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
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
Peugeot to exit small car-derived market
Once it replaces its 207 hatchback passenger car with the all-new 208 (pictured) later this year (see News Story), Peugeot has stated that there will be no light commercial version. Although the news is not unexpected — 208 is being pitched more upmarket than its predecessor — it is disappointing nonetheless. This will leave the contenders in the small car-derived market as Fiat with the Punto, Ford’s Fiesta Van and the Vauxhall Corsavan.Admittedly, it has become a niche sector since the advent of the altogether more versatile Citroën Nemo, Fiat Fiorino and Peugeot Bipper compact light vans and it’s looking increasingly likely that it’s only time before the small CDVs disappear altogether. It is interesting to note, however, that Renault recently announced it’s removing the Kangoo Compact from its UK price list; and it hasn’t sold the Clio van for at least three years.
Ford and Vauxhall have yet to announce entry into the compact sector, but watch this space as it can’t be far away. Ford is unveiling something special at the CV Show and Vauxhall is launching Fiat’s Doblò as the new Combo; how long before we get a Vauxhall version of Fiorino and the Corsavan waves goodbye, along with the Astravan?
