What's new in the world of vans?

The world of vans is still reeling from the pandemic problems but there is some good news emerging from the month of June as well. The manufacturing industry across multiple sectors has obviously been hit hard by the lockdown, but many brands are pushing forward with their new van designs to shake up the industry.

Here is what’s been happening during June.

New Maxus Van Brand Launched

An official ‘virtual’ launch party was held in June for the new Maxus van brand, formerly known as LDV. The launch revealed two new vans from Harris Group HQ in Dublin, who have been named as the official distributors for the UK and Ireland.

The LDV brand was bought by SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corporation) in 2008 following the financial crisis, and they started reselling the vans in the UK in 2016. They announced the planned brand change last year and it became official last month.

The two new vans revealed for the new brand launch include small and medium versions of the electric-only Maxus E Deliver 3 van. It has a range of up to 200 miles and features up to 6 cubic metres of load volume and a maximum payload of one tonne.

The second new Maxus van is the large panel Deliver 9 diesel van which is going to replace the old V80. It will be available in three different lengths and heights and you will be able to choose either front or rear wheel drive. SAIC also said that they eventually intend to release an electric version of the Deliver 9, which will be called the E Deliver 9.

UK Van Manufacturing Lull Continues

June saw the van manufacturing numbers for May revealed and it was another very quiet month, though this was to be expected due to the lockdown for the Covid-19 virus. In total, the UK’s commercial vehicle manufacturers built just over 800 vehicles throughout the entire month of May. For a comparison, the total during the same month last year was 2,110, though that itself was a massive decline on the previous year of 2018, when there were over 7,000 vans built in the UK.

Both the preceding months of March and April were also very quiet months for van manufacturing in the UK. By the end of May, the total number of UK-built vans for 2020 stood at a little under 22,300, which is a decrease of over 29% compared with the number from the same stage last year.

New Ford Transit Trail Van Details Revealed

New details emerged regarding Ford’s new Transit Trail and Custom Trail vans in June. They will feature enhanced traction thanks to a new mechanical limited-slip differential on front-wheel drive versions, as well as an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. This will make the Transit Trail and Custom Trail especially useful for tougher working environments,

The new vans will also include upgraded exteriors and interiors.

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.

How often should you get a van serviced?

Every van is different but when it comes to looking after your vehicle by getting it regularly serviced, there are some steadfast rules to follow, especially if you use your van for commercial purposes.

A faulty vehicle that isn’t roadworthy and needs to be at a mechanic’s all week can cost a business dearly in lost productivity. It is therefore vital that vans used for business purposes don’t miss a service.

So, how often should you get a van serviced?

Once every 2 years or every 25,000 miles. 

Most vehicles, including vans, need to be serviced every 2 years. However, some vans are used much more than others, particularly vehicles that are part of business operations. In this sense, certain vans will do significantly more mileage in a year than others and subsequently put more wear and tear on the engine and other components. 

It is therefore recommended that vehicles are serviced every 25,000 miles they do, though every manufacturer is different and it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer owner’s manual for guidance. 

In-between services 

It is also advisable to take a van for ‘in-between’ services, especially if it is a high-mileage vehicle. These ‘mini’ services can check things like the cambelt and the oil, to ensure the engine and other parts are in tip-top condition to help prevent potentially costly breakdowns from occurring, which can wreak havoc on a business. 

During an in-between service your van will have the following thoroughly checked:

• Tyres

• Oil 

• Screenwash

• Steering 

• Brakes 

• Suspension 

A more comprehensive annual service (or every 25,000 miles) should include:

• Checking wheel alignment

• Light and electric functions

• New air filters

• Fitting new spark plugs and fuel fitters

• Adding a fuel treatment 

If you are on the market for a new van for your business, UK Vans Direct has a wide selection of quality vans on offer from the leading van manufacturers. Get in contact with UK Vans Direct to discuss how we can supply you with the van you’re looking for. 

February is here and with the evenings becoming lighter by the day, we can’t help but start to think ahead to the spring. With the better weather approaching and without the often hiked up prices of spring and summer, February can be a good time to purchase a van, both new and second-hand. 

Bargains up for grabs 

It’s not uncommon for bargains to be snapped up on vans during February when sales are typically slower as buyers wait for the arrival of new number plates in March. 

Dealers are often keen to let go of old models in February in readiness for new models and new plates in March. 

As the vehicle trade is typically quieter in late winter and vans aren’t on people’s minds like they can be during other times of the year, dealers might be keen to make a deal and get a sale and therefore be willing to put the price down. 

Buy your van through UK Vans Direct and save an average of £8,000 per vehicle 

No matter what time of year it is, when you buy a van through UK Vans Direct, you can save an average of £8,000. This is due to the fact we deal directly with the manufacturers so we can offer our customers an extensive choice of vans at the best prices. 

What’s more, with a range of financing options, we are able to find the deal that’s right for your individual business requirements and circumstances. 

Get in touch to with UK Vans Direct to find the best deal on the right van for you

Why not visit our dedicated site to talk to our van specialists on the right van for you for the best possible price? Get in touch with UK Vans Direct today to find out more about our top-quality vans for the best possible prices. 

Being used for business purposes, it’s more important than ever that companies of all sizes and industries don’t waste budgets on buying overpriced vehicles. 

If you’re looking for a new company van or fleet of vans in 2020 and are determined to get one for a great price, then look no further than UK Vans Direct, which save our customers an average £8,000 per vehicle.

Deal directly with the manufacturers

At UK Van Direct, we deal directly with the manufacturers of the vans we sell. Since establishing in 2005, we have built up solid and professional relationships with the best van manufacturers in existence and choose only to work with the most reliable of suppliers. Consequently, we can offer our customers a diverse range of makes and models of vans for the best prices. 

The manufacturers we work with to get our customers the best prices on the best vans include:

• Citroen

• Renault 

• Ford

• Nissan

• Toyota

• Mitsubishi Motors

• Peugeot 

• Vauxhall 

• Volkswagen

• Fiat

UK Vans Direct also offers customers with different funding options, so no matter what financial situation a business is in, we can usually help them find the best solution to purchasing a new van for commercial purposes. 

It is our aim to find our customers the cheapest vans for their specific requirements will paying impeccable attention to detail and customer service. 

For more information about purchasing a quality van from UK Vans Direct for an average of £8,000 less than if you were to go elsewhere, give our friendly and professional team of van specialists a call on 01709 717200 or email info@ukvansdirect.co.uk. 

What to look out for when buying a new van

Like with any vehicle, buying a new van is a big investment and one you’ll want to get right, especially if the van is being bought for commercial purposes.

Before taking the plunge and handing over your money to drive away a shiny new van, check out the following pointers on what do look out for when buying a van.

Diesel, petrol or electric: Which is the best fuel type for your next van?

One of the most fundamental questions you should ask is what type of fuel you need your van to be? Your decision should be influenced by a number of factors, such as the amount of mileage you intend to do in your van and how ‘corporately responsible’ you want your business to be, in terms of the amount of emissions it will emit into the atmosphere. 

New or second-hand?

When buying a van, you’ll need to decide whether you want to invest in a new van or buy a second-hand vehicle. Of course, there’s pros and cons to both, with new vans requiring a larger investment and second-hand models not promising as much reliability. 

Carry out thorough checks

If you opt to buy a second-hand van, it’s important to carry out thorough checks. 

This might include the following:

• Tyres – check all tyres for tread depth and potential damage

• Exhaust – have a look at the exhaust for rust and holes 

• Locks and windows – check the locks and windows are all working 

• Dashboard and lights – the dashboard and lights should also be checked so see that no warning lights come on and the lights are working properly 

• Wipers, milometers and heaters should also be checked to ensure they’re working as they should

If you’re thinking about purchasing a new van for your business, UK Vans Direct provide our customers with some of the cheapest vans in the UK, coupled with excellent customer service. Get in touch today to discuss your commercial van requirements with UK Vans Direct.  

The clocks have gone back, the temperature has dropped, and the trees have shed their leaves. Winter is here once more. 

From frozen water in the radiator to batteries ceasing up, vehicles don’t always like the plummeting temperatures. If you’ve not already done so, now’s the time to prepare your van for the cold and wet months ahead. 

Take a look at the following top van maintenance tips to help avoid breakdowns this winter. 

Check your van’s battery

Car batteries don’t like the winter as the cold temperatures can reduce the output, which places the battery under additional strain. 

Part of a comprehensive van maintenance schedule in the winter should include checking your battery, which will generally have an effective life of around five years. 

If your battery is past its sell-by date, now’s the time to change it. 

Get antifreeze checked 

Frozen water in your van’s radiator can create real problems in an engine. Make sure you get the antifreeze regularly checked to help avoid, what can be, expensive problems.

Check the condition of your van’s tyres

A van’s tyres have a direct impact on braking and steering, so it’s vital they are in good condition, particularly on wet and icy roads during the winter. Check that both the tread depth and pressure are appropriate for dealing with winter conditions and if the tyres aren’t up to scratch, now’s the time to change them. 

Regularly clean your van

During the winter, it’s important to clean your van regularly to remove dirt and corrosive road salt from the windscreen, windows, body and tyres. 

When cleaning the windscreen, give it a good clean inside and outside to ensure it is debris and smear free. 

Check that the lights, indicators and rear reflectors are also clean, so dirt doesn’t impede the reflection. 

If you are looking to purchase a new van this winter, then check out the range on offer at UK Vans Direct. We aim to provide our customers with the best-priced vans in the UK, delivered with fantastic customer service. 

Get in touch today, to discuss your van requirements with our friendly team.