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Articles by Chris Wright
The way ahead for General Aviation
CHRIS WRIGHT, Chair of the RAeS General Aviation Specialist Group, reports on the Society's Light Aviation Design Conference, held on 15 November. This year’s annual General Aviation (GA) Design Conference followed closely on the heels of COP26. Although the theme of the overall Design Conference was not explicitly stated (an omission) it was encapsulated in the theme for the last session: ‘The Way Ahead for GA’.
Edge computing for smarter cities
Governments around the world have long aspired to make their cities smarter, their citizens more connected and their infrastructure more resilient. Both local municipalities and federal governments, however, face a struggle to keep existing infrastructure operational while striving to meet the rising expectations and demands of their communities.
EV orders surpass ICE vehicles at Zenith
Reading Time: 2 minutes JUNE saw orders for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) overtake internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for the first time at independent leasing and fleet management company Zenith. The transition to BEV in cars account for 54% of orders in June compared to 32% in the same month last year. Over the Past 12 months, 41% of orders were for BEVs. Demand for electric vans also increased in June to account for 69% of van orders compared to 1% in June 2020.
Leaseback rise driven by changing business models and transition to EVs
Reading Time: 3 minutes THE number of businesses looking to sell and lease back their fleets has dramatically increased in 2021, with applications for this refinancing method up fourfold in the first six months of the year. ARI Fleet Sales Director Rory Mackinnon said the the underlying reasons being the changing profile of vehicle usage and the need to release cash back into businesses.
What is the future for electric vans?
Reading Time: 3 minutes A record year for EVs. A record year for home deliveries. What comes next? Ideally, the electric van boom, says Matt Dillon, Head of Commercial Vehicles at LeasePlan UK UNTIL recently, electric LCVs (e-LCVs) were considered somewhat of a fantasy. Batteries weren’t powerful enough – and were too big and cumbersome – to allow for proper cargo transportation. But manufacturers have since cracked those problems.
New partnership offers complete fleet solution to fleet managers
Reading Time: < 1 minute CLOUD-based Software as a Solution provider QV Systems has partnered with validation service Licence Bureau, to add to its fleet management capability. Licence Bureau’s innovative solution is a strong addition to Leasing Broker Federation partner QV Systems’ offering; as customers will now also benefit from driver risk management software.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE - Guide to leasing and keeping the fleet running
THE current Covid-19 situation is throwing up all sorts of questions for SMEs, Leasing Brokers and customers. High on the list of these issues is meeting lease payments along with the collection and delivery of vehicles. In these difficult times it’s a struggle to keep businesses running smoothly but it’s important not to forget about your company vehicles. Synergy Car Leasing has some helpful advice: What if I am unable to make my lease payments?
Business Van 2020 awards - Book your place now
THIS year has seen the largest number of entries for our Business Van Awards with 12 categories being contested. You can see the full list of categories below and now the independent judges panel has made its decision and on Thursday 19th March at the superb London venue The Brewery the winners will be revealed. Click here to book tickets. It occupies the site of the former Whitbread brewery in East London.
LDV to rebrand as MAXUS
LDV is to rebrand as MAXUS across right-hand drive Europe to coincide with the launch of two new models that will underpin the brand’s transformation – the new Deliver 9 and the newest EV in the brand’s stable, the E Deliver 3. In 2009, LDV was bought by China’s SAIC, and was manufactured under the MAXUS name for the home market in addition to selected left-hand drive markets in Europe such as Spain, Belgium and The Netherlands.
Capacity of new vans improved by 20% for Oliver Kay
FRESH produce supplier Oliver Kay has gained 20% extra capacity in its new fleet of chiller vans after working with experts in lightweight refrigerated transport solutions. Oliver Kay Produce operates a fleet of more than 90 refrigerated vehicles delivering fresh fruit and vegetables daily to customers around the UK.
New Year upturn for LCV market
WHILE new car sales might have slumped in the first month of 2020, the UK’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market enjoyed growth in January. According to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) registrations rose 5.9% in January after three months of decline towards the end of 2019. The slow down has been caused by pent-up demand due to regulatory changes, as well as operators taking advantage of some compelling deals on the latest models.
Van insurance premiums outpace inflation
INSURANCE premiums for van drivers are now rising faster than the rate of inflation, after being broadly stable for the last year. The latest van insurance price index from data analytics company Consumer Intelligence shows that prices are up 2.2% in the past three months alone with the average UK premium now £1,515.
Europcar assists transition to electric vans
EUROPCAR Mobility Group has joined forces with Mercedes-Benz Vans to give businesses that use commercial vehicles the chance to put electric motoring to the test in real world conditions. The partnership will see the Mercedes-Benz eVito panel van trialed by a number of Europcar customers over the next six months to help them understand the types of journeys and user applications that are best suited to electric motoring.
Lex Autolease spreads the EV message
Peterborough Lincolnshire Initiative 2020 copy LEX Autolease has launched a new initiative in partnership with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s SME division, to help businesses kick-start the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The aim of the initiative is to convert commercial relationship managers into EV advocates and equip them with the knowledge to engage with clients who are considering the transition to zero-emission driving.
Must-have essentials for a business van
THERE are many responsibilities associated with running a business and transportation is a variable which needs to be taken seriously. Many entrepreneurs will possess one or more vans in order to accomplish daily operations as well as to transport materials. While there is no doubt that these vehicles are extremely versatile, there are additional concerns which should be simplified so that you will be able to get the most out of the modern van.
Figures reveal the extend of van theft in the UK - Business Vans
MORE than 43,000 vans have been stolen in the UK since 2016, with a further 117,000 broken into, costing drivers and businesses more than £61.9 million in lost tools and other items. The figures were obtained by What Car? Vans from all 45 UK police forces under the Freedom of Information Act and the publication’s research also revealed that four-in-10 of all new vans on sale do not come with an alarm as standard. Analysis of all new vans on sale today by What Car?
Data paints positive picture for van sales - Business Vans
DATA released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) earlier this month painted a positive picture for the van sector. The latest statistics from insurance price comparison experts The Van Insurer have further reinforced this positive outlook. According to its latest data, it processed 7% more van quotes in 2019 compared with the previous year.
Make ESG Part of the Public Company Readiness Checklist — Your Valuation Could Depend on It - The Protiviti View
The public company readiness checklist for any business working toward an initial public offering (IPO) is long and complicated. And now, there are signs in the marketplace that for many companies aiming for an IPO, this checklist may need to include an analysis of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and reporting. Demonstrating meaningful effort and progress with ESG issues could potentially impact IPO valuation — and long-term market value.
- Business Vans
RESEARCH released by Verizon Connect reveals that stolen vehicles and equipment costs fleet-based business an average of £16,253 each year. The average business has at least one vehicle stolen each year and the average loss increases to nearly £50,000 for those businesses that have between 101-250 vehicles, as the number of vehicles stolen rises to three for businesses of this size.
Parking - does your van fit? - Business Vans
VANARAMA has found that drivers of the six most popular van risk fines of £50 every time they park due to the average parking space being too small for their vehicle. Vanarama compared the dimensions of 2019’s six most registered commercial vehicles (Jan – Nov) to that of the average parking space 2.4m x 4.8m. Even the smallest variant of each vehicle, which is commonly the “L1” versions with the shorter wheelbase, will not fit into the average parking space.
CLM invests for the future
CLM’s vehicle inspection, rectification and storage services is set to significantly increase its capacity. Parent company Maxxia, a rapidly growing fleet finance provider, utilises CLM’s expertise in evaluating and preparing vehicles for sale. In addition to some important CLM client wins, increased demand from Maxxia for post-lease services, has driven the investment in new premises close to its Newport Pagnell head office.
How secure is your van? - Business Vans
RELY on your van for business? it’s vital you not only keep it running well, but keep it secure as well. Vans can be a target for opportunistic thieves, especially if they think there’s something valuable inside such as expensive tools and equipment. Having your van broken into is stressful and can prevent you from carrying on business as usual. It’s a real problem faced by self-employed builders, plumbers and other tradespeople.
Clipper Logistics sees multiple benefits from Licence Check’s DAVIS solution - Business Vans
National Driver Training Manager, Jon Aspden, Clipper Logistics LEEDS-based specialist logistics company, Clipper Logistics, which delivers solutions to some of the UK’s largest retailers, has seen several benefits from switching to Licence Check’s DAVIS platform.
Auto Capital delivers added value with TRACKER - Business Vans
TRACKER, is partnering with London-based Auto Capital, suppliers o commercial vehicles in the secondary market, to provide its customers with in-van connectivity solutions and automated intelligence. SmartDealer and SmartDrive, offered by stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) and telematics technology expert TRACKER, provide forecourt management and vehicle safety for Auto Capital’s fleet operator customers, helping to boost dealer profitability and enhance loyalty with their customer base.
Shared e-van scheme takes to the road in the capital - Business Vans
SMEs in Brixton, including street and market traders based locally, will get the chance to utilise London’s first ever electric van sharing service. The vans will be available free of charge for eligible businesses who participate in the scheme. Cross River Partnership’s award winning Clean Air Villages programme aims to encourage small businesses based locally in Brixton to start sharing a greener and cleaner electric van with other local businesses.
Peugeot Boxer - Boxing clever with a good load carrier - Business Vans
Engine 4-cylinder, 2-0 Diesel Power (bhp): 131 Torque (Nm): 350 Load length (mm): 3120 Load volume (cu m): 11,500 Payload (kg): 1574 Comb fuel economy (mpg): 34.4 (on test) CO2 emission (g/km): 163 Price: £35,404 What is it? It’s Peugeot’s cooking load carrier and is renowned for being a a low-cost fleet van. It’s been around for a few years and the engines have now been updated to meet Euro-6 emissions regulations. The Boxer shares its looks and platform with the Fiat Ducato and Citroën Relay.
Close Brothers Vehicle Hire launches new municipal rental offering - Business Vans
CLOSE Brothers Vehicle Hire, part of Close Brothers Group, has launched a new municipal rental offering. The business will offer contract hire, flexi-lease and daily rental options on a comprehensive suite of municipal vehicles, including refuse trucks, sweepers, hook and skip lorries, gulley emptiers, gritters, tipper grabs, brick grabs and cage tippers. This is supported by an expert team who will maintain vehicles, and provide 24-hour breakdown support and a nationwide service network.
Keep it clean - guide to keeping your van in shape - Business Vans
COMMERCIAL vehicle hypermarket Anchor Vans as stressed the importance of cleaning and maintaining LCVs, not just for cosmetic reasons, but to reduce repair bills and to increase re-sale value. Managing Director Simon Joyce said: “Be it a car or a van, regular maintenance and cleaning will help save money on costly repairs, time out of working order and ultimately affect your sell or trade in value, so it certainly pays to keep your vehicle in the best shape possible.
Northgate Improves Customer Engagement with New Guidance Technology - Business Vans
NORTHGATE has announced a further investment in customer engagement technology with Moxie Software, provider of digital guidance and engagement software solutions. As part of Northgate’s mission to make the customer journey across its websites as convenient as possible, it will deploy Moxie Concierge to provide customers with useful displays of information to guide them through the online vehicle hiring process.
Get your entries in the Business Van Awards 2020 - Business Vans
THERE’S still time to enter the Business Van Awards, but get in as quickly as you can as time is running out Your entries should reach us by December 6 and make a date in your diary for the awards evening on January 22. Why should you enter? When it comes to making a decision on what van to buy, these are uncertain times. Rules are constantly changing in terms of emissions, fuel rates, WLTP, congestion charging, legislation, tax – and then you can throw Brexit uncertainty into the mix.
Factors affecting overall van insurance cost - Business Vans
BY having a van you can earn a living; although you can lose your investment if you are not adequately covered by the right kind of policy if you ever need to make a claim. It could leave you unable to replace stolen tools and equipment or without a van at all. Since there are so many ways a van can be used for commercial gain, van insurance costs differ considerably according to the size, model and intended use.
PIE Recruitment joins the 2020 Business Van Awards sponsors line-up - Business Vans
The 2020 Business Van Awards are gathering pace and we are delighted to announce a new sponsor. PIE Recruitment is already a well-known name in the automotive sector, specialising across sales, marketing and digital positions as well as senior management and C-suite roles. The company works with top names in the industry with automotive forming around 60% of its core business.
Insurance premiums continue to slow for van drivers - Business Vans
VAN drivers are benefiting from a continued reduction to insurance premiums, contradicting the industry’s prediction of premium increases in the wake of the Ogden rate change. The latest Van Insurance Index from data analytics company Consumer Intelligence shows that shows average premiums have fallen to £1,781 in the three months to September.
Van theft soars - keep your vehicle and contents safe - Business Vans
VAN theft across the UK has soared by 45% over the last four years with 30,000 vehicles stolen since 2015, according to research conducted by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. A total of 32,056 vans have been stolen over the last four years with almost 10,000 thefts recorded across the UK in the last year alone, according to official police statistics. The 2018/19 figures represent a year-on-year rise of 4% and a 45% increase since 2015/16.
New Vauxhall Vivaro - Made in Britain - Business Vans
Engine 2-0 Diesel Power (bhp): 120 Torque (Nm): 300 Load length (mm): 2512 Load volume (cu m): 5300 Payload (kg): 1039 Comb fuel economy (mpg): 44.2mpg CO2 emission (g/km): 128 Price: £27,343 What is it? The only van made in Britain and the new Vivaro, bult at Vauxhall’s Luton plant, has just been launched marking the third generation of the model.
New brand ambassador for Rygor - Business Vans
Dan Hardy, Paul Reed (Rygor owner director) and Alan Weyman (Rygor van sales executive) at Rygor Gloucester AWARD-winning Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Dealer group, Rygor Commercials has announced martial arts champion Dan Hardy as its latest brand ambassador. Hardy, who started his career in mixed martial arts (MMA), is now a UFC commentator and analysist for sports channels and also owns his own gym and production company. He said: “I am delighted to become a Rygor ambassador.
Brace yourself for an insurance hike - Business Vans
VAN insurance premiums have risen 8.3% over the last 12 months and there could be further increases in the coming months as a result of this month’s government reset of the Ogden rate, according to data analytics company Consumer Intelligence. After months of speculation, the rate has now officially edged up from -0.75% to -0.25%.
CPC deadline looms for LCV drivers - Business Vans
THE DEADLINE for professional drivers to complete their mandatory training and renew their CPC licences is fast approaching. This applies to companies that operate heavy and light goods vehicles that are ‘in-scope’, including hauliers, logistics and transportation providers. Licence Check, the provider of fleet licence checking and compliance services, said that operators need to ensure their drivers have completed their necessary training in good time.
VW van lease and contract hire goes digital - Business Vans
VOLKSWAGEN Commercial Vehicles and VW Financial Services have launched a new digital platform that allows customers to lease vans on contract hire online. The “bricks-to-clicks” revolution means over 80% of new vehicle customers begin their shopping process online and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is leading the way for businesses with the new service. Contract Hire Direct lets customers pick a model and calculate a suitable finance quote online for stock vehicles.
How camera monitoring can cut claims - Business Vans
A LEADING kitchen supplier fitted camera monitoring systems to 150 vehicles in its fleet to provide evidence in the case of fraudulent insurance claims, monitor products throughout their lifecycle and enable drivers to manoeuvre with ease. Wren Kitchens saw its investment in Brigade Electronics Camera Monitor System, MDR 8-channel recorder and BRIDGE 4G Cloud Service as the perfect solution to refute bogus claims, reduce product return rates and boost customer service levels.
Business Vans connects customers to the best deals with Van Sales UK joint venture - Business Vans
BUSINESS Car Manager Ltd, owner of Business Vans, and Van Sales UK have announced an exciting joint venture aimed at connecting visitors to the Business Vans site to the best possible van deals. Buying a new or used van is an important decision, making sure the model and specification requirements of the vehicle is fit for your purpose. A van is not just transport it is a tool to do a job, a mobile office, a vehicle for the weekend and a lifestyle choice.
VW's mobile servicing improves downtown downtime - Business Vans
DEMAND for mobile servicing has surged in the past year resulting in an estimated £1.1 million saving for UK businesses. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ figures show almost three-quarters of van drivers (71%) find the offer of a mobile servicing unit attractive as it saves time and money. Businesses in Greater London are most likely to make use of the facility, due in no small part to the additional time taken to drive in the capital.
Addison Lee extends Aston Barclay contract as Euro 6 fleet returns to market - Business Vans
ADDISON Lee has extended its used vehicle remarketing contract with Aston Barclay for a further 12 months as it starts to defleet the first of its Euro 6 diesel, ultra-low emissions vehicles. The Euro 6 diesel, ultra-low emission Ford Galaxy vehicles form part of Addison Lee’s fleet of 5,000 vehicles, all of which comply with Transport for London’s (TfL) Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standard, which came into force on 8 April 2019.
Are you buying the right van for your business? - Business Vans
SO you need a new van. But do you know exactly what sort of van you need and how best to configure it. There are a few ways to go about choosing, but the best place to start will be at dealership where they can start off helping you with the basics. Some of it sounds pretty obvious: What do you need your van for? What equipment do you need to carry? What cargo will you be transporting? Will you need to carry people? When and where will you use it? Where will it be kept – home or work?
Toyota to introduce electric vans from next year - Business Vans
New Proace City will get an electric powertrain TOYOTA is the latest van maker to announce an electric delivery vehicle. Proace electric will come first towards the end of next year followed by an electrified version of the smaller Proace City the following year. Ford, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall all announced their electrified van plans earlier this year at the Commercial Vehicle show.
BCA adds to its nationwide LCV sales programme - Business Vans
BCA continues to expand its LCV sales programme with a growing number of multi-channel events to meet buyer demand and support growing volumes. New sales in Bridgwater and Leeds have gained traction quickly, complementing the existing sales programme at Blackbushe, Manchester, Measham, Glasgow and Wolverhampton. This month it is expanding further with the launch of a new event at Paddock Wood which will provide additional volume and make it easier for buyers in the South East to source vehicles.
Van drivers ready for an electric Ducato - Business Vans
FIAT Professional has given the world a first glimpse of the Ducato Electric – an all-electric BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) version – which will go on sale in 2020. It is the first full-electric Fiat Professional model and has been developed using a year’s worth of customer data in relation to the real use of their vehicles. This has confirmed that more than 25% of the market already has a “BEV Attitude” and therefore ready and waiting for a mobility change.
Five questions you need to ask your livery supplier - Business Vans
SELECTING a livery for your vehicles may not be as simple as you think. Marcus Puddy, founder of the PVS Group, who has a 30-year fleet industry career behind him, has identified the five key questions that all fleet and procurement managers need to ask potential vehicle livery suppliers to save themselves money and stress.
New rental supersite opens east of London - Business Vans
EUROPCAR Mobility Group has officially opened the latest of its van rental supersites in Purfleet, Essex. Positioned just inside the M25, it provides easy access for customers and businesses trading within East London as well as Kent, East Anglia and Hertfordshire. As the regeneration of the Thames Gateway continues, many local businesses are being called upon to meet increased demand. With this added workload comes an increased necessity for the tools to get the job done.
Isuzu brings out special edition D-Max - Business Vans
ISUZU UK has launched its new special edition D-Max Workman+ double cab which will be produced in a limited to a volume of 125 vehicles and will be available in a manual transmission. It includes the following equipment over a standard double cab: Rear Load Liner Tow Bar & 13 Pin Electrics Side Steps 18” Alloy Wheels Full Size Spare Wheel – Alloy Reversing Camera DAB Radio Aimed at farmers and urban trade customers, Workman+ is equipped with practical specification to help get the job done.
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