In a year which saw more new launches than any other in the show’s history, Ford pulled off the grand slam and was rewarded with a flock of potential fleet buyers.
The Transitm (pictured), Britain’s best-selling van for the past 40 years, took centre stage as it made its world debut – and even before the press had driven the vehicle it was obvious this was a different animal from the last incarnation.
Gone is that rather dowdy box-like exterior, replaced by something altogether bolder and more stylish and under the bonnet goes a new set of six diesel engines and one petrol.
Meanwhile the interior has had a complete makeover and there are a host of new options such as leather seats, Bluetooth capability and satellite navigation.
Launching the new vehicle on the first day of the show, Roelant de Waard, chairman of Ford of Britain, said: ‘Not only do van operators demand complete reliability and superb carrying capacity but they now want a sense of style as well. A van is not only a working tool – it is a statement about the company or the individual that uses it.’
The new Transit is the result of 18-months’ work by the designers and is aimed at giving more choice of engines, bodywork options, equipment and seating, along with improved comfort and driving quality and a stylish look.
Outside, the Transit boasts a bold new grille and the largest Ford badge ever seen on a vehicle. Inside, the old floor-mounted gearstick migrates to the dash and there are new instruments and switchgear.
Under the bonnet, Transit offers three 2.2-litre common rail diesel engines for front wheel drive models, offering 85bhp and 184lb-ft of torque, 110bhp/210lb-ft or 130bhp/228lb-ft. Rear wheel drive models have three 2.4-litre motors offering 100bhp/210lb-ft, 115bhp/228lb-ft and 140bhp/276lb-ft.
There will also be a 145bhp petrol engine which has hardened valve seats suitable for conversion to LPG or CNG.
There will be three wheelbases and four load lengths from 2.58m to 4.0 metres. Prices will be announced nearer the launch in June.
Transit Connect
THE Transit Connect shared the show glory too, with a new model offering extensive changes, including the introduction of Euro IV 1.8-litre TDCi common rail diesel engines offering 75bhp, 90bhp and 110bhp. A petrol variant will no longer be offered.
Meanwhile, the Tourneo Connect GLX features a new two-tone instrument panel and brighter coloured interior. The long wheelbase Tourneo Connect now offers both five and eight seat versions. Outside, the Connect gets a new two-bar grille.
Ranger
FORD is the last of the big 4x4 truck manufacturers to offer a new version, having been eclipsed by the Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200 and Toyota Hilux.
But the blue oval was back with a vengeance at the show, with an all-new Ranger which aims to deliver more style, practicality and durability than the outgoing model.
The exterior has been completely redesigned to give it a tougher stance and those with extra macho pretensions will be pleased to learn that Ford’s Thunder and Limited packages will continue through from the old model. Inside, the cab has been revamped too with new seats and fascia and all models feature a radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility.
The rattly old-style diesel engine is gone, replaced by Ford’s 2.5-litre common rail TDCi engine, offering power of 143bhp and 243lb-ft of torque.
Ride and handling have also been significantly improved and there is reduced noise, harshness and vibration. Prices will be announced nearer launch date in September.
Fiesta
ALSO new on the Ford stand was the Fiesta Sportvan. With a 90bhp 1.6-litre common rail diesel engine, it has distinctive exterior styling elements such as 16-in 12-spoke alloy wheels and body mouldings. The front end has a high intake front grille and sports foglights. It will go on sale towards the end of the year.
Megastar tops celebrity listing
A NEW van and a new marque are set to hit British shores this summer when the BMC Megastar is launched.
The Turkish-built vans are aimed at the ‘cheap and cheerful’ end of the market and the importers are hoping to pick up sales after the demise of the old LDV Convoy. Panel vans, dropsides and a minibus version will be available.
The vans range from 3.2-5.0-tonnes gross vehicle weight and have a 2.8-litre common rail VM powerplant offering 130bhp, mated to a six-speed gearbox.
The importers used the show as a vehicle to recruit dealers and are hoping to have between 40 and 50 across the UK by launch date in July or August.
Doblo delivers with Royal Mail
FIAT can’t guarantee that two such pretty girls will be delivering your mail, but those letters may well be arriving soon courtesy of a Doblo Cargo van.
The facelifted Doblo Cargo, named International Van of the Year this year, took pride of place on the Fiat stand and it was announced that the manufacturer had secured a deal with the Royal Mail for 330 vehicles, with further deliveries in the future.
Rental guide
THE British Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) launched a new online publication ‘Know What You’re Renting’, aimed at informing BVRLA members and their customers of their responsibilities.
It explains the dos and don’ts of commercial vehicle rental and sets out practical advice. The guide can be downloaded at www.bvrla.co.uk.
World premiere
VAUXHALL used the show for the world premiere of the new Astravan, which will be built at the firm’s factory at Ellesmere Port.
The old model was still based on the last generation Astra car and had been built in Poland.
Not only does the new van look smarter, but has new engines and transmissions too. There is a 1.3 CDTi turbodiesel offering 90bhp, a 1.7 CDTi with 100bhp and a new range-topping 1.9 CDTi with 120bhp.
ABS brakes are standard, along with front airbags and a half-height bulkhead.
Unveiling the new van at the show, Vauxhall managing director Bill Parfitt said: ‘This van handles the road as well as the load.’
More information on expanded light commercial vehicle range is only a few clicks away on new website
RENAULT used the show not only to launch several new conversions, but also as a showcase for its new website – www.renaultvans.co.uk.
The French manufacturer, Europe’s biggest seller of light commercial vehicles, expanded its minibus range with new Master nine and 16-seaters, in addition to launching a new specification Trafic crew van and an ingenious Trafic double-deck dropside (pictured left).
The crew van + is an upgraded version of the Trafic crew van. Offering six seats, the + also has carpet mats front and rear, driver’s seat lumbar support, four folding armrests, an improved rake to the seats, wheel stylers and rear opening windows.
The + is £450 more than standard versions and ranges from £16,725 to £19,725 ex-VAT.
Meanwhile the new double deck dropside has two loadspaces – a conventional one with a bed height of 900mm and a secure, weatherproof lower deck with a height of 660mm.
The lower storage space is lockable and a handy tool drawer is incorporated into the design.
The truck is available with either a 100bhp or 140bhp turbodiesel powerplant with a payload of either 977kg or 1,100 kg and costs between £18,600 and £20,000 ex-VAT.
The Master nine-seat minibus is available in short and medium wheelbase formats and costs between £17,870 and £22,726 ex-VAT while the 16-seater has a 62mph speed limiter and digital tachograph, along with an electrically-operated side step. Prices range from £24,376 to £26,270 ex-VAT.
Visitors were able to see the new van website which went live on the third day of the show. In addition to looking at prices and spec of the Renault range, tradesman can specify what loads they will be carrying and the website will suggest which van is right for their purposes.
There is also a facility to order test vehicles and book vans in for servicing and repair, in addition to a forum in which van operators can discuss topics of interest.
L200 impresses
A PROTOTYPE tipper version of the L200 caused quite a stir at the Mitsubishi stand.
The Japanese company is celebrating a 55% share of the truck market since the new L200 was launched at the beginning of April, and sales have exceeded expectations.
Many buyers now have to wait until the next boat from Japan in May to pick up their vehicle.
Mitsubishi’s fleet sales manager Andy Wertheim said the L200 tipper would go into production if there was a good response – something that seemed likely judging by public reaction at the show.
At £16,999 the L200 would be slightly more expensive than some rivals, but Wertheim said strong residuals would counter the initial outlay.
Rising LDV sales aid plan to push up Maxus
A NEW logo and a host of new Maxus derivatives were on display on the LDV stand, after the company was bought out of administration by American venture capital group Sun Europe in December.
New interim chief executive officer, Charles Megan, said with the old Pilot and Convoy models gone, investment in new derivatives had been accelerated and he took the wraps off a new Maxus minibus, a Platinum range and new multi-purpose transport vehicles with extra seating in the rear.
Megan said LDV sales were now running at 20% higher than at this time last year and in the past few weeks the firm had clinched fleet deals with such names as Parcel Force, Royal Mail, Hotpoint, Citylink, TLS, Budget, Hertz and Europcar.
He added: ‘When we bought the business we knew the task would be challenging but we have achieved a great deal and in the coming months we see our challenge as consolidating Maxus as one of the top three best selling vehicles in the heavy van sector.’
Ready, Willing and Able model
CITROEN had the crowds flocking to its stand when three girls named Ready, Willing and Able emerged from the rear of a Citroen Berlingo Action Van in skimpy outfits.
The one-off model included special paint, 18-in alloys, spotlights and a 1,000-watt sound system.
Of slightly more appeal to fleets was the Berlingo XTR+, which made its show debut. The van offers high ground clearance and enhanced traction in two-wheel drive format and is aimed at public utility, forestry and agricultural fleets.
Citroen claims the van offers four-wheel drive capability without the higher costs normally associated with all-wheel drive motoring.
Safety focus of driver software
CFC Solutions had two new products on show in Birmingham.
The first was a Driver Hours Module for its FleetPlus software, designed not just for HGV drivers but for van and car fleets too.
CFC’s sales and marketing director Andy Leech believes tachographs will filter down into smaller vehicles as duty of care responsibilities force customers to clamp down on drivers spending too long behind the wheel.
The new module, which can also be used as a standalone product, lets drivers clock on and off from the vehicle with information sent back to the fleet manager.
CFC’s second product is a risk management package called CFC Safety Centre. It uses advanced telematics to record virtually everything a driver does behind the wheel. Excess braking, skids and more are all recorded and fleet managers can set up the system to alert them in real time should preset parameters be exceeded.
Data collected can be cross referenced with staff profiles and driving histories. As well as flagging up potentially dangerous (and expensive) driving, Safety Centre also provides an audit trail for police in the event of an accident.
Sprinter’s world debut
THE new Sprinter took pride of place on the Mercedes-Benz stand as the van made its world debut on the public stage.
When it goes on sale this month, there will be three wheelbases and roof heights, with load volumes from seven cubic metres to 17 cubic metres, and payloads up to 2,440kg. Chassis-cabs will also be available.
In the cab, a driver’s airbag will be standard (it was a paid-for option on the old model) and window and thorax bags will be optional. A CD/radio, adaptive traction control and ABS brakes will also feature as standard.
There will be a choice of engines – a 2.2-litre four cylinder unit offering 87bhp, 115bhp and 147bhp, while there will be a new 3.0-litre V6 diesel pumping out a massive 181bhp – a new record power output for large panel vans in the UK.
Meanwhile, the smaller Vito van has been upgraded with all body parts zinc-plated on both sides, while sound insulation has been increased. Also launched was the new Vito 120, featuring a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine offering 204bhp and 324lb-ft of torque. Price is £18,855 ex-VAT.
Crafter’s broad appeal
BY far the most expansive stand was that of Volkswagen, which was dominated by the world premiere of the striking new Crafter van.
The replacement to the LT, the Crafter is a response to the ever-growing needs and demands of commercial vehicle buyers. It is available in 378 derivatives and can be powered by one of four different diesel engines – all 2.5-litres, but producing 87, 108, 134 or 161bhp.
Although a six-speed manual transmission is standard, Volkswagen is rather proud of its Shiftmatic system. Think of it less as an automatic gearbox, but rather an automated manual gearbox, with the clutch and changes carried out by hydraulic actuators. This reduces weight compared with a traditional auto and improves performance and fuel consumption.
Paul Wiseman, Volkwagen’s national fleet manager, said the Crafter would broaden Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle appeal into new areas.
‘It’s a complete development, a revolution of the LT,’ he said. ‘We’re looking at the blue-light market and local authorities. We’ve already established ourselves within the construction, railway maintenance and ambulance markets and we want to build further upon that.’
The new van hits UK showrooms in September.
Monster new truck makes a big impression
NISSAN celebrated the latest incarnation of its Navara pick-up by creating a monster… truck.
The ‘Rockn’ NISMO Navara, created by RCH Designs, has been heavily modified, not just for performance but for entertainment too, with a DVD player and three amplifiers.
It dominated the Nissan stand, which also featured the new Kubistar van, which is claimed to be the most compact and manoeuvrable in its class.
Tyre service online
ATS Euromaster has taken its tyre management reporting facility online with a new web-based system.
Euromaster Web Reporter does away with the need to install software on customers’ PCs and allows updates to be made daily rather than monthly. Users can print reports from any PC with internet access.
Electric van is a clean rival on emissions
THE most radical vehicle at the CV Show was the Modec electric van.
Previous attempts to convince the industry that an electric vehicle was viable have been far from successful, but Modec chairman Jamie Borwick said his company’s vehicle was different.
He said: ‘The Modec van is the first of its kind. It compares well with other vans currently on the market, but goes one better because it produces no CO2 emissions.’
The Modec’s sodium nickel chloride electric battery will propel the van to 50mph and carry on for 100 miles between recharges, which can be done from the mains.
One recharge is estimated to cost about £4 in electricity.
Available for £23,000 from November, Borwick expects to sell 500 in the first full year and 1,000 in the second. He said that annual sales should rise to 5,000 within three to four years.
Sharp challenge for new diesel
SHELL’S big CV Show announcement was its new fuel, Diesel Extra.
The fuel has more engine-cleaning additives in it and promises improved performance and efficiency.
It works by breaking down and preventing carbon and combustion deposits from forming on diesel injectors inside the combustion chamber. Such build ups can restrict fuel flow and therefore slow the vehicle down.
Diesel Extra has replaced regular diesel in more than half of all Shell service stations and costs the same as regular diesel.
Keith Reading, the project leader of the development team, said: ‘When people buy a new vehicle it’s sharp and the performance is there.
‘After a few tens of thousands of miles it’s not quite as sharp as it was. There’s no reason why we should accept that, and that’s what this product is all about.’
Alert feature prompts action
TRACKER has added a new alert feature to its Vehicle Asset Management system.
It allows fleet managers to create their own custom alerts, sending them an email or text message when a certain event happens at a certain time.
For example, it can send an alert if a vehicle is started between two set times, or if a driver goes over the speed limit. It is designed to keep fleet managers abreast of particular events without the need for constant monitoring of a computer screen.
Tracker’s nation corporate sales manager Stuart Brunger said: ‘Currently one of the major issues with drivers is the amount of fuel used when they leave a vehicle idly running while making a delivery.
‘If this happens, the manager will be notified by their chosen method, allowing them to take action.’
FleetWave choice
FLEET management software company Chevin Fleet Solutions used the CV Show to sign a contract with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
The deal marks the culmination of three years work by Chevin to convince the service that the FleetWave package was the one for them.
The service wanted an internet-based package for use throughout Northern Ireland to manage workshop control, stock, vehicles, drivers and costs with total flexibility.
Chevin sales and marketing manager Gavin Clark said: ‘Following a comprehensive tender they finally chose FleetWave as the only package able to meet all needs, at a competitive price.’
Tracpac on show
TELEMATICS firm Wire3 showcased its new TracPac personal tracking system. It works like a combination of existing vehicle telematics systems and a mobile phone, and is intended for individual workers such as forestry employees or postmen.
Powering up
TOYOTA showed off the latest incarnation of its Hilux truck, and spread the word of a new more powerful engine in the pipeline.
The current 102bhp diesel unit will get a hike to 126bhp and is expected by December.
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