Automotive and Van Blog
Bringing you the latest news and reviews on all things connected to van motoring.
Behaviour Telematic Device Launched by Trakm8
Monday March 12 2012
Trakm8 have recently exhibited a new driver feedback module at this year's Commercial Vehicle Show. The new module is in effect a telematic device which records driving style. The device sits on the dashboard of a van and gives the driver an indication on how a commercial van is being driven in real time using a traffic...continue reading
Bubble Tracker Offers Fleet Cheap Vehicle Tracking
Monday March 12 2012
Bubble Tracker is a new GPS tracking system which is claimed by the manufacturers to be the cheapest way a commercial fleet can track its vehicles. The Bubble Tracker can be passed from vehicle to vehicle and provides snap shot positions of its location via GPS. The data can be recorded in a spreadsheet and can be displayed...continue reading
Van Operators to Benefit from Roadwork Alerts
Friday March 09 2012
A new free service run by Elgin roadowrks.org website could make life considerably easier for van operators whether at owner driver or fleet level. Roadwork Alerts inform councils when roadworks start and finish and this data can be fed to any mobile computing device such as mobile phones via automated RSS feeds. Subsequently,...continue reading
Ford to Unveil New Ford Transit Concept Range at Motor Show
Thursday March 08 2012
The Ford Transit of the future will by all accounts, feature technology and design which is already present in the car range. Ford is planning to implement its Kinetic Design theories and practices to its commercial vehicles, and is planning to show the intricacies of the design by using a Ford Tourneo Custom Concept...continue reading
Renault Kangoo ZE
Thursday March 08 2012
Legendary around the world yachtswoman Dame Ellen Macarthur who broke records when she sailed around the world has lavished praise on the Renault Kangoo ZE. Ellen Macarthur who heads the Ellen Macarthur Foundation which is an organisation dedicated to a future which achieves environmental sustainability, collected...continue reading
UK Government Reveal Electric Vans Which Qualify for Plug-in Grant
Thursday March 08 2012
The Plug-in grant which allows 20% knocked off the list price of new electric vans has come into affect. Recently, at a glitz and glamour event the Government announced the following vans meet the criteria of the grant and subsequently van operators can receive a substantial discount through purchasing them. They are:...continue reading
Citroen Relay Sees Range Expanded
Wednesday March 07 2012
French commercial van manufacturers, Citroen, are to expand its Citroen Relay commercial vehicle range. The new additions feature a Luton van version of the Citroen Relay, together with two new chassis cab sizes. The Luton version of the Citroen Relay will feature the Euro 5 HDi 150 diesel engine which is currently...continue reading
RAC Poll Reveals Engine Noise is the Second Most Irritating Sound in the Street
Wednesday February 29 2012
According to the RAC engine noise is the second most irritating sound in the street. Whether large or small, van engines make a lot of it with the chug of a diesel engine generally being louder than your average petrol driven vehicle. Fourth on the list was loud music emanating from a vehicle something which some van...continue reading
Zenith Release iPhone Breakdown App
Friday February 17 2012
Zenith a company which specialises in leading vehicle solutions has released a breakdown app for the iPhone. It was made in conjunction with the AA. The thinking behind the app is that should a driver breakdown the phone can guide an AA man to where your vehicle is. In addition to its location it also provides registration...continue reading
Olympic Delivery Scheduling Software Launched by Paragon
Friday February 17 2012
Though there can be no denying the wonderful spectacle which is the Olympic Games, and the benefits hosting them will bring, van owner drivers and fleet manager will face a hard time scheduling deliveries to businesses close to the games. Paragon Software Systems has developed software which features map edits, likely...continue reading
Protests Gather Pace to Fight Biodiesel Tax
Thursday February 16 2012
With a planned tax rise for biodiesel to come into effect in April of this year, campaigners have already warned that they are planning 50 days of protests against it. The highly unpopular UK Government have come under fire with campaigners stating that thousands of professional drivers from commercial van drivers, large...continue reading
Volkswagen Transporter Van Starts Production in Indonesia
Thursday February 16 2012
Indonesia's Indomobil/Garuda Mataram Motor Company has been given the go ahead and the contract to build 1200 VW Transporters. VW has worked with Garuda Mataram for several years and the company will also be responsible for sales. Jens Ockson of VW said: "We are very pleased that this successful and trusted partner...continue reading
We Sweep the Board at Industry Awards Ceremony
Wednesday February 15 2012
Autorama have swept the LeasePlan Annual Awards ceremony at Whittlebury Hall, Towcester for the second year running. Following their success last year, the company picked up the Platinum Dealer Award, Most Stock Sales Award, Most Ancillary Sales Award and the coveted Broker of the Year Award from Matt Dyer, the Commercial...continue reading
New Van Tyre Released by Avon Tyres
Tuesday February 14 2012
Tyre manufacturer Avon Tyres has released a new tyre for the commercial van market. The AV11 is designed for durability and long life and the company have stated it is good for high mileage vehicles. It is available in the following sizes: 215/60R16 C, 205/65R16 C, 215/65R16 C and 235/65R16 C. The AV11 also has road...continue reading
New Van Sales Tumble
Tuesday February 14 2012
January has never been a good time for new van sales, and January 2012 is no exception. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders (SMMT) each January for the last fourteen years has become steadily worse, with an annual decrease of 16.4%. January 2012 saw 14,338 van units shifted. Despite the decline...continue reading
Mercedes Citan to be released in 2013
Tuesday February 14 2012
Mercedes have confirmed they are to release a small van to the market. The new van based on Renault's Kangoo template, is to be called Mercedes Citan. The van which will cost more than the van it is based on will cost less overall in running costs according to Steve Bridge of Mercedes. "We will be more expensive, but...continue reading
Jaama Release Fleet Management Essentials Seminar Dates
Tuesday February 14 2012
Jaama have revised their seminars to include up to date topics which affect fleet mangers of commercial vans. Key areas which received a make over include employee driving licence checking, grey fleet management, and car salary sacrifice schemes. Jaama's fleet management seminars have proved popular over the several...continue reading
Isotrak’s Telematics Installed by OBL Transport
Tuesday February 14 2012
OBL Transport has opted to install telematics vehicle tracking into their large trailer fleet. The telematic devices and system will be installed by Isotrak, a market leader of telematic systems and their installation. Telematics is a hot potato in both commercial vehicle insurance industry and fleet management, as...continue reading
Fatigue Claims its Victims: Tenth of Drivers Fall Asleep at the Wheel
Tuesday February 14 2012
New research is showing long days behind the wheel do take their toll on the driver, with one in ten nodding off while trekking around in their vehicle. The study from a leading breakdown recovery service said that one in ten of drivers surveyed said they had found themselves nodding off when spending a lot of time behind...continue reading
FleetMatics to Demo Product at FM Ireland
Tuesday February 14 2012
FleetMatics is planning to demonstrate its GPS fleet tracking technology at FM Ireland. The company which have produced a tracking solution for businesses which operate large fleets of cars and vans, will be able to see the product in action. The technology has already received positive feedback from users including...continue reading