First sketch of new Sprinter from Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has revealed first details of its next generation Sprinter van, in advance of its market launch in the first half of next year, writes Brian Byrne.

The sketch shows an evolution from the current vehicle which offers a strong design, and one distinctively Mercedes-Benz.

The van will have a wide range of driving assistance systems and connectivity services.

The company says it will also offer a much greater range of variants than the current Sprinter.

The nameplate was first launched in 1995. More than 3.3m units have been delivered since.

MUTEC opens state of art commercials showroom

Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles dealership MUTEC has brought its all-new, state-of-the-art showrooms on the Long Mile Road into operation, making it one of the most modern commercial vehicle sales centre in Europe at this time.

With indoor space sufficient to display a truck alongside other vehicles, the brightly lit, glass-fronted 400 sq m showrooms presents an impressive front on to the Long Mile Road.

Stylishly finished in subtle tones of grey and black, in accordance with latest Mercedes-Benz corporate design guidelines, its numerous features include a comfortable customer seating areas, customer Wi-Fi facilities and complimentary tea and coffee service.

Marking a further expansion of the MUTEC dealership — whose original building opened in June 1996 within the adjacent Mercedes-Benz complex — the new sales showrooms creates a high-profile presence for the brand at what is one of Dublin’s busiest intersections.

Mercedes-Benz Ireland chief executive Stephen Byrne said the showroom 'is a further indication of our commitment to Mercedes-Benz and of our willingness to support the brand at all levels'.

“This is reflected elsewhere within our organisation through new sales appointments and in dealership developments that are currently in the pipeline,” Mr Byrne said.

Mercedes-Benz Commercials celebrates 50 years

Mercedes-Benz is this year celebrating the 50th anniversary of the launch, in 1967, of their heavy commercial vehicles in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan.

Described by chief executive, Stephen Byrne, as a development that was to see Mercedes-Benz play an important part in the development of Ireland's economy, the first model to launch here was the renowned 1418 - a truck still fondly thought of by CV collectors and enthusiasts.

Remembered for its distinctive 'bull nose' design, the 1418 was to become the workhorse-of-choice within many large fleets, haulage firms and owner-driven operations, carving an important niche for the company in the heavy commercials sector that has carried through to the present time.

Mainstays of the range today are two International Truck of the Year winners - the 1996-launched, heavy-duty Actros, popular amongst long-distance hauliers, and Atego, launched in 1998 and favoured by food distributors and delivery specialists generally.

Another mode, spawned by the Atego and seen working in housing estates, is the Econic bin collection truck favoured by many private waste collectors.

The Mercedes-Benz commercials team members pictured with sales manager, Fergus Conheady (centre left) and chief executive, Stephen Byrne (centre right) at an event to mark the 50th anniversary of the launch, in 1967, of their heavy commercial vehicles in Ireland are Patrick Power, are Gerry McDonnell, Liam McEntee, Joan O'Sullivan, Robert Dunne, and Brian Phillips.

Volkswagen Commercials celebrates 70 years

Volkswagen Commercial vehicles has announced a new range of service offers to celebrate 70 years of its commercial vehicles, writes Trish Whelan. 

The offers will cover all routine service operations, including a minor service starting at €129 and a major service costing €259. Also, if you avail of the major service offer, you will receive a €50 credit towards your next service or repair.

The company has also introduced the ‘7 for 70 difference’ - Volkswagen will provide 7 benefits that it says other service providers don’t offer. This includes a free wash and vacuum, free courtesy van, price promise, express servicing and extended opening hours to suit the customer’s needs.

Offers are available at participating Volkswagen Commercial vehicle Service Centres. They apply to VW Commercial Vehicles 2013 or older. All prices are exclusive of VAT.

The new Volkswagen Crafter van is pictured above. 

Vito proves reliable asset for charity

Mercedes-Benz in Ireland is supporting the Jack & Jill Foundation’s fundraising drive for home nursing care and respite support for sick children nationwide via its donation of a Vito van to the children’s charity, writes Trish Whelan.

The Foundation’s branded ‘No care like home care’ van is used to transport goods between Jack & Jill’s charity boutiques across counties Wicklow and Kildare.

Operating from headquarters in Johnstown, the Vito has journeyed a distance of more than 100,000kms requiring nothing more than scheduled maintenance, helping the charity with its fundraising drive across the charity shops, revenue from which funds essential home nursing care hours.

Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager in Ireland, Fergus Conheady, acknowledged the great use to which the Vito is being put, noting that it is only through use of this kind that businesses can know that ‘its support for charitable ventures is fully valued’.

Hugo Jellett, CEO of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation acknowledged the ongoing support of Mercedes-Benz saying, “The success of our charity shop network just wouldn’t be what it is today without the support of our very reliable and well-travelled Vito.

“On behalf of the 300 sick children and their families under our wing today, I want to say a huge thank you to Mercedes-Benz and we hope to continue and expand this partnership into the future.”

Pictured alongside the Vito, decorated in Jack & Jill imagery, are Fergus Conheady, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles sales manager and chief executive Stephen Byrne. Jack & Jill Foundation founder, Jonathan Irwin, is pictured in the driver’s seat. 

Mercedes-Benz main sponsor at FTA Conference

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has once again been confirmed as ‘Main Sponsor’ for the forthcoming annual Freight Transport Association Ireland Transport Manager Seminar, writes Trish Whelan.

At the event – which will take place on Thursday 30 March at the Johnstown House Hotel and Spa in Enfield, Co Meath – Mercedes-Benz will make a presentation focusing on its 50 years in the Irish truck market. The company will also exhibit a static vehicle display and manned trade stand.

With an expected attendance of some 150 delegates, FTA Ireland's Transport Manager Seminar is set to welcome a number of industry leading speakers to discuss the latest issues affecting the sector.

Further details can be found on the Freight Transport Association Ireland's website: www.ftai.ie

VW Commercial Vehicles’ February Premium Plus sales event

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are holding a February Premium Plus sales event to further enhance and extend its 171 sales offers, writes Trish Whelan.

In addition to the company’s 0pc APR HP commercial vehicle finance, and Ireland’s only Commercial Vehicle PCP finance solution across the entire range, customers can now get up to 3 years free road tax on selected models, or €2,500 deposit contribution for the month of February.

As part of the 171 offering, customers can drive a Caddy from €50 per week, a Transporter from €70 per week, a Crafter from €80 per week, and an Amarok V6 from €112 per week, all of which are inclusive of 3 years servicing and up to 3 years free road tax.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Managing Director Alan Bateson says the February Premium Plus sales event is now available in their dealerships nationwide. 

All their commercial vehicles are available for 24-hour test drives at any of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Retailers nationwide.

New Peugeot Expert goes on sale

Peugeot has launched the new Expert van in Ireland at a retail price starting at €21,520, writes Brian Byrne.

The latest version of the Expert is available in three lengths, two grades and can accommodate payloads of up to 1400kg.

Engines are 95/115hp 1.6 and 120hp 2.0 diesels.

Standard equipment includes twin side sliding doors, twin panel rear doors, full steel bulkhead, 16” wheels, ESP, central locking with deadlocks, driver and passenger airbags, DAB radio, Bluetooth, and LED daytime running lights.

Optional extras include hands-free sliding doors, a Safety Pack with Lane Departure Warning, Speed Limit Recognition, Intelligent Speed Adaptation and more.

US truck 'platooning' exercise

A field test of truck ‘platooning’ in the US is being prepared by Munich-based transportation technology company Knorr-Bremse, writes Brian Byrne. The system could save fuel and lives, according to the company.

Similar platooning exercises have already been piloted in Europe under an EU-supported research scheme.

The idea is that convoys of trucks car drive very close to each other, each taking the efficiency advantages of ‘slipstreaming’ of the vehicle in front, while advanced radar cruise control and automatic braking systems work throughout the platoon via wireless connectivity.

The ‘electronic drawbars’ allow the vehicles to be much closer to each other than if under driver control only. The braking and acceleration of the lead truck is replicated automatically in the following vehicles.

The US exercise will gauge driver acceptance and the feasibility of fully networked truck convoys. It is being carried out by Knorr-Bremse’s subsidiary in the USA, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC.

New Fiat Doblo Cargo available to order

An updated version of Fiat's Doblo is now available to order in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan.

The van has been substantially redesigned and is now styled in line with the rest of the rest of the Fiat Professional line-up.

There are four body-styles, two roof height, two wheelbase lengths, two engine options and two trim levels.

The engines are improved versions of the familiar 1.3 and 1.6 turbo diesels. A fuel economy figure of up to 4.4 L/100km(64mpg) and C02 emissions of 115g/km, are possible.

The load area can be specified up to 5m3. The vehicle is produced in Turkey.

Carna Transport opts for Atros

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to supply Castleblayney-based haulier Carna Transport with 20 new GigaSpace Actros units purchased by them to service their expanding domestic, UK and European networks services.

Chosen winner of the Export & Freight European Haulier of the Year 2014 award, Carna Transport is dedicated to providing what they term a ‘best in class’ service across its wide and growing customer base. Founded by Barry Hughes in 1973, Carna Transport has experienced significant growth over the intervening decades and today operates a fleet of 130 trucks on both National & Continental European routes.

Its decision to purchase Actros is said by Carna to have been largely influenced by ‘our positive experience of Mercedes-Benz and with Actros’. "Of importance to us is the trans-continental, on-the-road support that Mercedes-Benz provides for all hauliers plus the fuel consumption economies that we have been able to achieve with Actros" a company spokesman said.

Actros continues to deliver for Dixon

Dixon International, one of Ireland's leading logistics and distribution companies, has strengthened its fleet with the addition of six new Mercedes-Benz Actros 1845LS 2.5 Bigspace Euro 6 tractor units.

This brings the number of Actros currently in Dixon's fleet to more than 20. The new units are factory painted in the company's distinctive new navy livery and are fitted with Mercedes-Benz Fleetboard telematics and Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) option.

In conjunction with other leading Irish freight companies, Dixon International recently took part in tests where the effectiveness of the Mercedes-Benz (PPC) system in delivering fuel savings in the Actros was tested with results showing an average fuel saving of 7.8 percent.

On taking delivery of the latest units, Dixon International Managing Director, Michael Dixon said: "The effectiveness of the Actros fitted with PPC in delivering real fuel savings, means that over the lifetime of a truck, the cost saving would be at a level that no haulier could afford to ignore."

Dixon International is a family run business based inSwords, North County Dublin, with over 100 employees, specialising in national and international haulage since 1979.

The six Actros tractor units are pictured making their way down the Naas Road towards the company's headquarters in Swords.

Mercedes-Benz brings fuel duel challenge to Ireland

Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles division has embarked on a series of Fuel Duel Challenges, the aim of which is to demonstrate the fuel-saving capabilities of their latest Actros with Euro V1 engine, writes Trish Whelan.

Like those conducted in other countries across Europe, each Fuel Duel Challenge is being undertaken in cooperation with leading heavy commercials fleet owners.

Under the scheme, an Actros becomes part of the customer's fleet and is driven by the customer's driver for periods of two to three weeks duration.

During that time, fuel usage, driving style and other factors having a bearing on fuel consumption are closely monitored and measured by Mercedes-Benz's own Fleetboard system.

The programme will run throughout 2015 during which Commercial Vehicles Sales Manager, Fergus Conheady hopes to complete 20 or more tests. It is expected that the Irish results will mirror those in other markets.

In tests conducted elsewhere, Actros was proven to be more fuel efficient in some 97 percent of cases. "Of 814 duels carried out in 16 countries covering a combined distance of 4.1 million kilometres, Actros delivered an average 10.9 percent fuel advantage," Mr Conheady said

Mercedes-Benz delivers power to ESB

The ESB Networks has strengthened its fleet with the addition of three new Mercedes-Benz Arocs 1845LS tractor units, writes Trish Whelan.

Going into operation at its Ballycoolin depot, the units were supplied by Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles painted in the ESB Networks distinctive yellow livery.

Supplied as art of a successful tender, all feature a 2.3 metre Classic Space sleeper cab, sliding coupling and stainless steel outside storage compartments.

Commenting, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle sales manager, Fergus Conheady said: "Mercedes-Benz is proud to deliver these trucks to such a high profile customer knowing the reputation the Arocs has gained for being a resilient, robust and loadable truck."

Ford's commercial vehicles top sales charts

Ford Transit Custom

Figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show the Ford commercial vehicle (CV) range retained its position as Ireland's best selling van range in the booming 2014 CV market.

In a total van market comprising 16,652 units, Ford achieved a 25.8 percent share (4,299 units), followed by Volkswagen with 17.1 percent or 2,856 units, and Renault with 9.6 percent or 1,614 units.

Total van sales in Ireland saw a whopping year-on-year increase of 50 percent or 5,576 units in 2014 - up from 11,076 units in 2013 to 16,652 in 2014. The CV sales increase significantly outstripped the car sales increase which was in the order of 30 percent or 96,338 units versus the 2013 total of 74,303.

Ciaran McMahon, newly appointed Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, commented: "Our CV sales teams put in a stellar performance last year, our tally of 4,299 units was more than 50 percent more than our nearest rival."

Van sales, he said, have always been a better indicator of the direction of the economy than just car sales on their own and if an increasing number of business owners and van operators have the confidence to upgrade their vehicles, then that is generally a precursor to an overall improvement in the economy.

The Ford Transit nameplate will celebrate its 50th birthday later this year and has consistently outsold competitors year-on-year. Offers include 4 year / 150,000km warranty and low finance offers.

Mercedes-Benz appoints new Donegal LCV dealer

A newly-formed motor dealership, Uni-Star Motors Limited, has been established in Letterkenny to represent the Mercedes-Benz range of vans and light commercial vehicles, writes Trish Whelan.

Uni-Star Motors has its headquarters at Joe Bonner Road, off Port Road in Letterkenny, where it provides sales and after-sales services for the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter ranges of panel vans, pick-ups, chassis cab and crew carriers.

The sales operation is headed up by general manager, Alan Stoddart, a stalwart of motor retailing in the county. He will be assisted by a fully trained team who will provide essential back-up service for new and existing customers.

Pictured is the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, one of the models for which Uni-Star Motors Limited will provide sales and after-sales services.

First Drive: Mercedes-Benz Vito

What has an emu to do with a Mercedes-Benz van? writes Brian Byrne. Well, during preparation for painting the vehicle, the bodywork is brushed with emu feathers to help clear it of the tiniest particles of dust and other materials. The feathers carry an electrical charge to make them do this more efficiently.

It's a small tidbit from a visit to the factory in Vitoria in northern Spain, to watch the latest version of the Vito van and its passenger equivalents being built. Maybe having seen one vehicle factory, one might feel that they're much of a muchness, but there's always something fresh to be learned.

PPC means more fuel efficiencies for Mercedes-Benz trucks

Mercedes-Benz Euro VI Actors trucks fitted with Predictive Powertrain Control are delivering fuel economy figures that are significantly better than its predecessor, according to tests conducted locally by Mercedes-Benz in Ireland.

Using FleetBoard technology fitted to a number of customer fleets, results have shown that Euro VI versions of the New Actros outperform the Euro V version of the same vehicle by what their commercial vehicles sales manager, Fergus Conheady, says is 'a significant margin'.

"The New Actros has already proven itself to be the one to beat when it comes to fuel economy and these results show that even more fuel savings are in store for Mercedes-Benz customers who choose PPC", Mr Conheady added.

With the aid of GPS and 3D road mapping, Predictive Powertrain Control works by identifying downhill and uphill gradients in advance in order to optimise shift points, gear selection and cruise control.

As a result of PPC, the vehicle automatically adapts to the given terrain and controls vehicle acceleration and gear shifting in an anticipatory manner that enhances the driving experience whilst delivering a fuel consumption reduction of up to 5 percent.

VW Commercial Vehicles offer 0% finance rate

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland has launched a market leading 0% APR finance rate across the range on orders placed during June 2014, writes Trish Whelan.

This rate is available on the Caddy, Transporter, Crafter and Amarok models.

Commenting on this offering, Kim Kilduff, Head of Sales and Marketing for Volkswgen Commercial Vehicles said they are offering 'the best re-sale values, up to four years unlimited mileage warranty and be-spoke specification to suit each individual customer and their business needs'.

"We are focused on supporting Irish businesses and ensuring there is credit available for them through Volkswagen bank and so far this year have lent twice the amount to Irish businesses than we did in 2013."

Michelin Tyre boosts Port productivity

Michelin has revealed details of their new X-Straddle 2 - an innovative new tyre developed exclusively for straddle carriers that could increase marine terminal productivity by more than 30 percent.

Designed with protective belts on the sidewalls that make it more resistant to punctures and shearing and a narrower groove pattern that reduces the risk of objects lodging in the tread, the company say the X-Straddle 2 is safer and more robust than the tyre it replaces.

In operational terms, it delivers improved productivity, thanks to a 17 percent increase in top speed (up from 30 to 35 km/h), a 25 percent increase in per-hour distance (up from 12 to 15 km/h) and a 7 percent higher load carrying capacity (from 14 to 15 tonnes per tyre).

Other improvements can be seen in grip, handling and stability and in a 15 percent increase in its useful life, thanks to its innovative new dual-compound tread with grooves that help guard against heat build-up.

A wear indicator visible on the shoulders, greater operator comfort due to reduced vibrations and easier fitting during tyre maintenance and change operations are amongst its other features.