Low Cost Vans

Exciting news from Nissan this week, they announced more details of their "game changing" all-electric Nissan e-NV200. With the LEAF already part of their EV offerings, the addition of the e-NV200 will make them the first manufacturer to include two all electric vehicles in their line up. The new EV will amalgamate the best of both the LEAF and Nissan’s commercial compact van, the NV200. So what’s the difference between the new e-NV200 and the NV200? They include visual changes, a re-engineered chassis, interior revisions, a new battery pack, a higher capacity regenerative braking system and more modifications to make the e-NV200 befitting a prime role as a city-based delivery vehicle for cargo and people. However, even though it is still based on existing hardware, a full engineering development programme from the ground up has been added reflecting a 30% increase of new components over existing NV200. Nissan’s latest press release says the drivetrain has been re-engineered...

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...

When deciding what is essential to have in your newly purchased van fleet, do you immediately choose to have the latest in-cab technology installed? According to Nissan’s recent Van Report , due to many companies requiring more efficiency from their driver and vehicle operations, satellite navigation is fast becoming the most preferred option. The report found that 45% of van drivers, and 40% of fleet operators, felt that sat-nav is an essential feature on a new van, coming ahead of parking sensors, Bluetooth and vehicle trackers. It points to a  growing shift in the van market which sees sat-nav considered greatly ahead of driver comforts such as electric windows, heated mirrors and air conditioning. This may mean that we can expect to see more van manufacturers fitting sat-nav as standard in the future. Nissan currently offers satellite navigation as an added option across various models and specifications within its LCV range. Sat-nav’s have replaced the old cumbersome, (attention...

In more fleet upgrade news, UK leading vehicle bodybuilders, Bevan Group, has announced that they have recently acquired 20 Nissan NV400 vans for use by its national network of mobile technicians. Bevan said they decided on the Nissan vans over three other van manufacturers after an extensive test drive programme led by the mobile technicians themselves and what they liked most about the NV400 is its performance, low load access height and maximum payload. The particular vans being supplied to Bevan’s’ fleet will consist of 3.5 tonne GVW front-wheel drive 125PS NV400s in SE trim and will come with factory-fitted satellite navigation systems, fitted ply-lining kits, deadlocks, alarms, immobilisers and roof-mounted beacons. Also, the company graphics (which looks fantastic on the vans - see the photo supplied by Nissan's official press release above) will proudly be displayed for all to see on these impressive new vans, as they will run them for three years and 105,000 miles, giving...

Nissan has proudly reported that a Scottish building services and engineering company has ordered an initial 275 vans in their largest corporate LCV deal to date. The extensive order of 220 NV200s and 55 Primastars will go towards supporting Richard Irvin Services Group's (RISG) commercial and domestic maintenance and repairs team. The vans, finished in striking RISG livery, will be delivered in stages over the next 30 months and will be kept for four years. The company decided on the Nissan vans over others after test driving them in the field. The drivers found them to be not only reliable, but could also comfortably house repair equipment and most importantly, keep the drivers in comfort and safety when covering the whole of Scotland George Robb, Richard Irvin Services Group procurement director said: “We’re currently going through a period of investing in our people and capital and this deal marks an integral part of this strategy. We took a product rather than price led select...

In an effort to compete with the Ford Transit Connect, it was announced recently that Nissan will produce a small cargo vehicle that General Motors will sell in the United States and Canada. In this partnership, GM will receive an allotment of NV200 vans from Nissan to sell on as the Chevy Express City cargo van through its dealership network. "Our fleet customers have asked us for an entry in the commercial small van segment, so this addition to the Chevrolet portfolio will strengthen our position with fleets and our commercial customers," said Ed Peper, US vice president of GM fleet and commercial sales. Pricing and further details on the new City Express van will be revealed closer to the van's launch, which is expected to go on sale in the U.S. by fall of 2014. These savvy collaborations and model sharing partnerships have been taking place for some time now. It allows for all involved to increase economies of scale without forcing one company's identity to be tak...

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...

Nissan has excitedly announced the unveiling of a second member of Europe's new Nissan Nismo range - the 370Z Nismo. NISMO, in case you weren't sure, stands for "Nissan Motorsports" which is the motorsports and performance division of Nissan Motor Company formed back in 1984. The 370Z closely follows the Nismo high performance race car like treatment of the Juke Nismo which was merely a concept car introduced way back in 2011. For more information on Nismo and the Nismo-tuned Juke, please click here to view an official press kit from Nissan. The "ultimate Z” coupe packs increased power and improved aerodynamics. It sports an enhanced driver-focused interior as well. Available only as a coupe with a six-speed manual gearbox, the 370Z Nismo features extensive engineering and styling enhancements. A version of the 370Z Nismo is already on sale in North America and Japan, but for Europe a unique specification has been developed to suit both road conditions and the t...

  Nissan has announced they have reduced the price of their zero-emissions all-electric Leaf. Nissan say the reduction of £2,500 is all part of a global effort to make the LEAF more affordable in the pioneering electric vehicle’s three main markets of Japan, Europe and the United States. On top of the incentive offered by the government, this means a customer can drive away in a brand new LEAF for £23,490. And to add to the good news, Nissan say that an updated version of the LEAF is coming in spring 2013. “There is no doubt that Nissan LEAF is a revolution and existing customers are passionate in their belief that zero-emission mobility is not the future, but is here now,” said Paul Willcox, senior vice president, Nissan Europe. “Nissan’s objective for LEAF has always been to bring zero-emission mobility within reach of the mass-market. Our price reduction underlines that commitment and with no price premium even more motorists will become believers.” The Leaf does offer some pret...

Crossover concept debuts have been plentiful at the NAIAS in Detroit. Nissan has also posted a new press release announcing the global debut of their new " Nissan Resonance" concept which took place at the 2013 North American International Auto Show. They describe the all-new fuel-efficient hybrid concept as having a "dynamic and edgy design that once again leads the trend for the crossover category with boldly futuristic aerodynamic styling". Resonance was created by Nissan Design America, San Diego, CA, under the direction of Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. The designers worked to express an aerodynamic feel that was lightweight yet also protective. The front exterior design shows the V-Motion, which starts from the front grille, moves through the bonnet and resonates with the iconic boomerang shaped headlights. The body is strengthened by powerful surfaces and provocative lines and is accented by the fl...

An exciting combination from Nissan and Ministry of Sound (London-based clubbing and electronic dance music authority) has just been announced. A music lover's dream, the limited edition Ministry of Sound Nissan Juke is available to order now, priced from £17,895, with just 250 coming to the UK. It can be specified with any engine and transmission in the current Juke range, including the 190PS 1.6-litre turbocharged DIG-T petrol and an 110PS 1.5-litre dCi diesel. Nissan says, "A new feature is a Stop/Start system for the 117PS 1.6-litre petrol engine. Available on all manual transmission Jukes except those in Visia trim, the Stop/Start system costs just £200 extra and reduces CO 2 emissions from 139g/km to 136g/km, while fuel consumption in the urban environment – one of the Juke’s natural hunting grounds – is improved by seven per cent, from 36.7mpg to 39.2mpg. Combined economy also jumps from 47.1mpg to 48.7mpg too." It will also offer a number of special designs and te...