The AA takes a further 158 VW Transporter vans over and above the 500 they took in 2016.

• Vehicles will be used across AA’s renowned recovery service fleet
• AA’s order of 500 Transporters last year is bolstered by further 158 vehicles
• New deal continues close relationship between AA and Volkswagen

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is extending its working partnership with the UK’s largest motoring organisation, The AA, with an order to supply 158 Transporters. 

The additional vehicles come on top of The AA’s order last year for around 500 Transporter vans, which were fully converted at The AA’s conversion site in Oxfordshire.

The Transporters will be used as roadside and recovery vehicles, specially-equipped with warning beacons, racking and a deployable recovery trolley. 

They will allow The AA’s engineers to provide a premier roadside breakdown repair and recovery service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Twin batteries and a higher spec driver’s seat, among other options, have been added to each vehicle. Out of the 158 Transporters, 24 have a DSG gearbox, allowing for a smoother drive and better fuel economy.

Like all Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, The AA’s new Transporters benefit from Volkswagen’s award-winning aftersales programme, and with 72 dedicated Volkswagen Van Centres and 24 Authorised Repairers across the UK, patrols will never be far away from support.

Chris Wiltshire, Fleet Engineer for The AA said: “We couldn’t be happier to continue the fantastic relationship The AA has with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. We have a vehicle that has been developed to suit our needs, and which is converted with specialist racking to accommodate The AA’s tow system, additional equipment and tools.

“The close working partnership provides services to The AA’s wider customer base and supports Volkswagen Group by providing the dedicated Volkswagen breakdown assistance service.”

The AA will continue to replace a proportion of its 2,200 strong fleet of breakdown vans, which are coming to the end of their operational life, with Transporters, which have proved to be dependable, right for the job and efficient.

Domino's Pizza to take delivery of 100 converted Chevy Sparks, as their next delivery vehicles.

100 DXPs will be deployed to 25 markets across U.S.

Domino’s announced today it has chosen the 2015 Chevrolet Spark as the basis for the company’s new Domino’s DXP™ (Delivery Expert), a specially designed and built pizza delivery vehicle.

The Spark will help bring Domino’s heritage of pizza delivery innovation to the streets, due in part to the vehicle’s emphasis on driver experience, nimble maneuverability and fuel economy – assets important to the modern day pizza delivery driver.

“The Chevrolet Spark is the perfect vehicle to bring our pizza delivery to life,” said Russell Weiner, president of Domino’s USA. “Not only will the DXP have a warming oven on board and enough storage capacity to hold 80 pizzas in the rear, but the fuel efficiency is something our franchisees welcome.”

The vehicle, adapted from a crowd-sourced concept submitted as part of the Domino’s Ultimate Delivery Vehicle Challenge, was converted and delivered through a partnership between Domino’s and Roush Enterprises.

Once the Domino’s franchises across the country deploy the vehicles, Chevrolet dealers will receive special training to meet the needs of the unique fleet.

The DXP fleet will be equipped with the OnStar® navigation system, helping drivers deliver their cargo as quickly and safely as possible to customers.

“We love to see fleets use our vehicles in new and innovative ways,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, General Motors Fleet. “This partnership between Chevrolet and Domino’s demonstrates the versatility, technology and performance our vehicles can deliver – in a literal sense in this case – to fleets across America.”    

Domino’s expects to see the first DXP’s to hit the streets this month.

Rare right hand drive 1973 Range Rover convertible to be the star attraction at the Silverstone Auctions NEC sale.

• Rare early right-hand drive 62,500-mile Range Rover convertible conversion due to be auctioned at Silverstone Auctions’ NEC Classic Motor Show Sale
• Bespoke Special Vehicle Conversions build based on UK right-hand drive 1973 Range Rover ‘Suffix B’ will be sold with an estimate of £35,000 - £40,000 after a full restoration
• Silverstone Auctions’ two-day NEC Classic Motor Show Sale will be held at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC, Birmingham on 14-15 November - consignments are still invited

A rare early Range Rover convertible conversion is due to be sold at Silverstone Auctions’ last auction of the year, The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale, on 14-15 November 2015.

Starting life as a 1973 Range Rover ‘Suffix B’, the car was converted in the late Eighties by Special Vehicle Conversions, who specialise in bespoke convertible conversions for Range Rovers of the period.

The rare right-hand drive convertible has covered just 62,500 miles from new and having recently been restored to its original Special Vehicle Conversions specification, it will be sold at The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show auction with an estimate of £35,000 - £40,000.

The car was apparently won by the previous owner in a card game in the Nineties, who then stored it in a lock-up as he didn’t have space in his garages. The vendor heard of the story and sought to try and find the car again in 2014. After trying to locate the car and with the help of Land Registry records, it was uncovered in superb condition – with its undersealed chassis still in fine fettle.

Later that year, the car was treated to an eight-month nut and bolt restoration costing £20,000, which included the recommission of its 3.5-litre V8 engine. The convertible conversion heads to The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale in superb condition, ready to be enjoyed by its next owner. 

Arwel Richards, Classic Car Consignor at Silverstone Auctions spoke about the Range Rover and said, “This classic Range Rover convertible conversion is a car worthy of the modern-day James Bond, but has a story akin to that of ‘007’ too. Not only does this convertible conversion have unique provenance, but it’s based on a truly superb early right-hand drive Range Rover ‘Suffix B’ and has covered a mere 62,500 miles – I doubt you’ll find one like this in the near future.

“With the recently launched Range Rover Evoque Convertible, it has become in vogue even more. It’s a real privilege to be entrusted with re-homing this very important car at the NEC Classic Motor Show Sale and I’m sure its new owner will love and cherish it, especially after its superb restoration.”

Silverstone Auctions will also be exhibiting at Classic & Sports Car - The London Show, held at Alexandra Palace from 30 October – 1 November as auctioneers for the silent auction. The auction house will be exhibiting two cars on their stand, as well as offering on-site valuations to show visitors.