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
Chinese double cab pick-up heading for UK
International Motors Group, UK importers for Isuzu and Subaru — and Daihatsu before it withdrew from Europe — is to sell Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors product in the UK. The first model up for grabs will be its Wingle double cab 4x4 pick-up. No sniggering in the gallery.Already on sale in Australia, Romania and Italy it’s likely to bear the same name as is does in the latter two, the Steed, when it goes on sale after the summer.
Power will come from an all-new 2.0-litre Euro 5 four-cylinder turbodiesel developed in-house and featuring the latest generation Bosch common rail fuel-injection system. Capable of producing 150hp, it develops peak torque of 310Nm. The selectable four-wheel drive system is driven via a manual five-speed gearbox.
With regard to a dealer network, Paul Hegarty, Great Wall Motors UK managing director said: “There were 90 Daihatsu dealers and 150 others have been in touch to express interest in representing the brand already. We’re not going to put an exact figure on the number of open points, but if there’s 50 retailers who are on the same page as us when it comes to customer service, then we’ll have 50.“Great Wall is a value brand,” he continued. “They don’t perceive themselves as a cheap brand. Their aim is to be the Chinese equivalent to Toyota. The quality is much higher than people expect.”
Steed will be joining the pick-up fray at a particularly busy time. Volkswagen is launching Amarok at the CV Show in April, Ford will have its all-new Ranger on sale by November — and Mazda is expected to re-enter the marketplace with its version, the BT-50 — while Isuzu plans to introduce its next generation Rodeo early in 2012.
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Latest Features
Show Preview: CV Show 2012
This year's Commercial Vehicle Show is scheduled to return to the NEC Birmingham on 24 – 26 April following a very successful 2011 event. The show dates have… Read More
Vans of the Year Awards 2012
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Manheim: Used Van Market 2011
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Iveco: State of the Nation 2012
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Bridgestone Eco-Rally 2011
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