Low Cost Vans

Pricing details and specs for Vauxhall's Luton-built Vivaro van has recently been announced. The Vivaro van range will now include two trim levels such as, the Vivaro and Vivaro Sportive. Plus, four body styles: panel van, double cab, 9-seater combi and platform cab. Vivaro is on sale now, but how much will the new van have set you back when deliveries take place in September? The list prices are to start from £17,995 excluding VAT (that's £450 less than the outgoing model). Vauxhall also announced pricing for the 9-seater combi, which will start at £25,699 to £27,749 OTR including VAT and be prepared to pay around £20,658.33 to £21,858.33 list price excluding VAT for the platform cab. Vauxhall has also released detailed specifications for the upcoming Vivaro. See the list below: Full Vivaro van Specifications In panel van and double cab body style, the Vivaro features: Digital Radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity Steering column mounted audio control Electrically opera...

Although my number one passion is vans, I also love all things motor related too, especially SUVs. I just read the latest press release for one of the most anticipated car launches to date – Volvo’s all-new XC90 – begins today. When the original XC90 was launched in 2002, it was said to have revolutionised the SUV segment with its combination of space, versatility and safety. I really considered getting myself one of these seven-seater 4x4 SUVs quite a few years ago and thought they were a decently priced model. Of course, reason ruled over heart, as I had no need for seven seats (unmarried, no kids) or the off road features, so I went for a more practical option. But, when I saw news of a newly revised XC90, my interest was instantly piqued (I do have a few dogs now). So what do Volvo reveal about the new Swedish designed luxury SUV?  Volvo’s launch programme starts with teasing consumers by only providing us with a first glimpse of the luxurious car interior and will gradually conti...

In case you happened to miss it, I just wanted to share the good news about Low Cost Vans being featured in Wales Online and in the Western Mail this week. The commercial vehicle business has seen tremendous sales growth and has expanded rapidly, arising for the need to employ even more stellar customer-focused team members. Creating local jobs and selling a wide range of quality commercial vehicles are just some of the factors that will no doubt see the company and its dedicated team, expand well into the future. If you’d like to learn more about the van firm that offers a premium quality service, Low Cost Vans Managing Director, Mr Rod Lloyd, has provided an interview for the latest edition of Business in Wales magazine. It will be out on June 6th, so pick it up and don't forget to visit the Low Cost Vans website. To read the Wales Online article titled, “ Gearing up for expansion! Van firm creates roles to support rapid growth ”, please click here .

The winners of the 2014 Fleet World Honours were recently announced. These awards give recognition to leading fleet vehicles and suppliers and are presented by the trade publication to manufacturers, service companies and individuals, who have achieved the highest possible level of excellence in their sector. The event held at the Royal Automobile Club at Pall Mall, London featured awards presented in car categories such as Design of the year (Citroën C4 Cactus), Fleet Manufacturer of the Year (BMW), and Best New Car (Peugeot 308). But for me, the most exciting award categories were found in the Van Fleet Awards section, which included some, none too surprising winners, as one manufacturer came away with more than a lion’s share of awards again this year. See the results below. Van Fleet World Van Awards: Best New Van – Ford Transit Connect Best Light Van – Fiat Fiorino / Peugeot Bipper / Citroën Nemo Best Small Van – Ford Transit Connect Best Medium Van – Ford Transit Custom Best Lar...

Fiat Professional commercial vehicles have announced an exciting extended partnership with TomTom that will now see TomTom’s fully integrated and state-of-the-art navigation solution added to the new Fiat Ducato range of vans. The state-of-the-art navigation software will be integrated in the Uconnect™ 5” Radio Nav system, which is fully integrated in the dashboard, has a 13 cm (5") resistive colour touchscreen, and also feature TomTom’s IQ routes and digital maps. I really like the look of the dashboard system with the 5" screen, but personally, I have yet to upgrade to a shiny state-of-the-art sat nav system in my car. It just might be too much of a distraction for me, so I have thus far resisted, although my map reading ability would warrant a look at investing in one of these. Lucky for Fiat Ducato owners, as the added new technology will provide them with: World class TomTom navigation software High quality maps for over 30 countries across Europe and Latin America...

As it's throwback Thursday, I found the perfect throwback article on Hot Rod magazines website featuring some really fun retro West Coast USA vans. I found it interesting that at one point in the early 70's, Hot Rod readers sent loads of hate mail complaining that featuring vans in the mag and on the cover ruined the magazine and its editors at the time were accused of having "ruined hot rodding by promoting vans." Crazy, huh? But the article also mentions, "that it was HOT ROD that inspired the first Van Nationals, an annual event that celebrates its 38th renewal this July in Ohio (see Vannin.com)."  So, hot rod enthusiasts in the America either love or hate the humble van, but the pics from the article are a fun look at custom vans spanning over 40 years. Take a look at the vans of the past by clicking on the link below. The article titled Custom Vans - West Coast Vans 40 Years Later , written by Dave Wallace, can be found on Hot Rod magazines website her...

Good news was announced this week for both the auto finance industry and UK businesses. The FLA has reported that demand for motor finance has continued to stay strong throughout this year. New business volumes were reported as 29% higher in March than the same month in 2013, hinting at the strongest growth in the consumer used car finance market so far this year. Recent figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show consumer new car finance volumes were up by 21% in March compared with the same month last year. They were also up by 23% in Q1 2014. The FLA also reported on the rise of new consumer finance, which grew by 19% in March, compared with the same month last year, and was up 17% in Q1 of 2014. The figures show that growth in new business extended beyond the point-of-sale market into credit card finance and personal loans, with an increase in these two sectors of 12% in March, and a 10% rise in Q1 this year. Figures and data tables below are from the FLA...

Did you know that van drivers are safer than car drivers on the road? So says an article published in the Telegraph last week. The term "white van man" has been synonymous with a reputation for being considered lane hogging careless drivers for years now. However, the findings from published government data referred to in the article, show that the often implied negative white van moniker is not only outdated but unfounded.  Although previous studies had found many people still associate van drivers as wreckless, this is not the case today or is certainly proved incorrect based on accident statistics. To read more about how van drivers are safer drivers, please read the Telegraph article written by transport correspondent Nick Collins  here . What do you think, are van drivers safer or still deserving of the "white van man" tag? Let us know your thoughts on my Twitter page or via the blog comments.

This week it was reported that total commercial vehicle registrations had dipped 4.2% in April and truck registrations are apparently continuing to feel the effects of the emissions standard changes with volumes down 24.9% in the month. What was the month of April like for van demand/registrations? Well, according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SMMT ), one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK, it was another positive and stable month. Van demand in April 2014 remained stable with 20,620 registrations. SMMT revised its van forecast to 301,320 a rise of 11.2% on 2013. "Ongoing robust demand for vans continued the year-to-date trend in line with SMMT's revised van forecast for 2014, a forecast that should see the market grow more than 11% on 2013," said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. "The overall market remained subdued, however, as the Euro-6 lag continued for trucks. Demand for HCVs is likely to remain behind 2013 al...

F ord has recently announced price cuts on selected parts for Transit and Transit Connect models that are more than four years old, their most popular van range. In a bid to help small businesses save money and to attract more older vehicles into Ford workshops to remain competitive, the initiative will offer savings of up to 58%. An example of the new discounts include; a replacement clutch slave cylinder on a 2000–2006 Ford Transit, with an up to 58% reduction, can add up to a saving of up to £210. But that’s only a small portion of the discounted parts on offer. Ford Motorcraft value range parts available at a reduced price also include: Brakes: brake discs and linings Filters: oil filters, air filters, diesel fuel filters Clutches / flywheels: clutch kits, clutch release bearings and dual mass flywheels Running gear: wishbones / control arms, wheel bearings This will certainly attract more fleets and sole traders to consider buying a Ford commercial vehicle, as reliability...

Did you attend the much talked about Commercial Vehicle ( CV ) Show this year? It was an excellent selling opportunity, plus a primary sourcing for the entire UK road freight transport and logistics industry and for operators. It is the foremost meeting place, attracting over 18,000 high quality visitors with serious buying power.   The show attracted some important names in the transport industry, including Shadow Transport Minister, Richard Burden, who took the time to view the array of new products and discussed the issues facing the sector with the Show organisers and exhibitors. Amongst the impressive line-up of other polished vans, the Mercedes-Benz stand stood out with the likes of their successful light commercial van, the Citan and of course the latest Sprinter vans. Plus, let’s not forget to mention the impending arrival of the all-new Vito van heading to forecourts in March 2015. We can’t wait for the unveiling line-up of their ‘ready-to-go-to-work special conversions, ...