Trade Van Driver magazine today reveals the winners of the 2024 Trade Van Driver Awards.
Since their launch 13 years ago, the Trade Van Driver Awards have become the Oscars of the trade
van sector. Much consideration has been given to who wins our awards among the panel of judges, so
the winners can be assured that they truly are the creme de la creme in their various sectors.
Trade Van Driver is the only magazine which caters for the owner-driver and small fleet operator and
as such, its awards are different from the others as they are judged not only by the expert panel of
journalists at the magazine but also by a number of readers who use light commercial vehicles as part
of their businesses.
Editor Matthew Eisenegger commented: “Trade Van Driver Magazine prides itself on offering a true
reflection of the thoughts and feelings of its readership. Now in their thirteenth year, it is great to see
some products taking the accolade for a 13th time, as well as new products scoring a first win.”
May 1st, 2024
BEST MEDIUM VAN
Winner: Ford Transit Custom
This was an awards sector that was decided quickly and unanimously among the judges. The Ford Transit
Custom was not only the best-selling van in the UK last year but the best-selling vehicle too. That fact alone
would hand this prize to the Blue Oval. But in addition to this, a couple of the judges actually run Custom
models as their business transport and were delighted with its performance.
BEST SMALL VAN
Winner: Citroen Berlingo
Back in 1996, Citroen launched the Berlingo as the first small van to be built as a commercial vehicle from
the nuts and bolts upwards – and two of the judges remember testing it way back then, thus giving this
plucky little contender a special place in their hearts. This van has continued to develop and improve over
the years and all the judges reckoned that traders needing a small vehicle could do no better than choose the
Berlingo to help them with their businesses.
BEST WORKHORSE PICK-UP
Winner: Isuzu D-Max
Giving Isuzu a deserved double win, the D-Max takes this prize, as it has done every year since our awards
started. Even lower variant models in the range come with a stunning array of standard spec and at a
reasonable price too. Traders know full well that when they choose the D-Max, they will get a tough, durable
off-roader that can take any amount of punishment and will plug on regardless for years with no problems.
BEST LIFESTYLE PICK-UP
Winner: Volkswagen Amarok
With an upgraded model now on sale, the Amarok reigns supreme in this sector once more. The Amarok
boasts outstanding levels of build quality, as most German products do, and Volkswagen has managed to dial
into this vehicle an unbeatable mixture of delightfully smooth on-road performance and sheer solid muscle
when the going gets rough.
BEST ALTERNATIVE FUEL VAN
Winner: Vauxhall Vivaro-e Hydrogen
As the world slowly progresses towards a zero emission transport world, the going at present is anything
but smooth. The judges in general query whether pure electric vans as they stand at present fulfil the
requirements of many traders and as such voted to give this prize to Vauxhall for its forward-thinking
decision to offer the Vivaro powered by hydrogen – a van with zero emissions yet offering an increased range
over its pure electric brother.
BEST BUILDERS’ TRUCK
Winner: Isuzu Grafter
BEST BUILDERS’ TRUCK
Winner: Isuzu Grafter
These vehicles work harder than any others and have to be extremely tough to survive years of hard graft – and they don’t come any tougher than the Isuzu Grafter. Once again, this hardy workhorse takes the prize, as it has done every year since the Trade Van Driver Awards started.
BEST HEAVY VAN 3.5-7.5t
Winner: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
When it comes to heavy, long distance van transportation, the Sprinter is king of the road. Grossing up to
5.5 tonnes, these vans are seen constantly thrashing up and down the motorways of Great Britain, helping to
keep the wheels of UK plc turning smoothly. Transport chiefs love them for their sheer grit and reliability and
the drivers love them too as they are great vehicles to operate.
BEST CONVERSION RANGE
Winner: Ford
Most vans come as a standard box which can be adapted to various business uses. Traders’ needs are many
and varied, but most of the conversions they ask for can be accommodated by Ford, Britain’s best-selling van
marque. Traders can also be assured that wherever they live, there is bound to be a Ford dealership nearby,
another big plus point in the van buying decision.
BEST TRADE VAN RANGE
Winner: Vauxhall
The Vauxhall name has been tried and trusted by Britain’s traders for many years now and the marque
continues to offer a range of commercial vehicles to suit most traders. Unlike some others, Vauxhall van
production still goes on in England, so traders wishing to fly the Union Jack will want to plump for a Griffin
badge on their vehicles. A wide range of conversions offered by Vauxhall too makes the marque a worthy
winner here.
BEST ACCESSORY PROVIDER
Winner: Brigade Electronics
Developments in van safety technology are soaring ahead at an amazing rate. And at the very forefront of this
field is Brigade Electronics. Many commercial vehicles do not have as much safety technology on board as
their car counterparts, but Brigade offers an unbeatable range of add-ons designed to keep trucks and vans
safe from accidents on the road as they battle through their daily routines on Britain’s congested highways.
Keep up the great work, the judges said, as they voted Brigade the winner.
BEST NEWCOMER
Winner: Canoo
Canoo is an American company specialising in electric vehicles and was present for the first time at this year’s
CV Show in Birmingham. The manufacturer is aiming to sell three different models in the UK next year and
the judges were impressed by the quality of the vans that were exhibited in American spec at the show.
It will be interesting to see how these quality vehicles fare on this side of the Atlantic and Trade Van Driver
magazine will be following their progress in future issues.
For further information, contact Matthew Eisenegger,
email: editor@tradevandriver.com Tel: 07747 717578 or
David Johns, email: david@tradevandriver.com Tel: 07590 547343
