Low Cost Vans

It’s New Year’s Eve and 2014 looks set to be an amazing year in the world of motors with some exciting new van, truck, and car models making their way onto the forecourts soon. Have you made any resolutions yet? If so, what are they? I vowed not to make any this year, as I almost never follow through with them. However, I have decided to make more of an effort to attend as many auto show’s as possible in the new year. The first port of call on my auto show tour is heading to the NEC for the UK exhibition dedicated to enthusiasts of sports and performance cars (that’d be me!); The Performance Car Show in association with Autocar and PistonHeads.com. It will be an opportunity to see some fast sleek expensive cars up close and to join a host of other journalists and prestigious car fans in admiration of these dream machines (bet I won’t be the only one ogling dreamily at the new Aston Martin Vanquish). With a price tag of a mere £200,000 (gulp) for the Vanquish, I’m afraid this may turn

It's nearly here! Only a few more days until Santa delivers all of the gifts you requested this year. Did you ask for the latest Transit Custom, a shiny red Berlingo perhaps, or a spiffy Sprinter van? You still have time to redeem yourselves if you haven't been quite as nice as the big guy would have liked this year. But if all of your last minute good deeds go unrewarded or if you just no longer believe in Father Christmas, you can simply visit us here at Low Cost Vans in the new year, where you will find some amazing deals on the van or fleet car that just didn't make it onto the reindeer driven sleigh (must have been because of weight limitations? Health and Safety has infiltrated the North Pole!). We look forward to helping you find the right van for lease or contract hire in 2014. From all of us at Low Cost Vans, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a  Happy New Year!  

The full list of the 2014 What Van? award winners have been announced this week. The magazine with decades of light commercial vehicle experience aims to recommend, commend, congratulate and reward the top performers in the van industry. These are decided by the editorial team of the UK’s leading light commercial vehicle title. This year brought a whole new category to the awards in the form of ‘Used Van of the Year’ and the What Van? Hall of Fame, where a deserving legend in the industry will be inducted. Which LCV gained van immortalisation and did last year’s big winner, Ford, steal the show with multiple wins again this year? Drum roll, please... The results of the What Van? Awards 2014: What Van Awards 2014 Van of the Year: Ford Transit Custom What van? Awards 2014 Small Van: Ford Fiesta Van What Van? Awards 2014 Light Van: Fiat Doblo Cargo/Vauxhall Combo What Van? Awards 2014 Medium Van: Ford Transit Custom What Van? Awards 2014 Pick-Up: Ford Ranger What van? Awa

If you have a thriving business to run which requires the use of fleet vans, yet still have a desire to do your bit for the environment, do you opt for the zero emission electric van or choose the most “green” and economical standard van on the market? The decision of whether or not to operate a fleet of environmentally friendly vans can be daunting, especially when you absolutely need to take into account factors such as budgets, business needs/criteria, plus overall costs like maintenance, and fuel. There are a few standard fuel LCV vans currently on the market that can be both ecologically and economically sound, such as the Fiat Fiorino van which was recently named the ‘City Van of the Year’ for the second year in a row at the 2013 Fleet Van Awards. It was great to see that not only did the Fiorino win accolades for its latest MultiJet II engines, fuel economy, and practicality, but the van maker, Fiat Professional brand, collected the ‘Green Van Manufacturer of the Year’ award t

Hooray, it’s Friday. It has been a long week and for some, this weekend brings on the annual office Christmas party. Time to don your fancy party clothes and have a few well-earned pints on the boss. Just remember though, if you plan to drink, leave the van at home. My favourite road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists ( IAM ), have published their weekly motoring tips offering advice on avoiding the consequences of intoxication behind the wheel this Christmas time. IAM chief examiner and Britain’s top advanced driver, Peter Rodger, says, “This time of year brings with it brandy pudding, mulled wine and Christmas parties. If you’re heading out for a few drinks, make sure you have planned your journey home before you start, so that you don’t drive after a drink.” Rodger offers tips on driving over the Christmas period: Don’t try and calculate whether or not you have consumed enough to tip you over the drink-drive limit – it’s almost impossible to get right Drinks pour

Imagine if you could pick the brain of a member of the SAS. What would you want to know? In a recent press release from Halfords Autocentres , they have gone above and beyond for motorists and asked former SAS Sergeant Major and author of the SAS Survival Handbook, John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman for his help in advising drivers on how to survive seasonal dangers. Ok, so not the gritty classified information most of us would ask about, but if an SAS member offers advice of any sort, it would be a shame not to listen. Halfords came up with idea to offer this advice after learning details of a recent study that revealed nearly half of motorists are fearful of driving during the winter. I, personally, admit to getting a bit more stressed when driving in severe winter weather and am glad of this type of advice. It’s important to have at least some basic knowledge of what to do if your van gets stuck in the snow or what you can do to avoid skidding on ice and other dangers that may unexpectedly arise.

So the rumours were true, General Motors has announced it will pull the Chevrolet brand out from Europe. GM is expected to drop Chevrolet by the end of 2015 and will therefore shift focus to its resources on the Opel and Vauxhall brands. However, interesting to note, these too have showed signs of struggling in the European market. The absence of the Chevrolet brand in Western Europe (it’s speculated that they’ll remain in Eastern Europe and Russia?) is being blamed on the tough economic climate and the fact that the brand has been in a steady decline over the past couple of years. Thankfully, GM do say that they will continue to provide warranty, parts and services for their Chevrolet vehicles, and for vehicles purchased between now and the end of 2015. And, luckily for those classic American car lovers, the Corvette is still expected to make an appearance in Europe in 2014. The verdict is still out though, as to whether the iconic Camaro will follow. Stephen Girsky, vice chairman of

There was gleeful news in Citroën Commercial Vehicles latest press release this week. The popular Citroën Berlingo van pulled off a hat trick, as the small van of choice for many hard working individuals and fleets was crowned with its third Fleet Van ‘Small Van of the Year’ award at a ceremony in London. Scott Michael, Citroën’s Head of Commercial Vehicles & Business Centre Programme, said: “ We are delighted that the Berlingo has won the Fleet Van Small Van of the Year award. This prestigious accolade recognises the many strengths and benefits of the versatile and cost effective Berlingo range. Not only is the Berlingo Citroën’s best-selling LCV, but it has also been the UK’s best-selling van in its sector for the first three quarters of this year.” The Fleet Van awards judges commented that the Berlingo was in, “ A highly competitive shortlist, but new eco models, an electric vehicle derivative and Trafficmaster as standard swing it in the Berlingo’s favour. It also has low cos