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Iveco debuts new daily 4×4

Dylan Garton
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Iveco debuts new daily 4×4

Iveco used the CV Show to premiere its New Daily 4×4 – the latest generation off-roader, built with special features to tackle tough terrain including quarries, building sites and remote locations often inaccessible to regular commercial vehicles.

The updated 4×4 is said to pair a reinforced body with the driving comfort of an on-road vehicle including excellent forward visibility and driver ergonomics.

The New Daily 4×4 features an off-road chassis frame and three-piece steel front bumper. It is compatible with a wide range of specialist bodies and ancillary equipment, and offers multiple PTO choices on the transfer box and gearbox, to ensure the right combination for any off-road application.

The transfer box provides for high, low and neutral drive ratios, selectable with the vehicle in motion and, for on and off road conditions, with the vehicle at rest. This ensures New Daily 4×4 has a choice of 24 forward drive gears (12 for mixed routes and 12 for off-road routes) and four reverse gears.

New Daily 4×4 is available in 3.5 and 5.5 tonne model variants, and with a choice of on-road or off-road tyres, plus wheelbase options of 3,050 and 3,400mm. The 5.5 tonne model features chunky off-road tyres, giving it the ability to tackle gradients of up to 45 degrees and approach angles of 49 degrees, with a maximum wading depth of 660mm – making it ideal for crossing rivers or operating in flood waters.

www.iveco.com/uk/Pages/Home-Page.aspx

Toyota Proace van makes world debut

Dylan Garton
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0
Toyota Proace van makes world debut

The new Toyota Proace Van range of light commercial vehicles is making its world debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham this week with UK order books now open ahead of the official start of sales in September.

Five-year warranty
New Proace Van will be sold in the UK with  five-year/100,000-mile warranty, with unlimited mileage for the first year. The CV on-the-road prices will start at £18,660 for Compact panel van, £19,285 for the Medium and £21,915 for the Long version. Full range pricing will be released shortly.

Design and packaging
Proace Van’s new frontal design clearly marks it out as a member of the contemporary Toyota family. It will be available in a choice of three body sizes: Compact, Medium and Long.

The Compact will be the shortest model in the MDV segment measuring 4.6m long with a 2.9m wheelbase. Its 11.3-metre turning circle makes it highly manoeuvrable for use in built-up areas.

Proace Van Compact is available as panel van with three front seats and a cargo bay measuring 2.1m long by 1.6m wide, giving a load volume of 4.6m3.

The new Smart Cargo system, combining an opening front bulkhead with a lifting front passenger seat base mechanism, increases the maximum load length from 2.5 to 3.7m and total load volume to a best-in-class 5.1m3. Available on all Proace Van models (option or standard according to grade), it also creates additional storage space in the cabin.

The Medium version is 4.9m long and has a 3.2m wheelbase. When the Smart Cargo system is fitted, overall load length extends to 3.7m and load capacity rises from 5.3 to 5.8m3. The medium-length Proace Van is available in panel, crew cab, combi and platform cab versions.

The Long version of Proace Van has the same 3.2m wheelbase, but with an extended rear overhang that takes overall vehicle length to 5.3m. Panel, crew cab and nine-set Combi versions are offered. The cargo area measures 2.8m long and 1.6m wide, giving a load volume of 6.1m3. Here the Smart Cargo system takes maximum load length to 4m, increasing load capacity to 6.6m3.

With each vehicle length, Proace Van benefits from left and right side sliding doors and side-hinged rear double doors that open to 180 degrees. The vehicle width and height are standard at 2.2m and 1.9m respectively. Maximum payload is up to 1,400kg and the braked trailer towing capacity is up to 2,500kg.

On the Medium and Long versions the door aperture is wide enough for Euro pallets to be loaded.

The cabin is robust, functional and spacious, designed to meet the needs of both commercial and private owners. The dashboard features clear instrumentation and analogue dials with ergonomic switchgear. The driving position affords excellent visibility and is car-like in its position, with a short-throw gear lever mounted close to the steering wheel.

UK grade structure and accessories
Proace Van is available in three equipment grades: Base and Comfort for the van and Combi for the passenger version.

The Base van specification provides central remote locking with deadlocks, cruise control with speed limiter, fabric seat upholstery, driver and front passenger airbags, power windows and door mirrors, audio system with radio, DAB, USB port and Bluetooth and a tyre pressure monitor.

Comfort grade adds more sophisticated cabin acoustic treatments, driver’s seat height adjustment, combination cloth and vinyl upholstery, air conditioning, cooled and illuminated glovebox, additional 12V power outlets in the glovebox and cargo area, the Smart Cargo system. Body colour-matched bumpers and door mirrors, front fog lamps, full wheel covers and a dashboard information display.

The standard specification for the nine-seat Combi includes three front seats, six further seats in two rows, driver’s seat armrest, driver and passenger front airbags, cloth upholstery, central locking, cruise control with speed limiter, 12V dashboard power outlet, 16-inch steel wheels, tyre pressure monitor, power windows, twin sliding side doors, glazed rear doors, Vehicle Stability Control and Hill-start Assist Control. The powertrain features the 115bhp 1.6 turbodiesel engine with stop and start and a six-speed manual transmission.

There is a wealth of options and accessories for owners to adapt their Proace Van to suit their needs. For more style, customers can add 17-inch alloy wheels and colour-matched side protection, doorhandles and door mirrors. For added safety, Toyota offers side airbags, bi-xenon headlamps and fog lamps.

A Safety and Security Pack can be specified that equips Proace with a Toyota Safety Sense package including a Pre-Collision System with Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control, together with a head-up display, cornering lights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, dusk-sensing headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and vehicle alarm.

A ProTouch touchscreen multimedia system is also available for Comfort grade models as part of a premium option pack that also provides satellite navigation and 17-inch alloy wheels. A tailgate can be specified in place of the twin rear doors on medium and long Comfort versions of the Proace Van (excepting the 94bhp 1.6 diesel version).

Accessories include a rear ladder, fixed and fold-out tow hooks, roof rack system with rollers, top boxes and pipe carriers and a range of tailor-made items supplied by Würth.

Powertrains
The new Proace Van is available with 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesel engines with a range of power outputs and choice of different transmissions. The model is targeting best-in-class CO2 emissions for a medium duty van, supported by the use of stop and start technology – featured in the 115bhp 1.6 unit.

A 95bhp (70kW) version of the 1.6 unit can be matched to either a five-speed manual gearbox (with 210Nm of torque), or a six-speed robotised manual transmission (240Nm of torque). The former generates CO2 emissions of between 144 and 148g/km with combined cycle fuel economy of between 51.4 and 50.4mpg. The latter, benefiting from Stop and Start, produces 135 to 139g/km and achieves between 55.4 and 54.3mpg.

The 120bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel is recommended for vans carrying higher payloads, thanks to its higher torque – 340Nm of torque.

All powertrains meet Euro 6 emissions standards and are equipped with selective catalytic reduction to reduce the amount of NOx released into the atmosphere. A 22.5-litre tank of AdBlue ensures the system will work to its optimum capability for 15,000km (about 9,300 miles). The tank is easy to refill, via a filler inlet on the B-pillar, accessible when the driver’s door is open.

Low cost of ownership is supported by service intervals of 25,000 miles or every two years, according to usage.

 

Ford Transit the most stolen vehicle in the UK

Dylan Garton
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Ford Transit the most stolen vehicle in the UK

According to latest figures from NaVCIS (National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service), the Ford Transit was the most frequently stolen vehicle in the UK in 2015. In further bad news for Transit owners, only one third of stolen Ford Transits are ever recovered and returned to their owners, compared to a national average of 55% of cars and 38% of light goods vehicles.

According to the report, of the 11,000 Ford vehicles reported stolen, almost half of those were Transit vans. The West Midlands accounts for 10% of all Ford Transit thefts while in Yorkshire, the total value of all Ford Transit vans stolen in 2015 was in excess of £7.5million.

The Mercedes Sprinter was the second most commonly stolen vehicle with thefts of models manufactured between 2013 and 2015 particularly high. In comparison, Ford Transit vans manufactured between 2006 and 2011 are most frequently stolen, suggesting poor security in older models make them vulnerable. Vehicles are often stolen without keys and once in a ‘safe’ location, thieves break down the vehicles for component parts to be sold on.

In response to the news, stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert, TRACKER is urging owners of vans to ensure their vehicles are better protected.

TRACKER’s SVR systems work like an electronic homing device. A covert transmitter is hidden in one of several dozen places around the vehicle, and there is no visible aerial, so the thief won’t even know it’s there.

TRACKER combines GSM, GPS and VHF technology, and its use of VHF technology makes it resilient to ‘jamming’.   Jamming devices, readily available on the internet, are increasingly being used by thieves to disrupt GPS/GSM signals so that the police are unable to track and locate stolen vans fitted with SVR devises that rely on GPS alone.

Hitachi Power Tools Launches New 6Ah Lithium-Ion Battery

Dylan Garton
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Hitachi Power Tools Launches New 6Ah Lithium-Ion Battery

Hitachi Power Tools (UK) has launched a new high capacity 6.0Ah Lithium-ion battery, which is compatible with the entire range of 18V cordless tools.

The BSL1860 Li-Ion battery is the same size and weight as previous batteries but with greater capacity and working time. A multiplex protection circuit protects the cells from overload, overcharging and over discharge, ensuring a long lifetime with up to 1500 charge cycles.

The new 18V 6.0Ah range includes the DV18DBXL/JX 18V Combi Drill with brushless motor.

The all new UC18YSL3 charger is capable of charging a 6.0Ah Li-Ion battery on only 38 minutes.

www.hikoki-powertools.co.uk

Widespread van overloading undermining tech advances, says SMMT

Roger Bisby
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Widespread van overloading undermining tech advances, says SMMT

Advances in van safety technology could be undermined by dangerous van overloading, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned today. Almost nine in 10 (88.5%) of the 2,381 vans weighed last year by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) were found to be overloaded, a worse record than the previous year in which 84% of the 3,337 checked were illegal.

Manufacturers are offering increasing levels of safety on the latest vehicles: around a quarter of vans currently on sale in the UK are available with advanced collision warning systems2, while three new models launched in 2016 feature autonomous emergency braking for the first time. But for all the benefits advanced safety tech brings, an overloaded or poorly loaded van can still pose a risk to its driver and other road users, adding vital metres to braking distances and affecting handling.

While anyone operating a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) is subject to strict rules under the Operator Licensing regime, this does not apply to vehicles under 3.5 tonnes – in other words, the vast majority of vans. No move has yet been made to extend Operator Licensing to vans, and to ensure this and a potential £2.6 billion3 in extra costs for operators continues to be avoided, industry is keen to see this safety record improve.

SMMT works closely with the DVSA, as well as other industry bodies, to help the van sector stay clear of burdensome regulation. Operators and owners looking to ensure their van complies with weight regulations can refer to DVSA’s handy Van Smart  video guide available here: https://bit.ly/1YF4A33

Gordon Macdonald, DVSA Compliance Service Manager, said, “Overloading continues to be a real issue on our roads, and drivers and businesses need to carefully consider their legal responsibility towards vehicle weight compliance, so we fully support the SMMT’s latest important van safety message.”

For simple, step-by-step guidance on how best to maintain their vans, operators can visit www.smmt.co.uk

Timber windows and doors installation

Dylan Garton
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Timber windows and doors installation

Made-to-order timber windows and doors from the Kensington & Chelsea range by Lomax + Wood have been designed, manufactured and installed in a private home remodel in Hampstead Garden Suburb (HGS), a designated conservation area.

A double storey extension has been added to the rear of the property where there is now a contemporary, open plan kitchen-cum-dining area.  A smart, curved on plan, single glazed French doorset and coordinating floor-to-ceiling double glazed sash windows have made a feature of the bay space leading to the terraced garden.  A combination of double glazed timber sliding sash windows, some operated by traditional cords and weights and others by modern pre-tensioned spring balances, have been installed throughout.

“This property is classic and elegant but has a contemporary twist suited to modern-day living,” says Chris Wood, managing director, Lomax + Wood.  “This is yet another successful project for us which received full approval of the HGS Trust and Barnet Council, to whom Lomax + Wood is a preferred and recommended manufacturer.

“The HGT has strong sustainability policies and the high thermal performance of the Kensington & Chelsea products comply perfectly with their low carbon ambitions.  In addition, we have established a strong working relationship with them and we instinctively know that we can satisfy their very precise design aesthetics.  In particular, the curved on plan doors and windows require a great deal of specialist design and manufacturing techniques together with time honoured skills.”

This project involved a full service package which is offered by Lomax +Wood to private customers; it includes initial site survey, design and manufacturing, as well as an installation service provided by the company’s own installation team. “This multi-disciplined service means that there are no other suppliers involved, which is convenient for the customer, leaving us to take full responsibility for the project from start to end.”  The completion of any interior decoration remains the responsibility of the client.

The Chelsea & Kensington range offers a coordinated collection of wooden sash windows; beautiful flush timber casement windows; single, bi-folding and timber entrance doors in a variety of designs.

Prices released for new Peugeot Expert van

Roger Bisby
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Prices released for new Peugeot Expert van

The UK range and prices for the all-new PEUGEOT Expert van have been released today (Tuesday 26 April), ahead of its worldwide launch at the 2016 Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham’s NEC. The all-new PEUGEOT Expert will be available to order from June 2016 ahead of going on sale in September.

In the UK, the all-new PEUGEOT Expert will be offered with a choice of three, well-equipped panel van trim levels: Expert S, Expert Professional and Expert Professional Plus and will also come as a Platform Cab and Crew Van.

The 47-model all-new PEUGEOT Expert LCV range is as follows:

New PEUGEOT Expert S   Basic Price*
BlueHDi 95 manual Compact 1000 S £17,495
BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 Compact 1000 S £18,275
BlueHDi 115 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1000 S £18,295
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1400 S £18,695
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1400 S £19,795
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Compact 1300 S £22,795
BlueHDi 95 manual Standard 1000 S £18,195
BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 Standard 1000 S £18,975
BlueHDi 115 S&S 6-speed manual Standard 1000 S £18,995
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Standard 1400 S £19,395
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Standard 1400 S £20,495
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Standard 1250 S £23,495
BlueHDi 95 manual Long 1200 S £19,095
BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 Long 1200 S £19,875
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Long 1400 S £20,295
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Long 1400 S £21,395
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Long 1250 S £24,395
New PEUGEOT Expert Professional   Basic Price*
BlueHDi 95 manual Compact 1000 Professional £18,845
BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 Compact 1000 Professional £19,625
BlueHDi 115 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1000 Professional £19,645
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1400 Professional £20,045
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1400 Professional £21,145
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Compact 1300 Professional £23,545
BlueHDi 95 manual Standard 1000 Professional £19,545
BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 Standard 1000 Professional £20,325
BlueHDi 115 S&S 6-speed manual Standard 1000 Professional £20,345
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Standard 1400 Professional £20,745
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Standard 1400 Professional £21,845
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Standard 1250 Professional £24,245
BlueHDi 95 manual Long 1200 Professional £20,445
BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 Long 1200 Professional £21,225
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Long 1400 Professional £21,645
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Long 1400 Professional £22,745
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Long 1250 Professional £25,145
New PEUGEOT Expert Professional Plus    Basic Price*
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1400 Professional Plus £21,645
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1400 Professional Plus £22,745
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Compact 1300 Professional Plus £25,145
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Compact 1400 Professional Plus £22,345
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Standard 1400 Professional Plus £23,445
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Standard 1250 Professional Plus £25,845
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Long 1400 Professional Plus £23,045
BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual Long 1400 Professional Plus £24,145
BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Long 1250 Professional Plus £26,545
New PEUGEOT Expert Platform Cab    Basic Price*
BlueHDi 95 manual 1200 S £17,425
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual 1400 S £18,625
New PEUGEOT Expert Crew Van  Basic Price*
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Standard 1400 Professional £20,045
BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual Long 1400 Professional £24,195

Key features on each of the three trim levels are listed below:

Expert S:   Expert Professional:   Expert Professional Plus:  
In addition to Expert S       In addition to Expert Professional
Twin sliding side doors Alarm Upgraded payload
Unglazed twin rear doors Rear parking sensors Rear parking camera
Full steel bulkhead Moduwork Automatic illumination of headlights
Remote central locking with deadlocks Touchscreen DAB Audio Pack Automatic windscreen wipers
Dual passenger bench seat Air conditioning Body colour bumpers
Driver & passenger airbags Heated/electric door mirrors Front fog lights
DAB Radio 16 inch alloy wheels
Bluetooth® Metallic Paint
12 volt socket in dashboard
Speed limiter/cruise control
Electric windows
Full size steel spare wheel

With the announcement of the UK range and prices, PEUGEOT has confirmed that the New Expert’s 22.4-litre Adblue® tank will provide a range of up to 9,320 miles.

*Manufacturer’s Recommended Basic price. Exclusive of VAT, delivery, plates, Government First Registration Fee and Vehicle Excise Duty.

 

Citroën Dispatch pricing released

Dylan Garton
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0
Citroën Dispatch pricing released

The UK range and prices of the New Citroën Dispatch have been released today – Tuesday 26 April.

The full UK technical specification of the advanced New Dispatch range will be released closer to the ‘on sale’ date of 1 September 2016. Orders can be placed from June.

In the UK, the New Dispatch will be offered with a choice of three trim levels: X, Enterprise and Enterprise Plus.

The 47 model New Citroën Dispatch LCV range is as follows:

New Citroën Dispatch X         MRB Price*
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 manual XS 1000 X £17,495
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 XS 1000 X £18,275
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 115 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1000 X £18,295
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1400 X £18,695
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1400 X £19,795
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 XS 1300 X £22,795
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 manual M 1000 X £18,195
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 M 1000 X £18,975
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 115 S&S 6-speed manual M 1000 X £18,995
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual M 1400 X £19,395
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual M 1400 X £20,495
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 M 1250 X £23,495
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 manual XL 1200 X £19,095
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 XL 1200 X £19,875
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual XL 1400 X £20,295
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual XL 1400 X £21,395
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 XL 1250 X £24,395
New Citroën Dispatch Enterprise
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 manual XS 1000 Enterprise £18,845
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 XS 1000 Enterprise £19,625
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 115 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1000 Enterprise £19,645
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1400 Enterprise £20,045
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1400 Enterprise £21,145
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 XS 1300 Enterprise £23,545
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 manual M 1000 Enterprise £19,545
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 M 1000 Enterprise £20,325
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 115 S&S 6-speed manual M 1000 Enterprise £20,345
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual M 1400 Enterprise £20,745
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual M 1400 Enterprise £21,845
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 M 1250 Enterprise £24,245
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 manual XL 1200 Enterprise £20,445
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 95 S&S ETG6 XL 1200 Enterprise £21,225
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual XL 1400 Enterprise £21,645
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual XL 1400 Enterprise £22,745
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 XL 1250 Enterprise £25,145
 New Citroën Dispatch Enterprise Plus
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1400 Enterprise Plus £21,645
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1400 Enterprise Plus £22,745
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 XS 1300 Enterprise Plus £25,145
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual XS 1400 Enterprise Plus £22,345
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual M 1400 Enterprise Plus £23,445
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 M 1250 Enterprise Plus £25,845
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual XL 1400 Enterprise Plus £23,045
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 150 S&S 6-speed manual XL 1400 Enterprise Plus £24,145
New Dispatch Panel Van BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 XL 1250 Enterprise Plus £26,545
New Citroën Dispatch Chassis Cabs
New Dispatch Platform Cab BlueHDi 95 manual 1200 X £17,425
New Dispatch Platform Cab BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual 1400 X £18,625
New Citroën Dispatch Crew Vans
New Dispatch Crew Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual M 1400 Enterprise £20,045
New Dispatch Crew Van BlueHDi 120 S&S 6-speed manual XL 1400 Enterprise £24,195

Key features of each of the three trim levels are listed below:

DISPATCH X:   DISPATCH ENTERPRISE:   DISPATCH ENTERPRISE PLUS:
In addition to DISPATCH X In addition to ENTERPRISE
Twin sliding side doors Alarm Upgraded payload
Unglazed twin rear doors Rear parking sensors Rear parking camera
Full steel bulkhead Moduwork Automatic illumination of headlights
Remote locking with deadlocks Touchscreen DAB Audio Pack Automatic windscreen wipers
Dual passenger bench seat Air conditioning Body colour bumpers
Driver & passenger airbags Heated/electric door mirrors Front fog lights
DAB Radio 16-inch alloy wheels
Bluetooth® Metallic paint
12 volt socket in dashboard
Speed limiter /cruise control
Electric windows
Full size steel spare wheel

Ford launches new Transit and Transit Custom

Dylan Garton
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0
Ford launches new Transit and Transit Custom

Ford’s  new Transit van and Transit Custom van, which are being launched at The Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham this week, are said to offer improved cost of ownership and performance thanks to the inclusion of the new 2.0-litre Ford EcoBlue diesel engine.

The Ford EcoBlue engine enhances fuel efficiency by up to 13 per cent compared with the outgoing 2.2-litre TDCi engine, with CO2 emissions from 157 g/km, and delivers significant improvements in low-rpm torque. The new engine – available to order now – will also deliver up to 2-year/37,000 miles variable service intervals for Transit and Transit Custom operators.

The downsized 2.0-litre Ford EcoBlue diesel engine has been engineered to meet Ford’s commercial vehicle durability standards, powering Transit vehicles through the equivalent of 3.4 million miles of trials, including 250,000 miles of testing at the hands of real-world Transit customers.

“The challenge was to take our best-selling Transit and make it cheaper to operate, improve performance, cleaner in terms of emissions, quieter in the cabin, safer and even more durable,” said Pete Reyes, Ford of Europe’s head of commercial vehicles. “That’s exactly what we did with the new Transit van and Transit Custom van with the all-new Ford EcoBlue engine.”

Clean diesel technologies enable ultra-low emissions in line with Euro Stage VI standards that will be introduced in September 2016, requiring a 55 per cent reduction in NOx emissions compared to Euro Stage V standards.

In addition to the all-new engine line-up, Transit and Transit Custom vehicles also are available to order now with advanced driver assistance technologies including Side Wind Stabilisation and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection. From late 2016, customers also will be able to specify a six‑speed automatic transmission in place of a manual gearbox, and a new rear air suspension option on Transit Custom Kombi models.

www.ford.co.uk/CommercialVehicles/Transit

How to: Hide tv cables in the wall

Roger Bisby
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How to: Hide tv cables in the wall

In this video Roger Bisby explains how to hide unsightly HDMI cables behind a wall using a product from Super Rod.

Nobody wants to see AV cables hanging from a wall mounted television which is where the Polymer rods from Super Rod come in.
Super Rod’s Polymer rods are thin and flexible helping them to reach the parts other rods can’t reach. A selection of different hooks and attachments allow you to attach whatever you are trying to pull through directly to the end of the rod.

For more on the rod kit, visit: www.super-rod.co.uk

Fiat Professional looking for next tradesman pro footballer

Dylan Garton
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Fiat Professional looking for next tradesman pro footballer

Fiat Professional, official partner of The Football League, has today launched the Fiat Professional Tradesman Trials, a nation-wide search to find a tradesman who has the talent to make it as a professional footballer.

The move from the trades to professional football is a well-trodden path.  There is a long list of past and present players starting out as tradesmen including current Southampton striker and ex-Burnley and Queens Park Rangers striker, Charlie Austin who was a builder and former Wigan midfielder, Jimmy Bullard who worked for his father’s painting and decorating company before he hit the big time.

Tradesmen who think they’ve got what it takes to win the one month trial at a Football League club have until 12th June to showcase their skills.

The best entries will then be invited to attend a Tradesman Trials day, in association with The Football League that will take place by the end of June, where they will be put through their paces in front of a selection of scouts and Fiat Professional’s football ambassadors. The winner will then select his preferred club from those signed up to the campaign and receive a £2,000 prize.

Former tradesmen turned professional footballers, Stuart Pearce (electrician), Dean Windass (hod carrier) & Geoff Horsfield (builder) kick started the campaign by taking part in a Tradesman Challenge to see if they have still got their tradesman skills.

The series of challenges included plastering, painting and wallpapering, re-wiring a plug and building a brick wall. Ex-referee Dermot Gallagher was on hand to keep everyone in check throughout, while comedian Ian Smith provided commentary on the players’ efforts.

Stuart Pearce started his career as an electrician and continued to trade until the age of 25 alongside his professional football duties while Dean Windass was a hod carrier on a building site in Hull for 18 months.

Geoff Horsfield worked as a builder before he signed professional terms and has since returned to the building trade full time. The Geoff Horsfield Foundation was set up earlier this year to help accommodate vulnerable people with mental health issues in Birmingham. Geoff and the foundation renovate properties and provide ongoing support to help them get back on their feet.

Stuart Pearce comments: “When I first moved to Nottingham Forest from Coventry I advertised in the match day programme to get some extra income. I eventually stopped trading but Brian Clough never stopped bringing in his broken irons, toasters and kettles into the training ground for me to rewire!”

For tradesmen who don’t think they have what it takes to make it in professional football, Fiat Professional is also running a competition to win a Fiat Professional van for two years. The winner will be able to choose from any model in the current Fiat Professional range including the Ducato, Doblo’ and the brand new Talento, Fiorino and Fullback pick-up launching in June. This prize also includes servicing and maintenance.

Suspended prison sentence for fraudulent gaswork

Roger Bisby
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Suspended prison sentence for fraudulent gaswork

A businessman who illegally carried out annual gas safety checks at tenanted properties despite not being a registered gas engineer has received a suspended prison sentence.

Sven Biesterfeldt, who was formally based in Cornwall and uses a number of other names including Tom Williams, potentially put tenant’s lives at risk by carrying out the safety checks and fraudulently filled out a landlord’s gas safety document using another companies Gas Safe Register number in May 2014.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Sven Biesterfeldt at Bodmin Magistrates Court after his work was investigated following a complaint from a landlord.

Mr Biesterfeldt displayed the Gas Safe Register logo on his work vehicle and also told the landlord that he was a member of Gas Safe Register and could carry out the gas safety checks at the landlord’s tenanted property in Troon, near Camborne. The landlord became suspicious when he checked on the Gas Safe Register number on Mr Biesterfeldt’s safety certificate  and discovered that it was for a company in Essex.

Sven Biesterfeldt, who has previously lived in Carnkie, near Redruth and then in Breage, near Helston, pleaded guilty to two breaches of gas safety legislation and was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for one year and ordered to undertake 180 hours unpaid community work. He was also disqualified from being a company director for three years and ordered to pay £4,000 in costs.

HSE Inspector Simon Jones, speaking after the hearing, said: “Mr Biesterfeldt should never have carried out gas safety checks and compounded this by fraudulently using the Gas Safe Register logo on his work vehicle and by using a properly Gas Safe registered companies details on safety documents he produced. This was a calculated and deliberate attempt to deceive the public into believing he was competent and registered to undertake gaswork and this could not be further from the truth.

“Mr Biesterfeldt put the lives of tenants at risk as he has no training or skills when it comes to gas safety and essential gas safety checks. Such checks are vital to protect tenants from death or injury caused by potentially dangerous gas appliances.”

www.hse.gov.uk/gas/landlords/

Fein releases latest review: Fein WSG 15-125 PRT ErgoGrip Angle Grinder

Dylan Garton
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0
Fein releases latest review: Fein WSG 15-125 PRT ErgoGrip Angle Grinder

Powertool manufacturer Fein has released its latest “Feeling FEIN’ video tool review.

The ‘Feeling FEIN’ reviews focus on getting FEIN’s products into the hands of professional tradesmen. Each tradesman has been using a specific FEIN power tool and has given their honest feedback on camera.

In this review David Wren from Wren Industrial & Marine Fabrications Ltd has been testing the FEIN WSG 15-125 PRT ErgoGrip Angle Grinder.

You can keep up to date with the ‘Feeling FEIN’ Fein power tools reviews on twitter using #FeelingFein

Or if you’ve got a question about the Angle Grinder tweet @Fein_UK

Industry urges Lords to protect homes from flooding

Dylan Garton
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0
Industry urges Lords to protect homes from flooding

Leading civil engineers, environmental scientists, water experts, water companies and architects have appealed to the Lords to ensure the incoming housing law protects new and existing homes from flooding.

Contributing to the Housing and Planning Bill debate currently passing through the Lords, the coalition said that new development will place additional pressure on critical drainage and flood defence infrastructure. The group includes the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Water UK.

The group wants the Lords to amend the Bill so that it restricts developers’ automatic right to directly connect new houses to existing drainage systems – many of which are already over-loaded – and compel them to integrate low-cost measures known as sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), which compensate for the additional flow that new developments create. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 legislated to this effect, but the law was never implemented. Instead, planning guidelines were produced to require SuDS, but the group say the measure has been toothless in promoting greater flood risk mitigation on new developments and has failed to promote the added benefits of sustainable drainage for water quality, biodiversity and amenity. The group says the amendment tabled by Baroness Parminter, which will be debated today (25 April), will be instrumental in mitigating flood risk.

SuDs represent excellent value for money. In many cases, the capital cost of sustainable drainage will be lower than conventional drainage. Moreover, millions of pounds could be saved for communities and businesses by reducing the £1.3-£2.2 billion of flood damage each year in England. Natural features can also add to the value of new developments by making them attractive, safer places to live.

Former ICE President and flooding expert Professor David Balmforth said: “Flooding is one of the major challenges facing society today, yet we continue to add to the problem by building new homes in a way that makes flooding more likely. This does not have to be the case as there is a proven and low cost solution using SuDs. The Pitt Review and the Committee on Climate Change view them as a force for good; so should the law”. We urge the Lords to send the Commons a Bill that will help protect society from flooding.”

Dr Richard Benwell, Head of Government Affairs at the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) said: “This bill is a test case for whether the Government is serious about a joined up approach to flood defence and environmental protection. Wales, Scotland and especially Northern Ireland have already made progress on sustainable drainage, but England is lagging behind. Building new homes that are naturally resilient from the outset is much more affordable than dealing with the consequences later, and can do wonders for water quality and nature. The Minister should listen to the cross-party alliance of Lords supporting sustainable drainage, in the long-term interests of communities and the environment”.

Terry Fuller, Chief Executive of CIWEM said: “It is absurd that in the current age we still allow developers to build homes and automatically connect to the sewer system without any consideration of the impact of doing so. This amendment would set us on the right path to encourage developers to consider flood risk from the outset”.

SME Builders and Unite agree 5% pay rise

Dylan Garton
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0
SME Builders and Unite agree 5% pay rise

The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) has agreed a two year deal involving a 5% pay rise over two years. The announcement follows negotiations between the Federation of Master Builders, on behalf of SME construction employers, and Unite the union, on behalf of operatives.

Under the terms of the deal, workers will receive a 2.5% pay rise this year and a further 2.5% increase in 2017. The rise will be across the board, with the exception of hourly rates for lower paid general operatives, which will get a bigger boost of 4% this year, followed by 2.5% next year.

In order to provide employees with a greater degree of security, the Agreement includes a commitment that the 2017 rise will be inflation-proofed – if inflation in early 2017 is higher than 2.5%, then the 2017 pay rise will match this, up to a limit of 3%.

Brian Berry, FMB Chief Executive said: “I am pleased we were able to reach this agreement. This is a good deal which provides certainty and reassurance to employers and employees alike. It strikes the right balance between on the one hand recognising the importance of boosting pay in line with solid growth and positive future expectations, and on the other hand accepting that margins continue to be tight and the economic outlook continues to be clouded by a number of uncertainties.”

John Allott, Unite the union’s National Construction Officer, said: “We welcome this pay increase and the FMB’s commitment to the BATJIC agreement. The higher increase to the lowest paid was needed, as many operatives living standards took a knock during the economic downturn. The inflation-proofing of the second year’s rise provides some further reassurance that living standards will receive protection against a jump in inflation.”

Barman sentenced for illegally installing gas pipework

Roger Bisby
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0
Barman sentenced for illegally installing gas pipework

A pub worker has been sentenced for illegally installing gas pipework and a gas boiler at a flat in Torquay.

Geoffrey Voss, aged 59, who works as a barman at a pub in Torquay, installed the gas pipework and gas boiler at a flat on Old Torwood Road, Torquay despite him holding no competencies in gas work and despite him having never been registered with Gas Safe Register for any gas work.

He was prosecuted after his illegal activities were investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court heard that Mr Voss’s illegal gas work came to light when the homeowner repeatedly asked him for the commissioning documentation for the new gas boiler that he had installed. Mr Voss never produced the document and the home owner then raised his concerns with Gas Safe Register.

During the HSE investigation Mr Voss admitted that he had not commissioned the gas boiler after he had installed it. Such commissioning should have included tests to ensure that the boiler that he installed wasn’t producing high levels of carbon monoxide, but he left the boiler working without the tests being undertaken, putting the homeowner at risk from deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

Geoffrey Voss of South Street, Torquay, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) and 33(1)(c) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations and was sentenced to 36 weeks imprisonment suspended for 2 years and ordered to pay £757 in costs.

HSE Inspector Simon Jones, speaking after the hearing, said: “Only engineers with the correct competencies and who are registered with Gas Safe can legally carry out gas work and it is fortunate no-one was harmed as a result of Mr Voss’s illegal work.

“Once a gas boiler has been installed it should always be properly commissioned to ensure that it is operating safely. In this case Mr Voss did no such safety checks after his illegal work, leaving it to chance that there would not be a risk of fire, explosion or carbon monoxide poisoning.”

For further information on domestic gas safety issues visit: www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/

Company fined after worker falls five metres from flat roof

Roger Bisby
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0
Company fined after worker falls five metres from flat roof

A signage company based in Sheffield, has been fined after a worker fell five metres from a flat roof.

Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court heard how Warburton Signs Limited were contracted to erect a large sign to the gable end of an industrial building. Three fitters accessed a neighbouring flat roof to fit the sign when one worker fell from the roof. He sustained life threatening injuries, including a fractured skull, several broken ribs, a collapsed lung and chipped vertebra.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 13 April 2015 found Warburton Signs Limited failed to put in place any measures to prevent a fall from height.

Warburton Signs Limited, of Trident House, High Street, Beighton, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1538.

HSE inspector Helen Barley said after the hearing: “Failure to prevent falls when working at height can lead to serious injury or death.”

For further information on work at height visit: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/workingatheight.htm

Construction company fined after worker trips on boot and falls through void

Roger Bisby
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0
Construction company fined after worker trips on boot and falls through void

A Derbyshire based construction company has been fined after a worker was seriously injured when he fell through a void.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard how a worker employed by a sub-contractor working for Bowmer and Kirkland Limited, was contracted to pour concrete onto the first floor of a building that was under construction at Fort Kinnaird Retail Park, Edinburgh.

The employee was walking across a floor that was under construction when his boot caught and he tripped. He dislodged an unsecured wooden board which had been placed over the void and exposed an opening of 2 x 1 metres.

He fell approximately 4.5metres through a void in the first floor and sustained serious injuries to his back as well as a broken foot. He was off work for twenty-two weeks and suffers continuing pain. He has reduced mobility, finding it difficult to walk or sit for long periods.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 16 May 2014 found that the company failed to take suitable and sufficient measures by not fixing the wooden panels placed on the void to prevent a fall.

Bowmer and Kirkland Limited, of High Edge Court, Church Street, Heage, Belper, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulation 2005 and was fined £6,600.

For further information on work at height visit: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/workingatheight.htm

DeWalt launches smartphone

Roger Bisby
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0
DeWalt launches smartphone

DeWalt has launched an Android-powered smartphone meeting demand among trade professionals for handsets that will withstand the rigours of life on a construction site.

The £379 DeWalt MD501 is waterproof, dustproof and weatherproof and is built to withstand drops from two metres onto concrete, extreme temperatures and barometric pressures as well as being resistant to chemical spillages and vibrations.

The ability to handle two SIMs means that you can keep your personal and business mobile accounts separate; run two different contracts – one for calls and one for data.

The MD501 delivers hi speed 4G data functionality, rapid GPS location services and the versatility of NFC as a business and payment enabler.

The model also comes with built-in wireless charging which offers the  convenience of charging and re-charging your smartphone without the need for connecting and disconnecting cables.

The DeWalt smartphone doesn’t appear to be available to buy just yet but potential customers can register their interest on DeWalt’s website:
dewaltphones.com/#ip68

FIAT pick-up truck makes UK debut

Roger Bisby
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0
FIAT pick-up truck makes UK debut

FIAT Professional is launching its  all-new Fullback pick-up truck to the UK market at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show held at Birmingham’s NEC (26-28 April, 2016).

The new medium-duty pick-up will join the award-winning FIAT Professional range in June 2016, along with the new Talento and Fiorino, and will be available with a practical double cab body style configuration in the UK making it suitable for both commercial and leisure time activities.

Measuring 1,780mm in height, 1,815 mm in width and 5,285mm in length, with a wheelbase of 3,000mm, the new FIAT Professional Fullback will offer a competitive payload up to 1,045Kg and will be powered by a 2.4-litre, aluminium, turbo-diesel engine with a power output of either 150hp or 180hp. Two transmissions will be available, a new six-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission with sports mode, and both will be combined with full four-wheel drive systems.

The new FIAT Professional Fullback will be available in the UK in two trim levels with pricing and specifications to be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch in June 2016. The Fullback is FIAT Professional’s first contender in the medium-duty pick-up truck segment. In the UK, 2015 sales in the pick-up segment were up 18% with full year registrations totalling almost 40,000 units.

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