Van values remain high Heavy haulage and storage Safe Driver Initiative

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Van values remain high, but caution warned

Demand for used vans continues, with average LCV values at remarketing company BCA staying above £10,000 for the third consecutive month. However, despite this strong performance, the company said that it is apparent that external pressures affecting the wider economy are starting to be felt. While there is strong demand for the best vehicles, professional buyers are less enthusiastic about those with cosmetic or mechanical issues.

“External economic factors are increasingly having a greater effect on the wider used LCV marketplace, which is largely driven by the needs of the small business and independent trader sectors,” said Stuart Pearson, BCA COO.

“These businesses will undoubtedly have been under pressure throughout the pandemic and are now having to deal with rising interest rates, increased energy and fuel costs and the widespread cost-of-living squeeze. “While an LCV is a nec“ strong demand for the best vehicles essary tool of the trade for many small businesses, we have seen demand from professional buyers hot-up for vehicles in the best condition which is pushing up values for the best prepared, higher grade vehicles, but creating pressure on lower grade, older, higher mileage vehicles that need cosmetic or mechanical refurbishment before sale.”

Heavy haulage and storage

Moving solutions provider easyStorage is building a fleet of 7.2-tonne Daily box vans. With 27 of the bright orange vans already in service, the company has an additional 12 Daily’s in build and eight more on order. Supplied by Glasgow dealer AM Phillip, the Dailys have a massive 3.8m high Tekbo body with kerbside loading doors, that can accept three easyPod packing crates.

“Our easyPods weigh around 1-tonne when loaded and the majority of our jobs cover two or more,” said easyStorage CEO Tim Slesinger.

“We knew we wanted to leverage load capacity with fewer journeys, so the ability to carry a trio in one go was going to be the best.”

The box body also houses a range of pull-out platforms, ramps and supports that the driver can use to assist in safe loading and unloading. Each Daily, which is supplied in Business trim with air suspension, is expected to cover up to 30,000 miles per year on a five-year replacement cycle.

Safe driver initiative

Northgate Vehicle Hire has announced a package of driver safety solutions aimed at increasing fleet efficiency and driver wellbeing. The Safe Driver initiative includes driver training, safety and compliance functions and is offered to all businesses across the UK, not just to the firm’s rental customers.

Developed in response to a 2021 customer survey, where companies put drivers first, with wellbeing, safety and compliance listed as their top priorities, Safe Driver is supported by a range of compliance checks. This includes licence and grey fleet checks, driver and fleet audits, to help companies identify and reduce costs.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, LCV drivers have become recognised as key workers as they have played an integral part in keeping the country moving,” said Neil McCrossan, Northgate’s sales and marketing director.

“More companies are proactively looking after their drivers’ wellbeing more closely, to help reduce risks for when they drive on company business.”

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