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Transit Production Extended into 2012

Production Extended into 2012

The BBC has today revealed Ford’s plans to extend production of the Ford Transit van in the UK into 2012.  Only last year, van maker Ford, cut its Southampton van workforce by half - to the tune of 1,100 staff.  Ford used the economic recession as justification for its plans to move assembly of the Ford Transit van to turkey from 2011.

I've just bought a new Vito - but where's the plug?

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a prototype of a battery-powered van based on the Vito at an EU meeting in Spain this month.  Offering an average range of 80 miles and limited to a top speed of 50mph, the Mercedes van is fitted with lithium-ion battery technology and a 90kw electric motor.  However, unlike many other Mercedes van models, this van is likely to become a standard production van rather than a special van conversion - good news for the wannabe electric van drivers out there.

Vansdirect to make cheap vans easier to find

Vansdirect has gone to the drawing board again to make a cheap van search even easier.

The UKs largest independent van retailer has decided to revamp its already successful website in a bid to improve the van buyers’ experience.

The new Vansdirect site design will provide more van information including greater search results, more van deals per page and up to date van news.

Classic Ford TV Commercial

Once again the Vansdirect office has been casting their eyes over the phenomenon that is the You Tube. And once again a gem of a van related video has been found starring the talents of Buster Keaton.  Without researching the video fully, we can only conclude that it’s an advert for Ford’s first medium or long wheel base van - the underpinning of the now famous Ford Transit.  Even if you’re not a fan of the Ford Transit van or Buster Keaton, it’s still worth watching this van video for the sheer delight of watching a lion drive a Ford van!

Marketing cheap vans for sale starts with Blue Sky thinking

Round and round we go, where it stops nobody knows!  Or at least that’s how this Credit Crunch feels for car and van makers across the world.  Ford announces a 20% increase in sales since April yet cheap vans maker LDV slip back into administration - the Credit Crunch is certainly a story of extremes.

Ford plans to cut 850 jobs

Vansdirect.co.uk yesterday reported Ford’s plans to cut 850 jobs in the UK - over 50% of those to be at the Southampton plant which makes the Ford Transit van (click here for the article).

The current economic climate is certainly taking its toll and one shouldn’t jest - even though Gordon Brown’s superhero antics can lend itself to parody and ridicule (just ask President Sarkozy).  However, even in the darkest of places you will generally find a glimmer of light - this cartoon by Kipper Williams (Guardian, 6 February 2009) is a humorous take on yesterday’s announcement and Ford’s traditional values.  If only the $5 day was still alive and kicking - perhaps the Big 3 wouldn’t be in this mess.

Commercial Sense

I make no apologies for my blog utilising the wonderful library that is the You Tube.  After all, how else would I bring you some of the best van adverts ever made?  I can hardly be expected to contact Ford, Renault, Volkswagen etc etc directly can I?  Ok, perhaps You Tube is a lazy-man’s tool, but it works!

Anyway…… This week Vansdirect landed some great deals on the Volkswagen Caddy, Transporter and the VW Crafter.  I’m not going to discuss their qualities or why you should buy one on this site.  If you want those kind of details visit www.vansdirect.co.uk.  However, I am going to show you a Volkswagen commercial that transcends time and language - the van barely features, but the message is clear.

The Magic of Advertising

The Ford Transit is popular the world over.  We’ve had 40 years of them but our appetite doesn’t seem to diminish.  Whilst the van is the same the world over, the advertising of it is not.  You’re probably (unless living outside of the UK) familiar with the “backbone of Britain” commercial.  But this is somewhat dull in comparison to our foreign counterparts.

Korean Manufacturer Launches iLoad

iLoad

Another i”something”.  Apple really should apologise for the spate of i”somethings”.  Hyundai are the latest to jump on this particular band-wagon which marks their return to the British light commercial vehicle market.  Their iLoad, a medium sized panel van is designed to take on the likes of the Ford Transit and the VW Transporter.

Information about the iLoad is still somewhat sketchy but it’s likely to include Hyundai’s generous warranty scheme which could prove a top selling point.  We can tell you that the Australian version is sold with a 5 year  / 160,000km warranty.