ASTON Villa FC has helped deliver Premiership football success for 8 Vauxhall commercial vans!
A Combo and 7 Movanos have been put to good use at Villa Park and Aston Villa’s training ground, including:
•   Kit transportation
•   Ferrying Academy players to matches
•   Shuttling staff on match days
Aston Villa Partnerships Activation Executive, Ronan Clancy, said: ‘Aston Villa FC was proud to welcome Vauxhall as our new commercial vehicle supplier for the 2008-09 season.
‘We are looking forward to building on our strong relationship with Vauxhall over the rest of the season and are delighted to have the use of such fine vehicles, which are used on a daily basis around Villa Park and at our training ground.’
Iveco dealers give out free sat nav!
IVECO Daily buyers registering a new van during Q1 2009 will get a free Trafficmaster sat nav system.
The offer, available in all Iveco’s UK dealers, is for a Smartnav system that also includes 12 months’ free subscription.
Andrea Bucci, marketing director at Iveco UK, says: ‘Satellite navigation can really take the stress out of driving, and whilst it is booming in the car market, it still remains a luxury for many commercial vehicle drivers.
He is hopeful it will generate strong extra sales for Iveco dealers. ‘Combined with all of the regular features packed inside a Daily, the inclusion of Smartnav ensures Daily is an even better proposition for light commercial vehicle operators.’
He adds that, in 2008, Iveco retained its position as market leader in the 3.5 tonne sector across Western Europe – ahead of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.
Share increase for Volkswagen vans
VOLKSWAGEN reports that its UK van market share is growing, despite selling 1350 fewer vans.
Total sales of 26,427 saw its share rise to 8.8 per cent – making it the UK’s number one commercial vehicle importer.
Globally, the brand still sold over half a million vans, despite this total being over 47,000 less than in 2007.
Successes include the new Caddy Maxi panel van and the 7-seat Life people carrier. These two models alone added nearly 2000 sales to VW’s total.
The Sportline range was also extended to the Caddy range, for van drivers who want GTI styling and handling.
Best selling of all UK VW vans, however, was the Transporter. This was followed by the Caddy, Crafter and that new Caddy Maxi.
A number of sales initiatives were also introduced.
‘It is all about supporting our customers’ demands and serving the market with offers that are relevant to them,’ said Simon Elliott, who joined as director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in August 2008.
Volkswagen is helping van dealers and their customers, he says, ‘by protecting the residual values of customers’ investments, and supporting them with affordable finance solutions and a credible and committed van centre network.’
He was upbeat for the coming year, too. ‘I couldn’t have joined a better or stronger brand in the commercial vehicle sector. We are ready to grow our market share again in 2009.’
USED LCV demand starts to pick up
VAN dealers are in a prime opportunity to provide canny small businesses with bargain priced vans.
Auction house BCA says that, after falls in values towards the end of 2008, vans have never been cheaper.
And early results in 2009 suggest the commercial market may be bouncing back in response to this. But, despite the extra interest out there, BCA says there are still plenty of good value vehicles in the marketplace.
Overall, BCA 2008 was possibly ‘the toughest in a decade’ for LCVs: values fell by 28.3 per cent. In particular dealer part-exchange vans fell by over a quarter.
Nearly-new vans also struggled to maintain values in 2008, following the period of rapid growth in values the previous year when some manufacturers experienced supply issues on new stocks. Average values were down nearly 28 per cent.
BCA’s Duncan Ward said: ‘The used LCV sector relies on a strong and confident economy for the small businesses and solus traders who are the key buyers of stock – either directly or via a retailer.
‘As the economic turmoil intensified in 2008, small business confidence ebbed away, and this was reflected in van-buying activity.
‘With credit tight, there were plenty of buyers and lots of activity in the budget sector, but demand slowed around £5,000 – this seems to be the upper limit that many buyers can afford without resorting to finance. ‘
This, he reveals to van dealers, has led to the unusual situation of the cheapest vans often being the most in demand.
‘However, early 2009 has kicked off exceptionally well, with huge attendances at our light commercial sales around the network. Professional retail buyers are active and are currently busy replenishing their forecourt.’
With rivals Manheim also reporting sales up in January by 35 per cent, Car Dealer’s advice is thus to act fast, to ensure van dealers can still get some great deals!
