Automotive and Van Blog
Bringing you the latest news and reviews on all things connected to van motoring.
Nissan sees return to annual profit
Wednesday May 12 2010
Van contract hire supplier Nissan has reported a return to annual profit after a crisis which saw the Japanese manufacturer make huge losses last year. The firm said that it had slashed its losses to 11.6bn yen for the period from January to March, down from 276.9bn yen a year ago. This means Nissan has recorded a...continue reading
Toyota heralds 'new beginning'
Wednesday May 12 2010
Japanese manufacturer Toyota, which has a number of vehicles available for van leasing, has seen a return to profit. The world's largest carmaker was mired in scandal in recent months after it was forced to recall around eight million cars due to sticking accelerator pedals. But the company has managed to salvage its...continue reading
Logistics provider takes delivery of 750 Renault Kangoo vans
Wednesday May 12 2010
Those looking to contract hire a van may want to go down the same path as logistics provider Unipart Automotive. The firm has just taken the first delivery of a new 750-strong fleet of Renault Kangoo vans. According to Unipart fleet manager Martyn Rees, the Kangoo was chosen as it offered "the most compelling combination"...continue reading
Government must focus on improving finance availability, says SMMT
Tuesday May 11 2010
Van contract hire customers will be hoping that whoever forms the next government will heed advice to make finance for the van market more accessible. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has made the recommendation following the latest report on new van sales figures for the month of April. They show...continue reading
Van contract hire customers given misfuelling insurance warning
Monday May 10 2010
Van contract hire customers have been warned to make sure they do not use the wrong type of fuel as they may not be covered by their insurance. According to a study by the British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) there are 150,000 incidences of misfuelling each year. However, 30 per cent of motorists are not covered...continue reading
Delivery auction websites could provide new opportunities for van drivers
Monday May 10 2010
Van contract hire users could find new business opportunities by using websites which allow them to auction delivery services. According to the Independent, the popularity of such websites has taken off in recent years due to the benefits they bring to both companies and individual van drivers as well as consumers. ...continue reading
Government needs to address transport, says the FTA
Monday May 10 2010
Van leasing customers who work in the freight and logistics sector may be eager for the next government to address the country's transport policies. Last week's General Election has led to a hung parliament and the prospect of deal cutting between the major parties, particularly over the issue of voting reform. But...continue reading
Van leasing companies warned of windscreen shortage
Friday May 07 2010
Van leasing companies and other vehicle buyers may want to take extra good care of their windscreens. That is because the UK's worst winter in 30 years has resulted in high demand for replacement windscreens and led to a national shortage, Auto Windscreens has warned. According to the firm, vehicle glass specialists...continue reading
Lack of road investment could result in delays for van drivers in Scotland
Thursday May 06 2010
Those who lease a van in Scotland could find they face an increase in the number of delays and traffic jams on the country's roads due to a lack of maintenance investment. A study by the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation Scotland (Scots) found that councils are spending £45 million a year too little on...continue reading
Van contract hirers warned over tyre pressures
Thursday May 06 2010
Van contract hire users may want to ensure their tyres are inflated to the correct pressure following a warning from Renault. The van manufacturer has advised that under inflation by just 7psi could reduce tyre life by up to 20 per cent. Furthermore, more severe under inflation can lead to adversely affected grip and...continue reading
Van leasing customers getting away with mobile phone use
Thursday May 06 2010
Fines for van leasing drivers and other motorists who illegally use their mobile phones behind the wheel are falling, despite a recorded increase in the practice. According to Home Office figures, 116,000 drivers were prosecuted in England and Wales for mobile phone use in 2008/9, a five per cent drop on the year before...continue reading
Men pass driving test sooner than women
Wednesday May 05 2010
Male van contract hire customers will no doubt be pleased to know they have scored a victory in the long-running argument over which sex makes the better drivers. A new study by comparison website confused.com has revealed that men are more likely to pass their driving test first time and with fewer lessons. It found...continue reading
SMMT increases new van forecast for 2010
Wednesday May 05 2010
For those considering van leasing, now may be the time to act before increased demand pushes prices up. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has increased its new van registration forecast for 2010 following a better than expected first quarter. It now expects 202,000 vans to be registered by the end...continue reading
EU considering speed limiters for van drivers
Wednesday May 05 2010
Van contract hire vehicles may be subject to automatic speed limiters in the future under proposals from the European Union. In a report on cutting van emissions by the European Parliament, it is recommended that commercial vehicles are fitted with devices that stop them from travelling at over 120kmph (74.5mph), Reuters...continue reading
Transit Connect to be introduced to Europe
Tuesday May 04 2010
Ford van contract hire customers may be interested to learn that an electric version of the popular Transit Connect vehicle will be made available in Europe by the middle of 2011. The vehicle manufacturer confirmed the decision yesterday (May 3rd), with the shells of the van due to be produced at a factory in Turkey,...continue reading
Van sales increasing at Ford
Tuesday May 04 2010
Ford van contract hire customers may be interested to learn that sales of the manufacturer's high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles are on the increase. According to the brand's latest sales figures, April was the fifth month in succession that sales of Ford vehicles have risen by more than 20 per cent. Sales of Ford's...continue reading