Van News

Ford Transit vans powered by hydrogen will go on trial with the Royal Mail.  The Transit vans are based on the 2.3 litre petrol derivative but run with the addition of a supercharger and the hydrogen tanks that are fitted under the load floor.  Whilst the Transit vans will maintain the same load volum, the gross payload is affected because of the 250kg weight of the extra fuel tanks. 

Following last years European launch, the new Iveco Daily and EcoDaily ranges, including electric derivatives, have gone on sale in the UK.

The new design includes a restyled front grille, a remodelled cabin and dashboard, an alumininium finish centre console and new fabric design for the seats.  The new Daily vans will be available as a panel van, window van, chassis-cab, chassis-crew cab and MPV. 

AST Ambulance Service, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of specialist medical transport, has introduced two Citroën Relay vans into its fleet.  The two Citroën Relay 35 L3H2 120hp vans will be used for emergency transport to medical patients weighing 50 stone or more.

Renault has recently announced the launch of the new Renault Master van.  This follows the news of the new Vauxhall Movano van which is built on the same platform.

The Vauxhall Movano van has undergone a face lift ready for its relaunch.  Vauxhall will present the revised version of the Movano van to the UK public in May when it is expected to start from £21,660 + VAT.  This represents the first change of design since 2003 - and it isn't too soon - the current Movano van is looking very dated.

In his pre-Budget statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, gave a huge boost to the electric van market.  Mr Darling announced electric van operators will be able to enjoy 100 per cent capital allowances.  Therefore, electric van operators can write down the entire cost of buying the vans during their first year of ownership.

Speedy, the tool and equipment hire company, has recently put to work a new fleet of Ford Transit vans at their 400 nationwide depots.  The 110 Ford Transit T350 Dropside Pick Up vans, which have cost Speedy near £2.8m, are equipped with raised safety bars on the sides and rear of the van in a bid to prevent the van user from falling when offloading.

Top Gear's proclaimed indestructible pickup has just been made even tougher.  The Toyota Hilux pickup van in 2010 will sport more power and greater load capacity.

The Fiat Doblo Cargo is set to be re-launched in March 2010 sporting sleeker lines and new curves.  What's more, the new Doblo van will come with a choice of two wheel base options for the first time in the UK.

The face of the one-tonne pickup market is set to change in 2010 with the launch of the VW Amarok.  Volkswagen claim that their debut pickup, the VW Amarok, will set new standards particularly in repect of load space.  Indeed, the double-cab version can carry a euro pallet sideways - a claim that no other pickup can make.  The VW Amarok double-cab will have  a load length of 1,