With a number of new models due to the market this year, Mazda is planning to re-launch the brand in the UK during 2014. New models due in a hectic two year period will include a new Mazda 2, MX5, this year’s new Mazda 6, a new CX-5 and finally a new Mazda 3, about […]
Archives for November 2013
Driving licence requirements for a minibus
On the rear of a licence, your categories included with the licence are listed with details of what they represent. The one to look for is D1 and unless you passed your test before January 1997, you will need to apply for it using a form D2 which you can download from the DVLA website. […]
Hybrids are not just for cars as Toyota launches a hybrid truck
Known as the Hino 195h, it’s a 9 ton truck. The truck is driven by a 36 k/watt electric motor as well as a 200bhp diesel and has a six speed auto gearbox. With a combined torque of over 700 lb-ft, the combination of diesel and electric is well suited to heavy-duty work. Fuel consumption is […]
What van can I drive on my licence?
It is really important to make sure that your licence covers you to drive your van, if your licence doesn’t have the correct categories and you have an accident, you may find that you are not insured. If it’s a company van then the company or employer will be in trouble. A standard driving licence […]
OK, so winter is here, do you really need to change to winter tyres?
Nobody wants to be on stop as the snow comes and even the worst set up of cars with rear wheel drive and big road tyres can be sorted out with winter tyres, but is it really necessary?. We run two of our cars on Continental Contact Snow/Ice extreme tyres from October through till March […]
BMW unveil the new Mini, just in time for Christmas and with bad news for the inland revenue.
BMW have released the new Mini for 2014. Think evolution and not revolution and you will have got the picture. BMW have launched it with new engines including a new 3 cylinder that was destined for the i3 range extender but was replaced. First available will be the best-selling Cooper D, Cooper and Cooper S. […]
Van Contract Hire and van leasing special offers
Why have a second-hand van when you could have a new one? This afternoon, that is exactly what an enquiring customer said to me. He had telephoned Vanlease UK to enquire if we sold vans and if so how much. From our website, he was looking at the Ford Transit Custom and told me that […]
Van in the week, car at the weekend, Ford join the multi-use vehicle fight with the new Tourneo Connect and Grand Connect.
There is a growing market of vehicles that are vans in the week and family cars at night or at the weekend. The first few were based on larger vans and to be truthful are more expensive than today’s crop of mid-size van/family cars.
Winter and Christmas driving of your new school minibus
Winter and Christmas period use of a school minibus will vary enormously from school to school. Some schools will lock up their new minibus for the Winter/Christmas period but our weather pattern over the last few years has meant that the snow has arrived in January and February, so assuming you will carry on driving […]
BMW are set to change the market with the fabulous i3 and i3 Range Extender
If you are older than 35, then you will probably remember BMW advertising their new range of diesel engines with a 50p balanced on the engine at tick-over. From that day on, a diesel was no longer a noisy, smelly, slow lump of a thing and it started a war of technology involving Audi, Mercedes-Benz, […]
Ford Commercials, new model launches and now Ford launches ‘Transit Centres’
The latest Ranger pick-up with improved engines, a host of safety advances and new models has been launched. The latest version of the Duratorq diesel now sports 150 bhp or 125 bhp depending on choice of model, with a 3.2 litre monster also available. The 2.2 litre though, is a strong engine, at 320 Nm […]
Keeping your new school minibus safe and secure
Once your new school minibus arrives you are going to want to keep it safe and secure at all times. I covered looking after it in a blog <here> but most clients that we speak to don’t understand maintenance agreements and security options available to them for their new minibus You need also to make […]