Industry News

Renault have implemented a huge strategic change to their UK Operation in attempts to improve on falling profit levels.  The company have made a big change to it's models for sales in the UK from 1st Feb 2012.  10 Renault models are axed immediately from the Renault range including the Kangoo Compact van.  Renault are effectivley removing it's least profitable models from the range whilst anticipating the introduction of a couple of new car models.

Vans & minibuses over 10 years old (Euro 3 engines) are now attracting a charge of £100 per day when travelling with the London Low Emission Zone.
The zone covers the majority of routes within the M25 and is starting to cost businesses £1000's.
By upgrading to a brand new vehicle with Vansdirect you could make huge savings. 

Low cost new vans with Euro 4 or Euro 5 engines are available at cheap van prices.

Contact www.vansdirect.co.uk or call 0845 021 0444
 

Vans and minibuses which are more than 10 years old are now facing a new charge of £100 a day in Greater London.  It is the first time the vehicles have fallen under the Low Emission Zone, which covers most roads inside the M25.
From Tuesday, tougher restrictions will also mean £200 daily fees for lorries, buses and coaches which fall short of European Union standards on pollution.

Vansdirect were proud to be guests at the annual FN50 Awards Gala on the 8th November 2011.  The annual event, held at the Park Plaza Hotel in central London, reveals the top 50 leasing companies in the UK and awards top achieving customer service teams & individuals within the industry.

A recent survey has revealed that almost 3 in 10 drivers text whilst at the wheel.  1 in 13 do this at least once a week,  meanwhile 1 in 11 drivers checks the web, emails, uses apps or social networking websites whilst driving.
In a large-scale study of commercial drivers it was concluded that drivers that use their mobile phone whilst driving increase their risk of having an accident by 23 times.

A study by the Transport Researcg Laboratory, along with the Insitution of Occupational Safety and Health has estimated that around a third of the UK's road accidents involve someone who was driving for work at the time. 

Vansdirect and the BVRLA warn of Van Exhaust Thefts

Since the BVRLA revealed a spate of thefts of exhaust systems from Mercedes vans in the London area, BVRLA members in Cambridgeshire, Solihull and Reading have reported similar problems.  (www.bvrla.co.uk)

As electric powered vans slowly come onto the commercial vehicle market, the industry is getting to grips with predicting future values for these vehicles.  The future residual value estimations are key in setting the price for contract hire & finance lease contracts.  If residual values for a vehicle are estimated to be low then the monthly rental price will be high because there is a pessimistic view on the value that the vehicle will fetch at auction.

Recent media reports are showing a major increase in the cost of vehicle insurance.  A recent survey by the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) shows that businesses & individuals alike feel that they are being squeezed for cash by insurance companies. 

Van manufacturers are speeding up the introduction of Euro 5 engines as standard across their ranges of vans. 

The Euro 5 engine is leaner & meaner on fuel economy and CO2 emmissions.  This means it costs you less in fuel bills and it's better for the environment.

The Euro 5 engine has been an option on many van models for some time now.  But manufacturers are now pushing forward with the roll out of the Euro 5 engine as standard.