1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140 
Webwatch
Page 53
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Online empire
Independent dealer group Imperial Commercials rings the changes with its new website.
Words: James Clark Company: Imperial Commercials Group Address: www.imperialcommercials.co.uk Webwatch's last visit to Imperial Commercials was in January 2007, just after the dealer network had given its website a major overhaul. Now, Imperial has relaunched its site again so what's new this time around?
Quite a lot, actually. For one thing, the vehicle search facility has been improved. There are two search boxes on the homepage one for trucks, the other for vans which enable you to search the entire stock list by keyword. If you would like to limit your search to used vehicles, click on either the 'Used Vans' or the slightly smaller (and harder to spot) 'Used Trucks' button instead.
Another new feature to be found on the homepage is the 'Dealer Finder'. Enter your postcode and click 'Go' to receive contact information about your nearest Imperial dealer. You can also specify whether you want a sales dealer, service dealer, or parts dealer.
Product search
Carry out an initial search and the website will list all the relevant trucks or vans. You will see a brief spec for each (which, for trucks, includes make, mileage, cab type, GVW and axle configuration), as well as a thumbnail image. Click on the thumbnail image for up to 10 more photos, a contact form and further details, such as date of registration and horsepower.
The vehicle descriptions are well written. For example, a DAF FT CF we looked at "delivered eggs you cannot get gentler than that!". And while not particularly large, the photos do include shots of the dash and the bunk (for trucks) and the load area (for vans). In fact, all of the information is clear and well presented.
Imperial offers a broader range of stock now than when we .visited two years ago the used trucks are predominantly DAFs, but used vans range from an 05-plate Vauxhall Combo for 22,485 to an as-new Ford Transit T350 with three-way alloy tipper body for C16,995. We're pleased to see that prices (ex-VAT) are given for all used vehicles, as well as new vans although prices for new trucks are on application.
Other .a es
Also on Imperial's website, you will find information on the company's other services, including fleet maintenance, vehicle testing and parts delivery.
From the homepage, there are some useful links to www.bestvandeals.com, Imperial's outlet for new vans, and www.cheapvanparts.co.uk (which sells truck parts as well).
Imperial also has a clearance shop for parts on auction website eBay, and this can be accessed via the main website.
Finally, you can sign up for Imperial's email newsletter and be one of the first to find out about new offers and stock,
Conclusion
Instead of resting on its laurels, Imperial Commercials has revamped its web offering again and while the changes aren't particularly dramatic, they still do a great deal to improve the site. •
Vehicles on the web
• For an alternative source of online information on vans (and trucks) of all makes and models, see www.roadtransport.com/ roadtest and for high-quality used vehicles, visit our
Buy & Sell section at www.roadtransport.com/buyandsell