Fleet Van March 2015

LAST EVER ISSUE OF FleetVan: SEE PAGE 28 FOR MORE DETAILS

FleetVan B E S T P R A C T I C E F O R B R I TA I N ' S L I G H T VA N O P E R AT O R S

First Look: Volkswagen Caddy

Fourth generation model drives Volkswagen's fleet growth ambitions

Insight: FTA analysis

Cut your fleet costs by planning downtime

March 2015 £5 where sold

Profile: Pimlico Plumbers

No-nonsense approach to van condition key to winning business

Spotlight: Dawsonrentals Vans

Gareth Jones: 'I have no interest in price wars'

Insight: SMR

VAN FLEETS DRIVE NEW SMR STANDARDS Manufacturers, leasing companies and independents are upping their game

Contact us Fleet News, Media House, Lynchwood, Peterborough PE2 6EA. Email – fleetnews@bauermedia.co.uk Editorial Editor-in-chief Stephen Briers 01733 468024 stephen.briers@bauermedia.co.uk Deputy editor Sarah Tooze 01733 468901 sarah.tooze@bauermedia.co.uk News editor Gareth Roberts 01733 468314 Features editor Andrew Ryan 01733 468308 Web producer Christopher Smith 01733 468655 Associate editor Trevor Gehlcken Contributors Mark Cartwright, John Charles, Chris Lowndes (photographs), Ben Rooth

CONTENTS

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We highlight the important news from the past month in the van sector.

9 I News insight The SMMT says fleets need more Euro 6 vans.

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Fleet Van is published 10 times a year by Bauer Consumer Media Ltd, registered address 1 Lincoln Court, Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2RF. Registered number 01176085.

No part of the magazine may be reproduced in any form in whole or in part, without prior permission of the publisher. All material published remains the copyright of Bauer Consumer Media Ltd. We reserve the right to edit letters, copy or images without further consent.

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Whilst every reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage, howsoever caused, resulting from the use of the magazine.

11 I Coming soon New and revised models to hit the market, including the Citroën Berlingo and Mercedes-Benz Vito.

13 I FTA benchmarking: VOR Having vans off-road can cost companies dearly.

16 I Profile: Pimlico Plumbers Keeping vans clean and individual are important to this company. And branding makes all the difference.

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19 I Spotlight: Dawsonrentals Vans Quality of service, not size of fleet, is the main focus for Gareth Jones, managing director.

Events Event director Chris Lester Event manager Sandra Evitt 01733 468123 Event organiser Kate Howard 01733 468146 Events co-ordinator Nicola Baxter 01733 468289 Publishing Managing director Tim Lucas 01733 468340 Group marketing manager Bev Mason 01733 468295 Office manager Vicky Meadows 01733 468319 Group managing director Rob Munro-Hall Chief executive officer Paul Keenan

Fleets are increasingly using own-brand telematics solutions, with some available for other makes.

6 I News digest

Production Head of publishing Luke Neal 01733 468262 Production editors Richard Davis 01733 468310 Finbarr O’Reilly 01733 468267 Designer Erika Small 01733 468312 Advertising Commercial director Sarah Crown 01733 366466 B2B commercial manager Sheryl Graham 01733 366467 Account managers Wendy Cowell 01733 366472 Lucy Herbert 01733 366469 Lisa Turner 01733 366471 Stuart Wakeling 01733 366470 Marcus Woods 01733 366468 Head of project management Leanne Patterson 01733 468332 Project managers Lucy Peacock 01733 468338 Angela Price 01733 468253 Kerry Unwin 01733 468327 Telesales/recruitment b2brecruitment@bauermedia.co.uk 01733 468275/01733 468328

4 I News insight

22 I Insight: SMR LCV fleet growth means maintenance providers must improve their standards.

27 I Insight: Remarketing

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LCV values are rising, year-on-year, defying predictions, against an 85% increase in sales.

30 I Volkswagen Caddy Fourth generation model key to growth ambitions.

32 I Fiat Doblo Cargo Fiat hasn’t disappointed with this mid-life refresh.

34 I Renault Trafic long-termer

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ISSN 0953-8526.

Printing: Headley Brothers Ltd, Kent

Low costs make this a star performer.

35 I Van market statistics An overview of the 200 largest UK fleets.

NEXT ISSUE: COMMERCIAL FLEET Fleet Van is rebranded with a focus on insight and analysis for operators of vans and lorries.

Complaints: Bauer Consumer Media Limited is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (www.ipso.co.uk) and endeavours to respond to and resolve your concerns quickly. Our Editorial Complaints Policy (including full details of how to contact us about editorial complaints and IPSO’s contact details) can be found at www.bauermediacomplaints.co.uk. Our e mail address for editorial complaints covered by the Editorial Complaints Policy is complaints@bauermedia.co.uk.

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fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 3

ne w s in sigh t

Manufacturer own-brand telematics on the rise Companies now launching solutions available for use in other makes of van Need to kNow n In-house systems now widely used n Ford’s new system usable in other brands n Volkswagen’s service includes concierge

By Ben Rooth CV manufacturers are increasingly offering their own branded telematics to fleet customers – with some launching products that can be installed in other makes of van.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles became the latest company to launch a cost-effective telematics service in February.

L

Citroën’s teletrac telematics system is fitted as standard to its own brand of vans

Mercedes-Benz has been working with telematics company trafficmaster

4 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

Peugeot has also told Fleet Van that it intends to launch a telematics product for van fleets in the near future, while Ford will be launching a new telematics offering at next month’s Commercial Vehicle show.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ telematics – which can be installed in different makes of van – is a partnership between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Finance and the RAC. nick walker, managing director of RAC telematics, said: “it is inevitable that manufacturers will fit telematics to commercial vehicles as standard, now that the technology and the demand for it has been proven in the marketplace. “when leasing companies and large corporate fleet managers are looking for new vehicles, those which have the latest technology, in terms of telematics and tracking, are going to be more attractive as the potential for telematics to drive down costs, and drive up efficiencies is very powerful for a business.”

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ telematics package costs £12.50 per vehicle per month. in addition to standard telematics functions, such as information on driver behaviour, location tracking and odometer readings, it provides a Driverline concierge service, which proactively contacts the fleet manager to book maintenance services. emily Dymond, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ commercial affairs manager, said: “even though every fleet is different, the desire to run t hem efficiently and minimise downtime is the same. that’s why we launched the system

Peugeot: launching a telematics solution, available intially in its Partner vans now, and why our solution works on any vehicle brand, with no compromise on fleet visibility.

“Our telematics system is currently the only system in the commercial vehicles sector to offer a concierge style service as standard.”

Ford has teamed up with telogis for its new telematics offering, which, unlike its existing system, can be installed in other makes of van.

Ford said that pricing has not been announced yet, although it expects it to be “very competitive”. in addition to allowing fleets to “create a safer environment for their workforce – including duty of care obligations – through monitoring vehicle and driver location and performance”, one of the advantages of the system is that it will provide van fleets with direct access to vehicle diagnostics on Ford vans. this will enable fleet managers to track details such as oil levels, water contamination in diesel fuel, tyre pressures, seat belt usage and airbag status. nick themistocleous, director of fleet operations for Ford of great Britain, said that the product’s major selling point is “the unique combination of exclusive Ford data and telogis’s expertise in organising information to have a transformative effect on the way customers do business”. he explained: “Ford telematics is facilitating the delivery of smart technology to help our customers reduce the total cost of ownership and maximise uptime.”

“Our system is the only one to offer a concierge style as standard in this sector” Emily Dymond, Volkswagen

editor’s coluMn Sarah Tooze, deputy editor, Fleet Van

You have in your hands the last ever issue of Fleet Van. next month, we launch a new publication: Commercial Fleet. the new title will be aimed at van and lorry operators, in recognition of the fact that many of you operate both. there is a great deal of synergy between van and lorry operations. i know that a number of you – our award winners and Freight transport Association Van excellence members in particular – have taken the requirements that hgVs have to meet, such as fitting speed limiters and getting drivers to perform daily vehicle checks, and applied them to your vans.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ telematics package costs £12.50 per vehicle, per month

Ford’s new telematics product will be available in the Ranger pick-up

themistocleous added that Ford’s new telematics system will initially be made available in transit commercial vehicles – the transit, transit Custom, transit Connect and transit Courier – as well as the Ford Ranger pick-up.

Peugeot is also launching its own telematics solution, named Peugeot Connect Fleet Management, across europe in 2015, although a precise date – and costings – for its availability in Britain have not currently been finalised. the new product, which will be installed on new Peugeot Partner vans initially, will be available in three different packages that can be purchased according to a company’s needs. these packages include: Fleet Management, which collates – among other things – mileage, CO2 emissions and mechanical alerts; Fleet Management Plus eco-driving, which also provides advice personalised by driver to reduce fuel consumption; and Fleet Management Plus eco-driving Plus geo-location, which provides information concerning the location of the van in real-time.

Citroën was the first manufacturer to launch its telematics offering with teletrac, which is now fitted to all Berlingo, Dispatch and Relay panel vans. it enables smartnav satellite navigation and trackstar stolen vehicle tracking. it also provides a telematics platform for teletrac’s optional Fleet Director real-time fleet management service, which costs less than £20 per month per vehicle

and is only available for use with Citroën’s vans. it provides fleet managers with a full range of services, including optimised routing on multidrop runs, live vehicle reporting, geofencing, two-way messaging and vehicle or driver management reports.

Mercedes-Benz has been working with telematics company trafficmaster for 18 months and its service can be installed in other makes of van.

Cost is dependent on the level of package chosen by each fleet customer, but typically averages £17.95, excluding hardware and installation, and pricing for most clients is bundled over the length of the vehicle lease. while the solution is branded Mercedes-Benz, it can be used with multi-marque fleets.

Vauxhall currently has no plans to install Onstar (which gives drivers access to a host of services, from roadside assistance and diagnostics to integrated wi-fi hotspot) to its vans. it told Fleet Van that it is “looking at varying options” when it comes to telematics “but nothing we can communicate at this stage”. the company added that it “works with a number of corporate customers to install their preferred or designated systems.”

For more on telematics and fleets, visit: fleetnews.co.uk/telematics

“There is a need for best practice advice in areas that we don’t currently cover in Fleet Van” But there is also a need for best practice advice in areas that we don’t currently cover in Fleet Van – CPC training, for instance.

Unlike Fleet Van, which is published 10 times a year, Commercial Fleet will be a monthly publication, with the first edition on April 30. it will also be available as a free digital magazine, which you can subscribe to at the new commercialfleet.org website, which goes live on March 30 n For more, turn to page 28.

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 5

ne w s dige s t

w w w.F L ee t ne w s.C o.uK / vA n s

Logistics firm to train 100 new delivery drivers

More van fleets opt for mid-range tyres An increasing number of van fleets are choosing mid-range tyres at replacement to reduce costs, according to Kwik Fit Fleet.

Currently, half of replacement van tyres are mid-range and fleet director Peter Lambert said: “the majority of van tyres are replaced due to damage rather than wear. that is unlike the vast majority of company cars, where 80% of tyres replaced are due to wear.

“As fleets are not always getting maximum

A logistics company in northampton is to train and recruit up to 100 new delivery drivers in the next 12 months. set up by the directors of northamptonbased Action express, Ae driver training and Recruitment will fund the full cost of Category C+e licences and provide a guaranteed fulltime job for those who pass.

benefit from their investment in premium brand tyres, managers are choosing to limit their cost exposure and opting to fit a higher percentage of mid-range tyres to vans.”

Approximately 10 tyre sizes account for 80% of the light commercial vehicle market, so Kwik Fit is changing the stock profile across its more than 600 centres to reflect changing fleet trends with a growing number of midrange tyres available.

VW appoints new CV aftersales head volkswagen Commercial vehicles has appointed trevor Hodgson-Phillips as its new head of service and parts. in his new role, he will report directly to Carl zu dohna, director of volkswagen Commercial vehicles, and will be responsible for driving the brand’s aftersales activities in the uK. Hodgson-Phillips joined the volkswagen group in 2000. since then, he has held management roles at volkswagen Passenger Cars and most recently Škoda as head of planning.

‘Fleets are not always getting maximum benefit from their investment in premium brand tyres,’ says Kwik Fit Fleet

Hertz launches van ‘supersites’ Hertz is expanding its van rental network in Britain with two new van ‘supersites’ in glasgow and west thurrock. the new locations take the total number of Hertz van supersites in the uK to 20, enabling further development within the division, which last year grew by 26%.

Both sites have a wide range of vehicles, which are available by the hour and around the clock with Hertz 24/7. west thurrock has a capacity of 1,300 vans and glasgow has space for more than 1,000.

Customers will have access to a range of benefits, such as on-site commercial vehicle experts, service and maintenance support, and livery and wrapping services.

6 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

FTA to hold two Van Excellence operations briefings this month the Freight transport Association (FtA) is to resume its van excellence operations briefings this month.

Mark Cartwright, FtA’s head of vans, said: “it doesn’t matter whether you’re an existing van excellence member or not, these briefings are a

must-attend event for anyone who operates vans.” the first session is on tuesday, March 24, at Mercedes-Benz world, Brooklands, near weybridge, surrey, and the next is on Friday, March 27, at Birmingham’s national Motorcycle Museum.

The FTA’s Van Excellence operations briefings will take place at Mercedes-Benz World this month

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ne w s in sigh t

we need more euro 6 vans in fleets, says SMMT increased take-up of compliant engines would ‘cut pollution dramatically’ Need To kNow n ‘Many myths’ about diesel vehicles n Significant reductions in emissions already n Incentivise fleets to adopt euro 6 vehicles

By Trevor Gehlcken ommercial vehicles should be viewed as part of the solution to air quality issues, not the problem, according to Penny Randall, CV group chairman of the society of Motor Manufacturers and traders (sMMt). “we have no way of getting our goods delivered other than

by CVs, and buying euro 6 vehicles is the most direct way we can improve air quality,” said Randall, who was speaking at the sMMt’s recent improving Air Quality: the Commercial Vehicle Contribution debate in London.

Fumes from diesel vehicles are blamed for up to 30,000 deaths each year in the UK, with Oxford street in London named the most polluted street in the world. however, Mike hawes, chief executive of the sMMt, said a number of myths are being peddled about the fuel’s usage. “we need vans and trucks to deliver goods and services in the UK . 99% of these run on diesel – and will remain diesel for some years to come,” said hawes. “we must also bear in mind that 50% of pollution comes from business and domestic causes.” the sMMt says its members have invested billions of pounds over the past 20 years into cleaning up their exhaust emissions, and argues that diesel is not the ‘evil monster’ portrayed by some environmentalists. since 1990, the euro 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 emissions standards have cut nitrogen oxide (nOx) by 98%, hydrocarbons (hC) by 95%, carbon monoxide (CO) by 89% and particulates by 97%.

Real-world tests conducted by transport for London on the cross-city London 159 bus route show a 95% reduction in emissions of nOx over older technology vehicles. hawes said he believed the immediate answer to improving air quality was a greater take-up of euro 6 compliant vans which are now beginning to appear on the price lists, ahead of legislation which comes into effect in september, 2016. trucks needed to comply with euro 6 standards, by law, from the beginning of 2014. At present, vans only have to comply with euro 5 emissions standards. the problem, according to hawes, is that euro 6 vans cost more than euro 5 ones. he said: “the challenge is: how do we get these vans out of the showrooms and on to fleets?”

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“The challenge is how to get Euro 6 vans out of the showroom and on to fleets” Mike Hawes, chief executive, SMMT

Penny Randall: ‘we have no way of getting our goods delivered other than by CVs’

98%

drop in nitrogen oxide emissions since euro standards introduced

50%

of pollution from business and domestic origin

For more on green issues for van fleets, visit: fleetnews.co.uk/ vans/environment

Randall added: “if all CVs on the roads today were euro 6 compliant, it would cut pollution dramatically. But only a small number meet this standard at present. “gas, biofuels and electric vehicles are available, but they won’t solve air quality problems alone. there is no quick and easy answer and we need more incentives for fleets to buy euro 6 vans.” the sMMt summit was attended by manufacturers, environmentalists and fleet operators. Delegates agreed a fourpoint plan in an effort to help drive adoption of euro 6 vehicles and alternative powertrains. they include: the introduction of scrappage grants for older vans when buying euro 6 vehicles; better incentives for buying electric vans; local authorities insisting that cleanerengined vans only be used by outside contractors carrying out council projects; and local authorities joining forces to increase buying power, which should bring down the prices of clean-engine vans. hawes also believes policymakers should do more to improve traffic flow and infrastructure, which would cut fuel wastage. in addition, he said fleets should find more effective ways of using their vehicles, such as increased use of telematics systems.

David Petts, transit brand manager at Ford, said: “Fleet buyers need to make more use of telematics to improve their efficiency.

“At present we offer a fleet management package, but only 15% of buyers take it up. they also need to do more driver training and install devices such as acceleration control. this alone can save up to 15% in fuel.”

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 9

NE W L AUNCHE S

Upgrades, revisions, new models and concepts CITROËN BERLINGO

Citroën is upgrading the evergreen Berlingo, which has sold 2.9 million units since its launch in 1996.

For 2015, the Berlingo gets a facelifted frontend, with a new front bumper, re-positioned headlights and a new radiator grille. Multi-space

NISSAN NAVAR A SALOMON

MERCEDES-BENZ VITO

Pricing and specification has been announced for the new Mercedes-Benz Vito, which is due to go on sale after its debut at next month's CV Show. Prices will start at £17,855 for the 109CDI Compact.

For the first time in this segment, there is a choice between front- and rear-wheel drive.

With the 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, the front-wheel drive panel van’s kerb weight for the compact length with standard equipment is 1,845kg. At the standard gross vehicle weight

versions also gain two new body colours, Cumulus Grey and Moka Grey.

The engine range increases with the arrival of BlueHDi powerplants, which meet Euro 6 emissions standards and are available in outputs of 75bhp, 100bhp and 120bhp. These engines feature an AdBlue tank. CO2 emissions are from 106g/km for the 100 S&S ETG6.

On the technology front, the Berlingo gets a new seven-inch Touchdrive interface that groups media and navigation functions together, along with Mirror Screen technology. Available from November, it allows drivers to duplicate smartphone content and stay connected at all times via a seven-inch touchscreen.

The new Berlingo also offers Active City Brake – which slows the vehicle down if front impact is imminent – from November, along with a reversing camera and front parking sensors from June 2015 production.

Nissan is continuing its roll-out of ever more macho versions of the Navara with the launch of the Salomon edition. It is based on the Tekna trim and features a long list of additional equipment and styling cues.

Styling enhancements, including chrome front bar and door handles plus chrome foglight surrounds, differentiate the Salomon from the rest of the range. This is complemented by Salomon branding on the front, side and rear of the vehicle.

The Navara is enhanced by Salomon entry guards, a metal plaque and Salomon floor mats. The combined value of all this additional equipment would be more than £1,300.

However, the Navara Salomon costs just £750 more than the equivalent Tekna model.

IVECO VISION CONCEPT

The Iveco Vision concept will make its UK debut at next month's CV Show, offering visitors an insight into the future of light commercial vehicle design.

The Iveco is using the Vision concept for the development of new technological solutions and future modes of transport, representing the natural evolution of Iveco's Daily van range.

The Vision is centred on mobility with a low environmental impact. A dual energy system that adapts to the most suitable traction mode – one is exclusively electric, ensuring zero local emissions and low noise levels and the other is hybrid (thermoelectric) and suitable for longer journeys and city use.

Unique features include ‘see-through’ front pillars to guarantee unrestricted driver visibility, plus a rear-view camera displayed on a panoramic screen above the windscreen. It uses a fully automatic system for load management and is equipped with a tablet that communicates with the on-board electronics.

of 2.8 tonnes, the front-wheel drive variant achieves a payload of 955kg.

However, the payload champion is the rearwheel drive Vito with its 2.1-litre engine and a gvw of 3.2 tonnes, offering a maximum payload capacity of 1,255kg.

A BlueEfficiency package is fitted to all rearwheel drive models, which can help to achieve up to 47.1mpg on the combined cycle. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive ESP, adaptive brake lights, attention and crosswind assist, driver and co-driver airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 11

BEnCHM A RK Ing By T HE f TA : M A n AgIng V OR

Planning can reduce the cost of vehicle downtime Effectively managing your VOR time can minimise disruption and save money

Booking service work in advance can reduce VOR

Breakdowns and accidents lead to unplanned VOR

By Mark Cartwright, head of LCVs, FTA an operating costs are always at the forefront of operators’ thoughts – yet so often we see a key component of cost management neglected. Van operators are becoming more and more switched-on to managing their fuel spend, residual values, etc., but still almost half of respondents to a recent Van Excellence survey admitted they fail to manage their planned and unplanned vehicle off-road (VOR) time.

Although still not great, this figure is, at least, an improvement on the feedback received in a similar survey last year, when only a third of respondents measured VOR. given that many operators would put the cost of having a vehicle off the road as being in the hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds per day, it is surprising that more operators

V

50%

improvement in fleet availability for one major utility fleet by using LeasePlan’s uptime

aren’t taking more positive action to manage their exposure.

In exploring this issue, it is useful to distinguish between planned and unplanned VOR time. Regular servicing, maintenance and duty of care inspections are planned, and time off-road due to breakdown, collisions, or delays in service, maintenance and repair schedules, are unplanned.

Planned VOR time should be a ‘known, known’. Operators of heavy commercial vehicles have long mastered the use of a simple year-planner to manage services, preventative maintenance inspections and VED dates. When looking to minimise the impact of planned events, there are a number of recurring strategies reported.

“We liaise carefully with the lease provider to schedule maintenance out of hours where it will have the least disruption to our business”

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 13

BEnCHM A RK Ing By T HE f TA : M A n AgIng V OR says Rory Morgan, national logistics general manager at Iron Mountain. “We also look at how we can move vehicles within the fleet to even-out use. By adopting a proactive approach, we’ve reduced our maintenance costs while minimising the disruption of planned VOR and maintaining high safety standards.”

Accidents and breakdowns were identified as the causes of most unplanned disruptions to vehicle availability and, perhaps understandably, they were seen as being more difficult to manage. Delays and hold-ups at dealers and repair agents were a common theme among respondents; something the services provided by Van Excellence Partners LeasePlan’s Uptime and R2C’s services aim to address.

Against that background, it is not surprising that one of the key pieces of advice from major operators is to get to know your maintenance providers and ensure they understand your business.

The old management axiom – “you can’t improve what you don’t measure” – rings very true for those operators better managing their fleet availability. The use of daily VOR reports, and the agreement of KPIs and SLAs with maintenance providers, were common themes amongst some of the larger fleets’ replies.

However, probably the single most effective weapon an operator can use to reduce unplanned VOR is the humble pre-use defect check. Terry Barfield, Chelmsford District Council, confirms: “The number one piece of advice we would give any operator looking to maximise fleet availability is to ensure your drivers carry out pre-use checks.”

A view echoed by David Walton, Transport Manager at Alsford Timber: “It costs us over £150 per day if we have a van off the road due to unforeseen circumstances. We have well-established processes to ensure our drivers inspect their vans each day before use, along with a planned maintenance programme. This, along with driver training, keeps our unplanned VOR to a minimum – and forward planning minimises the impact of planned maintenance.”

Amey goes a step further by requiring maintenance providers to attend site first thing in the morning to rectify any defects found prior to their vans going out to their duties.

Julie Davies, compliance manager at Amey explains: “This level of service from our providers, when coupled with effective pre-use inspections, allows us to maximise the availability of our fleet.”

Reducing breakdowns is seen as vital. Timely fleet replacement is important, despite many fleets delaying this. The costs and business disruption must be factored into the decision on when to replace vehicles.

Minimising the operational stress on the vehicle, and ‘engineering out’ potential causes of VOR time, also need to be considered.

Several operators reported benefits with the adoption of automatic transmissions, speed/rev limiters and more easily repairable vehicle specifications.

With so many operators’ workloads being time-critical,

Yes 46%

Do you measure vehicle off-road time for your van fleet?

No 54%

£150

cost per day to Alsford Timber if a van is off the road

For more on VOR go to fleetnews.co.uk/ fleetvan/van-vor

“By adopting a proactive approach, we’ve reduced our maintenance costs while minimising the disruption of planned VOR and maintaining high safety standards” Rory Morgan, national logistics general manager, Iron Mountain

14 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

there really can be no reason not to do all that is possible to both eliminate unplanned VOR time and reduce the duration of all VOR time.

These views are echoed by Van Excellence Partner LeasePlan. Mark Lovett, head of commercial vehicles, says: “Since the launch of our Uptime product, we’ve seen some very significant improvements in vehicle optimisation with our clients.

“One of our operators, a large utility company, has seen an improvement of over 50% in fleet availability.”

There is a clear common theme around each of the best practice strategies identified, which is again about not being able to improve what isn’t being measured.

VOR costs can be significant. There are ways to better organise your planned VOR periods, as well as clear, proved ways of reducing unplanned. n To find out how maintenance providers are meeting the needs of van fleets, turn to page 22.

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P r oF iL e: P iML iC o P LuMber s

Keeping vehicles pristine is key to business’s growth From individualised number-plates to employing a team of valeters, brand image is all-important for Pimlico Plumbers

By John Charles ensuring all vans are in the workshop at least every 10-12 clearly liveried fleet of commercial vehicles weeks, irrespective of mileage. raises a company’s identity, boosts its marketLusham, who joined the company just over 12 months ago, place profile and is calculated to generate a having previously run a small fleet of HGVs for almost nine significant number of inquiries from the thouyears, says: “We cannot afford to have a vehicle off the road. sands of people per hour who see such vans engineers are allocated a van and a set of guidelines for operating in busy areas. taking care of the vehicle.”

That’s why Pimlico Plumbers’ engineers wear a smart company uniform and drive identical, spotless blue, white Ensuring reliablity and availability of vans and red-liveried vans displaying the organisation’s brand.

Those guidelines include keeping it in pristine condition The company employs a six-strong team of cleaners and inside and out, undertaking daily defect checks and ensuring valeters to ensure, says transport manager George Lusham, any “dings and dents” incurred are reported and repaired there are no excuses for engineers arriving at a job with a immediately in the bodyshop. dirty van.

A 12-strong team in the workshop and bodyshop is on hand This has been the company’s philosophy since it was 12 hours a day, six days a week, to undertake all servicing founded in 1979 by entrepreneur Charlie and remedial work, explains Lusham.

Mullins in the basement of an estate agent Pimlico Plumbers retains a ‘reserve’ fleet of in Pimlico, after he completed a four-year six vehicles, which are used as spare vans, apprenticeship in plumbing, with just a allocated to engineers, so service, maintesecond-hand van and a bag of tools. nance and repair work does not interfere with His vision then was, according to the schedules. company’s website, “to remove the stigma “if necessary we will take a van to an engiassociated with the plumbing industry: neer’s location and swap it, so their work plumbers with bad workmanship, who turn schedule is not impaired by the need for up late, rip off the customer, drive rusty old maintenance work. Clients expect Pimlico vans, do not wearing uniform and have arses Plumbers to deliver a top-class service and hanging out of their trousers”. don’t want excuses because a van was not Adherence to that vision has seen Pimlico available,” he says.

Plumbers grow from a plumbing and heating Further underlining how the company’s George Lusham, business to deliver a total property maintefleet strategy is different from the norm is the Pimlico Plumbers nance service 24x7 across the capital, fact that its van replacement service still has employing roofers, carpenters and electria 1998-plate s-registered vehicle in daily use, cians, as well as plumbers. also underlining the solid reputation of the Now based in Lambeth, the business undertakes more Transporter. than 80,000 jobs a year and runs a rapidly expanding fleet of “We don’t dispose of any vehicles; we just keep expanding 162 identical Volkswagen Transporter Trendline 2.0 TDi the fleet to meet business requirements,” says Lusham, 140ps models operating across greater and central London. highlighting the fact that the Transporter’s reliability further A total of 17 new vans were added to the fleet last year, and promotes the right image of the business. more will join this year, as the business continues to expand.

Given that policy, and the introduction of London’s Low Pimlico Plumbers purchases all of its vehicles – the fleet emission Zone in February 2008, Pimlico Plumbers underalso includes 10 Volkswagen Golfs driven by estimators – took remedial action to fit filters to ensure vans complied and undertakes all service, maintenance and repair work with the legislation. through its own workshop and bodyshop facilities, only As London mayor boris Johnson and Transport for London utilising franchised dealers for any warranty-related jobs. considers introducing an ultra Low emission Zone (uLeZ) Given the current trend for outsourcing and for many from september 2020, how the fleet will comply with the organisations to move away from running their own workproposed legislation figures high on Lusham’s agenda. shops, the company believes keeping its entire fleet operaengineers work exclusively for Pimlico Plumbers and live tion in-house contributes to its success. across greater London, taking their allocated van home with While image is important to Pimlico Plumbers, so is them each day. Collectively, the fleet operates some 260,000 managing vehicle downtime, with the company setting its miles annually, with a fuel bill topping £1 million when fuel own rules for service and maintenance. These entail prices peaked last year and, says Lusham, despite the urban

A

“There are no excuses for engineers arriving at a job with a dirty van”

16 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

For more case studies, visit: fleetnews.co.uk/ vans/case-studies/

701LeT example personalised registration plate of Pimlico Plumbers van

162

number of Volkswagen Transporter vans in Pimlico Plumbers’ fleet

nature of the business, the company’s established dieselonly policy currently meets all requirements. if the uLeZ is given the green light this year, businesses will have a five-year window to get their fleet in order to comply with the regulations, or face a daily entry charge.

Lusham says: “When we know exactly what the regulations are, we will start to plan how the fleet will look to ensure that we comply. “electric vans are a good idea in principle, but payload and range are an issue and, with our engineers living and working across London, more charging points are required. it is diesel for us at the moment, but that could change as technology advances.”

Implementation of telematics has helped George Lusham reduce incidents of speeding and harsh acceleration

Personalising and upgrading the fleet Like all transport managers, cost reduction is crucial for Lusham, who admits he is always on the lookout for new vehicle suppliers to ensure he buys vans at the best price.

“We always buy the same model and specification through the Volkswagen dealer network, and i always try and get the best price – the same applies for parts. Dealers will quote me a price and i will buy accordingly,” he says. once acquired, many of the vans are fitted with personalised number plates, further reinforcing the company’s image with customers, who frequently ask for tradesman by the registration of the van – boG1, Loo3, GAs15, W4Ter, F1usH and 701LeT are just some examples – rather than by plumber name.

All vans are fitted with telematics, enhancing the robustness of Pimlico Plumbers’ occupational road risk policy, while also ensuring its operations team can simultaneously monitor the location of tradesmen so new jobs can be allocated efficiently. since joining the company, Lusham has beefed-up its at-work safety policy by turning to the Freight Transport Association’s driver licence checking service, which is provided by the Licence bureau. Previously, licence checking was managed internally and was an administrative burden with engineers having to attend in person for checks.

Lusham says: “We have since uncovered a number of engineers with points on their licence, which they had not disclosed, although they were all entitled to drive. We have found that having telematics in vehicles, and the more robust licence checking system, has resulted in tradesmen almost self-policing themselves when driving. “evidence from maintenance and repair records would suggest they are driving more carefully and, from the data returns, i can see that incidents of speeding and harsh acceleration and braking are reduced. if engineers lose their licence, then they lose their job, so it is in their interests to drive within the law.”

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 17

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sp ot l iGh t: daw s onren ta l s va n s

‘I have no interest in taking us into a price war’ Gareth Jones wants a sustainable business which is focused on service excellence

Gareth Jones, has been managing director of Dawsonrentals Vans since February 2013

By Andrew Ryan awsonrentals vans has lofty ambitions: it wants to be the market leader in the van rental sector.

For managing director Gareth Jones, market leadership is about offering the best customer service, rather than simply being the biggest. he accepts that the company is unlikely to be able to ever challenge the UK’s van rental giant northgate, which operates more than 85,000 vehicles. in contrast, dawsonrentals vans currently has a fleet of 4,000 vehicles, but is investing more than £50 million to take it to 7,500 this year. however, it will remain a relatively small player in van rental. “we have no appetite to be the market number one on size, but we do want to be the market number one for service in the lCv space,” says Jones. “if we focus on product quality and service excellence, the business will grow. it’s a large marketplace with a lot of

D

“We want to be the market number one for customer service in the LCV space” Gareth Jones, Dawsonrentals Vans

factfile Company: Dawsonrentals Vans Managing director: Gareth Jones Sites: seven Vehicles: 4,500 Customers: 430

£50m

investment announced in February

7,500 total size of fleet planned

vehicles in it. our intention is to not worry about what our competitors are doing. we have our own plan and it will be focused on where we are going with our customers. “i have no interest in taking us into a price war; this is a family company that wants to be here in 30 or 40 years’ time, so we have got to do sustainable business.” dawsonrentals vans is a division of dawsonrentals, which leases hGvs and trailers. it was launched in 2010 under the hiregate vehicle rental brand. the company opened its fourth lCv site in 2013, when it was also rebranded as dawsonrentals vans to align the division more closely with the main business. “when it was called hiregate it was seen as a local brand, while dawsonrentals was already a national brand,” says Jones, who joined dawsonrentals vans in February 2013, following two years as commercial director of heavy crane rental company ainscough. prior to this, he spent 10 years in increasingly senior sales and marketing positions with northgate vehicle hire, and was its commercial director when he left. “when i joined dawsonrentals vans, my view was that it was a solid business that had achieved good growth over a three-year period from a standing start and that it had a lot of potential to develop into a national provider,” says Jones. “we set a clear direction of where we wanted to be and put a structure around that.” the priority was to focus on service levels and vehicle uptime. “anybody can provide a van, so you have got

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 19

sp ot l iGh t: daw s onren ta l s va n s to look for a differentiator and for me that is service and people,” says Jones. dawsonrentals vans staff are incentivised for customer service, while the company measures performance in four key areas: customer experience, product quality and professionalism when vehicles are delivered, how the company reacts in the event of a breakdown and how any vehicle damage is handled. “these are questions that some companies don’t want to ask,” says Jones. “we don’t use net promoter scores (nps) because we don’t feel it is a good measure for the industry as they can sometimes be removed from what is happening on the ground. “instead we risk a little more, as we ask the fleet decisionmakers and drivers how they find the experience. i feel the way we measure our performance is more robust than nps. “of course we want to perform well in Kpis, but we really want to get to the heart of any issues.” traditionally, the majority of fleets have acquired vans through outright purchase, but Jones has seen a shift towards other methods. “if you go back five to seven years, the main acquisition method was outright purchase, with leasing and rental taking a healthy chunk,” he adds. “a common perception is that renting can be more expensive than owning a vehicle, but more customers are getting wise to the benefits of rental.”

Jones says these include retaining the ability to invest capital in their core business instead of in vehicles: a depreciating asset. dawsonrentals vans’ growth strategy over the next three to five years will be achieved “100%” through winning new business, and not through acquisition, Jones explains. this approach saw the company open three new sites last year after substantial investment, taking its total to seven: its site at thatcham, near reading, required £1 million for infrastructure and assets, while a new facility in ipswich cost £2.5m. the investment has had an immediate impact as dawsonrentals vans has increased its customers from 260 in april last year to 430 last month. “in a short period of time we have got more than 100 vehicles at thatcham and 80 to 90 out of ipswich,” says Jones. dawsonrentals vans has this year already launched a specialist vehicle division which will operate across the company’s seven depots. this will operate a bespoke service,

“We have seen a massive need for high-quality commercial vehicles and have reacted to it” Gareth Jones, Dawsonrentals Vans

Gareth Jones: ‘More and more customers are getting wise to the benefits of rental’

For more industry profiles, visit: fleetnews.co.uk/vans/ case-studies/

giving companies the option of renting vehicles such as single- and double-cab land rovers, as well as a range of multi-seat, multi-sector vehicles. “we have seen a rise in rail and infrastructure projects in the UK, and are seeing a massive need for good, high-quality commercial vehicles, including six- to nine-seat vans, welfare vans and 4x4s, so we have reacted to that,” says Jones. “so far, it’s been received very well.” last month’s announcement, that 3,000 vehicles will be added this year, will be mainly supported by Mercedes-Benz, volkswagen, Ford and isuzu, although dawsonrentals vans will continue to purchase assets from land rover, peugeot and nissan. the company also invested in staff. Jones’s arrival was followed by that of Chris Beeton and simon ridley, who were appointed head of sales and operations, respectively. “i have worked with both Chris and simon for many years and it was important i appointed a team i can trust,” says Jones. “Chris has an excellent track record and to have an individual of simon’s calibre on board reinforces our commitment to becoming lCv service leader.”

gareth jones on...

Television fame Gareth Jones featured in 2013 BBC2 reality TV documentary The Crane Gang during his time as commercial director of Ainscough Crane Hire.

Watched by around one million people, the three-part show followed lifting teams around the country with unprecedented access to the UK’s largest mobile

crane provider – from the crane cab to the boardroom.

“It was an enjoyable experience,” says Jones. “Through the programme we were able to showcase the industry and get rid of a lot of misconceptions, because being a crane operator is a highly skilled, technical job.

“The logistics involved are very complex because sometimes

20 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

when you put a crane out you need to have 30 to 40 trucks to support it.”

Twitter Jones is a committed user of social media site Twitter, and sees it taking a more significant communications role in the future.

He uses the platform to deliver messages focusing on safety

advice, vehicle technology and news on Dawsonrentals Vans.

“Over the next three-to-seven years, we will see more people moving from PR to social media to get their message across,” says Jones. “It’s important that you control what you post, as it can be as dangerous as it is beneficial. But it’s a fantastic way to get key messages out.”

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IN SIGH T: SMR

Van fleets drive new standards for Smr Increased demands from growing LCV fleets have forced manufacturers, leasing companies and independents to up their game on service, maintenance and repair

By Andrew ryan he UK’s continuing economic recovery and the boom in internet shopping are placing ever greater demands on the country’s van fleets – demands that van SMR networks have to respond to.

Figures from the DVLA show there were 3.35 million vans on the UK’s roads in 2013, 1.55m of which were registered to companies.

This number is likely to increase.

Van sales hit a seven-year high of 321,686 last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 18.7% more than the year before. It expects registrations to grow by a further 3.9% in 2015, to 334,000.

This growth increases the demands on the companies that supply and arrange maintenance, whether it is franchised dealers, independent SMR providers or, in the case of van fleets that lease their vehicles with maintenance included, leasing companies.

“Our customers are becoming more demanding because more demands are being put on to them,” says Tony Grove, LCV manager at Arval.

“They face tight service levels from their own customers and rely on their vans to do business. For this reason, they need to keep their vehicles on the road and, when there is an issue, keep downtime to a minimum.

“Whereas in the past, businesses may have had ‘spare’ vans within their fleet, the current drive for efficiency means that this kind of luxury is rare.

“As a result, there is greater focus on keeping their vans on the road when they need them.”

Grove says there also is a trend for Arval’s customers to operate vans for longer periods, and the greater wear and tear this incurs is adding to a growing demand for out-of-hours servicing. This view is supported by the results of a Fleet Van poll in September, which found that of the 43% of respondents who did not have access to out-of-hours servicing, 69% would like it.

However, Steve Chandler, SMR supplier network manager at Lex Autolease, says that although out-of-hours servicing will eventually become de rigueur,

T

22 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

18.7%

The year-on-year growth in van registrations in 2014

it may not become the norm for some time.

“While many suppliers are willing and able to accommodate specific customer requirements, the vast majority are still limited by the financial implications of extended working hours where sufficient levels of work cannot be guaranteed,” he says.

“As with most service industries, availability follows demand and until demand is established, suppliers are unable to provide service. It’s a typical chicken and egg scenario.

“At Lex Autolease, we see relatively few instances

Autoglass has announced plans to close 73 of its 100 branches to focus more on its 1,200 mobile technicians

MoBiLe SeRviCeS mobile services are already widespread in parts of the LCV service, maintenance and repair sector, particularly with suppliers such as glass repairers and tyre fitters.

Kwik fit mobile has 200 vans that undertake tyre-related work on vehicles and Autoglass announced plans in december to close 73 of its 100 branches and focus more on its network of 1,200 mobile technicians.

However, while a number of maintenance providers offer collection and delivery facilities, mobile services are less common.

Tony Grove, LCV manager at Arval, says: “we provide mobile servicing. This is a really effective approach for routine work, especially minor manufacturer recall work. “if the location is the customer’s premises, it also provides the opportunity to work on a batch of vans in a single visit.”

However, Steve Chandler, Smr supplier network manager at Lex Autolease, says: “mobile service work is a relatively niche offering. Lex Autolease has a number of mobile service providers, but the services are specific to individual customers who require them, rather than generally available.

“There are limitations on the work that can be carried out without workshop facilities. Variables like weather, location and the safety of operators and the public also play a significant role in establishing what services can be offered more widely. “for the most part, franchised dealers do not support mobile working, which in turn has a limiting effect on the available vehicle parc since warranty work cannot be accommodated in a mobile setting.

“Even routine service work carried out by non-franchised suppliers can adversely impact the level of manufacturer support provided and so can carry an unpredictable additional penalty for the vehicle operator.”

where customers can deliver sufficient demand for out-ofhours work to make this a financially sustainable option for suppliers.”

Despite this, manufacturer networks and independent SMR providers have invested heavily in expanding their LCV product ranges, with several providing out-of-hours services.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, offers Service 24h. This product is available round-the-clock for roadside repair or, if a problem cannot be resolved at the roadside, at the nearest authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Renault’s network of Pro Plus van dealers is to start opening later and at the weekend to offer out-of-hours servicing. Ken Ramirez, Renault managing director, says: “We will extend to overnight receipt of vehicles to consider [customer] needs, especially for smaller fleets.

They need the flexibility to work in the day and maintain the vehicle off-hours, so our dealers need to change to be flexible.”

Other manufacturers, such as Peugeot and Ford, aim to offer extended opening hours in their service pledges to LCV operators, but this is not widespread across the sector yet.

69% of respondents to a Fleet Van survey said they would like access to out-of-hours servicing

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched a revised LCV service offering in the past year and although its 10 customer service promises did not include extended opening hours, it will be introducing Saturday aftersales servicing later this year across the retail network.

“We have a number of centres that already extend into the evenings,” says Andy Waite, head of sales at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. “Long-term, we see them stretching in all directions: Saturdays and evenings.

“Customers want the flexibility, so we see that as an evolution of our van centres.”

The manufacturer says its 71 van centres and 24 authorised repairers are committed to working with businesses to reduce downtime.

“We understand that businesses rely on their vans, which is why our van centres maintain regular contact with their customers to remind them of key service dates,” says Chris Black, head of fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

“A prime example of how we continue to work in partnership with our customers was the launch of our customer service promise last year.

“This clearly sets out what customers can expect from their van centre every time they visit and ensures that customers are back on the road in the shortest possible time with the least amount of inconvenience.”

The 10 promises include providing quotes before work on a vehicle begins, guaranteeing an appointment within five working days, sourcing a like-for-like courtesy vehicle if the customer’s van is still under warranty, fixed national pricing, and providing an initial diagnosis within one working day following a breakdown.

Vauxhall has also revamped its LCV aftersales offering within the past 12 months. It says its Premier Van Centre programme aims to maximise mobility and minimise downtime for van operators.

Commitments to customers include providing diagnostics without appointment, lead times no longer than three days and a dedicated customer hotline.

All Premier Van Centre sites can carry out Class 7 MOTs and have a five-tonne lift. They are also listed on Epyx 1link for ease of identification and online service booking requests.

Independent SMR providers such as Kwik Fit and Halfords Autocentres have also invested heavily in improving their LCV services.

This has seen Kwik Fit experience a “significant” increase in demand from LCV operators for its mechanical services and the company is forecasting further growth this year.

“We recognise that LCVs are a tool of the trade and therefore it is essential to keep vehicle downtime to a minimum,” says Peter Lambert, fleet director at Kwik Fit. “That is why we have invested heavily in our centres to cater for the rapidly expanding van sector.”

This investment has seen new specialist equipment introduced in its network of more than 600 centres, ensuring that the majority of the sites can accommodate LCVs. An increasing number of sites can also undertake Class 7 MOTs. Kwik Fit centres also offer a collection and delivery service to some fleets, to keep business disruption to a minimum.

“We understand that businesses rely on their vans, which is why our van centres maintain regular contact with their customers to remind them of key service dates” Chris Black, head of fleet, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 23

IN SIGH T: SMR “Where a fleet may require four or five vans to be serviced, our centres will arrange for the work to be undertaken in one day,” says Lambert. “They will then collect and return vehicles individually so only one van is unavailable to the business for a minimum amount of time.”

Halfords Autocentres work with specific customers to schedule maintenance of their fleet across the year and make sure servicing takes place on rest days or weekends where available.

The company is ensuring new sites can cater for large LCVs, including high-roof vans, while a few centres are being relocated to larger premises to allow access for larger LCVs. All of Halfords Autocentres’s sites have light van capability, while half can deal with heavy vans: one- or 2.5-tonne ramps are fitted in all new centres, while five-tonne ramps are retrospectively fitted in numerous other sites where space permits.

The investment throughout the LCV SMR sector shows that

“We have invested heavily in our centres to cater for the rapidly expanding van sector” Peter Lambert, fleet director at Kwik Fit

For more on SMR, visit: fleetnews.co.uk/SMR

suppliers are keen to be flexible to the demands of van fleets.

“It is important for suppliers to recognise the individual needs of customers – a one-size-fits-all approach simply won’t work,” says Chandler.

“To this end, the ability of vehicle repairers to flex their operating hours and locations is becoming more important.

“The suppliers who can successfully adapt their services to meet individual customer needs will reap the rewards.”

What ManUfaCtUReRS offeR fLeetS CiTroËn: Has about 80 LCV dealers within its retail network, which offer a collection/delivery service within stipulated areas, use of Epyx 1link fleet menu pricing, the ability to carry out Class 5 and Class 7 moTs, and Citroën racing Service (one-hour van service scheme). Citroën dealers aim to conduct initial diagnosis on urgent (Vor) vehicles off the road, order parts within two hours of arrival and complete most repairs on the same working day. Customers can upgrade to Business Class package with Citroën Assistance for four years/60,000 miles.

ford: in 2013, ford opened 100 Transit Centres offering aftersales service standards and extended opening hours. A Transit24 aftersales programme offers while-you-wait servicing, including latenight appointments, and will respond within 20 minutes to online service booking requests. it provides priority treatment for urgent work with the aim of completing vehicle offroad repairs on the same working day or within 24 hours. Collection and delivery of vehicles can be arranged. fleet national pricing is available for 25-plus fleets.

mErCEdES-BEnZ: mobility guarantee for the life of the vehicle (up to 30 years), including free on-the-spot breakdown or starting assistance should the vehicle break down or fail to start for two years after initial registration, including payment of taxi fees and provision of replacement vehicle. will also keep customer mobile and pay costs if a vehicle has to go into workshop under warranty and the repairs are likely to take more than two hours. Service 24h is available round-the-clock for roadside repair or, if a problem cannot be resolved at the roadside, at the nearest authorised mercedes-Benz dealer.

24 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

niSSAn: Aims to keep customers mobile free of charge when a van is in for service or repair. nissan roadside assistance is free when vehicles are serviced at a franchised dealership. Price match like-for-like competitor within 10 miles of local dealer, while the dealer will propose how to resolve any problem within two working days.

PEuGEoT: its network aims to offer out-of-hours service appointments at least once a week. dealers can offer collection and delivery within a stipulated area. The manufacturer offers web-based fleet menu pricing which shows the recommended maximum parts and labour price a fleet can expect to pay. The dealer network aims to conduct initial diagnoses on urgent vehicles, order parts within two hours of arrival and complete most repairs the same working day.

rEnAuLT: introduced the renault Business Quality Commitment for all dealers five years ago. its Pro+ 12-point customer promise for its 34 Pro+ dealers supports requirements of larger corporate operators and includes 120-minute pit-stop servicing, free collection and delivery, replacement vehicle if off the road, full transparent pricing, less than 73 hours’ booking lead time, four years’ renault Assistance and a dedicated customer service hotline.

VAuXHALL: manufacturer says its 100 sites cover 90% of uK businesses within a 30-minute drive. it also offers vehicle collection/delivery within 10-mile radius (five miles within the m25), free courtesy vehicle, Class 7 moTs and five-tonne lifts on-site. Epyx 1link is used for online service booking requests, while network also offers fixed labour rates, and companies will be invoiced within five working days,

VoLKSwAGEn CommErCiAL VEHiCLES: manufacturer has had a dedicated van centre network since 1998, which currently has 71 van centres. The network offers free visual inspections, initial diagnosis within one working day following a breakdown, like-for-like courtesy vehicle if vehicle is under warranty, fixed national pricing, while-you-wait servicing, guaranteed appointment within five working days, and a two-year parts and labour warranty.

What independent SMR pRovideRS aRe offeRing

ATS EuromASTEr: ATS Euromaster last year announced it was investing nearly £1 million in its LCV moT facilities. This was used to upgrade a 15 centres so they could perform Class 7 moTs, joining the 49 sites where this service was already available.

The company says its latest development is part of an ongoing commitment to enhancing its services for LCV customers.

Already, 95% of the company’s sites can accommodate long-wheelbase high-roof vans, while 186 centres offer menu-driven servicing for vans.

14 - 16 APRIL NEC • BIRMINGHAM

HALfordS AuToCEnTrES: Halfords Autocentres offers one- or 2.5-tonne ramps in all new sites, while five-tonne ramps are being retrospectively fitted in a number of other centres where space permits. Class 7 moTs can be carried out in most sites and new centres are all big enough to cater for large LCVs, including high-roof vans. A number of centres are being moved to bigger premises to accommodate larger LCVs. The company works with a number of specific customers to schedule maintenance across the year, making sure servicing is on rest days or weekends where available.

5

KwiK fiT: The company offers a collection and delivery service to some LCV fleets. it has introduced specialist equipment in its network of more than 600 centres, which means the majority of its centres can accommodate LCVs, including high-roof, long-wheelbase models.

An increasing number of sites can carry out Class 7 moTs at an increasing number of centres, while they also stock an expanded range of van tyres.

Staff also receive additional training to deal with LCVs.

Visit us on stand 5D85 in Hall 5 to see our NEW drive-away welfare conversion and racking range.

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fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 25

Advertisement feature

Used LCV values fall as volumes increase verage values for light commercial vehicles fell in January, as overall volumes in the marketplace rose sharply at the start of the year.

The average value of a van sold at BCA in January was £5,460, a fall of £410 from December’s record value.

Fleet & lease values fell by £381 (5.5%) over the month, while part-exchange values also declined (by £172 or 4.4%) and the low volume nearly-new sector saw values climb.

Despite this, year-on-year values remain ahead by £138 (2.6%), with age and mileage increasing.

Performance against CAP was down by half a point compared to 2014.

BCA’s head of commercial vehicles, Duncan Ward, commented: “We saw some price pressure in the used LCV market in January largely as a result of the significant upturn in volumes available to buyers.

“The sharp rise also resulted in multiples of some makes and models reaching the market which is giving buyers plenty of choice and further compounding price pressures.

“There are also some issues over quality and presentation as vehicles from corporate sources are returning at generally higher ages and mileages than we were seeing a year ago. It’s a timely warning for vendors that if the quality of stock is declining this will impact on the price performance.”

He added: “We are seeing a two-tier market develop as professional buyers and end users compete strongly for the best

A

Professional buyers and end users are competing strongly for the best presented ‘retail ready’ vans presented ‘retail ready’ vans where values typically outstrip price guide expectations by some margin.

“In contrast, hard-worked lower spec vans in corporate colours need to be competitively valued to create interest.”

performance averaged 100.7% and retained value against Manufacturer Recommended Price was static at 38.38%.

Year-on-year, values were up by just £24 (0.3%) with age and mileage higher than in 2014.

Fleet & lease

Part-exchange

Values for fleet and lease LCVs averaged £6,478 in January – a fall of £381 (5.5%) compared to December’s figure. CAP

Part-exchange LCV values also declined compared to December, falling by £172 or 4.4%. CAP average comparisons were down slightly at 105.0%, but continue to outperform the fleet and lease sector by a considerable margin.

Year-on-year values were behind by £76 or 2.0%, with the average van being seven months older and having a slightly higher mileage.

All LCVs 2012-2015 £6,000

£5,000

£4,000

Jan

Dec

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Nov

Sep

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Apl

May

Mar

Jan

Feb

Dec

Oct

Nov

Sep

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Apl

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£3,000

Nearly-new Nearly-new LCV values averaged £13,508 in January – a rise of £312 compared to December, with CAP comparisons improving by more than a point to 97.6%.

As always, this has to be taken in the context of the very low volumes reaching the market and the model mix factor.

The UK and Europe’s largest used vehicle marketplace

Log on to bca.co.uk or call 0844 875 3480

rem a rk e t ing

Rising LCV values on lower volumes defy predictions January values rise year-on-year despite huge monthly jump in used van volumes

By Trevor Gehlcken he new Year saw a flood of used vehicles come on to the market, which has led to some auction houses seeing a fall in the average values achieved. the national association of motor auctioneers (nama) said the number of vans being offered for sale in January was up 85% on December 2014, which depressed values across the industry by some 3.6%.

However, when January was compared with the same month a year earlier, volumes were down 8% and prices were up 2%. alex Wright, chairman of nama’s commercial vehicle group, says: “the year-on-year figure for LCVs was not as predicted. in fact, the opposite of what everyone expected has happened. Volume was down and prices were up again on a very strong January 2014.

“Conversion rates remained positive at 75%, despite older and higher mileage stock in market. it was encouraging to see stock up to three years old and low mileage is still at a premium.”

BCa reported that January values fell by an average £410 to £5,460 over December 2014, although year-on-year values stayed ahead by 2.6%.

BCa’s head of commercial vehicles, Duncan Ward, says: “We saw some price pressure in the used LCV market in January largely as a result of the significant upturn in volumes available to buyers. “the sharp rise also resulted in multiples of some makes and models reaching the market, which is giving buyers plenty of choice and further compounding price pressures. there are also some issues over quality and presentation as vehicles from corporate sources are returning at generally higher ages and mileages than we were seeing a year ago. it’s a timely warning for vendors that if the quality of stock is declining, this will impact on the price performance.

t

-8%

the year-on-year change in van volumes for January, according to NAMA

2%

the increase in LCV values in January 2015, compared with a year earlier

For the latest news on the remarketing sector, visit fleetnews.co.uk/ remarketing

“We are seeing a two-tier market developing as professional buyers and end users compete strongly for the best presented ‘retail-ready’ vans, where values typically outstrip price guide expectations by some margin. in contrast, hardworked lower spec vans in corporate colours need to be competitively valued to create interest.”

Bucking the trend, however, was manheim auctions, which saw January prices rise by 2% over December 2014. matthew Davock, head of light commercial vehicles at manheim, says: “January has seen both a growth in stock and, in most cases, an increase in values too.

“With an uplift in volume, we’ve also seen a record amount of duplicated stock enter our sales this month, which has given our buyers options they just didn’t have in 2014. “typically, when volume is high, the first two areas to feel the strain are damaged stock and duplicated stock – and we’re already seeing signs of this. Because of this, my advice to vendors is to ensure the vans offered are of the best possible standard. it’s been said before, but condition really is king when it comes to obtaining excellent value in the CV sector, so vendors should really make sure to put their best foot forward when it comes to displaying their stock. “throughout January, the footfall at auction sites and the number of buyers online have both remained incredibly healthy – with auction halls up and down the country still buzzing with action. Buyers are saying that retail activity has been very good throughout the first part of the year. as a result, they are keen to fill their forecourts and scour the country to source specific stock. “the increase of newer stock in the market – and the fact that buyers were relatively short on this stock in 2014 – alongside the confirmed availability of older stock means supply remains strong for all tiers of buyer. it was a positive month of retail activity and paints a hopeful picture for quarter one in the CV marketplace.”

what the experts say

“The year-on-year figure for LCVs was not as predicted. Volume was down and prices were up again.”

“We are seeing a twotier market developing as professional buyers and end users compete for ‘retail-ready’ vans”

“It was a positive month of retail activity and paints a hopeful picture for quarter one in the CV marketplace”

Alex Wright, chairman of NAMA’s commercial vehicle group

Duncan Ward, BCA’s head of commercial vehicles

Matthew Davock, head of light commercial vehicles at Manheim

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 27

C OMMER CI A L F L EE T

Fleet News to launch new Commercial Fleet van and lorry magazine New title to offer insight and best practice to operators of light commercials and heavy lorries

F

leet News is launching a new magazine to provide insight, analysis and best practice to van and lorry operators.

Commercial Fleet is a monthly magazine that will replace Fleet Van. It will have a circulation of 15,000 van and lorry operators and will also be available as a free digital magazine which can be accessed once you have registered via the new website commercialfleet.org The first edition of Commercial Fleet will be published on April 30 (the last issue of Fleet Van will be in March), although the new website, containing news, views, best practice, insight and running cost tools will go live on March 30.

Fleet News and Commercial Fleet editor-in-chief Stephen Briers said: “Commercial Fleet is an important launch for us.

We recognise that many of our van fleet readers also operate lorries and so, after consultation with many of them, we have taken the decision to launch a magazine dedicated to helping them run safer, legal and more cost-efficient fleets irrespective of the size of the commercial vehicle.”

The readership will consist of decision-makers running fleets of at least five vehicles, from light commercials to heavy rigid body lorries.

Job functions will range from transport managers to traffic office to engineering teams.

Commercial Fleet will include a monthly magazine, website, newsletter and events, including the Commercial Fleet Summit on September 24 at the Telford International Centre, followed in the evening by the Commercial Fleet Awards.

Briers added: “Although we are increasing our focus on lorries, vans will still be at the heart of our insight and analysis in Commercial Fleet.

“However, we will be able to better share best practice among the operators of heavier vehicles, while cascading their knowledge to those running smaller vans.”

COMMERCIAL FLEET AUDIENCE Decision-makers running fleets of at least five vehicles, from light commercials to heavy lorries up to rigid body vehicles. They will typically be operating in the following industry segments: ■ Transport/distribution ■ Architecture/building ■ Business services ■ Utilities ■ Wholesale/retail/food (home deliveries) ■ Government (specialist vehicles)

28 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

InTeRnaTIOnal CenTRe, TelfORd

ThuRSday 24 SepTembeR 2015

One day, One venue, One InduSTRy

REGISTER FOR COMMERCIAL FLEET

This will be your last issue of Fleet Van. Register online now to request your copy of Commercial Fleet. commercialfleet.org/subscribe

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Editorial Stephen Briers, editor-in-chief: 01733 468024, email stephen.briers@bauermedia.co.uk Advertising Lucy Herbert, account director: 01733 366469, email lucy.herbert@bauermedia.co.uk

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 29

f ir s t look

on sale: september

Volkswagen caddy the fourth generation of Volkswagen’s small van will play a central role in the manufacturer’s bid to grow its fleet registrations. Trevor Gehlcken reports

H

aving sold 1.5 million units of the caddy around the world over an 11-year production cycle, Volkswagen has unveiled the fourth generation of its small van, before it goes on sale in the Uk in september.

Volkswagen has been growing in the Uk van fleet market in the past two years and sits in second place in the sales chart behind ford, despite having no brand-new product on sale last year.

However, over the next 12 months Volkswagen will not only replace the caddy, but will also unveil an upgraded transporter and a brand new crafter. prices and full Uk specifications of the new caddy will be announced closer to the launch date.

safety as with most german vans, the caddy offers a high level of safety features. one of these is the ‘front assist’ surroundings monitoring system, including city emergency braking. if the driver fails to see an obstacle while driving at less than 19mph, the system automatically applies the brakes, aiming to prevent a collision. in the passengercarrying variant, the caddy life, occupants are also protected by side and curtain airbags. other options include the light assist (automatically dipping main beam headlights) and driver alert systems. the latter recognises any deviations from normal driving behaviour and recommends to the driver when a

30 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

break is necessary. Heated windscreen is also available. for the first time, the caddy comes with adaptive cruise control (acc) as an option. this uses radar sensors to monitor the distance and relative speed to vehicles in front and is active at speeds of 0-100 mph with the dsg gearbox or 19-100 mph with a manual transmission. when used in conjunction with dsg, the acc system can also slow the vehicle to a complete stop, in queues or traffic jams, for example. an optional ‘park assist’ system enables automated parallel parking as well as parking at right angles to the carriageway, an especially practical feature for courier services.

CaB

INfOtaINMeNt

while the seats are unchanged from the old model, the dash is new and for the first time on the caddy there is a lockable glovebox. the steering wheel is flatbottomed.

the caddy has a new generation of radio and radio/navigation systems. other than the base radio, all have a touchscreen as standard. systems come in three spec levels and two sizes – 5inch and 6.33inch.

eNGINes

eXteRIOR the new caddy’s design has sharper folds and more clearly defined surfaces. there is a redesigned front and rear and newlook front and rear lights.

the caddy is the first model in the light van sector to be offered with 2.0-litre euro 6-compliant diesels, alongside 75hp, 102hp and 140hp euro 5 units of the same capacity. Volkswagen is well ahead of the game introducing euro 6 engines, as the tougher emissions standard — which requires a massive reduction in nox output — does not become a legal requirement until september 2016. available with power outputs of 75hp, 102hp and 150hp, the euro 6 powerplants will require the addition of adblue. the

filler is situated conveniently in the nearside front of the engine bay. failure to refill the tank will result in the engine switching to limp-home mode. regardless of power output, all euro 6 engines come mated to a stop/start system. gearbox choice is a five- or six-speed manual, depending on model, and, as at present, the option of a dsg twin-clutch gearbox. specially developed for urban delivery duty cycles, at more than 70+mpg the new euro 6 bluemotion caddy will be the most fuel-efficient in the range.

LOaD aRea load area dimensions and payload capacities remain almost the same as current models. there is a choice of asymmetrically split, side-hinged rear doors or a tailgate. the latter can be specified unglazed for the first time. all versions of the caddy are available in

“A folding passenger seat allows extra-long loads to be fed into the front part of the van”

two body lengths. while the short version has a wheelbase of 2,681mm, the caddy maxi is built on a wheelbase of 3,006mm. in total, the maxi is 47cm longer. with the same vehicle height, that extra length produces about one cubic metre of additional cargo space. there’s also the option of a folding passenger seat, allowing extra-long loads to be fed into the front part of the van. there are up to eight load-lashing eyes in the cargo compartment. the caddy is being offered as a panel van (two-seater, including no side windows at the back) and as a kombi model (fiveseater, including rear side windows). both models are fitted as standard with a sliding door.

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 31

F Ir s T DrI V e

FIAT DoBlo CArGo The Doblo Cargo mid-life refresh had big shoes to fill. Fiat has not disappointed Need To kNow

coSTS

n New models up to 12% more fuel-efficient n Build quality upgrades include quieter cabs and one-finger door handles

Price (ex-VAT): £13,245-£17,975 RV (4yr/80K) n/a Fuel cost (ppm) n/a Running cost (4yr/80k) n/a

By Trevor Gehlcken he previous Fiat Doblo Cargo , which launched in 2010, moved the manufacturer into the premium end of the van fleet market, alongside Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.

The Doblo was of such quality, practicality and drivability, that it equalled – and in some ways bettered – anything the Germans were producing at the time.

Fiat was well rewarded for its efforts with the Doblo. It has picked up any number of awards since, including International Van of the Year in 2011 and van of the year at the Fleet Van Awards 2010.

The Doblo has now been upgraded in a mid-life relaunch, ready to go on sale in the UK this month. While the third generation Doblo isn’t as much of a game-changer as its predecessor, there are plenty of innovations that make it much more than just a few nips and tucks.

For me, one of the few problems with the old Doblo was its looks, which were rather brutal and chunky. The new model has been completely reworked at the front and is a lot more like the chic products I’ve come to expect from the Italians.

The headlights have been put in a higher position, which should help protect them from low speed bumps and the bumpers are bigger, which will also aid crash protection. Fiat hopes the new looks will help to attract buyers to the passenger-carrying version.

At the rear, the new Doblo is the first vehicle to wear the full Fiat Professional logo on its tailgate, a signature which will appear on all new Fiat Professional commercial vehicles from now.

Aside from the new logo, the rear has not been altered, but there is a significant reason for this – Fiat offers the Doblo as a chassis-cab, allowing outside converters to turn it into niche products such as ambulances, box vans and fridge

T

Spec Gross vehicle weights (kg): 2,030-3,510 Power (bhp): 90-135 (petrol 95) Torque (lb-ft): 147-236 (petrol 93) Load volumes (cu m): 3.4-5 Payload (kg): 750-1,005 Comb fuel economy (mpg): 38.7-64.2* CO2 emission (g/km): 115*-169 (*with EcoJet technology)

key RivalS Citroën Berlingo Ford Transit Connect Mercedes-Benz Citan Peugeot Partner Renault Kangoo Running cost data supplied by KeeResources (4yr/80k)

Fiat offers the doblo as a chassis-cab, meaning there have been few changes to the rear

32 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

vans. Any change in dimensions would cause serious problems for these converters, who would have to go back to the drawing board and then get their new designs typeapproved under the eU’s strict regulations.

Built at Bursa, in Turkey, the Doblo will be offered in a staggering array of versions – more than 1,000 in all – including the WorkUp, making this van the only one in the sector to come as a factory-fit dropside truck. There are long and short wheelbases, standard and high roofs and class-leading payloads and load volumes.

It boasts several upgrades in build quality – the door handles are stronger and are designed to be opened with a single finger, which will be a boon to delivery drivers struggling with heavy parcels. I tried the one-finger test at the launch drive in Birmingham and can confirm it does work.

While the cab hasn’t changed, noise levels inside certainly have. My test drive found the new Doblo much quieter than the old model.

The Doblo’s new Gateway fleet management system will be of particular interest to fleets. sitting in a box under the seat, the device records driving data such as mileage, braking and speed, allowing fleet managers to keep an eye on their vehicles while out on the roads.

New paid-for options on the van will include powered folding mirrors, a removable torch, interior loading bars and roof flaps.

Fiat is claiming best-in-class comfort and handling for the new Doblo and I was indeed impressed with the driver and passenger seats, which both feature plenty of lumbar support.

The new Doblo also features different suspension set-ups for lighter and heavier models to further improve ride and handling.

There are big changes on the engine front too, with five to choose from – 1.3-litre, 1.6-litre, 1.6 ComfortMatic and 2.0-litre diesels offering between 90hp and 135hp and a 1.4-litre petrol with 95hp, reflecting the growing concerns of some operators about the effects of diesel particulates and emissions.

These engines offer up to 40% better torque response than the previous model while having no adverse effect on fuel consumption, which Fiat claims is now capable of up

The front end of the doblo is a lot more chic than its predecessor

to 64mpg – an improvement of as much as 12%.

Fiat is also offering the option of an ecoJet pack at £450 extra, which adds start-stop, low rolling-resistance tyres, low-viscosity oil, an ‘intelligent’ alternator, a variabledisplacement oil pump and a new aerodynamic pack and is estimated to save up to 15% on fuel. At 20,000 miles a year, that cost would be recouped after 18 months.

Co2 emissions for the ecoJet version of the 90hp 1.3-litre enginer are 115g/km.

Further enhancements have been made to the driving experience, with slicker gear changes and a lighter clutch.

I tested the 1.3-litre 90hp and the 2.0-litre 135hp models at the launch, both with a half-load of sand added in the back. even the 1.3 provided ample performance, while the 2.0-litre had more than enough power for most fleet’s needs.

Thanks to ever-better engine technology, it seems a diminutive 1.3 litres is all that’s needed nowadays for fleet purposes. What is the point of paying for extra engine capacity when it isn’t needed?

Prices for the new Doblo range from £13,245 to £17,325 – an average of £190 more than the outgoing model.

“Thanks to ever-better engine technology, it seems 1.3 litres is all that’s needed nowadays for fleet purposes”

veRdicT

I was knocked out by the Doblo when it first emerged in 2010 and these upgrades only heighten my admiration for Fiat’s engineering skills.

Fiat is hoping to win again at the next International Van of the Year awards and the latest model gives it a strong chance.

Compare van costs at: fleetnews.co.uk/ vanrunningcosts

The doblo’s cabin is unchanged from the previous model

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 33

LOng -T eRM T e s T DCI 120 spORT eneRgY

RenAULT TRAFIC A star performer with lower price tag and running costs than key fleet rivals

The new Trafic is becoming a more familiar site on roads

Need To kNow

SPeC

n Complete revamp, after long production run n Payload is 888kg lower than that of rivals n Smaller capacity than rivals, but more economical

Gross vehicle weight (kg): 2,900 Power (bhp/rpm): 120/3,500 Torque (lb-ft/rpm): 236/1,500 Load volume (cu m): 5.2 Payload (kg): 1,041 Comb fuel economy (mpg): 47.9 CO2 emissions (g/km): 155 Price as tested (ex-VAT): £22,655

By Trevor Gehlcken t is almost six months now since I took delivery of the long-term Renault Trafic, which means I am roughly halfway through the test period.

Back in October this was one of the first examples of the newly upgraded model to be seen in the UK, and I was treated to plenty of stares as drivers and owners realised that the van had been completely revamped after an 11-year production run.

We are now seeing a fair number of new Trafics on the road, which is testament to the new van’s abilities.

The Trafic needs to be good, mind you, as it goes head-tohead with the evergreen Volkswagen Transporter and a cracking new Ford Transit Custom, which went on sale in 2013 and was named International Van of the Year back then, not to mention the new Mercedes-Benz Vito which is about to hit our shores.

Drivability, comfort and technology are important – but many fleet managers will be asking: “How does it compare with rivals on wholelife costs?”

By using the running costs tool on our website, at fleetnews.co.uk/vanrunningcosts, we can answer that question for you easily.

Our figures cover front-end price, expected repair and maintenance costs, fuel and predicted residual value, so readers can see at a glance exactly how the rivals all stack up. Looking at the figures for our van against the rival Ford

I

34 March 2015 fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan

“This van, unlike many others, has reversing sensors as standard”

Transit Custom 2.2TDCi 125 Ltd and the Volkswagen Transporter T28 140 Trendline, which both have fairly similar power and specification levels to our Trafic, the Renault scores a victory over four years/100,000 miles, coming in at 33.13 pence per mile against the Ford’s 34.13ppm, and the Volkswagen’s 34.47ppm. now a difference of 1.34 pence per mile might not sound a lot but, over the course of a vehicle’s life, that means a saving of £1,340 per van, adding up up for major fleet buyers.

The Trafic has a cheaper front end price (£22,149 against the Ford’s £23,295 and the Volkswagen’s £22,505) and fuel economy figures help to boost the Trafic’s credentials (47.9mpg on the combined cycle against the Ford’s 42.2mpg and the Volkswagen’s 39.2mpg). Meanwhile, the Trafic’s green figures are better too, pumping out 155g/km of CO2 against 178g/km for the Ford and 189g/km for the Volkswagen.

In the back, the Trafic can’t quite compete on loadspace – 5.2 cubic metres against the Ford’s 5.4 cu m and the Volkswagen’s 5.8 cu m – but as most vans are rarely used loaded up to the rafters, that shortcoming shouldn’t prove too much of a problem. Curiously enough, the Transporter loses out badly among the above-mentioned trio on payload – it only manages 888kg against the Renault’s 1,079kg and the Ford’s 1,090kg.

The Trafic also loses out on depreciation costs (17.88 ppm against the Ford’s 17.73 ppm and the Volkswagen’s 16.43 ppm), but its superior fuel costs ensure a win for the French manufacturer.

What all these figures add up to is that the Trafic is proving a star performer on ride, handling, safety, comfort and running costs – and we can quite see why fleets would choose it over the opposition models, if payload is not the prime concern.

va n m a rk e t s tat i s t ic s

An overview of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 200 largest van fleets essential statistics from the 2014 sewells UK Van Fleet Market Report average van fleet size

nuMber of vans up to and including 3.5 tonnes

1,470

300,000

proportion of cars and vans by industry sector

% Cars

Insurance/Accountancy/Banking/Finance/Other

% Vans

95%

Bluelight/NHS Trusts

80%

IT/Software/Leisure/Media

77%

5% 20% 23%

Heavy Industries/Mining/Engineering/Other Industries

65%

35%

Government/Public Sector/Education/Health

65%

35%

Architecture/Construction/Building

48%

52%

Wholesale/Retail/Food/Medical Business Services

53%

47% 32%

Utilities/Energy/Water/Forestry/Fishing Transport/Communications/Distribution

43%

57%

68% 80%

20%

analysis by industry sector

total sector fleet size

Number of van fleets

Average van fleet size*

architecture/construction/ Building

29

1,113

Bluelight/nHs trusts

15

616

70,000

Business services

24

1,617

60,000

Government/Public sector/ education/Health

22

758

Heavy industries/mining/ engineering/Other industries

18

707

it/software/Leisure/media

7

1,293

transport/communications/ Distribution

23

3,973

Utilities/energy/Water/ Forestry/Fishing

29

1,741

Wholesale/retail/Food/ medical

30

1,045

Totals and averages

200

1,470

100,000

Sector 91,380

90,000 80,000

50,497 50,000 38,796

40,000

32,265

31,352

30,000 20,000

16,676 12,722

10,000

9,236

9,050 2,100

0 Transport

Utilities

Business Architecture Wholesale Government Heavy Services Industries

Source: Sewells Research and Insight

Bluelight

IT/software

Finance

*Up to and including 3.5 tonnes

fleetnews.co.uk/fleetvan March 2015 35

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