Industry News

Overall values for LCV’s continued to fall in September according to the latest data from BCA, but only by three-quarters of one percent. Price falls were seen in the fleet & lease sector, while values rose for nearly-new and part-exchange stock.

Carillion Fleet Management has supplied the first electric vehicle on contract hire to its customer - leading office supplies company Office2Office.

With fuel costs predicted to rise for years into the future, businesses and business motorists are going to have to rethink the way they drive for work, according to Lawrence Holland, UK managing director of ultra-light electric vehicle manufacturer Aixam Mega.

Over the next twelve months franchised dealers will be the hardest hit of all used commercial vehicle retailers, with the slowdown in new vehicle registrations and the fall in residual values impacting on their already-dwindling profitability, according to EurotaxGlass’s.

Trafficmaster, a leading provider of intelligent driving solutions and Citroen Vans have both been recognised in the prestigious 2008 Green Fleet Awards - winning awards for their commitment to provide products that help reduce the impact of driving on the environment and improve business performance.

Modec, the UK-based manufacturer of innovative zero emission light commercial vehicles, is set to make its mark on the courier and parcel logistics industry at this year’s CPL Expo.

Since its launch to the UK market in 2001, Handistep has gone from strength to strength and with safety as one of the ‘big issues’, it is now recognised as an OEM approved key safety-related product for the light commercial van market.

Commercial vehicle makers took a bullish stance at the Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show despite the credit crunch, with most predicting a rise in sales in 2008 rather than a fall.

From the lightest vans to the heaviest trucks and buses, ‘green’ thinking was, inevitably, one of the main themes of just about every manufacturer’s display at Hanover.

Russian automaker GAZ has moved to quash rumours that the Washwood Heath plant in Birmingham would be closed, and all production of Maxus vans shifted to Russia. While Maxus is now being made at the GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod, UK production will continue, and will serve Western European markets.

As the van market fragments, manufacturers are looking for new niches. And an emerging niche at Hanover seems to be all-wheel drive versions of panel vans, with a number of manufacturers showing 4x4 vans.

Manheim’s first monthly van Market Analysis reports that in August average commercial vehicle sale prices fell against July by 4.9% to £2,794. Although the fall was largely in line with seasonal expectations, overall volumes in the van sector continued this year’s trend of being significantly higher than the same period last year – up by 26%.

LTI Vehicles acknowledge the twelfth incident concerning an early built 56 registered TX4 that has had an under bonnet fire. The taxi manufacturer continues to support and work closely with the PCO to ensure passenger and driver safety remains a priority.

BCA is offering taxi drivers the chance to hail a quality used London black cab for themselves next week when a hundred cabs are offered for sale in a special event being staged at BCA Birmingham on behalf of Black Horse Taxi Finance.

As an internationally recognised symbol of Britain and London, the London Taxi was recently on hand to support London’s presence at the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Trade Minister, Lord Jones of Birmingham, has given LTI Vehicles a major boost by traveling around China and the city of Beijing in the world famous London Taxi.

LTI Vehicles’ purpose-built and world famous London Taxi will take pride of place at this year’s Regent Street Festival 2008: A Great British Experience.

With the cost of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) for commercial operators having topped £600 million a year, the Freight Transport Association has challenged traffic authorities to sort out ‘Critical Delivery Zones’.

Duncan Ward, UK Business Development Manager – Commercial Vehicles - of leading vehicle auction company, BCA is advising small and medium sized businesses that have commercial vehicles for sale to get back to the basics as the market conditions get tougher.

Royal Mail has installed Manheim Auctions, Washington as one of its regional de-fleet auction centres covering the North East and Scotland. The decision was made after a trial of the defleet process culminating in a very successful auction.

A 1965 Commer Ambulance, with just 9,455 miles on the clock, was sold for £3,650 plus VAT at a recent dedicated van and truck auction at Manheim Washington.

Having suffered a significant downturn in sales over recent months, the market for light commercial vehicles remained subdued in August, according to the commercial vehicle experts at EurotaxGlass’s.

Taxi drivers operating in Knowsley are celebrated yesterday (28th August 2008) at the decision of its local Licensing Committee to approve the E7 taxi as a Hackney Carriage within the borough. The move was backed by local taxi operators and trade groups including the Knowsley branch of the Unite Union.

Duncan Ward, BCA's UK Business Development Manager - Commercial Vehicles suggests it is time to for sellers to get back to the basics of remarketing as the market conditions get tougher.

Such was the success achieved by telematics specialists GlobalLive at the 2008 Commercial Vehicle Show, the company has taken the wise decision to more than double its stand space at next year's Show.

With rising fuel costs and a struggling economy hitting businesses hard, Europcar, the UK and Europe’s number one vehicle rental company, has expanded its van fleet in response to a demand for flexible and cost effective transport solutions.

HPI is warning sole traders to protect themselves from the growing threat of van cloning – the vehicle equivalent of identity theft. Latest research from vehicle provenance expert, HPI, worryingly confirms that the Ford Transit van is number two in the UK’s top ten cloned vehicles.

LTI Vehicles, manufacturer of the world famous London Taxi, is encouraging local Councils to crackdown on illegal taxi touts by following the example set by London Mayor Boris Johnson.

The demand for commercial vehicles continued to slow in June 2008, according to figures from vehicle auction company, BCA.

Giving commercial drivers a financial incentive to change their driving style to reduce fuel use is the only way fleets are going to drive down their impact on the environment, according to Lysanda.

Values continue to be under pressure in the van market according to new data from BCA. The company’s latest Pulse figures show that values slipped again in June as buyers remain cautious.

Despite concerns about battery reliability, durability and costly ownership, the pitfalls associated with going electric within the light commercial vehicle sector, might no longer outweigh the long-term benefits, according to EurotaxGlass’s.

Since its first appearance as the Cool Pavilion ’97, COOL 2009 again promises to be the largest single display of refrigerated transport equipment and vehicles in Europe.

LTI Vehicles and Liverpool’s leading taxi dealership, Taxifix Ltd, will showcase the instantly recognisable London Taxi at this year’s North West taxi trade show.

Allied Vehicles, manufacturer of the Cab Direct E7 taxi with tailored wheelchair access, is exhibiting at the Liverpool Taxi and Private Hire Exhibition 2008 at Kings Dock Arena, this week, July 29/30.

Painter and decorator, Gordon Williams from Ceredigion, is challenging his £30 fine for smoking in his van – deemed as a workplace and therefore covered by the Smoking Ban.

A generous donation of £1,000 has helped to give over 100 visually impaired children a special day out. LTI Vehicles, manufacturer of the world famous London taxi, has donated the money towards this year’s Liverpool Blind Children’s Committee Outing.

The London Taxi has once again been voted the most iconic vehicle in Britain, according to a recent survey commissioned by Holiday Inn.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has launched an on-line survey of van users. On the Industry Issues page of the SMMT website at smmt.co.uk/industryissues it aims at van operators, particularly those with smaller fleets.

A new web site has been launched which aims to make the process of finding and buying the most appropriate van, pick-up or mini-bus, much easier and quicker – at the best possible deal.

Manheim CV Live has continued to attract record numbers of bids and record prices. CV Live is Manheim’s industry leading live online broadcast of physical auctions which allows buyers to bid and buy vans and trucks remotely, competing with buyers actually in the auction hall.

On the anniversary of the smoking ban, Direct Line for Business is warning business van owners that flouting the ban could cost them money in the long run.

Non-franchised commercial vehicle dealers report that the market has slowed, with a significant decline in retail activity over the past few months.

Manheim Auctions’ latest Commercial Vehicle Market Bulletin reports an emerging trend of a seasonally disproportionate increase in the average age of used vans.

With the cost of fuel continuing to rise, van drivers are now paying out an average £1,250 a year extra on diesel compared to 2007 – more than the total cost of charging a Modec zero emission vehicle for a year.

Now the advanced new Supertrucks low-loading 3.5 tonne gvw van is available – and the first of these innovative glass carrying vehicles have been acquired by Derby-based Designer Glass Ltd and Wakefield District Council.

There continues to be price pressure in the used van market as average values for Fleet & Lease vans have fallen to their lowest point in 2008. According to the latest data from BCA’s Pulse report, Fleet & Lease vans averaged £3,979 in May - the first time values have dipped below £4,000 this year.

Rental company drivers delivering, collecting or moving empty minibuses and commercial vehicles will no longer be required to record their driving hours on a tachograph.

Taxi drivers Masaud Iqbal and Paul Foster are celebrating having scooped £2,500 in cash prizes as part of a national prize draw. The prizes were awarded as part of a test drive promotion organised by LTI Vehicles. Cabbies from across the country were invited by LTI Vehicles’ national network of nine dealerships to test drive the latest version of the world famous taxi – the TX4.

The use of CCTV cameras in Liverpool’s black cabs has been declared a resounding success by leading taxi dealership, Taxifix Ltd.

Think London, the foreign direct investment agency for London, has chosen the latest model of the London style taxi to promote the world’s most exciting city to international businesses.

A significant competitive advantage in a fiercely-fought local market along with overall business performance improvements are being enjoyed by a Cannock taxi firm thanks to the use of TomTom WORK.

Significant savings in fuel costs, lower emissions levels, and more efficient use of its vehicles are resulting from a pioneering use of TomTom WORK’s vehicle tracking and fleet management system at Bristol International Airport.

The light commercial vehicle sector has held up well over previous months but there are clear signs indicating that, as the summer months approach, it is running out of steam, according to the experts behind Glass’s Guide to Commercial Vehicle Values.

One of Coventry’s best loved businesses is opening its doors to the public as it celebrates 60 years of taxi manufacturing.

Leading vehicle auction company, BCA, is reporting a tougher market for commercial vehicle sales as the credit crunch tightens.

LTI Vehicles proved that there is no place like home after drawing in the crowds at a prestigious exhibition in its native city.

The London taxi has once again landed a starring role as it appears on the ever popular BBC soap EastEnders.

Paramount Performance is offering a plug and play economy unit that will reduce the fuel consumption of an LTI TX4 taxi-cab by up to 10%. For an annual mileage of 30,000 this equates to a potential saving of circa £500 per cab, per year, or almost enough in one month for an owner operator to drive FOC from London to Newcastle.

LTI Vehicles celebrated 60 years of taxi manufacturing of the London taxi today at the Private Hire and Taxi exhibition, held at The Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

TomTom WORK, the business-to-business division of TomTom, has won a contract to supply a vehicle navigation and tracking solution covering 1500 vehicles operated by Scotia Gas Network (SGN).

Exhibitor research at the recent CV Show underlines the event’s success. Exhibitors and visitors alike said the show was the best ever; more than 98% of exhibitors were very happy with visitor quality, with business deals done within minutes of the doors opening on the first day.

Values for Fleet & lease vans rallied in April following two months of decline, says BCA’s latest Pulse Report, but nearly-new and part-exchange values fell in the same period.

The commercial vehicle sector needs to take a more realistic approach to determining values for hard-used vans, instead of continuing to benchmark against unrealistically low mileages, according to EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide to Commercial Vehicle Values.

LTI Vehicles will be celebrating 60 years of taxi manufacturing at this year’s Private Hire and Taxi Exhibition.

Well specified vans fitted with additional factory options are enjoying ever increasing levels of demand from buyers. With more potential buyers there are more bids, both online and in the hall, and as a consequence sale prices reflect this.

Stadco Ltd, the leading supplier of body-in-white services and facilities for the automotive industry, has announced it has secured a new contract with Coventry-based LTI Vehicles, Britain's premier manufacturer of purpose-built Taxis.

The energy saving hybrid technology for light vans launched at the CV Show by Connaught Engineering proved to be a great success with the company reporting firm orders and unprecedented levels of interest from large national and international companies as well as small fleets operating throughout the UK.

West Midlands MEP Michael Cashman, who represents local business in Brussels, has visited LTI Vehicles to see at first hand the excellent progress being made by the automotive firm.

The Freight Transport Association has published the latest issue of the FTA Van Drivers’ Handbook, sponsored by Ford – the essential guide to ensuring the safe, legal and efficient operation of vans and light commercial vehicles.

The Thatcham Quality Accredited (TQA) range continues to grow with the news that Locks 4 Vans Ltd (L4V), the UK’s largest independent specialist automotive lock manufacturer, has become the first company to have their automotive locks accredited under the TQA programme.

An Aixam Mega Van realised mega-money in a BCA commercial sale held at Belle Vue, Manchester late last month.

A brand new BMW K1200R will be displayed on BEN’s stand in Hall 8, Stand No. 8-374, during the Commercial Vehicle Show for the launch of its National Prize Draw thanks to BMW (UK) Ltd who have generously donated the motorcycle.

Manheim’s latest Market Analysis Report shows that the LCV market remains robust, with buyers responding to the recent over supply of duplicated stock, damaged stock and high mileage stock in an entirely predictable and logical way.

A new product package from EurotaxGlass’s will make the job of valuing commercial vehicles even easier and even more affordable for the trade, whether in the office or on the move.

The German-based company will be keeping its current base at Old Sarum, near Salisbury, but is opening a major commercial vehicle installation centre in May with a 33,000 sq ft building in Birchwood, near Warrington.

Are you attending next week’s CV Show? If a day of kicking tyres and reviewing engines is going to leave you a little cold, waiting to warm your spirits in hall 11, stand 309, will be the entire senior team from Modec, and a host of its zero emission light commercial vehicles.

A leading taxi dealership is celebrating having announced a single-month sales record of 60 new 08-registered TX4 taxi’s delivered to fleet operators in March.

The on-going LTI Listening Groups programme gives taxi drivers the opportunity to discuss trade issues with the LTI management team.

BCA is advising commercial vehicle sellers that pre-sale preparation is increasingly important at remarketing time.

Liverpool City Council voted to retain its distinctive fleet of accessible taxis last Friday. The decision followed a lengthy consultation and two council meetings, which heard extensive evidence from a range of interested parties.

Vans and other light commercial vehicles take pride of place at the Commercial Vehicle Show this year, with almost every manufacturer in the UK market represented in halls 8, 10, 11 and 12 showing, between them, nearly 200 vans and light trucks.

As Modec zero emission light commercial vehicles (LCVs), continue to become an increasingly popular sight on UK roads, Hildon Ltd has become the first Natural Mineral Water company to purchase and take delivery of a Modec van.

Supertrucks Ltd has long been recognised as providing the highest quality glass carrying equipment. Now, thanks to the information gained from extensive testing with a leading van manufacturer, the company is providing a three-year/100,000 mile warranty for all its glass carrying racks and roof racks for panel vans.

LTI Vehicles takes great pride in being the sole provider of a dedicated network of taxi dealerships. Providing an essential service for UK taxi drivers, the network has been established to specifically deal with their unique duty cycle and working patterns.

Marathon man and Lloyds TSB employee Bernie Hollywood plans to run 35 marathon’s in 22 days in an effort to raise awareness and funds for one of his favourite charities – Barnardo’s.

The team from commercial vehicle racking specialists Sortimo is hoping that people visiting its stand at the Commercial Vehicle Show will be able to see through its latest message.

Locks 4 Vans Ltd (L4V), the UK’s largest independent specialist automotive lock company – and an ISO 9001:2000 registered business - is expanding.

With just over one month to go, this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show from 15-17 April at Birmingham’s NEC is already set to be the biggest and best yet. That’s according to the visitor pre-registration figures from show organiser, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Modec, the UK-based manufacturer of innovative zero emission light commercial vehicles, will be bringing its products to life with an exclusive ride and drive facility at this year’s CV Show.

Changes to emissions legislation have successfully encouraged commercial vehicle fleet operators to think more about the longer-term when acquiring vehicles, rather than focusing solely on cost, reports EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide to Commercial Vehicle Values.

Improved customer service levels and reduced operating costs are being enjoyed by a leading South East tile supplier following the introduction of TomTom WORK.

TomTom WORK is ensuring faster response times, compliance with the Working Time Directive, and keeping the taxman at bay for specialist maintenance company First Call Services UK Limited.

PSA Peugeot Citroen and Karsan signed a cooperation agreement on February 28 2008 to jointly produce the Citroen Berlingo First and Peugeot Partner Origin and develop and manufacture the extended versions of these mini-vans.

A number of local charities are set to benefit thanks to generous staff at London taxi manufacturers, LTI Vehicles.

A major new event designed to recognise excellence and best practice in the van fleet industry will take place on December 2.

One of LTI’s leading taxi dealerships is set to clean up London’s taxi fleet by offering all Fairway and Metrocab owner-drivers an exceptional part exchange offer.

Trading up to the ever popular TX4 has never been so affordable thanks to the latest initiatives from LTI’s flagship main dealer Mann & Overton London.

The influx of used light commercial stock currently inundating auction sites could be one of the biggest opportunities to present itself to retailers in a decade or more, according to EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide to Commercial Vehicle Values.

The largest British owned automotive manufacturer, LTI Vehicles, has strengthened its UK position by pouring significant investment into its Coventry based plant.

With ten new hackney licenses recently awarded in Warrington the successful applicants faced a tough decision with so many wheelchair accessible taxis now available.

Local taxi driver Harinder Singh Atwal’s decision to swap his brand new E7 for an iconic TX4 means passengers in Leicester are now able to travel in comfort and style.

The latest data from BCA’s Pulse December report shows that average values for both fleet and lease and part-exchange commercial values fell in the fourth quarter. Fleet values dropped by nearly £500 over the period, while part-exchange values were over £800 down on the September figures.

PSA Peugeot Citroen has unveiled the new Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner vans at its Vigo plant in Spain, where the two vehicles are produced.

Commercial vehicle dealers and wholesale vendors can prevail in the face of current economic circumstances, but they must make appropriate changes in order to stay profitable as times get tougher, according to EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide to Commercial Vehicle Values.

Stadco Ltd, the leading supplier of body-in-white services and facilities for the global automotive industry, has announced it has secured a new contract with Shropshire based Ingimex, specialist designers and volume manufacturers of light commercial vehicle bodies, body components and kit construction units.

MacNeillies, the leading West-Midlands based specialist vehicle converter, integrator and bodybuilder, shows two compact and highly sophisticated operational vehicles at this week’s Emergency Services Show at Stoneleigh.

SMEs keen to find the right van for their needs should take note as BCA, Europe’s largest vehicle auction group, reveals some of the best selling commercial vehicles.

TransLinc has won the contract to replace the London Borough of Newham’s current fleet of road sweepers with 21 brand new units.

Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner, the PSA Peugeot Citroen LCV, is the UK’s best selling small van. With 19,111 sales (to the end of October 2007) Berlingo and Partner sales have eclipsed their nearest rivals, the Ford Transit Connect and Vauxhall Combo.

Fleet operators should review their commercial vehicle needs in order to save themselves money and improve business efficiency, according to EurotaxGlass’s.

The UK’s leading leasing company, Lex, which disposes of over 10,000 used vans at auction each year, has seen a large demand from migrant workers for used vans to enable them to re-establish their trades in the UK.

The announcement by Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick, of a multi-million pound procurement investment in low carbon vans has been welcomed by Modec, the Coventry based manufacturer of purpose built zero emission vehicles.

Cleaner, greener van fleets could be a reality on our roads, thanks to a new Department for Transport fund outlined by Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick today.

“October’s truck registrations were back to the medium term average,” said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. “As the big distortions caused by the introduction of digital tachographs and Euro 4 cleared, truck demand held firm at levels little changed since 2003.

The all-new MacNeillie Community Transport Demonstrator, being launched at the 2007 Community Transport Exhibition, has been evolved following extensive user-focused industry consultation and research.

Motorpoint, the UK’s largest car supermarket, is recording buoyant demand for commercial vehicles following the introduction of the new ’57 registration in September. This mirrors the national trend in the UK, with the light commercial sector recording increased sales compared to the same time in 2006, according to recent figures published by the SMMT.

The Peugeot Expert, Citroen Dispatch (Jumpy outside the UK) and Fiat Scudo family of compact vans, which were styled and developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen in cooperation with Fiat, has been named “International Van of the Year 2008”.

Drive & Survive Marketing Manager Steve Johnson, accompanied by Fleet World magazine staff member Tina Ries, achieved the lowest fuel consumption in the van section of the two day long 2007 MPG Marathon, which took place over a 330 mile route in south-west England last week.

Demand for medium-sized used panel vans has remained strong through much of 2007, and EurotaxGlass’s predicts that this trend is set to continue into first half of 2008. “With such a healthy backdrop for panel vans, just about every van range is achieving its best-ever used price performance,” comments George Alexander, Chief Commercial Vehicle Editor at EurotaxGlass’s.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat, Christian Streiff, CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroen, Mustafa V. Koç, Chairman of Koç Holding and of Tofas and Ali Pandir, CEO of Tofas, inaugurated today the production line for a new entry level light commercial vehicle (LCV) at the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey.