- Mercedes-Benz plans to roll-out electric versions of all its vans, starting with the eVito in the second half of next year, followed by an eSprinter in 2019 and rounded off with a plug-in Citan. The brand claimed the eVito will have a range of 150km (93 miles), a payload of 1,000kg and a load space of 6.6m3.
- The number of women driving vans has doubled in the past five years, according to Enterprise Flex-E-Rent’s analysis of data from the Office of National Statistics. One in every 15 professional van drivers are now women, compared to one in 25 five years ago. Enterprise also found a 19% rise in the total number of van drivers in the same period, driven by a sharp (53%) increase in self-employed drivers.
- MAN has delivered its first curtain-sided TGE van to Duncan Reeds, a company that manufactures veneer sheets and wood-based panels. The vehicle is a long-wheelbase single-cab chassis cab with a curtain-side body fitted by Transport Enterprises. MAN entered the light commercial vehicle market this year with the TGE, which is based on the Volkswagen Crafter. Duncan Reeds already runs a fleet of MAN trucks.
- Volkswagen has introduced a six-speed manual gearbox to its 204hp 3.0-litre Amarok pick-up. The manual transmission will reduce the entry price of the line-up by £650, compared to the eight-speed automatic, to £25,600, excluding VAT. The manual version is offered with selectable four-wheel drive as opposed to the auto, which has permanent 4Motion four-wheel drive. A 163hp manual will join the range in 2018.
