SOCIETY OF MOTOR MANUFACTURERS & TRADERS Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The UK government’s ambition for all new cars and vans to be zero emission by 2040 is already known. Currently demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles is growing but still at a very low level as consumers have concerns over affordability, range and charging points. Outright bans risk undermining the current market for new cars and our sector, which supports over 800,000 jobs across the UK, so the industry instead wants a positive approach which gives consumers incentives to purchase these cars.”


FREIGHT TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION In addition to the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London, there are five other cities (Birmingham, Derby, Leeds, Nottingham and Southampton) which will have to introduce Clean Air Zones (CAZs) by 2019. There may be other locations which, as part of their air quality plans, also decide to introduce CAZs. FTA is calling for clarity as to which vehicles will be affected as soon as possible. Elizabeth de Jong, FTA’s director of


UK policy, said: “Uncertainty will hurt industry – FTA understands we won’t know where lorries and vans will be restricted until next year, giving only a year for businesses to plan their fleets.”


KPMG UK Simon Heath, director and automotive specialist at KPMG UK said commercial vehicles would be “a big challenge” with over 90% being diesel and with only limited alternatives presently available. “The UK will continue to move towards plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles and target this aspiration, but this will take time. The 2040 target is a big aspirational headline. In reality, it’s likely to take a further 20 years to clear UK roads of traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. Other nations have been more aggressive in their approach; for example Norway has targeted 2025, despite the oil and gas industry representing 22% of Norwegian GDP.” • KPMG provides accountancy and consultancy services


FRIENDS OF THE EARTH This isn’t a plan to end illegal air pollution now, or even anytime soon, says FoE, adding, “It’s a cynical move designed to grab headlines. By relying on attention-grabbing headlines and announcing changes for 23 years’ time the government has shown it isn’t serious about taking meaningful action now.”


REMARKETING


Van prices climb in ‘superheated’ market


Auction company Manheim reports the average selling price for vans sold at its auctions rose by 8.5% year-on-year in June, to £5,121.98. As predicted in May’s update, de-


fleeted volumes were expected to soften over the summer months and overall volumes reduced by 12% in June and a year-on-year reduction of 4% against May 16. Manheim says the reduction in the overall volume offered has fuelled a 1.5% increase in its average selling price against May 17. Matthew Davock, head of LCV at Manheim, said: “Overall performance in June was very encouraging and when comparing month-on-month and year-on-year statistics this further demonstrates we are witnessing a super- heated market place in what historically can be a challenging period. “The first half of 2017 has been


incredible and the results we have delivered for our clients have been industry leading. We continue to grow our leading position and year to date we have grown our overall volume number by 14% against our 2016 position. “Feedback from our buyers in June


was mainly positive, many reporting good retail activity with June being the strongest retail month of Q2 when compared against a reported slower April


and May period. “Overall June provided strong and


positive buyer activity in our online and auction lanes, physical buyer base attending sales increased by 8% and our online attendees have shown 16% uplift against May’s numbers.”


Petrol option on Transporter


Volkswagen is to offer petrol options to its Transporter range which is claimed will deliver up-front savings and potentially a more cost-effective solution for buyers operating in some locations or with particular driving profiles. Having already introduced petrol engine options to the Caddy range shortly after the van was launched in 2015, VW is now adding petrol engine options to its Transporter range, with two 2.0-litre (1984 cc) TSI units that develop 150 PS and 204 PS. The latter is equipped with a seven-speed DSG gearbox as standard and available for front- or four- wheel drive, while the former comes with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive only. Petrol model prices start from £22,625 (RRP inc. OTR exc. VAT).


VanUser August 2017 5


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