Jumbo rolls and jumbo vans back on the road
The phenomenon has been very apparent over the last couple of years. Not just more cars in use, but also a very noticeable increase in commercial vehicles, especially vans.
A lot of those are new vans too, as economic activity increases, and the owners of an ageing commercial fleet gained enough confidence to renew.
The historical van sales figures pretty well mirror the road we have travelled. From a high of some 33,000 commercial vehicles in 2008, they crashed to around 10,000 the following year, along with the economy. Between 2010-2013 sales hovered between 13,000/14,800 with an uptick showing towards the end of that last year.
In 2014 they soared to more than 21,000, and in less than three months of this year we’re already over 10,000 new vehicles sold. James Brooks, current President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, recently forecast another year when commercial vehicles would exceed the 20,000 mark.
All else being equal, our economy is set to continue the growth shown for 2014 by the national accounts data released this month by the CSO.
Domestic spending, business equipment investment, house-building are all moving strongly upward, even if from a recessionary low base.
Whatever about car sales — and the apparent big improvement in retail sales showing, this year is important after years of dependence by the importers on fleet business — commercial vehicle sales have always been considered a barometer of the state of the economy. That barometer is currently showing Ireland in a strengthening economic position.
Expect to see a lot more vans, and queues in the delis for breakfast rolls again, driving forward.
CITROEN
A car-derived van with a 545kg payload, prices start at €20,845.
One of the big-selling small vans, payload from 560-750kg, priced from €13,220.
A medium van, payload up to 1,400kg, prices start at €19,090.
A large van with payload up to 1,885kg, priced from €25,833.
DACIA
SUV commercial, hauls up to 550kg, price €18,700.
FIAT
Car derived van, payload 520kg, price €14,456.
Small city van, payload 535kg, price €13,915.
Distinctive van, carries up to 1,000kg, price from €16,990.
Fiat’s medium van with payload up to 1,200kg, and prices start at €20,618.
New last year, Fiat’s big van carries up to 1,155kg and costs from €21,602.
FORD
Small car derived van, up to 508kg, prices from €14,770.
Ford’s compact CDV has a 581kg payload, costs from €20,185.
New small van, good 660kg payload, prices start at €13,990.
New in the last 18 months, up to 900kg capacity, price from €15,700.
Smart medium van, payload up to 1,500kg, prices from €22,950.
Famous name large van, carries up to 2,281kg, costs from €25,300.
Compact SUV commercial in 2WD or 4WD, from €32,310.
HYUNDAI
Van version of the compact hatch, carries up to 520kg, costs from €17,495.
Van version of the i30 wagon, with a 500kg payload capability, priced from €21,995.
A stylish SUV commercial, payload up to 540kg, prices start at €24,495.
Large SUV commercial, very refined, prices from €37,995.
ISUZU
A strong chassis cab with a variety of applications, prices from €31,439.
IVECO
Up to very large size with standard licence, can carry up to 4,700kg, POA.
LDV
Revived in Ireland, payloads up to 1,419kg, prices from €21,300.
LAND ROVER
Iconic name and capability, payload up to 734kg, prices from €40,800.
A go-anywhere commercial SUV much valued, prices from €57,460.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Brand new generation, up to 1,345kg, prices TBC.
The large van from M-B can haul up to 2,254kg, costs from €29,400.
MITSUBISHI
A compact SUV commercial looks good, drives well, costs from €26,450.
Large, comfortable, and frugal SUV commercial. From €29,950.
A true working SUV commercial; payload up to 710kg, priced from €30,891.
Chassis cab with wide range of applications Payloads up to 5,045kg, prices from €29,400.
MINI
Cute and useful small van version of Mini Clubman. With 500kg payload and prices from €21,030.
NISSAN
smart and thrify small van, payload up to 720kg, and there’s an electric version. Prices start at €16,400.
Respected medium van with payloads to 1,282kg, prices from €18,375.
Big van can carry up to 2221kg, costs from €21,400.
Commercial SUV bound to do well, priced from €27,233.
OPEL
tidy vehicle with 496kg capacity, Price TBC.
Similar to Fiat Scudo, payloads up to 1,000kg, prices from €15,445.
New generation of medium van, great new engine, payload up to 1,281kg, prices start at €21,853.
FWD and RWD big van, payloads up to 1,610kg, prices start at €24,650.
PEUGEOT
Popular small van coming new in July, payload up to 750kg, price TBC.
Good medium van, up to 1,200kg payload, costs from €23,180.
Large van well built, payload to 1,400kg, prices start at €22,000.
RENAULT
Good reliable small van, payload to 800kg, prices from €12,840.
Well respected medium workhorse, great new engine, payload to 1,269kg, prices from €21,995.
Renault’s large van is a big seller here, payloads to 1,610kg, prices start at €24,300.
SSANGYONG
Compact SUV commercial, tidy finish, priced from €25,995.
Large SUV commercial with five seats, from €34,320.
Very large SUV commercial with awesome capacity, prices from €36,995.
SUBARU
A van version of the XV crossover, prices from €31,995.
Original ‘crossover’ van version, good on roads and ruts, prices from €32,995.
TOYOTA
Van version of hatchback car, up to 575 payload, prices start at €17,495.
Medium van with high specification, up to 1,200kg payload, from €20,450.
The king of the SUV commercials road, large, lusty and comfortable. Prices from €39,785.
VOLKSWAGEN
The best seller in the CDV segment, up to 575kg, prices from €19,995.
Top of the class, up to 813kg, new one in autumn. Prices from €15,995.
New one of this icon coming end of year, up to 1,438kg payload, and prices start at €23,965.
VW’s big van is well considered, carries up to 1,544kg, and costs from €27,565.
