One of the world’s biggest providers of office supplies and workplace solutions has added172 Renault Master Panel Vans to it's fleet.

• Lyreco orders 172 Renault Master Panel Vans
• Vehicles to be used in the delivery of office and workplace supplies to Lyreco’s nationwide clients
• Competitive Whole Life Costs contribute to order win
• Renault Master comes with a 100,000 mile/four-year warranty

One of the world’s biggest providers of office supplies and workplace solutions has enhanced the fleet of its UK operation with the addition of 172 Renault Master Panel Vans.

Lyreco, which operates in 42 countries across four continents, will use the Renault Master Vans in the delivery of its 10,000-plus office and workplace-based products to its clients nationwide.

The industry-leading firm is a long-standing partner of Renault and its latest vehicles from Europe’s best-selling LCV brand were chosen after Lyreco engaged ERA Fleet Cost Management to manage the tender amongst manufacturers and suppliers. 

The Renault Masters replace vehicles from another brand and won the tender based on their whole life costs, impressive payload and the reliability of the other Renault vehicles that Lyreco operates.

Offering a maximum payload of 1,530kg from the factory, Lyreco’s Renault Masters have been supplied in (LM35) Long wheelbase, medium roof specification. All feature an efficient 135hp 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine and front-wheel drive, the latter optimising the amount of load space that Lyreco has available and adding to the efficiency of its multi-drop deliveries. 

Lyreco’s Renault Masters all feature the Business level of trim, which offers a high level of comfort, safety and convenience. The firm’s fleet of drivers benefit from such standard features as a DAB radio with Bluetooth, electric front windows, remote central locking, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with HSA (Hill Start Assist) and Grip Xtend; an advanced electronic traction control system which acts on the vehicle’s driven wheels to optimise traction on loose surfaces.

All of Lyreco’s Renault Masters have been supplied by Greenhous Renault’s Shrewsbury dealership. The order was handled for Lyreco by ERA Fleet Cost Management, with the vehicles leased through Fraikin. As with all Renault LCVs, the Renault Master comes complete with the reassurance of a 100,000-mile/four-year warranty and four years’ Renault Assistance.

Nick Dacey, Logistics Director, Lyreco, said: “Although we have a long relationship with Renault, we still like to re-evaluate our fleet on a regular basis and, once again, the Renault Master has proved to be ahead of its rivals and the ideal fit for our requirements."

Nick Tame, Sales Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “With Lyreco making 1,000s of deliveries a week, its vehicles must be exceptionally durable, efficient, comfortable and reliable, and we are very pleased that they have found the Renault Master to be the quality product that they demand. With the Renault Master, Lyreco enjoys the peace of mind that they have chosen a vehicle that has made a major contribution to Renault being the best-selling LCV brand in Europe for the 18^th consecutive year.”

The Renault Master range is available from £22,900 ex. VAT. Customers can choose from six different engines, front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive; and many bodystyles, including Panel Van, Crew Van and Passenger.

The Renault Master is a core vehicle in the LCV product offering from the manufacturer’s specialised Renault Pro+ brand, which comprises of a vehicle range, services and a network dedicated to business customers. The performance of the Renault Pro+ operation contributed to Renault winning the Most Improved Manufacturer at the 2016 Fleet World Awards.

All Renault LCV vehicles come with the reassurance of the Renault Business Quality Commitment – the manufacturer’s 13-point plan that guarantees customers will receive a class-leading service. Designed to keep customers moving no matter what and deliver hassle-free business motoring, the plan covers everything from an impressive warranty and transparent pricing to the availability of courtesy vehicles and a dedicated customer hotline.

Renault van sales in the UK grew by over 20 per cent to 13,435 vehicles in the first half of 2016, significantly outpacing the van market that grew by 2.5 per cent, according to official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. LCV market share for the first half of 2016 stood at 7 per cent – up 1 percentage point on the same period in 2015.

Renault’s growth in the van market builds upon a record year for LCV sales in the UK last year, with sales up 40 per cent on 2014 to 25,458 units, and also the manufacturer being the best-selling LCV brand in Europe for the 18^th consecutive year.

Wessex Water takes delivery of a fleet of Renault kangoo Panel Vans to boost it's fleet to 150 Units.

• Wessex Water adds 25 Renault Kangoo Panel Vans to its compact LCV fleet
• Leading utilities company now operates 150 Renault Kangoos
• Wessex Water is a long term partner of Renault
• Whole life costs a major influence in securing latest order
• Renault LCVs come with four-year/100,000-mile warranty

One of the most efficient water companies in England and Wales is using the Renault Kangoo to provide a service to its 2.7 million customers across the South West of England.

Wessex Water has taken delivery of 25 Renault Kangoo Panel Vans, the leading water company now having a total of 150 examples of the versatile French van on its fleet.

In its work to provide household and business customers across Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, the majority of Wiltshire and parts of Gloucestershire and Hampshire with water and sewerage services, Wessex Water will use its new Kangoos in the completion of essential site surveys and callouts by its scientists, water samplers and inspectors.

Wessex Water’s previous experience of the Renault Kangoo – the company being a long term partner of Renault – and the vehicle’s impressive whole life costs were key factors in the company’s decision to once again invest in the versatile LCV. Other influences were the Kangoo’s comprehensive standard specification and the excellent support that Wessex Water has received from the manufacturer and its dealer network in the time it has operated Renault vehicles.

Finished in Wessex Water’s striking livery, the company’s latest Kangoos are all powered by the efficient dCi 75 1.5-litre ENERGY diesel engine, which returns up to 67.3mpg (combined). Supplied in Business trim, Wessex Water’s Kangoos provide the company’s operatives with high levels of comfort, safety and convenience. 

Wessex Water’s drivers will benefit from such standard features as electric door mirrors and electric front windows, DAB radio with AUX input, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, remote central locking, and ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with Hill Start Assist and Grip Xtend, which optimises traction of both front wheels depending on the conditions.

Kangoo also has a host of storage compartments in its cabin to make the best use of the available space, while the versatile Panel Van offers a payload of up to 650kg. 

Practicality is enhanced with the standard full steel bulkhead and Wessex Water has tailored its Kangoos with bespoke racking systems and sanitation equipment by QI Van Systems. 

The business also ordered each van with the factory fitted options of a 68mph speed limiter and the R-Link multimedia system with built-in satellite navigation.

Wessex Water enjoys the reassurance of the four-year/100,000-mile warranty and roadside assistance package that comes as standard with all Renault LCVs. The company’s ownership experience will also be enhanced via the Renault Business Quality Commitment – the manufacturer’s 13-point plan that guarantees customers will receive a class-leading service. 

Designed to keep customers moving no matter what and deliver hassle-free business motoring, the plan covers everything from an impressive warranty and transparent pricing to the availability of courtesy vehicles and a dedicated customer hotline.

Martin Crocker, Head of Fleet, Wessex Water, said: “The Kangoo is a perfect fit for our needs and when its whole life costs, payload and efficiency are taken into consideration, it continues to provide us with an excellent package at a very competitive price.

“Feedback from everyone who drives them is very good and the high level of standard equipment has been particularly well received. With our previous experience of the Kangoo, we also know that the vans will provide us with the reliability that we insist on, our Kangoos being on the road 24/7 and any downtime having a major impact on our operations.”

Nick Tame, Sales Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “Wessex Water is recognised as having high standards and demands the best, so its confidence in the Renault Kangoo epitomises the excellent proposition that our compact LCV offers to business customers. 

With the Kangoo having a car-like drive, comprehensive specification, varying payloads and lengths, and a choice of diesel and all-electric power, there’s a version that meets the requirements of all kinds of businesses. What’s more, the exceptional choice it presents is complemented with minimal purchase and operating costs.”

The Renault Kangoo range encompasses the Panel Van, the longer Maxi that is also available in Crew Van and Crew Van Cab configurations, and the Z.E, which is Europe’s best-selling all-electric van and which also comes in Panel Van, Crew Van and Crew Van Cab bodystyles. 

Like the Renault Trafic and larger Master, Kangoo is available in Business and Business+ levels of trim that have been specifically developed with the requirements of the business user in mind. The Renault Kangoo range starts from £13,350.00 ex. VAT.

The stylish Kangoo is the entry to the best-selling LCV product offering from the manufacturer’s specialised Renault Pro+ brand, which comprises of a vehicle range, services and a specialist dealer network dedicated to business customers.

After a record year in 2015 for Renault LCV sales in the UK, the brand’s LCVs are proving to be even more popular in 2016. In the first half of the year, Renault van sales in the UK grew by over 20 per cent to 13,435 vehicles, significantly outpacing the van market that grew by 2.5 per cent, according to official figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. LCV market share for the first half of 2016 stood at 7 per cent – up 1 percentage point on the same period in 2015. 

Renault’s continued growth in the van market builds upon its best ever performance in the UK last year, with sales up 40 per cent on 2014 to 25,458 units, and also the manufacturer being the best-selling LCV brand in Europe for the 18^th consecutive year.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive takes delivery of 85 Renault commercial vehicles, in a large purchase order.

• Northern Ireland Housing Executive orders 85 Renault LCVs
• 33 Trafic Panel Vans, 44 Master Panel Vans and eight ‘off-the-shelf’ Master Tippers
• Low emissions and attractive costs contributed to order win through Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework
• Renault LCVs purchased outright and replace NIHE’s leased maintenance vehicles
• Vehicles come with four-year/100,000-mile warranty

Northern Ireland’s strategic housing authority has replaced its entire fleet of leased maintenance vehicles with 85 Renault LCV models.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) ordered 33 Trafic Panel Vans, 44 Master Panel Vans and eight officially-converted Master Tippers after running a tender through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS). The Renault LCVs secured the order due to their excellent value and low emissions.

The company, which offers a range of services to people living in socially rented, privately rented and owner occupied accommodation as well as supporting and working with a number of other public bodies, will use the mix of Renaults in the maintenance of the 89,000 dwellings that it is responsible for across Northern Ireland.

NIHE opted for the Trafic panel van in short wheelbase, low-roof format with the efficient dCi 115 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine, while its Master panel vans were ordered in medium wheelbase, medium-roof specification and powered by the dCi 110 2.3-litre turbo diesel engine. The Master Tippers – available to order ‘off-the-shelf’ through Renault’s dealer network and with 45-degree rear-tipping ‘Scattolini’ bodies fitted by accredited Renault supplier VFS – were ordered in front-wheel drive, medium wheelbase specification with the dCi 125 2.3-litre turbo diesel engine.  

All ordered models feature the generous Business specification, which includes DAB radio with Bluetooth, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with HSA (Hill Start Assist) and Grip Xtend, electric front windows and remote central locking.

The new Renaults also come with a four-year warranty that provides the ultimate peace of mind for this period or 100,000 miles.

The Trafic and Master Panel Vans were sourced through Charles Hurst Renault in Belfast, with the Master Tippers supplied by Shelbourne Motors in Craigavon. Unlike the vehicles that they replace, the Renault LCVs were bought outright by Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

David Roe, Fleet Manager, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, said: “We considered a number of vehicles through the tender, but none could rival the value or the emissions offered by Renault.

“Despite the large size of the order and our urgent request for the vehicles, all have arrived on schedule and now that we have the first few out in the field, we’ve had excellent feedback from our operatives."

He continued: “Fuel economy is proving to be very impressive and the teams are especially pleased with the quality feel of the vehicles, the level of equipment and the fact that they drive like a car.”

Darren Payne, Sales Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “We are exceptionally pleased that in the face of some very strong competition and through a very extensive selection process, Renault LCVs were deemed to be the best fit for Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

“This is a particularly sizeable order for the region and is a perfect illustration of the broad appeal of our award-winning Light Commercial Vehicles, including the availability of our in-house Master conversion programme that has made it very simple for Northern Ireland Housing Executive to enhance its fleet with quality Tippers that have the official manufacturer seal of approval.”

Available with a choice of four efficient turbo diesel engines, the award-winning Renault Trafic is available in Panel Van, Crew Van and Passenger bodystyles. It is priced from £18,475 ex. VAT.

The Renault Master is available from £21,420 ex. VAT. Customers can choose from five different engines, front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive; and three bodystyles – Panel Van, Crew Van and Passenger.

Renault Master Conversions start from £23,600 ex. VAT, available directly from the factory straight to the dealer. In addition to the Master Tipper that is priced from £27,350 ex. VAT, other ‘ready-made’ Master conversions include a Dropside, Box Van and Luton Loloader.

All Renault LCV vehicles come with the reassurance of the Renault Business Quality Commitment – the manufacturer’s 13-point plan that guarantees customers will receive the very best service. Designed to keep customers moving no matter what and deliver hassle-free business motoring, the plan covers everything from an impressive warranty and transparent pricing to the availability of courtesy vehicles and a dedicated customer hotline.

Renault’s UK van sales increased significantly in 2015 to 25,458 vehicles – up 39.5 per cent compared to 2014 and significantly outpaced the UK van market which grew by of 15.5 per cent, according to official figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers.

The strong UK result contributed to Renault being the best-selling LCV brand in Europe for the 18^thconsecutive year. In a market that was up 11.4 per cent, Renault’s LCV sales rose to 16.9 per cent – equivalent to the sale of 29,000 additional vehicles across Europe

Northern Ireland - Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd takes delivery of a further 28 VW Crafter Panel Vans.

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles secures new contract with Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd.
• Fleet bolstered by 28 Crafter panel vans
• Reliability and aftersales support key to securing contract 

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd (NIE Networks) has renewed its long-standing partnership with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, adding 28 Crafter panel vans to its already sizeable fleet. These were chosen due to the vehicles’ excellent quality and reliability, as well as the brand’s high level of aftersales support.

NIE Networks is responsible for managing 47,000 kilometres of overhead and underground cables that deliver electricity to 850,000 homes and businesses across Northern Ireland. 

As part of its regular replacement vehicle programme, the fleet, which currently comprises over 400 vehicles, has been boosted by the additional 28 new Volkswagen Crafter models.

The company opted for the Crafter CR35 MWB panel van due to its ample load space, rear-wheel drive functionality to help access remote areas, and ability for bespoke conversion. 

Each Crafter will be equipped with specialist racking solutions, depending on purpose and equipment carried. 

The new vehicles will be used within the connections side of the business, to help join new customers to the electricity network or alter existing connections for homes and businesses across the country.

NIE Networks is a business that puts its customers first, and as part of this commitment a number of the new Crafters will be used as 24/7 emergency response vehicles. 

To help reduce costly vehicle downtime, Volkswagen’s award-winning aftercare support will keep NIE Networks’ engineers on the road, and assist by sourcing a like-for-like courtesy vehicle if a van is off the road for more than a couple of hours.

David Corry, Supply Chain and Fleet Manager, NIE Networks, commented: “As the network company, we have a responsibility to ensure homes and businesses across Northern Ireland have a reliable electricity supply. 

It was the reliability and the first-rate aftersales service offered by Volkswagen which helped to make it an easy decision when it came to replacing vehicles on the fleet. We have had excellent experience in the past with Volkswagen, and we’re pleased to continue the relationship.”

The Volkswagen Transporter - 60 Years in 60 Seconds

• First Transporter launched at the Earls Court Commercial Motor Show in 1954
• Over 11.5 million Transporters built to date
• From 786 UK sales in 1954 to 18,350 in 2013 – enduringly popular with British business
• The van which helped build Britain and launched a million road trips

This year marks a significant milestone in the history of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: sixty years ago, the first ever right-hand drive Transporter arrived in the UK.

Simple, cleverly engineered and more practical than anything else on the road at the time, the T1 marked the start of a revolution in the commercial vehicle industry. Today, celebrating its diamond anniversary, the jewel in the commercial vehicles’ crown is one of the world’s biggest-selling light commercial vehicles, with variants such as the camper enjoying cult status across generations of owners.

The Transporter’s appeal remains unique. Over the years, the Transporter has helped millions of owners build businesses and fulfil dreams. From globetrotters to gardeners, beatniks to builders, the Transporter has become the default choice for many generations. And while the Transporter has evolved dramatically during that time – through five generations – the philosophy and vision that created the original still holds true.

In addition to mobilising a nation, the Transporter has also been the backbone of Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle business for the past six decades. From humble beginnings – just 786 were sold in its first year in the UK – the Transporter has been a driving force for Volkswagen. In 2013, UK sales of the Transporter reached 18,350 – a record figure that demonstrates the vehicle’s appeal is continuing to grow. Globally, total Transporter production stands at 11.5 million units.

The British connection

Long before the Transporter made its first appearance on UK soil, the idea for a load-carrying vehicle based on a Beetle platform came from Major Ivan Hirst – a senior British army officer placed in charge of re-commissioning the post-war Volkswagen factory. He ordered the creation of a flat-bed truck – dubbed the Plattenwagen – to move parts around the factory. The innovative truck soon caught the eye of visiting Dutch importer Ben Pon in the mid-1940s, who proposed the idea of a more developed panel van version. 

From factory mule to global icon

While the idea of a Beetle-based commercial vehicle was enthusiastically welcomed by Volkswagen, it wasn’t until the late 1940s that the factory had the resources to put in into production. In a timeframe that would be unthinkable today, the T1 went from drawing board to production line in just 13 months. In 1954, having tested the water in Volkswagen’s home market, the Transporter T1 made its public debut at the Earls Court Commercial Motor Show.

Having quickly established its superiority over its rivals, the T1 became the template for light commercial panel vans, pick-ups and microbuses – selling strongly for 17 years.

Such was the brilliance of the original that the T2 that replaced it in 1967 retained much of its underpinnings. Even the boxy third-generation T3 that appeared in 1979 employed the neatly balanced, load-friendly rear engine layout of the original.

Indeed, it wasn’t until the fourth-generation T4 arrived in 1990 that Volkswagen switched to the now familiar front-engine, front-wheel drive layout. And just as the original had done in 1954, the T4 set new standards for refinement, quality and flexibility.

The fifth-generation Transporter (T5) appeared in 2003 and raised the bar even higher with an even bigger load area, broader range and a host of advanced new technologies.

Getting the job done efficiently and reliably has been at Volkswagen’s heart for the past 60 years. It’s a reputation for rugged reliability that has endured over the decades to make the Volkswagen Transporter one of the world’s biggest selling light commercial vehicles.