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Christmas is coming and everyone's buying vans

11th November 2004
Page 68
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Page 68, 11th November 2004 — Christmas is coming and everyone's buying vans
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

It's a mixed bag in the used van sector with some solid performers starting to falter, and the Christmas trade re-igniting some classics.

THE FORD TRANSIT, the nation's favourite van, is experiencing fluctuating performances at auction. Prices for the smaller FWD T260 and T280 are steady one minute, then drop for no real reason, while the bigger T350 is still highly sought after.

Glass's Guide chief editor for commercial vehicles, George Alexander, says that across the market sector "higher engine power will attract a significant premium over standard fleet models".

Although over-exposure doesn't seem to be Ford's problem, it is an issue for other manufacturers at the top end of the van sector.

The most recent versions of the Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato were rare at the start of the year, but are now all too commonplace and that's affecting business.

Alexander warns that while the marketplace is picking up, the increasing number of Renault Trafics and Vauxhall Vivaros on offer is threatening to overwhelm demand and will force down prices. He highlights the LWB high-roof models as the best sellers.

It has become common practice for Mercedes Benz to drip feed its products onto the open market in recent times, but Alexander says there is "some concern surrounding the high number of 311 models being presented for disposal".

He reports that most long-wheelbase Sprinters command high returns at popular auctions, whereas demand is outstripping supply for the powerful Sprinter 313 CDI.

Ex-postal vans are enjoying a temporary lift in fortunes to the tune of £300 as operators fill fleet gaps to handle the Christmas rush. Once New Year has come and gone, however, the LDV Convoy and Pilot.as well as the Ford Escort, invariably end up back at the auctions worth less than their original price tag.

The mainstream car-derived-van market is performing well,says Alexander, although he does highlight a "two-tier pricing structure" which is benefiting the better quality examples of Peugeot 206HDi and Renault Clio DCi, where supply is reduced, and mint-condition Ford Fiesta vans.

In the bigger sized CDV market the Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo are selling, despite the wide choice on offer at auction houses.Vauxhall Combos have also survived the high-volume late-year flooding of the open market which for a time saw their prices falling below guide levels.

Vauxhall is having the market position of its Astra Envoy undermined by fleet disposal "where buyers favour only clean, low-mileage examples", but the Sportive continues its success story.


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