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.

Transporter S Line -V- Vito X

This should be an obvious question - which of the Volkswagen Transporter S Line or the Mercedes Vito X is the quickest round any track they’re pointed at?  Let’s face it, the Vito X has more torque than an Audi S4!  Unfortunately, these are not cheap vans (circa £28,000) and thus my request to the Vansdirect board to throw them around a track for the day was turned down (hmmph).  However, the good people at Fifth Gear, including the lovely Vicki Butler Henderson, can put this travesty to rights. So sit back and watch two non-cheap vans be driven round a track at break neck speeds to discover the result; VW versus Mercedes vans.

Citroen Dominate Awards Ceremony

The Winner is.........

Last night the inaugural Fleet Van Awards was held in Birmingham in recognition of all things van related.  Fleet News reports on the success of Citroen as they clinched “three titles, including the Van of the Year award.”

So, who were the winners on the night?  Which van will you want to buy based on the results?  At Vansdirect we stock over 2000 vans, so whichever one you want, the chances are we’ve got it - and at a cheap price!  So, why not look at the list and call us - or click here for a free call back.

Mercedes’ ECO-Start

The ECO-Start could save you mon£y!!!

At Vansdirect we like to save you money.  We don’t merely sell cheap vans or more luxury models at great prices.  Oh no, we provide money saving tips as well.  So, when the details of the Mercedes-Benz ECO-Start landed on our desk (and surfaced to the top of the in-tray) we thought we’d shout about it from the roof tops!

Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the most famous of them all?

Dr Who. No, the Tardis isn't a van, but the van is!

It’s Friday again!  This means time for a bit more fun in the Vansdirect newsroom.  We’ve already brought you famous vans from stage, screen and football - but this got the Top Trump players amongst us asking…. what is the most famous van out there?  Which has the housewife (or husband) seen more of than any other?  Is there an automatic choice when making a movie or tv show?  It doesn’t really matter, but at least you’ll be able to cite the answer when you’re next at the pub.

Ford & Transit Take Top Honours

Vanguard - The Transit & Ford Top The Ratings!

Vansdirect has already asked why we love the transit, but this week, we’ve found another reason.  The “backbone of Britain” is appareantly “the most reliable van on the market” according to Fleet News.

Their FN50 reliability survey included more than 100,000 vans operated by British fleets and assessed the reliability of both the manufacturer and model.  The table is based on “the number of breakdowns per 100 of each vehicle on the fleet.”

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.

Vansdirect Crash Course In Languages

Poo Eine Vansdirect?!

It’s safe to say that most of us are ignorant of other languages.  We know they exist and we try to speak them when desperate for the toilet or looking for the train station, but few of us embrace them.  Well, at Vansdirect, we dare to be different.  We’re not all about cheap vans and the best van deals this side of the English Channel.  Oh no, Vansdirect is a company keen to learn.

Roads Named & Shamed

A recent survey carried out by Lex has identified the most boring road in Britain.  The survey, which captured data from company car drivers, named the M1″the most boring road in Britain” with a 1/3 of the votes! Boredom apparently the cause of heavy traffic, the length of road and the frequency we use the road.

Boring?

The results also suggest avoiding the M4, M5, M6, M40, A1, A38 and A14, for a more interesting journey. Apparently 42% of the company car drivers polled said that they “lose their concentration when driving on boring roads” and admit driving faster.  Perhaps this is further evidence that the van driver is safer - as brought to you by Vansdirect last week (to see article click here).