Low Cost Vans

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...

This week, Volvo has released details on the new updated features that will make the new 2014 Volvo S80, V70 and XC70 models shine with elegant, sophisticated design and a focused attention to detail. "The new features in the new Volvo S80, V70 and XC70 are based on our human-centric approach, which has been a Volvo hallmark for more than 85 years. They take the elegant sophistication of our largest models to a new level," says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President, Product Strategy & Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Car Group. He continues: "We pave the way for our future model line-up by bringing the three models visually closer to each other. The renewal is one of the most extensive in our history, with the main focus on improved quality and attention to detail."   The new enhancements made inside and out across the V70, XC70 and S80 range include; Lower fuel consumption - fuel consumption of the 115 hp, four-cylinder D2 diesel in the new Volvo S80 with ...

Did you know that Volvo's ‘Transporters’ game is now available to play on Facebook? It's an entertaining yet clever marketing game that Volvo says "highlights the fact that whether we are talking about transporting food, carrying passengers and goods or building roads and houses, the Volvo Group helps meet these requirements on a daily basis all over the world." In the game you get the chance to be behind the wheel of one of the Volvo Group’s many vehicles and carry out a variety of transport assignments in the face of various obstacles where both speed and accuracy are essential if you want to top the leader board. Can you believe that since the launch of Transporters last October, the game has been downloaded over 1.5 million times? When I read this in Volvo's latest post, I just had to give the game another go and you know what? After playing it a bit longer than I had the first time I reviewed it (I wasn't initially impressed), it is actually a pretty fun ...

Volvo has released a new game that can be played online, on your iPhone/iPad, or android devices called ‘Transporters’. It's a game in which you can get behind the wheel of one of the Group’s many vehicles and carry out a variety of logistical tasks. By driving different vehicle types, picking up objects and avoiding obstacles in a variety of environments, you take part in a virtual journey through everyday life at the Volvo Group, but where the aim is to think fast and respond accurately. The game was launched to promote and attract players into visiting Volvo's Global News site. They plug the new site as their "window to the world, where news and events relating to the Group are presented." I had a go at playing a version of the game on the new Global News site and it’s not as appealing or as much fun as I had hoped. You simply use the left and right arrow keys and try not to hit the carnage on the road. Perhaps the app versions are more entertaining. The news websi...

Fantastic news from Volvo Trucks has just been released in regards to their newly introduced Fuel Advice service. Fuel costs can represent between 25% and 35 % of total haulage firm costs. At the same time, the hauliers' profit margins are often very small, which means that every saving makes an important difference. Volvo Trucks' Fuel Advice service can help haulage firms reduce their fuel costs by appointing a fuel advisor to assist them with planning and follow-up of their fuel consumption. The aim is to help hauliers cut their fuel costs whilst at the same time maintaining these improvements and in the long-term perspective, the results can mean a savings as high as 5%. "In order to succeed in cutting the haulage firm's overall fuel consumption, the part played by the drivers is vital. Our driver training courses in eco-driving have proven themselves to be effective, but without professional follow-up the results are often short-term," says Mikael Lidhage, Fue...

Volvo Trucks, one of the largest producers of heavy trucks and transport solutions within the truck industry, has developed Collision Warning with Emergency Brake - an advanced emergency braking system which also includes early collision warning.  Ahead of the November 2015 European legal requirement that all new trucks be fitted with emergency braking systems, Volvo says this system will help to prevent severe accidents caused by driver inattention. "We began by asking ‘what really is the problem?'. The answer is inattention. If you watched the traffic ahead of you the whole time, you wouldn't need systems like these," says Carl Johan Almqvist, Traffic & Product Safety Director, Volvo Trucks.  The braking system has been developed to support the driver so that the majority of rear-end collisions can be avoided. The new system, which is available on the new Volvo FH Series, combines a radar and a camera that work together to identify and monitor vehicles in front ...

Did you know Volvo Trucks’ offer an online tablet magazine? The magazine is produced four times a year and features stories about life on the road, articles about technology and product development and analyses of important issues facing the industry. In the magazine's September 2012  special issue, they focus on the new Volvo FH series which Volvo say will be a truck set to revolutionise the whole industry. The issue takes an in-depth look at what improvements the new FH offers in each area: design, safety, drivability, handling, fuel economy and driver comfort. To view the latest issue of Volvo Trucks Magazine, you can download it for free on your iPad from the App Store. For Android users, you can access the magazine from Google Play. If you would like to watch an introduction film about the new issue of Volvo Trucks' tablet magazine on YouTube, please click here .  

According to their latest press release, Volvo Trucks will launch new versions of the best-selling Volvo FH and the Volvo FH16 on September 5 th . The Volvo FH is being described as more like a car than a truck due to structural improvements giving the new Volvo FH series a stable and flexible design. The new FH series comes with a new Independent Front Suspension (IFS) system for left-hand drive heavy trucks, which means that each front wheel is suspended separately from the other and since both front wheels move independently, the result is gentler, smoother progress on the road. “For almost two decades, the Volvo FH Series has provided haulage companies with safety, efficient transport and high quality. Now, with our new replacements, we are going to be even better in all three areas," says Claes Nilsson, President Volvo Truck Corporation. He summarises the new series as, “A truck that will carry us far into the future.” Pictures of the trucks have not been released ahead of th...

In their newest press release this week, Volvo Car UK announces the launch of Business Edition models for the S60, V60 and V70 line-ups that will include "company must-haves" like satellite navigation, Bluetooth, High-Performance audio and rear park assist as standard. Volvo National Corporate Operations Manager Selwyn Cooper comments: "The business community is vitally important to us at Volvo, particularly as we have seen an increase of nearly a third (32 per cent) of business users funding a Volvo through our contract hire and leasing facilities in the first six months of this year. In order to better represent their needs, we are launching our new Business Editions in the S60, V60 and V70 line-up to make it easier for company car drivers to identify the right model for them. The Business Editions replace our ES and ES Nav versions but add more equipment for a lower price tag which will be even more appealing to motorists who are continually looking at ways to reduce ...

A new car comparison tool has just been announced from Volvo called Volvo Compare. Developed by CAP (provider of vehicle valuation data, new vehicle information and business solutions), it will allow you to compare Volvo's vehicle range of features and prices with all other makes and models in the market. Volvo says that it's the only manufacturer to offer such a comprehensive comparison tool of this type for private motorists, company car drivers and fleet managers. "Volvo Compare is unique in its marketplace by also offering a vehicle registration mark look-up facility so that any vehicle already on the road can be included in the comparisons." I visited the Volvo Compare website to see the tool for myself and it is a very comprehensive site offering comparison details such as; Vehicle Excise Duty, CO2 output, monthly fuel costs, and even compares total cost of ownership per mile. It's worth having a look for yourself as there are many more values to compare. Th...