LDV has won a £6.5 million order for 525 new Pilot vans from parcel delivery company Business Express. The Midlands van-maker picked up the business after the Warrington-based Littlewoods subsidiary conducted an extensive trial of the Pilot and eight rivals.

Fuel economy, maintenance costs, residual values and the views of drivers were all taken into account in the trials in which the Pilot - launched at this year's Fleet Show - emerged as clear winner. Each van has a factory fitted driver's sliding cab door, a load lining kit, a 21 watt load space lamp and is supplied ready liveried with Business Express's logo. Part of a 1,360-vehicle delivery fleet, the Pilots will each average 26,000 miles a year over the next four years.