STANDARDS DOUBLE
Demand for larger compact vans is buoyant, in sharp contrast to the dwindling minivan market, reports James Dallas
Sector Analysis Compact vans
The Nissan Townstar L2 is available with electric and petrol powertrains
(SMMT) publishes at the end of each month lay bare the stark division in sales between the smallest and largest vans in the compact van sector. In July the largest growth in any market segment was seen in the sector for vans weighing from 2.0–2.5t, which recorded a quantum leap in registrations of 227.4% to 4,407. By contrast, vans weighing up to and including 2.0t made up the only segment to decline, with sales falling
T
CALENDAR Nissan Townstar L2
Ford Transit Courier Ford Transit E-Courier Ford E-Tourneo Courier
he new LCV registration figures the Society of Motor Manfacturers and Traders
-40.9% to 427 units. With Ford beefing up its new Transit Courier, with diesel and petrol versions set to arrive in showrooms this month, so that it is almost as big as its stablemate, the Connect, pretty much the only commercials alive and kicking in the sub-2t bracket are the Dacia Duster Commercial, the Toyota Corolla Commercial and the Suzuki Jimny – all niche models. Fiat Professional’s little Fiorino may be around for a while longer, but its days are numbered – it is destined to follow its erstwhile Stellantis platform buddies the Citroën Nemo
and Peugeot Bipper through the door marked ‘Exit’.
July 2023 September 2023
(est) September 2024 (est) September 2024
Light vans (2.0–2.5t) pioneered the path to electrification, but the lack of electric choices has contributed to the demise of smaller models. It is arguable that fitting a battery to a sub-2t minivan would compromise payload to such an extent as to make it unviable, unless, of course, you count single-seat electric city vans, such as the Citroën Ami Cargo, with a payload of 140kg. The Renault Kangoo, including the plug-in E-Tech derivative, continues to occupy a central position in the compact van sector; providing, as it does, the platform for both the Nissan Townstar and Mercedes Citan. Although only the former of these is currently available as a BEV, an eCitan is set to arrive in the UK before the end of the year.
Nissan has recently added a long- wheelbase option to its Townstar range.
@whatvan
The L2 variant is available with a choice of petrol or electric power – the latter features a 122hp electric motor, and a 45kWh battery, offering a combined range of up to 171 miles between charges. With a vehicle length of 4,910mm, the L2 features a 4.3m3 load bay capacity – a 1m3
increase
on the existing L1 – and features a wider side door, at 831mm, allowing a Europallet to be loaded. Payload of the L2 is up to 800kg and it has a 1,500kg towing capacity. Prices excluding VAT start at £21,625 for the petrol version, and £33,945 (also excluding the Plug-in Van Grant) for the electric. Following the debut of the E-Transit Courier at the CV Show in April, Ford unveiled the passenger-carrying version of the van, the E-Tourneo Courier, in July. Both feature a 136hp electric motor and will go on sale late next year. UK prices and specifications are yet to be released.
September 2023 WhatVan? 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53
