Regularity & Commitment Are Key Apparently…

I’ve neglected the Vansdirect.co.uk blog yet again… it’s been a month since my last post yet so much has happened in the van world.  Lord Mandelson has extended the scrappage scheme and, what’s more, for vans he’s reduced the age of the qualifying old banger from 10 to 8 years - good news for those manufacturers who are in the merde - perhaps not such great news for independent van retailer everywhere.

Has the government thought this scrappage scheme through I wonder?  It forces used car and van prices up - precluding those who can’t get finance from buying the standard of car or van they once could for a meagre fee.

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.

September - Registrations Down 22.1%

Registrations Fall In September

Vansdirect recently reported on the SMMT’s assessment of falling car registrations during September 2008. Today, the same organisation published its assessment of the commercial vehicle market.  

In short, registrations are down 19.2% for September but down a massive 22.1% in the case of vans only.  These figures are hardly surprising, but given the apparent unwilling nature of the government to commit to any substantive rescue plans or to speculate on potential solutions, the figures do not make pleasant reading for the manufacturer or van retailer.

Nissan Appoint Tony Lewis

Lewis Joins Nissan UK

Former LDV Sales & Marketing Director, Tony Lewis has recently joined Nissan to take on the same role.  It’s reported that LCV will form a big part of Nissan’s growth strategy with Nissan Managing Director, Paul Wilcox excited about Mr. Lewis’ appointment; “Light commercial vehicles will play a central role in Nissan’s planned growth over the next five years and Tony’s experience of developing and implementing strategies for CV growth will prove invaluable as we endeavour to take the LCV business forward.”