The number two player in the UK light commercial market and Britain's biggest van manufacturer says that it is saving its cash in the run-up to the debut of Movano's successor in late 2009. Expect it to break cover at the Amsterdam Commercial Vehicle Show next autumn and to go on sale on this side of the Channel in 2010.

“We won't have anything fresh to display at the British show and it would cost us an awful lot of money to be there and not have anything new to launch,” says a spokesman.

Sister company Opel did however feel that it was worthwhile attending the recent Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show despite an absence of new models. Vauxhall says that it will return to the UK show in 2010.

The decision to axe participation in next year's show has nothing to do with the expected downturn in the van market, it stresses. However it may prompt other manufacturers to review their decision to participate given the current climate of corporate belt-tightening.

Meanwhile, Vauxhall has scored a major coup with the supply of almost 600 Movanos to express parcels company Home Delivery Network. A further 1,000-plus could join the fleet in 2009.