Page 9 - issue-52

NEWS TVD LACK OF SPACE IS VAN DRIVERS’
BIGGEST GRUMBLE REPORT FINDS
ABiggest bugbears revealed in in in in in in in in new new Volkswagen Volkswagen research
lmost a a a a a a a a a a a third (31%) of van drivers have ranked mistakes and and habits that can cause difficulties and and in not being left enough space on on tight roads roads as as some cases distress on on the roads roads ”
their biggest annoyance in in a a a a a a a a new survey by Tailgating was also listed with 21% of UK van drivers Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles The study reveals the biggest challenges that van drivers face on UK roads day-to-day Tailgating and vehicles sitting in in in in vans’ blind spots were also listed among the top bugbears Fellow drivers leaving tight parking spaces or narrow bays in in car parks ranked second alongside not being let out into traffic More than a a a a quarter (26%) of van drivers listed being cut up up at roundabouts or cyclists coming up up alongside their vans at at a a a a a a a junction as as the the greatest faux pas A further 23% of van drivers ranked motorists sitting in in their blind spots as the the most annoying road habit ‘Drive considerately’ plea
Claire English head of fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: “Following a a a a few months where many van drivers and key workers have had the roads almost to themselves when carrying out their vital work it it seems a a a fitting time to to remind all road users to to drive considerately and help each other out Some situations are of course unavoidable but this survey reveals the most common
listing it as their biggest gripe Tailgating is is in in in fact one of the most common
causes of van accidents on on UK roads causing 10 injuries a a week Claire added: “As part of our ‘Working With You’ promise we’re committed to improving the driving experience for all of our customers which is why we offer leading driver assistance systems such as as Lane Change Assist Side Scan to help with blind spot monitoring AEB to to help prevent tailgating incidents and even Park Assist with with rear view cameras to help with with even the tightest parking spaces ”
Van drivers’ biggest annoyances:
l l Not being left enough space on tight roads (31%) l l l Small parking spaces (30%)
l l Not being let out into traffic (30%)
l l l Cyclists coming up alongside a a a a a van at a a a a a junction (26%) l Being cut up at roundabouts (26%) l l Drivers sitting in in in your blind spot (23%)
l l Tailgating (23%)
l l l Getting trapped in in in in yellow boxes by cars braking in in in in front of you (21%)
9 TVD lssue 52 2021 Ford reveals its toughest Transit with new derivative
Ford has announced the introduction of a a a new 5 0-tonne Transit derivative
offering customers a a a a a van or chassis-cab rated to to 5 000kg GVM Ford’s toughest Transit ever features significant mechanical updates to offer customers best-ever payload and vehicle capability while maintaining the durability refinement and car-like driving characteristics that have made Transit a a a a a a a business favourite The 5 0-tonne Transit strengthens Ford’s offering in in the the high-GVM sector of of the the European van market and is is poised to extend the company’s market leadership in commercial vehicle sales The additional 300kg it it delivers over
the previous most-capable Transit variant will particularly appeal to to customers desiring a a a a a heavier-rated donor vehicle for conversions including tippers ambulances police vans and minicoaches with 19 seats or or more “We know payload is a a a a key factor for businesses’ productivity which is why Ford’s new flagship Transit is the most capable heaviest-rated van we’ve ever built ”
said Hans Schep general manager commercial vehicles Ford of Europe “We listened to our converter partners and their customers who need this extra capability for their businesses whether it’s a tipper an an ambulance or larger minicoach The 5 0-tonne Transit’s durable design and flexibility make it it an ideal choice whatever their speciality ”
Ford is making the 5 0-tonne option available across a a a a a a a a broad range of Transit chassis-cab variants giving customers a a a a a choice of three wheelbases four frame lengths and single- or double-cabs with seating for up up to seven occupants