Ministers told to make U-turn on low emission vehicle tax
Private demand fuels new car volumes with fleet sales static
Sales of ‘heavy’ vans hold up LCV market
Fears mount over drivers failing to obtain CPC before 2014
‘Feebate’ scheme is the way forward for electric vehicles
LCV values fall, but year-on-year values still rising
Europe proposes tough new car and van emission targets
THE Digest (March 29) was forthright in its view that Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget 2012 decision to axe the company car benefit-in-kind tax incentives relating to electric and ultra-low emission vehicles was bizarre. That sector of the market needs all the help it can get to encourage sales and removing the tax incentives would kill its potential virtually before it had taken off. Now support for a tax U-turn - along with one on the decision to end 100% first year capital allowances on leased low emission business cars - has come from the influential Government-appointed Committee on Climate Change. The Government is anxious to encourage cuts in carbon emissions and, in relation to vehicles, it needs to use fiscal levers to encourage uptake. The Committee also argues in its annual report that ministers may need to consider further differentiation in VED, increased VED and higher fuel duty if progress in reducing car emissions is to be sustained. If the Government is serious about carbon reduction then joined up thinking is needed along with long-term financial support.
The Editor’s View This Week’s Briefing
Fleet file_____________________________________________________
Driver assistance systems improve safety and fuel economy
FLEETS and private new car buyers should opt for vehicles equipped with key driver assistance systems to improve road safety and fuel economy, according to a major new report.
The European Field Operational Test (euroFOT) study was led by Aria Etemad from Ford’s European Research Centre in Germany. For over 12 months, 1,000 cars and trucks equipped with advanced driver assistance systems travelled European roads, and, for most of them, at each turn, acceleration, and lane change, their movements were tracked and recorded.
The field test focused on eight distinct vehicle functions that assist drivers in detecting hazards and avoiding accidents: adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, speed regulation system, blind spot information system, lane departure warning, curve speed warning, safe human/machine interface and fuel efficiency advisor.
More than 90% of the accidents throughout the European Union are attributable in some way to driver behaviour.
As a result, the study concluded that driver assistance technologies such as those tested in euroFOT may have a positive effect on driver behaviour.
The report added: ‘It is recommended that drivers should consider these functions when buying a new vehicle. Drivers should also follow the on-going development of advanced driver systems. The widespread uptake of these systems throughout the 27 [European Union countries] can improve efficiency, increase safety and can save money.’
Johann Gwehenberger, head of accident research, AZT Automotive GmbH Allianz Center for Technology, Germany, said: ‘We aim to extend loss prevention activities by, for example, motivating drivers and fleet owners to buy and use promising driver assistance systems.’
The €22 million euroFOT project began in June 2008 and involved 28 companies and organisations. The report’s conclusions included that if the systems were widely fitted across the European Union:
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Introducing adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning systems for cars and trucks would result in annual savings of approximately €1.2 billion in relation to cars and approximately €180 million for heavy goods trucks.
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A cost benefit ratio of 1.3 to 1.8 for adaptive cruise control in trucks in trucks.
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Adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning if fitted to cars could potentially affect up to 5.7% of the injury accidents on motorways, while trucks could potentially affect up to 0.6% of those accidents.
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Adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning fitted in cars might have a positive effect on the overall crash statistics, for all road types. Additionally, positive indirect effects on traffic efficiency could be identified.
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Due to the potential reduction of accidents the annual incidental delay calculated in lost vehicle hours could be lowered by more than three million hours across the European Union.
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The environmental impact, which was measured in terms of fuel consumption, showed a reduction of about 3% for passenger cars and 2% for trucks without considering the benefits from changes in traffic efficiency.
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Drivers participating in the study also noted that adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning was a highly appreciated and used function that increased driver comfort as well as safety.
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Navigation systems were already highly accepted and widely used and they had a positive effect on driver behaviour reflected in positive changes in lane keeping behaviour, distance to the lead vehicle and harsh braking events.
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Approximately 80% of drivers felt that blind spot information systems increased safety. The technology was perceived as most useful on urban roads in heavy traffic and was not perceived as increasing workload.
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The fitment of speed limiters resulted in a reduction in speeding and harsh braking and cruise control also resulted in reduced critical time gap and harsh braking occurrences although speeding incidents increased.
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Around 75% of the drivers felt that safety increased thanks to curved speed warning. They found it most useful while driving on rural roads with some participants saying that they used the technology as an indicator or for practicing a more defensive driving style
Fleets get ‘plugged-in’ to new electric vehicles scheme
THE Energy Saving Trust is to work with 20 organisations developing roadmaps on how electric fleets can be the driving force behind powerful savings.
Twenty organisations from across England have pledged to lead the way in tackling emissions from road vehicles after being selected to take part in the Energy Saving Trust’s Plugged-In Fleets initiative, in partnership with EDF Energy.
Boots UK, London Fire Brigade, Network Rail, Surrey County Council, Southwark Council, Tristar, the University of Cumbria, Wm Morrisons, York City Council, Association of British Ports, Clean Vehicle Partnership Heathrow, Environment Agency, Forrest Construction, O’Donovan (Waste Disposals), OMM Business Solutions, Rydon Group, Schneider Electric, South Health NHS Foundation Trust, Urban Planters and Wiles Greenworld, will all be shown where electric vehicles can add value to their organisation.
As part of the scheme, which is funded by Transport for London and the Department for Transport, the organisations will receive guidance and a strategic plan for the introduction of electric vehicles into their fleets.
Experts from the EST and EDF Energy will undertake analysis on each organisation’s fleet to identify where electric vehicles could be best used by the organisations.
The initiative has three key aims:
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To provide a tailored report for each participating fleet, showing how electric vehicles could fit into and benefit their organisation
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To offer wider practical advice for all business fleets – findings and case studies from the initiative will be published in January 2013
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To enable fleet decision makers to purchase and use electric vehicles where they work best.
In addition EDF Energy will provide advice on vehicle recharging.
Honda receives corporate sales boost with new Civic demand
HONDA has strengthened its position in the corporate market with an 11% year-on-year sales increase in the first six months of 2012.
The manufacturer says that the figure has been further boosted with a 26% year-to-date increase in ‘true’ fleet performance.
Honda’s ‘true’ fleet performance excludes rental and Motability sales and the increase has been driven by particularly strong results in March (up 15% on last year), April (up 55%), May (up 94%) and June (up 97%).
Honda says its British-built cars are the key models driving growth, with the new Civic proving popular with corporate customers. The ninth generation version has accounted for more than 4,000 sales so far this year - three times as many as the same time in 2011.
Ed Hummel, manager - corporate operations at Honda (UK), said: ‘Our customer base in the corporate sector has grown significantly this year, and the new Civic is proving to be a popular choice for company car drivers looking for a high power, low tax alternative to the more mainstream rivals.’
The new Honda CR-V is due to be launched in the autumn and with an expected reduction in emissions combined with its ‘outstanding’ reliability record, Hummel says he is confident that the new model will have the highest residual values and lowest service maintenance and repair budgets in its class.
This year, Honda is expected to sell approximately 6,000 CR-Vs to corporate customers, with the new model accounting for 1,500 sales. Customers can expect to see leasing companies quoting from mid-September onwards.
Meanwhile, the introduction of the new 1.6 i-DTEC in the Civic early next year is forecast to be one of the most important new engine launches for Honda’s fleet sales in recent history.
Boasting a best in class power and combination of 120 PS and 95 g/km, Honda is anticipating sales of 7,000 units to corporate customers in a full year.
The new 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine is the first drive train from Honda’s new Earth Dreams Technology engine series to be introduced into Europe and it will be produced at Honda’s UK manufacturing facility in Swindon.
Randstad recruits Arval to deliver fleet services
RANDSTAD, a leading recruitment and HR services provider, has appointed Arval as its fleet service provider for the next three years.
The contract includes the provision of 45 low emission Ford Fiestas, which Randstad will use for pool cars as part of the company’s focus on minimising its environmental impact.
In the UK, Randstad utilises a fleet of around 280 vehicles; predominantly made up of cars for recruitment consultants. As well as contract hire, Arval is providing daily rental and mini lease, accident management and driver services products in the UK.
The fleet partnership was agreed after Arval’s Consultancy team was able to demonstrate potential cost and emission efficiencies for the Randstad fleet.
Rudi Verhaak, head of property and facilities at Randstad, said: ‘As a business we are working hard to reduce our emissions as part of our commitment to the environment and community. Reducing our car fleet’s CO2 emissions was high on our agenda and we’re delighted that our new cars will deliver a 30% reduction in comparison to our current fleet model.’
Leasedrive raises record £17,000 in ‘Big Four Charity Bike Ride’
LEASEDRIVE has broken all its fund-raising records with the amount raised in its latest organised charity event.
A total of £17,000 was secured by its 17 riders and through corporate sponsorship in the recent 400-mile, four-day, four-country, ‘Big Four Charity Bike Ride’. The amount will go to four charities - Leonard Cheshire Disability, Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care and Mencap.
The amount raised beat the previous record of £16,472 for Marie Curie Cancer Care in 2008 in the 250-mile London to Paris charity bike ride. In 2010, Leasedrive secured £14,652 for Marie Curie Cancer Care and the RNLI in a 270-mile charity bike ride between Wokingham and Le Mans.
Roddy Graham, commercial director at Leasedrive, said: ‘In the current economic climate, our original target was a conservative £10,000. This figure was attained two days before the ride and, thanks to the exploits of our 17 riders who had to contend with torrential rain and high winds during the 400-mile ride in addition to 15 categorised climbs on the final day, it has been well and truly surpassed.
‘This is a fantastic achievement and a feather in all the riders’ helmets. Thanks also go to the generous support of our corporate sponsors and all private supporters.’
The 400-mile epic ride crossed southern England, northern France, Belgium and Luxembourg and started from Leasedrive’s headquarters in Wokingham.
Corporate sponsors backing the ride were the AA; Avis; Capita; Brunel Ford (Bristol); Enterprise Rent A Car UK; FMG; GL Print; Hughes Group (Beaconsfield); Inchcape Retail (Colchester); Kwik-Fit Fleet; SMH Fleet Solutions; Toyota (GB) PLC (Epsom); and Vines Group BMW & MINI (Crawley). Leasedrive covered the Eurotunnel return fares, fuel, support van and cycle shirt top costs, as well as underwriting its participating employees’ time-off.
Model update________________________________________________
Upgraded Mazda MX-5 destined for UK
A NEW, upgraded version of the world’s best-selling open-top sportscar, the Mazda MX-5, is now rolling off the assembly line in Japan and will go on sale in the UK later this year.
The upgraded MX-5 is said to have enhanced safety features and refined driving attributes, together with exterior and interior improvements.
Exterior changes include a new, more aggressive front bumper design that also improves aerodynamic performance. Inside, the panel décor and matching steering wheel spokes have been upgraded for an improved cabin ambience.
Additionally, throttle pedal actuation has been modified on manual transmission models, increasing the feeling of linear acceleration and giving the driver more control when accelerating from lower speeds, on winding country roads, for example.
The characteristics of the vacuum brake-booster have been revised to optimise brake return control, which is especially beneficial when the driver brakes while entering a curve. The new acceleration control then kicks-in when the driver backs off the brake and steps on the accelerator again.
Taken together, the two new upgrades make braking more controllable and acceleration after braking both smoother and faster.
Pedestrian safety has also been improved with the introduction of Mazda’s new ‘active bonnet’ pedestrian protection system which automatically raises the trailing edge of the bonnet if a pedestrian impact is detected. Complementing the new bonnet, the new front bumper design also enhances pedestrian leg protection.
Vauxhall introduces the Adam small car with ‘personality’
VAUXHALL has released the first official pictures of its new small car, the Adam, which is due in UK showrooms in January 2013.
The manufacturer says that the arrival of the new car will herald a sea-change in the fashion-led A-sector as it can be personalised in over a million different ways.
Claimed to use premium materials and design cues often found in the luxury sector, Adam is a three-door, four-seater that will make its world debut at September’s Paris Motor Show.
Designed by Brit Mark Adams’ team in Europe, Adam incorporates a ‘floating’ roof which is visually disconnected from the body, making the use of two-tone colour schemes more impactful than before.
The Adam will also be the first car in the A-sector to have the option of LED daytime running lights.
The car will be available in three trims from launch - JAM (fashionable/colourful), GLAM (elegant/sophisticated) and SLAM (racy/sporty) – with customers able to effectively ‘build’ their own car.
There are almost unlimited visual combinations, with a wide variety of exterior colours, interior colours, equipment and materials.
Adam will be offered with a choice of three ecoFLEX four-cylinder petrol engines from launch: a 1.2 litre 70 PS, plus two 1.4 litre engines with either 87 PS or 100 PS. All will be available with optional Start/Stop technology and will be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
Later on, Adam will be the first car in Vauxhall’s range to adopt the new-generation small petrol engine, featuring direct injection and forced induction, and an all-new six-speed gearbox.
Adam, says Vauxhall, will break new ground in the A-segment, by offering technology normally only found in higher-end cars.
Technology available will include Advanced Park Assist II system, which will be an Adam option never seen before in a Vauxhall production car. Drivers engage the system with a button on the dashboard and it tells them when they reach a parking space large enough to accommodate the car. The system then automatically steers them into the parking space, with the driver only needing to control the brake, clutch and gears. APA II uses ultrasonic sensors to work its magic, and comes in combination with Side Blind Spot Alert (SBSA).
Vauxhall extends Ampera range with new entry-level model
VAUXHALL has added a third model to its extended range electric vehicle Ampera model line-up.
The Ampera Earth, which costs £29,995 including Plug in Car Grant, is available now and becomes the new entry level in the range below the Ampera Positiv (£32,250) and Ampera Electron (£33,995).
The Ampera Earth features DAB, seven-inch touch screen display and bluetooth and employs an identical powertrain system and exterior styling package to the higher spec variants.
Aston Martin lifts lid on new sports car
ASTON Martin has lifted the lid on an extreme new sports car with the global debut of the V12 Vantage Roadster.
The new sports car, available as a limited edition in selected markets worldwide including the UK where it costs £150,000, immediately becomes the most potent example of the open-top Vantage range.
It mixes the power of Aston Martin’s naturally aspirated 6.0 litre V12 engine with the established Vantage Roadster driving characteristics.
The engine, mated as in the Coupe to a six-speed manual gearbox, generates 517 PS at 6,500 rpm and 570 Nm of torque at 5,750 rpm. The 0-62 mph sprint is dispatched in 4.5 seconds and the model has a top speed of 190 mph.
Prices unchanged for revised Suzuki Splash
SUZUKI has given a new-look to its Splash mini-MPV including styling refreshments to both exterior and interior.
Prices remain unchanged for the model, which is powered by either a 1.0 litre VVT or Dual VVT 1.2 litre engine with the former having a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 60.1 mpg and emissions of 109 g/km. On-the-road prices start at £7,777 for the 1.0 litre SZ2.
The list of changes includes new front and rear bumper styling, new bonnet and grille design, new design seat fabric and graphite colour scheme.
Five models make up the Splash range. The 1.0 litre is available in SZ2 and SZ3 trim; the 1.2 model is available in either SZ3 or SZ4 grades, with optional automatic transmission available on the SZ4.
Standard equipment across the range includes: four airbags, CD tuner with MP3 player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls, leather-trimmed steering wheel, remote central locking, front electric windows with driver’s auto-down, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, height-adjustable front seats, tilt adjustable steering wheel and an information display.
Alfa’s new five-year Mito and Giulietta warranty is retail only
ALFA Romeo has extended its current three-year warranty by a further two years across the MiTo and Giulietta product ranges - but the improved cover applies to retail sales only.
The move came as the Italian brand launched the MiTo TwinAir - featuring the award-winning 875cc twin-cylinder turbo engine with variable intake valve technology and sub-100 g/km emissions.
The new extended warranty consists of 36 months’ unlimited mileage warranty, plus a further 24 months’ mechanical warranty on all MiTo and Giulietta retail purchases. The promotional five-year warranty will be available to retail customers until September 30, 2012.
Mercedes opens new market sector with CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake
MERCEDES-Benz will increase the performance attributes of its range with the November arrival of the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake.
The new AMG high-performance vehicle is the enhancement of a vehicle concept. The car - UK prices and specification have yet to be announced - will be powered by a 5.5 litre V8 biturbo engine with a power output of 525 bhp.
The engine is mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed sports transmission and the model features the AMG ride control sports suspension. The luggage compartment has a volume of up to 1,550 litres.
The 0-62 mph sprint takes 4.4 seconds respectively and the car’s top speed is 155 mph. Fuel consumption is 27.9 mpg on the combined cycle and emissions are 235 g/km.
Mercedes says the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake creates a new market segment with no direct competitors.
According to Ola Källenius, chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: ‘After the successes of the CLS 55 AMG and CLS 63 AMG, with the new CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake we are consistently pursuing the philosophy of offering our customers unrivalled, exciting high-performance cars.
‘The CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake is establishing a completely new, small and select niche.’
Manufacturer news___________________________________________
Mini invests further £250m in UK manufacturing
BMW Group is investing a further £250 million in its UK manufacturing operations by the end of 2015 at its plant in Oxford, steel body pressings operation at Swindon and engine plant at Hams Hall near Birmingham.
The investment is to support the company’s international growth strategy for the Mini brand with increasing volumes and up to 10 different models in the new line-up in the mid-term.
It comes on top of the £500m UK investment announced in June 2011 and means additional job security for the 5,500 UK associates working in the UK Mini production network.
The extra volume for the growth strategy of the Mini brand and the complexity of new model lines means that additional production capacity beyond Oxford’s maximum output is needed in the medium term and the company is now considering how to achieve this.
The company says that its preferred option is to establish a contract manufacturer as a satellite production facility as close to the UK operation as possible. As a result, BMW Group has held discussions about the possibility of introducing production at the Nedcar plant in The Netherlands.
As the volume and variety of the Mini model line-up grows, there will be additional production requirements for engines and body panels from the BMW Group’s specialist UK facilities in Hams Hall and Swindon. Part of the new investment is to develop specific production facilities to meet those requirements.
Volkswagen Group increases brand portfolio with Porsche deal
VOLKSWAGEN Group has further expanded its brand portfolio with the purchase of the 50.1% of Porsche that it did not own.
Integration of the two businesses will be effective from August 1 following completion of the €4.46 billion deal. Net synergies of approximately €320 million from the accelerated integration will be split 50:50 between the two companies.
Volkswagen Group chairman Professor Dr. Martin Winterkorn said: ‘The unique Porsche brand will now become an integral part of the Volkswagen Group. That is good for Volkswagen, good for Porsche and good for Germany as an industrial location.
‘Combining their operating business will make Volkswagen and Porsche even stronger - both financially and strategically - going forward. We can now cooperate even more closely and jointly leverage new growth opportunities in the high-margin premium segment through targeted investments in pioneering products and technologies.’
Other brands within the Volkswagen Group portfolio include: Audi, Bentley Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen.
Light commercial vehicles______________________________________
Sales of ‘heavy’ vans hold up LCV market
DEMAND for light commercial vehicles fell last month with only registrations at the heavier end of the market increasing year-on-year.
Van registrations totalled 22,287 in June, a 2.46% fall compared with 12 months ago (22,850). It means that in the first six months of 2012 van sales are 10.1% below last year at 119,786 (2011: 133,238).
Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which issued the figures, said: ‘The trend for the commercial vehicle market is generally stable, but it is far from settled and is likely to follow the course of the UK and European economy in the second half of the year.’
Sales of sub-two tonne vans fell 22.3% last month to 3,786 units (June 2011: 4,874) to leave 2012 registrations 22% down year-on-year at 20,410 units (June 2011: 26,168).
Registration of 2.0-2.5 tonne vans dipped 0.7% last month to 2,934 (June 2011: 2,956) to leave 2012 volumes 2% down on last year at 16,058 (2011: 16,394).
Demand for vans in the 2.5-3.5-tonne sector increased 8.1% last month with sales totalling 13,323 (June 2011: 12,322), but annual volumes are 5.8% down at 68,783 units (2011: 73,050).
Sales of pick-up vans fell 15.8% last month totalling 1,785 (June 2011: 2,121) to leave 2012 volumes 21.8% down at 11,101 (2011: 14,196).
Finally, sales of 4x4 commercial vehicles dropped 20.5% last month to 459 units (June 2011: 577) to leave 2012 demand almost unchanged at 3,434 (2011: 3,430).
Drivers can keep on track during the London Olympics with the FTA
DELIVERY drivers in and around venues for the London Olympics and Paralympics will be able to keep on track with help from the Freight Transport Association.
The Olympic Games, which open on July 27 with the Paralympics opening on August 29, have been described as the biggest peacetime logistical event in the world.
Consequently, says the FTA, there will be hurdles to cross, and it says it is determined to keep all its members running throughout the Games having put in extensive plans to support its 14,000 members.
Following three pre-Olympic conferences, the FTA has developed a dedicated Olympic microsite - www.fta.co.uk/olympics - which will be providing a dedicated FTA Olympic Advisor in its Member Advice Centre, (telephone 0870 60 50 000), will be providing regular traffic information, has produced an Olympics support guide, will be offering support and guidance on night-time deliveries and has produced a free mobile phone app which will be up and running in time for the Games.
With the Olympic and Paralympic Route Network in place, changes to the roads have been implemented, which will undoubtedly have an impact on drivers, says the FTA, with the likelihood that deliveries will take longer as speeds will be reduced. It is also anticipated that traffic is likely to be heavier and journey times will increase.
The FTA believes that the freight and logistics industry are well prepared ahead of the Games, but if they should need any further help, guidance, support or information, the Association can provide assistance.
Mitsubishi expands L200 line-up with new Trojan
MITSUBISHI is re-introducing the Trojan Double Cab to its current L200 line-up with the standard 2.5 DI-D manual model costing £17,999 and the derivative with leather upholstery costing £19,324
The Trojan is a standard bed derivative and features as standard: 16-inch alloy wheels, rear diff lock, super select 4WD, CD player with MP3, multifunction trip computer , climate control, rear electric windows, chrome electric door mirrors with heater/folding function, colour coded wheel arch extensions, privacy glass, chrome outer door handles and CAT 1 alarm system.
Mitsubishi says that it is re-introducing the model in a bid to support the UK’s recovering building, plumbing, electrician and agricultural markets.
Anglian Water to trial Michelin cold weather tyres on van fleet
ANGLIAN Water, one of the UK’s largest water companies, will trial Michelin cold weather tyres on its van fleet this winter in an effort to ensure its workforce can carry out vital duties safely and reliably.
Anglian Water, which looks after more than six million domestic and business customers across the South East, is keen to test the specialist tyres on its fleet to ensure its operations are unaffected in poor weather conditions.
John Harding, fleet maintenance manager at Anglian Water, said: ‘Our drivers need to be able to take regulatory water samples as well as keeping the water and sewage networks operating all year round, and often in remote locations, so we can’t stop just because of bad weather.
‘Part of our company’s ethos is to have the safest fleet, so we have decided to trial Michelin’s cold weather tyre range for its safety and performance qualities.’
Anglian Water will be testing Michelin’s Alpin A4 Green X and Agilis Alpin tyres, which are designed to provide improved grip on wet, icy, slush or snow-covered roads. The tyres will be fitted to 70 of its vans from October this year when temperatures begin to drop below seven degrees Celsius.
The Michelin tyres will be fitted by ATS Euromaster on 30 new Vauxhall Combos and 40 Vauxhall Vivaros. Results of the test will be analysed next year to determine whether the rest of Anglian Water’s 1,600-strong fleet will be fitted with cold weather tyres in the future.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinters in the frame again for CR Smith
THE overnight and weekend servicing capability of Mercedes-Benz dealers is one of the reasons why Scotland’s leading home improvements company has just returned for another batch of vans bearing the three-pointed star.
Dunfermline-based CR Smith designs, manufactures and fits more uPVC and hardwood windows, doors, and conservatories than any of its competitors north of the border.
A Mercedes-Benz customer for over 30 years, its latest order is for 22 Long-bodied Sprinter 313CDIs, all of which are being supplied by Aberdeen dealer John R. Weir Truck & Van.
The new vans, which have now begun entering service, will operate throughout Scotland and be used by CR Smith tradesmen including joiners and plasterers.
They are joining a fleet of 85 vans, which is dominated by 3.5-tonne Sprinters; CR Smith additionally has two Mercedes-Benz trucks, an 18-tonner which carries demountable boxes and a 10-tonne curtansider, both of which also arrived via the same dealer.
‘We’ve been running Mercedes-Benz vans for over 30 years and have great relationships, not only with John R. Weir but also with the other dealers we rely on to maintain our vehicles,’ said CR Smith fleet manager Ian Darroch.
‘Unlike other van manufacturers’ agents, Mercedes-Benz dealers are commercial vehicle specialists and offer out-of-hours servicing. That’s a huge advantage to us. Not only does it mean that our vans are always available for work when we need them, but it’s also a real bonus for our drivers.’
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Issue no.480