Automotive and Van Blog
Bringing you the latest news and reviews on all things connected to van motoring.
Code of conduct to govern van fleet operators
Tuesday April 13 2010
Van contract hire customers could find themselves subject to a new van fleet code of conduct announced by the Freight Transport Association (FTA). The organisation has unveiled the Van Excellence Code, which has been developed in conjunction with van fleet operators and is voluntary to sign up to. It outlines rules...continue reading
Potholes a priority for voters
Monday April 12 2010
Van leasing customers could be among those concerned with the alarming number of potholes on UK roads. A new survey by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the RAC foundation has found that the crumbling state of the country's highways is the top transport concern for voters followed by the cost of using a car and the cost of travelling...continue reading
iPhone app could help van contract hirers in trouble
Monday April 12 2010
A new iPhone app that could be useful for van contract hire customers has been launched by breakdown recovery service Start Rescue. The firm has launched the app to allow those registered to report a breakdown without having to make a phone call. Users can also inform Start Rescue of the location and symptoms of the...continue reading
Renault to show-off van range at exhibition
Monday April 12 2010
Those interested in Van leasing may wish to attend this month's Commercial Vehicle Operator Show, where Renault will be showcasing a range of models. A total of nine models will be on display, under a new advertising strapline: "Trust Europe’s No.1 Van Manufacturer." Included will be Renault's three newest models...continue reading
Study reveals extent of pothole problem
Friday April 09 2010
Van contract hire drivers could be among those struggling to cope with the problems caused by the high number of potholes on Britain's roads. A new survey by the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) has found 97 per cent of drivers are forced to negotiate potholes on a daily basis. This is contributing towards what it estimates...continue reading
Peugeot to showcase possible new van leasing options at trade show
Friday April 09 2010
A range of new vans that could interest van leasing customers is to be displayed by Peugeot at the upcoming CV Operators' show. The French manufacturer will have a number of vehicles on its stand, including a Roadload U-tail Boxer van concept, an all electric Expert van and the latest Partner Crew van. Peugeot's new...continue reading
Van demand on the increase
Friday April 09 2010
Van contract hire may be one option for the increasing number of people looking for a new vehicle. Statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show new van registrations rose for the third successive month in March. The number of new vans increased by 16.3 per cent compared to February's figures,...continue reading
Highways Agency 'shows no respect for drivers'
Thursday April 08 2010
Van contract hire customers may agree with the sentiments of the Association of British Drivers (ABD), which has blasted the Highways Agency over speed limits through roadworks. The organisation claims that the agency is losing the respect of drivers because of a lack of common sense in the way it applies speed limits...continue reading
Nissan, Renault and Daimler alliance could increase van leasing options
Thursday April 08 2010
A new deal between Nissan, Renault and Daimler could see new van leasing options come onto the market in the future. Nissan and Renault, who already have a cooperation agreement, have teamed up with the German motor company in a deal that will see the three manufacturers collaborate on future light commercial vehicle...continue reading
Too many road signs could cause trouble for van contract hire drivers
Wednesday April 07 2010
Van contract hire drivers could be at risk because of an overload of information brought about by there being too many signs on the country's roads. According to the Plain English Campaign, motorists are being "bombarded" with information which could distract them from the road and make unobservant of the more important...continue reading
Eating crisps could lead to accidents for van leasing customers
Wednesday April 07 2010
Van leasing customers have been warned about the dangers of snacking while behind the wheel. A study by i-kube, makers of a curfew device for young drivers, found that millions of motorists have crashed while driving and eating. Unwrapping snacks has caused one in ten drivers to crash or have a near miss, it reported,...continue reading
Van drivers least likely to claim on insurance
Wednesday April 07 2010
Van contract hire drivers are among the least likely motorists to claim on insurance, a survey has found. According to the study from van insurance firm Swinton Commercial, 70 per cent of commercial van drivers would rather pay for minor repairs than claim on their insurance. Car drivers were the most likely group...continue reading
Rising petrol prices close to record levels
Tuesday April 06 2010
Van leasing customers face rising petrol prices close to record levels, it has been reported. According to the Press Association, an AA/Populus survey found prices at the pump reached an average of 119.46p a litre over the Easter weekend, just shy of the 119.7p record. AA president Edmund King said that the cost was...continue reading
Cost of driving up 9% since October
Tuesday April 06 2010
Getting a good van contract hire deal could be one solution to cutting the rocketing cost of motoring. A new study by Sainsbury's Finance has found that the cost of keeping a vehicle on the roads has increased by nine per cent in the past five months. Motoring now costs on average £2,539 a year, up from £2,338...continue reading
Nissan to showcase vans at CV Operator Show
Tuesday April 06 2010
Those interested in Nissan van leasing can head to this month's CV Operator Show, where the manufacturer will be showcasing some of its latest vehicles. Among the vans on display at the NEC in Birmingham will be the latest NV200, winner of What Van? Van of the Year 2010, International Van of the Year 2010 and ITM Van...continue reading
'Showroom tax' comes into effect
Thursday April 01 2010
Drivers may wish to consider van contract hire as an alternative to buying a vehicle as the government's 'showroom tax' comes into force today (April 1st). Under the changes, all new cars and light commercial vehicles will be subject to a reformed vehicle excise duty (VED) based on carbon emissions for the first year...continue reading
Government to reform roadwork rules
Thursday April 01 2010
Van contract hire customers could find there is a reduction in the number of roadworks holding up traffic thanks to new government guidelines released today (April 1st). Under a new Code of Practice, it is hoped companies that dig up roads will be made to replace it properly which will stop potholes from forming. The...continue reading