Data from the SMMT

Hundreds of commercial vehicle bodybuilder businesses are under threat if they do not adequately prepare for new European Whole Vehicle Type Approval rules that come into force this year. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), small and medium-sized businesses could shut down overnight if they do not act now to meet complex new legislation.

“Whole vehicle type approval is a hugely important part of getting a vehicle on the road as it ensures that technical and safety standards are consistently met across Europe, but businesses could be at risk if they don’t prepare now,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “SMMT has created ‘SENTA’ a simple interactive guide that helps vehicle manufacturers and bodybuilders to simply and quickly achieve Type Approval, allowing them to continue to sell their products across Europe and protecting valuable UK businesses and jobs.”

‘European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval’ (ECWVTA) collates hundreds of individual Type Approval elements to ensure manufactured vehicles meet strict safety and technical regulations. From 29 April this year, manufacturers, converters and bodybuilders of Special Purpose Vehicles (category M1) will have to seek Type Approval to register vehicles across Europe. Bodybuilders making all sorts of products from motor-caravans, ambulances and hearses to armoured vehicles and wheelchair accessible vehicles (up to eight seats) will have to adhere to the new rules.

From 29 October the same set of rules will also apply to the manufacture of complete and incomplete trucks (mass over 3.5t), all complete and incomplete trailers and new types of Special Purpose Vehicles.

Type Approval became mandatory in October 2011 for all minibuses, buses and coaches, plus single-stage built trucks (mass under 3.5 tonnes).

SMMT’s European and National Type Approval (SENTA) guide streamlines the process of applying for type approval. The system simplifies complex legislation, saving time and money and is free to use by all SMMT members.

Mini Clubvan Concept Vehicle

It seems the natural thing to do for Mini – they have extended the brand as far as they can go in the car market, now it’s the turn of the van sector to receive some attention from the BMW offshoot.

MINI will reveal a new concept at Geneva International Motor Show 2012 – The MINI Clubvan Concept – a compact van for business and leisure, and the first premium model in the small car-based van segment.

The Clubvan concept opens the door to a completely new market for MINI, premium small businesses who want to combine sharp driving dynamics with low cost of ownership, while also making a style statement with their company van.

The ability to adapt goes back to the heart of MINI’s heritage. Calls for maximising the load capacity of the classic Mini began as early as 1960, just a year after the car’s birth, and so the Morris Mini Van was born. With its 10-centimetre-longer wheelbase, separate load compartment and split rear doors, it was perfectly equipped for commercial use. It also provided the basis for the fully glazed, four-seat Morris Mini Traveller, one of the precursors of today’s MINI Clubman. And so, more than 50 years on, the MINI Clubvan Concept sees history repeating itself.

The mini will come with two seats and a flat load area which reaches from the split rear doors right up to a partition grille behind the two seats making full use of the interior’s depth. Six attachment loops recessed into the load floor use elasticated straps to hold cargo in place. The fixed partition grille, made from solid aluminium in the lower part and a stainless steel honeycombe grating, ensures items stowed in the rear won’t fall into the front cabin. The side walls, floor and roof lining of the load area in the Concept are trimmed in high-quality anthracite-coloured cloth.

Just like the MINI Clubman, the Clubvan Concept is a five-door car with a twist. Two front doors for the driver and front passenger, two side-hinged rear doors and the rear-hinged Clubdoor on the right-hand side all create useful access.

Mini Clubvan

Will BMW make it?  We hope so.  It may carve out a new niche in the van sector where Mercedes-Benz are hoping to also fit alongside with their new Citan.

New 2012 Ford Transit Tourneo

We have got a sneak preview of how the new Ford Transit is to look at its launch later this year.

The new design can be seen in the new Ford Tourneo Custom Concept which makes its global debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Ford tells us, “this is a dramatic new look that will appeal to customers seeking style, functionality and space.”

Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe said,  “Our forthcoming new range gives us the opportunity to appeal to new customers with a fresh new direction, and we have seized that opportunity with both hands.  The Tourneo Custom’s car-like qualities will be appreciated by a broad range of business and leisure customers, and this is a fitting venue to present the vehicle for the first time.”

To keep up with the Transporters and Vitos, the Tourneo Custom Concept will preview a host of new features, including an all-new interior design with driver-focused cockpit, and a luxurious, fully trimmed cabin which has the ambience and high-quality materials of a modern multi-seat saloon car.

The Concept also showcases a number of smart innovations including multi-adjustable and removable rear seating, advanced SYNC voice-activated, in-car connectivity system and the latest Ford low-CO2 ECOnetic Technologies.

Rear View of New Transit Tourneo 2012 Model Year

The Tourneo Custom Concept communicates very clearly a dramatic new design direction for Ford’s commercial vehicle range, which will be introduced later in 2012.

With its advanced, streamlined appearance, the concept vehicle embodies the same dynamic character as Ford’s Kinetic Design passenger cars – “generating the strong sense of movement, even when the vehicle is standing still.”

“We set out to create a design with clean, futuristic lines and with a real sense of occasion,” explained Paul Campbell, chief designer, Ford of Europe.

The concept is powered by a further improved 155 PS version of Ford’s 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine family.

The Tourneo Custom Concept is based on a new Ford global platform which has been engineered to deliver car-like dynamics, including agile, responsive handling, enhanced ride comfort and reduced noise-levels.

The new Transit range will be powered by enhanced versions of the new 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine, which was initially introduced in 2011; with Auto-Stop-Start technology fitted as standard.

Three power ratings will be available: 100 PS, 125 PS and 155 PS.  All versions are paired with a six-speed manual transmission and feature front-wheel drive.

The model range will include a wide choice of body styles and two wheelbases (SWB and LWB) allowing for extra luggage or goods capability where required.

“2012 is a tremendously significant year for Ford as we begin the roll-out of a completely new range of commercial vehicles,” said Odell.  “Our market-leading commercials have established a tremendous reputation for value and durability, and our new range is destined to raise this to a new level.”

Manheim Simulcast in Action

Activity on Manheim’s Simulcast online auction system continues to break records. Earlier this month a total of 180 trade buyers from around the country made nearly 900 online bids for 151 vehicles and bought 80 of those commercial vehicles at Gloucester. This represents 33% of all commercial vehicles sold on the day. In addition to the 180 buyers logged on via Simulcast there were a further 169 in the auction hall buying vehicles for not just the UK market but also for export to Namibia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

James Davis, General Manager Commercial Vehicles, Manheim Remarketing added: “This most recent record-breaking sale at Gloucester was a great result and shows what a growing part Simulcast now plays in the lives of the modern commercial vehicle buyer. It is recognised throughout the commercial vehicle remarketing industry as an essential business tool for most trade buyers. It demonstrates that buyers are willing to do their homework and buy from auctions no matter how far away with absolute confidence supported by our detailed online vehicle appraisals and instant bidding capability.”

The Jolly 2000

The Government has named seven ultra-low carbon vans that will qualify for a discount of up to £8,000 as part of the ‘Plug-In Van Grant’ incentive. The incentive aims to stimulate the market for ultra-low carbon commercial vehicles as it establishes itself in the UK.

“The Plug-In Van Grant and today’s detail on the seven models eligible is excellent news for van drivers, operators, businesses and the industry. The savings on the initial purchase price, coupled with the tax advantages and very low running costs make a plug-in van an attractive proposition – particularly for those running local and back-to-base services,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive.

Already on sale, or arriving this year, each van is eligible for a 20% price reduction up to £8,000 with VAT businesses able to reclaim the full list price VAT on top of the reduction. Vans qualifying for the Grant must emit less than 75g/km CO2, be capable of travelling at least 60 miles between charges (10 miles in electric mode for hybrid vans), reaching speeds of more than 50mph and meet European safety standards.

Top truck and van dealer group, Imperial Commercials has acquired four Watts Truck & Van Centre depots – Gloucester, Worcester, Hereford, and Yate from the family-owned WATTS Group. The four depots will continue to trade as Watts Truck & Van in the short term before being rebranded as Imperial Commercials. The WATTS South Wales centres based in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea are not included in the sale and remain part of the Watts family of businesses. Initially the IMPERIAL business will trade from the existing Watts Mercia Road site but eventually will move back to a purpose built dealership on the existing Hempsted Lane site in Gloucester.

The existing Watts employees will remain with the business that has been acquired. Those employed in the Watts operations in Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport are not affected by the change of ownership.

Imperial Commercials Managing Director Ian Oakes said: “Watts Truck & Van Centres are a well respected long standing DAF and Fiat Professional franchise operation and a great fit within our existing franchises in the West of England. I look forward to meeting staff and customers alike.” John Thurston, WATTS Group chairman, said: “In these tough market conditions, we have to make pragmatic decisions and we believe the transfer of these four depots will enable us to better focus our effort and resources on the Welsh Truck & Van businesses. And we are pleased to be building a new dealership for Imperial on our Hempstead Lane site which should provide outstanding levels of service to Gloucestershire Businesses.”

Expect the replacement for the much-loved Land Rover Defender to be built in India – home of parent company Tata.  Versions of the DC100 as it is currently known may be shipped to the UK in knock down kits to assemble for the European market.

This is seen as an attempt to take out some of the production costs, whilst also reducing transport costs to the huge Indian and other local Asian markets.

VOSA is promoting the use of ATFs by making them better value than the official VOSA alternatives.

Starting from the beginning of April, the costs of testing a vehicle at either an ATF or a DP will reduce, whilst official test station prices will increase.

Neither operator nor ATF owner will be dining out on these changes, as the reduction is by a mere £2 for a two axle truck whilst the corresponding increase is just £3 bringing the ATF in at £93 and the official stations in at £98.  Not many vehicles will travel further for the sake of a fiver.

There was a consultation period in June last year which received 22 responses – this formed the basis of the changes.  See the full report at http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/fee-hgv-psv-testing-licensing/

The makers claim that the new Isuzu D-Max is the result of the most comprehensive new product development programme in the Japanese company’s history.

The new Isuzu D-Max features aggressive and imposing exterior styling that reflects its exceptional load-lugging capacity, towing capabilities and off-road performance.  Inside, driver and passengers will find a spacious and refined cabin featuring high-quality materials and an impressive standard specification.

Isuzu’s new pick-up sees the introduction of extensively redeveloped common-rail diesel engines, which will deliver improved emissions and fuel economy together with more flexible and accessible power and torque.

“The result of an exhaustive development process that included extensive research amongst customers around the world, the all-new Isuzu D-Max is an incredibly appealing package that will deliver in every key area that matters to those in farming, construction and other outdoor industries,” said William Brown, General Manager of Isuzu UK.

Further specifications and details of the Isuzu D-Max will be released next month.

DAF LF in Peterbilt Guise

The DAF LF – in its North American specification, as the Peterbilt Model 210 – has just been named by the American Truck Dealers (ATD) as the ‘2012 Commercial Truck of the Year’ in the medium duty category.

Powered by the PACCAR PX-6 engine, it earned the award based on its innovative cab comfort, visibility, excellent manoeuvrability and ease of maintenance, all features which have made the DAF LF model range a success in Europe and are now giving the truck true global appeal, selling in worldwide markets from Australia to Israel, from Russia to Chile.

Closer to home, DAF achieved a record market share in the UK last year where over 38% of all trucks sold between 6 and 16 tonnes GVW were the DAF LF model, designed and built by Leyland Trucks in Lancashire. Growing sales in other European markets such as Germany, Italy, Poland, France, Netherlands and the Czech Republic last year reflect the DAF LF’s international success.

The Peterbilt 210 is assembled in PACCAR’s Mexico plant for the North American and South American markets. The LF model will also be assembled in the new DAF Brazil plant scheduled to begin operations in 2013.