Cardiff City V Bristol City: Match Preview

Two yet unbeaten teams go head-to-head this Saturday at Ninian Park.  Last season both teams took a share of the spoils winning their respective home ties in the Championship; both scoring 2 goals on aggregate.  Both teams went to Wembley - Cardiff for the FA Cup final, Bristol for the Playoff Final.  Could it be any closer?!

Win In the Rain

Changes In the Nests

Bristol City’s Gary Johnson has been active in this summer’s transfer market signing no less than 4 new

Combat Spiralling Pump Costs

You’ve bought a shiny new van and the dodgy 9 year old transit’s been part-exchanged - what then?  How do you cut those bills further and add to your bottom-line?  

Cut Your Fuel, Cut Your Bills

Vansdirect is happy to announce that help is at hand!  Follow these simple tips to get maximum drive from your hard earned cash!

Choose Your Vehicle Carefully

Make and model is now more than just about image and reliability.  Choose your next van carefully.  Consider their fuel economy and CO2 emissions to maximise your fuel expenditure.  Data can be found from most manufacturers or from Fleetnews.

Europe Targets the Van

Fleetnews reports this week that “European officials are set to force a reduction in CO2 emissions from new light commercial vehicles”.  In 2002, the average output of a van was 201g/km, but Euro officials target 175g/km by 2012!

Cut Your CO2 & Save £££s

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) are quoted saying that “the European Commission aims to set legally binding fuel and CO2 standards for vans before the end of the year.”

For the van buyer in Britain, being eco-friendly can be problematic.  Many manufacturers still refuse to make their emission levels public knowledge.  However, alternatives are available to the traditional diesel and petrol engines.  Vansdirect.co.uk stock cheap LPG alternatives - which can produce 90% less particulates!

New EU Directive Comes Into Force

Drivers of buses, coaches and minibuses now need to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in addition to their driving licence.  The requirement is regardless of whether the vehicle is used for hire or reward.  Lorry drivers will need the CPC by 10 September 2009.

According to direct.gov.uk, the CPCs “is aimed at improving road safety by providing better qualified drivers to help reduce road casualties.  It should also bring an improved professional and positive image to the industries, attracting more people to drive buses, coaches and lorries for a living.”

Catalytic Converters Targeted By Thieves

Van drivers have recently been warned by police to be careful where they leave their vehicle.  According to the Times newspaper, thieves can steal your catalytic converter in under 3 minutes!  Those sporting 4×4s are under particular threat because of the high clearance - an easy opening for even the opportunist thief.  The police cite the Mitsubishi L200, BMW X5, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Shogun and Land Rover Discovery as the most targeted!

A Catalytic Converter of a Dodge Ram

Darren Purse to commit to Bluebirds

Darren Purse is reportedly close to commiting his future to Championship side Cardiff City, sponsored by Vansdirect.  Transfer activity during the summer has restablished Purse as a first team player in central defence alongside Roger Johnson - this may explain why Cardiff have not lost a game so far this season (BBC).

The 6′2″ London born defender has made his mark since joining the Bluebirds from West Brom for £750,000 and is a favourite among Vansdirect staff.

Van Registrations Fall

Transport News Network report this week on data produced by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.  These statistics apparently show “van and truck registrations down 20.7% in August” but, as also reported by Works Management, registrations are up 1.9% for the rolling year to a staggering 387,645.

The decline in van registrations accounted for much of the slump with van registrations being “down 24.7% for the month and down 0.8% to 329,092 for the rolling year”.  

Bluebirds land in schools

Cardiff City FC Logo

Cardiff City have launched their Football 4 All campaign in conjunction with Legal & General and Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice Wales.  The club, sponsored by Vansdirect, will visit schools throughout South Wales in a bid to teach children the basics of healthy living and of course, football…  Read more>>

Tesco confirms what van drivers always suspected.

According to research by Tesco Van Insurance, van drivers make fewer claims than other British drivers.  In fact, the claims that are made are also smaller! 

Perhaps this is because 1 in 5 van drivers have undertaken specialist training or an advanced driving course.  Allan Burns of Tesco Van Insurance said, “Van drivers are often stereotyped as rogues of the road however, our own records show that van drivers are actually very safe drivers and in our eyes they deserve a good insurance rate.”

For a great deal on commercial vehicle and van insurance, visit our partners a-plan insurance.

Your van is your workplace!

A painter and decorator who lit a cigarette in his own van while on an errand for his wife has been handed a £30 on-the spot fine - for smoking in his “workplace” ….more>>