Converted high roof Volkswagen Crafter caters for all Zenith’s roadshow needs.

• Converted high roof Crafter caters for all Zenith’s roadshow needs
• Vehicle chosen for its size, load capacity and blank canvas for conversion
• Crafter provides Zenith with ‘substantial point of difference’ from other vendors

Leading UK independent vehicle leasing and fleet management provider Zenith has turned to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to provide an innovative solution for its mobile exhibition requirements. 

Working in close partnership with Zenith, Volkswagen helped deliver a fully-converted Volkswagen Crafter CR35 LWB high roof which is capable of providing a mobile display unit, allowing Zenith to engage with its customer base at roadshow events.

The Crafter not only provides Zenith with a means of transportation to each event, but also gives the firm a ‘stand-out’ advantage over other exhibitors. Equipped with additional seating, on-board computers and display screens, Zenith uses the bespoke space to demonstrate the benefits of its ‘MyCar Salary Sacrifice Scheme’ and provide instant quotes for potential customers, all from the comfort of the fully converted vehicle.

The Crafter’s size and load capacity were key reasons for Zenith selecting the vehicle for its roadshows. Providing a highly flexible body for conversions, the Crafter is available with three wheelbases, four body lengths, three roof heights and the ability to carry items of up to 4.7m long, plus a cargo area of up 17m².

Working with Volkswagen to specify the Crafter CR35 with long wheelbase and high roof, Zenith selected a variety of aftermarket options to transform the van into a vehicle that can cater for all its roadshow needs. Providing an ideal base, the Crafter features optional air conditioning, additional storage for Zenith’s marketing materials and striking full vehicle wrap displaying MyCar Salary Sacrifice branding.

Zenith has provided outsourced, end-to-end vehicle management solutions for mid to large nationwide companies for over 25 years, delivering innovative and intelligent vehicle solutions to any employee base, whether that's funding company cars or commercial vehicles, providing flexible benefit schemes, or delivering fully outsourced fleet management services.

Ian Hughes, Commercial Director at Zenith, said: ‘We chose to work with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles due to the strength of our existing relationship and the partnership approach that they have taken with us. ‘The presence of the fully converted Crafter has provided Zenith with a substantial point of difference from the other vendors at the roadshow events that we attend. The van has helped create awareness with potential salary sacrifice drivers and increase the take-up rate of our scheme.’

Department for Transport announces £7 Million funding to convert nearly 500 Buses in England to Green Technology.

Upgraded buses will complete more than a million greener journeys a year helping improve air quality

Nearly 450 buses in England will be fitted with green technology to cut harmful emissions by up to 90%, after the successful bids for around £7 million of Department for Transport (DfT) funding were announced today.

The Clean Bus Technology Fund 2015 is being awarded to 18 local authorities across England to retrofit 439 buses with technology to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions in pollution hotspots. Due to their high mileage and long operational life, introducing greener buses can significantly help air quality in town and city centres. The buses upgraded from this fund will complete more than a million journeys a year.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said:

“Greener buses mean cleaner town and city centres and a healthier environment for everyone. The upgraded buses that will soon hit the roads in England continue our commitment to better air quality by investing in greener transport. By targeting pollution hotspots and backing the low-emission technology of the future, we are making the right long-term decisions to improve people’s lives.”

To win awards, local authorities had to show evidence that the technology would reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by at least 50%. The buses will be fitted with exhaust gas treatment systems called selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and will be back on the roads after their upgrade. As part of the award, councils must continue to monitor the schemes and provide evidence of their effectiveness.

This new fund adds to the £20 million invested by the government in retrofit schemes and is in addition to significant match funding by local authorities and support from bus operators to improve air quality since 2011. This has ensured over 2,000 buses have already been upgraded across England to cut emissions.

The Clean Bus Technology Fund is a core part of the government’s commitment to green transport which has seen £2 billion worth of measures introduced since 2011. Upgrading existing transport is in addition to the government’s £600 million investment in low-emission technology over the next five years, which aims to help make almost every car and van zero emission by 2050.