Green Commercial Vehicle Program

Article from MTO

The province is helping Ontario businesses do their part to fight climate change with an enhanced program to 'green' commercial fleets. Under the four-year, $15-million Green Commercial Vehicle Program, companies can apply for grants to:

• Purchase hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles; and,
• Retrofit heavy-duty vehicles with anti-idling technologies.

Up to one-third of the cost of the capital cost of eligible environmentally friendly technologies that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and fuel consumption could be reimbursed. Fuel savings data collected by the program will help encourage more businesses to go green. Applications for the program were available November 28, 2008. The program is retroactive to August 2007, the launch date of the Go Green Action Plan.

Toyota Recalls Nearly 4-Million Vehicles After 4 People Die from "Out of Control Car"

Article from ABC Local

Toyota announced it's recalling almost 4-million cars here in United States because of a faulty pedal design. It's a problem that's led to uncontrolled speeding and several deaths.

A passenger called 911 from the back seat of a 2009 Lexus when it went out of control.

"Our accelerator's stuck. We're in trouble!"

"We're approaching an intersection! Hold on!"

All four people in the car died after it hit another car and ultimately burst into flames.

There are 100 similar incidents with Toyota made cars 17-crashes and 5-fatalities where the vehicle suddenly accelerated.

Some owners are now suing Toyota, claiming the electronic computer system that controls the throttle is faulty. "We've all experienced computer glitches in using our own personal computers where something just happens but we don't know why," said Don Slavik, attorney for a Toyota crash victim.

Initially Toyota said the problem was loose floor mats covering the gas pedal. But an ABC News investigation revealed the problem was much more serious; a faulty gas pedal design. And now, Toyota is recalling nearly 4-million cars to replace their gas pedal.

The world's largest automaker says the problem is not electrical but mechanical. For now, Toyota will be shortening the pedals. And then in April, they're hoping to come out with new pedal replacements.

The Toyota Camry, the top-selling passenger car in America, the Toyota Prius, the best-selling gas-electric hybrid, and the luxury Lexus ES350 are among those recalled.

Toyota released a statement saying, "The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern and Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified."

As an extra measure of confidence, Toyota will also install a brake override system to ensure the vehicle would stop if both the brake and the accelerator pedals are applied simultaneously.

The pedal recall is the second recall in the last couple of days involving Toyota cars and trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is recalling 110,000 Toyota Tundra trucks built between 2000 and 2003. The trucks can rust prematurely and cause dangerous conditions. The corrosion can damage the rear brake lines.

Toyota is also advising Tundra owners to immediately remove the spare tire stowed under the truck bed. The automaker says the spare could fall off, putting other drivers in danger.

NISSAN RELEASES CONCEPT SKETCH OF LIGHT COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Article from European motor news

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, has released a concept sketch of a light commercial electric vehicle based on the newly launched NV200.

The low-cost multi-purpose vehicle would allow ambulance drivers to drive directly into the hospital or van and taxi drivers to enter urban areas where CO2 emissions are restricted. The van is one of four electric vehicles Nissan has announced for the future. At the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan, said LEAF – the world’s first mass market affordable EV – will be launched in Japan and the US in late 2010, Europe in 2011 with global mass-marketing efforts to begin in 2012.

At the show, Ghosn also announced plans to release a four-seater Infiniti electric compact car, as well as LandGlider, a totally new concept which combines the best of two- and four-wheel vehicles.

Find hundreds of Nissan commercial vehicles for sale and read all the latest Nissan reviews at www.vansandtrucks.co.uk

Ford U.K.'s 30,000th Scrappage Vehicle is a Ford Transit Van

Article from Truck Trend

The U.K. scrappage scheme, similar to the U.S. “Cash for Clunkers” program, has created a lot more business for Ford across the Pond. The Blue Oval’s most recent milestone under the scrappage program was the sale of their 30,000th scrappage-scheme vehicle. A testament to the power of free money and Ford reliability, a Transit full-size van was the 30,000th vehicle sold, and one of 1100 Ford commercial vehicles selected.

The particular van in question is a Ford Transit 260 SWB Trend ordered by Quick Electrical Services in Southampton. The van has the short wheelbase, a 2.2-litre diesel engine with 113 horsepower, power and heated mirrors, Blue-tooth connectivity, and cruise control. It replaced an older Volkswagen van and was deemed an excellent replacement by Quick Electrical Services.

“The Ford Transit gives me a lot more space for the tools of my trade and has all the mod cons in the cab, which I’m enjoying getting used to,” said Dave Quick, owner. “The Ford Transit's also locally made -- supporting businesses from your own area makes sense, and hopefully that will rub off on my trade too.”

The U.K. scrappage scheme provides incentives of 2000 GBP for owners of pre-March 2002 commercial vans weighing up to 3.5 metric tons. The U.K. government has allotted 300 million GBP for the program and pay for half of the incentives. The other 1000 GBP is paid by the participating auto manufacturers. Like “Cash for Clunkers,” trade-in vehicles must adhere to standard guidelines, and only new vehicles are eligible for purchase.

Despite the boost in sales, Ford should need little help moving their vans. The Blue Oval was recently named Britain’s most reliable van manufacturer, as determined by the Fleet News magazine’s annual reliability survey. The Ford Transit was rated the number one most reliable van, with the smaller Transit Connect coming in third. The survey polls the U.K.’s leading leasing companies, which combined are accountable for over a million vehicles.

Stephen Briers, editor of Fleet News said: “This survey is the largest of its kind in the country and is based on feedback from those who really know about the reliability of vehicles - people who run hundreds of thousands of vehicles over many hundreds of thousands of miles.”

View hundreds of Ford Vans for sale and read all the latest Ford Van reviews at vansandtrucks.co.uk

Ford vans named as most reliable

Article from choice quote

A poll conducted among leasing companies has revealed Ford to be the most reliable van manufacturer in Britain.

The Fleet News magazine survey, which questioned users of more than one million vehicles, revealed that Ford vans are the least likely to suffer breakdowns.

In addition to this, Ford's Transit van was named the single most reliable van make, the third year in a row it has taken this title.

Steve Kimber, Ford of Britain's commercial vehicle director, expressed delight at the manufacturer's victory and said it was indicative of the quality of its range.

He said: "Ford models have led the commercial vehicle market for 44 years.

"Their reliability record is of paramount importance."

This comes a month after the US carmaker was named as Van Manufacturer of the Year at the Fleet Van Awards - a title it also won in 2008 - in recognition of the affordability and efficiency of its vehicles

Find hundreds of Ford vans for sale at vansandtrucks.co.uk

New VW Transporter range ready to order

Article from contracthireandleasing

New Euro5 common rail TDI engines, new styling, and new refinement can mean only one thing – the new Volkswagen Transporter range is now available to order – a head of its official launch in January 2010.

The Transporter, which celebrates 60 years of production next year, continues to offer a choice of panel vans and chassis cabs, plus shuttle and window van people movers with up to nine seats. The range is enhanced by a new kombi model with a folding and removable rear bench seat that can carry up to six people and a load in the rear. This configuration used to be available only as an option pack but due to its popularity has now become a model in its own right. This model achieves N1 classification and so is taxed as a commercial vehicle.

Four new 2.0-litre four-cylinder common rail TDI engines offer greater power and torque levels than the outgoing engines, and service intervals are extended by up to 7,000 miles to a maximum of 25,000 miles, reducing servicing costs.

Furthermore the range has seen its safety features beefed up with new seatbelt warning system, while the passenger airbag can now be deactivated if a child seat is fitted. A new daytime running lights function improves the vehicle’s visibility on the road, while a new emergency feature flashes the brake lights under heavy braking and activates the hazard warning lights if the vehicle stops.

Volkswagen’s latest generation ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme) is also now standard offering greater stability in all driving conditions along with ARP (anti rollover protection), Ready Alert Brake and Rain Brake Support for faster braking, a trailer stabilisation function, and an all-new hill start assistant.

New optional safety features include a tyre monitoring system to alert the driver if there is a change in tyre pressure, plus ‘side assist’ which warns the driver if there are any vehicles in the blindspot. Additionally, to reduce the risk of accidents when turning or reversing, there is now an optional cornering light incorporated in the front fog light to illuminate the road in the direction in which the vehicle is turning, plus a reversing camera to display the area behind the van, with ‘virtual’ lines showing where it is going.

Among the new features standard on every Transporter is a gear change indicator on the new instrument panel to recommend the right gear for maximum economy. The radio/CD can be fitted with an aux-in adaptor, or upgraded to a system with an aux-in socket, or the latest colour, touchscreen satellite navigation system with 30 Gb hard drive to store mapping and music. Two other new options include the acclaimed seven-speed DSG transmission and the convenience of a multi-function leather steering wheel.

Find hundreds of Volkswagen Vans and read the latest Volkswagen Reviews at vansandtrucks.co.uk

Smoother road ahead for makers of commercial vehicles

Article from livemint.com

Although seasonality could hit truck sales marginally in November and December, the deferment of sales to the new calendar year coupled with new emission norms can give a fillip to sales in the fourth quarter of the year to March

A 52% growth rate in commercial vehicle sales during October has set the pace for a firm recovery in the sector. Although seasonality could hit truck sales marginally in November and December, the deferment of sales to the new calendar year coupled with new emission norms which come into force from 1 April 2010, can give a fillip to sales in the fourth quarter of the year to March.

That means the two leaders in the segment, Tata Motors Ltd and Ashok Leyland Ltd, which together hold nearly 88% of market share, are poised for a strong volume-led recovery in the current fiscal year.

November and December are dull months as most truck operators defer sales to the next calendar year. For example, during FY09, while sales fell sequentially from 28,019 commercial vehicles (CVs) in October to 20,637 in November and 17,906 in December, the industry registered an uptrend with 23,104 vehicles sold in January. This trend has been maintained even during years of robust growth rates, like FY08 and FY07.

One can hence expect a flat or marginal decline in sales volumes in the third quarter compared with the second quarter of FY10. However, on a year-on-year basis, volumes could be higher by around 60-70% because of a low base in the previous year. While the recovery in light commercial vehicles kicked off in July, medium and heavy duty vehicles’ volumes gained momentum with a lag since September.

Come January, there will be renewed buying interest. This time around truck owners could advance sales to January and February due to several reasons. The Euro-IV emission norms come into effect in 11 cities on 1 April 2010, while the rest of the country moves into Euro-III level. This means all fresh sales should be Euro-IV compliant. Analysts estimate that this along with the increase in input costs (mainly steel) may make a truck 7-8% more expensive. All this could lead to early buying in the fourth quarter of FY10. Any interim price increase by manufacturers or excise duty rollback (duties were cut to boost sales during recession) could dampen sales offtake in CVs.

However, both firms share an order to supply buses under the Union government’s urban renewal scheme and state transport undertakings which will shore up volumes. So far from April until October, figures from industry lobby group Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers show a 5.2% growth in CV sales over the year-ago period. A pick-up in construction and industrial activity all point towards a better second half. Corroborating this is a report by India Foundation of Transport Research and Training, which states that rentals on major trunk routes are up 4-5% between 8 October

Find thousands of Commercial Vehicles at www.vansandtrucks.co.uk

Ford Transit Racing Around the Nurbergring.

Vans and Trucks has created a page dedicated to the Ford Transit. This page describes the history of the transit showing its evolution through the years and how it has become what it is today. To show how much of a revolutionary van it is, there are 2 videos taken from the award winning show Top Gear, showing Sabine Schmitz attempting to race around the Nurbergring in under 10 minutes.

View the page

Nissan NV200 scoops top van award

Article from Road Transport

Nissan's all-new NV200 van range has scooped the International Van of the Year 2010 award.

The new van, launched earlier this year, fought off a strong challenge from Iveco's new Ecodaily and the revised Volkswagen Transporter to take the top van crown. It amassed a total of 107 votes from a maximum possible 161.

The jury, made up of leading commercial vehicle journalists from Europe, was particularly impressed by the fact Nissan has created a compact light commercial vehicle that sets new standards in a number of important areas - for instance, internal load space, driver comfort and, especially, its low interior noise levels at high speed. Build quality, attention to detail, and all-round driver visibility were other reasons cited by the jury for the NV200's elevation.

When it comes to earning potential and productivity, the NV200's cargo space, at 4.2m³, is between 20%-25% larger than many of its direct competitors, and, in some cases, larger rivals. In addition, initial fuel economy results look promising.

"The NV200 is a very well-designed, compact, 'quality' van with good economy," says UK jury member Andy Salter. "It more than fulfils the most important criterion of the 2010 International Van of the Year award - a significant contribution to the safe and efficient transport of goods by road."

Read all the latest van reviews at Vans and Trucks

Deca Deca Video

Following on from a previous post about the new Daihatsu Deca Deca concept van. Here is a short video about the amazing looking commercial vehicle.

Find Daihatsu vans and trucks for sale at vansandtrucks.co.uk

Riding High With the Daihatsu Deca Deca Concept

Article from Motocrave

It rattles the senses to see a van like that flung open with no smoke billowing out. Alas, the reason for that is she’s just a concept–the Daihatsu Deca Deca. Fun to say and fun to gawk at, the Deca Deca is more than just the next great toke-mobile, it’s designed with a primary goal of utility. Like the big, beat-up van with a broken window that the local contractor drives to the jobsite each day, people are a second thought for this van. The van features a flat floor, adjustable seating and pillarless doors for simplifying shoving the tools of work inside. It’s powered by a 3-cylinder turbo with CVT transmission

View Daihatsu vans and trucks for sale at Vans and Trucks

Fiat Doblo Van Could Go to the States as a Dodge

Article from MotoCrave

It looks like the present might be the dawn of a new street takeover by funky vans. While it’s a little more curvy and less hemptastic than the Deca Deca concept of Tokyo fame, the Fiat Doblo is equally big and bold. The van comes in a number of configurations including 5- and 7-person MPV varieties complete with dual rear sliding doors. The van also comes in classic Cargo with a single rear sliding door.

The Doblo MPV will boast the longest wheelbase in its class, according to Fiat, and will sport four different petrol and diesel engine options when it comes to Europe early next year.

Ordinarily a clunky, new, Euro-release van isn’t that interesting to us, but according to Chrysler’s five-year plan, a Fiat-based small commercial van will be coming stateside by 2012. And this might just be it. I, for one, look forward to seeing Dodge-branded Doblos taking it to I-95 on the daily commute.

Read The Latest Fiat Doblo Review at Vans and Trucks

Vans still guzzle more cash than cars

Article from the Telegraph

Lower fuel prices have helped reduce the gap between the cost of running a small car and a van RAC figures show.

The near disappearance of the fuel differential with diesel, down 14pc this year, and petrol, which has fallen by 6pc, has cut the gap to below £1,000 a year. Based on mileage of 20,000 a year the fuel cost for a typical van or light commercial vehicle using diesel fuel works out at 12.92p a mile compared with 16.54p for a small petrol driven car travelling 12,000 miles in the year.

But steeper insurance and maintenance bills mean the overall running costs for the van owners remain higher. The annual cost of running a small van comes out at £2,808 a year with the fuel accounting for £1,488 of the total and insurance £460. The cost of keeping a small car on the road works out at £1,984.

Comparisons among the most popular vans and pick-ups show the cost of running a Ford Fiesta diesel 1.4 TDCi van is typically £2,781.89 against £3,273.22 for a Ford Transit Connect 200 SWB diesel low roof and £5,118.46 for a Nissan Navara diesel pick-up Tekra 4WD.

The RAC estimates that on average a van driver can expect to shell out £2,583 a year or £215 a month on diesel fuel but the report says insurance premiums in the commercial vehicle fleet do not vary significantly with the difference between the top and bottom running at £182.

Free Alarms for White Van Traders

Check out this article found in the Banbury Gaurdian

WHITE van traders in Shipston-on-Stour are being offered free car alarms from today(November 16).

Police are offering the devices in response to an increase in the number of white vans being broken into in south Warwickshire.

PC Nick Stephens said: "The advice from the police is that all valuables and tools etc should be removed from the vehicle when left unattended over night, as if it isn't in the van it can't be stolen.

"Tools left in vehicles are often uninsurable. However the police are realists and often this best advice may not be practicable in certain circumstances. Also those that follow this advice are finding their empty vans are still being broken into."

The battery powered alarms, which are available from the police station in Shipston on a first-come first-serve basis, have a siren which activates as soon as the vehicle is entered.

PC Stephens added "These cheap effective alarms will ensure no thief breaking into a van will want to hang about to be seen and help to protect tradesmen from loss and distress."

For more information call PC Nick Stephens at Stratford Police Station on 01789 444598.

Hybrid is Growing!

FedEx has signed a deal with Azure Dynamics for an additional 51 hybrid delivery vans to bring their total fleet number to 325 hybrid and electric vans in use.

FedEx went to Azure Dynamics to purchase the hybrid delivery van based off of the Ford E450 chassis. Azure Dynamics was recently announced as the company responsible for electrifying the Ford Transit Connect after Smith Electric Vehicles mutually terminated their agreement with Ford to produce the electric version of Ford's compact delivery vehicle.

FedEx will utilize the additional hybrid delivery vehicles throughout the U.S. However, one delivery depot, the Bronx, New York depot, will operate as the companies first all hybrid depot in the U.S.

The hybrid delivery vehicles have several advantages over their diesel powered counterparts. According to FedEx, "With its electric-launch assist, engine-off at idle, and regenerative braking, the FedEx Azure gasoline-electric step-vans are well-suited for the tough start-and-stop conditions endured in the everyday traffic of one of the world's busiest cities. As a result, FedEx expects a fuel efficiency improvement of 30% while also reducing its carbon footprint."

The company will add the newly acquired hybrids from Azure to their existing 25 hybrids in use also supplied by Azure. These hybrids join 92 retrofitted hybrids that are in use by FedEx. The delivery company began using hybrids back in 2004 and to date has accumulated over 4 millions miles under hybrid power.

Citroën uses green engineering

To reduce the environmental impact of its LCV range, Citroën is using advanced, affordable technology to achieve emission reductions and fuel efficiency gains. This approach, to reduce the carbon footprint of its LCVs, is seen in Citroëns:-

* standardisation of ultra-fuel-efficient, low-emission HDi diesels, which are recognised as being the best available in Europe
* extended LCV service intervals, up to 25,000 miles
* authorisation of up to 30 per cent biodiesel, without technical modification or effect on warranty
* wide range of dual-fuel (petrol/LPG) Nemo, Berlingo and Dispatch models, which offer fuel cost savings and significant reductions in CO2, NOx and particulates

The benefits of these fuel efficiency and emission improvements have been highlighted with the recent publication of the Vehicle Certification Agency LCV CO2 and fuel consumption database. This database shows that Citroën's innovative Nemo van leads the field when it comes to a compact city van that can carry over 600kg - with a CO2 figure of just 116g/km. Moving up the weight range, the Berlingo, with CO2 emissions starting from just 153g/km, is significantly better than the sales market leader and most other vans in its class. The larger Citroën Dispatch is the best compact panel van with CO2 emissions starting from just 191g/km. The Relay range also sets the pace with CO2 emissions from only 208g/km - significantly better than the sales market leader in the large van sector.

Other advanced green engineering development projects are in hand. With Citroën UK's help, Ashwoods Automotive Ltd have just embarked upon a three year development programme for a range of versatile Hybrid systems, suitable for Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay models.

Ashwoods has an enviable track record in the 'Low Emissions' vehicle sector - the Company is a sole supplier of Hybrid vehicles to the Low Carbon Vehicles Procurement Programme (LCVPP), funded by the Department for Transport.

The Company is already supplying vehicles through the LCVPP to national fleets such as the Royal Mail, Environment Agency, HMRC, TfL and a growing number of local authorities. As such, Citroën has high expectations for this new project, which aims to deliver significant fuel efficiency gains and emission reductions.

Citroën is also working in partnership with Venturi - a renowned European electric vehicle specialist - to develop and launch a Berlingo First Electric van early in 2010. This significantly changed and improved version of the original Berlingo Electrique, which was sold in the UK up to 2005, will feature Sodium Nickel Chloride batteries and will have an estimated top speed of 62mph and a range of 75 miles. A limited production run has already been built and the initial vehicles are on trial in France with La Poste - the French Postal Service. Citroën UK will consider the possible introduction of this model following these trials.


Robert Handyside, commercial vehicle operations manager, comments: "Citroën is already one of the leading companies in supplying fuel-efficient, low-emission LCVs and we are also maintaining the pace of development of our own conventional, highly efficient engines. So the Company is not resting on its laurels. Next year, we will be introducing our advanced Euro 5 HDi diesel engines, which will provide customers with even greater fuel economy, performance and further emissions reductions."

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