Volume 7. No 2. SUMMER 10

THE OFFICIAL IRISH JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL VAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Fiat Professional extends Doblò Cargo Range• Fiat Professional extends Doblò Cargo Range

• Introducing the new Mercedes-Benz Vito• Introducing the new Mercedes-Benz Vito

• First Irish Drive: New Renault Master• First Irish Drive: New Renault Master

New Volkswagen Amarok -

EXCLU

SIVE

combines business and leisure with pleasure

ISUZU IrelandA MEMBER OF THE HARRIS GROUP

Naas Road, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 - 419 4500 Fax: 01 - 419 4535www.isuzu.ie

ISUZU IrelandA MEMBER OF THE HARRIS GROUP

The all NEWISUZU N-SeriesTRUCKING LIFE JUST GOT EASIER

As Ireland’s number one truck company we’re constantly evolving and enhancing the Isuzu product.And now we’ve made life easier for truck drivers, owners by improving everything from comfort to convenience

and from emissions to economy. After extensive research and development, the results are nothing short of spectacular.

We’re proud to introduce the next generation of trucks, with an impressive combination of extremely clean yet more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, a superior level of safety features plus intelligent design and ergonomics.

With an increased range of models to choose from, the new generation Isuzu is the truck of choice, now more than ever before.

Add all these improvements to Isuzu’s solid heritage of reliability and it’s obvious why these are the next generation of trucks.

A TRUCK FOR EVERY APPLICATIONN35.15O 3.5T GVW (STANDARD CAB)

N35.15O 3.5T GVW (WIDE CAB)N5O.15O 5.OT GVW

N62.15O 6.2T GVW (STANDARD CAB}N75.19O 7.5T GVW

FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 27

www.fl eet.ie

28 NewsInternational Pick-up Award set up • New Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans • CV Show returns in 2011 • FTA produces Van Guide • City Van sharing concept expands • Latest modelGolf Van • Sprinter gets smooched • Pender provides van to Kilkenny SPCA

30 CoverExclusive fi rst drive of the new Volkswagen Amarok

32 ConceptFIAT Professional adds to Doblò range

34 Launch PadIntroducing the new Mercedes-Benz Vito & Viano

36 Fleeting ShotsNews & pictures from Mercedes-Benz, Aixam Mega, Ford & Kia Motors

38 First DriveAnother First! New Renault Master on test

40 FeaturesProfi le on Offi cina 83 – Fiat’s Centro Stile

42 Test IVOff-Road – Iveco EcoDaily 4x4

44 ReportThe benefi ts of telematics in vans

contents SUMMER 2010

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www.volkswagen.ie

Meet a new business partner who will make a difference

McElvaney Motors Ltd

Exit 5, M50, North Raod, Finglas, D11T:01 836 1044E: sales@mcelvaney.comW: www.mcelvaneymotors.com

Cover Picture: Beate JeskeP 30 P 40

28 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010

NEWS 1

IVOY, the International Van of the Year Jury has created an award to honour the best Pick-Up in the business. As Pick-Ups are

used primarily for business purposes, the 24 member Jury made up of editors from Western, Central and across Eastern Europe, of leading commercial vehicle magazines, unanimously passed the motion to establish the International Pick-Up Award.

Aft er a series of trials, both on and off -road, to be held in Ireland during the Summer, the offi cial presentation of the inaugural Pick-Up Award

will be held at the European Com merc i a l Veh ic le s Show at the IAA, Hanover, Germany in September.

Further details re contenders for this new bi-ennial Award will be featured in the September edition.

I n April, Volken Mornhinweg (50) was appointed as Executive Vice-President of Daimler AG’s Business Unit Mercedes-Benz Vans. Aft er almost 5 years he

moves from a senior role as Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes – AMG GmbH, the Aff alterbach based performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars.

In 1980, he began an apprenticeship as a machine fi tt er in the Sindelfi nger plant. Specialising in Precision Engineering, Volken worked on various start-up projects such as the A-Class and S-Class and from 2000 to 2002 he was responsible for the complete planning process of all Daimler Chrysler assembly plants Worldwide. A position as Plant Manager in Marienfelde (Berlin) and Head of the Human Resources Business Unit followed. Th is latt er function saw Volken take on the sole responsibility for the Worldwide development of the Daimler Management Team. (See pages 34/35 on the new Mercedes-Benz Vito/Viano for more details).

The Commercial Vehicle Show in its original format returns from 12–14 April 2011, providing greater opportunities to

visitors and exhibitors alike.

As the industry continues to emerge from recession, this vital event will help to create market growth by producing a business to business event representing all sectors of the road transport and logistics business.

With more than 400 exhibitors expected, e v e r y s e c t o r o f t he i ndust r y w i l l be represented at Birmingham’s NEC, the UK’s number one exhibition venue, over 42,000 square metres in two Halls.

Commenting on the launch of the CV Show 2011, Nick Jones, SOE Chief Executive and Chairman of the CV Show LLP said, “Th e ability to deliver

consistent improvements in all aspects of road transport effi ciency is vital in tough markets. As operators remain cautious, suppliers must be competitive. Without doubt, past experience shows the Commercial Vehicle Show is ideally placed to provide excellent opportunities for sales and growth.”

Th e CV Show, formed in 2000, is free to att end. Open Tuesday to Th ursday, it presents a unique opportunity for both buyers and sellers.

New head of Mercedes-Benz Van Division

International Pick-Up Award established• Trials to be held in Ireland

All systems go for 2011 Commercial Vehicle Show

With overloading by far the most common off ence found among light goods vehicles (LGVs), the

Freight Transport Association (FTA) has published its best practice guide for transport managers on the safe securing of loads and equipment in vans. Th e guide provides realistic and practical advice, clarifying compliance standards for operators and helping them to improve their drivers’ safety.

James Hookham, FTA’s Policy Director explains, “FTA recognises the strong need for consistent and clear guidance regarding the safe securing of loads, especially in the face of more onerous operator liability. We wanted to fi ll the void in guidance with meaningful advice based on realistic data to not only improve the safety of drivers and passengers in commercial vehicles, but also remove any legal ambiguities, so that operators know exactly where they stand.”

European Commission guidance is largely inadequate as it fails to account for the stresses experienced in a typical collision. In fact, court cases have shown that it can no longer be relied upon as a benchmarking device.

“While the frequency of injuries caused by loads in accidents is comparatively low, the consequences of such incidents are of the gravest concern. Our research will provide much-needed guidance to operators and users, especially important in the face of corporate manslaughter legislation,” he added.

• FTA has just set up an Irish branch

FTA publishes secure-load guide for vans

NEWS 1I

Citycarclub.it, the iOguido associated car sharing provider has now added light commercial vehicles to its growing fl eet. On the streets of Turin, Fiat Doblo Cargo vans are now parked alongside

Fiat Panda, Puntos, Toyota Prius etc.

City Car Club ‘pay-as-you-go’ motoring is fast becoming a popular alternative to car hire. Bookings can be made by the week, day or as long as you want. For a set rate, once registered as a member, everything is taken care of – insurance, tax, servicing, parking permits and cleaning. Booking can be done on-line or by phone. On receiving a PIN number, log in the details at where the car is parked and simply drive away. Th e City Car Club based in Leeds has 14 locations dott ed around the UK. Liam Grant from www.citycarclub.co.uk informed Fleet that they have just introduced vans into their fl eet. Volkswagen Transporters are now available at just £7.95 per hour.

The wait is fi nally over for Volkswagen Golf Van fans. Generation 6 Golf in commercial form is now available in two versions – Trendline which has the 1.6 litre TDI (90 bhp) engine at €21,850 and the

Comfortline (105 bhp) retailing at €23,795. Both types are car-derived-van derivatives of the popular 3 door passenger version of the Golf.

Volkswagen Head of Sales and Marketing, Adam Chamberlain commented, “We are delighted to announce the much anticipated arrival of the new Golf VI Van. Th e Golf Van has an excellent reputation here in Ireland and the new model is safer and bett er value than ever before.” He added, “With all the att ributes of the passenger car, including sleek lines and high quality fi nishes and boasting a range of standard features combined with the highest level of safety with a maximum 5 star NCAP safety rating, the Golf Van off ers lovers of the iconic Golf, the versatility of a van.”

Dairyglen, the Irish owned, family-run company that produces the Smooch brand of real dairy soft -serve ice creams and milkshakes, has purchased a 5 tonne Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 515 unit fi tt ed

with a 16ft GRP box body supplied by Malcolm McKinstry of MUTEC Van Centre at Long Mile Road, Dublin. In business for almost 20 years, Dairyglen with depots at Bray and Carraigtwohill, was fi rst to introduce a luxury soft -serve ice cream to the Irish market. Its range of Smooch products includes real dairy milkshakes, fruit slush, cones, tubs, sundaes and the popular ‘choose your own toppings’ My Smooch ice cream.

Golf Van – Round 6

City Car Sharing Service offers vans in Turin … UK too!

Smooched Sprinter!

FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 29

Barry Pender of Barry Pender Motors, main Ford dealer in Kilkenny, has given a huge boost to the work of the Kilkenny Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) with the generous

donation of a new Ford Transit Connect van to help with the Society’s invaluable work.

Noel O’Donoghue, Chairman of the Kilkenny SPCA at the handover said, “We are very appreciative of Barry Pender and his staff who are long-standing supporters of our work. Similar to many volunteer organisations, we rely solely on donations to fund our valuable work, so particularly in these tougher economic times, support like that provided by Barry and his team is hugely important.”

According to Barry Pender, “I have long admired the dedication of the Kilkenny SPCA volunteers and we are delighted to support such a valuable local community service. Th e Transit Connect van is a great workhorse and I am sure Noel and his team will derive many years hard work from it.”

Barry Pender Motors Connects with Kilkenny SPCA

30 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010

COVER

E ver since its fi rst public showing at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover two years ago much interest and anticipation has been generated

about the new 1 tonne Pick-up from Volkswagen called the Amarok. Even before the new 4 door/5 seater was launched in South America at the beginning of 2010, advanced orders exceeded 25,000 units. By becoming the fi rst European automotive company to produce a global product in the 1 tonne/B Class Pick-up category is all part of the Volkswagen Groups growth strategy. Th e Amarok fi ts in nicely in a segment that has huge potential but currently dominated by four main Japanese producers – Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Isuzu. Already we hear that the big four are reacting to the threat with some reducing prices in certain markets. Volkswagen is to concentrate on South America, South Africa, selected Asian countries such as Th ailand (the largest market worldwide for this type of vehicle) and, of course, Western and Central Europe.

At a Press Conference held in Bratislava, Slovakia, Willi Netuschil, Head of Development Model Range Amarok, stated that Volkswagen’s new Pick-up had to meet four defi ned areas, not only to meet customers needs but exceed what’s on off er from the Japanese ‘Four’. Th ese requirements cover Robustness, Reliability, Technology and Value-for-money. He said that he was approached to head up the project fi ve years ago and expressed his pride that he and his team have made it all the way to the fi nish.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Division which developed and produced the Amarok (in Argentina) see the Amarok as a ‘Duel-use-Vehicle’ combining business and leisure, although there will be separate marketing strategies to cater for both types of customer – commercial and private.

With no real pedigree in this segment before – (some may remember the Taro, it’s joint venture with Toyota back in the 70s/80s) – the project had to start from scratch. To begin with, a decision was made to design a ladder-type chassis/platform similar to what is the norm with trucks. Th is ensures strength and stiff ness. Att ached to that apart from the drivetrain and body, is a choice of suspension sett ings – Heavy Duty and Comfort to cater for both clientele – work and recreational. Two levels of its 4 Motion all-wheel-drive system is also provided – Standard 4WD with the black ‘4’ while the 4 motion with low gearing selectable Drive has the Red ‘4’. A 4x2 two-wheel-drive is also provided.

A choice of engine powers from the Group’s new 2.0 litre common-rail direct injection diesel is also available - 122 PS with 340 Nm @ 1750 rpm and the Bi-turbo 163 PS version that has 400 Newton Metres @ 1500

rpm. Both are Euro 5 compatible and are mated to a ZF Ecolite 6 speed manual gearbox. When the Single Cab/2 door version comes out early

next year, it will have the 7-speed DSG automated shift that’s proven so popular with Volkswagen Group Cars. Fuel effi ciency and low carbon emissions are associated with these engines. Th e 122 PS block comes under the 200g/km CO2 and averages 7.5L/100 kms in fuel returns according to VW fi gures.

Th e two-stage Bi-turbo 166 PS engine has a CO2 rating of 206g/km and said to return below 8.0L/100 kms. Th e challenge will be to convince current owners of Pick-ups with 2.5 litre and 3.0 litre engines that this 2.0 litre can do an even bett er job power-wise and in an eco-friendly way too!

Everything about the Amarok’s interior is typical Volkswagen, quality build and fi nish. 5 adults can be accommodated in comfort. Th ere are two Isofi x locks fi tt ed in the rear seats, which also can fold forward and up depending on the storage requirements. Th ree trim levels are on the specifi cation sheet – Base/Entry, Trendline and Highline.

In order to keep ahead of its rivals, the Amarok load bay area is bigger than the others and can fi t a Euro-pallet in sideways. It may have taken fi ve years but the Amarok has been well worth the wait. (See www.fl eet.ie - Fleet Van & Utility for more info and photos).

Driving ImpressionAs a support vehicle to the 2010 Dakar Rally held in South America, the Amarok was put through its paces as the competitors and offi cials entourage journeyed through Argentina and Chile. Even before then, the pre-production test team travelled the World to fi nd the most arduous terrain possible to prove that the Amarok was the most robust and reliable Pick-up in the marketplace today. A video shown at the Press Conference not only impressed viewers but we left intrigued by the extremes of the test programme. As one German journalist put it – “coming late into the game, Volkswagen has to prove itself to be the best.” And from our experience, one cannot argue with that point. It is obvious that the

Volkswagen Amarok – Europe’s fi rst one-tonne Pick-up• Set to challenge Japanese establishment• Set to challenge Japanese establishment

Amarok’s fr ontal design follows that of the new VW Transporter. Expect the new Caddy (due next year) to wear the same ‘face’

Volkswagen Design Team analysed its competitors with a fi ne toothcomb, taking the best parts away and improving on them. In terms of its space, load area width and height, cargo loading abilities and payload capacity not to mention its fuel economy and low emissions and safety features, everything about the Amarok is “class leading”.

Test drives were taken both on and off -road. From the experience, no other Pick-up manufacturer has managed to combine the art of on-road refi nement with off -road ruggedness like the Amarok. Driving the 2.0 TDI 4x4 version with its 163 PS Bi-turbo engine on the chosen 80 kms route from Vienna Airport to an ADAC off -road centre close to the Slovakian border, myself and my co-pilot Beate Jeske (a professional photographer) were amazed just how smooth the engine was, with revs kept to a minimum up through the 6-speed gearbox. A check on the gear-shift indicator revealed that the needle rarely went beyond 1800 rpm before the change up was recommended. Good low-end torque was also to be had, even in top gear. We did notice upon taking off that if too much pressure is applied to the accelerator, some grip is lost momentarily. However, on the open road and while cutt ing through some of the tight and twisty sections along the route, there was no time we felt that the Amarok’s tail-end got tricky – a trait relative to all open-back vehicles of this type.

Inside, the two-tone dash and brown trim enhanced the comfort levels on this Trendline model provided. During our time on-board which involved another 80 kms from the off -road venue to Bratislava, the trip-metre showed that the estimated fuel return dropped from 8.9L/100 kms to 8.1L/100 kms. And even then, there was more to be got from each litre of fuel by becoming more familiar with it. Any downsides? Well, two niggles really – 1) the large exterior mirrors did catch more wind than imagined and 2) the interior mirror is a bit on the small side! Also, there is no storage space under the (split) seat in the rear. Th e explanation given was that the fuel tank is positioned on the left side and provision has been made on the right side for an AdBlue tank in preparation for Euro 6 engine emission technology (which inevitably will require SCR/EGR engine emission controls).

To say that the off -road course was severe would be an understatement. A swap of vehicles before venturing into the ‘jungle’ (which used to be an old quarry) was required. We got the Heavy

Duty Suspension version with the selectable four-wheel-drive – (Red 4 Motion). It uses a rigid lock for its four-wheel drive, as per the norm for the Pick-up sector. When it is engaged at the press of a butt on on the centre console near the gear lever, it produces solid power transfer to the axles. For the most diffi cult conditions, there is also reduced off -road or low-gearing that makes complicated passages easy to master. Even 100 per cent ascents with a slope angle of 45 degrees (at full payload) are no obstacle. At the same time, the progressively tuned Heavy Duty suspension programme with its three main and two auxiliary spring packs assures a high overload safety factor in all situations. Amarok coped with whatever challenge was thrown at it. And we tried hard!

Numerous airbags and ESP – Electronic Stabilisation Programme are standard and on all versions with trailer prep, the ESP further aids stabilisation. ASR – Anti-Slip Regulation, ABS and Hill Hold Descent al l come together to present a reassuring package on or off -road.

On talking to one of the Amarok’s engineers he told us that the 4 Motion Selectable Drive System and the Heavy Duty Programme were designed from scratch while the Standard 4 Motion is derived from what’s used in the VW Groups SUV’s.

Th ere is no doubt that

the Amarok meets all the requirements of both types of customers it will target in Europe. While some countries will market it to the two individual sectors – business and leisure, some will see that it can target both – business use during the working week and transformed into a family car for the weekend. Let’s just say that the Amarok presents the best to both Worlds.

COVER

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie Photos: Beate Jeske FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 31

Spec CheckMake/Model: Volkswagen AmarokEngine: 2.0 litre common-rail/direct injection 4 cylinder dieselPower/CO2: 122 PS – 199g/km. 163 PS – 206g/kmTorque: 122 PS: 340 Nm @ 1750 rpm 163 PS: 400 Nm @ 1500 rpmTransmission: 6 speed manual (ZF Ecolite)Brakes: Discs with EDL*/ASR*/ESP* Hill Descent AssistFuel Tank: 80 litres (est 1000 kms)Dimensions: Length – 5.25m, Width – 1.944m Height – 1.834m, Wheelbase – 3.095mLoad Area: 2.52 sq. metres Length – 1.555m, Width – 1.620m Sill height – 780mm, Side-Wall Height – 508 mmG.V.W.: 1.15 tonnesTrailer Towing Capacity: 2.8 tonnes (braked)Turning circle: 12.95m* EDL: Electronic Diff erential Lock * ASR: Anti-Slip Regulator * ESP: Electronic Stability Programme

Examples of the batt le worn Amarok as used in the Dakar Rally as support vehicles were positioned around the off -road course

Th e locking rear diff erential improves off -road travel on trails where traction diff ers for wheels on diff erent sides of the vehicle

On models without a rear bumper/step the tailgate can be lowered 180 degrees to facilitate ramp loading

F ive months aft er its initial launch into the European marketplace the Fiat Doblò is already a record breaker. Such is the extensive range of innovative

variants from the one family of light commercials, that Fiat Professional has put together all the facts and fi gures under one collection – Doblò – Th e Book of Records. In what was presented to the International Van of the Year Jury in Turkey, the Fiat Doblò Cargo is indeed the ‘Vehicle of Records’. According to Antonio Mannina, Fiat Professional Product Director, “Quality and innovation have distinguished the entire Doblò project and are the basis of the ‘Doblò Book of Records’ – in other words all the new features introduced by Doblò Cargo have been developed as the fi rst of the segment.” He emphasized that right from the design phase, the Doblò Cargo was conceived as a commercial vehicle in every sense of the word. “Doblò Cargo shows innovation right from the platform that has allowed us to create the fi rst vehicle in the small van segment with a load volume and capacity typical of

higher categories, while still maintaining small size, low fuel consumption and respect for the environment. Th e body was designed to be extremely modular, allowing diff erent bodies, wheelbases and heights and off ering record-breaking features in the loading bay.”

“No other vehicle,” he said, “in the category can off er a load capacity of up to 4.6m3, an interior length of up to 3.4m, an interior height up to 1.55m and can facilitate two Euro-pallets between wheel arches, even in the short wheelbase version. New pages in the Doblò Book of Records can now be added on account of these fi rsts,” he suggested.

Antonio continued on this theme by introducing the newly extended product portfolio, never before seen by the Press. Th e fi rst of which

was the Doblò Cargo MA XI XL, created following suggestions made by the IVOY Jury during the Doblò Cargo’s pre-production launch in Italy last December. “On this version,” Antonio said, “the Doblò Cargo increases its already record-breaking volume, reaching 5m3 or even 5.4m3 with the passenger seat folded. Th ese volume fi gures, coupled with payload characteristics never before achieved in this segment, make the Doblò Cargo MAXI XL an excellent base for conversions into, for example, ambulances, refrigerated vans, mini-campers, workshops and mobile offi ces. Although the record-breaking volume comes from the body platform, the original bi-link independent rear wheel suspension helps the Doblò Cargo to beat the segment in terms of payload – 1 tonne; 150-200 kg more than the top competitor, we were informed. Th e Bi-link system with its reduced dimensions has the development of a platform already designed for alternative fuels and alternative power sources.

Another fi rst comes in the shape of the Doblò Dropside – the first compact truck in the segment. Antonio explains, “With this version, Fiat Professional re-invents the small truck and enters a segment never before explored by a large automotive producer. Th anks to the creativity of our Centro Stile, we now have created a vehicle that is one-of-a-kind, even in its design.”

Fiat’s expertise in engine development and technology has never been questioned – oft en admired by the competition and customers alike. To ‘push the boat out even further’, the Doblò Cargo is actually the fi rst vehicle in its category with seven diff erent available engines. In another forward moving step – all engines are Euro 5 compatible and come with Start/Stop technology as standard. Much has been

CONCEPT

32 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010

Doblò – the Vehicle of Records for Fiat Professional

Antonio Mannina, Fiat Professional Product Director

Extended Doblò Cargo range

Doblò MAXI XL

writt en about the combination of power and economy associated with its 1.3 litre and 1.6 litre multi-jet diesel engines. In the next few months, an automated 5-speed transmission fi tt ed to the 1.6 called MTA will be added to the line-up. But that’s not all – get ready for the new Natural Power (CNG) version and the fi rst 100% Fiat Professional electric vehicle.

“Let’s look at them in brief,” said Antonio, “beginning with the (Natural Gas) methane engine, Fiat Professional was the fi rst LCV

brand to believe in this type of engine and today off ers the broadest Natural Power range in commercial transport, from the Panda Van to the Ducato.” And a range that has been successful in the marketplace with over 14,000 units sold from the beginning of 2010. Th e Doblò’s Natural Power 1.4 T-Jet produces 120 hp a range of up to 450 kms on methane and 300 kms on petrol. Load capacity stretches to 980 kg gross. As a response to the needs of specifi c customers, sensitive to the environment Fiat Professional has developed its own Electric

version of the Doblò. As the fi rst to see this ‘top-secret-prototype’, Antonio said that both its manufacturer Tofas (Turkey) and Chrysler (Fiat Group’s new alliance partner) made major technological and component contributions to this project. Here-to-fore, all Fiat’s electric van products were outsourced to a private company Micro-Vett . Propulsion is provided by a 79 kW/178 Nm brushless electric motor with a range of about 150 kms and a 750 kg payload. Impressive fi gures, to say the least. Th e lithium-ion batt ery packs are installed underneath the fl oor, with no intrusion into the load compartment, thus maintaining the same load volume. As with other electric vehicles recharging can be done in two ways: Domestic 220 volt system – 7 hours or just 1 hour through a dedicated power source.

We fi rst saw Fiat Professional’s development in the 4x2 re-enforced traction system manufactured in the IVOY award winning Fiorino. Th is Traction+ feature is now installed in the Doblò and wears ‘Adventure’ badging. “Compared to classic 4x4, Traction+ does not penalise load capacity, fuel consumption and emission, while reducing purchase price and running costs,” outlined Antonio. “At speeds below 30 km/h a special butt on on the central panel engages the electronic lock to the front diff erential. Th e system then brakes the wheel with the least grip and transmits the torque to the wheel with more grip, thereby recovering traction to the vehicle. To enhance its rugged appearance, special bumpers, side protection and special badging have been added. In addition its suspension set-up is 4 cms higher than the standard model.

In summary, Antonio highlighted that the customer can choose between 10 diff erent body types and from more than 500 possible versions combining various body-types, door choice and the largest choice of ecological and economical engines. “Th e result is fl exibility and versatility never before seen in this range. So, we have added several new pages to the Doblò ‘Book of Records’. All of us are convinced that many more can be writt en and added during the life cycle of our product that started taking its fi rst steps only a few months ago.”

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie Photos: Fiat Professional FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 33

CONCEPT

Doblò Dropside Doblò Adventure

Doblò Electric

34 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010

LAUNCH PAD

All new Mercedes-Benz Vito – My Van

I t’s all change at the Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle Division – a new Director General, a collaboration agreement signed with Renault and this

month a new Vito range of vans, people carriers and motorhomes. All this information was related to us at Warblingen, the Mercedes-Benz’ workshop where vehicles are prepared for press launches, exhibitions and other public events. Seated among vehicle lift s and tool boxes in a working area akin to a Formula One team headquarters, we were fi rst introduced to the new Head of Mercedes-Benz Van Division – Volker Mornhinweg who has made the curious move from Mercedes’ cars performance division AMG. And yes, before being asked he did mention than an AMG version of the new Vito is on the cards!

But prior to elaborating further on this mouth-watering concept, Volker guided us through the design process of the third generation Vito van. Economic effi ciency, design, comfort, sustainability and quality build process were the main points highlighted. He brought together the fi rm’s quality and the 100 kg increased payload as a method of ensuring long life and profi tability for the operator. As the new Vito is built on a modifi ed chassis, ride comfort has vastly improved and with the inclusion of an all-new Blue Effi ciency 4 cylinder OM651 engine (as per the Sprinter) that’s Euro 5 compatible, driver satisfaction is gained through this low noise, economical to run drivetrain. With the fi tt ing of a new 6 speed EcoGear transmission, fuel economy has improved by 15% (to an average 6.8 L/100 kms), even though performance levels from the new engine is 17% higher.

In general, the new Vito has a more powerful appearance, with a new frontal design that sports new mirrors, lights and grille. LED Daytime Running Lights have now been integrated into the restyled bumper, while inside new panelling, new dash and new fabrics present a more refi ned look. Some of the interior fi tt ings we noticed can be found elsewhere in the Mercedes-Benz range of vehicles such as the M-Class and recently revised icon model the G-Class. As expected a higher level of specifi cation is direct towards the Viano – the Vito’s people carrier and also in the latest Motorhome version – the Marco Polo.

During the walkabout in describing various aspects of the new vehicle, Volker emphasized that the whole drivetrain has been ‘optimised’ to

squeeze out the most kilometres per litre possible. Litt le things such as the gearshift indicator in the centre dash area helps. As before he explained the 5 speed automatic transmission uses a torque converter to move the cogs. But before talking about the electric version to come called the eVito his eyes gleamed at the prospects of producing an AMG fl agship. (He did mention a hybrid too). “Th ere is demand for it,” he said surprisingly. “Some of our loyal AMG customers are looking for some more seating capacity at times for their VIPs and an AMG Vito/Viano would be of interest to them,” he said. He looks forward in gett ing his feet fi rmly under the table at his new offi ces before anything happens in this direction. In the meantime, Volker has to work on the new partnership recently signed with

To date the sales ratio for Vito versus Viano is 75%/25%.

An electric version called the eVito will be added to the range

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 35

LAUNCH PAD

Renault with the fi rst proposed project being a front-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz compact van range akin to the Renault Kangoo trio. Some time will also have to be spent across the Atlantic in developing new dealerships and markets for the Mercedes-Benz van brand now that Dodge owned by Chrysler is under the parentage of the Fiat Group. Here-to-fore the Sprinter wore the ‘Ram’ badge but now going forward it will have either the ‘three-pointed-star’ or Freightliner logos on the bonnet/hood.

A couple of observations were noted on an independent walkabout later, in that the spare wheel is hosted high inside the left panel on the SWB version as before, while there is some space in the lower section of the bulkhead which is of litt le use and may deceive the loading forklift driver.

From the new 2.2 litre OM651, there will be three power options. A 70 bhp/100 bhp and, for now a range topping 120 bhp. Th e EcoGear transmission is available on all models. We were told there will be up to 1,000 diff erent model types of varying confi gurations. Payload has increased to 1.2 tonnes, OM651 in the Vito features higher combustion/ignition pressure and increased cooling capacity.

Euro 5 V6 diesel and V8 petrol engines will be added to the range and likely to be presented to the World at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover in September.

All the development of the project was carried out at the Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stutt gart, even though the Vito product itself is manufactured in Vitoria, Northern Spain. Here 3,300 employees are responsible for putt ing together on average 140,000 units per year. Vitoria is one of seven Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle plants Worldwide. At its

peak in 2007, almost 290,000 Mercedes light commercials were sold culminating in a 16.2% market share. Over 17,500 were employed then. Last year as we all know, it was a diff erent story – the workforce was cut down by 2,500 people with sales down to 165,600 units. In the declining ma rket Mercedes-Benz managed to increase market share by 1.8 points. Volker is confident that the market will continue to pick up towards the latt er part of 2010.

Vito/Viano has enjoyed 15 years of success. It arrived on the scene from Vitoria in 1995 as the Vito and V-Class. Mercedes-Benz itself admitted there were some reliability and corrosion problems with the fi rst generation, something it addressed when the new Vito/Viano came along in 2003. Now that the next version is about to hit the market place, many will see it as just a facelift. We have been promised that the new Vito/Viano is much more than that, and when we get the opportunity to have the fi rst test drives, the proof of the pudding will be realised. It has taken 3 years of development and multi-

version testing to get where we are today. In addition to driving the standard version, we can look forward to having a go in the 4x4 version and the proposed FWD type, as well as the Stop/Go system.

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36 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie

FLEETING SHOTS

Established in 1984 Robeplan is one of Ireland’s leading experts in the world of bedroom furniture and kitchen fi tt ings.

With branches in Dublin and Newbridge, County Kildare, expansion of its range of products include offi ce furniture for the commercial business sector and home offi ces. To serve this broader portfolio, Robeplan’s Managing Director, Greg Flynn looked to add to his vehicle fl eet and approached MUTEC, the Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle dealer in Dublin.

Th rough Daniel Kavanagh, Sales Executive they came up with three bespoke Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315/43 models (powered by 2.2 litre 150 bhp diesel engines). Next thing to do was to get them signed up with livery that would do this progressive company justice. “It’s great when a (Robe) plan like this comes good,” stated Daniel.

Kia Motors Ireland continues as a proud sponsor of Special Olympics Ireland

and supported the recently held 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games at Thomond Park, Limerick by supplying the organisation with a fl eet of 8 Kia Carens to supplement the 5 Kia Carnivals previously donated.

Over 1900 athletes participated in the Games and were facilitated and supported by 650 coaches and

offi cial delegates, 3500 volunteers and over 5000 family members and friends.

Pictured at the handover of the cars are James Brooks, Managing Director Kia Motors Ireland and Frances K avanagh , Special Olympics Ireland Director of Sport.

Caredoc, the Carlow-based out-of-hours GP Co-operative, has upgraded its vehicle fl eet with

four new Ford Kugas supplied by local dealer Dooley Motors. Th e new Kuga Commercials replaces Caredoc’s previous fl eet of Ford Focus estate vehicles. “We are delighted that our new Kuga models will enable Caredoc to continue to provide their invaluable out-of-hours service to the people of Carlow and the south east. Th anks to their four-wheel drive capability, the new fl eet of Kugas will help Caredoc to provide an even more reliable service during spells of severe weather, just as we have experienced this past Winter,” said Anthony Dooley of Dooley Motors about the deal.

Margaret Curran, Deputy Manager of Caredoc, added, “Gett ing medical help at a time of need is of paramount importance and ensuring we have a reliable and safe fl eet of vehicles is key in enabling us to provide that service. Th at is why we are excited about our new fl eet of tough, 4x4 Kugas. Our vehicles can sometimes run up an average of 100,000 km per year, so reliability is vital and we certainly have not found our previous Ford vehicles wanting.” W here a home visit is deemed appropriate the doctor is driven in a Caredoc car which is equipped with a range of emergency medical equipment including a defi brillator, interpretive ECG machine, resuscitation and suturing equipment.

Glenisk’s new Aixam Mega Electric Sampling Van stole the show at the Green Economy Expo in Dublin’s

Croke Park. Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, T.D., opened the Expo and was pictured behind the wheel which featured in the National Media the next day.

Th e zero emission vehicle (powered in turn by wind energy) is new to Glenisk and is currently

touring the country at events (including Bloom in the Park 2010) and supermarkets, where its sampling team will be handing out free Glenisk Organic Yogurt, along with money-off coupons.

You can follow the adventures of the e-van and fi nd out when it’s coming to a location near you by logging onto Glenisk’s Facebook page.

Robeplan chooses Mercedes-Benz to make space for more business

Zero Emissions! Nothing comes out of this van except great tasting yogurt …

Kia Motors Ireland continues to support Special Olympics Ireland

CAREDOC opts for Ford Kugas

Anthony Dooley, Dooley Motors; Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland and Margaret Curran, Deputy Manager of Caredoc, with some of the new fl eet of Ford Kugas.

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FIRST DRIVE

38 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010

A n all-new Renault Master is set to go on sale in Ireland. Fleet Van & Utility drives one of the fi rst examples to arrive on these shores.

Our test vehicle, newly registered with just 18km on the clock when we pick it up certainly presents a striking face on fi rst impression. Prominent lights and a broad grille mark the new Master out from the crowd and give an indication to future styling cues for other Renault vans. In fact apart from badges only the grille and bumper distinguishes the Master from its sister the new Opel Movano (no Nissan version this time), but that alone is enough to make the two vehicles easily distinguishable.

Signifi cantly the Master can be had in either front or rear wheel drive specifi cations, making the Renault one of only a few vans off ering such fl exibility, and shaping it up as a genuine contender

to the Ford Transit. With four Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) sizes ranging from 2.8t up to 4.5t, and four body lengths and three height options to choose from, there are well over three hundred combinations of the Master available.

A new common rail Euro 4 2.3 litre dCi engine replaces the old larger capacity 2.5 dCi and comes in versions off ering 100, 125 and 150hp. It off ers, says Renault, the best fuel economy in the front wheel drive (FWD) class, as well as more torque compared to the old unit. Owners will also welcome an increase in servicing intervals with oil changes now scheduled for every 40,000 km or two years.

Our test example is a medium height 3.5t GVW long wheel base FWD example fi tt ed with the 125hp engine. In this specifi cation, it has a load volume of 13 cubic metres with a load length of

3.733 metres, 1.8944 metres height, and, common across the range, a width of 1.765 metres. Th e passenger side sliding door opens an extra 17cm compared to before. Combined with the twin rear doors which open a full 270 degrees, and a load fl oor height of 543mm it provides easy access to the load area.

A full size bulkhead is standard fi tment. Move to the cab area, and if you are the kind of person that always needs more storage space, the Master will be ‘Van Mans’ nirvana. Th ere are a huge selection of shelves, drink holders, map / document holders, cubby holes, and coin and card slots in which to store everything a van operator could possibly need. Renault has clearly put a lot of thought into the layout.

A two plus one seating arrangement will accomodate three adults comfortably, with the middle seat folding fl at to form a useful table which swivels towards the driver and is designed to hold a laptop.

Th e Master is well specifi ed equipment wise, with notably a Carminat TomTom navigation system standard on the higher of the two specifi cation levels. It incorporates a clock and multimedia displays and is controlled by a dash mounted removeable remote control. Other creature comforts such as MP3 connectivity, easy to adjust air conditioning controls and auto wipers all help to make the Master a pleasant place to spend time.

Th e 125hp engine has plenty of power for this vehicle, pulling strongly across the rev range. Th e six speed gearbox felt a litt le notchy but we put this down to the newness of the van and would expect it to loosen up in due course. All round visibility is excellent thanks to big windows, the deep windscreen and large mirrors with separate wide-angled section. Fuel economy wise we were achieving 9.5 l/100km (just under 30mpg), largely on empty loads, but again this should improve as the engine wears in.

Ride quality is fi rm but acceptable even on poorer roads while external noises are largely absent on the move. Overall the Master seems solidly put together and should wear well as the kilometres pile on. On a downside note, ESP is only an optional fi t for FWD vans (although standard on RWD versions).

ConclusionWe were impressed with the new Master which deserves to be a success for Renault. In particular the cab interior is probably the best in the market right now. Combine this with reduced running costs and a huge selection of vehicles with load capacities from eight to seventen cubic metres to choose from, and the Master will appeal to a broad swathe of potential customers.

New Renault Master - set to shake up large van market

FIRST DRIVE

Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fl eet.ie FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 39

40 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fl eet.ie

FEATURE

F iat Group’s former Mirafi ori plant in the outskirts of Turin, houses one of the most elaborate multi-brand showrooms in Italy, the European

headquarters for CaseNewHolland (CNH) and the secret halls of its corporate design department – Offi cina 83 – Centro Stile. Tucked away behind giant billboard type hoardings is the futuristic think-tank for the various Fiat Group brands from Fiat, Fiat Professional, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Iveco, CNH, Abarth and Maserati. Opened in 2007 with over 20,000 square metres of creative space, another 15,000 square metres has since been added. 250 staff work here, from designers to modellers and administration. All are sworn to secrecy as we were during our behind the scenes visit arranged by Iveco’s Director of Communications for the UK and Ireland, Nigel Emms. He introduced us to a good friend of Fleet, Peter Jensen, Head of Design for Iveco, Fiat Professional & CNH. Th e German native explained the various brands missions and how the Heads of each Design Department reports to Design Director Lorenzo Ramaciett i, who also has the enviable task as Chief Designer at Maserati.

Peter stated that the most signifi cant change or improvement in automotive design is the computer. Modern advances in IT not only speed up the design process but also saves manufacturers lots of money, as since the fi rst day sketches were drawn, each new design starts with a clean sheet of paper. Now, instead of hundreds of draft s, 2 Dimensional drawings progress to 3D in a fl ick of a mouse and this is when the IT modeller and clay modeller come together to create the physical design of the new vehicle. Two types of designs are then presented to the vehicle brand’s Board of Directors – virtual and physical. Sometimes the full-scale clay models look so real that Board members are tempted to open the car door, but to no avail. “So now,” Peter confessed, “the door handles are no longer glued on!” Th is procedure happens six months

to one year before the vehicle’s launch. In all, the total design process from concept to reality takes on average 18 – 23 months.

Although the time scale has shortened, Peter admitt ed that sometimes it’s diffi cult to predict two years down the line on what motoring/vehicle usage trends will be. He mentioned that when designing the current Fiat Ducato, it was fi rst shown to motorhome coachbuilders 18 months before launch. Th ey were shocked to see such a futuristic design and said it was too ambitious. When it did come out market share doubled, as trends had progressed, as had the creativity from these specialist builders.

On the 4 metre tall screen, Peter fl icked through many design phases and showed us how diff erent colours and specifi cations can be added or changed at any time on the CAD – Computer Aided Design system. Everything relating to

the vehicle’s build can be displayed and analysed down to the space between the bumper and bonnet, even though in real life, two diff erent products are used – steel and re-enforced plastic. During this section of the presentation we got a sneak preview of the all-new Iveco Daily due for launch in two years time.

“Van designers,” he said, “have become more sophisticated, no more box shaped styling – aerodynamics play a part too, as are att ractive looks. More oft en than not, these vehicles are the business ambassadors of the owner/driver’s company.”

Looking into the crystal ball, Peter sees that all vehicles will have to be made lighter in order to reduce CO2 emissions, which at the same time retaining rigidity and crash safety. “New technologies and techniques are being developed all the time,” he said and praised Ferarri for introducing the KERS – Kenetic Energy Regenerating System in their cars for the fi rst time as exhibited in Geneva last March.

When asked if further collaborations with specialist design houses such as ItalDesign, (Giugiaro), Pininfarini and Bertone were parts of the Centro Stilo’s future plans, Peter said yes and no. Yes, in that some partnerships will continue in engineering but No in that full design projects will not happen as before ie. Fiat Croma and Alfa 159. Business relationships with interface providers such as Microsoft and TomTom will continue and advance. He looks forward to working with his counterparts in Chrysler USA in recreating some of their products destined for European markets.

Offi cina 83 – Fiat’s Centro Stile

Initially Centro Stile was part of the Fiat Technical Department, and designed a range of products including industrial appliances and fr idges. Over time it has been transformed into an organisation, which is dedicated exclusively to the automotive sector.

Peter Jensen, Head of Design for Iveco, Fiat Professional & CNH

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TEST 1V - OFF-ROAD

42 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010

W hen the call came from Nick Santon, Product Aff airs Manager, Iveco Limited to test the new Iveco EcoDaily 4x4 an immediate

request was made to Quest at Mondello Park. Here one will fi nd “the ultimate off -road experience,” off ered by Ireland’s longest established all-terrain coarse providers. Quest’s Managing Director, Leonard Regan instantly responded positively. Normally this multi-activity venue plays host to Army Tanks, Land Rover Defenders and the odd Hagland, but not usually large utility vehicles, such as this. Major manufacturers have been here to demonstrate their products to the press and potential customers but these were mostly 4x4 Pick-ups. So Leonard was just as anxious as us to see if his carved out extreme off -road course was a proper challenge for the new Iveco EcoDaily 4x4 on its fi rst offi cial visit to Ireland.

The day’s adventure began upon taking the EcoDaily 4x4 35S17DW from Johnstown House Hotel, Enfi eld. On that journey one discovered that this type of medium to large utility is not to be driven like any ordinary van or 4x4 for that matt er. A fi rm hold of the steering is required at all times as there’s a fair dose of pitch and roll on the bumps and twisty cross-country sections. Recommended maximum speed is around 80 kp/h as anything above that will make life on board uncomfortable. A fully suspended seat would help.

Upon arrival at Mondello Park, a trip around to the back end of the International Racing Circuit was done to fi nd the Quest Events sign. Time to get down and dirty! To enable the vehicle to get acquainted to the terrain we moved through the fl at grass track section. It was here initially that we noticed the EcoDaily 4x4’s high ground clearance. We did question however the positioning of the spare wheel which was fi xed to the middle of the chassis to the left . Th is would become even more evident later!

Chief Instructor John Whelan, pitched the EcoDaily on the most challenging areas of the course possible. Hills, mud, side slopes and more tested the stamina of both the vehicle and the driver. Such was the confi dence in the fl exibility and adaptability of this go-anywhere vehicle that

Iveco’s Instructor Paul Walker suggested to try out the centre section (used only for the Tanks). Sure enough we got on the track, travelled about 50 metres and down she went! It’s on/off -road tyres just kept on spinning as they gathered more mud. Time to exit and observe! Down to the level of the spare-wheel mounting. Even with the three levels of diff erential lock – front, centre and rear it was no good. Not to worry. Four wheel-drive vehicles do have their limitations. Help was at hand in the shape of an ex-Army Hymac. Took only minutes to pull out. We went around the standard off -road course one more time, just to restore confi dence all round.

What was really worth discovering was that this machine is extremely manoeuvrable. Also never at any point did the 180 hp 3.0 litre fl inch. And with the availability of 24 available ratios from the transmission through various low/high/splitt er options from the standard 6 speed box that is used mainly out on the road. As this was the 6 person Crew Cab, space for driver and fellow workers was ample with storage space all-round. On the diffi cult sections where the leaf springs were stretched to the last, traction was held. No slipping or sliding here.

Iveco’s target customer with the EcoDaily 4x4 is the middle market utility user. Th ose that need a multi-purpose all-terrain vehicle that’s bigger than the long serving Land Rover Defender and comes in under the class leading Mercedes-Benz Unimog. Price is a big factor here and those interested will fi nd this Iveco off -roader an att ractive value for money option.

Th e Italian manufacturer has used the expertise of its successful military division and also the development of the Massif SUV in association with Santana, the Spanish off -road specialist.

IVECO EcoDaily 4x4 Crew-Cab- gets down and dirty!

A Grab-handle on the left pillar is needed to get in easier.

Stuck in the mud!

OFF-ROAD - TEST 1V

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 43

For the EcoDaily 4x4 the chassis is built from heavy-duty high tensile reinforced steel. Th e C-Section longitudinal side members and welded cross members with pressed steel form the main part of chassis frame. Anti-corrosion protection, include full catephoretic dipping with galvanised boxed sections and strategic use of zinc plated panels in vulnerable areas. Th ere is also protective under-seal for all under-body cabin areas, wheel housings and engine region. Steel bumper and side mouldings give the exterior a muscular appearance aided by extra lights on the bumper.

Th ere are two weight options available, this 3.5 tonne also has a 5.5 tonne brother for those who require higher payload. Mentioning payload, the fact that the EGR emission controls are used means that a few extra kilos can be loaded as there is no extra tank needed to store AdBlue on board.

Inside, one will fi nd all the creature comforts as per the latest EcoDaily design. (See separate list on Standard Equipment). Iveco has found a niche here with the EcoDaily 4x4. Many utility operators are looking for this size of machine that can competently take on off -road tasks with confi dence. Also, it looks the part, as it won’t feel out of place in the urban environment either, if required. While it excels off -road as tested over the proving ground at Quest at Mondello, one does have to be cautious with its high centre of gravity while on road – especially on our secondary routes. It should therefore not be driven like a van or 4x4 Pick-up. A very useful, all purpose vehicle however.

Spec Check

Make/Model: Iveco EcoDaily 4x4 Crew Cab 35S17DWEngine: 3.0 litre 4 cylinder 16 valve EEV common-railPower: 170 hp @ 2990 – 3500Torque: 400 Nm @ 1250 – 2990 rpmTransmission: 6 speed manual Total Ratios: 24Wheelbase: 3400 mmBrakes: Disc/Drums + ABS/EBDDrive: Permanent all wheel driveDiff Lock: Front + RearSuspension: Parabolic 2 leaf (front)/3 leaf (rear)Tyres (Standard): 9.5 R 17.5 on/off road threadFuel Tank: 90 litresGVW: 3500 kgMax Body/Payload: 760 kgFitt ed Options: Front Diff Lock, Sump GuardOptional Equipment: Air-con, heated + suspended drivers seat, single passenger seat, towing hook, vertical exhaust pipe

Standard Equipment

Dual passenger seat with headrests• Fully adjustable driver’s seat with • headrest4 passenger rear seat with headrests• Large dual storage pockets in doors• Single piece fl oor mat• Exterior mirrors with integrated wide angle • and direction indicators with kerbside observation mirror to nearside2 cup holders• Under-seat storage• Bott le holder• Glove compartment with added storage• A4 storage compartment• Additional in-dash storage• Cooled compartment (with opt. air • conditioning)Clip holder• Rear panel with small window• Rear door with sliding window• Additional light in rear• Windows electrically operated• A Pillar grab handles for driver and • passengerLow entry driver and passenger exterior • stepWindshield and side window defrost • facilityCentral locking with remote control and door • locking management – anti-theft system

Quest @ Mondello Park“Take the challenge,” states the brochure. And we did as you have read! According to Quest’s Patricia Rochford, Quest at Mondello is Ireland’s most exciting and the one and only complete off -road Centre in Ireland. “Here one has the opportunity to drive a tank, fl y a twin-engine Hovercraft , drive Land Rover Defenders through our extreme off -road course and more activities all in one visit.”

Quest also provides professional training for State and private companies as well as team building exercises and group entertainment packages. Apart from the various driving experiences Archery is also provided. There are two course options – Full Day (which includes lunch) or Half Day, which can be taken morning or aft ernoon. Prices start at €249 (p.p. incl. VAT). More details on www.mondellopark.ie

REPORT

F leet Van & Utility hears about the ways telematics can help van operators save fuel. Sharon Clancy reports from a conference held in London, hosted

by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

“While many truck operators now welcome the cost-savings telematics systems can bring, van fl eets have been much slower to embrace the technology. With van numbers having risen dramatically in the past decade, their contribution to overall carbon emissions means they can no longer be ignored by any Country or City wanting to improve air quality,” said Richard Turner, Chair of the UK Government’s Committ ee investigating the role of vans in transport policy and one-time President of the Freight Transport Association.

One reason van operators have been slow to embrace telematics is that for many companies, the vehicle represents the means, not an end, he pointed out. “Vans are generally not driven by professional drivers but people like service engineers who need a vehicle to enable them to do their job. Telematics can help operators improve fuel consumption, monitor key performance indicators, reduce excess mileage and improve the way drivers drive their vehicles,” he added.

Two companies demonstrated the potential savings telematics could deliver.

Saving fuel“Fuel effi ciency was the main driver behind Tesco.com’s programme to introduce telematics into its home delivery fl eet,” Operations Development Manager Dave Crelling, informed delegates. Th e operation comprised 2,200 light vans driven by 6,000 “delivery assistants.” Th e vans covered around 60 million miles a year, so reducing fuel consumption off ered the potential for signifi cant savings. Deliveries were made from the stores, with typically eight vehicles at each store, although larger locations could have between 70 and 90 vehicles.

Tesco has installed a system from Microlise. Th e telematics black box was linked to the van CANbus (electrical system) to capture vehicle data such as harsh braking, excessive idling and so on.

ResultsWithin three weeks of installing the new system, Crellin reported, there were fuel savings of at least 5 per cent at each store and overall the system had produced a 12 per cent improvement in fuel consumption (at the same time as reducing emissions). With each van being tracked, Tesco.com could text customers to give them a more

precise delivery time.

“The data from the telematics system had proved equally important in driver debriefi ngs,” said Crellin, “and in improving individual driver behaviour. If people see a Tesco home delivery van speeding, they blame the company, not the driver.” There was also a 6 per cent reduction in vehicle damage. “One of the challenges was the sheer volume of data the telematics system could

generate,” he emphasised. “Store managers don’t want loads of information. Th e key is to keep the reporting simple. People don’t pay att ention otherwise.”

“Telematics could deliver benefi ts even without the complication of a connection to the CANbus,” Jeremy Gould, UK Manager for TomTom Work, told delegates. “You can monitor mileage and idling through the GPS position, highlight excessive mileage and out-of-hours or unauthorised vehicle usage. Nor do you need a large fl eet to benefi t,” he said. “Th e average fl eet size for our customers is 10 vehicles.” He agrees that simplifi ed reports were the key. “Dashboard style reports highlight exceptions and allow you to easily monitor trends.”

Performance standardsMore companies are asking transport contractors for proof that key performance indicators, such as the number of on-time deliveries, have been adhered to. “Telematics can help monitor compliance with those contract essentials,” David Hibbert, Operations Director at private ambulance company Mediforce, told delegates. Mediforce provides ambulance services at sporting and leisure events and off ers front-line and rapid response services to the NHS (National Health Service).

“Th e NHS requires contractors to demonstrate due diligence and that we meet performance standards. Telematics helps us do that.” For example, ambulance operators are required to ensure vehicles arrive at the scene of an emergency within eight minutes of receipt of the call. “Th e TomTom Work telematics system we installed helps us explain and mitigate any failures to comply. We can prove, for example, that an ambulance was late because it had to travel an excessive distance, because of traffi c conditions or because the location was rural. To date, we have been able to mitigate every report of missed call times.”

Another benefi t was proving legal compliance in the event of an accident. Ambulances are permitt ed to go through red lights, for example, but drivers must exercise “extreme caution” (meaning 5 mph). “We have already used TomTom Work to prove that a driver involved in an accident at a traffi c lights was travelling at 2 mph and was not at fault for the collision.”

Van telematics – save fuel, save money, save the planet

44 FLEETVAN&UTILITY | SUMMER 2010 Text: Sharon Clancy

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