News Used values continue to rise
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econd-hand van values continued to remain strong in August, averaging £9,874 over the month, according to auction company BCA. Average monthly values have risen by 28% over the last year and in August alone average values exceeded price guide expectations by 3.3%. “Traditionally August has been one of the quieter months for LCV sales, with school holidays and the late summer Bank Holiday impacting trade activity,” said BCA’s UK remar-
keting COO, Stuart Pearson. “However, the normal seasonal patterns have all but disappeared in 2021 and competition remains incredibly strong for any vehicle that is ready to go to work.” The strong demand for vehicles is not restricted to vans. Cox Automotive reports that average HGV selling prices at its Manheim UK division are up by an incredible 58% this year, with Euro 6 HGVs in particular up 42%. A shortage of stock in the heavy truck mar-
ket mirrors the car and van sectors and a severe shortage is predicted in the run up to the busy Christmas period. “Demand for Euro 6 HGV stock is the driving force behind these great numbers we are seeing,” said Chris Mynott, national HGV manager at Manheim UK. “There is such a shortage of late plated or nearly new HGV stock, with build times for new kit way off into the latter part of next year at the earliest, the clamber for this product looks set to continue.”
Top van operators named at awards
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ogistics UK has announced the winners of its annual Van Awards. Supported by its Van Excellence Scheme, the awards recognise operators that have made a significant contribution to the industry over the last 12 months. All of the Van Award winners will automatically be shortlisted for the Van Operator of the Year category, at Logistics UK’s Logistics Awards in December. “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, van operators and drivers played a vital role in supporting the nation. I am so pleased to have this opportunity recognise and reward their outstanding dedication, expertise and care,” said Kevin Green, marketing and communications director at Logistics UK.
The award winners
Study reveals extent of tool theft risk
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study by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles shows that more than half of all van drivers (57%) who own tools are at risk of overnight theft, as they leave their tools and equipment in the vehicle. However, a third of drivers (31%) have not invested in alarms, secondary locks or vehicle trackers. London is reportedly the hotspot for tool theft, with 55% of tradespeople having equipment stolen from vans over the last year, followed by the West Midlands (33%) the North East (28%), North West (25%) and East Anglia (23%). On average, 20,000 cases are reported to police forces across the UK every year, with an estimated cost of replacement running at around £15m a year. There is often an addi4 VANUSER • OCTOBER 2021
tional cost however, as tradespeople have to take time out of work to replace tools and equipment, leading to lost income. VWCV predicts that this type of downtime can cost as much as £550 a day per van.
Menzies Distribution Best Pandemic Response Chamberlain Doors SME Van Operator of the Year Aspire Defence Services Winning at Wellbeing J Murphy & Sons Diversity and Inclusion Award Yodel Keeping Your Show on the Road Stagefreight Most Innovative Van Operator of the Year Menzies Distribution Sustainable Van Operator of the Year J Murphy & Sons Van Safety and Compliance Award
Day's rental free to move
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ehicle hire company Day’s Rental has signed up to Free2Move’s Connect Fleet service, brining telematic technology to more than 1,500 Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and DS vehicles across its fleet of more than 8,000 cars and vans. The telematic data will provide customers with geolocation information, fuel levels, mileages and maintenance alerts. “The team at Day’s Rental will always embrace the next technology, so when the opportu-
nity arose to give our ‘Stellantis Fleet’ vehicles the ability to publish to us all mechanical alerts, including live odometer, fuel and charge status for EV’s, we added this,” said Michael McCarry, managing director of Day’s Rental. “Now giving us 24/7 and 365 visibility, we can ensure that all alerts are actioned via our V-Check system, which in turn saves money, reduces downtime, but more importantly the vehicles remain safe and roadworthy.”
