Automotive and Van Blog
Bringing you the latest news and reviews on all things connected to van motoring.
Debris on roads costing millions in puncture repair
Monday March 22 2010
Van contract hire customers have been warned about the risk of suffering a puncture due to debris-strewn and potholed roads. Tyre specialist Kwik-Fit has revealed that 28 per cent of motorists have suffered a puncture in the last year. This equates to 8.5 million drivers, who together have spent an estimated £300...continue reading
London roadworks reach record levels
Monday March 22 2010
The number of roadworks in London has reached record levels, something which could impact van contract hire drivers. According to the Evening Standard, there has been 370,000 sets of roadworks in the capital in the last 12 months, the equivalent of digging up each of the city's streets four times. This is infuriating...continue reading
Tamar Bridge toll rise to hit van leasing customers
Friday March 19 2010
A rise in the toll fare for crossing the river Tamar separating Devon and Cornwall has come into effect. Van leasing customers will now have to pay 50 per cent more to cross the Tamar Bridge or use the Torpoint ferries. This means costs of £1.50 for two-axel vans under 3.5 tonnes for each crossing, or 75p with...continue reading
US energy company praises Ford Transit Connect
Friday March 19 2010
Those interested in van contract hire may wish to consider the Ford Transit Connect, which has recently been praised by a US firm. DTE Energy, which provides gas and electricity to homes in the US state of Michigan, has purchased 19 Ford Transit Connects. It says the van, which was voted 2010 North American Truck of...continue reading
Road pricing may be 'only way to deal' with congestion
Friday March 19 2010
Van leasing users may find an increase in the use of charging to use roads as congestion rises. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has said that road pricing, such as the London congestion charge, may be the best option to tackle the increasing levels of traffic across the country. Kevin Delaney, head of road...continue reading
Ford van contract hire becoming greener?
Thursday March 18 2010
Ford van contract hire could become a greener proposition for drivers thanks to a major new green investment being made by the auto manufacturer. It intends to invest £1.5 billion in its four UK facilities over the next five years in order to research, develop and build low-carbon technologies for vehicles. The...continue reading
Euro NCAP improves its performance rating
Thursday March 18 2010
Euro NCAP has released data on Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for a range of vehicles, in a move which could lead to safer options for van leasing companies. Tests on over 40 different vehicles were carried out by Berkshire-based research group Thatcham in order to rate the performance of various ESC systems, something...continue reading
New Movano start of 'rejuvenation' of Vauxhall vans
Thursday March 18 2010
Van contract hire drivers can look forward to more Vauxhall models in the future as the manufacturer seeks to grow its market position in the area. Vauxhall has said the launch of the new Movano later this year signals its ambitions in the commercial vehicle sector. "The commercial vehicle market is of great strategic...continue reading
CBI calls for overhaul of road travel
Wednesday March 17 2010
Britain's roads need a radical overhaul to cut congestion, van contract hire customers have been told. According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), reducing traffic must become a priority as congestion already costs the economy up to £8 billion a year. Among its recommendations is the introduction...continue reading
47% of motorists support fines for leaving engines running
Wednesday March 17 2010
Van contract hire customers could face fines for leaving the engines running unnecessarily if one council's plans go ahead. It was recently announced that North Lincolnshire Council wants to introduce a £20 fine for anyone leaving their engine on for too long while loading and unloading their vehicle. And now...continue reading
Motorists support crackdown on drink and drug-driving
Wednesday March 17 2010
The menace to van leasing customers of drivers under the influence of drink and drugs could be curbed in the future if a call to action is heeded. According to road safety charity Brake, the majority of drivers are in favour of a crackdown on driving while intoxicated. In a survey it conducted in partnership with insurance...continue reading
Van leasing customers warned of drink drive 'urban myths'
Tuesday March 16 2010
Employing certain "urban myths" to cheat a breathalyser test will not allow drivers to escape a drink driving charge, van leasing customers have been warned. AlcoSense has said nearly all supposed techniques for fooling a breathalyser do not work. The breathalyser manufacturer claims the only one that might have an...continue reading
Volkswagen Transporter celebrates 60th birthday
Tuesday March 16 2010
Van contract hire customers may wish to consider leasing a Volkswagen Transporter van which this week celebrated its 60th birthday. Since production of the van began in March 1950 the Transporter has become one of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' best-selling models globally and is the number one imported van in the UK...continue reading
Petrol prices to hit £1.20 a litre
Tuesday March 16 2010
Van contract hire drivers could face rising petrol costs after the AA warned pump prices could hit £1.20 a litre in the next few weeks. Prices are already at an average of over £1.16 per litre for unleaded according to petrolprices.com and the motoring organisation thinks they could rise further thanks to...continue reading
Kumho to supply tyres to Mercedes Sprinter vans
Monday March 15 2010
Some Mercedes Sprinter van contract hire models will now come with Kumho tyres after the company agreed a deal with the auto maker. The tyre specialist has announced it will supply all original equipment (OE) Mecedes-Benz Sprinter range vans in Europe, North America and Asia. Sprinters models up to 3.5 tonnes will...continue reading
Cost holding back low-carbon van uptake
Monday March 15 2010
Those looking for low-carbon vans may wish to consider van leasing as an alternative to buying a vehicle. According to a study by the Department for Transport, 68 per cent of van drivers have been put off buying an eco-friendly vehicle because of the purchasing cost. The survey found this to be the biggest barrier...continue reading
Security is van drivers' top priority
Monday March 15 2010
Security may be the principal concern when choosing a van for contract hire, it has been suggested. According to van insurance company Swinton Commercial, a vehicle's security features is the most important factor when deciding on a new van. It surveyed 1,200 of its customers and found 36 per cent ranked security above...continue reading
Allied Electric targets van market
Friday March 12 2010
Electric versions of popular van models could become available for van leasing after Allied Electric announced plans to enter the commercial vehicle market. The company, part of the Allied Vehicles Group, currently works with manufacturers such as Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to make wheelchair...continue reading
Renault looks ahead to new van releases
Friday March 12 2010
Van hire customers can look forward to three new models of Renault vans this year. The French manufacturer has declared its new van line-up for 2010 is "more efficient, comfortable and economical than ever". Out on May 7th is the first of the new models, the New Master, which comes with an updated 2.3 litre dCi engine...continue reading
Van drivers unaware of 10 year licence rule
Friday March 12 2010
Van contract hire customers may not be aware that their photocard driving licence requires renewal every ten years, which could land them with a hefty fine. According to fleet software company CFC Solutions, most car and van drivers identified by its Licence Link service were not aware they needed to renew. Failure...continue reading