Vehicle Consulting can help by identifying the most cost-effective business contract hire (leasing) packages for your fleet or sole trader business from the growing number of ‘halfway house’ vans being introduced with increased gross vehicle weights and therefore payloads.

The gap in the market that previously existed between typical 3.5t vans and full 7.5t box vans is being filled by a wide variety of commercial vehicles to the delight of logistics companies and fleet managers, reports CommercialFleet (part of Fleet News magazine).

Examples of these ‘compromise’ vehicles include:

  • Citroen Relay: 4 tonnes
  • Ford Transit jumbo: upto 4.7t
  • Mercedes Sprinter: 5 tonnes
  • Peugeot Partner: 4.7t
  • Renault Trucks Master: 6-tonne

The last van in our brief list is a front-wheel drive tri-axle chassis cab producing upto 165bhp from its 2.3-litre diesel engine.

“One beauty of such commercial vehicle contract hire solutions is that they’re not only cheaper to lease or buy but also far more fuel efficient than 7.5t lorries, typically averaging around 24mpg rather than closer to 17mpg. This is naturally an attractive benefit for fleet managers and SMEs”, comments Vehicle Consulting’s MD, Lee Wolstenholme.

Another selling point of Renault’s new 6t Master is that its drivers will enjoy the low-slung cab, saving them having to climb up into and virtually fall out of the elevated cabs of 7.5t waggons. The French van doesn’t have a tail-lift, either, thanks to its ordinary height.

Iveco, too, is reported to be set to introduce a sub-7.5t van in the form of a 7.2-tonne Daily chassis cab which will be more manageable to drive and may hence prove popular among delivery firms and couriers. Tipper trucks and custom conversion vehicles are likely to remain at the traditional 7.5t, though, for stability reasons.

Vehicle Consulting of Stockport in Cheshire uses its 20+ years of expertise in business contract hire to compare the market and identify the best vehicle packages available, so why not contact us today to discuss your individual vehicle or fleet requirements?