Harrods buys a Fleur de Lys fleet
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• Harrods has splashed out on an exclusive fleet of "vintage" vans made by Fleur De Lys Automobiles of Newark. Each reproduction costs a hefty .£40,000.
The vans are powered by a 2.5-litre Ford diesel engine, driving through a converted Ford transmission, and can take a one-tonne payload.
Unlike the original Walker electric-powered van, on which they are based, they have variable Thermo-King refrigeration, to deal with everything from fur coats to lobsters.
Fleur De Lys is also negotiating a fleet deal with another internationally famous name. cerned, but says the final decision will have nothing to do with IBC Vehicles. "We are looking at all the potential options," he says, "but the final decision is still far away."
He does say, however, that GM is fully aware of the problem of falling market share in the heavy van sector which the Midi van had been unable to solve.
General Motors' total market share in the 1.8 to 3.5-tonne sector has fallen between 1981 and 1987 from 14.2% to just 6.8%. It now holds fourth place in that part of the market, but is closely followed by Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot.
Isuzu manufactures various types of vans for Japanese and export markets: the most likely candidate for the UK would be the 3.5-tonne chassis cab.