You might think that most of our fleet work revolves around cars – but we also do a significant amount of commercial vehicles. Our most recent account partner is the Bristol-based catering equipment company Nisbets, whom we now supply with a mixed fleet of cars and commercials.

So with the CV Show in full swing this week, I’ll be watching with interest all the van and pick-up action at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, which takes place from the 26 -28th of April. A massive 460 exhibitors are there – if you’ve got time to visit all of them; if not, these are the must see stands which I shall be touring.

Citroen – new Dispatch

I reckon Citroen are probably hoping that some of the success of the smaller Berlingo will rub off on the all-new bigger, Transit-rivalling Dispatch – that makes its UK debut at the 2016 CV Show. Cleverly built on a modular chassis, the new Dispatch boasts sharp looks, a 1,400kg payload, 2.5 tonnes of towing capacity, hands-free opening side doors and an extra-short 2.5 metre version.

You should also have a look at the Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace – both of these vans are based on the same chassis as the Dispatch, and all three vans are built at the Sevenlord factory in France. For Toyota, in particular, it marks a welcome return to the LCV sector.

Fiat – new Fullback pick up

Another new manufacturer entering into a fantastically competitive pick-up market is Fiat with the Fullback. The new pick-up is the result of a tie-up with Mitsubishi, the Fullback being based on one of my pick-up favourites – the latest L200 butgiven a Fiat makeover. The Fullback should give the sector some real pep – its UK debut is at the CV Show, so don’t miss it.

 

LDV – new Maxus

Okay, hands up who’s spotted that the Maxus isn’t an entirely new van? Good, because you’re right; The new Maxus is a heavily revised version of the van that disappeared from these shores seven-years ago. Now powered by a 2.5-litre VM Motori-supplied Euro6 turbo-diesel engine, LDV are also unveiling an electric-powered van at the show.

Toyota – new Hilux pick-up

Think pick-up, think Hilux, right? However, with all the action in the pick-up market, the current Hilux is up against some tough opposition. To deal with this threat, Toyota are debuting the all-new Hilux at the CV Show. Available this autumn, new Hilux highlights include a choice of more refined and efficient diesel engines. I think this will be an absolute winner.

Volkswagen – back at the CV Show with petrol Caddy

Volkswagen is back displaying at the CV show for the first time in a few years. Although the Caddy and bigger T6 have been on sale for a while, the CV Show is the debut of petrol-powered versions of the Caddy. Why petrol? Volkswagen believes that for operators in major urban cities where air quality is an issue, the petrol Caddy will provide operators with an alternative to diesel. In Europe, interestingly, the Caddy can be run on low emission natural gas.

 

CV Show details

The CV Show is at the NEC, Birmingham, from 26-28 April. For further details follow this link: http://www.cvshow.com/webcontent/. Registration and entry is free.

 

Show

The can’t miss stars of the CV Show

You might think that most of our fleet work revolves around cars – but we also do a significant amount of commercial vehicles. Our most recent account partner is the Bristol-based catering equipment company Nisbets, whom we now supply with a mixed fleet of cars and commercials. So with the CV Show in full swing … Continued

Five fab cars from Geneva 2016

IT’S that time of the year again when manufacturers decamp to the home of cuckoo clocks and chocolate and wheel out the hottest new metal they think is going to be big in 2016 and beyond. Anyway, I’ve saved you the shoe leather of wandering around the Palexpo site and picked out what I think … Continued

The Fleet Alliance five top low-emission cars

Not got a low-emission model on your fleet? Hmmm…. Research gained from our 18,400 strong Fleet Alliance vehicle fleet, means you’re in the minority. We’ve seen carbon levels fall to a tax-saving all-time low of 119g/km per vehicle for new cars ordered in 2015. What’s more, one in five of all new cars ordered was sub-100g/km compared … Continued

What are the best company cars on the market?

Each year we run an awards competition to find the best company cars for SME businesses. These awards are the SME Company Car of the Year Awards, which this year were very kindly supported by Fleet Alliance. The awards are simple in concept: manufacturers enter the cars they think are winners; we have team of … Continued

A date with the Detroit Auto Show

We’re staying Stateside for my second blog of 2016. And with good reason. It’s the Detroit Auto Show. The weather as usual was bitterly cold in Detroit this January. But the outlook for new cars in 2016 was decidedly warmer, with European manufacturers debuting new cars which are sure to have an impact on the … Continued

My top 5 new car technologies from the CES show

CES or the Consumer Electronics Show is the show for all who work with business or consumer technologies. Held in Las Vegas every January, it’s the place for new innovations and breakthrough technologies for the last 40 years. You’ve probably seen reports on the TV about some of the amazing inventions potentially coming our way. … Continued

My five fab LCVs of 2015

Not only was 2015 a great year for cars, there was plenty going on in the world of commercial vehicles, too. So, seeing as I had already picked my five favourite cars from 2015, I thought I’d take a look at the five commercial vehicles that have taken my eye over the past year. Whether … Continued

My top five fleet cars of 2015

It’s time to look back at the best cars of 2015, as we look forward to fresh new metal in 2016. Anyway, after lots of head scratching (I know, I’m wearing away what’s left!), I’ve managed to nail my list down to the five fleet cars that I reckon you should add to your fleets … Continued

Take the ordinary and make it whacky. That’s SEMA

I love this US motor show, the show that celebrates car modifications in style – the 2015 Speciality Equipment Market Association show. Or SEMA, based – where else? – but Las Vegas. With many of the big US manufacturers taking the opportunity to bring along concepts where flared wheel arches, outrageous spoilers, custom paintjobs and … Continued

Five Frankfurt Favourites

It’s the big one, the German blockbuster, the amphitheatre packed with the latest class acts, it’s the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is, also, a good way to lose your shoe leather so large is the German international carfest. Still, that’s always a good excuse to stop for a pilsner. Or two. But that’s another story. … Continued