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
Low Emission Zone warning from Manheim
Based on research carried out by the Society of Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) Manheim Remarketing says the impact of the new London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards should not be underestimated. According to SMMT figures 31 per cent of the 3.57 million vans on UK roads at the end of 2010 were not eligible for to enter the new LEZ that comes into effect on 3 January 2012. More surprising is the fact that London exceeded the national average with 37 per cent of vans (almost 85,000) not meeting the new emission standards.
Manheim believes that this could have a significant impact on used van prices as a spike in demand for three- to five-year-old vans could result in a shortage of vehicles, even though a recent survey showed that 61 per cent of used van dealers did not believe they would have a problem sourcing vehicles.
“I would encourage dealers to source vans now rather than wait until the end of the year as there will likely be a large number of drivers wanting to avoid paying the £100 daily charge for entering the LEZ,” said James Davis, director of commercial vehicles at Manheim. “De-fleet volumes are reducing right across our network and online activity has increased significantly with the average number of log-ons regularly exceeding 150 buyers per auction. Combined with physical attendees some sales are seeing in excess of 350 buyers vying for a diminishing volume of stock. “This situation is not likely to get any better in the foreseeable future as the impact of the near 40 per cent fall in new registrations in 2008 begins to be felt in the used market. With up to 85,000 vans likely to be impacted by the LEZ changes, having the right stock to meet that demand should be an absolute priority.”
Click here for more information on the new LEZ standards and the fines incurred for non-compliance.
