Low Cost Vans

Are you planning on taking to the open road this spring? Whether driving your trusty van or family car, road safety charity the IAM is advising all motorists on how to prepare yourself and your vehicle for springtime driving. These helpful weekly motoring tips come courtesy of Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. Take a moment to review his timely tips below: April is well known for its showers. Stopping distances are increased on wet roads – allow at least twice as much time as usual to stop if the road is damp. The clocks go forward this Easter weekend, so you could be driving to work in the morning in darker conditions than you are used to. Do a thorough check of all of your lights, and give them a spring clean too to maximise visibility. Keep your screen wash topped up at all times. This way whether your car’s dirty due to springtime downpours or covered in insects in the heat – you’re prepared. Country roads are a favourite at this time of year, but not only for ca...

I just read an interesting article posted on Autonet.ca , titled " A commercial van war in Canada " about what the Canadians feel is the "invasion" of European designed vans seemingly taking over in Canada this year. The article lists the new vans scheduled to be released there in 2013 and compares the new Chrysler Ram ProMaster van - which is based on what we know here as a Fiat Ducato, to the new larger Ford Transit van and the Mercedes Sprinter. It can get a bit confusing when you talk about the previous relationship Chrysler had with Daimler AG, they were once merged back in 1998 and as a group produced the Sprinter commercial van. But after the break up in 2007 when DaimlerChrysler sold the Chrysler Group, this left Chrysler without a commercial van to their name. As of 2009 though, Chrysler, after its bankruptcy filing, has been integrated into and is now run by Italian automaker Fiat. The Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, and the Chrysler Ram ProMaster vans wi...

Have you registered for your free tickets to the CV show yet? Don't forget that this year’s show will be held at the NEC in Birmingham from April 9 to 11, 2013. The Commercial Vehicle Show is Europe’s biggest road transport exhibition. One of the most popular topics being discussed amongst the transport world at the moment is the new Euro 6 standards (From 2014, any new vehicle registered must comply with Euro 6 standards). If you attend the show, be on the lookout for vehicle manufacturers displaying their new range of Euro 6 compliant engine s. Among the many van manufacturers exhibiting their commercial vehicles, Fiat Professional are ready to display their range and will include UK debuts for the new ultra-compact urban LCV Fiorino Crew Van, Scudo Crew Van and Ducato Tipper. This show is sure to include everything your operation may need to run a first-class business, such as the latest commercial vans, trucks, fuel efficient powertrains, tyres and body designs. So, if you want...

The process of improving the safety of your van operations is a simple cycle. It is important that there is an individual or group of people in your company who is familiar with the process and can take a lead on implementing the safety review, monitoring, and measurement of performance. Keep in mind that this is an on-going process, as monitoring your progress towards safety improvements will allow you to identify areas where further work is needed to meet targets, so you will need to go back and review these to assess whether they are too ambitious. Your business needs and requirements may change over time, thereby altering your priority areas of risk and safety measures. To read the next instalment of the Essential Guide to Van Safety that offers tips on monitoring and measuring safety performance, please click here .

Renault has proudly announced that short-break operator, Center Parcs, have recently taken delivery of 22 new all-electric Renault Kangoo Maxi Van Z.E . models at their Sherwood Forest location. The new electric vehicles will be used across Center Parcs' other UK villages and will form part of a fleet of 150 vehicles and will be used by the technical services and maintenance division and the "Dining-In" takeaway delivery operation which transports food and beverages to guests. Center Parcs operates four Villages in the UK; Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire and Whinfell Forest in Cumbria. They opened their first village in the UK back in 1987. The Carbon Trust Standard was presented to Center Parcs in acknowledgment for their efforts to reduce carbon emissions in 2010. You can understand why Centre Parcs chose these fantastic eco vans to reinforce their green reputation and to uphold their strong sustainability phi...

The results are in for the Motor Codes regional Garage of the Year winners. The most trusted garages were nominated by the public in recognition of their excellent customer service. Don't forget that if you voted for your favourite garage via the Motor Codes website, you are in the running to win some pretty nifty prizes yourself. In an effort to stamp out unprofessional cowboy garages, an estimated 11,500 garage customers from across the UK have voted in the annual Motor Codes Garage of the Year contest to endorse the first-class customer experiences they’ve enjoyed at one of the 7,250 garages within the network. Motor Codes is committed to developing a network of professional, reliable, quality garages and provides ratings and customer comments on its garages, viewable to potential customers using a Garage Finder tool. The top 20 – the regional Garage of the Year winners – represents the wide range of choice when it comes to car servicing and is made up of 10 franchised main deal...

In a recent article in The Economist , the weekly news and international affairs publication, they have written about Britain's love affair with light commercial vans. In the article titled, " Why the roads of Britain are buzzing with light vans " posted on March 23, 2013, they highlight the figures (shown on a graph with DfT. data) that show the number of light goods vans on our roads has significantly increased over the years. Surpassing the number of average cars and heavy goods vehicles licensed in Britain, the article speculates that light vans are on the rise due to our ever growing consumerism and the need for more vans to deliver to our homes, the ever growing number of online purchases we now make. The article also explains some of the economic factors as to why businesses are turning to these practical vehicles over others. It was also interesting to read that, “The combined fleets of the main four grocery deliverers- Tesco , Sainsbury’s, Asda and Ocado—account...

If you are a musician, are in a band, or just love really cool vans, then you are going to be amazed by the new NV200 Compact Cargo van that will be unveiled on March 27 at the New York International Auto Show. I read a post on Motor Trends TRUCK TREND website about the new Gibson NV200 Repair and Restoration Van made by Nissan. It is a collaboration between Nissan and the famous Nashville, Tennessee based guitar and instrument manufacturer in America, Gibson. Its purpose is to serve as an extension of Gibson's Repair and Restoration shop so musicians in the area playing gigs at festivals, in studios, or live shows can get quick access to repairs. Gibson also sees it as an educational tool to the public, as it can teach them about the art of guitar building and repair. The van will be stocked with everything needed to repair guitars and is painted with a beautiful rich mahogany guitar on the side of the van and includes rich leather seats on the inside. The NV200 sold in America ...

Just in time for the long weekend drive this Easter, road safety charity the IAM is offering advice on preparing for a trip away over the Easter break. The motoring tips from the IAM post titled, " We're all going on a brummer holiday ", come from Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger. Check that all of your lights are working, that your tyres have enough tread, and that their pressures are correct, and fill up before you hit the motorway – fuel prices are higher on service areas. Try to carry as little unnecessary weight in your vehicle as this will increase fuel consumption. When loading your luggage in, make sure it is secure, that nothing is obstructing your view, and try to keep the people-space clear of clutter. The weather is highly unpredictable - make sure your washer fluid is topped up before you leave, and carry a cloth to give your headlamps and mirrors a quick clean if you need to. That will solve the problem of dead insects in the heat or salt s...

Fiat Professional is on a roll in the awards stakes, as they have just announced that they have picked up two more accolades. This time the Fiat Fiorino was named Best City Van and the recently introduced Doblò Work Up won the Best Small Pick-Up award in the 2013 Trade Van Driver (TVD) Awards. The TVD Awards aim to give recognition to manufacturers, firms and people who, in the opinion of the judges, offer the very best to retail van buyers. The TVD awards are extra special, as they are judged not only by an expert panel of journalists at the magazine but also by a panel of readers who use light commercial vehicles as part of their businesses. To be chosen by those who know the industry and actually drive these commercial vans is a fantastic endorsement for Fiat. Want to know more about these two award winning vehicles? See below for details taken from Fiat Professional's recently posted press release containing all the best bits about them. Best City Van – Fiat Fiorino “ The Fiori...

So you've had a minor fender bender in your van. Everything looks to still be in working order minus the odd scratch, prang, or dent. No need to worry about getting it repaired immediately or to involve the insurers, right? Well no, perhaps that's not such a good idea. According to research from Accident Exchange , your van may not be as safe to drive after any type of accident, no matter how minor it may seem. Confused.com has recently posted an article with details from Accident Exchange's study which found that the number of motorists reporting and making repairs after an accident has dropped dramatically. They say the number of unrepaired vehicles is a "worrying trend". Why the decrease? The main reason given in the study is the obvious monetary one. Not wanting to lose their no claims bonus, as insurance costs are on the up and if you add high excess fees, some drivers have resorted to settling claims privately. Add to that the financial difficulties most h...

Have you made any motoring plans for the Easter weekend yet? If you haven't, you may want to consider a visit to Auto Trader UK's Festival of Power 2013 on Sat 30th March to Mon 1st April 2013. Aside from the amazing drag races, you can expect to see all things powerful off track including monster trucks, stunts, displays and more at the formerly named Easter Thunderball event. The event will be held at Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire, the UK's home of European Drag Racing. From demonstrations, kid's entertainment, helicopter rides, a funfair, and evening entertainment with live bands, this festival is sure to appeal to all ages. The festival is offering great value for money too. You can afford to bring the whole family, as up to three kids under 16 years old get in free with each paying adult and free parking for ticket holders. For more details on all of the exciting motor festivities happening at the “bigger better power fest” and for info on how to purchase t...

Imagine taking your van driving test at a fire station near you. I've just read that learner drivers may now be able to take their driving test at their local fire stations. No, unfortunately you don't get to drive the big red fire truck with sirens blazing to take the test in, but if you could, that would definitely be more fun than your mother's Kia. According to an article posted on online car insurance provider elephant.co.uk , this news was announced by Stephen Hammond, the Road Safety minister last week in a bid to give would be motorists more convenient access to testing sites. Salford fire station in Manchester will be the first in Britain to operate as a driving test centre in a pilot scheme. The tests will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday from April 16, 2013 and despite the unconventional locations, will continue to be conducted by Driving Standards Agency (DSA) examiners. I think this is a great idea especially for those who live in rural locations and due t...

In case you missed it last week, Fiat has launched a new YouTube film that tells the no-holds-barred truth about life as a new Dad. After Fiat's popular The Motherhood film, Welcome to the Fatherhood follows a weary Dad-of-two trying to get his screaming babies to sleep by driving them around the neighbourhood. As he drives, he starts to sing about his long-lost youth and questions how he’s gone from Jack the Lad to Jack the Dad. If you haven't seen either family film, you can find them on Fiat UK's YouTube channel and they are humorous insights into what goes through the minds of new parents. You may not be able to relate to them yet if you've not got kids, but if you like Fiat's modern vehicles or just fancy watching something funny set to an 80's style track, then click here to view The Fatherhood . The car featured in the film is the Fiat 500L, the newest addition to the Fiat 500 family. With five doors and 400 litres of boot space, the Fiat 500L is subs...

For fleet operators that are currently using a sophisticated transport planning and management system to produce an optimised schedule for deliveries, recent news of new transport management software may make your dirver's journey even more efficient. Navigation specialists and developers of an innovative and forward-thinking sat nav for HGV drivers, Navevo have announced this week that they have launched an advanced navigation system specifically designed for fleet operators that can significantly cut down on wasted journeys and lost man hours, saving thousands of pounds every year called Line of Route . The problem with other current software, Navevo points out, is that they simply provide a list of stops without providing a route on how to get there, leaving the driver to have to sort out by using other tools, maps, etc. These methods don't quite match the optimised scheduled route calculated by the transport planning software, thus creating a significant disparity between ...

More joyous announcements have been posted on the selected vans that won awards at the VansA2Z Van of the Year Awards for 2013. Fiat Professional’s successful Doblò Cargo has secured another prestigious award after being named Best Light Van in the VansA2Z Van of the Year Awards that took place last week at an industry lunch at Lords Cricket Ground, London. Commenting on the award, Neil McIntee, Editor of VansA2Z.com, said: “Fiat’s Doblò Cargo is one of the most impressive vans of its size to have been launched over the past few years. That is why we have made it our Light Van of the Year for 2013. Here are just some of the highlights that won the Doblò the Best light van award (details posted from Fiat Professional's press release). "Fiat Professional’s Doblò Cargo is the first LCV to have a bi-link rear suspension which ensures a smooth ride, lower loading height and better width between wheelarches. Additionally, the bi-link suspension permits a rear axle load up to 1,450kg...

According to an article from CAP , the car and van information experts, a majority of independent used car retailers are experiencing low stock and struggling to replace sold vehicles. This worrying issue was revealed by research for CAP Black Book Live, the only real-time used car price trending tool in the UK. Of the more than 100 independent dealers asked about their stock levels and if they have had any difficulty in sourcing vehicles to meet demand, a shocking  70% said they were. What does this mean for motorists? Those who will benefit most are motorists with good part-exchanges to offer, as they will get top prices from independent dealers, who are just as determined to buy retail-quality stock as they are to sell the cars already on the forecourt. CAP says that those who previously believed that they'd be better off by selling their car privately are "behind the times".  That's good news for motorists looking to sell or part ex, but on the other side of the...

Police in Kent are informing van owners to be aware of a series of break-ins, as much as up to 10 vans are being broken into a night in the Herne Bay area. The thieves are targeting valuables that may be left inside the vehicles such as tools and electronic devices. Going even so far as to steal items from vans parked in the owners home drive way. And if that isn't shocking enough, one was even burgled parked on the same street as a police station. You can read the story posted in the this is Kent news website here . Sadly, Kent isn't the only county that has seen this rise of van crime. Another area of concern for some van owners is the wave of catalytic converter thefts due to the rising price of metal in recent years. I have read many an article where police in several counties have also put out warnings to van owners to be vigilant in securing not only the contents inside the van, but also the parts on the outside that thieves may target. With a new catalytic converter cos...

Citroën has announced that their multi-award winning Ready to Run specialist vehicle programme has just won the Vans A2Z One-Stop Shop Award. The specialist conversion vehicle programme was also awarded the What Van? Awards 2012: Van Conversion.  Ready to Run  provides customers with ready-bodied vehicles that can be delivered straight to them from the dealer, ready to go to work without having to wait. The Vans A2Z Van of the Year Awards 2013 One-Stop Shop Award-winning Citroën Ready to Run range includes: Dropside trucks Glass carrying vans High-cube, low-loading vans Luton vans Temperature-controlled (chiller/freezer) vans Tippers Scott Michael, Citroën’s Head of Commercial Vehicles & Business Centre Programme, remarked; “The Ready to Run programme has been successful in widening Citroën’s LCV customer base, enabling the company to compete in new markets. I am very pleased that the Vans A2Z Van of the Year Awards judges have recognised Ready to Run’s success with th...

This week's portion of the Essential Guide to Van Safety provides an overview of why it is important to your business and the wider community to run safe van operations. The benefits from implementing an effective system can include cost savings, improvements in performance and efficiency, improved well-being, safety and health of employees, and protect your reputation. Please click here to view the Essential Guide to Van Safety: Benefits page.

Was the local garage your first stop when your van needed servicing or repairs, how would you rate your last visit, and did you remember to vote for them as your favourite garage in the Motor Codes Garage of the Year campaign? Motor Codes runs the contest to highlight garages that provide a consistently reliable, trustworthy service to motorists, with results driven directly by customer feedback. Motor Codes, the OFT-approved garage scheme operator, has announced the shortlist of businesses in the running for its Garage of the Year title. Thousands have voted in the annual initiative that helps uncertain motorists know where to turn for top-class customer service. Over 7,000 garages from across the UK, all subscribers to Motor Codes’ government-backed code of practice put themselves up for public scrutiny. Did your garage of choice make the shortlist? See below: Shortlist of independent garages for Motor Codes Garage of the Year 2013 East of England Independent BS Motors, Sandy BM Ent...

You already know that proper tyres and maintenance are key component to your vans’ safety and performance, but were you also aware that there is an "Online Tyre Catalogue" to help you in your tyre purchase options? In a recent press release this week, CAM Systems , the tyre management software provider announced they are joining TyreSafe as its latest member to help further reduce the number of tyre related road deaths and accidents. Adding to the diversity of TyreSafe supporters, ranging from car and tyre manufacturers, retailers, emergency services and public sector organisations, CAM Systems will assist TyreSafe in a wide range of campaigns aimed at raising the awareness of correct tyre maintenance. Mike Allen, managing director CAM Systems, said “ CAM Systems will make an important contribution to tyre safety by its direct interface with its many customers through its tyre data management initiatives on a daily basis who in turn will be speaking to those on the front lin...

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced this week that they are supplying Fife Council with an order of 30 Crafter vans as part of its vehicle replacement programme. The Crafter van was chosen for its large loadspace, passenger capacity and towing ability, which will benefit and be used by the Council’s Parks and Countryside department as part of its ground maintenance fleet. Andrew Salmond, Fleet Officer at Fife Council, said: ‘The capacity and reliability of the vehicles was instrumental in the procurement process.  We have a number of vehicles in use across the region and have always been pleased with the performance of the Crafter.’ This will no doubt help boost PR  for VW and with good reason, as the Crafter is the largest model in the Volkswagen van range, offering load volumes from 7.5 m 3 to 17 m 3 , payloads from 1,544 kg to 2,693 kg, and efficient BlueMotion and BlueMotion Technology engines delivering combined fuel consumption of up to 39.8 mpg and a potential range o...

I can't imagine living in a country that forbids all women from driving. I have recently read an appeal from the IAM that seeks to lift such a ban on driving for women in Saudi Arabia. "Women drivers in Saudi Arabia should be given the freedom to drive", say the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). You can read the post found on IAM's news archive section of their website here . It sounds too farfetched in this day and age, but women in Saudi Arabia face arrest, imprisonment, and even flogging if they are caught driving. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving and although there is no official written law, women's rights in Saudi Arabia are defined by Islam and tribal customs. As licenses are not issued to women, it makes it effectively illegal for women to drive. One outrageous reason given for the ban is the fear that driving could lead women to enjoy more freedom, leading to promiscuity and thus creating a catalyst tow...

This year’s Commercial Vehicle Show held at Birmingham’s NEC from 9-11 April, 2013 is said to be the largest and most comprehensive road transport, distribution and logistics event in Britain. For those interested in the motoring network, this show has hundreds of exhibitors covering the whole road transport, distribution and logistics business. You name it, from truck, van, and trailer manufacturers through to fork lift trucks, insurers, tyre, telematics and training providers, fuels and lubricants suppliers, all this and more will be included at the CV show. One manufacturer who has announced that they are excitedly gearing up to display an impressive line-up of its award-winning range of commercial vehicles is Fiat Professional. There will be whopping seven vehicles on their stand and the Exhibits will show the breadth and depth of the Fiat Professional range and include UK debuts for the new Fiorino Crew Van, Scudo Crew Van and Ducato Tipper. Fiat says, "The new Crew Van versi...

Did you know that drivers with epilepsy or eyesight problems may be affected by new minimum driving licence standards that came into place from 8 th March? Stephen Hammond, Road Safety Minister, announced that new minimum medical standards will apply to bus and lorry driving licence holders. The main changes are: EYESIGHT Group 2 – Buses & Lorries For these drivers, there will be a new relaxed visual acuity standard for the “weaker eye” when each eye is separately examined. Generally eyesight can be weaker in one eye than the other. EPILEPSY Group 1 – Cars and Motorcycles For the first time, drivers who have only ever suffered seizures while asleep may now be considered for a licence after one year, instead of the current requirement of three years. Additionally, the new rules will allow drivers who have only ever suffered seizures that have no impact on consciousness or the ability to act to apply for a driving licence one year from the date of their first seizure. Currently ...

Exciting news from Land Rover has just been announced. The all-new Range Rover Sport will make its global premiere in a ground breaking live drive through Manhattan, New York on March 26th, the eve of the 2013 New York Auto Show's press preview day. The show opens to the public from March 29th to April 7th, 2013. This year marks the shows 113th anniversary and will have impressive sneak peeks, more brand new '13 & '14 production models and debut more concept vehicles than ever before. Land Rover says that the all-new Range Rover Sport, which happens to be the third Range Rover model to be launched in two years, is the fastest, most responsive and agile vehicle to date. Did you also know that more Sports are sold in New York than any other metropolitan area in the world and the model is North America’s best-selling Land Rover product? John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, said: “The all-new Range Rover Sport takes the model to another level. It is Land Rover’s ...

Compliance with current legislation is an essential starting point to keeping your vans safe. If your vans are not being used in accordance with the law, there is the real possibility that you will be fined and your vans impounded. The costs can be considerable and be a detriment to your business. This week's guide lists some of the main legislation that van users must adhere to, ensuring your vans are compliant. It also provides links to where you can find van-related legislation and information online. Click here to view the next section in the Essential Guide to Van Safety.

This Sunday is Mother's Day here in the UK (don't forget the flowers) and what better way to show mum just how much she means to you than to ensure she remains safe whilst out on the roads. Road safety organisation and breakdown cover company GEM Motoring Assist is advising drivers, especially women, on the importance of personal safety on the road. In their recent press release GEM, in association with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, announced that they have created a campaign leaflet to raise awareness of key safety issues while driving, particularly for women travelling on their own or with children. GEM’s leaflet aims to make women feel more confident and to equip them with tools and information to deal with difficult situations effectively. For those who may not be familiar with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, they work to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety. Its mission is to provide solutions that effect change in order to help people avoid violence and aggression and...

I’ve recently read an online news story from the BBC business section about Mike Benson, the hard working owner of a small business that was refused a loan of £10,000 by his bank to buy a much needed Ford Transit van. This happened despite the fact that Mr. Benson’s company turned over nearly £65,000 last year. He wrote a letter to Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King detailing his anger and frustration at being given a “patronising” offer of financial counseling instead of the loan from the Bank of Scotland. In a surprising reply from Sir Mervyn, he seemingly acknowledged the poor support coming from British banks in regards to lending to small businesses and advised Mr. Benson to look elsewhere for the money, to perhaps try one of the new banks operating in the UK, such as Swedish firm Handelsbank. In the end, Mr. Benson decided to fund his new van himself and not through the traditional banking methods that have let a lot of customers down in recent years. To read the full BBC a...

According to Pulse Report data from the vehicle remarketing company, British Car Auctions ( BCA ), it shows average LCV values reached a new record level in February. They were actually the highest on record since Pulse began reporting in 2005. Last month saw the average February figure of £4,789 for LCVs and values in the fleet & lease LCV sector improved again in February, rising by £386 (7.1%) to £5,823 - the third consecutive month where a record average value has been achieved for corporate CV stock. Again the rise in values can be attributed to the shortage of stock and the high demand. It remains to be seen if the values will remain on the up or if the market will see a levelling out at some point this year. Below is a snapshot of year-on-year van sales provided in the BCA's latest press release. Year-on-year table: All vans All vans Avg Age Avg Mileage Avg Value Sale vs CAP Feb 2012 56.46 76,768 £4,272 98.23% Feb 2013 58.55 78,770 £4,789 103.05% For further information ...

Euro NCAP has announced the results for four new cars tested this week. As the auto world focuses on all the new and upcoming vehicles being presented at the Geneva Motor Show, Euro NCAP are making sure to provide consumers with the latest safety test results from the vehicles already available; the Renault ZOE , Skoda Octavia , Toyota Auris, and Toyota RAV4 . To help motorists choose the safest model when buying a new car or van, Euro NCAP organizes crash-tests then provides a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of many popular vehicles in Europe. The criteria for the overall safety rating are composed of scores in four areas: adult protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist. As from 2013, Euro NCAP is now providing consumers with information on the most widely available child seats throughout Europe. For each new car tested, details on the installation of a series of child seats will help parents to make the safest choice for t...

It doesn't matter if you are a sole trader or a large commercial business, you must have reliable vehicles to get the job done. VanQuoteDirect , through a PRNewswire release, has posted some handy tips on the importance of regularly servicing and maintaining your van. Below are some basic maintenance checks suggested in the article titled, " VanQuoteDirect Looks At Regular Van Maintenance ." You should first start by checking your tyres. Mark Hare, VanQuoteDirect Managing Director, says "Owners can use a depth gauge to measure that the tyre tread is at the legal requirement of 1.6mm. Low tyre pressure uses more fuel and can wear out your tyres quicker, so make sure they are inflated to the correct pressure." He explains that basic steps can make all the difference. To avoid low or restricted visibility, you should then look at your lights and indicators, make sure they are in good working order especially if you drive for long periods of time. It's suggeste...

Today is the exciting opening of the Geneva Motor Show for media representatives. Press days are March 5-6, 2013 before the show officially opens to the public on March 7th. There will no doubt be a lot of write ups and photos of some amazing vehicle concepts and long awaited debuts from top auto manufacturers. I just read more details on Ford's European version of the all-new EcoSport SUV, which just had its big reveal today at the show. The EcoSport is built on Ford’s global B-segment platform and will offer a range of efficient powertrains, including the 125PS 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine -- International Engine of the Year -- an 110PS 1.5-litre petrol engine, and a 90PS 1.5-litre diesel engine expected to deliver class-leading fuel efficiency. “All-new Ford EcoSport for Europe is extremely economical, flexible and stylish, and will – alongside the new B-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle, the best-selling Fiesta and all-new Tourneo Courier – complete a comprehensive small c...

Have you read the latest article from Nissan that describes the new modern day pro van driver? In the post, titled “ Nissan van driver research builds a picture of the modern day professional driver ” the results of Nissan's recent van driver report show that typical van drivers "are better drivers when their van is clean, their favourite radio station is Radio 2, a packed lunch is their food of choice, some take a nap when they are stuck in a traffic jam and the majority of van drivers are over 45 years old." Does this sound like you? Nissan have surveyed 250 drivers for this report, in an attempt to paint a more realistic picture of who professional van drivers really are and to re build on the old negative stereotypical 'white van man'. The results show that they are less ASBO than previously imagined and are rather more a refined gentle soul. You have to read the report highlights here to see more results explaining why. The 2013 Nissan Van Report also brough...

If you've ever been in an accident on the road, then you know how stressful and scary it can be, especially if it was your first such experience. Even if you have been lucky enough to have avoided a collision thus far, knowing exactly what to do if/when it does happen may help alleviate a bit of your worry. Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger from road safety charity the IAM , offers helpful weekly motoring tips and this week, he is advising on what to do following a collision. The advice below is from a recent IAM post titled, " Crash, bang, follow up ". If you have the option, stop your vehicle where it is safe. Turn the engine off and put your hazard lights on (if appropriate). Check that you are unharmed first, and then check any other people. If you need the emergency services, dial 999 (112 will also work from a mobile if you are used to that) and explain the position to the operator. Stay calm. Be careful about your own safety – it’s easy to be f...

Is this really the delivery van of the future? Imagine yourself being able to load more, thus enabling you to increase deliveries/business from the comfort and style of a zero emissions Transporter van. Well, you nearly can. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will be showing a transporter concept vehicle: the e-Co-Motion at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Per the latest Volkswagen press release, this compact electric drive system van, with its large cargo capacity can handle up to 800 kilograms of payload and still manoeuvre with ease. So how is it that the e-Co-Motion makes for a great delivery van option? Volkswagen say they achieved this by clear partitioning of the vehicle body into a lower driving-relevant zone containing an under floor drive unit, battery and gearbox; and an upper superstructure that is relevant to delivery tasks. Therefore, this makes maximum use of space, creating ideal customer solutions and various body versions.  A low cargo floor height and large cargo capacit...

Today is March 1st, but it might as well be considered Friday the 13th, as it marks the start of the number 13 registration plate. Many speculated that this would impact on not only current, but future vehicle sales due to the superstition surrounding the odd numeral. The car information experts, CAP , have posted their views on this subject and say that they have not found the fear factor related to the '13 plate' to be true, especially in the way of increased depreciation or reduced demand for 13 plate cars by avoiding them in the future used car market. CAP first flagged the issue of ‘triskaidekaphobia’ – fear of the number 13 – and the car market last summer, when trade talk began to turn to superstitious customers’ potential responses to the March 2013 plate. CAP also say that they will closely monitor the prices achieved in the used market by 13 plate cars as they begin to enter the used market in the months ahead, to see if there is any discernible impact from triskaidek...

After much discussion and debate, the HGV Road User Levy Act became law yesterday. The levy will mean that foreign-registered lorries will have to pay to travel on UK roads. UK vehicles already have to pay to drive in many European countries. The FTA has issued a press release welcoming the news of the scheme’s arrival. James Hookham, FTA’s Managing Director of Policy & Communications said: “FTA has supported the idea of a charge on foreign vehicles for many years as a way of partly addressing the competitive differences between British registered operators and foreign-registered vehicles. There were important conditions attached to our support to avoid additional costs and burdens falling on UK operators, as the charge could not be applied to foreign vehicles alone, and, so far, these have been met. “The next key event is the Chancellor’s Budget Statement on 20 March when the new reduced Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rates will be announced. We will be watching to make sure that UK op...