Automotive and Van Blog
Bringing you the latest news and reviews on all things connected to van motoring.
Smaller engines could make vans more fuel efficient and cheaper, says study
Tuesday June 22 2010
Van leasing options in the future may consist of vehicles with smaller, less powerful engines, following the results of a new study. Research conducted on behalf of the campaign group Transport & Environment has found that simply reversing the trend of ever increasing engine sizes in vans can make them significantly...continue reading
Emergency budget: No new fuel duty rises
Tuesday June 22 2010
Van contract hire customers have received some good news in today's emergency Budget. Chancellor George Osborne has announced there will be no new fuel duty rises above those already announced in the last government's March Budget. The chancellor also announced the government will examine the possibility of introducing...continue reading
Warning over 'smash and run' motorists
Monday June 21 2010
Van leasing customers have been warned about the large number of drivers who would not leave details if they accidentally damaged a parked vehicle. A survey by insurance company elephant.co.uk found that one in five motorists admit they doubt they would leave details, instead opting to 'smash and run'. The same percentage...continue reading
Eco-driving goes 'hand-in-hand' with safety, says TomTom
Monday June 21 2010
Van leasing customers can reduce their fuel consumption while simultaneously improving their safety, it has been claimed. TomTom Work, the commercial vehicle division of the sat nav maker, has said that the smooth driving style associated with using less fuel, also makes it less likely a vehicle will be in an accident...continue reading
Nearly one in five van drivers forgets to renew MOT
Monday June 21 2010
Van contract hire drivers have been warned not to forget the renewal date of their MOT. A new survey has revealed that a surprisingly large number of van drivers have taken to the roads without having a valid MOT as the date to get their old one replaced had already passed. The study, by van insurance company Swinton...continue reading
2011 Commercial Vehicle Show announced
Friday June 11 2010
Van contract hire customers may be able to pick up business tips and ideas at next year's Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show. The 2011 event has been confirmed and will take place at the NEC in Birmingham from April 12th to April 14th. Aimed at business-to-business firms, the organisers say the show will help to stimulate...continue reading
Men more likely to drive less to save money than women
Friday June 11 2010
Male van leasing customers are more likely to cut down on their mileage to save money than their female counterparts, it has been suggested. According to a survey by Environmental Transport Association (ETA), 60 per cent of male drivers say they would drive less in order reduce the cost of motoring, while less than...continue reading
FTA conference to focus on vans
Thursday June 10 2010
Van contract hire customers may take an interest in the upcoming Freight Transport Association (FTA) Utilities and Civil Engineering Conference, which this year will focus on light commercial vehicles (LCVs). The conference, which takes place on June 23rd in Coventry, will highlight the subject of van compliance, the...continue reading
Ford offer new service to help drivers reduce fuel bill
Friday June 04 2010
Van leasing customers who choose to contract hire a Ford model can take advantage of a new offer from the manufacturer which could help reduce fuel costs. Ford has launched its new Econo Check scheme whereby vehicles can be brought to one of its garages for a vehicle inspection, an extended analysis of driving style...continue reading
Vauxhall upgrades Vivaro Sportive van specs
Friday June 04 2010
Van leasing customers may be interested in the Vivaro Sportive as a van contract hire option now that Vauxhall has upgraded the model. The manufacturer has announced that it has added £700 worth of extra features to the model, including 16" five-spoke alloy wheels, front fog lights, Radio CD with Bluetooth...continue reading
Danny Alexander urged to keep promise over fuel prices
Thursday June 03 2010
Van contract hirers will be hoping that the coalition government takes action to lower the rising cost of fuel. Danny Alexander, the Liberal Democrat MP who took over as chief secretary to the treasury following the resignation of David Laws, has been urged to keep his promise to cut prices at the pumps. While in...continue reading
Motorists warned of part-worn tyre danger
Thursday June 03 2010
Van leasing customers have been warned about the high levels of risk associated with buying part-worn tyres. A recent survey by TyreSafe found that more people are buying the cheaper alternative to new tyres as they struggle to cope with economic pressures. But an investigation by Birmingham City Council revealed...continue reading
Changes to driving tests revealed
Thursday June 03 2010
Learner drivers may find they have to pass an even more stringent driving test before being eligible for van contract hire , it has been revealed. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has announced a revamp of the current driving test which will see a new section introduced, the Daily Mail reports. Under the plans,...continue reading
Citroen Dispatch and Berlingo vans praised
Wednesday June 02 2010
When choosing a model to van contract hire, customers may want to consider the Citroen Dispatch and Berlingo . The vans have been the subject of enthusiastic praise from property maintenance and utility metering PH Jones, which has just taken delivery of 850 of the vehicles. A vehicle review of the vans before...continue reading
Van leasing drivers given iPod warning
Wednesday June 02 2010
Van leasing customers have been warned not to use their iPods while driving as they good face prosecution. Police are launching an offensive against drivers who attempt to operate personal music devices while behind the wheel, comparing it to using a mobile, the Telegraph reports. Current road safety laws prohibit...continue reading
90 per cent of drivers turned down for pothole compensation
Tuesday June 01 2010
Van contract hire drivers should be careful to avoid potholes as they are not guaranteed to receive compensation for any damage they may cause. The Highways Agency is obliged to reimburse drivers for repairs needed to their vehicles as a result of potholes that have not been filled. But new figures reveal that nine...continue reading
Hay fever sufferers drive 9.3m miles with their eyes shut in summer
Tuesday June 01 2010
Van leasing customers that suffer from hay fever should get their air conditioning regularly serviced to avoid potential accidents, Kwik-Fit has warned. The vehicle repair firm has commissioned a study which reveals that motorists that suffer from hay fever will drive 9.3 million miles with their eyes shut during the...continue reading
Van contract hirers in St Albans area warned of theft risk
Tuesday June 01 2010
Van contract hirers in the areas of St Albans, Harpenden and Redbourn have been warned to be on their guard against possible thefts. Police in the region have alerted van drivers to a spate of incidents in which expensive power tools have been stolen from vehicles. According to the St Albans & Harpenden Review,...continue reading
Delivery van drivers could be invalidating insurance
Tuesday June 01 2010
Van leasing customers have been warned that they could be invalidating their insurance on an almost daily basis. Phil Moss, commercial vehicle manager at van insurance firm Swinton Commercial, says that delivery van drivers frequently take risks by leaving their vehicles unattended with the engine running. "It's...continue reading