The latest round of testing for the Euro NCAP has taken place with results at either end of the star system.

Euro NCAP releases the test results of two new cars. The BMW 5 Series gets a top five-star safety rating and FIAT’s made-over Doblò gets three stars.

Launched late last year, the seventh-generation BMW 5 Series continues its successful track record in Euro NCAP’s Executive Car segment. 

The car showed good all-round performance in crash protection and avoidance tests thanks to its new platform, body and updated safety features. 

Track tests demonstrated that the autonomous braking system can effectively assist the driver in avoiding or mitigating critical rear-end crashes with other cars and pedestrians. 

With an 81 percent score, the 5-series particularly impressed in pedestrian safety through its standard-fit “Person Warning” system and active bonnet.

Thirteen years after the tests on the original FIAT Doblò, Euro NCAP has taken another look at the versatile small MPV. The latest generation Doblò was already introduced in 2010 and is also sold by Opel and Vauxhall brands as Combo. 

The version tested by Euro NCAP is the 2015 Doblò facelift that includes, apart from small safety updates, cosmetic upgrades aimed at extending the lifecycle of the car. 

The three-star Euro NCAP safety rating, however, reveals the car’s true age and highlights the lack of ambition to compete on safety with other, more modern competitors in the segment. 

The Opel/Vauxhall Combo has not received a similar facelift, so would be expected to end up with even fewer stars, but Opel have their eyes fixed on the future.

Business Car Manager - vauxhall takes Six Best Small Trades awards in the recent ceremony.

Vauxhall has scooped a total of six top honours at the Business Car Manager Awards, across car and van categories, which were presented today in London.

Beating off stiff competition, the Astra was the big winner at the ceremony, picking up the headline award of “Business Car Manager SME Company Car of the Year 2017”, while the Astra 1.6-litre CDTi Design (110PS) Start/Stop ecoFLEX variant was named as the “Best Value SME Company Car” too. 

Vauxhall was also recognised in the “Best Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Company Car Programme” category, again taking away the top prize.

The success didn’t stop there for Vauxhall though, as its van range won a hat-trick of accolades in the Business Van of the Year 2017 awards. The Corsavan picked up the “Best Small Delivery Van” award, while the accolade of “Best Small Trades Van” was given to the Combo. The Movano rounded off the success, being named as the winner in the “Best Heavy Van” category.

“The independent judges placed the Astra ahead of highly competitive opposition – but it’s not hard to see why,” said Ralph Morton, Editorial Director at Business Car Manager. “From the fantastically low operating costs to really competitive benefit-in-kind company car taxation, the Astra has it all – and that’s before we get to the brilliantly competitive specification.

“Each year Vauxhall has been refining its company car programme for SMEs, and each year it has got better and better to the point that is has knocked BMW/MINI Partnership programme off its perch as the best in the business.”

Consisting of a group of independent experts in the SME field, the judges used criteria such as company car tax and whole life costs to judge and rank each entry.

“We’re delighted Vauxhall has been recognised by Business Car Manager and Business Vans,” said James Taylor, Vauxhall’s Fleet Sales Director. “The company car market is an important sector for the Astra. It’s great to see how well-received it has been so far, and we are also pleased to be recognised for our company car programme, and that Corsavan, Combo and Movano remain firm favourites.”

END OF YEAR UK - VAUXHALL VANS - The brand sold more vans to retail customers than any other in 2016.

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles sold more vans to retail customers in 2016 than any other manufacturer, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

In an extremely competitive segment of the market, the Luton-based manufacturer sold 12,569 vehicles to small businesses. As a result, Vauxhall’s retail market share was an impressive 15.49 per cent.

The Brit-built Vivaro enjoyed another successful year in 2016 with more than 22,000 units sold of the multi award-winning medium van. It was also the best-seller at retail.

And for the first time ever, Vauxhall has sold more than 2,000 conversions built on Movano and Vivaro base vehicles. These included factory-built conversions such as dropsides, tippers and box vans, as well as Vauxhall-approved specialist conversions.

“We are delighted to retain our crown in topping the retail van segment for the second successive year,” said Andy Savage, Vauxhall’s National Commercial Vehicle Sales Manager.

“Vauxhall continues to provide customers with compelling offers supported by high quality, fuel-efficient vehicles with low running costs and superb manufacturer support.”

Last year was the best ever year for light commercial vehicle sales with 375,687 registrations, surpassing the previous record set in 2015.

Vauxhall offers buyers of a limited range of cars and vans a free £500 Fuel card from Tomorrow until Monday. T&C Apply.

Customers of Vauxhall retailers across the country can get £500* worth of free fuel, with selected car and van purchases between Thursday 8^th September and Monday 12^th September.

The offer is available on Vauxhall’s multi-award winning Astra, as well as the popular Corsa supermini, fashionable ADAM and Mokka compact SUV.

In addition to passenger cars, the offer is open to commercial vehicle customers across Vauxhall’s van range, including the Corsavan, Combo, Brit-Built Vivaro and Movano. Customers will be able to take home their £500 Fuel Card when placing an order for a new car or van that is registered on or before 30^th September 2016.

The £500 free fuel offer is available in addition to Vauxhall’s other great discounts including a range of finance offers and Flexible Personal Contract Purchase Plans (PCP). Customers can choose from a selection of Vauxhall models with low monthly payments and all the flexibility that PCP finance allows at the end of the chosen term.

“Our free fuel offer this September is a great opportunity for customers to take advantage of our other fantastic finance deals and drive away with a new car or van,” said Leon Caruso, Vauxhall’s Retail Sales Director.

Vauxhall has been honoured in two categories at Trade Van Driver magazine’s annual awards.

Vauxhall has been honoured in two categories at Trade Van Driver magazine’s annual awards. The Brit-built Vivaro was named as Trader’s choice, while Vauxhall also picked up the award for Best Trade Van Range, acknowledging the strength of its entire commercial vehicle offering.

Judged by an expert panel of journalists, as well as a carefully selected panel of readers, the Trade Van Driver Awards give recognition to manufacturers, firms and people who offer the very best to retail van buyers.

Vauxhall’s commercial vehicle range has continued to grow in recent years, with each van offering variants that accommodate all kinds of operator needs. Smaller compact vans include Corsavan and Combo, while the larger Vivaro and Movano models are ideal for larger, heavier loads. A wide range of conversions are available on Vivaro and Movano vehicles, giving a level of versatility not seen across other parts of the market.

It was this versatility and range of applications across the line-up that gave Vauxhall the award for Best Trade Van Range.

“Small, medium and large, plus many permutations of these, the Vauxhall commercial range has transport solutions for all the professional trades,” said Trade Van Driver Magazine editor, Matthew Eisenegger. “For businesses that operate a single-brand policy Vauxhall has it all.”

The Vauxhall Vivaro is the newest model in the CV range. Built in Luton, variants include panel van, doublecab, combi and platform, already making it the van of choice for thousands of operators. Named as Trader’s choice, Matthew Eisenegger said of the Vivaro: “Ever popular with the various trades, the Vivaro benefits from functional design, comfort and extreme practicality. It’s built in Britain too, which is another big plus point.”

Vauxhall’s commercial vehicle range has picked up a host of awards already this year, with the Trade Van Driver accolades following quadruple wins at both the Fleet World Honours and the Business Van Awards.

“This year is proving to be a very successful one for our CV range, both in terms of industry recognition and sales performance,” said Steve Bryant, Head of Commercial Vehicle Brand. “The Brit-built Vivaro is taking many of the accolades thanks to its practicality, efficiency and comfort. And it’s also great news for us to pick up awards across the whole range.”

Vauxhall celebrates as it smashes the rest by taking no fewer than FOUR awards at the Fleet World Honours awards.

Vauxhall’s all-new Astra has proven itself to be one of the top models in the fleet industry, taking home two awards at the 2016 Fleet World Honours. The awards didn’t end there for Vauxhall, as the Corsa also picked up the Best Supermini award and the Combo van won Best Small Van.

Announced at the annual Fleet World Honours awards ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London on Tuesday, the Astra topped the extremely competitive Best New Car and the Best Lower Medium Car categories. 

The judges, made up of influential decision makers and fleet industry journalists, praised the model for its efficiency, running costs and technology.

“The Astra is a fleet staple in the UK, and the corporate sector has never had it better,” Alex Grant, Fleet World Deputy Editor, commented.  “It’s more stylish, more fun to drive, more practical, and more economical than ever. The Astra brings technologies such as IntelliLux LED headlights and OnStar connected services to the compact class, yet it still manages to be ultra-competitive on whole-life costs.”

This year has already proven to be a positive year for the model, with this award the latest in a list that also includes a Family Car category win at the What Car? Awards, being named European Car of the Year and winning the Lower Medium category at the Fleet News Awards.

The Corsa also picked up an accolade in the Fleet World Honours, coming out on top of the hotly-contested Best Supermini category. With a wide selection of trim levels and high efficiency, the judges saw the Corsa as a great choice for fleets.

“Although the Corsa has long been one of the UK’s best-selling cars, Vauxhall’s very effective overhaul in 2014 means there’s never been more reason to opt for one,” said Alex. “The wide range encompasses trim levels to suit all types of corporate user, with engines ranging from 85g/km diesels and low-carbon petrols to the potent VXR. Strong on design and technology, it’s the segment benchmark.”

The Van Fleet World judging panel felt that Vauxhall’s Combo van range, despite increasingly strong competition, continues to offer UK fleets the Best Small Van option. Combo is available with no less than four body sizes, including two high-roof models, delivering an unrivalled choice of payloads and load volumes.

“Vauxhall recognises that there is no one-size fits all van, and Combo provides fleet managers with a huge range of engine, load volume and payload options,” said Dan Gilkes, Van Fleet World Editor. “With the backing of Vauxhall’s extensive dealer network, Combo delivers a practical, well-equipped, cost-efficient load carrier.”

“We’re delighted the Astra has been recognised for not one but two awards at the Fleet World Honours,” said James Taylor, Vauxhall’s Fleet Sales Director. “The fleet market is an important sector for the all new Astra. It’s great to see how well-received the Astra has been so far, and we are also pleased that the Corsa and Combo have remained firm favourites.”

UK SALES 2015 - Vauxhall has become the biggest retail brand for commercial vehicles in the UK..

• Brit-built Vivaro has best ever year, with sales up 42.2 per cent
• Movano sales up by 28 per cent with over 5,000 sold

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles sold more vans to retail customers in 2015 than any other manufacturer, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

In an extremely competitive segment of the market, the Luton-based manufacturer sold 13,000 vehicles to small businesses. As a result, Vauxhall’s retail market share was an impressive 16.2 per cent, up 1.8 percentage points on last year.

Total Vauxhall Commercial Vehicle sales were up 28 per cent with over 41,000 sold. Market share increased to 11.2 per cent, up a percentage point on 2014.

The Brit-built Vivaro enjoyed another successful year in 2015 with more than 27,000 units sold of the multi award-winning medium van. It was also the best-seller at retail. Movano, the largest van in Vauxhall’s range, saw sales increase 28 per cent with over 5,000 sold.

“We are delighted to be back in a segment-leading position,” said Richard Collier, Vauxhall’s National Commercial Vehicle Sales Manager. “Vauxhall continues to provide customers with compelling offers supported by high quality, fuel-efficient vehicles with low running costs and superb manufacturer support.”

Growth was seen across the board last year making it the best ever year for light commercial vehicles with 371,830 registrations, surpassing the previous record set in 2007.

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles ahead in growing van market, during September plate change month.

• Brit-built Vivaro accounts for more than one in ten of all retail vans sold YTD
• For January to September 2015, Vivaro sales up 50% over same period in 2014
• Sibling Movano also makes impressive headway with 43% increase YTD
• Strong September market – registrations up nearly 20% year-on-year

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles made strong gains in the CV market showing improved sales across its entire van range from January to September this year, making it the number one manufacturer for retail customers.

The van market itself enjoyed strong growth in September with 58,744 light commercial vehicles registered, up 19.5 per cent versus the same month last year.

Vauxhall registered 31,038 LCVs in the nine months to September corresponding to a 10.9 per cent market share and a 37.9 per cent increase on the same period last year.  That was more than double the rate of increase in the market as a whole, which is up 17.4 per cent with 284,161 units registered.  Vauxhall claimed top spot in the retail van charts with 11,425 registrations and an impressive 17.1 per cent market share.

The popular Vivaro, built at Vauxhall’s Luton plant, is the stand-out performer, accounting for an 11.01 per cent share of the retail van market. Overall, 20,231 Vivaro units have been sold year-to-date (compared to 13,411 for the same period last year), an increase of 50.8 per cent. This means there have been more Vivaros sold in the first nine months of 2015 than there were in the whole of 2014.

The Movano also exceeded all expectations with total registrations year-to-date amounting to 3,857, a 43.5 per cent increase over the same period in 2014. Elsewhere in the range, Corsavan increased sales by 12.6 per cent and Combo registrations rose by 7.1 per cent for the first nine months of the year.

Richard Collier, Vauxhall’s National Commercial Vehicle & B2B Sales Manager, commented: “2015 so far has been an outstanding year for Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles, and we are very proud of the impact our vans, particularly Vivaro, have made on the marketplace. With the Vivaro accounting for nearly 20 per cent of all retail vans sold in 2015, we’re confident the positivity surrounding the Brit-built van will continue.

“Across the range, it’s a great story for us too, with Movano uptake incredibly strong – it’s a van popular for conversions – while Corsavan and Combo hold their own in their respective segments, with sales growing year-on-year.”

Cleaner, more efficient and more comfortable, they will be the new commercial vehicles from Vauxhall/Opel.

• More performance, less consumption: Euro 6 diesel for Vivaro, Movano and Combo

• Increase safety and comfort: more assistance systems on board

• Immediately available: the 2016 model year versions are already ordered

Modern diesel engines to Euro 6, further assistance systems for enhanced security and other equipment on request here is the main new commercial vehicle Opel model year 2016. Opel Vivaro, Movano and Combo are so perfectly equipped to deal with all the challenges that They await them. 

"The new diesel-edge further increase the efficiency of our commercial vehicles. These engines and more equipment on request make Vivaro, Movano and Combo increasingly attractive to customers, "said Steffen Raschig, Commercial Vehicles Director of Opel / Vauxhall.

Vivaro Combi with the new engine and more equipment on request

The second generation Opel Vivaro commercial vehicle Opel sold more than 50,000 units produced annually, was launched in the fall of 2014. Beginning in model year 2016, Vivaro Combi will be available with the new diesel engines. The 1.6 CDTI with 70 kW / 95 hp with a torque of 260 Nm is the motor input. The combined fuel consumption is 6.2 liters per 100 km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 164 grams per kilometer, ie the same level as the previous model, but boasted 5 bhp less.

The new 1.6 CDTI BiTurbo will be available with 92 kW / 125 hp and 107 kW / 145 hp - in this case an increase of 5 bhp over the previous model. These engines generate respectively a pair of 320 and 340 Nm - enough power for even the most demanding situations. The consumption remain low: the 125 hp version consumes only 5.7 liters of fuel, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 149 grams per kilometer. The most powerful version consumes 6.4 liters, equivalent to 167 grams of CO2 per kilometer. All three engines come with start / stop technology and manual six-speed. Thanks to SCR BlueInjection Opel, are all in accordance with the Euro 6 emission standards.

Vivaro is available with new features like "Keyless Open-and-start" for added comfort, support for tablet or the IntelliLink infotainment system 50 Ships, further developed. The elegance of the cabin is further emphasized by padding "Connect Black" anthracite.

Driver assistance systems and Euro 6 engine for Movano

Movano Movano Combi and Bus are also available with the new 2.3-liter BiTurbo diesel with two power levels. Thanks to BlueInjection to the treatment system, the engines meet the stringent Euro 6 emissions.

The most powerful engine on Movano Combi output of 125 kW / 170 hp and 380 Nm of torque. This is an increase of 20 Nm and 7 CV compared to the previous Movano Combi. At the same time, its fuel consumption of 0,1l / 100km. BiTurbo The new 2.3-liter, 145 hp for Movano Combi generates a torque of 360 Nm despite recording lower consumption, now at an average of 6,3l / 100km.

Opel has also put two engines BiTurbo high efficiency available Movano Bus. The 2.3-liter BiTurbo with 163 hp will replace the current 150 hp to the top of the range. The new unit will deliver a torque of 380 Nm, an increase of 9%. For the model year 2016 will also be available BiTurbo 107 kW / 145 hp with a torque of 360 Nm. 

All new engines are equipped with Start / Stop technology and an additional selectable ECO mode and are matched to six-speed manual transmission . The package of driver assistance systems now available for Movano offers comfort and security. Highbeam Assist, fog lights, Lane Keep Assist and the onboard computer makes driving more enjoyable and relaxing.

A new diesel Combo with higher performance and lower fuel consumption

Better performance associated with lower consumption and greater ecology are also the hallmarks of the new engines of Opel Combo Tour. The two 1.6-liter CDTI turbo diesel Euro 6 from 70 kW / 95 hp and 88 kW / 120 hp versions will replace the outgoing 66 kW / 90 hp and 77 kW / 105 hp. Version 88 kW / 120 hp is available with or without technology ecoFLEX, which includes the Start / Stop (70 kW / 95 hp only without). 

The engineers were able to increase the power of 5 hp and reduce fuel consumption by 95 hp ecoFLEX version, which goes down on average from 5.0 to 4.7 liters of fuel, equivalent to 124 grams of CO2 per kilometer. 

The engine power above has been increased by as much 15 hp. Consumption fell from 5.2 to 4.7 liters and CO2 emissions have dropped from 138 to 124 grams per kilometer in the ecoFLEX version. Apart from the Start / Stop technology ecoFLEX new engines include a new intelligent alternator with braking energy recovery, adjustable oil pump, low friction oil, tires with low rolling resistance - all of which contribute to the reducing emissions.