Public service
Municipal vehicles may appear to be mostly standard stuff, but they're anything but. And that's not just due to cost-cutting and efficiency, but also the recycling agenda. Brian Tinham reports
Purdie & Sons moves in on Euro 5 Fuso Canter Luton
Removals firm Matt Purdie & Sons has taken delivery of a 7.5-tonne Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 7C15D, which, it says, has plugged a gap in the fleet.
Quart from a pint
Before the end of the year, Renault Trucks UK will unveil its long-awaited RHD D Cab 2m 7.5-tonner, developed with Nissan Motor in Spain. Brian Weatherley examines what’s on offer
NHS Lothian proves two into one does go
NHS Lothian proves two into one does go
Nine point evaluation finds for MAN and Mercedes
Home Delivery Network (HDNL), one of the largest contractors for online goods deliveries in the UK, has now taken delivery of 158 new MAN rigids and 500 Mercedes Sprinters. They're all fleet replacements, which is unremarkable, except that in these tough economic times, they're pretty big numbers. And HDNL says there will be more next year – 750 vans and 200 additional tractors.
Pass first time
Truck and LCV initial MOT test failure rates are steadily falling, according to DVSA figures, but could still be better. Steve Banner offers advice on how to make sure vehicles make it through the first time round
Past, present and future
2014 was as disappointing for truck manufacturers as it was delightful for van OEMs – and commercial vehicle buyers generally. Brian Tinham reviews registrations and looks at the implications for 2015.
Results driven
As MOT failure rates continue to fall in the HGV market, why are the figures for LCVs staying stubbornly stable, and what should operators be doing about it? John Challen investigates
Saving weight
The latest models of light commercial vehicles aim to maintain and even increase payloads in tippers, dropsides and conversions by revising powertrains, incorporating new materials and eliminating duplicated systems, among other means. Dan Gilkes reports
In the vanguard
Vans were at the centre of the ACEA’s ‘Powertrain options for commercial vehicles’ conference in Brussels a couple of months ago. And not just the eight vehicles on show outside (three electric, three diesel, two CNG); they were a key part of the event indoors, too.