What's New in The World of Vans June 2021?

This last month saw the launch of an exciting new van model using zero-emissions technology, and great news for dealers as the new van registration numbers for May were published. There is also some concern regarding van supply, so read on to see what’s been happening in the world of vans during June.

New Zero-Emission Hydrogen Vivaro Launched by Vauxhall

Vauxhall has unveiled a new version of their Vivaro light commercial van, which will be a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell model with a range up to 249 miles.

The new Vivaro-e Hydrogen will be able to refuel in just three minutes and features the same storage space capacity as both the diesel or battery electric Vivaro models. The zero-emission hydrogen Vivaro will have even more payload capacity than the battery electric version, with a maximum of 1,100kg. 

The managing director of Vauxhall, Paul Willcox, said of the new van’s technology: “Vauxhall is already leading the way with an all-electric van range, and now we are set to add hydrogen to the line-up as an efficient energy system of the future. Vauxhall-Opel has more than 20 years of experience in developing hydrogen fuel technology which offers zero emissions-in-use, a long driving range and ultra-fast refuelling.”

The Vivaro-e Hydrogen will have a 45kW fuel cell that has been designed to generate enough power for continuous driving on motorways. It will also have a 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery positioned under the front seats to provide extra acceleration and start-up power when it is needed.

New Van Sales Record in May

June saw the publishing of the van sales figures for May by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), and the numbers are good news for dealers. Over 29,300 new vans were registered throughout the month, which is a record-breaking rise of 4.7% on the five-year pre-pandemic average.

It brings the total of new vans registered so far during 2021 to over 157,000. All vehicle segments saw an increase in sales, though the majority came through huge increases in sales of larger 2.5 to 3.5 tonne vans, which totalled over 19,600 on their own.

The SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said, “May’s figures are welcome news, suggesting Britain’s additional reliance on commercial vehicles is a long-term shift rather than a lockdown stopgap.” 

Hawes was also keen to stress the importance of  van users and operators making the switch to zero-emission capable technologies.

BVRLA Survey Reveals Van Supply Concerns

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has published a survey highlighting concerns about van supply among businesses in the vehicle rental and leasing sector. 

The UK trade body’s survey discovered over 90% of respondents thought that the current supply of ICE vans was hindering their ability to meet the needs of their customers. In addition, 84% of respondents believed the supply of vans is getting worse.

The Chief Executive of the BVRLA, Gerry Keaney, said: “Although we have seen an increase in the number of makes and models [of battery electric vans] coming to market, there is a particular dearth of vans capable of long ranges or towing.” 

Keaney added: “A special focus on vans is needed if this sector is to achieve parity with the more developed electric car market and the BVRLA will be making recommendations to the Government.”

If you need a van and want the best prices available, call UK Vans Direct on 01709 717200 or email info@ukvansdirect.co.uk.

What's New in The World of Vans? 

May saw the introduction of a new tyre rating system as well as several exciting new vans, including three models being added to a special range of van specifications. Here’s what happened in the world of vans during May.

New Griffin Models Announced by Vauxhall

Vauxhall has announced new models for their Griffin Edition LCV range. The new additions include the Combo, Vivaro and Movano models.

The Griffin extras include new metallic paint, cruise control, rear parking sensors and 16-inch alloy wheels for the Combo. Also added will be Vauxhall’s own Multimedia system and FlexCargo bulk load-through flap which enhances the van’s load space capacity. Only the standard wheelbase and L1H1 body style is available for the Griffin Combo, and it will also come exclusively with a 1.5 litre Turbo D diesel engine.

The Griffin Edition of the Vivaro also has cruise control and rear parking sensors but with 17-inch alloy wheels. Other features include body-coloured bumpers, automatic windscreen wipers and a high-beam assist, plus it will be equipped with Vauxhall’s Multimedia system and FlexCargo loading flap. There are two body lengths to choose from, with both using a 1.5-litre 120PS Turbo D diesel engine.

The Movano Griffin Edition is the largest of the three and also comes with cruise control, rear parking sensors and automatic windscreen wipers. The driver’s seat has lumbar support and an armrest, as well as access to the Bluetooth digital radio. There are two lengths of the Griffin Movano with both powered by a 2.3-litre 135PS Turbo D diesel engine.

Peugeot e-Boxer Now Available in the UK

More good news for UK van fans as Peugeot announced their e-Boxer is on sale in the UK from May. The specs and price range of the e-Boxer are expected to make it a direct rival to the Fiat e-Ducato and the eSprinter by Mercedes.

There are two battery options for the e-Boxer, with the first being a 37kWh model that provides a maximum range of 73 miles. The second option has a bit more oomph at 70kWh which extends the maximum range to 139 miles, though it does also add a few thousand to the asking price which already starts at £49,335.

New Tyre Label System Launched

May saw the introduction of a new digital tyre labelling system designed to help vehicle owners understand the differences between the highest and lowest rated tyres. Customers buying new vehicles such as vans will be provided with the digital tyre information by the retailer.

The information on them will essentially remain the same, though with some changes to the format and an additional ‘alpine’ rating which will rate the tyre’s suitability for use in snowy conditions. The changes also include a slightly amended rating system, moving from seven classifications to five. They will still rate the tyre’s fuel efficiency, wet braking performance and level of road noise they produce.

Stuart Jackson of the TyreSafe charity spoke about the importance of tyre knowledge when making a vehicle purchase, saying: “There is concern that owners typically only consider cost and don’t appreciate there may be tyres that are more suitable and offer better value but perhaps at a higher price. It’s in the interest of vehicle owners to make themselves aware of the information contained on the new tyre label to cut costs in fuel, as well as improve their safety.”

If you need a van and want the best prices available, call UK Vans Direct on 01709 717200 or email info@ukvansdirect.co.uk.

What's New in The World of Vans April 2021?

April saw the UK van market traverse some rocky roads, but there is light at the end of the tunnel as new van registrations show some signs of life after Covid. There were also some new Vauxhall van editions to get excited for, so let’s look at what’s been happening in the world of vans over the past month.

New Van Registration Numbers Show Promise

The latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed there were 56,122 new vans registered in March. This number is still down on the pre-pandemic average by nearly 11%, where monthly registrations averaged a little over 63,000 units.

However, it is a huge 85.5% increase on the numbers from March 2020, so the situation is looking positive overall. Revised expectations suggest around 360,000 LCVs should be registered by the end of this year.

The Chief Executive of the SMMT, Mike Hawes, recognised the impact that the pandemic has had on the van market, but was hopeful for the future. He said: “Although a marked improvement on last year’s March numbers, these figures illustrate the impact Covid has had on the sector and how far away the van market is from the growth it was enjoying before the pandemic hit.

“However, as the country emerges from lockdown, vaccinations continue to roll out, and non-essential businesses reopen, the added confidence will hopefully help shift the gears from recovery to growth for the van market.”

New Griffin Editions Unveiled by Vauxhall

Vauxhall have launched new Griffin Edition trim designs and specifications for their Combo, Vivaro and Movano van ranges.

The new specifications include FlexCargo capability, 16-inch alloy wheels, metallic paint and rear parking sensors for the Griffin Edition of the Combo. The Combo’s interior additions also include cruise control.

The Vivaro Griffin Edition also has FlexCargo capability but has been equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels. Other Griffin additions to the Vivaro include body coloured bumpers, rear parking sensors, high-beam assist and automatic windscreen wipers.

The Griffin Edition of the Movano van features the same rear parking sensors, cruise control and automatic windscreen wipers, plus there is now a digital radio with Bluetooth and a USB connection. The interior of the Movano also includes extra comfortable seats featuring lumbar support and armrests.

All three Griffin Editions are equipped with Vauxhall’s Multimedia system that comes with an eight-inch touchscreen.

LCV Prices to Rise After Factory Shutdown

The knock-on effect of the closure of Ford’s Transit van manufacturing plant in Turkey is starting to be felt as LCV prices are set to rise. UK vehicle auctioneer Aston Barclay believe the closure means demand for vans will outpace the supply and force the prices of used vans up to record levels.

The National LCV Manager of Aston Barclay, Geoff Flood, confirmed: “The Ford factory shutdown news is a blow for the new and used market as it will prevent a supply of much needed used vans hitting the auctions.”

Mr Flood added: “Some vans have gone under the hammer for two to three times reserve and this trend will continue until such time as we see factories re-open and used supplies improving.”

Ford’s plant is due to remain closed until June 13th.

If you need a van and want the best prices available with flexible pricing options, call UK Vans Direct on 01709 717200 or email info@ukvansdirect.co.uk.

What's New in The World of Vans?

March was an exciting time for UK van manufacturing as a new commercial vehicle start-up revealed their brand new van design which will create many new jobs during its production phase. There were also some interesting new van announcements and unveilings from rather more established manufacturers, so let’s see what’s been happening in the world of vans over the last month.

New Electric Panel Van Revealed by Arrival

The Arrival Van has been unveiled by new UK-based commercial vehicle manufacturer Arrival and is intended to directly compete against the Fiat e-Ducato. The Arrival Van features a modular battery system and will have a maximum payload capacity of nearly two tonnes.

The modular battery pack has 120kW DC charging technology for every version of the Arrival Van. The power capacities of the different versions range between 67kWh to 133kWh, with the least powerful entry-level version having an estimated range of 112 miles per single charge. There are two mid-range versions with estimated single charge ranges of 149 miles and 180 miles. The high end version has an estimated range of 211 miles per single battery charge.

The exact maximum payload will be 1,975kg for the larger wheelbase versions, with the maximum capacity revealed as 14.6 cubic metres.

The new electric Arrival Van will be undergoing a trial with a select group of businesses, including global courier service UPS, in the summer. It will then head into general production at Arrival’s research and development centre in Banbury, creating around 200 new jobs in the area. It will be available to buy sometime after autumn 2022.

New Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 Sportline

March saw Volkswagen show off their upgraded version of the Transporter, with the T6.1 Sportline boasting new sport-inspired style tweaks such as illuminated side bars, roof spoiler and a red contrast grille strip running between the headlights.

New performance upgrades include more responsive handling and suspension lowered by 30cm. The interior’s improvements include heated front seats trimmedwith Nappa leather and suede. A digital display keeps the driver informed of all relevant information, plus there is now DAB radio, climate control and a touchscreen sat-nav.

The Sportline version of the Transporter will be available with either long or short wheelbases, plus there will be panel or Kombi versions as well. Prices will start from £42,940, not counting VAT.

New Renault Vans for 2021

Renault were busy during March revealing multiple van updates to their Trafic range and a brand new Kangoo.

The Trafic range will now have both a Passenger (or Combi) and a SpaceClass version. The Passenger, as the Combi is known in the UK, is for large families and businesses requiring transport for employees. With seating for up to nine people, taxi firms will also be interested in its people-carrying capabilities.

The Trafic SpaceClass is a higher end version, and there will be special specs available such as face-to-face seating, leather upholstery or even a full business-class interior. There is the option of a central table and swivelling seats, with the business shuttle market being the intended audience for this version.

The third generation Kangoo was also revealed in March and should be available to buy from the summer.

If you need a van and want the best prices available with flexible pricing options, call UK Vans Direct on 01709 717200 or email info@ukvansdirect.co.uk.

LCV Registrations Increase During January

It was revealed at the beginning of February that registrations for new light commercial vehicles rose by 2% during the first month of 2021. This gives 2021’s January the highest January volume since 1990 and propels it over 10% ahead of the five-year average.

According to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a total of 24,029 vehicles were sold during the last month. Despite the promising start to the year, the SMMT is now forecasting that LCV registrations will only increase by a further 17.5% by the end of the year, which will result in a total of 343,850 vehicles. They had previously been predicting a total of 375,000 vehicles to be sold by the end of 2021, but the emergence of new and ongoing challenges has caused a rethink.

The SMMT’s Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said: “January’s figures are welcome news, particularly after the difficult past year. Although one month’s performance does not a full recovery make, the future must involve measures that can deliver long-term changes for the sector if we are to meet ambitious targets and address both climate change and air quality goals.”

Ford Confirm Entire Van Range to be Zero Emissions by 2024

Ford has declared that their entire commercial vehicle range will be zero-emissions capable by 2024. This includes electric and plug-in hybrid, Ford predicting that two-thirds of their commercial vehicle sales will be all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.

The declaration comes as part of Ford’s plan to sell only electric cars in Europe by the end of the decade, with all Ford cars sold in Europe to be zero-emissions capable by 2026.

Spearheading their plan will be a new fully-electric Ford Transit Custom to be launched in 2022, joining the plug-in hybrid version currently available.

Coolvan Launches New Electric Refrigerated Van 

Coolvan used February to launch their new refrigerated version of the Maxus eDeliver 3 electric van. The van uses a specially adapted fridge unit that runs off the van’s 12v battery to minimise the impact on the van’s driving range, which reaches up to 150 miles from a full charge. 

Drivers of the new van – which has a 745Kg maximum payload capacity – will be able to enter the London Ultra Low Emission Zone for free and will also be exempt from the Congestion Charge that covers vehicles in central London.

The Managing Director of Coolvan, Chris Warburton, said: “Since the introduction of the T-charge in London in 2017, we have seen a steady increase in enquiries about zero emission fridge vans. Enquiries increased again during the first lockdown as the food service and hospitality sectors rapidly recalibrated their businesses to meet a surge in retail demand and direct sales.”

If you need a van and want the best prices available with flexible pricing options, call UK Vans Direct on 01709 717200 or email info@ukvansdirect.co.uk.

Vauxhall Reveal New Electric Combo

Vauxhall released pictures of their new Combo-e in January. The all new van is a fully-electric version of their established Combo van that boasts a range of up to 171 miles from a single charge. The van supports up to 100kW rapid charging and can achieve an 80% charge of the 50kW battery in just 30 minutes.

The Vauxhall Combo-e also comes with a 100kW (136hp) electric motor and will be available in two sizes. The largest of these will be the L2H1 variant which will have a maximum load volume of 4.4 cubic metres and a maximum load length of up to 3,440mm. The smaller L1H1 has a maximum load volume of 3.8 cubic metres and a maximum load length of 3,090mm. 

An interesting feature involves the placement of the battery position, which has been placed under the floor between the front and rear axles. This placement gives the van a low centre of gravity that enhances cornering and stability, including during fully loaded runs. The lithium-ion battery itself consists of up to 216 cells and 18 modules.

There will be multiple cab and passenger capabilities available, with an array of excellent features as standard including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, driver drowsiness alert, traffic sign recognition and recommendation, forward collision alert with pedestrian protection and automatic emergency braking.

The new Vauxhall Combo-e should be available to buy in the autumn.

LCV Registrations Down Despite Increased Delivery Demand

New light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations were significantly down at the end of 2020, despite the increasing demand for van deliveries due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

LCV sales in the UK were down 20.0% according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Their data reveals there were 292,657 vehicles registered during 2020, but the month of December saw a 1% decline in registrations. SMMT noted that the decline was only in relation to the increased demand during the Covid era, and actually remains consistent with previous December figures.

SMMT’s Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said: “Undeniably the LCV market, having shrunk by a fifth, has a lot of hurdles to overcome as we enter 2021. However, investment in fleet renewal will be key to driving recovery, and the sector’s resilience, now coupled with added clarity over UK-EU trading relations and the rollout of vaccines, offers hope for both the van market and the wider economy.”

New LDV Vans for 2021

As well as the exciting LDV EV30, LDV will also be making the new LDV V90 fully available this year. The LDV V90 is a large panel van developed primarily for Europe, and it features huge improvements on the V80 van which LDV hope will help it rival the Sprinter and Transit for comfort and refinement. 

If you need a van and want the best prices available with flexible pricing options, call UK Vans Direct on 01709 717200 or email info@ukvansdirect.co.uk.