Automotive and Van Blog
Bringing you the latest news and reviews on all things connected to van motoring.
M6 toll rise blasted
Thursday February 18 2010
Van contract hire customers may be affected by a recent rise in the M6 toll charge which will go up by 30p from March 1st, it was recently announced. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has blasted the decision to hike up the prices for using the road. Stephen Kelly, FTA's head of policy for the midlands, said:...continue reading
Second-time passers are safest drivers
Wednesday February 17 2010
Van leasing customers who passed their test at the second attempt are less likely to have an accident than those that passed first time, it has been claimed. A survey by Continental Tyres has revealed that drivers who get their licence at the second time of asking are the least likely to be stopped by police or suffer...continue reading
Potholes could damage contract hire vans' windscreens
Wednesday February 17 2010
Potholes on the UK's roads resulting from the recent cold weather could damage van windscreens, van contract hire customers have been warned. Windscreen repair company Auto Windscreens predicts that four times as many vehicles as usual will fail MOTs due to windscreen damage this year. It cites figures from the Asphalt...continue reading
Improved street lighting could benefit van contract hire
Wednesday February 17 2010
Van contract hire customers could find they have better visibility on the roads following government investment in street lighting. The Department for Transport (DfT) has pledged a total of £620 million to be divided among seven local authorities to improve street lighting in their respective areas. Better street...continue reading
Balfour Beatty chooses Mercedes Sprinter van
Tuesday February 16 2010
Firms looking for van contract hire may want to follow the lead of Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions (BBUS) who have recently ordered a fleet of 700 Mercedes Sprinter vans. The company said it had chosen the van for its impeccable safety record as it aims to reduce risk of injury for its drivers, part of a wide-ranging...continue reading
Van contract hire customers warned of uninsured driver threat
Tuesday February 16 2010
Those with contract hire vans should be wary of the danger posed by uninsured drivers following the results of a new study. According to a survey by price comparison website Moneysupermarket.com, the number of uninsured drivers has increased by a third in the past two years. It found that 20 per cent of drivers admit...continue reading
Mercedes Vito voted van of choice
Tuesday February 16 2010
Those interested in van contract hire might want to consider a Mercedes Vito, following a poll that has named it the most desirable van. According to a survey by van insurance company Swinton Commercial, 37 per cent of van drivers would choose a Mercedes Vito if money were no object. Second place in the online poll...continue reading
Charity calls for 'controls for older drivers'
Monday February 15 2010
Van leasing customers over the age of 70 may have to undergo regular "fit to drive" tests if a call from a driving safety charity is heeded. The charity Brake has claimed that those over 70 should have annual check-ups to detect if their health has deteriorated, making them unfit to drive. It is also asking the government...continue reading
Van Contract Hire customers could face congestion charge in York
Monday February 15 2010
Road charges may be introduced to reduce congestion in York, van contract hire customers have been told. Traffic on the city's medieval streets is expected to increase by 28 per cent by 2021, according to the local council, and new methods are being considered to combat the problem. Improvements to roads, public transport...continue reading
Tailgating most annoying habit say motorists
Monday February 15 2010
Van leasing customers should avoid tailgating when driving as this has been identified as the most hated motoring bad habit, a new survey has revealed. According to the study by Kwik-Fit, 66 per cent of drivers said they despised people driving too close to their bumper the most. This was followed by failing to indicate...continue reading
New Vauxhall models could become available for van contract hire
Friday February 12 2010
Contract Hire customers may soon have a greater range of Vauxhall vans to choose from after the manufacturer promised to invest in more models. According to the Guardian, the company said it was looking to invest in new van models to build at its Luton plant, where it currently makes the Vivaro. Furthermore, Vauxhall...continue reading
Van Leasing customers warned of snow danger
Friday February 12 2010
Those leasing a van over the weekend should be wary of dangerous road conditions following a warning from the AA. The organisation has told drivers to be careful on the roads following more bad weather across large areas of the UK. Yesterday saw some areas such as Kent and East Sussex covered in snow 10 inches deep...continue reading
New Grip Control could bring benefits to Peugeot van contract hire customers
Friday February 12 2010
Peugeot van contract hire customers looking to lease one of the company's Partner vans will have the option of a new traction control system. The manufacturer has announced that it is adding its Grip Control system to L1 HDi 90 850 kg Partner van models, including the Crew van, in both S and SE trim levels, as part of...continue reading
Electric Ford Transit Connect van leasing possibility
Thursday February 11 2010
Ford has unveiled an electric-powered version of its Transit Connect van raising the possibility of it being available for contract hire in the UK in the future. The manufacturer introduced the Ford Transit Connect Electric at the Chicago Auto Show this week but it is not yet clear if or when it will be coming to the...continue reading
New models extend Renault van contract hire options
Thursday February 11 2010
Renault has introduced two new vans, increasing the options available to those interested in Renault van contract hire. The manufacturer has made one addition each to its Kangoo and Trafic range of vans. According to the manufacturer, the new Trafic van has been designed to add comfort and user friendly controls to...continue reading
Citroen Berlingo van leasing customers get new traction option
Thursday February 11 2010
Those wishing to contract hire a Citroen van will have the option of a new traction control system when leasing a Berlingo. Citroen has announced it is adding a Grip Control Electronic Stability Programme option to its Berlingo 850 L1 1.6HDi 90hp LX and Enterprise vans, the manufacturer's two highest payload models....continue reading