New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
British Gas fits Continental winter tyres
Following extensive testing British Gas has standardised the fitment of Continental winter tyres all-year round on its car-derived vans in Scotland and the north of England. As a result of the extreme weather conditions experienced in 2009, British Gas took the decision to fit 120 of its Volkswagen Caddy vans with winter tyres at the end of 2010. The trial took place in and around British Gas’ operational area of the Scottish Highlands and Peak District. The front-wheel-drive vans in the Highlands were fitted with winter tyres all-year round, while those in the north of England ran Continental’s winter tyres only during the colder months.
“The safety of our drivers and engineers is a top priority at British Gas, as is maintaining our high standards of customer service,” said Colin Marriott, general manager, fleet, at British Gas. “We wanted to make driving in cold weather as safe as possible and if we can negotiate the icy roads then we can get to site and fulfil customer needs when they need us most. We have received very positive feedback from our drivers regarding the performance of the Continental winter tyres, especially in the snow. Our engineers have commented that they were able to complete a normal full day’s work even in the most adverse conditions”.
Marriott continued: “When snow blanketed the UK in January the Continental winter tyres really proved their worth and in some cases the front-wheel drive Caddys outperformed 4x4 vehicles fitted with standard tyres. In future British Gas vans all over the north of England and Scotland will be fitted with winter tyres all year round. "We’ve had a long and successful relationship with Continental, lasting over a decade now and we get great performance from this premium brand at very reasonable whole life cost.”
Tom Whittaker, car and van fleet manager at Continental said: “Our range of premium winter tyres provides the ideal solution on cold roads thanks to a special cold weather compound, deep sipes and large tread depth, which provides maximum traction in snow, ice and on wet roads.”