Low Cost Vans

Good news for the electric van in adding to its future fleet potential, as Nissan recently posted a press release regarding British Gas’ trial run of 28 new electric e-NV200 Nissan vans this winter. The company are helping to test these vans ahead of the vans late 2014 release and as part of their own goal towards reaching an impressive figure of having 10% of its 13,000 vehicle fleet fuelled by electricity by 2015. They have already begun assessing how well the e-NV200’s will perform in the colder months (between November and April 2014) by putting them on the road with their home service engineers in everyday situations. British Gas aims to closely evaluate the electric vans performance and if all goes well, will add them permanently to the company van fleet. Nissan describe the new upcoming e-NV200 van as “a breakthrough zero emission compact van that promises an dramatic reduction in running costs while also helping the environment by bringing CO2 emissions down to zero at the poi

In a recent press release , Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles announced the winners of a pretty generous give away. The fortunate winner of the competition, which was also in collaboration with Gallo Family Vineyards, got to drive away with the perfect prize combo . The promotion was a marriage made in heaven for those like me, who enjoy both wine and vans (umm, just not at the same time of course ). The prize included a Combo van , loaded with six cases of Gallo Family Vineyard wine. The prize was part of Gallo Family Vineyards’ promotion to support sales and distribution in independent retailers of the Gallo Family Vineyards rosé range, one of  the nation’s favourite USA rosé brand. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t eligible to enter (or believe you me, I would have), as the competition was aimed at independent retailers who entered the competition by purchasing three cases of Gallo Family Vineyards rosé wine (White Grenache, White Zinfandel or Merlot Rosé) at their local cash and carry an

After another hugely successful Los Angeles Auto Show, one of the most anticipated vehicles comes courtesy of Ford . Ford unveiled its plan to bring the new large SUV Ford Edge Concept to Europe. The original is already a hit in the States, but Ford is gearing up to offer the European market a newer higher spec model, plus a comprehensive line-up of redesigned SUVs alongside the Edge which will include the new Kuga medium SUV and new EcoSport small SUV. So, what can those of us in Europe expect from this smarter yet driver friendly new vehicle? Ford describes the Ford Edge Concept as having a sleek and sporty appearance, an SUV with capability, fuel efficiency and technology that assist the driver. All of which will include advanced automated driving technologies such as; self-parking and obstacle avoidance systems and previews semi- and fully autonomous driving options. Externally, the Edge will have an athletic “muscular” appearance and feature a pretty cool new high-tech applicati

Leave it to the genius auto makers in Japan to come up with a zany, yet oh so adorable concept vehicle. Daihatsu have just debuted a small, but functional compact commercial van styled vehicle called the ‘FC Deck’ at the now-happening Tokyo motor show. It’s a miniature fuel-cell powered van that some would say looks more like a toy truck as it measures just 3.3m long, 1.5m wide and 1.9m tall. The Daihatsu FC Deco DECK concept is rather a unique looking piece of motoring and because of its size and the use of Toyota/ Daihatsu’s new liquid fuel cell designed battery, if it ever becomes a fully fledged van offering, it can boasts to be one of the greenest vans on the planet (even if it does resemble a pretty awesome Transformer toy).  As of now, Daihatsu has not released any technical info about the FC Deco DECK concept, but I am sure we will be hearing a lot more about the fuel cell technology making its way to more practical vehicles soon. I will be posting more fun and interesting fin

As the temperature has dropped, we now have to deal with the glimmering frost that drapes itself all over our cars and vans ( It’s not so much a visually pretty sight as it is a rather annoying one, for me), it means we need to give ourselves and our vehicles a bit more time to get ready for the morning commute to work. I know the feeling when it resembles the arctic in your bedroom, all you want to do is to stay tucked in bed under a nice warm duvet. But, let’s pull our boots up and get to work. A little extra time preparing your van can actually save you time and avoid the hassle if your van breaks down or the battery goes. The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists ( IAM ), has published some great advice recently pertaining to motoring in cold wintery conditions. Britain’s top advanced driver and IAM chief examiner, Peter Rodger, is advising motorists on how to get going in the bleak mid-winter. Peter Rodger said: “It can take a bit longer

Vehicle finance alternatives are out there to aid in getting businesses, SME’s, or private individuals on the road when they need to buy a much needed new van or require extra fleet vehicles to start up or increase business. Unfortunately we are well aware that traditional methods, i.e. banks, are still not lending as much as we need them to or not lending at all in some cases. We have explored a few finance options in last week’s blog post. Today, we continue exploring some possible finance methods that may suit your needs and help to get you behind the wheel of your very own brand new van. But first, here are some things to consider before choosing the right finance package: Term – For what length of time would your business need to lease the vehicle for? The general rule is that the longer you lease a vehicle for, the cheaper the monthly rental will be. Mileage – How many miles will you drive the vehicle per year? The monthly cost for the van lease may be heavily dependent upon th

With the year winding down and what looks like a slow rise, yet positively still on the upswing, recovery in the economy, perhaps you’ve been thinking of buying that much needed new van or adding extra vehicles to your fleets to increase business in the new year. But, as we are well aware and have been for a good few years now, that traditional methods, i.e. banks are still not lending as much as we need them to, or not lending at all in some cases. So what financial alternatives are out there to aid in getting businesses/SME's firmly back on the road so to speak? I recently read an article saying that asset based lending is on the rise. This describes lending to a business or large corporations using assets not typically used in other loans. Instead, these loans are tied to things like inventory, accounts receivable, machinery and equipment. However, these types of loans often incur higher interest charges and can be more lucrative for the lending party than for borrower.  Plus, t

If you have been waiting for a top of the range big van with bigger features, the wait may be over. Just this week Iveco has announced that they are launching a special edition light commercial vehicle named Platinum Daily . They say it is “designed to appeal to owner-drivers eager to combine added style and comfort with one of the best all-round vehicle and aftersales packages on the market”. Based on the details released from Iveco, every Platinum Daily will come with Iveco’s highest tier options pack as standard. See below: Electric windows and mirrors Cruise control Suspended driver's seat Remote control central locking as well as additional storage Optimised sound proofing and power steering These also include air conditioning with climate control, spring-suspended driver’s seat, cornering front fog lights, heated electric mirrors, remote control central locking, additional storage compartments, 140 amp alternators and a heavy-duty battery. The shiny new van will be

What’s been happening in the van world of late? Well, it comes as no surprise to learn that there were more accolades bestowed upon popular van manufacturer, Ford , last week. Ford has won a trio of trophies at the 2013 ACFO Awards. The successful Ford Transit has been voted Large Van of the Year, Ford Transit Connect wins Small Van of the Year, and Ford has claimed the award for Environmental Initiative of the Year for the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine. ACFO (Association of Car Fleet Operators) Ltd is a non-profit making organisation. It is the largest UK body representing the interests of businesses which operate cars and vans as part of their normal commercial activities. They say they are the “voice of the fleet decision-maker”. The judges were impressed by Ford’s wide range of award-winning products available to fleet customers and voted the Ford Transit Connect the nation’s favourite small van for the 11 th time in succession, while the larger Ford Transit re

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SMMT ), who support and promote the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad, have issued the latest registration data of new commercial vehicles in the United Kingdom for October 2013. It was good news for the van market in October, as vans rose 26.3% with 22,473 registrations and posted growth of 11% over the year so far with 227,477 registrations. The overall commercial vehicle market is up 9.8% for the year-to-date, at 266,934 units. Once again we see Ford continuing to lead the pack in commercial vehicles <3.5t and <6.0t in the SMMT’s new registration data tables for October. Volkswagen wasn’t quite able to topple the giant and came in a far second with 3,079 units compared to Ford’s 5,501 in the light commercial vehicle stakes. For more details and data figures, please visit the SMMT website here . “Both the van and truck markets showed great strength in October boosting the sector by 27.3% and taking the 20

As of this month, one of the UK’s best-selling small vans will get an upgrade, as Citroën produces a Berlingo van to remember. The enhancements to the much loved LCV range, which are now being rolled off the production line as we speak, include improvements to its fuel economy, emissions reductions, and exterior changes such as a new gearbox and more in-cab storage. Just in time for the holidays. Bet these will be high on a few Christmas wish lists this year. According to Citroën’s latest press release, the Berlingo van upgrade will dazzle externally with a new chrome grille, new side rubbing strips and revised side skirts. Improvements to its driveability come in the form of a new ETG6 (6-speed Efficient Tronic Gearbox) for the Berlingo Airdream models and all Berlingo vans specified with the new ETG6 gearbox also include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), traction control with Hill Start Assist, a passenger airbag, cruise control with driver-adjustable speed limiter and a new Gear

We’ve made it to the first day of November folks. As we near the end of 2013, I hope your Halloween was eventful and that your Bonfire Night sparkles. But before the next holiday approaches, you know the big one in December, (I can’t bring myself to say it or write about it yet. Bah, Humbug) there are some very exciting motor shows to talk about. The first major North American auto show of the season, the Los Angeles Auto Show, is once again going to make the headlines when it opens its doors on November 20 th , 2013. The show promises to “blow the doors off” with no less than fifty vehicle debuts taking place at this year’s event. For all auto lovers, there will be over 1,000 of the 2013 makes and models of import and domestic cars, as well as alternative fuel/electric vehicles and race cars. Now that sounds like heaven to me. I will make sure to keep an eye out for the newly launched vehicles as they step into the limelight during their glamorous LA coming out party. There’s still ti