The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership and Cenex have published a new Low Emission Van Guide to coincide with the CV Show in Birmingham and the revised licensing for drivers of alternatively fuelled vans (announced recently by the DfT.) The number of vans licensed to operate in the UK has grown by a quarter in ten […]
Commercial vehicle manufacturing in the UK declined rapidly as a result of planned shutdowns in April. Just 2,162 units were produced, -70.9 per cent down on the previous month. The year to date figure remains positive, with volumes up 10.3 per cent as a result of domestic demand, though exports are still the majority, making up nearly 60 per cent of production in the first four months.
This year to date, 36,620 new LCVs have been registered, representing a rise of 5.8 per cent on the first two months of 2018.
The recently announced partnership between Ford and Volkswagen in the commercial vans and medium pickup trucks arena served to highlight the strong global demand that both companies foresee in these two segments. The partnership was made public on the sidelines of the just concluded North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2019, in Detroit. It marks the first step in a partnership that seeks to leverage the complementary strengths of both automotive giants in a bid to boost their competitiveness.
The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market dropped -8.8 per cent in December, capping off a mixed year for the sector, which saw a moderate decline of -1.3 per cent in 2018, according to the latest figures from the SMMT.
A new £23 million scrappage scheme to help take the most polluting vans off London roads has been launched to prepare for the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ). The scheme, announced by the Mayor of London, will initially help London’s micro-businesses – defined as those with fewer than 10 employees – to switch to the cleanest vehicles, including electric.
SMMT figures show that he new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew 9.6 per cent in November, as more than 29,000 vans and pick-ups joined UK roads. This increase represents 2,549 more pick-ups and vans registered in the month compared to November 2017.
The British light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew last month according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Just over 16,000 new LCVs were registered in the traditionally small month of August, representing a 5.0 per cent increase in demand.
“Will 2019 be the year of the used van?” is one of the key questions being posed at the next meeting of the Vehicle Remarketing Association, taking place on 21 September at Manheim in Bruntingthorpe.
The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market declined -5.9 per cent in July, with 23,309 vans and pick-ups registered, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Tyre manufacturer Apollo Vredestein has been announced as a partner to the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) Van Excellence scheme, an innovative initiative designed to recognise excellence within the commercial vehicle sector and improve operational standards.
In the US, Vans has team up with Michelin to produce a limited-edition range of the shoemaker’s Sk8-Hi and Old Skool models. Both boast a blue and white checkerboard print upper featuring Bibendum’s face in the white cells, as well as “bright yellow accents at the tongue tab, inner lining and foxing”.
April van sales have helped to drive up year-to-date figures for light commercial registrations. “Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations increased 3.9 per cent compared to the same period last year for which there were there were no changes in road tax,” said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association.
The chancellor of the exchequer, Phillip Hammond, has announced a reduction in tax for the cleanest vans in his Spring Statement. Introducing the measure, he said the government wanted to “help the great British white van driver go green.” Analyst KPMG responded that more detail is needed to allow vehicle manufacturers to develop products to take advantage of the tax reduction.
Michelin has launched a new CrossClimate tyre to take on the demanding conditions in which European van drivers increasingly operate. Having successfully rolled out the “summer tyre with winter capabilities” to the consumer market with two iterations of CrossClimates for cars and an SUV version, Michelin has extended the concept to light commercial operators with the Agilis CrossClimate. To mark its launch, Michelin demonstrated the tyre’s winter characteristics at a special test site in the French Alps. With the so-called Beast from the East providing the most extreme winter driving conditions the UK has seen in more than a decade as Tyres & Accessories goes to print, the appeal of products to handle such conditions while also suiting the mostly moderate climate in a market disinclined to fit winter tyres seems likely to receive at least a short-term boost.
