John Watts, from used van pricing experts, CAP, has warned that the new emissions rules could cause unforeseen costs for van fleet operators and lower van residual values in the used market.

This is because compliance with the new Euro 5 emissions legislation relies partly on the use of diesel particulate filters and this poses particular problems for van owners or operators when operating on short-distance urban work.

Diesel particulate filters can easily clog under the typical operating conditions faced in many cities, spelling expensive repairs or replacement parts for fleet operators. CAP warns this may create caution in the future used van market, due to the ‘invisible’ nature of such problems. The end result is that many trade buyers will factor in the risk of a clogged particulate filter when determining the price they will offer for a used Euro 5 van.

John Watts from CAP, explained: “Many diesel particulate filters require specific drive cycles in order to remain working efficiently. These filters need to reach a certain operating temperature before effectively reducing particulate emissions, but if this is not achieved they can become prone to clogging.

“This problem will mostly emerge in low speed, short distance operating cycles, typically undertaken in large conurbations. A typical example could be a city-based self-employed used van owner who travels less than ten miles to site from home and stays all day. A continuous operation of this nature could result in a blocked filter and a potential replacement cost”.

CAP’s view is that used van buyers will be aware of the need for a properly functioning particulate filter for Euro 5 compliance and that problems may not be routinely covered under manufacturer warranty. One way to avoid these unnecessary costs is to lease your next van under a contract hire agreement, with full maintenance included. This will protect you from unforeseen maintenance costs and also protect you from any future residual value decline.

Click for Hyundai contract hire

Hyundai contract hire has just loaded their new Q1 2012 pricing and their new Hyundai i40 1.7 CRDi (115) Blue drive Active 4-door diesel saloon is on the site now from only £194.59+VAT per month on business contract hire. Personal car leasing prices are also available.

This special offer is based on a 4-year contract hire arrangement, 6 rentals in advance, 10,000 miles per annum on a non-maintained lease.

The Hyundai i40 saloon is the follow-up model to the popular i40 Tourer and this entry level model offers a combined mpg of 65.7 and CO2 emissions at just 113g/km. Other quote terms and contracts (with your option accessories) are available direct from our car finance partner. So fill out a Contact Form today for more information on this car, or other i40 saloon models

Contract hire offer

The Volkswagen Golf recorded great sales in 2011 and is known as one of the UK’s most favourite diesel cars. We have a contract hire offer on the site for a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDi S 3-door diesel hatchback from only £210.27+VAT per month on a two year deal. Terms are based on a non-maintenance business contract hire agreement, 24 months term, 10,000 miles per annum and six rentals in advance. Other terms are available on request.

The Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDi S 3-door diesel hatchback provides a combined mpg of 62.8 and emits only 118g/km of CO2 making it an ideal family hatchback, as well as a tax efficient company car for any business fleet. More details can be obtained from our car finance partner by filling out a Contact Form.

Volkswagen Caddy Match

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has just launched a new special edition Volkswagen Caddy, called the Caddy Match. The Caddy Match is only available until the 30th April 2012 and features additional specification over the standard model as follows.

• Air conditioning
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Trip computer
• Electric windows
• Electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors
• Cruise control
• Body-coloured bumpers and wing mirrors
• Wheel trims

It is available in the standard Caddy and the long wheelbase Caddy Maxi (except 4MOTION and EcoFuel models) and has a range of Euro5 emissions compliant 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre TDi engines plus Bluemotion technology.

Paul Vissian, Product Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said,”It’s great to start the New Year with an outstanding special edition for one of the UK’s best-selling compact vans. We’ve studied the market carefully and chosen some of the most popular options to give Caddy Match an unbelievable standard specification and probably the best value for money model we’ve ever offered”.

New Kia Optima saloon

The all-new Kia Optima goes on sale on the 1st February as Kia targets the business fleet car market with this new model, with a diesel-only line-up. The car is available in six-speed manual or automatic transmissions with four trim levels available – all with a very high level of standard specification. The new Kia Optima offers class-leading space and CO2 emissions as low as 128g/km of CO2 and a combined mpg of 57.6, so is an ideal shortlist for any company car driver.

The Optima was unveiled at the New York Auto Show and became Korea’s top-selling car within a month of going on sale. To date nearly 300,000 Optimas have been sold worldwide and the car was designed by Kia’s Chief Design Officer (Peter Schreyer) and his team.  

Kia Optima

It now joins the Kia family of Sorento, Soul, Venga, Sportage, c’eed, Picanto, Rio and provides Kia a full range of vehicles to offer across a fleet company car policy.

The UK model line-up and pricing  

Click for more details

A Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec S 5-door diesel hatchback has just been loaded onto the site from only £204.31+VAT per month on Ford business car leasing. This quality Ford hatchback returns 67.3 combined mpg and emits only 109g/km so it is an ideal company car for any fleet driver and is highly fuel efficient.

The terms of the special offer offer are based on a 4-year term, 6 rentals in advance, non-maintained contract,10,000 miles per annum and other terms are available from our car finance partner on request. If you are interested in finding our more details just fill out the Contact Form.

Ford Fiesta

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has just announced the December 2011 and 2011 full year new car registration figures, with the market down 4.4% at 1.94 million units sold. This was ahead of the 1.92 million forecast number however.

The December numbers fell by 3.7% year-on-year, at 119,188 units, and diesel and alternatively fuelled cars took record market shares over the year, as motorists look for best fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

The average new car CO2 emissions figure fell to a new low of 138.1g/km, which is down 4.2% on the 2010 number of 144.2g/km of CO2 and 23.7% below the 2000 figure of 181.0g/km.

Other highlights;

• Fleet sales maintained the new car registrations levels with a 4.7% growth year on year, from 973,233 in 2010 to 1,019,126 in 2011.
• Private registrations fell by 14.1% for the year from 958,005 to 823,094.
• Business (sub-25 fleet) registrations were flat (99,608 in 2010 to 99,033 in 2011).
• Diesel volumes outsold petrol cars for the first time.
• The Ford Fiesta was the best selling car in 2011, with the Volkswagen Golf the best selling diesel model.

Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, commented,”2011 proved to be a challenging year for the UK motor industry. Total new car registrations were slightly ahead of industry expectations at 1.94 million units, still down 4.4% on 2010. Weak economic growth will make trading conditions tough in 2012, but record numbers of new and updated models, significantly improved fuel efficiency and exciting new technologies will help to encourage consumers into showrooms. Business and consumer confidence will be the key to a successful year, so it will be important that government delivers on its growth strategy and helps to resolve instability in the Euro Zone”.

If you are looking to contract hire a new car in 2012 and want to find the best model for your money, with the lowest CO2 emissions and best fuel economy then do try our Vehicle Type Shopper. You can select how much you want to spend, your CO2 ranges and the best fuel efficient cars too.

CLICK for business car leasing offer

The Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi Exclusiv diesel 5-door hatchback is currently on offer on the site from only £216.98+VAT on business car leasing. This great fleet car returns 60.1 combined mpg and emits only 124g/km of CO2 emissions so is an ideal company car for any fleet driver.

The Vauxhall Insignia business car leasing offer is based a on 4-year term, 6+47 rental profile, non-maintained lease at 10,000 miles per annum with other contract terms available from our car finance partner. Metallic paint colours available at an extra cost.

SMMT display

A 1899 Daimler and 2011 Jaguar XJ are currently on display at the headquarters of the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) in Westminster, with both cars equipped with Bosch automotive technology. The display is marking the 125th anniversary of Robert Bosch, who also worked with the first president of the SMMT, Frederik Simms.

Each car represents the earliest and latest model to use Bosch technology, with the 1899 Daimler Phaeton 12hp being fitted with a Bosch magneto. This classic car has been loaned from the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. In its day, the Daimler was seen as a very advanced vehicle (technically) with candle-powered headlamps, pneumatic tyres on the front wheels and solid rubber tyres on the rear.

The Jaguar XJ 3.0-litre diesel long wheelbase saloon has some of the latest innovative Bosch technology, with features such as its diesel engine management system, electronic stability program (ESP), plus a range of infotainment systems and a range of other sensors.

Range_e Plug-in Hybrid diesel-electric

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has just awarded Jaguar Land Rover an award for automotive innovation for their Range_e Plug-in Hybrid diesel electric vehicle system. The Range_e concept points the way for future Jaguar Land Rover vehicles, by offering low CO2 emissions and high fuel efficiency for production 4×4 models.

The Range_e is a luxury all-wheel drive vehicle, based on the Range Rover Sport, that is powered by a plug-in hybrid system which brings together a 69kW electric motor and Land Rover’s 245PS 3.0-litre TDV6 diesel engine. The vehicle can be driven for 20 miles on pure electric power, creating zero tailpipe emissions, with overall CO2 emissions at 89g/km. The Range_e offers 85mpg fuel economy and the combined 339PS delivers a top speed of 120mph.

Battery recharging for the 14.2kWh lithium-ion battery can easily be accomplished by using a 240V power source and the system was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The first Land Rover diesel-electric hybrid is scheduled for launch in 2013.