Proace van secures first major fleet contract

The Toyota Proace medium-duty van has made headlines this week, as it has secured its first big fleet contract. In a recent press release, Toyota announced that Toyota Material Handling UK, which provides national sales and servicing for Toyota forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, had taken out an initial contract for 116 vans to be used by engineers for the company’s national servicing, installation and repair operations.

Toyota’s new medium panel van replaced the Hiace van this spring and is essentially a rebadged version of the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert. Proace is available in two lengths and heights, giving load capacities of 5m³, 6m³ or 7m³and can carry up to 1,200kg and tow up to two tonnes. It is also available with a range of Euro 5-compliant diesel engines, with the 89bhp 1.6-litre engine producing 180Nm of torque and is matched to a five-speed manual transmission. Two 2.0-litre diesel units are offered, with outputs of 126 and 161bhp and peak torque figures of 320 and 340Nm respectively. Both of these engines come with a six-speed manual transmission.

A versatile feature that makes this a good option for a wide range of modern business transport needs is the two sliding side doors, which can be specified and customers can choose between a top-hinged tailgate or dual side-hinged rear doors that open to 270 degrees. The particular vans provided to Toyota Material Handling UK will be fitted with Bluetooth, electric windows, driver’s seat height adjustment and reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel. If you also take into account the 80-litre fuel tank capacity of the 2.0-litre versions of the Proace and with Toyota giving it a theoretical driving range of more than 770 miles before refueling, it is clear to see why Toyota Material Handling UK has chosen the Proace.

Phill Bird, After Sales Director for Toyota Material Handling UK, is delighted that the Toyota Proace will be the tool of choice for his team. Bird commented “After a rigorous process of testing the Toyota Proace ticked all the boxes for comfort, efficiency and effectiveness for our field technicians. Their vehicles are more than just a van, they have to provide a spacious environment providing parts storage and a mobile workshop to deliver our trademark of world class support and the Proace provides both with comfort and style to match.”

Congratulations to the Toyota Proace in securing its first major fleet contract. I am looking forward to more good things to come from this new LCV.