Let the battle commence
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Which manufacturers will scoop the Fleet Van and Truck crowns at this year's Motor Transport Awards?
The shortlists for to Foot Van and Fleet Truck categories of the Motor Transport Awards 2010 were announced on the Road Transport Group's stand on the opening day of the CV Operator Show
In the Fleet Van of the Year, sponsored by Nightline, the finalists are Citroen Dispatch, Ford Transit, Iveco Daily and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The shortlist for Fleet Truck of the Year, sponsored by BP Fuel Cards, is OAF CF 85, Mercedes-Benz Axor and Volvo FM.
The shortlists were selected at a day-long judging session held at Fleet Auction Group's auction rooms in Coalville, Leicestershire, by a 20-strong panel of operators chaired by Robin Dickeson. manager. CV affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The winners of all the awards, including the coveted Haulier of the Year. will be announced at London's Grosvenor House on 13 July. For tickets, go to www.mtawards.co.uk
The heavyweight contenders
Already a nine-time winner of Fleet Truck of the Year, the OAF CFI35 remains the unit of choice for many fleet operators. Returning a very respectable overall 8.9mpg at 44 tonnes in an MT road test and with a three-year full service lease package costing £1.360 a month. the CF is a highly economical workhorse. With three cabs and four power ratings up to 510bhp, the OAF SpaceCab appeals to both drivers and operators. An optional Safe-drive package includes adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning, while DAFaid remains the benchmark for roadside assistance with a 46-minute average response time. Judges said the CF remains an "excellent all-rounder", while DAFaid was described simply as "the best".
The Mercedes-Benz Axor has carved itself a strong niche among the major supermarkets, one of the most demanding sectors when it comes to productivity and reliability. One major retailer has achieved an average of 10.2mpg at 38 tonnes from the Axor, a full mpg more than the outgoing vehicles, while a three-year, full service lease package comes in at £1,364 a month_ Total cost of ownership is also reduced by high residual values, and units are often presold by big fleets before the end of their five-year first lifecycle. Spares prices are competitive, with a basket of 18 routine replacement parts coming in 15% lower than the market average. Judges liked the Axor's strong residual values and its proven record as a "cost-effective fleet vehicle", while others added they had received "excellent driver feedback" and the new auto 'box was good.
The Volvo FM range boasts some impressive productivity figures for its loyal fleet users. One supermarket reports an overall consumption of 9.96mpg at 44 tonnes from the FM11 450 low-weight unit, while a three-year full service costs £1,395 a month. For operators focused on the environment, the FM range is built at the world's first carbon-neutral truck plant. while the Dynafleet Online telematics system includes a routine to calculate the vehicle's whole-life environmental impact: The FM cab offers drivers a safe and comfortable working environment, with the I-Shift gearbox being "the one to beat" according to CM's sister publication Truck &Driver magazine. Judges agreed, with one operator saying I-Shift was well liked by drivers and another calling it "the driver's truck". One judge said the FM was generally accepted as being "at the top of the tree".
The middleweights
Citroen's Dispatch l; perhaps the surprise entry on the Fleet Van shortlist, impressing the judges with its versatility and economy. With a maximum 1,188kg payload arid 7m3 load space. the Dispatch can also claim class-leading economy figures, returning up to 39.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 1919/km. Running costs come in at around 10p/ km while sat-nay is fitted as standard and Fleet Director telematics is available as an option to improve operational efficiency. Reliability continues to improve, putting the Dispatch below the national average for breakdowns in 2009. Judges commended the 'huge improvements" Citroen had made to the Dispatch and liked its "good reliability and standard features". They also liked the wide range of options and good fuel economy, as well as the telematics package. The Ford Transit has been UK market leader for more than
40 years, justifying its claim to be "Britain's best loved van".
Taking into account purchase price, residual values and running costs, the Transit offers operators highly competi tive total costs of ownership. Its environmental credentials are also impeccable: the 280S FWD with Ford's ECOnetic fuel-saving options returns 39.2mpg on the combined cycle and emits 189g CO2/ km; while Ford's Duratec engine has been built to run or LPG or CNG from the factory. The cDPF fitted as standard reduces particulate emissions by 95%. Judges agreed that dhvers loved the Transit, which also offers good safety and security features. Operators appreciated its good load capacity and versatility indicating it was "now going in the fleet operator's direction".
lveco's Daily las been around since 1978, but this year has been reincarnated as EcoDaily. The most truck-like van on the shortlist, the Daily now goes Lip to 7 tonnes GVW and offers a choice of power ratings from 96hp to 176hp. The EcoDaily twin-turbo diesel is the first to beat the EEV emissions limits without AdBlue, while lveco offers CNG and electric-power factory options. Judges deScribed the Daily as a "very goad product" with a "good engine spec" and a "comprehensive range".
Mercedes-Benz does not claim its ever-popular Sprinter is the cheapest van on the market, but taking into account fuel consumption, repair and maintenance, residual value and reliability, it believes it offers the best value-for-money padkage. The 129hp Sprinter 313CDI running laden at 2.4 tonnes GVW returns 33.6mpg on the combined cycle, emitting 222g CO2Acm. The Sprinter comes with cruise control/speed limiter as standard and an optional Active Safety package includes adaptive ESP, skid control and tyre-pressure monitor. Judges acknowledged the Sprinter was a "quality van" with 'class leading' running costs and 'very good warranty", and a "very versatile product" with "excellent safety features".