres. Winter tyres offer safer motoring because they have been specifically designed to cope with wintry conditions such as snow and ice, but also more everyday circumstances faced by motorists, like wet and damp conditions, when the temperature drops below seven degrees celsius. They differ from normal tyres in that they contain more natural rubber and advanced silica, reducing the hardening effect experienced by other tyres when the temperature plummets. “While last winter was actually milder than normal, these statistics are ample reason for motorists to still consider swapping to winter tyres from October to March, in fact 147 very strong reasons,” sa

VanQuoteDirect has recently posted an interesting article titled, " A third of van drivers are women ". The old stereotypes surrounding the 'white van man' may still linger and it's not been helped with recent research showing that van drivers were twice as likely to get caught for motoring offenses, but with nearly a third of commercial vans being driven by women, what do they think of all this?  The article quotes information taken from a survey conducted by AXA Business Insurance, which reported the proportion of female commercial van drivers and their feelings towards the out-of-date 'white van man' cliché. To read the VanQuoteDirect article posted on October 15th, 2012, please click here .

Toyota just released details on their New Toyota ProAce, a medium-duty van for the European market. The new ProAce van will expand Toyota’s presence in European LCV markets, a medium-sized van that will feature bespoke Toyota design details and branding. ProAce can also be specified as a panel van, glass van or crew cab, so meeting a wide range of business transport needs. It will be available in two lengths and heights, giving load capacities of 5m 3 , 6m 3 , or 7m 3 , according to the configuration chosen. Payloads up to 1,200kg can be carried and ProAce will be able to tow up to two tonnes. To achieve the best usability and capability, two sliding side doors can be specified, and customers can choose between a top-hinged tailgate and dual side-hinged rear doors that open to 270 degrees. The new Toyota ProAce will be available with a range of efficient, Euro 5-compliant diesel engines. The 89bhp 1.6-litre engine produces 180Nm of torque and is matched to a five-speed manual transmiss

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) announced recently that they fully support the move by Robert Halfon, Tory MP for Harlow, as he prepares to table a Private Members Bill to make fuel pricing more transparent. "This initiative will serve as a real wake up call to all users of road fuels; petrol or diesel”, said RHA spokesperson Kate Gibbs. “Filling the tank, regardless of size, has always been costly”, she continued.  “If the cost of the fuel duty and the VAT is clearly shown on the receipt, it will make users far more aware of just where their money is going. The price of fuel has become a wide reaching political issue; it affects everyone. If this move for transparency goes ahead, fuel pricing has the potential to become a real vote winner, or indeed vote loser”.  The RHA, in collaboration with FairFuelUK, continue to  campaign and lobby for fair fuel pricing. Together, they helped UK hauliers pay nearly 10 pence per litre less in fuel duty in 2011. To help and support their mi

Fiat Professional has just been named LCV Manufacturer of the Year at the 2012 GreenFleet Awards. These awards, now in its 14th year, were held at the Emirates Stadium, in London last week. The GreenFleet Awards recognises the pioneering adoption of low and zero emission transport and advances in green transport technology. "In terms of producing very efficient engines in light commercial vehicles, Fiat Professional has found something quite special. Add to that the technology to assist the driver and it's obvious why it is the 2012 GreenFleet LCV Manufacturer of the Year," said Colin Boyton, Marketing Manager, GreenFleet. Fiat Professional’s prevailing range of commercial vehicles is designed and built with innovative technological solutions such as the Blue&Me infotainment system, Bi-link suspension, Start&Stop and eco:Drive Professional software. These technologies help to support the driver in obtaining the best possible fuel efficiency in every condition and,

In a recent press release, Cobra UK, leader in the provision of security, safety and telematics solutions for the automotive and insurance industries, has welcomed the Association of British Insurers’ (ABI) call for an overhaul in how young people learn to drive. This follows a recent report from ABI into how to reduce the high crash risk young drivers represent and to bring down their motor insurance premiums. Cobra is warning that more must be done to ensure safety and manage insurers’ risk and feels that changes to young driver training should be just the start of a complete change in way they are monitored and insured to increase their safety and reduce their insurance premiums. Cobra believes that telematics can successfully manage insurance companies’ risk and are already being used successfully by a small number of insurers. “Telematics technology gives young drivers the chance to prove they are safe drivers by recording how they drive, measuring key outputs from a car's jou

Are speed cameras about to make a large scale return to our roads? According to FleetNews, the fleet industry's leading source of news and expertise, the idea that most speed cameras were being turned off due to low council funds was incorrect and that there are plans afoot to add even more new digital cameras. In the article written by Gareth Roberts, posted on their website on October 3rd, 2012 titled, " Technology upgrade paves the way for a speed camera revival on UK roads " FleetNews offers details from many sources that say the speed camera programme is alive and in full swing. To read the article posted on FleetNews' website, please click here .

MSN Cars has posted an interesting feature highlighting the results of the MPG Marathon that took place on October 3-4. The MPG Marathon, which has been going for the last twelve years, is a live demonstration teaching drivers how to make a massive difference to fuel costs and emissions. It puts cars to the test, in a real world driving scenario, to truly discover  just how accurate the official fuel consumption figures really are. It was refreshing to see that there were several vehicles that actually performed better than the manufacturers' publications. To see which cars made the impressive list, please read the review titled, " Top 10 cars with the highest fuel consumption (MPG) improvement " by Ian Dickson, senior editor, MSN Cars by clicking here .

Manageable vehicle maintenance for Vauxhall owners is now available. Vauxhall has announced details of their new £99 quick and easy online booking service. It's as easy as it is affordable and all you need to do is log onto Vauxhall's brand new micro site, where owners can enter their registration number and mileage, or select their car from a drop down menu, before finding out the exact price of service or repair work. The exclusive prices are guaranteed, and cover scheduled services, repairs and MOTs, and owners can select a Vauxhall MasterFit dealer at a date and time most convenient for them. Vauxhall says, "Appointments are available at 48 hours’ notice at local Vauxhall MasterFit retailers, offering motorists a fast and convenient solution with maximum control over their own time to book what they want, when they want it." The best part is that there are no hidden charges or surprises, so you'll know what you will pay before handing your car over. All work i

After posting about so many international motor shows recently, finally there is an opportunity to announce a great motor event being held on our side of the shores this autumn. The ‘Grand Finale’ to the UK classic season, the Footman James Classic Motor Show will be held at the NEC Birmingham from Friday 16 th to Sunday 18 th November 2012. This year, the UK’s biggest classic motoring celebration will span eleven halls with an estimated 1,500 cars and 350 motorcycles on display, ranging from the rare and exciting to pre-war and retro classics, family saloons to supercars, the sublime to the ridiculous, and many more. The show's theme this year is ‘What’s the Story?’ and nearly 250 classic motoring clubs will bring together their best club marques as they embrace this theme. Also on show are vehicles that were involved in stories – from the lorry used in the Great Train Robbery to the iconic cars and bikes that have graced both TV and the big screen. There will be over 500 trade s

Did you know that October is tyre safety month?  A record number of garages and tyre retailers in the region are showing their support for October’s tyre safety month, which is organised by not-for-profit organisation TyreSafe, by offering free tyre safety checks to motorists. As part of the checks, tyres will be inspected to ensure they have adequate tread depth to make them safe and legal, are inflated to the correct and are free from any cuts, lumps or bulges which may indicate internal damage. TyreSafe has already included self tyre check information on their website and through their Facebook campaign, but feel there is really no substitute for having a qualified professional offer their expertise and give your tyres a good once over. To see which of your nearest tyre retailers or garages are offering free tyre safety checks throughout October, you can call the campaign hotline on 0845 301 6852 or visit the TyreSafe website by clicking here .