Van Guard News

A £1.3m government-backed scheme to train van drivers has been launched by Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling.

Under the SaFED — Safe and Fuel Efficient Drivers — programme 200 instructors will be funded to offer training to an initial 3,500 drivers countrywide. The optional one-day course involves a mixture of classroom and on-the-road tuition, the aim being to improve both safety and fuel economy while cleaning up the environment.

Nearly a third of drivers have not worn a seatbelt while in a moving car at some time in the last year. That’s one finding in a survey carried out by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for the launch of its new guide to responsible motoring called Drive Green, Drive Safely.

STUTTGART (AFX) - DaimlerChrysler AG expects a ’stable business’ for its commercial vehicles division next year, management board member Andreas Renschler told the German news agency DPA.

Renschler also said he expects the division, which he heads, to post a record in terms of unit sales this year.

With more and more vans drivers having to cope with urban congestion on a day-to-day basis it is hardly surprising that manufacturers are looking to offer automatic transmissions on light commercials.

Sixty long - and medium - wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 311CDI vans, said to be worth £1.25m, are going into service with tyre management and maintenance specialist ATS Euromaster for use by its service technicians. The order follows one for 68 Sprinters placed back in 2004.

Isuzu has launched a limited-edition luxury version of its Rodeo Denver pick-up. Known as the Max LE, the four-door double-cab five-seater comes with almost £6,000 worth of accessories for just over £2,000 extra, says the importer.

Home to Citroën’s Relay, Peugeot’s Boxer and Fiat’s Ducato thanks to a long-standing joint venture between the manufacturers, the huge Sevel factory at Val di Sangro in Italy has now built a staggering 3m vehicles.

The 50/50 joint venture between Fiat and PSA group — parent to Citroën and Peugeot — was originally set up in 1978.